1. Authentic Hill Tribal Villages

Cat Cat Village

Cat Cat Village is the most visited ethnic minority village from Sapa, the best example of a hill tribe village of the Mong people. What you can enjoy here is the idyllic scenery, impressive backdrop, and peaceful atmosphere of the local community.
Young Mong people are proud to wear their traditional costumes which have been dyed a lot of colors. One thing to look for is that the traditional houses of the Mong people are still preserved in good condition, the house is considered a very important part of the life of the Mong people. On your trekking path, we can not help but mention the beautiful scenery of terraced fields that stretch to the horizon.
Cat Cat Village is definitely an interesting and special point of Sapa.
Location: 2km from the center of Sapa city
Admission: VND 70,000 / adult.

Ta Van village

Located about 8 km from Sapa town, Ta Van village is a great choice for hiking trips to a hill tribe village in Sapa. The village belongs to Ta Van commune, which is home to nearly 150 households with about 1,000 residents, mainly H’mong, Zay, and Red Zao ethnic minorities.
The road leading to Ta Van village is small and narrow, running on both sides of terraced fields. Coming deeper into the village, visitors can surprise you with the harmonious beauty of the natural landscape and idyllic traditional wooden houses.
Zao culture shows the most influence in Ta Van through their striking red outfits to cultural festivals and food. Ta Van should not miss on your bucket list if you are looking for a real adventure.

Sin Chai Village

Sin Chai is another H’ mong village with a population of 1400 people, located about 4 km from the center of town. Sin Chai belongs to Ta Giang Phinh commune, located at the lower part of the Thau stream and the foot of the Ngu Chi Son mountain range.
From the village, you can see the mysterious Ngu Chi Son Mountain, the gentle curves of terraced fields, the hundred-year-old Mong valley, the traditional houses of the Mong people, and more. Sin Chai is definitely the best spot for sightseeing in Sapa.

2. Sapa Love Market

This is a unique experience in Sapa and only happens on Saturday. Sapa Love Market is a place where young ethnic tribespeople will come to meet, love each other and get married. Because the villages in Sapa are very densely populated, people living in remote villages will take the journey days ahead so they can come in time to find someone. You will see the boys and girls flirting together. They hang out, laugh, do traditional dances and play traditional games together. It has a different world than what we are used to. At the end of the day, they broke up but promised to see each other again, perhaps in a week, when the market revived.

3. Muong Hoa Valley

Like everything else on this list, this is a must in Sapa. You can only really appreciate the beauty of Muong Hoa Valley if you take the time to trek it and spend a night or two at a local village homestay. You can book mountaineering tours online or through travel companies, you meet in Hanoi or in Sapa. Sometimes women from regional ethnic tribes may even approach you while in town (bus stations are popular places for this) and offer a walk and accommodation. Don destined to say yes. Usually, these are more authentic than those made through travel agencies. Follow muddy trails through terraced fields, drink water from the stream, sleep on the floor in traditional longtail houses and spend time hanging out with local families and drinking happy water (rice wine) ) in bottles of Aquafina – these are typical tours that will happen. The memories created in the North are unparalleled.

4. Sapa Church

Sapa Church is not far from Ham Rong Mountain, only a short distance away. The church was built in 1895, made entirely of stone, and is considered the oldest vestige of the French.
Today, the Sapa church is the symbol of Sapa town, especially when it is covered with fog or snow. The front of the church is a large square, where a lot of local activities take place, including a number of cultural performances on Saturday. Bring a camera with you to take some truly unique Church photos.

5. Silver Waterfall

Nested in San Sai Ho commune, 15 km away from Sapa towards Lai Chau and Dien Bien province, Silver Falls can be seen from Highway 4D. The stream, like the upstream of Muong Hoa stream, is about 200m high with the silver flowing downstream. The beauty of the waterfall adds to the impressive scenery of the Sapa mountains, with pine forests and rubber gardens spread across the hillsides.
To get closer to the waterfall, visitors will climb stone steps to a height of 30 meters, where the water seems to flow down on you.
Admission: VND 25,000 / adult

6. Fansipan – ‘Roof of Indochina’

Being the roof of Indochina, the Fansipan peak is 3143m above sea level. Fansipan also offers some great options for many trekking levels starting from the easiest path that can be taken within a day for healthy, inexperienced people. The scenery on the way to the top is worth the effort with the dense forests, magnificent scenery of the Hoang Lien Son range, idyllic tribal villages, and the wild Azalea scene near the summit.
The best time for Fansipan’s trip is between November and March because, at this time, the weather in the North falls in winter, drier air, less rain, and low temperatures will make your trip easier. For those who cannot be trekking for hours, you can still reach Fansipan by taking the cable car. Since 2016, Fansipan Legend, the highest, longest, and most modern cable car system in the world, has been opened to all who dream of standing on top of ‘The Indochina Roof’.

Cable car fee
– Cable car: 700,000VND / adult
– Cable car + Bicycling: VND 840,000 / adult
* Note: Cable car will take you to the top of the mountain, not the peak. You have to go up the stairs and then follow the tracks to the top of Fansipan.

7. Sapa Museum

An excellent introduction to the history and ethnography of the Sapa region, including the French colonial period. The dusty exhibition proves the difference between the different ethnic minorities in the area, so this is definitely a quick visit when you’re new to town, even if some of the descriptions are too fuzzy. Located above a handicraft shop behind the Tourist Information Center

8. Tram Ton Pass

The road between Sapa and Lai Chau crosses Tram Ton Pass in the north of Fansipan, 15km from Sapa. At the height of 1900m, this is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam and acts as a dividing line between the two weather fronts. The viewpoints here have great views – and lots of souvenir stalls for you to buy local products.

