Land of the Dragon Descendants - 12 Best Things to Do in Vietnam
Vietnam is a rich ancient culture, amazing natural landscapes, unusual architectural structures and centuries-old traditions. Here you can perfectly combine sightseeing with a beach holiday, scenic mountain walks and extreme adventures.
Monkey Island Hon Lao
Hon Lao Island is a former monkey nursery where animals were bred for zoos. When the company went out of business in 1990, the macaques were released into the wild. Over the years, their population has increased significantly. Now about 2000 animals live in the reserve. Here you can watch macaques in their natural habitat and take beautiful photos. Monkeys are not afraid of people and are happy to take treats from their hands, which can be bought at the entrance to the park. The island also hosts circus performances for children with trained dogs and monkeys. After a walk, you can have lunch in a cafe and sunbathe on the beach.
Ho Chi Minh City
This is a crowded and noisy metropolis with a unique Asian flavor. Most of Ho Chi Minh's sights can be explored on foot. Be sure to visit the reunification palace, the Cathedral of the Mother of God, the Ben Thanh market, the zoo and the Khao Dai temple complex. The exposition of the museum of war victims illustrates one of the most tragic events in the history of the country. Nightlife lovers will love Bui Vien Street, where bars, restaurants and clubs open at night.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnel network began to be built as early as the 1940s. During the Vietnam War, they were used by Viet Cong soldiers as a secret hideout. After breaking through many passages, they created a three-level labyrinth. Here are living quarters, warehouses, kitchens, headquarters and workshops. Part of the Cu Chi tunnels is open to tourists and has been turned into a museum. Anyone can try to walk through the narrow passages, where you have to move only by bending down. The exit from the maze is in the jungle. A special ventilation system was created in the tunnels. Bamboo tubes were used as air ducts, which on the surface were disguised as anthills. The walls were plastered with clay to prevent the passages from burning.
Golden Bridge in Da Nang
The golden bridge on the Ba Na hills is one of the new sights of Vietnam. It was opened in 2018. The bridge is made in the form of a golden ribbon, which is supported by the giant hands of God stretched out of the ground. The Golden Bridge was created not only to attract tourists. It connects the cable car station to the Thien Tai garden at the top of the mountain. The main structure is made of glass and steel, while the decking is made of solid wood. The bridge has a span of 150 meters and is located at an altitude of 1414 meters. This unique attraction can only be reached by cable car. From the top there is a fantastic view of the mountain valleys and forests. The supports are not stone, but made of fiberglass and steel. Moss and cracks are the designers' idea.
Phong Nha Kebang Park
This unique park is located in the Vietnamese province of Quang Binh. It became famous for its extensive network of underground grottoes. There is a large Han Son Dung cave here, but getting to it is not an easy task. You need to walk about 50 kilometers, go down and up the rocks, and also cross a raging river. Phong Nha and Thien Son caves can be reached by boat, which sails directly into the grottoes. Paradise Cave is easily accessible by motorbike. Part of this cave is open for independent walks. After underground walks, it's nice to walk along the Nuoc Muoc eco-trail along the river, swim and have a picnic.
Hanoi
This is the capital of Vietnam and a colorful city that harmoniously combines Chinese, Vietnamese and French traditions. In Hanoi, you can walk through the 36 Streets, visit the Thang Long Citadel and the Temple of Literature to get a better idea of the history of Vietnam. As a legacy from the era of French colonization, Hanoi inherited the Cathedral of St. Joseph and a cafe that serves amazing coffee and baguettes. Fans of Buddhist shrines here can visit the Jade Mountain Temple and Chan Quoc Pagoda.
Long Son Pagoda
This is the main Buddhist temple of Nha Trang and Khanh Hoa province. The pagoda first stood on top of Truy Thoi mountain. In 1900, when a strong cyclone almost destroyed it, the shrine was moved to the foot. Entrance to the pagoda is free. The temple itself is made in the traditional Taoist style, decorated with statues of gods and dragons, glass and ceramic mosaics. Inside is a large bronze Buddha figure.
Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is located on the left bank of the Huong River, 5 kilometers from Hue. The pagoda was built in 1601 by Prince Nguyen Hoang. The main building of the pagoda is the octagonal tower Phuoc Duyen, 21 meters high. Not far from the tower is a pavilion with a giant Dai Hung Chung bell. It weighs 3285 kilograms and can be heard at a distance of 10 kilometers.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
This temple complex is located near Dalat. It is completely covered with a mosaic of fragments of porcelain, pots, vases, ceramic tiles and glass bottles. All the inhabitants of the city collected finishing material for the pagoda. The construction of the temple was carried out from 1949 to 1952. The vault of the sanctuary is supported by twelve columns. These columns are wrapped around by dragons, and their scales are made of pieces of colored glass. The famous Dragon Garden is located to the left of the pagoda. Here is a 49-meter dragon figure, which is the largest in Vietnam. It took twelve thousand beer bottles to decorate this mythical animal.
Linh Ung pagoda
Linh Ung Pagoda is located near Da Nang. It was built in the 18th century and restored after the end of the Vietnam War. You need to climb a high staircase and go through a huge three-arched gate to get into the inner courtyard of the temple. Four dragon guards guard the entrance to the main shrine. The attraction of the pagoda is a huge statue, which is called the Lady Buddha. In fact, this is the goddess of mercy Kuan Am, the patroness of women. Sailors believe that this statue protects their boats from treacherous waves and storms.
Cat Ba island
Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay is one of the most picturesque places in Northern Vietnam and the only developed beach resort in the region. There are several fishing villages and the small town of Cat Ba Town. However, most of the island is occupied by the park. The best way to get around Cat Ba is by motorcycle. You can also take a small boat here to cruise around Lan Ha Bay, visit the fishing village and pearl farms. Hiking in the jungles of the national park is the best way to experience the wildlife of North Vietnam.
Mui Ne
The former fishing village of Mui Ne became a famous resort in southeastern Vietnam after the 1995 solar eclipse. Between Mui Ne and the neighboring city of Phan Thiet there is a long strip of sandy beaches. In this tourist area there are hotels, shops, markets, cafes and massage parlors. There are no attractions in Mui Ne itself, except for the sea and beaches, but there are red dunes nearby.
The sand here is orange, and at sunset it turns red. Between Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are the Cham towers of Tap Poshanu.