# 13 Unforgettable Experiences in Vietnam > Hanoi, modern Ho Chi Minh City and the lanterns of Hoi An are three different worlds within one country. Here are 13 top Vietnam experiences for your travel route. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/13-osnovnykh-vrazhen-vid-vyetnamu/ - Language: en - Published: 2022-06-20 - Categories: Hiking, Historic Sites, Leisure, Museums, Mountains, Beaches, Tours, Vietnam, Mountain, Sailing, Relaxation, Seas & Oceans --- When it comes to variety, Vietnam is in a league of its own. A trip to the capital, Hanoi, feels worlds apart from modern Ho Chi Minh City, just as the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An stand in striking contrast to the nearby citadels of Hue. On top of that, tea plantations, coffee farms, stunning bays, caves and coastlines all promise unforgettable adventures. And let's not forget the food. Vietnam is home to some of the freshest, most flavorful dishes on Earth: one steaming bowl of pho eaten on a plastic stool, and you'll get it right away. We've put together a list of Vietnam's most memorable experiences, from the essential landmarks to the more adventurous trips: ## Light a lantern in Hoi An ![Hoi An lantern festival](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-2-1024x683.jpg) hoi an lantern festivalAs one of the most beautiful spots in Asia, Hoi An has no shortage of photogenic scenes. But none is more magical than the full-moon lantern festival. During this monthly celebration, the town switches off its electric lights so that thousands of rainbow-colored lanterns can glow against the inky black sky, both in the little streets of the Old Town and along the Thu Bon River. The festival honors the full moon and takes place on the Old Town waterfront, where music, games and entertainment bring the atmosphere to life. Alternatively, travelers can hire a sampan boat to drift along the water in a calmer setting. Either way, joining in is easy: you simply buy a paper lantern and a candle for a couple of dollars (depending on your bargaining skills), light the candle, set it inside, and then send it floating downstream along with wishes for happiness and good luck. ## Hunt for the best pho in Hanoi Trying pho is a must on any trip, whether it's your first or your 50th. Hanoi sits in northern Vietnam, which is considered the birthplace of this de facto national dish, so it makes sense to start the search for the best pho in the capital. Tucked between grand colonial French buildings in the maze of the Old Quarter, the best pho shops are often the most no-frills, with modest furniture (if any at all) and epic cauldrons of bubbling broth. We'll give you a few tips: Hanoi spots such as Pho Gia Truyen (49 Bat Dan, Old Quarter) or Pho Thin (13 Lo Duc, Ngo Thi Nham) should hit the spot. ## Trace history in Ho Chi Minh City ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-3-1024x512.jpg) An estimated 2 million Vietnamese civilians died during the Vietnam War (known as the American War in Vietnam), which was fought for nearly two decades from 1954 to 1975. No matter where you're from, it's worth getting to know the country's recent history to better understand and appreciate modern Vietnam. We recommend spending a few hours in the museums and memorials of Ho Chi Minh City to honor those lost in the war and to better grasp the nature of the conflict. The War Remnants Museum, which opened in 1975, tells the story of several wars through vivid photographs and military hardware, including a collection of helicopters, tanks and fighter jets, as well as recreations of prison conditions, accounts of chemical warfare and a French guillotine. ## Ride the Reunification Express ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-4.jpg) It may not be the fastest way to get around, but the Reunification Express (officially known as the North-South Railway) is certainly the most scenic. This 1,072-mile rail line runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing countless landscapes and landmarks over its 35-hour journey. The train offers several different cabin options, including sleeper cabins for those making the full trip. More often than not, travelers take the chance to hop on and off the train over several days to explore the country's beautiful natural scenery and historic cities. Among the main highlights are the Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh, where gorgeous rice fields and limestone scenery await, the ancient imperial city of Hue, and the beach town of Nha Trang on the central coast. ## Take a helicopter tour over Halong Bay ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-5-1024x512.jpg) Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places in Vietnam, and it's easy to see why. The jade-colored bay is home to thousands of limestone islands, mysterious caves and wildlife. Most travelers take in this natural wonder aboard a cruise, but now there's another way to explore it: by helicopter. Launched earlier this year, Halong Heli Tours shows off this unique seascape from above. Travelers can choose from eight- or forty-minute sightseeing tours that fly over the bay's many islands, beaches and fishing villages. If you're in the area, we also recommend visiting Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha Bay, the lesser-known neighbors of Halong Bay, where you can go kayaking, swim and feel almost complete solitude. ## Relax on the beaches of Phu Quoc ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-6-1024x768.jpg) If clear water and soft sand are your thing, then Vietnam's "pearl island" is for you. Located in the Gulf of Thailand off the southwestern coast, Phu Quoc promises dozens of beaches in all