Suggestion Sapa Itinerary:

Ethnic Identity of Northwest Vietnam – 6 Days

Vietnam East & West Discovery Tour – 11 Days

1. Floating Markets – the Highlight of Mekong River

The most unique and peculiar thing about Mekong Delta is no other than floating markets where you can see all the way of life, daily activities, and culture of the people here. Floating markets are not a specialty that can only be found in Mekong Delta. In southeast Asia, Thailand also has many floating markets. However, Mekong Delta’s floating markets own different charms, which bring the culture of the people in the Southwest of Vietnam. These markets have been existing just simply for local farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to the folks on the land.

Cai Rang Floating Market – Can Tho

Cai Rang Floating Market is the most famous and also the most touristy floating market in Vietnam. You can visit Cai Rang Floating Market easily once arrived in Can Tho city. However, don’t forget to set your alarm earlier to catch the market that starts at 5:00 AM every day. Rent a boat from Ninh Kieu pier which will take you to the market in 30 minutes.
Cai Rang is a wholesale local market where farmers will hang their what they offer on a tall stick to let the buyers know. Some fruits of the land can be named as Nam Roi grapefruit, Vinh Long pink kiwi kumquat or Cai Mon durian. Visitors to Cai Rang market not only can watch the early activities of the locals but also can have breakfast right on the boat, dishes are mostly southern own noodle soups. Other snacks are also available like coconut-leaf-cake or corn or banana pancake.

Cai Be Floating Market – Tien Giang

At Cai Be District, there’s a floating market that caters transporting goods, fruits, veggies, and even seafood to not only Mekong Delta region but also to the rest of Vietnam. Cai Be is a perfect choice if you don’t have much time to discover the whole delta since its location is quite close to Ho Chi Minh City. To visit Cai Be Floating Market, you don’t have to wake up too early like the other markets since the market opens until later hours of the day.
Cai Be province is located 80km away from HCMC through 1A highway. You can thereby be booking a private tour or be getting a taxi. Once you’re in the province, ask the local people for directions to the market.
Boat rental is available for a 2-hour tour with tour guide costing $2/person. Private boat for a group of 10 at a cost $25/boat.

2. The Traditional Silk Village in Tan Chau, An Giang

You don’t have to go all the way to Hoi An for quality silk. In Mekong Delta, you also can buy the silk in the village, which has been around for a long time. Come to Tan Chau Silk Village to see the process the traditional silk-making.
Tan Chau silk is known for the softness, toughness and high absorbability. Tan Chau Silk Village is not to be missed in your trip in Mekong Delta.

3. Tra Su Cajuput Forest – the Soul of Mekong Delta

If you’re curious about what the wetlands of Mekong Delta look like, Tra Su Cajuput Forest is an ideal destination for you to explore. The whole forest is flooded with green water, making an incredible sight especially when the sunlight reaches down the water surface.

The forest is also the habitat for many colonies of water birds, bats and even rare and endangered animals and reptile species.
The only way to visit Tra Su forest is going by boat, paddled and guided by the local ladies. Entrance ticket costs 130,000VND per person. Best time to visit is, of course, the rainy season from September to November.

4. Taste Freshness of Fruits in Cai Be Fruit Orchard

Mekong Delta is home two-third of the fruit consumed throughout Vietnam, where you should try once when traveling to Mekong Delta. The perfect places for that are the fruit orchards which can be found in most of the region. Cai Be Fruit Orchard is the largest fruit orchard in the delta, offers the tastiness of all kinds of tropical fruits. During your visit to the orchard, you can pick up the ripe fruit right off the trees and enjoy them.

5. Bird Watching at Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap

Tram Chim National Park is another kingdom of birds in Mekong Delta, located at Dong Thap province and can be easily reached by motorbike or car. Spanning over the total area of 7,500 hectares, Tram Chim National Park is home to 200 types of birds, of which many are rare and endangered. This number makes up a quarter of the bird population in Vietnam. Tram Chim Park is also the place you can see a large number of the rare white lotus in Vietnam.
If you want to go bird watching, book a boat tour that costs 800,000VND per boat for a group of 12 people. The tour lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour or more.

6. Enjoy the Stunning View in Sampan Cruise, My Tho

My Tho is just two hours from Saigon so it’s perfect for a sampan cruise from the city. Regardless of where you start the tour, the boat will take visitors to Dragon (Con Tan Long), Tortoise (Con Quy) and Unicorn (Con Thoi Son) islands. The first stop is local fruit orchards for visitors to taste the fruits like jackfruit, pomelo, guava, with perhaps some local drinks like tea. A short sampan boat ride through the thick leaves of coconut trees. You’ll visit a candy factory where candies made of coconut milk are too cheap and tempting to not buy. Lunch is also included in the sampan cruise to My Tho to it may be varied.

7. Visit the Temples in Mekong Delta Vietnam

Vinh Trang Temple

Vinh Trang temple is a very special time in the whole region of Mekong Delta, covering an area of 2000sqm, adorned with the greenness of the trees and colors of the flowers. Built-in 1849 in My Phong village, Vinh Trang is an excellent combination of European and Asian architectural styles. The splendid façade of the temple will give an impression on you immediately. With five buildings, two ornamental yards, 178 pillars, and two triumphal arches, Vinh Trang is a representative of the Buddhist temples in southern Vietnam.
You can walk to the temple if you’re staying in My Tho.

