Vietnam offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list.
Halong Bay
Thousands of limestone karsts jut skyward from emerald waters in this UNESCO World Heritage-listed seascape. The best way to see it is to hop by boat between islands, including scenic Cat Ba, home to a national park.
—-
The jewel of Hue’s Citadel, this sprawling complex of majestic palaces and evocative temples brings the magnificence of Vietnam’s royal dynasties to life.
—
Markets
Photo taken on: June 08th, 2008
From Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter to floating outposts in the Mekong Delta, markets reveal colorful slices of local life. Plunge right in and haggle like you mean it.
—-
Rapidly modernizing, HCMC is a jolt of urban energy unlike anywhere else in the country. The frenetic pace (that traffic!) is tempered by peaceful pagodas, parks, and cafés.
—-
Devour a delicious bowl of pho on a bustling corner or follow the fragrant smoke emanating from a sidewalk brazier, where marinated pork sizzles.
—-
Photo taken on: December 30th, 2011
Museums pay tribute, but for a different perspective on the war, look underground—the vast Cu Chi tunnel network is a monument to Vietnamese tenacity.
—-
Untamed jungle, vast imagination-defying limestone caves, and underground rivers make this spectacular region irresistible to adventurers.
—-
French colonial architecture, historic traders’ houses, and atmospheric temples are among the charms of Hoi An that are easily discovered on a riverside stroll.
—-
Two thousand miles of tropical coastline ensure that the white sands of a postcard are never far away. Islands like Phu Quoc combine idyllic beaches and diving.
—-
Built by the French as health retreats, hill stations such as Dalat make a cool contrast to the steamy lowlands—think misty peaks and rugged scenery.
—-
Sapa
Home to ethnic minorities, this northern mountain town is also the jumping-off point for some compelling sights, including Fansipan, Vietnam’s tallest summit.
—-
