Vietnamese tourism through
Vietnam's elongated shape makes it a wonderfully easy place to travel, basically
you only have two choices to make about your route - do I go north to south or
south to north? It is surprisingly easy to explore as an independent traveler,
but there are also many groups that you can choose to join as well. Here follows
a list of must-see destinations on your itinerary.
Hanoi - My all time favourite city has to be the capital, Hanoi. On the list of
more touristy things to do here are the water puppet show and also a war museum,
which as a Westerner is most enlightening. It's not often we get to see a war
and all of its propaganda through a different lens. In the same vein, if not a
little macabre, is a visit to see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh. Away from
the visitors attractions are some lovely streets to explore and some great
eateries. True, Hanoi has its fair share of pizza and western joints, but there
are restaurants with no other tourists in them and you don't have to go too far
off the beaten track to find them either.
HalongBay -
Hanoi is also the obvious starting point for a trip to see Halong Bay with its
very impressive limestone rock formations. Most people explore the area on a
traditional Vietnamese junk. As well as cruising past some amazing scenery, you
will also get the chance to explore some naturally formed limestone caves. The
top end junks tend to be pretty luxurious, with top notch food and lovely cabins
to boot.
Sapa - Another popular side trip from Hanoi is Sapa, in the north east corner of
the country. Reached by an easy overnight train from Hanoi, this colourful hill
station is home to local hill tribes who congregate at the thriving market to
sell their wares. The peace of the valleys and the verdant green terraces are a
welcome respite from the busy, polluted towns and many residents of Hanoi choose
to escape here at the weekends to escape the heat of the city.
Hue - This town saw some of the most crucial battles in the Vietnam war, the Tet
offensive, and is a must see destination on your trip. Not much of the ancient
citadel, which was home to the forbidden city when the town was the capital, has
survived, but you can still wander round the grounds and get a feel for the
place and visit a cultural show. From Hue, you have the option of a boat trip on
the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal Nguyen tombs, these,
whilst popular with many tourists, are not to be missed. From Hue you can also
take a guided trip out to visit some of the tunnels used by the Viet Cong during
the war.
Hoi-An - This town is a very quaint and pretty place to visit. With arguably the
best fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese and French influences, there are fabulous
restaurants to eat in and some beautifully maintained Chinese style houses to
visit. The town is also known for its shopping, with shoe makers and tailors a
plenty to recreate any item of clothing that you desire.
Mui Ne - This quiet and sleepy beach resort welcomes travelers from all walks of
life, from backpacker to the more upmarket, there is something for everyone
here. Unlike the beach resort of Nha Trang, further up the coast, Mui Ne has a
more relaxed and chilled out vibe. The sandy beaches are a perfect spot for
sunbathing, whilst the breezes make this a popular destination for wind surfers.
For those who just can't sit still, you can take a ride into the nearby sand
dunes and go sliding on plastic sledges.
Ho Chi Minh City - This city used to be called Saigon and is famous for its role
in the Vietnam war. As you visit the city, you can't help but remember the
desperate scenes outside the American embassy back in the 1970's. Now, however,
the city has recovered into a busy and bustling hub. Lacking, admittedly, the
charm of Hanoi, it is still worth a visit and will almost certainly feature on
your itinerary. As well as the Reunification Palace and the Ho Chi Minh City
museum, there is a busy Ben Thanh market to visit to sample some local food.
Whilst you're here, find the time to wander round the countless art shops full
of students reproducing famous paintings. Never in your whole life will you see
so many Mona Lisas staring at you!
Mekong Delta - A river trip exploring the vast Mekong Delta is a must do on your
trip to Vietnam. You can either spend a day seeing the highlights, or get
further off the beaten track staying in a traditional homestay on an overnight
trip. You will get to see a different side of Vietnam, visiting local families
who live off the river, either through fishing, incense making or tourism. For
those with time on their hands, you can catch a boat to the Cambodian border and
travel through to Pnomh Penh.
Sapa Budget Tours
- Sapa Day Tours - Sapa Day Excursions - Day Trips Sapa Vietnam
- Sapa Walk and Bac ha Market
- Sapa Hard Trekking Two
- Sapa Hard Trekking One
- Sapa Medium Trek Two
- Sapa Medium Trek
Sapa Trekking and Adventures
- Fansipan peak conquering VIP tour (3 days - 2 nights)
- Fansipan peak conquering VIP tour (2 days - 1 nights)
- Fansipan peak conquering Deluxe tour (4 days - 3 nights)
- Fansipan peak conquering Deluxe tour (3 days - 2 nights)
- Fansipan peak conquering Deluxe tour (2 days - 1 nights)
- Fansipan peak conquering Standard tour (4 days - 3 nights)
Sapa Cycling Options
- Sapa - Binh Lu - Lai Chau(with biking)
- Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Ban Ho
- Sapa Biking Tour - Ban Ho Village
- Sapa Biking Tour - Binh Lu - Lai Chau
- SaPa - Bac Ha Market with biking
- Pedalling The Remote Sapa\'s Northwest
Sapa Luxury Holidays
Traditional Minority Discovery Packages
- Green Sapa bus (Hanoi – Sapa)
- Eco Sapa Limousine Van (Hanoi – Sapa)
- Private car Hanoi Sapa
- Hanoi Sapa Private Cabin bus
- Coc Ly market with boat trip
- Cao Son market -boat trip on Chay river- Sapa Tours
Sapa Classic Trips
Northern Mountain Discovery Packages
Topas Ecolodge Sapa tours
- Topas Ecolodge and Market Package 3D/4N
- Topas Ecolodge and Market Package-2D/3N
- Topas Ecolodge and Victoria Sapa Package – 4D/5N
- Topas Ecolodge and Victoria Sapa Package – 3D/4N
- Topas Ecolodge Package – 3D/4N
- Topas Ecolodge Package 2D/3N
Top hotels in Sapa
Vietnam Top Hotel
