Although Ho Chi Minh City is a big and busy city, it has a lot to offer newcomers, as the culture and atmosphere here is more touristy than in the capital Hanoi, so be sure to start your tour if you plan to visit Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. The capital is famous for its street food and is considered to be the best tourist city in Vietnam. Be sure to visit one of the many floating markets along the banks of the river and discover Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling heart of the Mekong Delta and one of Vietnam's most famous cities. You can also choose to book a Vietnam tour that will take you around the city with a local guide.

Come and get lost in scenic Hanoi, enjoy the picturesque mountains of Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, or Sapa in the north, enjoy the fascinating cultural heritage of Hue and Hoi An in the center, and immerse yourself in bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of the southern Mekong Delta.

Off the beaten track, Quang Tri Province is one of the best places in Vietnam for history buffs. Between the city of Ho Chi Minh City in the south and the former demilitarized zone in the north, the Vietnamese province of Quang Tri is sandwiched. Located about four hours south of Ho Chi Minh City or four and a half hours from Hatien, the southern border with Cambodia, Can Tho in southern Vietnam is the largest city in the Mekong Delta region.

Tucked away in Quang Binh province on the central coast of Vietnam, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is one of the most picturesque places in Vietnam. The main natural beauty of the country is the stunning Hang Son Dung Cave, one of the largest caves in the world, located in the heart of Phong Nha Kebang National Park. Explore the outskirts of Hue to find some of the most impressive pagodas and royal tombs in the country, many in stunning natural settings.

Most of the local places can be covered by foot here in Vietnam but you can always choose motorbikes, taxis called Grab, or rickshaws are known as cyclo. For traveling between cities you can choose to fly or take a train.

What to eat when in Vietnam?

1. Pho - (Pronounced as ‘Fuh’) is the Vietnamese noodle dish mostly served at breakfast filled with meat and veggies to make your soul happy.
2. Banh mi - (pronounced as ‘Baan mi’) is a baguette-style sandwich that you will find everywhere. It's filled with fresh cucumbers, carrots, meat, and pickles. It's a must-try when in Vietnam.
3. Vietnamese coffee- For all the coffee lovers out there, you cannot leave Vietnam without having the famous Vietnamese coffee. It's creamy and strong and will surely wake you right up.
4. Egg coffee - This coffee was invented due to the milk shortages in Vietnam and has now become an important part of their culture.
5. Mi Quang- It's a blend of noodles, peanuts, pork, some rice crackers, and turmeric broth. It's delicious and comforting, and definitely will remind you of your comfort food at home.
6. Rice paper roll (Goi Cuon) - Have you ever tried spring rolls? This looks just like that, it's just made with vermicelli, fresh veggies, and meat and is wrapped in rice paper and is definitely not fried. It's generally served with peanut-mixed hoisin sauce.
7. Vietnamese spring rolls- Fresh vegetables, pork, and sauce wrapped in rice paper and fried until crisp, how does that sound? Delicious right? Tastes delicious too. Definitely, a must-try.
8. Sticky rice balls in ginger syrup- Big balls of sticky rice are cooked with ginger-infused syrup and are served hot. The rice balls are stuffed with mung bean paste. It's like a sweet warm hug.
9. Black sesame soup - This dessert is very unique and different from all the things you have ever tried. It gets its black color from the sesame and it's not too sweet but the toasted sesame seed flavor is really rich and aromatic. Definitely give it a try when you visit Vietnam next.
10. Vietnamese donuts- Banh tieu, these soft and pillow-like donuts will definitely make your soul happy. These are very addictive and delicious and you can find them at any street bakery in Vietnam.

Best places to see when you are in Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam:

1. Hanoi - One of the largest cities and the capital of Vietnam is located in the northern part of the country. You will find an amalgamation of both modern and ancient architecture which is worth spending time in. It's famous for its delicious street food, bustling streets with scooters, and old temples. Hanoi also has a French and Chinese resemblance to it the history of the Vietnamese war from the 20th century. Don’t forget to add Hanoi to your Vietnam package.

