07 Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Holiday In Vietnam

Our brains are magnificent organs, complex and effective at what they do, but they do a lot of work day in and day out, and require a break every now and then. A holiday spent abroad allows your mind to relax, and as you stop worrying about your job and social life, you can focus on recharging your batteries, having fun, learning new things and broadening your horizons. It is good to travel as far away from home as possible, and really immerse yourself in a different culture.

As far as history, culture, nature, architecture, and fun activities go, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It can accommodate all types of travelers, from those looking for a relaxing beach holiday to hikers and adventurers, and provide you with an unforgettable experience. Let’s look at the seven main reasons for visiting Vietnam.

1. The majestic islands of Halong Bay are perfect for both adventurers and casual tourists

Halong Bay is probably the most popular tourist destination within Vietnam, and it is not that difficult to see why. There are a large number of small islands clustered around the bay, with sheer cliffs ideal for adventure-seeking climbers and beautiful sandy beaches, as well as tons of interesting activities such as kayaking and helicopter rides. The less adventurous folk can simply relax on lovely cruise boats with large sails (traditional sampan rig style). Adventure, natural beauty, and classy accommodations are what draw the crowd to Halong Bay.

2. Hiking through the hills of Sapa and experiencing the rich culture of local tribes

Sapa is a Vietnamese market town located in the Northwest. The area around it features beautiful hills and valleys, great hiking and trekking trails, and breathtaking terraced rice fields. Several ethnic minorities live in the area and tend to the fields, each with their own distinct culture and way of life.

Meeting the locals is an incredibly pleasant experience—they are quite hospitable and used to tourists visiting the area frequently. There is a lot to be seen, and a lot to be learned about the unique culture of the tribes residing in the hills of Sapa, making it a great place to spend a few days and explore in more detail.

3. Take in classic architecture and culture at the Temple of Literature

Vietnam has a large number of well-preserved temples that stand as witnesses to the highly developed culture spanning hundreds and hundreds of years. The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is devoted to Confucius and scholars in general. Built in 1070, it hosts Vietnam’s first national university.

A large number of stelae were raised to commemorate the achievements of great scholars throughout the years, and it is truly a sight to behold. It is a unique piece of history and a great example of the kind of culturally significant sites available for modern scholars and history enthusiasts to explore.

4. Explore the unique rainforest flora and fauna at the Cuc Phuong National Park

Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cuc Phuong, boasts some jaw-dropping scenery and diverse wildlife that you can explore for days on end. The Limestone Mountains and thick vegetation are home to over 2,000 plant species, more than 250 reptile and mammal species, and over 300 bird species, making it a prime location for naturalists and nature lovers. You can have a fairly long trek through the forest and get to see a myriad of different animals, and explore the caves where you’ll find the remains of people who lived in these parts over 7,000 years ago.

There are plenty of other curiosities like a reptile fossil that is over 200 million years old.  The indigenous Muong tribe still resides there in stilt houses, living off the land and producing interesting garments using simple looms.

5. The unique marriage of Western and Eastern architecture (Vua Meo)

As Western countries strove to grow their colonial power, Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands conquered countries on different continents. Vietnam was under French rule from the late 19th century up until the First Indochina War in the mid-20th century.

At certain periods tensions were high, but during this time a unique blend of Western and Eastern architecture emerged, and one of the most beautiful examples of this is the Vua Meo villa built by the French for the leader of the Hmong people. Interestingly enough it was once dubbed “The Opium Palace”, as one of its cellars stored large amounts of opium, and the walls were decorated with poppy-seed and flower designs.

6. Plenty of opportunity to help a good cause by volunteering

For those who want a more active break from everyday life, and wish to help out others and make a difference in the world, there are several great volunteering opportunities in Vietnam. The great thing about helping a cause is that the trip and accommodations are fairly affordable, and you have an opportunity to meet lots of new people, delve deeper into the local culture, learn useful skills, and experience the pleasure of helping those in need.

Whether it is teaching the local youth, helping orphaned children, improving healthcare standards in rural areas, or working at a wildlife rescue center, you have a chance to make a big positive change.

7. A large number of beautiful sandy beaches

In the end, after all the excitement and exploration, some may just want get some sun on their skin, swim and have fun on a beach of fine sand. Well, as we’ve already mentioned, Halong Bay is an excellent place for both adventure and the traditional beach vacation, but there are a whole lot of other incredible beaches in Vietnam, like the quiet Long Beach in Phu Quoc, or the lovely City Beach in Nha Trang.

