Looking for a new place to take off to? You have probably heard a lot of people gush about Vietnam. The country has begun to realize its tourist potential and there’s a lot more to see and do than there ever was before.
It’s about time you experienced the splendor of this country by yourself. Here are some things that will definitely lure you into touring Vietnam.
A Piece of History on Your Plate
Vietnam has a very long and continuous history. Hominid settlements have been found dating to half a million years ago and the country’s cultural history is around 20,000 years old.
- The Complex of Hué Monuments in Hué, was the first site in Vietnam to be recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hué was established as the capital of Viet Nam in 1802. The city was not only the political center of then unified Viet Nam but also the religious and cultural center. The city was built around the Perfume River and offers beautiful scenic views. There are also monuments, tombs, pagodas, temples, and more to hold your interest.
- The ancient town of Hoi An was once a major port. The town is now one of the country’s wealthiest and important tourism destinations. Hoi An is free from traffic and pollution woes and you’ll find the atmosphere here to be pleasant. This delightful town has Chinese temples, Japanese merchant houses, ancient tea warehouses and more to cherish.
- The Cu Chi province in Vietnam has an elaborate system of underground tunnels that were built by the Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War. These tunnels served as living quarters; hiding spots; hospitals; food and weapon caches; and supply routes. The network of tunnels was built over a period of more than two decades and has been turned into a memorial park. Tourists can crawl around in some parts of the tunnel and get a peek into what life was like in the 1950s.
Tour National Parks and Sanctuaries
Vietnam has several national parks and sanctuaries great for one-day trips, camping, or hiking. Vietnam and Cambodia tours are practically guaranteed to never disappoint.
- The Cát Bà National Park is situated on the Cát Bà Island in Hạ Long Bay. The tropical rainforest teems with several species of reptiles, birds and mammals. Many plant species found here are unique to the country.
- The Cu Lao Cham Marine Park on the Chàm Islands is recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. The islands are a wonderful place to soak up some sun. The forests are lush and populated with wild monkeys. You can get the best “bird’s nest soup” in the world on the Chàm Islands.
- The Cát Tiên National Park is about 90 miles to the north of Ho Chi Minh City. The Park protects a large area of lowland tropical rainforest and is home to 40 species of animals and birds that are listed in the World Red list of threatened species.
Get a Taste of Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine consists pretty much entirely of rice, green vegetables, fruits and fish sauce! Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of rice in the world and the Vietnamese can eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fish sauce is added to almost all dishes and you could be served an array of fresh fruits as dessert.
- Pho is a staple food including rice noodles, broth, herbs and beef or chicken. It is available just about everywhere and has many variations. Try Bún Bò Huế which is beef and vermicelli soup, Bún Riêu which is crab and tomato noodle soup, Canh Chua which is a sour tamarind soup, or Bánh Canh Bột Lọc which is soup including thick noodles.
- Bánh Xèo is a crispy crepe filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs. It is served with sauce and you can even roll lettuce leaves or rice paper over it and relish.
- Towards the north of the country, the food is inspired by Chinese cuisine. As such, one can easily find Cơm chiên or fried rice to eat.
- Bánh Tét or ‘sticky rice cakes’ are savory rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. They need to be prepared skillfully and are widely eaten during the Vietnamese New Year.
- If you crave for some sandwich in the Far East, Bánh Mì or Vietnamese sandwich will delight you. A French baguette layered with ham, pork, pickled radish, carrots and cilantro gives you everything your taste-buds could ask for.
(http://www.pinterest.com/pin/116249234102856578/)
Indulge in Adventure Sports
With the natural diversity that Vietnam has to offer, there are several options when it comes to enjoying outdoor sports and adventure activities.
- You can go kayaking in Hạ Long Bay. During low tides, one can go through low caves and take in the beauty of limestone and volcanic rings.
- The South China Sea to the East of the country provides ample opportunities for water-sports such as diving, sailing, snorkeling, jet-skiing and kite-surfing.
- Mount Fansipan (the highest peak in the country); the Cát Tiên and Cuc Phuong National Parks; and the Central Highlands are great places to go trekking or hiking.
- One can also rent a motorbike and tour the Central Highlands or Far North. Cycling in the Mekong Delta can be enjoyable as most of the routes are quite flat.
Conclusion
Hills, mountains, valleys, beaches- Vietnam has it all. Whether you want a lazy vacation or something action-packed, you will find Vietnam to be the best choice you ever made.
So get your visas and tickets and get packing!
Author bio
Eric Andujar is a freelance writer and traveler. He writes about the best destinations and travel deals. One of his favorite places on Earth is Vietnam and he loves talking to people about the country, how to get a Vietnam visa on arrival and why it’s a country that needs to be visited at all costs.