Ho Chi Minh City is home to one of Vietnam's most bustling locations - the Ben Thanh Market. The market possesses the perfect balance between being a novel tourist attraction and a respected local hotspot. Here, consumers can choose from a tapestry of food, souvenirs, and artwork and develop a sense of true Vietnamese life. History Unlike so many other Ho Chi Minh City …
Bridge of Lights – Hoi An
When someone mentions Hoi An, the Bridge of Lights surrounded by colorful lanterns is usually the first picture that comes to mind. As a central focus for Hoi An's Ancient Town, the Bridge of Lights is extremely popular, especially in the evening when the bridge is illuminated. The Bridge of Lights connects Ancient Town to Nguyen Hoang Island, where you'll find the Hoi An …
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – Hanoi
The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology offers a window into the country’s vast melting pot of ethnic communities. There are more than 50 different ethnic groups across the nation and the museum serves to not only preserve their cultural diversity but also educate visitors in a variety of interactive ways. The Museum Housing comprehensive collections of tribal art and artifacts, as …
Saigon Central Post Office – HCMC
The Saigon Central Post Office, in Ho Chi Minh City, acts as a stark reminder of a time gone by. The building's dazzling architecture will take you back to the pre-internet days, and although retro, this site is still operating, allowing those who visit to send a postcard home. History and Architecture Located next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, the …
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon – HCMC
The twinned bell towers of the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon are a bold reminder of Vietnam’s colonial past. Built during the mid-19th century, the church received its ‘Notre Dame’ name due to its resemblance to its more famous Parisian counterpart. Its official name is the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception and it lies in the heart of …
Ba Be National Park – Bac Kan Province
Protecting Vietnam’s largest lake and multiple ethnic communities, Ba Bê National Park puts visitors up close and personal with the country’s natural beauty and diverse culture. Lined with limestone mountains and dotted with villages, this national park is full of lush green valleys, obscure waterfalls, and caves. These stunning features make Ba Bê National Park an …
Hanoi Opera House
Completed in 1911 by the French-colonial government, the 589-seater Hanoi Opera House is now the pride of Vietnamese arts and theatre. In 1995, the Vietnamese government invested $14 million to upgrade and restore the historic building. In 2011, Hanoi Opera House was named a National Relic, a title bestowed on Vietnam's oldest and most treasured architecture pieces. A Brief …
Saigon Opera House – HCMC
The Saigon Opera House is one of three theaters built by the French Colonialists. In 2012, the government classed the Saigon Opera House a National Relic, the highest honor for old Vietnamese structures. The most recent renovation took place between 1996 and 1998, costing $1.7 million. The reopening in 1998 also marked the 300th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly …
8 Best National Parks in Vietnam
Vietnam is known to many for its rich, cultural past and modern, towering cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), and Da Nang. As the world keeps opening, tourists are swarming to the cities to experience Vietnam’s unique mix of traditional and contemporary elements as they collide in the chaos of daily life. Still, there is more to Vietnam than its great …
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City in March
March may be the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City due to its suitable weather and fewer crowds than the previous couple of months. It's still the dry season in Saigon and temperatures are only beginning to rise to their summer highs. Climate Averages in Ho Chi Minh in March Temperatures continue rising in March, averaging from a low of 76°F (24.4°C) to a high of 92°F …
Visiting Hanoi in March
Climate Averages in Hanoi in March As Hanoi progresses further into its spring season, you can begin to say goodbye to the chilly, winter weather and welcome warmer temperatures of as low as 65°F (18.3°C) and as high as 72°F (22.2°C). Hanoi continues to receive little sunshine throughout the month of March, slightly decreasing from February with 1.4 hours of direct …
Museum of Ba Ria – Vung Tau
The Vung Tau Provincial Museum has a distinctive façade featuring white and gold art-deco style curves representing the waves of the ocean. It offers a good introduction to the province’s natural eco-systems, diverse ethnic communities, traditions, and thousands of years of history. The museum follows a chronological journey through the region’s history, from prehistoric …
Hoang Lien National Park – near Sapa
Home to the country’s tallest mountains, Hoàng Liên National Park is one of the most coveted areas in Vietnam. Known for its dense vegetation, this park preserves some of the country’s most primitive beauty. Impressive altitudes within Hoang Lien range from 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) to 10,312 feet (3,143 meters), drawing in adventurers who aim to conquer Vietnam’s highest …
Bach Moc Luong Tu Mountain – near Sapa
Crowned as Vietnam’s fourth-tallest mountain with a height of 9,990.157 feet (3,045 meters), Bach Moc Luong Tu is enjoying the spotlight amongst the country’s young travelers. Now a hit destination, the mountain’s cloud-covered landscape has become a much-loved feature in Vietnam. Summiting Bach Moc Luong Tu takes a while and hikers need to prepare for a hard trek, but once …
Hai Van Pass – Da Nang to Hue
The saying goes: “It’s not about where you’re going. It’s about how you get there.” In central Vietnam, draped across the hillsides and clifftops, is a road that could define this well-worn motto. Here’s everything you need to know about one of the most inspiring roads you will ever travel: The Hai Van Pass. It connects Da Nang to the south with Hue to the north. And there …
Vietcombank Tower Saigon – HCMC
Completed in 2015, the Vietcombank Tower Saigon is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s newest Class A business buildings. Boasting a modern design and staggered appearance, this structure stands out among the Saigon skyline. Focused on business activities, the Vietcombank Tower Saigon includes both commercial and tourist interests. With a premier location, the tower has become an …
Phu Si Lung Mountain – near Sapa
Measuring at 10,091.85 feet (3,076 meters), Phu Si Lung, Vietnam’s second tallest mountain, is in the same area as Fansipan, only much more remote. Teetering on Vietnam’s border with China, much of the mountain’s base sits in a foreign land. Harder to access than Fansipan, Phu Si Lung’s beauty still attracts avid mountaineers. History Once the site of confrontation between …
Pu Ta Leng Mountain – near Sapa
Nicknamed "Green Paradise" by hikers, Pu Ta Leng is located in the Lao Cai Province, similar to Fansipan and Phu Si Lung, and is the third tallest peak in Vietnam. Although easier to climb than Pu Ta Leng, this 3,049 meter (10,003 foot) mountain requires a local guide to reach its peak. The mountain’s lush landscape is dotted with streams, which makes it an eye-catching …
Fansipan (Phan Xi Pang) Mountain – near Sapa
Standing at 10,325.7 ft (3,147.3 m), Fansipan is the tallest mountain in Vietnam and the Indochinese Peninsula. As the highest peak in the region, Fansipan has gained the nickname the ‘Roof of Indochina’. Strenuous and steep, the trek to the summit can take days, although an alternate route exists, using a cable car to take visitors to the top. History Formed between the …
Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts
Set in the heart of the ancient town, the Hoi An Lune Center for the Performing Arts is a unique cultural experience. The Lune Center doesn't just host the arts but is a work of art in itself. The building is the first and only bamboo theater in Vietnam and home to the famous Vietnamese Bamboo Circus. The structure features a 24-meter bamboo dome standing 13 meters high, a …