(TITC) - Vietnam fully resumes tourism activities and reopens to international visitors, without self-quarantine requirement. Recently, the New Zealand Herald Newspaper has listed out 10 reasons why travellers should pay a visit to the country at least once in their lifetime.
1. Rich ethnic mix
NZ Herald stated, Vietnam has a rich ethnic mix with 54 ethnic groups making it the most complex culture in Southeast Asia. The Viets are the largest group among 54 ethnic groups, accounting for 86% of the population. The rest live mostly on the margins and can be identified by distinct dwellings and ways of dressing. In case visitors would like to visit minority markets and villages as well as trek in the mountains, Sapa will be the perfect place for travelling. Besides, Ha Giang Province further to the northeast is another place with a richer mix of minorities to visit. In Ha Noi, the capital city of Vietnam, stands the excellent Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where visitors can get full information on ethnic groups in Vietnam.
2. Phu Quoc Island - the island of paradise
Back to 20 years ago, this island was left untouched and unknown. Things change and recently it is one of the most popular destinations among visitors within and beyond the region. Here, the resort island offers a sophisticated infrastructure of hotels, restaurants and activities (snorkelling, scuba diving, hiring a motorbike to explore the forested and hilly interior). Visitors will be amazed by the glorious white-sand beaches (especially on the west coast), warm seas, spectacular sunsets and laid-back charm. In the far south, the five-mile cable-car ride to Hon Thom/Pineapple Island, with dramatic views of the archipelago, is claimed to be the longest such sea ride in the world.
Hon Thom - Pineapple Island (Photo: Vinpearl Phu Quoc)
3. Ha Long Bay
NZ Herald emphasised this destination as a must-visit bay and guaranteed that this bay will not disappoint any visitors coming to this spot to enjoy and relax. Visitors can choose to go on a cruise and participate in exciting activities such as kayaking, cave exploring,... or head east to the islands in Bai Tu Long Bay, explore the floating village of Cua Van, swim off uninhabited islands and treat yourselves to exceptional levels of service and food on board.
(Photo: TITC)
4. Ha Noi
The bustling capital Vietnam is the place where visitors can get to thoroughly know modern-day Vietnam. There are a wide range of accommodations for visitors to choose from, whether the elegant Sofitel Metropole or a classical homestay to really enjoy days being “Vietnamese”. Here, visitors would visit the heart of the French architecture quarter with its neoclassical opera house, then strolling the distance of peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and, to the north, the bustling old quarter. Heading down to the west, visitors can pay a visit to the Temple of Literature, considered as the first university of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (where his body lies in state) and Uncle Ho's actual house reflect Vietnam's momentous history. Last but not least, enjoy the delicious street food as a treat after a long exploring day.
The Temple of Literature (Photo: TITC)
5. Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An, the former trading port on the Thu Bon river (in the Central Vietnam) will properly remind visitors of a miniature Venice, NZ Herald recommended. Hoi An by night can seduce anyone coming here, the streets are strung with paper lanterns and the old wooden traders' houses radiate a “old but gold” time. Day time is for bicycle tours of the irrigated countryside nearby, a lazy day on Cua Dai Beach or an excursion to the My Son Sanctuary, a temple-tower site of the Cham Pa Kingdom dating back to the 4th century.
(Photo: TITC)
6. Cat Tien National Park
Located 80 miles north of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cat Tien National Park provides 275 square miles of tropical rainforest that protects several persecuted mammal species including elephant, civet and tiny mouse deer. It also has 350 bird species, making it one of the finest bird-watching sites in Southeast Asia. An antidote to the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.
7. Ho Chi Minh City
The city was named after the Great President of Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh. The metropolis with teeming streets and non-stop traffic are where the pulse of modern Vietnam beats most insistently. The best way of experiencing the city is to hire a motorbike and immerse in those bustling streets and alleyways. Visitors can challenge themselves with a food stroll on foot, exploring every single alley of Ho Chi Minh City. Highlights include Ben Thanh Market and Cho Lon, or the War Remnants Museum to listen to the horrors of war and how amazing and heroic Vietnam is.
The building of the municipal People’s Committee (Photo: VNP/VNA)
8. War and peace
NZ Herald Newspaper introduced some places associated with war before. Cu Chi Tunnels, 70km north of Ho Chi Minh City, is not a stranger place to visitors, back in time, here was where the Vietnamese people hid out in the war. However, NZ Herald suggested that visitors should take a day trip to the north from Hue to Khe Sanh (in Quang Tri Province), a US base besieged in 1968, and on to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and the fishing community of Vinh Moc. During the war, the village dug itself into the earth to avoid US bombardment. Two thousand yards of tunnels are accessible to visitors.
9. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta remains the simple charms of river life, floating markets and rich agricultural land. Visitors can take a day or two-day trips from Ho Chi Minh City on a short cruise or rent a homestay in the settlement of Vinh Long to get into the rhythm.
Cai Rang Floating Market, a typical market of the Mekong Delta
10. Con Dao - An idyllic retreat
The Con Dao archipelago, a cluster of 16 small islands lying off the south coast, used to be a penal colony. Today, visitors can come and enjoy some superb beaches, scuba diving, inland trekking and bird-watching, NZ Herald Newspaper suggested.
Hang Duong martyrs cemetery (Photo: TITC)
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