Bat Pagoda (Mahatup Pagoda)

Lying 25km southeast of Soc Trang downtown, Bat Pagoda is considered as one of the worthiest destinations you must see in Mekong Delta due to its enthralling Khmer architecture features. The name of the pagoda will make you wonder if you can find any bat in the pagoda. In fact, the answer is yes: a large number of bats have been inhabited on the branches of the ancient trees in the yard of the pagoda, which makes an interesting feature that you must-see site during your trip in Mekong Delta.

8. Mekong River Cruise

Unlike Halong Bay cruises, Mekong cruises are known for the class and style just in recent years. The diversity in tour types and activities can compare to those of Halong Bay cruises, yet the cruises on Mekong River attract with its peculiar charms of the scenery and the way of life along the river.

If you fall in love with Mekong Delta, we special offer to you the Mekong Ecolodge Tours in 2 days. Only 2 days that enough for exploring the stunning views in Mekong Delta.

General Information about Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The construction started in 1973, which was modeled on Lenin’s mausoleum in Russia, and it was opened to welcome the tourists for the first time in 1975. The structure is 21,6 meters high and 41.2 meters wide, the franking the mausoleum are two platforms with seven steps for parade viewing. The gardens surrounding the mausoleum have nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers, which all from different regions of Vietnam.
In front of the mausoleum, the security is tight and visitors should dress with respect. Remember that dress with respect, no shorts, sleeveless shirt, and mini skirts. Additionally, the visitors have to deposit their bags and cameras before getting in.
Go into the mausoleum, the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh is preserved in the cooled, central hall of the mausoleum, which is protected by a military honor guard. The “Uncle” lies in a glass case with dim lights.

What’s Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum

Located at No. 2 Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, take easy to go to visit the mausoleum. You can visit anytime at the weekend except for Monday and Friday. From Tuesday to Thursday from 7.30 to 10.30 a.m, and both on Saturday and Sunday from 7.30 to 11.00 a.m.
A small tip for those planning to visit the mausoleum, you should go early if you want to see the flag ceremony at 6 a.m. And then strolling around the complex before going inside the mausoleum.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Travel Guide

Better than if you want to visit the mausoleum in the morning to avoid the crowded. There is no best time to visit, so you can visit anytime you stay in Hanoi. However, we suggest you should go early to avoid lining under the hot summer. Book a Vietnam tour that included a tour guide in your language, he or she will provide you with a detailed story about his life & revolutionary career that full information than they note.

1. Hon Tre Beach

Popularly known as Bamboo Island, Hon Tre is the largest among the beaches in Nha Trang. The festivals like Ba Chua Xu (February), Ong Nam Hai memorial festival (April), Ba Thuong Dong (September) and July full moon day are celebrated here. The Gold Stream, Chen Beach is the top beach, which will mesmerize you at first glance. Another attraction is the Vinpearl Land for its virtual games, gliders, animal swings, water park, movie theatre, etc.
Location: 5 kilometers east from Nha Trang center
How to get there? You can take an over-water cable car, speedboat and taxi canoe to reach from Nha Trang to Hon Tre island. The ferry is the cheapest but would take 20 minutes approx.

2. Doc Let Beach

If you are looking for budget Nha Trang beach resorts, the Doc Let beach, with its pristine blue water sweeping over the soft white sand and lines of fishing boats and palm trees, will be your best bet. The attraction lies in the salt fields full of whitish salt mountains. Relatively untouched as compared to other beaches, here you can snorkel around the reefs of the archipelago or go for kayaking, relaxing on sunbeds, playing beach volleyball or sipping vodka.
Location: 45 kilometers from Nha Trang
How to reach: Public bus from Nha Trang to Doc Let via Ninh Hoa or taxi from Ninh Hoa through National Route 1

3. Nhu Tien Beach

When you are looking for quiet beaches in Nha Trang, Nhu Tien should definitely be on your list, thanks to the picturesque setting of Diamond Bay City. The perfect blend of green mountains, azure waters and white sands laden with palm groves will offer a serene atmosphere at this private beach. At the spa resort, you will enjoy the best service with a large golf course, tennis court, spa etc along with restaurants serving Asian, Western and Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy yoga, banana boating, snorkeling, jet-skiing and kayaking here.

4. Bai Dai Beach

For those who are finding an easy-breezy day trip with cool and casual ambiance, Bai Dai Beach will be a paradise for them. This beach is famous for the hippy-like ambiance for which it is mostly visited by backpackers coming for a day-long trip. Dip into the cool water, spend your leisure time swimming in clear water or relax on the beach, play volleyball or go for surfing are the best choice for you. Satiate your stomach with seafood delicacies, western cuisine, beer or fruit juices from any of the beachside restaurants.
Location: 28 kilometers from the southern coast of Tran Phu

5. Bai Tru Beach

During mid-February through May is considered the best time to visit Nha Trang Beach. Located in private island, with only VND 1,100,000 as entry fee to enjoy buffet lunch, beach hopping and swimming in the pool. Don’t miss out the massive aquarium, shopping center, rides and amphitheater at the amusement park.
Location: Hon Tre Island off Nha Trang coast
How to get there? Cable car, taxi canoe and motorcycle from Nha Trang to Vinpearl Amusement Park or speedboat and ferries from Nha Trang’s Cao Da Port

6. Hon Chong Beach

Separated by the boulder promontory named as Chong rocks, the Hon Chong Beach is one of the best beaches in Nha Trang City, Vietnam. The secluded and serene beach has many accommodations available within budget and various seafood restaurants on the oceanfront. Entrance is free but to enjoy the panorama of nearby islets and moon-shaped Nha Trang by climbing on the rocks, you need to pay VND 22,000.
Location: 4 kilometers from Nha Trang Tourist Centre’s northern coast
How to get there? Blue and White city bus from Tourist Center or bus from Hon Xen to Vin Pearl, or a 5-minute drive from Po Nagar Cham Towers.

