Temples are among Vietnam’s most popular attractions, where travellers can marvel at intricate carvings and well-preserved architecture as well as experience the local culture during their holiday. A predominantly Buddhist country, there are thousands of pagodas and shrines dedicated to the revered icon. Vietnam is also the birth place of Cao Daism, which combines teachings and practices of several beliefs, including Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism, Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. This selection of Vietnam’s must-visit temples lists sites in the modern cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi as well as remote locales such as Hue, Ninh Binh Province and Mui Ne. Unlike most tourist spots in Vietnam, you don’t need to pay a fee to enter most of these temples, but donations are warmly welcomed. Visitors are required to dress appropriately and remove their shoes before entering prayer halls.
Home to an extensive collection of historical and cultural attractions, Vietnam is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. Nature enthusiasts can also find plenty of sightseeing opportunities throughout their holiday, ranging from pristine beaches and untouched islets to towering mountains and tropical forests housing thousands of rare wildlife species. There’s even a Sahara-like desert landscape where you can enjoy thrilling activities such as sandboarding and quad biking. For those looking to experience the local lifestyle, Vietnam has hill-tribes and rice farmers along the north mountain ranges, while fisherman villages are scattered throughout the middle and southern regions of the country. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most amazing landscapes in Vietnam, each of which offer truly unique photo opportunities and experiences for the adventurous at heart.
The Chu Chi Tunnels are part of a massive war museum in Ho Chi Minh. They offer visitors a sneak-peek at the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers back in 1948. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury, hospitals, and command centres. After the war against the French, Vietnamese soldiers expanded the tunnels and included effective air filtration systems, which helped them survive the Chu Chi carpet-bombings
Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. The Bay is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie. The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies. The best way to get to Halong City is by car, minibus or bus from Hanoi which is only 170km away. If budget is not a problem, an hour-long helicopter transfer is also available.
The best attractions in Phan Thiet and the beach of Mui Ne comprise geographical wonders, traditional fishing villages, pristine beaches and verdant mountains, not forgetting ancient structures that date back as far as the 9th century. Needless to say, visitors have plenty to see and do during their holiday in the capital of Binh Thuan province. While Phan Thiet and Mui Ne are among the busiest coastal towns in Vietnam, it remains relatively untouched by urban development, making it an ideal retreat from the bustling cities of Saigon and Hanoi. The most famous attractions here are the Red and White Sand Dunes, where travellers can enjoy a fun-filled day of riding ATVs or sliding down the slopes on rickety sleds. With that being said, there’s more to this town than the extraordinary desert plains, so we’ve compiled a list of Phan Thiet and Mui Ne’s most popular attractions.
The best attractions in Nha Trang are set against a stunning backdrop of white sandy beaches, verdant mountains, and untouched islands. Great for history buffs, Nha Trang is home to remnants of the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches while natural hot springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls offer a myriad of sightseeing and recreational activities. While it’s fairly easy to explore this popular Vietnam district on foot, bicycle, and motorcycle, there are numerous tour operators within Nha Trang city centre that organise day excursions to Nha Trang’s most popular attractions. Read on to discover the places that you should not leave off your travel itinerary.