• Don't miss the famous train street with many cafes and restaurants and enjoy some Vietnamese milk cold coffee.
• Explore the old quarter to see how the old goods are sold here and get a taste of real Vietnamese culture.
• St joseph's cathedral resembles the Notre dame de Paris. It was the first building constructed by the French colonial government in Indochina.
• Ngoc son temple- It is easily accessible by the bridge and is a must-visit. It's based on a local legend. Visit this temple in the evenings as the lights make it look magical. Don't forget to dress up properly in these religious places.
• Temple of literature - This 1000-year-old temple has a collection of many altars and shrines and is a great place to see ancient Vietnam.
• West lake- Hanoi is also known for its beautiful lake and west lake is one of them. It's a perfect place for sports activities. This lake has the Tran Quoc pagoda which is a must-see.
• Water puppet show- this show started during the 11th century showcasing the local myths and legends stories.
• Beer street and night market- This is one of the most interesting places in Hanoi where you sit on a small chair and order a beer worth 30 cents. Yes, you heard it right. The street is filled with small chairs which you can find everywhere and order some delicious local food and beer.

2. Ha Long Bay -Ha Long Bay, located in the northeast of Vietnam, is a four-hour drive from Hanoi and you can easily get to this place by private car or bus. Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Ho Chi Minh City in northern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is known for its stunning emerald waters, thousands of breathtaking limestone karsts, stunning coastal caves, and beautiful tree-covered islands. Known as the "Halong Bay of the Mainland", Ninh Binh's landscape has been shaped by Mother Nature over millions of years and is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam.

3. Ninh Binh - Ninh Binh has recently gained importance among travelers because of its vast and beautiful rice fields, caves, and huge limestone mountains. There are many places to see in Ninh Binh and around the province. Some of the favorite ones are:

• Red river- Also known as the mother river is situated in the tributaries of Trang and Ninh Binh and is located only 60 miles away from Hanoi.
• Fansipan - If you have time left and want to visit more places in the north of Vietnam then you can visit the highest mountain in Indochina. Also called the roof of Indochina. You can visit this by cable car

4. Sapa province - Filled with beautiful terraced paddy fields, the sapa region has become very popular recently.

5. Ha Giang - Ha Giang province has taken its step up to the top places to be explored because of its limestone formation, mountains, and many springs.

6. Ban Gioc -Stunning waterfalls make this place a beautiful halt to your journey in the north. It is situated on the Quay Son River in Guangxi neighboring china.

Central vietnam:

7. Da nang Bay -It's the largest city in central Vietnam famous for its sandy beaches and also Vietnam's main surfing hub. Don't miss out on the famous golden bridge which you might have seen on Instagram, it's just an hour's drive away.

8. Hoi An - If you are a textile lover then you will absolutely fall in love with this place. You will be mesmerized best seeing romantic canals, old preserve towns and especially at night. Just like in the fairy tales you will be seeing lots of paper lanterns, a tradition which is as old as 400-500 years old. The whole street lights up with the lanterns and it's a pretty beautiful night I would say.

Southern vietnam:

9. Nha Trang -Famous for its Scuba Diving experience, this small old town is filled with beaches and ancient temples.

10. Ho chi min city -Ho chi min city - Finally it's time for the most populous city in the country Ho Chi Minh. The city was the main hub during World War 2 and which lasted for 20 years but the city has gained its power back fast if you visit Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is a must-visit place because it's filled with villages filled with temples, beautiful architecture, both skyscrapers and old ancient architecture. You can also explore some of the markets like the Ben Thanh market and Ninh day market. Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, it was a hiding place during the Vietnam war. And lastly, visit the floating market and the beautiful Buddhist temple called Vinh Trang Pagoda.

Vietnam is a country that’s constantly evolving, with new things to see and do no matter what time of year you visit. Whether it’s the stunning natural beauty, delicious food, or rich culture and history, there’s something for everyone in this amazing country. We hope our list of reasons why you should travel to Vietnam has inspired you to add it to your bucket list – and if you have already been, we hope it has given you some ideas for your next trip! Book your Vietnam holiday package now!