Top 5 Favorite Destinations in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of those South East Asian countries that has beautiful tourist attractions right from the south to the north. I spent close to 40 days in this country across 2 backpacking trips and based on this experience below are my top 5 favorite destinations of Vietnam.

Hoi An

In my mind, this is Vietnam’s cultural hub. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a shopping hub, close to the yesteryears Hindu kingdom of My Son, has beaches, has tropical islands around it, has a river flowing through it and has marble mountains next to it. What more can one ask for? This place deserves the most of your Vietnam time as this place has variety, class and very friendly people. I totally dig this place, the relaxed atmosphere of having dinner at its river side restaurants, diving amidst the white corals of its offshore islands, exploring its rich cultural past and seeing true Vietnam countryside around it.

Tam Coc @ Ninh Binh

This place is Halong bay on land. For some reason, I like this place more than Halong Bay. The mighty limestone karsts, the green paddy fields and the snaking river cast a scene out of a fairy tale. And the best part is that it is not as expensive or crowded as Halong Bay. And the more you stay at Ninh Binh, the more rare discoveries you make.

Halong Bay

If there is one place that people think of when you mention Vietnam, it has to be Halong Bay. It is a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views of these limestone hills jutting out of the sea with mist surrounding them is a sight to die for. Climbing the crags and jumping into the sea from a height of 20 feet is possibly one of the best thrills of Halong. Going on a boat cruise and kayaking through the bay has to be a close second. The jungles of Cat Ba island are also a great allure.

SaPa

The mountains of north west Vietnam with its different tribes, terraced rice plantations, gorgeous mountain hikes and scenic natural beauty is very unlike Vietnam, but its beauty makes it one of Vietnam’s top attractions. It’s mountain culture, its cooler climes and its laid back atmosphere makes it special.

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City
This is the bustling capital of Vietnam. It’s French architecture, it’s gory past, it’s unlimited shopping opportunities and its proximity to the Mekong delta gives it a special edge. Whether you are exploring it from the Saigon river or from inside the Cu Chi tunnels, this metropolis has a lot to offer. It’s high two wheeler population is also a sight to see, though one cannot see it for too long.

Continue Reading...

Saigon’s District 1: Tourist’s Delight in Vietnam

A lot of tourists visiting Vietnam keep Saigon or Hanoi as their starting point and more so Saigon. While the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong river delta make for the most sought after day trips from Ho Chi Minh City, it is the District 1 that is the most popular in the city.


District 1, along with District 3 are 2 districts along the Saigon river and it is these two who make up the yester year Saigon of today’s Ho Chi Minh city. In simple words, District 1 is the heart of today’s touristy Ho Chi Minh city with most of the five star hotels and key sights located in this belt.


District 1 is the financial and commercial hub of today’s Ho Chi Minh city and it was designed by French architects during their rule as can be seen by the wide tree lined boulevards. Most of the travelers spend majority of their time here as this district is home to the major sights of Saigon and has an expanding number of bars and restaurants.


Some of the famous sights here are the Saigon city hall, Saigon Opera House, Rex Hotel, Central Post Office, Pham Ngu Lao Street, Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, National History Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda and Bitexco Tower to name a few. And since all of these sights along with excellent restaurants and hotels are located in District 1, most of the tourists spend all their time here.


During the day, it can be quite warm and hence the best time to explore this belt is after sunset. If you can handle the humidity and the heat, then the afternoon hours can also lead to some excellent sights and low crowds.


If you have come to Saigon for shopping, then the place you need to head to is the Ben Thanh market in District 1. This is one of my favorite places as bargain shopping here is so good. Whether you are looking for shoes, bags, local handicrafts, clothes and more, this is the place you have to visit. Plus, this place during the day and evening hours offer so much color and variety that it is a photographer’s delight.


Around this market is also the night market that allows the tourists to enjoy this place even during the night time. A quick snack, a bite and a drink keeps you energized for long walks along the French boulevards of District 1 and explore more shops, hotels and restaurants.


If you are looking for a traditional experience in District 1, I would recommend going to the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater to see and hear Vietnam’s traditions and cultures through exquisite water puppetry. This is a 45 minute session that will blow your mind away and also ideal for family vacationers in Vietnam.


In addition to all these sights, one can take a delightful boat cruise from District 1 offering riverside views of this busy city. If you want to plan your holiday to District 1 or other areas in Vietnam, do look up Travelbag’s Vietnam Holidays for excellent deals.
Note: This post has been sponsored by Travelbag.

Continue Reading...

Water Puppet Show: Vietnam’s Heritage that you should not miss!!

I am sure a lot of us have seen various puppet shows around the globe. Some of them might have been very well orchestrated or they might have been simple village stuff. But, have you ever seen a water puppet show. Well, if you are interested, you can visit Vietnam and see it live at either Ho Chi Minh city, its capital or at Hanoi, the headquarters of the north.


I got a chance to sample this piece of Vietnamese Heritage when I saw a show at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater in Ho Chi Minh city. The show lasted 50 minutes and cost me 150,000 VND. But, the joy of this show started before the show began when I walked into the theater and saw all the puppet mannequins at the entrance. Even better was the shiny flowing dresses of the artisans. The women especially look very pretty in those outfits.



The water puppet show is orchestrated on water and the artisans are behind the curtains and manage the puppets from there. But, for us, it looks like someone is managing the puppets from under the water. And they are so well managed that I was literally scratching my head to figure out how they managed such fine precision. While the various puppet characters portrayed tales from Vietnamese culture, it was accompanied by traditional music and voice over by the artisans. The singer in particular had a clear voice and I liked most of the traditional instruments. While the typical tourist might not understand the full puppet show as he doesn’t either understand the Vietnamese language or is cognizant of its culture and folk tales, there are small bits in the show that any tourist from anywhere in the world can understand owing to its simple demonstration.

I have tried to put together a video (above) that captures key highlights from the show. Hopefully, it can give you better insights into the Vietnamese culture. Personally, I would recommend every tourist to Vietnam to spare 50 minutes of their time for this show. Both adults and kids alike will enjoy this show. Enjoy the show!

Continue Reading...