In our globalized world, you can get tastes of most cultures in any urban center - their fashions, cuisine, art, and even their crafted goods - but there’s just so much you’ll miss if you don’t get out and travel. However, the following 8 things you can only see in Vietnam.
- Experience the discovery of Fansipan by train
- Don't know where to discover when to Vietnam in this summer? Let's go Hue
Go to the Cái Răng Floating Market
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| Photo by Isderion |
There are many floating markets throughout the Mekong Delta in Southwest Vietnam, but the Cái Răng market is the largest. It’s located in Cần Thơ, the fourth-largest city in Vietnam, which should be a stop on your tour through Vietnam, anyways.
Visit a Hmong family
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| Photo by pxhere |
The moment you get off your bus in Sapa, in the north of Vietnam, you’ll be accosted in a friendly way by Hmong women in colorful garb. If you’re a seasoned traveler, your instinct might be to shoo them away - but don’t. They offer immersive tours where they bring you to their villages to show you their traditional ways of life. It’s an intimate experience, and you’ll be glad you didn’t wave them off.
Kayak through Ha Long Bay
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| Photo by saragoldsmith |
Although Ha Long City is an underwhelming place, the limestone islands jutting out off the bay are a spectacular sight to behold. Lounging on a tour boat is a fine way to go, but a kayak is a more intimate experience.
Ride on a cyclo
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| Photo by Graeme Newcomb |
You can find these holdouts from the French colonial days near most urban tourist landmarks, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, and Hanoi. They’re a bit bumpy, but the drivers are excellent guides with detailed knowledge of your surroundings.
Go to an Elephant Race
This is a weird one. Every March in Đắk Lắk province, there is an Elephant Racing Festival, with gongs and horns and gentle giants competing for a wreath.
Climb Fansipan
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| Photo by Viwikipediaorg |
Looming over Sapa in North Vietnam is Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia. There are many options available for people who want a guided trek up to the summit, and unless you’re a veteran hiker, you should try to spread it out over two or three days.
Try some egg coffee
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| Photo by shankar s. |
Egg coffee is a specialty in Vietnam. Not too many coffee shops serve it, but it’s worth looking for because of its interesting texture and taste.
Explore the world’s largest cave
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| Photo by Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên |
The Sơn Đoòng Cave, which is 150m wide and approximately 5km long, was only discovered in 1991 when a man heard a whistling noise and rushing water. The entrance was impassible without climbing equipment, so locals never knew what was hiding from them.
Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country, with a thousand-year history and a vibrant culture. Come to Vietnam and feel from this unique experiences!