7. Tran Phu Beach

Among the main beaches in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Tran Phu is easily accessible from anywhere of the city. The main attraction is the boulevard running from north to south laden with swaying palm trees. Blue waters, clean powdery sand and the Lotus Tower square with kite stalls, coconut, ice cream, and cotton candy stalls will keep you busy. Nightlife here is bustling with the bars, nightclubs, souvenir shops, people swaying with rollerblades, etc. You can enjoy meditation, spa, surfing, biking, and snorkeling too.

8. Jungle Beach

The Jungle Beach in Nha Trang can provide you everything from no-frills resort to lush jungles, fishing villages to freshly caught seafood like jellyfish, lobster, and octopus. While going through the jungle, sighting the native fauna namely slow loris, fishing eagles, wild monkeys, douc langurs will be an added bonus for those who came for trekking in Vietnam. After that, you can enjoy beach volleyball, swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. You will see the Whale Island on Van Phong Bay to its northeast.
Location: Ninh Phuoc village, 60 kilometers from Nha Trang
How to get there? Take motorbike or taxi from Doc Let

Water Puppet Theatre

Hanoi’s water puppet shows are not only a great way to taste traditional Vietnamese artistry and entertainment but it’s also are an excellent evening activity if you see them with the children. Develop first evolved in Vietnam’s rural areas during the months of the monsoon paddy field flooding, and today, it is now mostly performed in custom-made water pools rather than outside. The performances usually focus on famous local legends and are combined with a live band using traditional Vietnamese instruments. Hanoi is the heartland of contemporary water puppet theater with five shows daily at the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre.
Location: Dinh Tien Hoang Street
Price: 100,000 VND

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

A place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a sprawling complex set within the city’s gardens that contains the tomb of Ho Chi Minh as well as various museums and monuments. The actual mausoleum itself is an austere marble building where Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body sits in a glass case. Also in the complex is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which contains many memorabilia of President Ho Chi Minh as well as much information about the history of the Vietnam Revolution. Also worth a visit is the stilt house, once home to Ho Chi Minh, which is excellently preserved.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Nestled on the southern edge of the old town quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake is the most well-known landmark in Hanoi. Not only deep into the poetic view, besides the lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple, which worships the grand figures from Vietnamese History such as La To (revered as a patron saint of physicians); the renowned scholar Van Xuong; and the 13th-century general Tran Hung Dao, who fought against the invading Mongol army. To come to the temple, you have to go through the red bridge which is called the morning sunlight. It’s really a vantage point to take pictures of the tourist.
Location: Dinh Tien Hoang Street

Dong Xuan Market

Located at the West end of Hanoi Old Quarter, surrounded by Hang Khoai Street and Cau Dong Street, Dong Xuan market is a place you should go when visiting Vietnam. Built-in 1889 by the French, Dong Xuan Market is regarded as the biggest market in Hanoi For those who love shopping and love the architecture of Dong Xuan market, you can come here to buy all the things you need during days in Ha Noi as well as Vietnam. The price for the goods is cheap if you know how to bargain. Surrounding here, you also can drop into the restaurant to enjoy the local food. Remember to ask them the price before you want to buy or eat.
Entrance price: Free

Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House or the Grand Opera House is a great architecture of the French, built-in 10 years from 1901 to 1911. It can be said that nowhere in Hanoi do you find a great structure that has a perfect combination of the old and new architecture. I bet that anyone who comes here first will have the same feeling – amazing by the structure. The architects were inspired by ancient Greek architecture styles and the Paris opera house.
Up to now, Hanoi Opera House has its own values that are worthy of standing on the list of the world’s classics. Because of the architecture, the Hanoi Opera House becomes an attractive place for couples in their wedding album.
If you want to visit outside, it’s free. But if you want to enjoy the show, you have to pay money. There is no fixed price for tickets. It depends on the performance you want to watch. The average price is about VND 300.000 – VND 1.000.000/ ticket.

Temple of Literature

The city’s most interesting religious building is this beautiful and incredibly peaceful Confucian temple, originally built as a university in the 11th century. It was here, in the medieval era, that the philosophy of Confucianism and literature was taught, and near the entranceway, you can still see the names of students who studied here, etched into a series of pillars.

Hanoi Old Quarter

For many visitors to Vietnam’s capital, the main attraction is walking the streets of the city’s ancient core zone. This labyrinthine town of narrow alleys is the town’s commercial beat and has a history of 1,000 years. It is an interesting crumbling place, where the strange pieces of medieval architecture sought to cling to the modern center of the frantic motorbikes, street vendors, and surrounding businesses. If you look up while you’re wondering, this area has a lot of local shophouse architecture, where merchants often live in their shops in very long, two-story, narrow houses, crowd each other in alleys. The aisle behind is a great opportunity to soak up Hanoi’s street life. Along with the many street foods offered and many street vendors selling fruits and vegetables, there are also traditional medicine stalls and Buddhist religious traps.

