With its wide boulevards, ancient pagodas and tree-lined lakes, Vietnam’s capital is also the country’s most atmospheric and beguiling city. There is an energy and charm here arising from the genteel mix of French colonialism and Asian grace and tradition. Enjoy a showcase of synchronised t’ai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake; stroll around the lively Old Quarter with its narrow streets with traders and hoards of scooters weaving in and out, and don’t miss the chance to see a water puppetry show at the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Other places to visit include the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Perfume Pagoda temple complex and the Hanoi Opera House in the heart of the French Quarter.
Situated in Northern Vietnam, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is set in the Thanh Hoa Province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. Stretching from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong National Park, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is renowned for its biodiversity, outstanding natural beauty, and its rich ethnic cultural heritage showcasing the Thai and Muong ethnic communities. Nature lovers can discover a rich diversity of fauna and flora, explore lush forests, soak up the limestone panoramas, and view the picturesque thousand-year-old terraced rice paddies. It makes for a scenic nature-filled day trip from Hanoi, which lies just northeast of the reserve. Other highlights include the opportunity to trek through the untouched landscape and cycle to the traditional rural villages dotting the area.
Lying 100 km south of Hanoi in the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh is the capital city of Vietnam’s Ninh Binh province. With its easy transportation links to destinations both north and south, this laidback town makes an ideal base for exploring the remarkably scenic surrounding countryside. The highlight of the area is undoubtedly the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring lush green paddy fields, some quintessentially Vietnamese limestone scenery, and a number of impressive caves. Other popular nearby sights include the nation’s biggest pagoda and the extraordinary views from the top of Hang Mua Peak.
Cat Ba is the largest of the 367 islands that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago, which makes up the southeastern edge of Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam. Approximately half of the island’s area is covered by a national park, which covers both land and marine areas. The park has a high biodiversity with impressive number of mammals including civet cats, oriental giant squirrels and even the highly endangered Cat Ba langur. The interior of the island is characterised by some lovely lakes, waterfalls, grottoes, and limestone hills, while the coastline features rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and tiny fishing villages hidden away in small coves. Visitors can explore the main commercial centre of Cat town where there is a small harbour with some excellent seafood restaurants. Other popular activities include boat trips out into Ha Long Bay, relaxing on the beaches, or engaging in outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, kayaking and hiking.
Verdant landscapes of endless greenery and rolling hillsides envelope Lien Son, an idyllic rural town that rests quietly on the Central Highlands in the province of Dak Lak, Vietnam. A picturesque setting of rattan and wooden stilt houses amidst an array of restaurants, cafes and accommodations make the town a prime stop-off point to the renowned Lak Lake. Tourists camp alongside the lake’s legendary beauty and watch as the sunset. A popular activity is gliding along the forest-fringed waters in a Vietnamese long-tail boat.
Hon Ong Island, also known as Whale Island, is situated in the Khanh Hoa Province along the centre of Vietnam’s coastline and is protected by a cove-like peninsula. The island is a paradise of gorgeous, soft-sanded beaches, fringed by bright, clear, turquoise and emerald waters and layered with lush green vegetation dotted by traditional huts. With a quieter and more off-the-beaten-track atmosphere, Hon Ong Island provides a wonderful destination for holidaymakers looking for pure relaxation. The name of the island indicates a kind of reverence, as Vietnamese people regard whales as sacred creatures. There are excellent opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving and other watersports in the exceptionally calm and clear waters here. Make sure to visit some of the surrounding islands such as Hon Lon, which is decorated by massive mountains, forests and freshwater streams.