You can find the right place for yourself, depending on whether you want something more secluded, where you can be alone with a significant other, or want to be in an urban environment, but have the ability to get down to the beach for a quick swim in a matter of minutes.

If you are looking for an exotic location, with lots of fun and worthwhile things to do, Vietnam is definitely the place to visit. Even if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want out of your vacation, there’s something for everyone in this proud country.

BY IVAN DIMITRIJEVIC - Source: LifeHack

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stamps depicting the beauty of UNESCO-recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

Vietnam has just released a set of stamps depicting the beauty of UNESCO-recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and its related festive activities, according to newswire Vietnamplus. 

The assemblage, “Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – The World Heritage Site,” was introduced at a ceremony to receive a certificate from UNESCO that certifies it as a natural and cultural heritage site on Friday. 

Located in Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam, the complex was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in June 2014. It was the country’s first site to be acknowledged as a mixed natural and cultural property.

The new stamps, created by artists Nguyen Du and Do Lenh Tuan and released by the state-owned Vietnam Post, measure 62mm x 24mm each.

 

  Hang Toi (Dark Cave) in Trang An. Photo: Vietnam Post

They depict the grandeur of the complex’s Tam Coc-Bich Dong grottos and Toi (Dark) Cave, as well as the tranquility and gorgeousness of its scenic highlights such as Ngo Dong River and scores of pagodas and temples.

A stamp design featuring Ngo Dong River. Photo: Vietnam Post

The stamps boast images which vividly conjure up traditional festive activities and rituals including processions to bring water to the temple to King Dinh Tien Hoang (924 – 979), and ceremonial offerings.

A stamp design that features the temple to Kinh Dinh Tien Hoang (924 – 979). Photo: Vietnam Post

The items also highlight the complex’s immense geological value, interaction between humans and the environs, and locals’ adaption to climate change and terrain.

The stamps are to be available on the market from Friday to December 31, 2016.

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh, which has been recognized as a mixed natural and cultural heritage site by UNESCO. Photo: Vietnam Post

Other activities to celebrate the reception of the UNESCO certificate include an exhibition which features a slew of ancient antiques and archives.

The exhibition closes on Saturday.

Panasonic Vietnam on Friday launch a tree growing ceremony to boost public awareness of environmental protection and safeguard Trang An’s unrivalled scenery and geological value.

Under the tree planting project, over 30,000 saplings will be grown as the complex’s protective contour.

The company also organized an environmental education program and offered diverse ecological experiences, including recycling bottles into pen cases and installing solar energy bikes for 100 school students who reside in the Trang An heritage site’s core area.

Nestled on the southern edge of the Red River Delta, Trang An is a resplendent complex of limestone karst peaks which are permeated with valleys, including submerged ones, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs.

Archaeological traces of human activity dating back almost 30,000 years have been found within the complex.

The Trang An complex boasts several locally-recognized sites like the Trang An ecotourism site, Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, which is the largest of its kind in the country, and Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital in the 10th and 11th centuries.

The area is also home to temples, pagodas, paddy fields, villages, and other sacred sites. It has around 500 species of flora, 73 species of birds and 41 species of other animals, and is renowned for its diverse ecosystem, unique natural beauty and geological characteristics.

In May 2012, Trang An was recognized as a national heritage site, and four months later, the culture ministry submitted a dossier on the complex to UNESCO for its recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Source: Tuoitre news

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Hoi An ancient town to offer free admission during Tet holiday

Visitors will be offered free admission to Hoi An ancient town in Quang Nam province and some other related tourism destinations from February 18 to 21, on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet).

The tourism destinations include the Chua Cau (Bridge Pagoda); Cam Pho Temple; Tuy Tien Duong Minh Huong (Minh Huong Communal House); Quan Cong Temple; Old House of Quan Thang, Duc An, Phung Hung, Tan Ky; some club houses and museums, along with the XQ embroidery workshop and tombs of Japanese businessmen Gusokukun, Tani Yajirobei and Banjaro.

Additionally, aiming to create favourable conditions for locals in preparation for the Tet holiday, the ‘Walking Street’ program will stop temporarily from February 8 to 21.

Hoi An ancient town was recognised as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO on December 4, 1999, and presented four awards in heritage management, protection and promotion.

In 2013, Hoi An was ranked first in the world’s top 10 favourite cities by Wanderlust, a leading British tourism magazine. It beat Cusco in Peru, Kyoto in Japan, Copenhagen in Denmark, Italy’s Venice, and even New York and San Francisco in the US.