A relic of the French colonial period, right in the heart of the old town, St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Nha Tho road) was built in 1886 and is a typical example of a neoclassical architectural style. The façade is intricately decorated, with two bell towers, while inside are some delicate stained-glass windows. The main entrance is kept private except for the volume. At other times, you can access the interior of the church from the back through the offices for the Diocese of Hanoi.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

A must for museum fans and history lovers, Hanoi’s Vietnam Museum of Ethnology houses the extensive national collection and tells the story of Vietnam’s diverse cultures in a series of excellently well-curated exhibits. Here, you will see the 54 Ethnic Groups Home, which is zoomed out, displayed at the same place. The garden area outside the main building holds some of the most interesting exhibits. Along with Vietnam from North to South, you can see the rural dwellings used by different ethnic minorities, as well as the fascinating Giarai tomb.
Location: Nguyen Van Huyen Street
Price: 40,000 VND

Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Built by the French colonial government in the late 19th century, Hoa Lo Prison Museum was originally used to harbor Vietnamese revolutionaries and any dissidents of the French rule. For many foreign visitors though, it’s better known as the prison where American POWs were held during the Vietnam War. The most famous foreign ex-resident of the prison is John McCain. The prison grounds contain the communal jail cells, solitary cells, and a courtyard, and the guillotine used by the French is also on display. There is a lot of information about Vietnam’s long battle against France’s colonial rule, providing the details of the brutal regime prisoners here were kept under.
Location: Hoa Lo Street
Price: 30,000 VND

 Drink Coffee at Hanoi Old Quater

I bet that there will be one of the best things to do in Hanoi, which is chosen by many tourists during visiting Hanoi destinations. What’s more interesting when enjoying a cup of coffee, which brings Vietnam past and sits in a special place. The price for a cup of coffee is about 30,000 VND and you don’t miss taking a lot of photos of this scenery.

Explore the Overall Scenery via a Cruise or Seaplane

Ha Long Bay Cruise and Seaplane Tour

You cannot miss the opportunity to take a cruise as Ha Long Bay is the best sailing destination. Taking a cruise ship to see the islands is an ideal way to appreciate the overall scenery. From one to three days is enough for you to explore the stunning landscape.
You can enjoy sightseeing the caves and karst formations, visit uninhabited islands, an oyster farm, and a floating village, and experience sea kayaking.
Ha, Long Bay contains numerous limestone islands. Some have interesting shapes. The most famous are Cockfight Rock (looking like two cocks fighting, it’s the symbol of Vietnamese tourism), Incense Burner, and Man’s Head.
Upon your budget, it’s interesting when explore the scenery with a seaplane flight. What’s more interesting as you fly over the pillars reaching up to from emerald waters. Join in and enjoy this fresh moment.

Have a Glimpse of the Unique Lifestyle in the Floating Villages

Visit the Floating Villages

Scattered all over the bay, four floating villages are home to around 1,400 people. They are Cửa Vạn, Ba Hang, Cống Dàm, and Vông Viêng. Floating on the boat and visiting the stilt houses, you will enter the “actual” floating village: several dozen wooden houses floating on the river.
These villages still maintain the style of a fishing village, but they are also major tourist attractions nowadays. You can have a look at the locals’ unique lifestyle: they rely on their boats for their daily living, working, and communication with each other.

Capture the Beauty of the Small Islands

Small Islands

It takes about one day to visit the small islands including several stunning islands scattered in Ha Long Bay. Because of the precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. However, you can take a boat to visit the small island and spend a few hours there, exploring and enjoying the limestone and sandy beach. And don’t forget to take a lot of pictures here.
Lying on the beach, you can experience its natural quietness, cleanness, and simplicity. Just cherish this peaceful moment — it will be a good memory.

Enjoy the Night on a Cruise

Squid Fishing

If choosing a two-day and one-night or three-day and two-night cruise, you should not miss the fun at night.
You can just enjoy a movie night, cap off the night with some beauty spa services, or take part in a special activity — squid fishing.
In the evening, squid fishing begins. The boat will anchor at the best spot to catch squid and the crew will teach you how to catch it. There are several ways to catch a squid, all of which can be pretty interesting. After that, the crew will help you to cook the squid.

Indulge at a Beach Resort

3 days relaxing at Halong Beach Resort as you lost at the paradise, which will be a great choice for you during these days in Halong Bay. On the beautiful island, there are some stunning private beaches, which are quiet and clean due to the resort. Stay at a wonderful beach resort and you could go swimming, sunbathe, take part in all kinds of water activities, or just laze around all day. It’s awesome when walking on the beach at sunset, listening to the waves drive against the shore, and exploring the landscape.

Discover Surprising Sights in the Caves

Visit Sung Sot Cave or Others

Once setting your foot at Ha Long Bay, you have admitted that Ha Long is home to many wonderful caves and grottoes. One cannot deny that every corner of each cave is unique and determined what you have to explore. The Sung Sot Cave and Dong Thien Cung are the most popular for tourists.
Inside these water-eroded caves, walls covered with corallite ‘flowers’, enormous boulders, refined columns, and a variety of stalactites and stalagmites are just stunning! Piles of stalactites and stalagmites in curious shapes look like wild beasts and human figures under the colored lights.
The deeper you go inside, the more surprises you will find.

