Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
HCMC is Vietnam’s answer to a modern metropolis. It is a lot more westernized than Hanoi, its northern counterpart, a fact that is unsurprising when you consider Vietnam’s history. It is also considerably larger and offers a lot more to do. In fact, you can find some of the finest experiences in the country there. They have arguably the best museums, cookery classes, and luxury spas in the whole of South East Asia. While you’re in HCMC, a visit to the War Remnants Museum can’t be recommended highly enough. It will give you a humbling and haunting reminder of the real consequences of war. Many of which, sadly, are still felt in Vietnam today. So, whether you’re looking for some powerful historical sites, delicious Vietnamese cuisine, or excellent partying; HCMC is an unmissable stop-off.
Phu Quoc Island
Perhaps the most peaceful spot in the whole of Vietnam. Geographically, Phu Quoc is located just off the Cambodian coast. Dine on spicy seafood at a beachside BBQ or sip cocktails in a hammock, there’s nowhere quite like it. Beach side resorts vary heavily in price and standards, ensuring that there is something available for travelers of any budget. If you love shopping, get down to the gorgeous markets for some authentic clothing or some Phu Quoc pearls, which range anywhere from $1 to $10,000. If you visit in quiet season, you will find the quiet roads an excellent location to learn to ride a motorbike. And that will be a valuable tool for your Vietnamese adventures. Not least because it will grant you the freedom to explore this magnificent island as it is meant to be explored, with the sun on your face and the wind blowing through your hair.
Mui Ne
If chilling on the beach isn’t your cup of tea and you would rather a more active beach break, then head to Mui Ne! It is the watersports capital of Vietnam and it’s sure to have everything an adrenaline junky needs. Kitesurfing? Tick. Windsurfing. Tick. Jet skiing? Tick. There’s also some great bars with a chilled-out surfer vibe. The long, exposed stretch of beach can get windy, so it’s not the best place for catching a tan, but smaller secluded beaches and hotels with pools mean that you can still take a break. It’s not all about the coast either, inland, Mui Ne hosts some stunning red dunes and hot springs.
The Mekong Delta
As the mighty Mekong flows out from Laos, it spreads across into both Cambodia and Vietnam. By this stage the river has fanned out into thousands of tiny waterways. A tranquil and unique way of life has emerged on the islets and rivers in the Mekong Delta that offer a fantastic insight into rural Vietnamese life. Day to day life for the residents is yet to feel the full force of globalization and lifestyles maintain many of the local traditions from centuries past. The easiest way to explore the Delta is in an organized tour, but as always, traveling through them independently will likely offer you a more authentic and original experience. However you decide to travel there, be sure to check out the floating markets and learn all about local crafts and manufacturing.
Can Tho
Arguably, the best of these floating markets can be found in Can Tho. Can Tho is a surprisingly vibrant and buzzing city considering it is surrounded on all sides by the quiet and mysterious Mekong Delta. It is the political, cultural, and historical hub of the area. It also makes a great place to arrange further transport to more remote locations in the area. All manner of tours are available: cruise tours, cycling tours, rowing boat tours, and even Vespa tours. Make sure any visit to Can Tho includes buying a fresh coconut from a vender and sipping it as you stroll down the wide boulevards and sculpture lined promenade.
Cu Chi Tunnels
An immense network of underground tunnels 75 miles long, used by the north Vietnamese during the Vietnam war. The complex system contained ammunition dumps, kitchens, smoke ventilation tunnels, dormitories and even first-aid rooms. The government has preserved the tunnels and they have been turned into a memorial park. They are not the only tunnels of this nature, you will find more in the DMZ,(De-militarized Zone) but they are the most historically significant, and the most cramped. You will surely hear of tales about how tight the tunnels are but they really must be seen to be believed. If you are claustrophobic, you are not going to want to go inside. But for the brave, a trip through this underground labyrinth is worn like a badge of honour in the traveler and expat communities.
Written by Alex Sinclair Lack for Teacher’s Friend – Vietnam. All rights reserved.
