Vietnam is one of those countries everybody should visit at least once in a lifetime. A holiday in this scenic and historically rich country is guaranteed to be a memorable one. Here are some of the most iconic attractions worth visiting if you have time in your itinerary.
My Son Cham Towers
My Son Cham Towers are located in Quang Nam province, about 1 hour south of Da Nang. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be found near the town of My Son.
They were built between the 6th and 8th centuries. They were dedicated to Hindu deities believed to protect people from evil spirits during their travels through dangerous areas of the region. The towers were made out of bricks, sandstone, and laterite (a type of rock). They’re best known for their unique combination of styles; they incorporate elements from both Hinduism and Buddhism that reflect the culture of the Cham people who lived there.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. These tunnels were used as hiding places, hospitals, and command centers. The Cu Chi Tunnels stretch over 200 kilometers around Ho Chi Minh City. They also include many traps—such as firing holes for rifles and machine guns—to use against enemy troops.
The tunnels were built by hand, using shovels and hoes to dig through soil that was hard from limestone deposits.
Mekong Delta’s floating markets
The Mekong Delta is home to many floating markets, which are popular tourist attractions. These markets sell souvenirs and fresh produce, but they also offer the chance to have a good time. If you’re interested in getting some local food or seeing how Vietnamese people live, it’s worth checking out one of these markets.
If you do visit a floating market, keep in mind that there are many ones throughout Vietnam. The best way to figure out which ones are worth visiting is by asking locals or asking other tourists who’ve been there before.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also Vietnam’s most popular tourist attraction, and for a good reason: it has more karsts than any other place on Earth! The limestone towers rise from the sea in an explosion of rock and color, according to LonelyPlanet.
Halong Bay is home to hundreds of islands—between 1,000 and 2,000 depending on whom you ask—and thousands of caves carved out by salt water over millions of years. Boats cruise through its waters daily to visit these islands and caves. Some have restaurants or bars where you can enjoy lunch or a drink while surrounded by gorgeous scenery (be sure to bring your camera).
Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay (also known as Bai Tu Long) lies just south of Halong Bay along Vietnam’s north-central coast. Like its famous neighbor, Lan Ha features countless karsts rising dramatically out of the water like giant stone fingers pointing toward heaven—or perhaps they’re giant stone hands clutching at something below them? Either way, they look amazing from afar… And even better up close!
Vietnamese Water Puppets
If you’re looking for something unique and particularly Vietnamese, then you’ll love water puppets. These traditional puppet shows are performed in a pool of water and feature beautiful puppets made out of wood, fabric, and bamboo.
The Mekong Delta is home to the art form’s most famous performers, who use their skills to tell stories from Vietnamese folklore. The shows can last up to three hours and are often accompanied by live music played on traditional instruments like the đàn Tranh (a zither) or the đàn gáo (a mouth organ).
But before you visit Vietnam, you’ll need to get a Vietnam Tourist Visa. You can do this online by completing an application form and uploading the necessary requirements, click here for more information. This visa is electronically linked to your passport and will allow you to travel around Vietnam for 30 days.
We hope this post has convinced you to visit Vietnam. We can’t think of anywhere else that offers so much packed into one country. As an avid traveler, it will keep you busy and entertained for weeks!