If the only gondola you're familiar with is the kind being paddled around the canals of Venice, then you've been missing out. In Vietnam, a cable car, aerial tram or gondola ride entails a comfortable and scenic ride in an enclosed cabin that will take you effortlessly to the top of the rugged mountainous landscape via a series of cables and stanchions. A ride in one of …
15 Most Beautiful Places in Vietnam
It would be challenging to include all of the most beautiful places in Vietnam in one article, but if you want to learn where to find absolutely stunning scenery, you've come to the right place. Each region of the country has its own unique set of impeccable features and hidden gems. So no matter which city you're off to, you'll undoubtedly have plenty to swoon over. Because …
Vietnam’s Natural Beauty and Landscape
Nestled on the eastern side of the Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam is a country rich in biodiversity and natural splendor. Its towering mountains and stretches of dense, luscious forest are known the world over, and tourists from all over flock there every year to its nature. Vietnam’s tropical climate and oceanside location create a perfect storm for plant and animal life. …
Phu Quoc National Park – Kien Giang Province
Beloved in Vietnam, Phú Quôc National Park is both a nature reserve and resort wrapped into one package. Located off of the mainland on Phú Quôc Island, it has become the most visited national park in the Mekong Delta region. The reason for the park’s popularity can be attributed to its diverse character. With luxurious resorts, perfect beaches, and a wild side, Phú Quôc has …
8 Delightful Hiking Spots by Da Lat
As the largest city in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, some of the best hiking by Da Lat is just a short distance from the downtown area. This part of Vietnam is known to have a subtropical climate and gets a range of seasons, making it an ideal place to visit for outdoors enthusiasts. The best time of year to visit Da Lat is between December in March when crowds are low, the …
13 Stunning Hiking Spots by Sapa
Northern Vietnam has a climate of its own, and the cooler temperatures make for some of the best hiking spots by Sapa a unique place to explore the outdoors. One of the most prominent features of the north is the tiered rice fields carved and neatly folded across the land, giving visitors something to admire on every trek. This part of the country is also home to Vietnam's …
Son River – Quang Binh Province
The Son River is about 7,729 m (4.8 mi) long upstream and runs underground beneath the limestone mountains in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. As a tributary of the Gianh River, it's located in the northcentral coastal region in Quang Binh Province and flows towards the shore where it empties into the South China Sea. The river's other name, Song Troc, translates to …
Black (Da) River – Northwest Vietnam
The Black River, also known as “Da River,” is 910 km/565 miles long and stretches over both China and Vietnam. Roughly 427 km/265 miles of the river is in China, while the remaining portion flows through northwestern Vietnam, and it’s one of the most significant tributaries of the Red River. In addition to traveling through the Lai Chau, Son La, and Hoa Binh provinces, the …
Crocodile Lake – Dong Nai Province
Crocodile Lake is a UNESCO biosphere reserve located in Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai Province. Not only is it a beautiful atmosphere to hike out to on a day trip, but it also offers lots of wildlife viewing along the way. The Siamese Crocodile and Andaman Water Monitor are two endangered animals that call this jungle area home. Additionally, many types of primates like …
Madagui Forest City – Lam Dong Province
Located between Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat, the Madagui Forest Resort and Spa is a fun place to get some fresh air outdoors while traveling around Vietnam. The wooded city is set in the Da Huoai district of the Lam Dong Province. Madagui situated about 22 kilometers east of Cat Tien National Park, nearly a 40 minute drive. There are trickling streams, elaborate plant life, …
Bai Tu Long Bay National Park – Quang Ninh
Often overshadowed by its nearby neighbor, Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay National Park boasts the same beauty with fewer tourists. Underdeveloped and immaculate, the park is divided into both terrestrial and aquatic zones. One of only seven amphibian national parks in Vietnam, and ideal for travelers willing to take the time to wander off the beaten path, Bai Tu Long will …
Du Gia National Park – Ha Giang Province
Merging the Du Gia Nature Reserve and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Du Gia National Park was established to protect northern Vietnam’s unique forest ecosystems. This national park has stabilized local living conditions through its conservation and eco-tourism efforts. The balance between humans and nature has made Du Gia one of the most breathtaking parks in …
Cat Ba National Park – Ha Long Bay
Frequently listed as one of Vietnam’s most famous national parks, Cát Bà should be on the itinerary of any traveler visiting Ha Long Bay. The park is an important biosphere in Northern Vietnam, and it has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in an effort to further protect Cát Bà Island’s unique plants and wildlife. Since the 1990s, Cát Bà National Park has been a …
The Highest Peaks in Vietnam
In the past few decades, Vietnam has become a premier tourist destination, with vibrant cities, gorgeous beaches, and stunning landscapes drawing visitors from around the globe. For those who prefer to trek in the wilderness, taking time to venture into Vietnam's mountainous terrain will make you truly appreciate Vietnam's raw beauty. While not in the same league as the …
Cuc Phuong National Park – Ninh Binh Province
Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cúc Phuong, was consecrated in 1962 by President Ho Chi Minh. Situated on the Red River Delta, the national park is one of the closest wildlife areas to Hanoi and the largest nature reserve in the country. Biodiversity is an integral component in this park and three conservation programs run simultaneously to protect the area's primates, …
6 Major Lakes in Vietnam
Vietnam's lakes may not get the same fame as its limestone karsts, stunning beaches, and immense caverns, but this doesn't mean they shouldn't be on your itinerary. With a predominantly rugged topography and copious amounts of rainfall, it's inevitable that all that water had to pool together somewhere. Fortunately, the lakes of Vietnam are one of many facets that make a …
Yok Don National Park – Da Lak Province
Size, diversity, and beauty make Yok Dôn National Park one of the most famous natural areas in Vietnam. With 444 square miles of protected space, Yok Dôn covers a significant portion of Central Vietnam before running to the border to meet the Mondulkiri Protected Forest in Cambodia. The second-largest national park in the country, after a recent expansion of Phong Nha-Ke …
Ba Vi National Park – Hanoi
Just a short drive from Hanoi, visitors will find the Ba Vi National Park. Often overlooked by foreign tourists, and nicknamed “Hanoi’s Lung”, the park tends to be more popular with locals. With three mountain peaks and verdant forests, Ba Vi is worth adding to your Vietnam itinerary. Setup more like an adventure park, Ba Vi is 38 miles (61.4 kilometers) outside of Hanoi, …
Best Places to See Wildlife in Vietnam
While protecting Vietnam's incredible biodiversity has become a primary goal of many conservation organizations, these sites also provide visitors with the best places to see wildlife in the country. Home to more than 50,000 recorded species, roughly 6% of the world's, scientists think that is only scratching the surface of the country's biodiversity. After decades of war, …
Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park – Tay Ninh Province
A mosaic of Vietnamese flora, Lò Gò-Xa Mát National Park is host to semi-deciduous, deciduous, evergreen, and mangrove forests. Amongst the trees, there are also lowland marsh areas found within the park. Flourishing and biodiverse, Lò Gò-Xa Mát has become a crucial habitat for endangered bird species. Location One of only a few protected wetland areas in Vietnam, the …