Planning A Great Trip To Vietnam
When it comes to arranging a vacation, there are so many options to choose from, whether you are trying to find the perfect destination or just trying to narrow down the right hotel or AirBnb location. When it comes to arranging the transport, then flight search engines such as JustFly are ideal as they can find the best deal for you. Vietnam is definitely one of the destinations worth investigating when it comes to arranging a vacation in South East Asia, offering good infrastructure and a wealth of history and great places to visit. Here are a few of the great things to do in Vietnam:
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Take A Boat Tour Of Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay may be one of those sites that is on everybody’s itinerary when they visit Vietnam, but it is with very good reason. The karst stone formations here are spectacular, and although they were highlighted to the world in a James Bond movie, they are a spectacular to see and especially seeing the rocks rising like giants from the azure waters. There are several companies offering boat trips to explore the area, but always see the boat before you commit to the cheapest option!
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Explore The History And Conflict Relics In The DMZ
The De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) is an area of Vietnam that saw heavy fighting during The Vietnam War, and is only around five miles in width at the narrowest point in the country. It can be reached from Hue and Da Nang, and the tunnels and caves that were used by fighters, such as the Vinh Moc tunnels are interesting. There are also rusting relics such as tanks in the area, while seeing the jungles and mountainous scenery can make you imagine how challenging terrain this would have been for the military.
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See The Wonders Of Hoi An From The Canal
The city of Hoi An is a fascinating place to visit, and the Old Town is an UNESCO world heritage site, with several distinctive landmarks to visit. However, the traditional way of getting around the area was by river, and this is still one of the best ways of actually seeing the city as well. You can charter a boat yourself to take you around the city, or there are also tours you can take as well of the great beaches in the area. The Japanese Covered Bridge is certainly one site to view, but seeing the city from the water gives you a very different perspective.
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Go Quad Biking In The Mui Ne Sand Dunes
Mui Ne is one of the more interesting areas of Vietnam, and in truth while you are visiting the scenery may appear closer to being in the Sahara rather than in South East Asia. The amazing red and white sands found in the waves of dunes are spectacular, and are different to almost any other surroundings in the country. While you can take organized trips and go sand-surfing or sledging down the dunes, taking a quad biking tour is one of the best ways of seeing the area, and offers a great combination of speed and the stunning Mui Ne scenery.
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See The Caves In The Phong Na-Khe Bang National Park
The Phong Na-Khe Bang National Park is home to one of Vietnam’s UNESCO world heritage sites, and the mountain at the heart of the park is one of the oldest karst formations in the world. However, it is the caves beneath the mountain that really bring the visitors into the area, and the spectacular caverns within this network will take your breath away. Access to the area is quite tightly controlled, so you can only explore the caves with a guide, but a trip into these caves should certainly be on your itinerary.
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Chill On My Khe Beach
While almost any international trip can have attractive and exciting outdoor activities or sights to see sometimes it is easier just to take a beach break and relax. My Khe is definitely one of the best beaches in Vietnam, as it offers the white sand, calm waters and temperatures that you would expect on such a vacation. The beach is within easy reach of the city center of Da Nang, and can be accessed via taxi or bus, if you haven’t rented a vehicle during your trip.
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Shop At Colon Market In HCMC
While the capital may not be on every tourist’s checklist while booking a trip to Vietnam, it certainly has no shortage of features that can make for an interesting trip. Located in the Chinatown district of the city, this bustling market offers a huge range of items on offer, from food to items for the home, and a range in between. The market was traditionally where imported items would be sold, and from the Chinese lanterns and the decoration of the market building, it is an impressive place to behold as well as giving you a chance to try your haggling skills with the locals.
Arranging Your Transport To Vietnam
The vast majority of people who visit Vietnam will do so by air, and the two main airports which people will use to get in are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These are in the north and the south of the country respectively, and offer good connections to Europe, North America and other parts of the world, while there are also airports in Vinh, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Da Nang that generally serve routes in Asia. If you are in neighboring countries, there are generally reasonable bus connections from most major cities, while the rail link to China runs from Nanning.
Food And Drink In The Country
Naturally there are regional distinctions in the cuisine of the country, but Pho is a dish that is found in many parts of Vietnam, and is a noodle based dish worth seeking out. The cuisine in the south of the country is generally sweeter, and Banh Tet is a dish of sticky rice and mung bean paste that is cooked with pork and black pepper and wrapped in banana leaves. Tea and coffee are popular in Vietnam, but as a warm country, cold drinks such as iced tea and iced coffee, along with plum or sugar cane soda are also popular. Local beers are also well worth looking out for, and are tasty and affordable.