sizes and shades. Among them is Sao Beach, often called one of the best in Vietnam thanks to its crystal-clear water, palm trees and snow-white sand. Ong Lang Beach, on the west coast, tends to be quieter and more rural: the kind of place where you're more likely to share the water with a wandering cow or a local fishing boat than with other travelers. At sunset, find a spot on Long Beach to enjoy the famous fiery sunset along with a cold beer and live music. ## Cruise the Mekong ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-7-1024x576.jpg) The Mekong, the 12th longest river in the world, has been the lifeblood of Southeast Asia for thousands of years. Even today, its banks are lined with fishing villages and rice fields, lush islands, food markets and ancient imperial cities. A cruise along the Mekong River is perfect for those who prefer to travel at a slow pace, since it offers easy access to rarely visited rural communities and hard-to-reach natural attractions. Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, we recommend a five- or 18-day cruise through southern Vietnam, on through Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia and further to Luang Prabang, Laos, if time allows. ## Explore the largest cave in the world ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-8.jpeg) It's not every day you get the chance to explore the largest cave in the world. We'd strongly recommend not putting this one off and giving in to the full Son Doong experience: a four-day expedition led by Oxalis, a company that specializes in adventure tours. As the largest cave in the world, Son Doong is more than three miles long and 650 feet high, spacious enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper, according to Oxalis. Given its size, this staggering cave offers countless natural treasures: stalagmites up to 262 feet tall, underground rivers, unique landscapes, vast rock walls and even its own jungle, all of which travelers will see along the trek. ## Ride a motorbike through the majestic north In Vietnam, motorbikes rule the roads. And while that can make crossing the street in Hanoi a challenge, the country's love of scooters has given it endless opportunities for two-wheeled adventures. Companies such as Flamingo Travel, Cuong's Motorbike Adventures and FlipSide offer a variety of riding routes, including both guided tours and bike rentals, so you can hit the road on your own. Many avid riders agree that Vietnam's Ha Giang Loop in the far north, close to the Chinese border, is one of the most enjoyable routes out there. Over a four- or five-day trip, you'll ride through all kinds of terrain, from towering mountain ranges to local villages, deep canyons and scenic roads. ## Dive into tea culture in Sapa If you're heading north, we recommend spending a few nights in Sapa. In this former colonial French hill station, it's easy to fall in love with the mild highland climate, the misty green tea terraces, the waterfalls and the hiking trails, including a two-day trek up Mount Fansipan. The region's lush hillsides are home to hundreds of tea farms producing, among others, green, black, oolong and cinnamon tea. To really get to know the region's unique culture, we recommend staying in one of the mountain villages, though luxury hotels are also on the travelers' menu. ## Go crazy for coffee in Da Lat ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-9.jpg) As the second largest coffee producer in the world, right behind Brazil, Vietnam also devotes part of its highland territory to coffee plantations. A few days in Da Lat, a mountain town northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, will show you just how thriving the country's coffee industry is. There are several plantations scattered across the highlands, including Son Pacamara, Trai Ham Da Lat Weasel Coffee and Cau Dat Plantation, all of which offer tours. You'll learn how farmers grow the coffee cherries and roast them to perfection, and then get to taste the coffee yourself. Sweetened with condensed milk or served through a filter, earthy and aromatic Vietnamese coffee is known to satisfy even the most devoted coffee lovers. ## Make vermicelli noodles in Cu Da village From springy vermicelli to clear rice noodles, egg noodles, glass noodles and fettuccine-like pho noodles, noodles are a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. And nowhere are noodles more widespread than in Cu Da village. A paradise for noodle lovers, this ancient village south of Hanoi produces incredible quantities of white and yellow vermicelli to meet demand. The sight is simply stunning: as you stroll past the French colonial-era houses, you can see racks and stands of thin spaghetti-like noodles drying in the sun. To showcase the traditional noodle-making technique, some tours include hands-on noodle-making sessions, where you can pick up the best tips from a local family. ## Cycle through the ancient ruins of Hue ![](/storage/image/prev/july-article-10-10.png) As the former imperial capital under the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), Hue is one of the best places in Vietnam to admire ancient architecture. The main draw for most is the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments, a fortified wall on the bank of the Perfume River that houses ancient temples, royal tombs and countless pagodas. Given the enormous size of the complex, which stretches across 778 acres (315 ha), one of the most enjoyable ways to see it is by bicycle. Starting out on a misty morning, travelers can pedal along quiet canals, take coffee breaks and soak up the grandeur of the inner citadel, the outer walls and the many altars before the crowds of tourists arrive.