Cát Bà National Park

Ha, Long Bay includes two ecosystems: a tropical moist evergreen rainforest, and a marine and coastal ecosystem. Cát Bà National Park belongs to the first one.
Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2004, the park takes up more than half of Cát Bà Island. There are about 32 types of mammals, including golden-headed langurs (Vietnam’s most endangered primates), wild boar, deer, and macaques, along with approximately 70 species of birds and more than a thousand species of plants.
When encountering them, you cannot help but admire their diverse ecosystem.

Sun world Ha Long Park

Sun World Halong Park is a complex amusement park. Located in the beautiful area of Halong Bay, here is the most attractive place for visitors recently. Of course, Coming to Sun World Halong will be a new entertainment experience to discover and feel the new angle is very different from the heritage city of Halong.
Travel to Halong Bay, and try a new experience to join in many attractive games including Dragon Park, which will be a world of adventure games opened before your eyes.

Enjoy a Special Dinner in Traditional Bao Dai Dress

From one to two hours to enjoy the meal like a king or a queen on the cruise. The onboard chef will tell you a short history of Vietnamese cuisine. After that, let’s enjoy a luxurious dinner in the traditional Bao Dai dress. Taste the sumptuous set menu, which has been specially designed to make you feel like a king or a queen. This special experience is impressive and amazing. Surely, this will be an excellent trip during your Vietnam tour.

If you fall in love with some places above, we suggest some Vietnam Itineraries with Halong Bay:

• A glimpse of Vietnam – 7 Days
• Vietnam Heritage Tour – 10 Days
• Jewels of Vietnam – 12 Days
• Mystery of Vietnam – 12 Days
• Vietnam Tour in Style – 10 Days

Brief Introduction of Hon Tre Island

Hon Tre is a huge island in Kien Hai district, western of Kien Giang province, Vietnam. Located in Vinh Nguyen Ward, it is the largest one in Nha Trang Bay with an area of 36 km² and the highest peak of about 460m. The waves around here are fairly gentle thanks to Hon Tre Mountain lying as a firm standing wall that prevents the ocean storm and strong wind. There is also a small village nearby located at the foot of the mountain, in which visitors can witness the habits of the fishing village and enjoy coconut and fresh fruits.

Hon Tre Island Attractions

Bai Chen

Bai Chen is the most well-known tourist place with lots of unique-shaped stones stretching nearly 2 km.  When the water rises, most of these stones immerse in seawater. Looking from the long-distance they seem like these ones turning upside down on the beach, which is fairly stunning and picturesque. Besides, sitting on these “bowls” to look at the distant fishing boats of local fishermen and enjoy the peacefulness is highly recommended. Besides, visitors will have an exciting experience with meals including shrimp, crab…eaten at the beach.

Con Se Tre Island

Con Se Tre Island is a part of Hon Tre Island that every tourist chooses as a must-visit site in their Nha Trang trips. However, many out of them often make mistake in distinguishing these two places. It is an attractive destination, which is a special tourist area with a completely bamboo design, unique items such as Bien Hoa pottery or cattle cart from Cu Chi (Ho Chi Minh City).

Explorers can take a 15-minute boat trip to get to Con Se Tre Island where you can easily find old countryside scenes that are familiar in childhood memories, enjoy a peaceful space full of poetry and be immersed in the old-but-gold lifestyle. Many tourists are also in favor of walking along the white sandy beach along the coast and watching the wild beauty of the forest, which brings us a sense of peacefulness and relaxedness.

Bai Soi

Once you set the first footstep on Bai Soi, the strange feeling of bare feet placed on the small pebbles is hard to express by words.  It seems like the little pebbles gently massage your feet. The combination of cool blue water, sea breezes, and warm sun lights are perfect to set you free from worry. Under the rock near the beach lies a wide world of beautiful coral reefs, which local people explore this natural beauty to boost tourism by offering diving gear and diving skills courses.

Vinpearland Hon Tre Island

It is a complex of an amazing aquarium, amusement parks, resorts, cable cars to enjoy the island at its best. However, pristine nature can be found here with mountains and lagoon bringing your peaceful moments far from the hustling and bustling cities.

Hon Tre Island Travel Guides

Best Time to Visit Hon Tre Island

Hon Tre Island is one of the highlight attractions in Vietnam Beach Holidays. I can say that there is no best period of time to go to Hon Tre Island. In other words, anytime during the year can be favorable for a trip to Hon Tre Island thanks to the warm and comfortable weather.

The summer often starts in May with sunlight and hot weather, suitable for natural tourism like ecotourism, ocean tourism or water sports. For example, if you’re a diving enthusiast, plan your holiday vacation between April and August to enjoy clear blue water as well as the great view around Hon Tre Island. It is also the most preferred time for beach lovers. However, visitors should keep your eyes on the local weather forecast since tropical storms and typhoons may annoy you.

If your trip is firmly scheduled for the other months, don’t worry too much. Everything is still as gorgeous and stunning as usual. In addition, it is the off-peak season travel, which means the prices and the number of visitors will be in decline. It’s quite suitable for those whose travel budget is limited.

How to Get to Hon Tre Island

There are a variety of means of transportation to get to Hon Tre Island from Nha Trang or Rach Gia such as canoes, boats and cable cars. However, visitors are advised to choose boats or canoes due to the reasonable price and fairly safe security services.

For boats: 300,000 VND/ turn
For canoe: 350,000 VND/ turn
For Hon Tre Island Cable Car: 650,000 VND (Adult) and 550,000 VND (Children)

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex

The most well-known tourist resort of Ninh Binh with special values in culture, history, geological tectonics, and natural landscapes has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural and cultural heritage site in 2014. Trang An comprises majestic limestone mountains, miraculous caves, and the melting pot of valleys and rivers creating a marvelous and fanciful space. It can be said that Trang An is a masterpiece of nature on one side and a museum of history, culture, and geography on another side.

