A Beginner's Guide to Visiting Vietnam

A land of natural beauty, with magnificent hillside tribal villages and cultural values, Vietnam is both appealing and exotic. It is known for its elegant scenic attractions, the most popular being the Halong Bay, Con Dao islands, and an amazing number of national parks. This South-Eastern Asian country has been a significant tourist attraction for its old temples and other historical attractions.

The Major Tourist Attractions of Vietnam

Vietnam is a land of rich cultural heritage that offers some exclusive sight-seeing spots like rivers, beaches, and Buddhist Pagodas. It is known for its bustling cities like Hanoi, Nha Trang, Hue, and the most famous, Ho Chi Minh City.

With that said, let’s have a glance at the top attractions of Vietnam that keep tourists visiting the country time and again.

Ha Long Bay – Situated in North Vietnam, Ha Long Bay stretches around a 120km long coastline and comprises thousands of islands. Carrying a literal meaning of the ‘Bay of Descending Dragons’, Ha Long Bay forms a spectacular seascape of thick vegetation and limestone pillars. While some of its islands are hollow, having enormous caves, others include lakes. There are a few islands that have floating villages of the local fishermen. You can also consider splurging on a Halong Bay cruise.
Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue – It is the tallest pagoda in the country and is considered an icon of the former imperial capital. It is built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River. The Thien Mu Pagoda is associated with seven stories, each of which is dedicated to a manushi-buddha, which refers to a Buddha that appeared as a human form.
Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi – Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the significant scenic beauties in the capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi. It serves as a favorite leisure spot for the local inhabitants. It is a freshwater lake that attracts visitors for its peaceful nature. It surrounds the Ngoc Son Temple, which is a pagoda that is situated at the center of a small island.
Hoi An – Situated on the coast of the South China Sea, Hoi An is an important tourist attraction in Vietnam and is a fishing village as well. It has also been an International shipping port since the 16th century. The shipping business has, however, been shifted to Da Nang. The city reflects the mood of an old town comprising winding lanes and Chinese-fashioned shops. Rightly known as the ‘Venice of Vietnam’, one would also get to see narrow canals that are cut through a certain part of the city. So if you are a foodie, this city would be the ideal one, as it has a Central Market that is packed with stalls that serve a great variety of food at really affordable prices.
Phu Quoc – Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam and is located off the Cambodian coast in the Gulf of Thailand. Famous for its gorgeous white-sand beaches and exotic resorts, Phu Quoc is considered the ideal holiday destination. It also features a dense tropical jungle, scenic mountains, and wildlife, which are a part of the Phu Quoc National Park.

Apart from these major tourist attractions, Vietnam has a lot more to offer, including Sa Pa Terraces, Mui Ne, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, Nha Trang, and the list is endless!

Some Tips for the First Time Visitor

If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time, then things would sound a bit confusing first. So we have come up with a comprehensive list of things to do that will enhance your trip.

Sort out your Visa. Never forget your Visa, and it’s wise to triple-check your documentation upon arrival.
Weather varies a lot. The country, in general, remains hot and humid most of the time. At times, however, one can experience drastic changes in weather conditions. So be prepared to receive either snow or steaming hot conditions.
Dress appropriately. Although you can wear anything throughout the country, it is, nonetheless, advisable to cover yourself up appropriately while visiting religious sites like temples.
Traffic is quite hectic. Traveling through urban Vietnam, you might experience heavy traffic congestions. Our advice is to keep a slow pace while walking down the roads of Vietnam.
Avoid tap water. Use water filtering systems or carry bottled water every time to avoid food poisoning.
Take care of your belongings. Even though you are going to experience some really nice and non-violent people, you still need to protect your belongings from petty theft.
Definitely try the street food! Have a taste of the Vietnamese culture from the full range of mouth-watery foods and delicacies served by stallholders on the streets.

If you are looking for a personal tour guide to obtain detailed information on how to get the most out of your visit to Vietnamese soil, visit exploreonevietnam.com to learn more.