Brief travel guide about Vietnam attractive places

Ho Chi Minh city

Compare to other countries in Asia, Vietnam is more likely to be associated with epic war films due to its historical background. But there's more to it than being a mere battleground in movies. Its rich culture intermingled with breath taking highlands and terraces, pristine beaches and diverse island landscapes make it an ideal option for the next big adventure trip. Thus from north to south, here's a 'debriefing' travel guide for you to conquer Vietnam's top tourist attractions.

Infiltration and Timing

There are two approaches in 'invading' Vietnam trip, landing by plane in Hanoi and going south, or through Saigon heading north. Moving in and around the country can be through buses, trains or domestic flights. The optimal season to visit northern Vietnam is from May until October during summertime as winter times are cold and gloomy. Meanwhile, December to April is the best time to drop by the southern part as this is the dry season of the year.

Conquering Strategic Sites

Starting from Hanoi which is the country's capital, one immediate jump-off is the Hoan Kiem Lake, which means "Lake of the Restored Sword". This beautiful lake is one of the foremost scenic spots in the metropolis being embedded with a rich cultural history. Approximately 165 kilometers northeast from Hanoi is the Ha Long Bay. It is set in a 120 kilometer long coast line and literally means "Bay of Descending Dragons". Being the top tourist attraction in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay comprises more than a thousand islands, each capped with abundant jungle vegetation, forming a fascinating seascape of limestone pillars. Some of the islands are hollow, having enormous caves within. No wonder it is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Numerous travel tour companies provide packages for cruising the bay.

Meanwhile, located near the Chinese border northwest of Vietnam is the Fansipan Mountain, which is the highest peak in all Indochina at 3,143 metres. Also, Sa Pa rice terraces can be found situated in the Muong Hoa valley, between Sa Pa town and the Fansipan mountain. Local tour companies will arrange hikes to both the rice terraces and summit taking a few days.

Going Further South

Marching downward the map, one should not miss the tallest pagoda in Vietnam, the Thien Mu Pagoda. Comprising seven stories high, it overlooks the Perfume River and is considered as the unofficial representation of the former imperial capital. Then, next stop is the fishing village of Hoi An situated on the South China Sea coast. It is commonly called the "Venice of Vietnam" because of the narrow canals that traverse part of the town.

Advancing further down, Nha Trang is Vietnam's most popular seaside resort town positioned along the second most outstanding bays in the country. It also happens to be the country's scuba diving capital. It features beautiful beaches with pristine sand and crystal clear water.

Don't forget to pass by the Cu Chi Tunnels. They are an immense network of underground connecting tunnels located roughly 40 km northwest of Saigon. They were utilized by the Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding places during the Vietnam War. They have now become a favorite tourist attraction in Vietnam.

Take a glimpse of how life is in the Mekong Delta, a region in southern Vietnam which is a very rich and lush area that produces nearly half of Vietnam's agricultural output. Interestingly, all the villages are often accessible by river rather than taking the road.

Before the battle is to be won, plant your victory flag in Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam located in front of Cambodia. The island's features and intact coral reefs will surely calm your wary soul. One of its beaches, named Bai Dai (Long Beach), was even selected by the ABC News as one of the five clean and beautiful beaches. Phu Quoc is also known for producing the best nuoc mam or fermented fish sauce in the world. Sounds fishy? Take the Vietnam travel tour challenge and see for yourself.

Travel Vietnam for an authentic adventure

Hanoi temple of literature

Ethnic Travel Vietnam - If you are looking to visit a place that looks and feels something far and beyond the mundane and familiar, you only need to book a flight to Southeast Asia for some serious Vietnam travel adventures. Instead of a mere 'vacation,' traveling to Vietnam is a true adventure. This country has so many unexpected wonders and treats. From the captivating mix of indigenous, Chinese, and French influences on its cuisine, Vietnam also features lots of architecture and historic towns that literally take you through a long walk through the corridors of time. From the imperial city of Hue to the old historic city of Hanoi, Vietnamese landmarks testify to the evolution of Vietnam as it emerged from southern Chinese influence to establishing its own cultural identity and its struggles with colonial France and Japan.

