Magical Vietnam
It’s hard to believe it has been almost a year since I returned from Vietnam—listed atop among Asia’s most scenic places. Vietnam is an amazing country with a vibrant culture, stunningly beautiful landscape, and delicious food. The memories of my trip are still fresh, as it is impossible to forget a place with a lot to offer, both in culture and natural beauty.
Vietnam should be on your travel list; there are endless reasons to visit this magnificently beautiful country which will electrify your senses and rejuvenate your soul. During my Vietnam trip, I was amazed by its dramatic landscapes, fascinating history, epic food and pulsating energy.
Explore Hanoi, the capital city
Hanoi is always a great base to start your trip in Vietnam. Hanoi has existed for more than 1000 years and enchants its visitors with the old and the new charms. There is a lot to do and see in and around Hanoi.
Vietnam is famous for its street food, and nothing can beat a good bowl of chicken pho soup to start your day.
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The streets food joints all across Vietnam are crowded at any hour of the day. You can easily witness people outside shopfronts sitting on little plastic stools on the sidewalk enjoying their meals. Vietnamese food is amazing, and eating on the street is the best way to truly experience Vietnam’s daily life.
Hanoi is the biggest cities in Vietnam; during your stay in the city, you can enjoy:
- Hanoi City Tour around Old Quarter and Sword Lake
- Try the original Pho Noodle in Hanoi
- Pay a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum
- Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Hanoi Street Food Tou
Halong Bay – UNESCO World Heritage
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Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin to the northeast of Vietnam, roughly a four-hour drive from Hanoi. A maze of around 2000 limestone islands and islets of different sizes and shapes create a dramatic scape of mountains, sea and sky.
Halong Bay is one of Asia’s top tourist attractions and draws in massive interest from nature lovers worldwide. It is blessed with exquisite natural limestone pillars and emerald waters. Cruising Halong Bay has been the best experience I had during my stay in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s history is convoluted; foreign invaders have occupied and divided this beautiful country on various occasions. Scares of its bloody past are still visible. To learn about Vietnam’s history, one should visit monuments, museums and caves spread across Vietnam. Caves are quite predominant, and during the war, people took refuge in caves to save themselves from the bombing.
SAPA – Home to Ethnic Tribes
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To be honest, I haven’t seen anything magical like Sapa. It’s a hill station in the Northwest of Vietnam with some stunning landscapes and home to ethnic minorities of Vietnam. The ethnic people have preserved their unique culture and historical background. The interesting fact about these minorities is that each hill tribe in Sapa has its distinctive language.
The beautiful terraced rice fields and lush green mountain peaks are worth a short trip from Hanoi. I went by cab but the preferred mode to reach Sapa is to board a train from Hanoi. It is the most popular mode of transport and makes Sapa an accessible destination on the tourist circuit.
Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills
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There isn’t any better cure for urban fatigue than to escape and head out into the fresh, clean atmosphere of Ba Na hills in central Vietnam! The day-long trip will bring you to the locale’s scenic sights and give you a healthy dose of much-needed mountain air. Ascending one of the world’s longest and highest cable car rides provide one with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
It isn’t just the old French villas but what impresses the travellers the most is Golden Bridge. The giant hand covered with moss lifting the bridge from the verdant hill is the main attraction. During the Ba Na hills trip, other attractions one can explore are Linh Ung Pagoda, Loc Uyen Garden, Quan Am Pavilion, Fantasy Park, Monkey garden and God Mountain peak in central Vietnam.
Vietnam has a lot to offer; I am surely going back to explore it more in the coming years!
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