The New Year holiday season is around the corner. Balancing the frenzy of shopping, company parties, and family time can be daunting, but those who manage to squeeze in time to enjoy some time off - or perhaps, give the gift of getting away - will find affordable rates, seasonal revelry, and beautiful landscapes to cap off another great year.
Vietnam is always on the top recommended place as it is a super cheap travel destination with rich culture, beautiful country of lush mountain landscape and sweeping white sands.
Christmas & New Year is the most beautiful time to visit Vietnam with pleasant, mild climate in every region of the country. However, you should be wise in choosing the proper destinations because of the large difference in climate between the South, Center and North. You will experience sunny days with a touch of wind in attractive beaches and spectacular sites in the South and the Center while you will enjoy a cold weather in the North.
December is suitable for doing a number of exciting activities like visiting the beautiful beaches of Mui Ne and Phu Quoc, exploring the attractive sites in the Center and the South, and hiking or climbing in the North’s highland areas.
To help you plan your perfect Vietnam holiday, here is a list of the best attractions with suggested itineraries.
1. Halong Bay
Halong Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders and always a highlight in every Vietnam itinerary. It is even more exciting to discover the bay during the New Year holiday.
Halong Bay features more than one thousand awesome limestone karsts and islands of various sizes and shapes along the coastline of Bai Chay Beach. The best way to tour, see and enjoy Halong Bay scenery is to cruise around the bay’s islands. If your time permits, we recommend you to take the overnight trip and enjoy your silent night there.
A December cruise is an ideal way to spend the holidays with your family or friends. Halong Bay cruise ships are fully decorated with lights, and holiday-themed music fills the air. Many cruise lines offer special holiday rates for the month of December. The best cruises travel to a variety of warm-weather destinations, including the Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. Gliding along the bright turquoise water past towering limestone rock formations is truly an unforgettable experience.
Kayaking is a great activity to explore the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay. Paddle through islets and visit hidden caves, lagoons, unspoiled beaches and floating fishing villages.
2. Sapa
Located 1,500m above sea level, Sapa is a former French hill station, nestled in the rugged Tonkinese Alps and surrounded by lush valleys and verdant rice paddy fields. Here, farmers in conical hats plough the fields with water buffalo and local ethnic minority groups (such as H'mong and Dzao) maintain their age old traditions and way of life, including their own language and wearing intricately embroidered traditional clothing. Sapa is an overnight train journey north west from Hanoi, into the mountains near the Chinese border. Cooler than the city, Sapa is ideal for hiking in pristine scenery and visiting the ethnic minority villages. Depending on your fitness level you can arrange anything from gentle walks to challenging hikes.
3. Ban Gioc waterfall
To most travellers to the Northwestern border provinces, Ban Gioc Waterfall is a “must see” tourist site. Ban Gioc is the fourth largest border waterfall after Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Niagara Falls between Canada and the US. It is one of the ten most spectacular waterfalls in the world, according to Touropia travel site.
December comes signing the blooming season of wild sunflowers and buckwheat flowers stretching along the sides. Ban Gioc waterfalls is difficult to reach, however, it is worth the trip because of its absolutely stunning scenery.
4. Hoi An
If you are going to travel to Central Vietnam, you shouldn’t miss Hoi An. Its gentle and slow pace of life will bring you poetic experiences and surprises. Hoi An ancient town on these days is no less busy than other cities in Vietnam not only on special occasions but also on usual days. Visitors will be impressed by the many special features from zigzag roads and curved roofs covered in moss colour to street vendors.
And this setting will be even more bustling if you visit Hoi An on the Christmas or New Year occasions. On Christmas and New Year night, almost all visitors pour out the road to enjoy a view, ramble and join in jubilant, animated crowd. Spending Christmas in such a gentle and peaceful place is an experience you will forever remember.
5. Phu Quoc Island
Think luxury beach break in Maldives with much more reasonable budget. Think Phu Quoc!
Phu Quoc Island is known for white sand beaches and resorts, most of which are along the palm-lined coast. Phu Quoc Island now becomes a must-visit beach in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is also the busiest and the only beach in Vietnam where you can admire the sun go down the sea.
Besides swimming, visiting the night market, and exploring the famous pearl production companies, visitors can also explore the scenic spots such as Dinh Cau, Star beach, Long Beach, “sim” forests, pepper garden, and fish sauce production work. Enjoying fresh seafood and visiting the Phu Quoc Prison are also a must-do.
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