Unlike neighboring Thailand, Vietnam's attractions, by and large, have not been swallowed by over development, commercialism, and a heavy crush of tourists. As a result, Vietnam travel destinations are more laid back, simple, and complete with their natural unspoiled charms. For example, the Sa Pa terraces in Vietnam's northwest border with China is simply stunning. There are no flashy neon signs or gaudy tourist trap hotels. Instead, visitors are treated to a hillside terrace cut perfectly to hold indigenous tribes' rice paddies. Viewing these terraces wrapped in morning mist is a truly surreal view-it's like climbing stairs to the clouds. If you love tropical forests, unspoiled coastlines, and clean beaches, you'd fall in love with Phu Quoc. This coastline area is Vietnam's version of Phuket but less spoiled and less developed. Phu Quoc offers a simple, pure beach side experience. It has little of the trappings of typical resort areas with similar sand and beach quality. Finally, for a clean, unspoiled and wide-open beach side vacation experience, check out Nha Trang. This coastal town is right beside a magnificent bay. Clean, well-designed, and elegantly simple, Nha Trang treats visitors to an unspoiled and delightful beach experience. If you are burned out from typical beach side resort areas like Waikiki beach or Miami's South Beach, try Nha Trang for a completely different experience.

In terms of historical and man-made Vietnam travel spots, Vietnam is packed with lots of amazing historical sights. For starters, you can try crawling in the Cu Chi Tunnels which are located several kilometers outside of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon). These tunnels were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. You can experience history first hand as you crawl through the tunnels and see how they were carved out and interconnected. If you want to peek into Vietnam's rich fishing and commercial port history, you should head on over to Hoi An. Located on the coast of the South China Sea, this former fishing village and port has been restored to its former look. It truly brings visitors back in time when Hoi An was an international port. Long eclipsed by Da Nang, Hoi An remains as a quaint window to the past.

Vietnam packs a lot of surprises and offers many travelers many exotic memories. Vietnam travel spots are unspoiled, less commercialized, and more open to free exploration. If you're looking for something new, you should experience Vietnam.

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Private tour Vietnam, the right choice for your holiday

There are many different types of tours available for those that would like to see the sights in Vietnam. Your special vacation awaits you at the hands of a competent Vietnam tour operator.

There are several different tours that are available based on your budget, as well. No matter what your tastes, there is a Vietnam tour that is right for you and your pocketbook.

Vietnam private tour

Some tours, such as the private Vietnam tour, are ones that are overnight. These tours take you on beautiful excursions to great places you will never forget. There are many different highlights included in all Vietnam tours, too numerous to mention, but many include elephant rides or stays in the central highlands. You will enjoy luxurious hotel accommodations, as well as daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your tour guide will be English-speaking, and you can also take part in things such as boat trips.

One of the most famous of all Vietnam tours is that of the Danang Central. As with all tours, accommodations are included, as well as meals, and visits to gorgeous beaches, a museum, boat trip, all while learning all there is to know about the beautiful land of Vietnam.

Another great tour is that of Impressions of Laos. This particular tour is perfect for those that want to learn a bit about Vietnam's culture and heritage. There are many charming cities that this tour visits, and you will enjoy all of the same amenities as the Danang Central tour, along with a bicycle ride and tour through the old country. You will have much time to explore and sightsee, as well.

The Indochina tour is also one that is highly regarded as one of the most famous tours in all of Vietnam. In this tour you will be afforded the chance to explore Ho Chi Minh. This tour includes all of the many amenities as the two aforementioned tours, but also includes extra flights, a walking tour, and a trip to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Anyone visiting Vietnam should not miss this extra special tour. To get the most out of your experience, be sure that you hire a proficient Vietnam tour operator. By having an experienced, English-speaking tour operator, you will be able to experience the entire package that Vietnam has to offer.

As you can see, there are several different options for the discriminating individual that wishes to see the sights of Vietnam. There are exploratory tours that allow for you to engage in explorations of caves and such, and there are also relaxing tours, which allow you to be pampered in the exotic local fashion. When visiting the country of Vietnam, it is best to do so with an experienced Vietnam tour operator in order to get the most out of your Vietnam experience. You will be exposed to the culture and history, and really be able to experience all that Vietnam has to offer. You will find many exciting places to explore and you will find that Vietnam offers the best vacation of your life.