Source:DT

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Italian daily calls Hoi An intersection of the Far East

Hoi An ancient town

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Italian daily calls Hoi An intersection of the Far East

The Italian daily paper La Repubblica recently ran an article entitled “Hoi An – Intersection of the Far East”, portraying the ancient city as a tranquil and idyllic place worth visiting in central Vietnam.

Hoi An ancient town

It went on to say that Hoi An is an intersection of culture between Vietnam and China, Japan, the Netherlands and India. Coming here, visitors travelling by bicycles or on foot can get a feel for Vietnamese history as the city itself serves as a museum with its rows of colonial houses.

Thousands of multi-coloured lanterns are hung at night, giving visitors an experience of living in a fairy world.

Referring to a guidebook of tourism and culinary attractions, visitors were urged to explore Hoi An’s UNESCO heritage sites.

The beauty of Cu Lao Cham  near Hoi An ancient town

Over the past few months, La Repubblica has featured places of interest in Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, the Mekong Delta, and Mui Ne coastal resort town.

The State television station RAI broadcast several documentaries about Vietnam’s scenic locations and welcoming people.

The Vietnamese embassy in Italy also worked with other local groups to organise workshops on Vietnam’s tourism in a bid to further promote Vietnamese destinations to Italian tourists.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of Italian tourists coming to Vietnam has grown over the past years, from 31,300 in 2012 to over 50,000 in 2013, though these figures still represent a limited proportion of the nearly 6 million foreign arrivals in the country.

Source: VNA/ TalkVietnam

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Stunning images of the world's floating markets

YOUR TYPICAL SHOPPING TRIP: Grab reusable bag. Get in car. Drive to grocery store. Drop items in cart. Unload cart. Check out. Load reusable bags. Load bags in car. Drive home. Unload bags from car. Unload items from bag. Load items into fridge. Breathe.

Elsewhere on the globe, vendors row to the market. Buyers lining the docks haggle and purchase the colorful fruits, vegetables, and prepared meals that flow from the boats. The concept of the floating market originated during the era in which water transportation was still a staple of daily goings-on, predominantly in Southeast Asia. Notable markets can still be found in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Burma, and smaller, lesser-known markets also exist outside these regions.

Today, many of the floating markets are tourist attractions — the vendors are often more concerned with selling to tourists rather than locals, but the markets remain a sight to see. They’re so well known for their eye-appeal that even IKEA borrowed the concept in 2012 to create a “floating night market” display in North London’s Regent’s Canal.

Take a look at these 15 images of floating markets around the world and decide for yourself if shopping at your local grocery store is as exciting as it could be. 

1. Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi, Thailand

Damnoen Saduak is the one of the most popular floating markets in the world. It’s loud and vibrant, as is typical with most markets, except this one’s on the water. 

2. The floating market at Dal Lake in Srinagar, India

As opposed to Thailand’s markets, in which fruit is predominantly sold, the floating market on Srinagar’s Dal Lake focuses on vegetables. 

3. Vendors at a floating market in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are located northeast of Australia, east of Papua New Guinea. They’ve yet to be widely discovered in the manner that Southeast Asia has, allowing for great looks at daily life. 

4. A floating market in the distance at Myanmar’s Inle Lake

The local market around Inle Lake is a five-day rotating event, in which the market moves to a different area each day. It's often held on the lake itself, and tends to cater towards tourists. 

5. A vendor waits patiently at one of Bangkok’s floating markets

Raw fruits and vegetables are not the only thing sold in Thailand’s floating markets – hot soups and cooked foods are also available to buy. 

6. Manuevering traffic at the Damnoen Saduak floating market

There are actually three markets that make up the Damnoen Saduak floating market: Ton Khem, Hia Kui, and Khun Phitak. Ton Khem is most popular with tourists. 

7. Daily business dealings at Dal Lake in Srinagar

The vendors at Srinagar’s Dal Lake, manning their shikara (the wooden boats predominantly found on this and other smaller bodies of water in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar), converge in the middle to talk business and make small talk. 

8. A floating one-woman restaurant in Ratchaburi, Thailand

Women paddle their boats in an expert manner at Thailand’s floating markets. Few men are found in comparison. 

9. Fruit piled high at Damnoen Saduak floating market

Khlong Damnoen Saduak, the canal in which the floating markets are found, was built to link the Tha Chin and Mae Klong Rivers. 

10. A vendor getting ready at Bangkok’s Taling Chan floating market

Located 12km from Bangkok, the floating market at Taling Chan is much smaller and less crowded than Damnoen Saduak, often making it more enjoyable for travelers. 