Tam Coc (Three Islands)

Consider “the Halong Bay on the ground”, Tam Coc – Bich Dong was named Nam Thien De Nhat Dong (the most beautiful cave in Vietnam). During the trip to Tam Coc-Bich Dong, you should stop at Vu Lam, the former military base of the Tran dynasty. With the green scenery and silence, surrounded by the nature of Trang An forest, tourists can learn more about the history of the dynasty which defeated the strong Mongol army three times in the 13th century. When tourists visit the Vu Lam, they will be guided walking to the famous “King Kong”. Standing between the majestic mountains and forests, nearly 30 indigenous bamboo houses are preserved from the filming of “Kong”, which makes visitors feel like straying into the ancient world. Especially, there will be aboriginal imitation as well in the movie awaiting your exploration.

The most convenient transportation for sightseeing in Tam Coc is a boat. It will take you to three Tam Coc caves, including the Ca Cave (127 meters long), Hai Trung (60 meters long), and the Ba Cave (50 meters long). Tam Coc is beautiful in all seasons. In spring, the green paddy fields stretch along the banks of the river, turning into smooth yellow in April in the lunar calendar. In summer, traveling on the Ngo Dong River, visitors will enjoy the attractive lotus aroma and listen to the legend about each cliff or mountain in the shape of a turtle or dragon head through locals.

Opening hour: 8 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: VND 120.000 (about $5) for a ticket and VND 150.000 (about $7) for hiring a boat

Bich Dong Pagoda (The Pagoda of Emerald Grotto)

Located 3 km to the East of Tam Coc, Bich Dong pagoda lies on the Truong Yen Mountain Range with a panoramic view of rice paddles and Truong Son River. The pagoda has a unique architecture with three pagodas built at three different heights leaning on the mountain. Each one has distinct structures, statues, and historic stories of its origin. Bich Dong pagoda is the symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism, Vietnamese history as well as Vietnamese traditional architecture.

Opening hour: 8 am to 5 pm
Entrance fee: VND 10.000

Hoa Lu Old Capital

Because of the mountainous area in Ninh Binh which is easy to defend against invaders, Hoa Lu was chosen by Dinh and Le Dynasty as the capital of Dai Viet (the old name of Vietnam) in the 10th century. The old capital includes 47 relics especially, including the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Ly Thai To, the tombs of Dinh Kings, and King Le Dai Hanh. Your trip to Hoa Lu will be told the interesting stories of history during the greatest period of Vietnam.

Opening hour: 8 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: VND 20.000 (about $1)

Bai Dinh Pagoda

History of Bai Dinh Pagoda

In the 10th century, three dynasties in Ninh Binh (Dinh, Le, Ly) built a lot of pagodas to show their worship of Buddhism, and Bai Dinh was the biggest one. In 2003, the pagoda was rebuilt with many constructions which makes it become the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.

Bai Dinh Pagoda Today

The Old Bai Dinh Pagoda

Located 800m to the South of the new Bai Dinh pagoda, the old one has still preserved the traditional architecture of the 10th century. The pagoda consists of the temples worshipping God and its founder – monk Nguyen Minh Khong. Visiting the old Bai Dinh pagoda is a mistake unless you explore the Dark Cave and Light Cave where you can find the altars worshipping the Fairies and Gods in Heaven at every corner of the caves. Besides, Gieng Ngoc (Jade Well), one of the largest wells in Vietnam which has never been drying up is also a must on your trip to Bai Dinh pagoda.

The New Bai Dinh Pagoda

The new pagoda was constructed in 2003 and finished in 2010 including hundreds of bronze and stone statues, multi-story towers as well as magnificent palaces. The architecture of Bai Dinh pagoda is characterized by large, monumental blocks bearing the imprint of Vietnamese architecture such as the use of local materials. Its most distinctive feature compared to Chinese architecture appears in a curved dark brown arch like the tail of the phoenix. The architectural details of the pagoda are also bearing the stamp of famous traditional villages in Vietnam. Bai Dinh Pagoda is built by over 500 outstanding artisans, including many craftsmen from well-known villages such as Phuc Loc woodcarving, Ninh Van stone carving, Y Yen bronze casting, and Van Lam embroidery, and Lac Dang lacquer. Moreover, Bai Dinh pagoda holds a dozen records for the biggest statues and highest towers in Asia.

Opening hour: 6 am to 21 pm daily
Entrance fee: VND 150.000

Cuc Phuong National Park

Covering an area of over 22,000 hectares in the Northwest of Ninh Binh, Cuc Phuong National Park is the first one to be ranked in the top 5 largest national parks and an interesting destination for tourists in search of natural adventures. The visit to the green lung of Northern Vietnam will give you the relaxing moments in the paradise of nature.

Visiting Cuc Phuong, tourists not only discover the wild and mysterious forest of a primitive forest with thousands of ancient trees, and caves bearing history but also experience the fountain. It is attractive with ecotourism programs, convalescence, trekking, campfire, adventure, research, and cultural history.

Opening hour: 8 am – 5 pm
Entrance fee: VND 60.000 (about $3)

Van Long Nature Reserve

Not only is the nature reserve, but Van Long wetlands also have attractive scenes. Van Long is known as the “bay without waves” because the surface of the water is silent when you travel. However, Van Long’s water is not as blue as the sea, the clear water reveals the moss beneath that makes the watercolor-dyed green.

