Vietnam - 10 top destinations to see in 2018 & 2019

Mar 28th 2018

There are a lot of sightseeing Vietnam has to offer to travelers worldwide to discover from Hanoi to Saigon. When you plan your holiday to Vietnam for one week, you always ask which destinations you must see in Vietnam. You can find hereafter a short list of must-see in Vietnam in 2017

1, Halong Bay
Halong Bay was recognized by Unesco in 1994 for its outstanding beauty. Nowadays, Halong Bay becomes a spot light for tourism in Vietnam. Mostly travelers come to Vietnam would like to discover Halong Bay whether they cruise for a half day or spend 2 days/ 1 night onboard cruise. Halong Bay is a must-do while you are on holiday to Vietnam.

2, Hanoi
Hanoi is a gateway to begin your holiday in Vietnam, specially in the north of Vietnam. Hanoi still preserves French colonial architectures with old villas, official residences  and government offices such as Long Bien bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, Hanoi Opera House, Presidential Palace . Hanoi Old Quarter is a must-see when you get there. You see a vibrant city with crowded motorbikes, cars from all directions.

3, Sapa
Sapa was less touristy before 2014, because there wasn’t a highway which connects Hanoi to Lao Cai province since 2015. Today, Sapa becomes a tourist hub for local travelers who go there by car from Hanoi. Sapa is very touristy at weekend. Lots of Vietnamese visitors spend their weekend with family or friends.
Once you are in Sapa, you have many activities to do: trekking, hiking to surrounding villages to meet local minority groups Hmong, Dzao, Phu La, Dzay etc… or visiting Bac Ha market which is the biggest weekly market in Lao Cai province. Bac Ha market is held every Sunday morning, gathering local people of different ethnic groups living in the area. They go to Bac Ha market on foot or back-horse from surrounding villages and hamlets.
On the other hand, the scenic landscapes include rice fields on terrace, mountain range, clouds, the nature. All makes Sapa wonderful in your eyes.

4, Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai was popular to travelers from France since 2005. They were seeking the non-touristy places and attractions to contemplate. They enjoyed trekking throughout the villages, rice fields on terrace, colorful markets to live the life of local inhabitants. Mu Cang Chai was known as wonderful landscapes with terraced rice fields for Vietnamese photographers a few years ago.
Today, Mu Cang Chai becomes a new destination for travelers who love the nature, breath the fresh air in the forest and interact with local people. It’s time to visit Mu Cang Chai now.

5, Hoian
Hoian was known to early Western merchants, the city was one of the major trading centers of South East Asia in the 16th century. Hoian has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled - roof houses and narrow streets. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. Hoian Old Town listed by Unesco as World Heritage Site since 1999. Hoian has a lot of things to do: walking tour in Hoian old town, cycling to Tra Que village or in Cam Thanh commune, cooking class with cruise on Thu Bon river, Hoian foody tour, basket boat race in Cam Nam coconuts water forest, farming tour in Tra Que village. In Hoian, you can tailor clothes at any shop for your suites. Especially, you immerse into light and sound in Hoian old town in the evening. Amazing atmosphere !

6, Hue
Hue was the former imperial capital of Viet Nam between 1802 and 1945. Located in the center of the country, Hue can boast of its past and displays an imperial charm. Built on the same architecture  model as the Forbidden City of Beijing, it is surrounded by a thick 600-meter-long wall, and has a citadel, marvelous imperial pagodas and tombs. Hue was classified as World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1993. Royal dinner show and cruise on the Perfume river are a must-do while you discover the treasures in Hue.

7, Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Island is now popular to travelers from both Vietnam and around the world as "Paradise for beach holidays".

8, Saigon
Saigon was named famously “Pearl of the Far East” during the Vietnam War.
Ho Chi Minh City today, formerly called Saigon until 1975, is the largest city in Vietnam, in front of the capital Hanoi. Very modern, commercial and tourist center, the city is home to many renowned sites and historic museums as well as a vibrant nightlife. You can see landmarks behind French monuments.
Do not miss: the monuments built by Gustave Eiffel: Notre Dame cathedral, Post office, the city hall!

9, Mekong Delta and floating markets in Can Tho

Mekong Delta is the biggest rice basket for Vietnam. Discover the gems of Mekong Delta for 1 Day or 2 Days Tours: extensive rice fields, lush and green orchrads of tropical fruits, friendly and smile people, stunning floating markets such as Cai Rang, Phung Hiep in Can Tho or Tra Su forest in Chau Doc province. We also can experience 2 days journeys with homestay in Ben Tre, Cai Be, Cai Lay in Tien Giang province. You will get inside the daily life of local inhabitants in Mekong Delta.

10, Cuchi tunnels
Located at 30 km away from Saigon city centre, Cuchi tunnels is a hub tourist destination for every traveler when you are on holiday in Vietnam. You will be amazed to discover the tunnels which were used by VC fighters during the Vietnam War.
At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to Cambodian border and was three levels deep. There are more than 200km of underground tunnels, consisting of a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. The remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the war must have been like.