11. Break time at Dal Lake’s floating market

The floating market at Dal Lake is the only one of its kind in India, as most floating markets nowadays can only be found in Southeast Asia. Vegetables are grown in the shallow, drier regions of the lake – potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, and radishes are standard. 

12. A wholesale vendor at Cai Rang’s floating market in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The floating market at Cai Rang is one of the largest in the Mekong Delta. Fruits and vegetables are typically sold wholesale. 

13. A flock of tourists observes and interacts at Damnoen Saduak

The fruits and vegetables sold at the Damnoen Saduak floating market are typically grown just off the banks of the canal. The fertile soil allows for the cultivation of mangoes, bananas, coconuts, Malacca grapes, Chinese grapefruits, and more. 

14. A floating market in the Solomon Islands

While not on the scale of the floating markets in Southeast Asia, the small boats floating on the clear waters of these Melanesian islands are a sight to see. 

15. Another vendor at Damnoen Saduak prepares and awaits customers

The 100-year-old market is typically clogged with tourists, both Thais and Westerners alike nowadays due to its popularity. Much of the wares cater to these tourists, but authentic local products can still be found. 

According to: http://matadornetwork.com

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Stunning images of the world's floating markets

YOUR TYPICAL SHOPPING TRIP: Grab reusable bag. Get in car. Drive to grocery store. Drop items in cart. Unload cart. Check out. Load reusable bags. Load bags in car. Drive home. Unload bags from car. Unload items from bag. Load items into fridge. Breathe.

Elsewhere on the globe, vendors row to the market. Buyers lining the docks haggle and purchase the colorful fruits, vegetables, and prepared meals that flow from the boats. The concept of the floating market originated during the era in which water transportation was still a staple of daily goings-on, predominantly in Southeast Asia. Notable markets can still be found in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Burma, and smaller, lesser-known markets also exist outside these regions.

Today, many of the floating markets are tourist attractions — the vendors are often more concerned with selling to tourists rather than locals, but the markets remain a sight to see. They’re so well known for their eye-appeal that even IKEA borrowed the concept in 2012 to create a “floating night market” display in North London’s Regent’s Canal.

Take a look at these 15 images of floating markets around the world and decide for yourself if shopping at your local grocery store is as exciting as it could be. 

1. Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi, Thailand

Damnoen Saduak is the one of the most popular floating markets in the world. It’s loud and vibrant, as is typical with most markets, except this one’s on the water. 

2. The floating market at Dal Lake in Srinagar, India

As opposed to Thailand’s markets, in which fruit is predominantly sold, the floating market on Srinagar’s Dal Lake focuses on vegetables. 

3. Vendors at a floating market in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are located northeast of Australia, east of Papua New Guinea. They’ve yet to be widely discovered in the manner that Southeast Asia has, allowing for great looks at daily life. 

4. A floating market in the distance at Myanmar’s Inle Lake

The local market around Inle Lake is a five-day rotating event, in which the market moves to a different area each day. It's often held on the lake itself, and tends to cater towards tourists. 

5. A vendor waits patiently at one of Bangkok’s floating markets

Raw fruits and vegetables are not the only thing sold in Thailand’s floating markets – hot soups and cooked foods are also available to buy. 

6. Manuevering traffic at the Damnoen Saduak floating market

There are actually three markets that make up the Damnoen Saduak floating market: Ton Khem, Hia Kui, and Khun Phitak. Ton Khem is most popular with tourists. 

7. Daily business dealings at Dal Lake in Srinagar

The vendors at Srinagar’s Dal Lake, manning their shikara (the wooden boats predominantly found on this and other smaller bodies of water in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar), converge in the middle to talk business and make small talk. 

8. A floating one-woman restaurant in Ratchaburi, Thailand

Women paddle their boats in an expert manner at Thailand’s floating markets. Few men are found in comparison. 

9. Fruit piled high at Damnoen Saduak floating market

Khlong Damnoen Saduak, the canal in which the floating markets are found, was built to link the Tha Chin and Mae Klong Rivers. 

10. A vendor getting ready at Bangkok’s Taling Chan floating market

Located 12km from Bangkok, the floating market at Taling Chan is much smaller and less crowded than Damnoen Saduak, often making it more enjoyable for travelers. 

11. Break time at Dal Lake’s floating market

The floating market at Dal Lake is the only one of its kind in India, as most floating markets nowadays can only be found in Southeast Asia. Vegetables are grown in the shallow, drier regions of the lake – potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, and radishes are standard. 