Coming to Van Long to live in the beautiful natural, romantic, full of natural the environment of wetland ecology. This is the home to thousands of different birds and more than 40 langur rare species that many species are listed in the Red Book. Thank rich ecosystems, Van Long’s climate is fresh, poetic, and sparkling all year, especially in the summer when the rice fields are filled with incense mixed with an idyllic scenery of the river and clouds. Tourists will feel really peaceful and relaxed when paying a visit to this amazing place in Ninh Binh.

Opening hour: 8 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: VND 20.000 for a ticket and VND 60.000 for hiring a boat

Thung Nham Bird Garden

The ecosystem is located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. This place mixes all the elements: culture, spirituality, and biodiversity. Traveling by boat and visiting the lagoon to admire over 40 species of birds will leave you a wonderful experience.

Thung Nham bird garden is the most beautiful in the sunset when all the birds fly in the sky. There is no doubt that this is the most pristine and peaceful beauty you have ever experienced. The valley is magnificent in all four seasons, but its beauty is glowing in the autumn, when the temperature is cool and a thin layer of fog covers the whole area, creating a romantic beauty.

Opening hour: 8 am to 5 pm
Entrance fee: VND 100.000 (about $5)

History and Architecture of Nha Rong Wharf 

Nha Rong means Dragon House which is initially a busy commercial harbor of Ho Chi Minh city. This harbor was built by the French with an aim to exchange goods, weapons, and materials during the French occupation of Vietnam. Nha Rong remains the French-inspired architecture affected by both Vietnamese and French construction. It is not difficult to see that has there are Vietnamese-dragon-shaped statues on its rooftop, and the dragon is a cultural symbol of Vietnam appearing in numerous building designs like pagodas, temples, even residential houses. It is said that the name of this wharf comes from the above detail.
This tourist attraction is internationally famous for a historic event related to Vietnam’s independence. In 1911, Ho Chi Minh left Vietnam to find a path to liberty for fatherland while Vietnam was under the French’s domination. This strenuous process will be illustrated proudly by exhibits and on-site tour guide. Thanks to Ho Chi Minh and his set-off, Vietnam gained independence after that, so Vietnam citizens are grateful to the leader, they love and protect any keepsakes related to Ho Chi Minh.
Ticket price: 2.000VND/pax
Opening times: Nha Rong wharf is open 7.30 am- 17h pm from Tuesday to Sunday (lunch breaks from 11h30 am -13h30 pm).

Tourist Attractions near Nha Rong Wharf

The following are some iconic destinations in Ho Chi Minh city which are relatively close to Nha Rong Wharf. It is very convenient that visitors can experience all of these sites within a day during Ho Chi Minh City Tour Packages.

Independence Palace

The first suggestion is Independence Palace that is about three kilometers far from Nha Rong Wharf. Independence Palace used to be the Palace of Indochina Governor-General. It is the headquarters of the city’s military administration committee after Vietnam’s liberation then. This place is actually notable to anyone coming to the biggest city of Vietnam.

Notre Dame Cathedral

One more French construction near Nha Rong Wharf is Notre Dame Cathedral (Duc Ba church). Most of the building materials were from France and the cathedral initially was to fulfill the religious wish of the French. For unique and eye-catching features, Notre Dame Cathedral is always a prior choice for every tourist. Especially, the church is just three kilometers far from Nha Rong Wharf.

Saigon central post office

Being the neighbor of Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon central post office is one of the oldest buildings and a typical colonial French construction located in Ho Chi Minh city. The office not only maintains the illustration of ancient postal services but also keeps the oldest eyewitness who will tell you many noteworthy stories. Don’t skip this site with thousands of visitors every day.

Ben Thanh Market

This is the most popular symbol of Ho Chi Minh city. It is not hard to find a stamp of Saigon printed a picture of Ben Thanh market. You can buy anything, from food and drinks to souvenirs in the daytime and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere by the recreational center nearby. A hustling and bustling stop awaits you, and it is 3 kilometers far from Nha Rong Wharf only.

An Hien Garden House Quick Facts

Located at 58 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Xuan Hoa Village on the north bank of Perfume River, An Hien Garden House today comes across to be the top tourist attraction and also a cultural site in Hue alluring a great number of visitors annually. Constructed for royal families and mandarins in the past, the garden overlooks the poetic Perfume River. Spreading over an area of 4,608 m2, An Hien Garden House is a square garden structure highlighted with the perfect combination of unique Hue style and common Vietnamese architecture.

An Hien Garden House Highlights

One of the highlights best reflected in An Hien Garden House lies in its impressive structure. The entrance leading to the garden is a small arched gate that was mainly constructed with mortars and bricks. More interestingly, visitors to the garden house would be mesmerized by apricots rows after rows, creating shade for the house.

An Hien Garden House comprises 3 major compartments and the frame structure was made of wood. Outstandingly, there is a collection of up to 48 pillars made of jackfruit wood. Moreover, the house also impresses visitors with its decorative patterns of the roofing tiles in which there is a dragon flanking the top of the edge sides and on the rooftop there exists a beautiful lotus-shaped motif.
The charm of An Hien Garden House – first lies in its unique construction – then its poetic landscapes with an open space of the impressive ecological garden with tropical fruits in four seasons flavors including jackfruits, durian, mangosteen, and lychee.
With its elegant natural scenery surrounding the house and outstanding architectural feature, An Nhien Garden House promises to offer the ultimate experience.