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Ending my Southeast Asia trip in Vietnam was truly like saving the best for last. With so much coastline, I didn’t realize how much beach Vietnam had, along with lush forests and meadowlike countryside. Of course, the food was incredible and I would be most excited about that if I return!
Vietnam has a population of over 100 million, making it the 15 most populous in the world. To me, Thailand and Vietnam are the heart of Southeast Asia. The country has experienced such an insane amount of history ever since it was inhabited in the Paleolithic Age. More recently, the county continues to experience a tourism boom due to its rich culture, great food, storied history, and amazing nature.
Some places that are definitely worth visiting while in the country I would say are Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Hue. I have written individual blog posts for each place that I mention, just click the link and you can get a breakdown of each place and the sights I highly recommend seeing.
Just a few things to note about Vietnam before your visit:
The currency they use is the Vietnamese Dong (đ).
The Son Doong Cave in Vietnam is the largest cave in the world.
Vietnam boasts about 2,360 rivers within its borders.
Vietnam is 2nd in the world in exporting coffee, behind Brazil.
The country is known for its high biodiversity.
Vietnam is considered to be extremely safe for tourists.
Vietnam’s national flower is the Lotus.
If there are any tips that I have left out, please let me know below in the comments!
Ho Chi Minh City is located in the southern part of Vietnam and is also known as Saigon. It is home to 10 million people and serves as the financial center of Vietnam as it contributes to about a quarter of the country’s GDP. Some of the city’s landmarks include the War Remnants Museum (which chronicles the Vietnamese’s plight during the Vietnam war), Independence Palace, Landmark 81, as well as the Ben Thanh Market. Personally, I loved the vibe of the city and regret not being able to spend more time there during my trip.
The Mekong Delta covers a large part of southern Vietnam, encompassing about 40,000 square kilometers of area. Within the Mekong Delta sits a number of floating villages and markets, among other natural reservoirs and parks. Over a thousand new animal species were discovered from 1997 and 2007. Unfortunately, climate change threatens the livelihood and existence of the entire region.
Nha Trang sits on the coastline of central Vietnam with a population of about 422,000 inhabitants. The city is well known for its amazing beaches as well as scuba diving opportunities. It has grown in popularity also among backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit as well as among Vietnamese tourists. There is also a popular Sea Festival that is held Biennially in the city.
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
Hoi An was by far my favorite place I visited in Southeast Asia. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located in central Vietnam. It is a quintessential example of a 15th century Southeast Asian trading port. It plays host to the Hoi An Lantern Festival held on the 14th day of each Lunar month. On your trip here, don't miss seeing the Japanese Bridge, or take a cooking class, or even purchase custom clothing/jewelry and lanterns to take back home.
Hue is located in the Thura Thien Hue Province in North Central Vietnam. After Vietnamese conquest in 1307, Hue served as an Imperial City through the Nguyen dynasty. Today is is home to the Hue Citadel and Complex of Hue Monuments (a UNESCO Designated Site). Perched along the Perfume River there are plenty of attractions to see in Hue such as the Tự Đức and Thiên Mụ Temples along with the Hue Citadel.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the 2nd most populous city in Vietnam, behind that of Ho Chi Minh City. The name ‘Hanoi’ translates to ‘inside the river’ as the city sits on the Red and Black rivers. Origins of Hanoi date back to the 3rd century BC. The city serves as the cultural and economic heart of Vietnam and is a major tourist destination. Perhaps (to me) what is most charming about Hanoi is its range of different architectural styles which includes French Colonial, Brutalist Apartments, as well as Alley and Tube houses.
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Quang Ninh province in Northern Vietnam. The name Ha Long means "descending dragon" in Vietnamese. The bay if full of thousands of karsts made of limestone and contain large amounts of vegetation on their tops. It is said that these cliffs have undergone 500 million years of formation in their lifetimes. Nonetheless, visiting Ha Long Bay is essential when it this part of Vietnam and is often a stop when visiting Hanoi.