12. A wholesale vendor at Cai Rang’s floating market in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

The floating market at Cai Rang is one of the largest in the Mekong Delta. Fruits and vegetables are typically sold wholesale. 

13. A flock of tourists observes and interacts at Damnoen Saduak

The fruits and vegetables sold at the Damnoen Saduak floating market are typically grown just off the banks of the canal. The fertile soil allows for the cultivation of mangoes, bananas, coconuts, Malacca grapes, Chinese grapefruits, and more. 

14. A floating market in the Solomon Islands

While not on the scale of the floating markets in Southeast Asia, the small boats floating on the clear waters of these Melanesian islands are a sight to see. 

15. Another vendor at Damnoen Saduak prepares and awaits customers

The 100-year-old market is typically clogged with tourists, both Thais and Westerners alike nowadays due to its popularity. Much of the wares cater to these tourists, but authentic local products can still be found. 

According to: http://matadornetwork.com

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The best beaches in Vietnam

The best beaches in Vietnam can be found all along its coastline, and since Vietnam owns more than 3400km of coastline, we’d say there are plenty of beautiful beach vacations to choose from! You’ll find infinite stretches of warm blue waters, fine sandy beaches, hidden coves, lovely lagoons, and tropical islands that are ringed with even more beaches.

Although Vietnam has a temperamental climate that inundates the country with plenty of rain that doesn’t mean that there aren’t beautiful beaches to enjoy. You just need to know when to go!

Northern Vietnam Beaches

The north central coast of Vietnam has dozens of beaches that don’t often figure into the itineraries of most travelers to the area. Although most beaches in northern Vietnam aren’t equipped with beach facilities, they still offer a wonderful break away from Vietnam’s northern cities. 

Bai Chay Beach

Bai Chay Beach draws crowds of beachgoers from the capital ciy of Hanoi, especially on summer weekends. Although the beach is nowhere near as idyliic as the beaches in southern Vietnam, it is still a delightful getaway if you have limited time for a beach vacation in Vietnam.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is best known for its towering limestone outcroppings rising out of the sea, stunning sunsets, and authentic junk boat tours. It’s not a place that one would naturally think of when looking for a beach vacation in Vietnam, but you’ll probably be surprised to learn that Halong Bay has several small beaches that will simply blow your mind away.

Southern Vietnam Beaches

Southern Vietnam has some of the very best beaches in Vietnam, and they are easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City. Vung Tau. Phan Thiet, and Miu Ne are all within a few hours of HCMC.

The best time to visit Southern Vietnam is between the months of December and May, when the weather is hot and humid. Rain showers are frequent, but dark skies never last for long. The wet season, which runs from June to October, brings regular downpours and typhoons.

Vung Tau

Just a short trip from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is one of the most popular beach resorts in Vietnam and it tends to get very crowded during the months of December through to May. The beach doesn’t compare to other beaches in Vietnam, but its close proximity to HCMC makes it a popular summertime destination.

Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet is an old Cham outpost that is renowned for both its fishing fleet and its fish sauce (nuoc mam). Visitors to Phan Thiet will know they have arrived when they can smell the  pungent aroma of fish sauce in the air.

The town, which has a population of approximately 75,000 people, is a picturesque fishing town that usually has hundreds of multi-hued fishing vessels floating nearby.

The nearest beach is a few kilometers east of town, but the biggest tourist attraction is 22 kilometers away at  Mui Ne Beach.  With its rolling sand dunes, smooth water, a clean beach and swaying palm trees, many travelers to Mui Ne insist that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.

Mui Ne Beach, Mui Ne Bay

Any time of year, Mui Ne Bay in Southern Vietnam boasts hot, sunny weather, stunning landscape, and miles of fine white sand beaches. This beautiful resort area is famous for its gorgeous beach and sand dunes; world-class windsurfing and kite surfing.

Mui Ne, being in such close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, attracts a lot of attention from residents looking to escape the city for a weekend of fun in the sun. Local attractions include a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, fishing villages, remote sand dunes, and fresh seafood 24/7.

Mui Ne Bay is easily accessible by bus from Phan Thiet, while the bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City takes about three hours.

Hon Chong Beach, Ha Tien

Hon Chong Beach is a silky white sand beach with calm tropical water. The beach is located in Ha Tien, which is on the border with Cambodia. The entire area shelters some really nice beaches. Other nearby attractions include Tien Cave and its interesting rock formation

The Hai Tac islets are also a nice option, especially for scuba drivers. The islands are accessible by boat from Ha Tien, and the biggest of these islands, Ho Doc, also has some splendid white beaches.

