Top 5 Places to Visit in Vietnam

Fun, energetic and beautiful, Vietnam is a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia. With world class cuisine, a truly breath taking coastline and stunning National Parks, holidays to Vietnam have it all.

If you are planning a Vietnam holiday and are after some inspiration on where to go and what to see, we have rounded up the top five places to visit during your trip. Together, these offer a broad introduction to Vietnam.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Translated as 'where the dragon descends into the sea' the waters of Halong Bay are punctuated by thousands of humped islands topped with mini forests that are alive with birdsong and weather-worn caves and grottoes to explore. Boat cruises offer tours around the myriad of mini islands.

Hoi An

This delightful town is full of historic architecture and charm, almost totally untouched by traffic or pollution. In the past, Hoi An was a major port, but silting of the Thu Bon River meant that larger ships could no longer dock here, preserving the town's provincial character. There are some outstanding street food restaurants to sample here and the Japanese covered bridge first constructed in the 1590s is a popular landmark to spot.

Paradise Cave

This incredible cave system is said to be the largest dry cave in the world and has only been open since 2011. The cave extends for more than 31km, although only the first 1,000m is accessible to the public. Wooden staircases take you down 500 steps past gigantic glittering crystal stalactites and stalagmites into a vast open space that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Cat Tien National Park

This 72,000 hectare landscape of tropical lowland rain-forest is one of the country's most precious national treasures. You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking and tours through the National Park and it's one of the best bird-watching and wildlife-watching spots in Southern Vietnam. Visits to this national park are extremely popular, therefore advance booking is advised.

War Remnants Museum

A trip to Vietnam wouldn't be complete without at least glimpsing this country's wartime history. There are displays of artillery, weaponry, bombs and personal accounts of war experiences. It is not for the fainthearted though; the museum does display a large amount of sensitive material including photographs documenting the UD bombing and napalming.