A tour of Vietnam will not be complete without visiting the country’s precious treasures.
Rising from the rubbles of war, Vietnam with its 86+ million population working hand-in-hand, is fast gaining a reputation as a great tourist destination in South East Asia. In the last decade, Vietnam’s tourism industry has tremendously increased. In 2006, data showed that there are more than 3.5 million tourists who visited the country. At present, concern government agencies are doing their best to develop other places they considered as potential tourist destinations. Below is a list of places one should visit when in Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay
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Another beautiful place to see in Vietnam is the Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone islands. Situated in the Northeastern side of the country, Ha Long Bay comprises about 1,960 islands (989 have been named) in various shapes and sizes. Some of the famous islands visitors must not miss includes: TheMan’s Head Island, Dragon Island, the Pair of Roosters, and the Incense Burner. Also, there are wonderful grottoes in the islands among them; Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto), Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), and Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto). Ha Long Bay is also home to 60 endemic animal species and 14 flower species.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), tourists will have to take a two and a half hours away bus ride to reach Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels stretching to about 121 km were once vital fixtures for the Viet Congs’ victory over the American forces. Today, the Vietnamese government transformed these tunnels into a major tourist attraction.
A day will not be enough to explore Cu Chi Tunnels but surely visitors will be in for surprises and amazement to find out what comprises these tunnels! Underground; villages, hospitals, and factories mirror the Viet Cong underground life during the war. Above-ground, souvenir shops flood the place where visitors can savor local delicacies, buy unique items, including caged monkeys.
Hoi An
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If you want to visit a place that is full and rich in Asian history, then the old city of Hoi an is a great site to visit. History tells that the old town was once a busy port where ships anchored and Asian merchants made their trade. Though, Vietnam’s shipping business was transferred to another place, the government has seen that preserving the old town is a good tourism investment. Hoi An was declared a was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.
Visitors will be in for a thrill to see old houses, statues, pagodas, halls and roads that showcase mixture of different Asian cultures. Hoi An is also a very nice place to do some shopping for souvenirs, handicraft, silk garments, paintings as well as savoring the local noodle. Other places worth seeing in Hoi An are the scenic Hoi An River, Cham Island and the Cua Dai beach. Lastly, add to your itinerary the famous Full Moon Festival where colorful lights and lamps flood every lane of the old town.
The Thien Mu Pagoda
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Your visit to Vietnam will not be complete without setting your eyes on the natural beauty of the Thien Mu pagoda (”Heavenly Lady Pagoda”). Fronting the Perfume River, the seven storey pagoda was built in 1610. Some beautiful sites to see there includes: Phuoc Duyen tower, the main hall that housed the Buddha and the monks buildings. Cemetery and a building where Thich Quang Duc memorable car is house. It is best to visit Thien Mu pagoda in the afternoon where visitors can enjoy watching numbers of boats traveling the Perfume River.
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Rising from the rubbles of war, Vietnam with its 86+ million population working hand-in-hand, is fast gaining a reputation as a great tourist destination in South East Asia. In the last decade, Vietnam’s tourism industry has tremendously increased. In 2006, data showed that there are more than 3.5 million tourists who visited the country. At present, concern government agencies are doing their best to develop other places they considered as potential tourist destinations. Below is a list of places one should visit when in Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay
Another beautiful place to see in Vietnam is the Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone islands. Situated in the Northeastern side of the country, Ha Long Bay comprises about 1,960 islands (989 have been named) in various shapes and sizes. Some of the famous islands visitors must not miss includes: TheMan’s Head Island, Dragon Island, the Pair of Roosters, and the Incense Burner. Also, there are wonderful grottoes in the islands among them; Dau Go (Driftwood Grotto), Tam Cung (Three Palace Grotto), Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto), and Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto). Ha Long Bay is also home to 60 endemic animal species and 14 flower species.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), tourists will have to take a two and a half hours away bus ride to reach Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels stretching to about 121 km were once vital fixtures for the Viet Congs’ victory over the American forces. Today, the Vietnamese government transformed these tunnels into a major tourist attraction.
A day will not be enough to explore Cu Chi Tunnels but surely visitors will be in for surprises and amazement to find out what comprises these tunnels! Underground; villages, hospitals, and factories mirror the Viet Cong underground life during the war. Above-ground, souvenir shops flood the place where visitors can savor local delicacies, buy unique items, including caged monkeys.
Hoi An
If you want to visit a place that is full and rich in Asian history, then the old city of Hoi an is a great site to visit. History tells that the old town was once a busy port where ships anchored and Asian merchants made their trade. Though, Vietnam’s shipping business was transferred to another place, the government has seen that preserving the old town is a good tourism investment. Hoi An was declared a was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.
Visitors will be in for a thrill to see old houses, statues, pagodas, halls and roads that showcase mixture of different Asian cultures. Hoi An is also a very nice place to do some shopping for souvenirs, handicraft, silk garments, paintings as well as savoring the local noodle. Other places worth seeing in Hoi An are the scenic Hoi An River, Cham Island and the Cua Dai beach. Lastly, add to your itinerary the famous Full Moon Festival where colorful lights and lamps flood every lane of the old town.
The Thien Mu Pagoda
Your visit to Vietnam will not be complete without setting your eyes on the natural beauty of the Thien Mu pagoda (”Heavenly Lady Pagoda”). Fronting the Perfume River, the seven storey pagoda was built in 1610. Some beautiful sites to see there includes: Phuoc Duyen tower, the main hall that housed the Buddha and the monks buildings. Cemetery and a building where Thich Quang Duc memorable car is house. It is best to visit Thien Mu pagoda in the afternoon where visitors can enjoy watching numbers of boats traveling the Perfume River.
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