Ho Coc

From the southern area of Vung Tau to south-central Phan Thiet, you can expect to see long stretches of beach. Unfortunately, most of it has remained inaccessible. If you’re interested in sampling some of the beach life here, head to Ho Co, a serene sandbar that is located about halfway along this stretch of property.

China Beach, Danang

Located between Da Nang and Hoi An, China Beach is most famous for its 20-mile stretch of luscious beachfront property. This is where US troops landed during the Vietnam War in the 1970s. It is also known for being a hangout for US soldiers, and over the years, it has transformed itself into a stunning Asian beach destination that boasts upscale comfort, service, and amenities.

If you love surfing, China Beach is the place to visit, especially from September to December. The beach was the site of Vietnam’s first international surfing competition in 1992.

There are also plenty of other activities to do in the area. Day trips from China Beach include Marble Mountain, My Son, and Hoi An.

The main beach is next to the Non Nuoc Resort Hotel, but many people argue that the real China Beach is located 5 kilometers north of the hotel at My Khe Beach.

South Central Vietnam

Nha Trang Beach

Known as the Vietnamese Riviera, Nha Trang is a six-mile stretch of beautiful fine white sand beach, rolling blue water, lush green mountains, and gently swaying palm trees. This international beach destination has clean, clear water, excellent diving conditions, and it has a great reputation for having some truly spectacular party boat cruises. Boat trips are perhaps the number one tourist activity in Nha Trang. Most of them offer a full day of scenic viewing along with home-cooked meals and loads of ice-cold beer.

It is also well-known as a backpacker haven, with plenty of cheap accommodations on offer for the frugal traveler. If you are traveling on a budget, be aware of the beach hawkers who wander up and down the beach with an assortment of food, beach accessories, jewelry, and food. Their prices are quite expensive compared to other places in town.

During the summer, Nha Trang gets quite crowded with tourists who come for the stunning views, beautiful new resorts, and superb seafood. Nha Trang is also the gateway to a number of island getaways within the area, with trips to its outlying islands being some of the most popular activities with visitors.

The public beach in Nha Trang is called Tran Phu, but the beaches on the north side of town and on Nha Trang’s outlying islands are much nicer.

Overlooking the harbor in Nha Tran, you’ll find the Cham temples. The temples are a popular sightseeing attraction, so expect crowds. The view of the harbor with its blue water and colorful fishing boats more than makes up for the hustle-bustle atmosphere of the temples.

Nha Trang’s other claim to fame is being the number one spot in Vietnam for diving. There are numerous dive shops in the area where you can become padi-certified. Snorkeling and diving trips are reasonably priced and come highly recommended by most divers who have been to the area. There are diving packages for both novice and experienced divers.

Doc Let Beach

34 km north of Nha Trang lies picturesque Doc Let Beach. Home to stunning beach resorts and clean white sand beaches, Doc Let is a great place to go if you want to avoid the crowds at Nha Trang.

Lang Co Beach

Lang Co Beach is located just 45 minutes away from Hoi An. The area, which has recently been voted as one of the top 30 beaches in the world, is famous for its breathtaking natural scenery that includes soft white sand, crystal blue water, lush tropical forests and green mountains. The beauty of Lang Co was legendary among kings from the Nguyen Dynasty who came here to build their palatial complexes for vacation.

Con Dao Beach

Idyllic beaches are on offer at the Con Dao Islands owing to the isolated location off the coast. The islands have been protected from tourism because of their remote location, and because of this, you’ll find some of the most pristine beachfront property in all of Vietnam.

Beach play Phu Quoc Island

Explore scenic Phu Quoc Island by motorcycle and discover sparkling white sand beaches backed by lush jungle all on your own. This stunning island  situated just off the coast of Kampot in Cambodia is being heralded as the new “Phuket”.

The island has a handful of mid- to low-end beach resorts for accommodations, and it is well on its way to becoming a total beach resort destination. Some travelers have even argued that the Phu Quoc is well on its way to being the number one choice for best beach in Vietnam because it has the whitest sand in the country and some of the most stunning sunsets in all of Asia. Without a doubt, it is certainly known for being one of Vietnam’s most beautiful islands.

We recommend visiting Long Beach, Ong Lan Beach, and Bai Dai. Phu Quoc can be reached by air or by ferry.

Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Bai Dai Beach sits in a Viet military area. The beach is beautifully remote with sparkling white sand and picturesque vistas.

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