TRICIA STEVENS
PERSPECTIVES
VIETNAM
Hilltribe villages, exotic beaches, bustling cities, and mouthwatering (and affordable!) food, Vietnam could take months to fully explore. It's a country full of motorbikes and those with cars are said to be wealthy. Oddly, potbelly pigs are a common pet and snake wine is a popular beverage believed to provide vitality and health. A few weeks in this country will offer a good taste - just enough to get you started and wanting to see more!
ABSOLUTE MUSTS
Hoi An
Not to be confused with the capital city, Hanoi, Hoi An has SO much charm. This quaint fishing-village is located on the South China Sea and has become quite the tourist hot spot over the years. The ancient town is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of Vietnam” because of the narrow canals that cut through a portion of the town. Stroll through the narrow streets strung with glowing paper lanterns at dusk, admire the old buildings, walk across the Bridge of Lights, stop to have a custom-made dress or suit made, or hire a bike and head out to the countryside villages. The slow pace of this village will be a welcome stop for a few days.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Situated roughly 40km outside of Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a large network of underground tunnels that provide a look into the underground world of Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Used as hiding spots, the site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury, hospitals, and command centres. Portions of the tunnel system have now been widened (and walls have been cemented) to allow visitors the option to crawl through the tunnels. Although the tunnels have been widened, they are still not recommended for those who may be claustrophobic. In case of emergency, there are exit points every 10 meters if a quick escape is required. Be sure to check out the shooting range where visitors can fire an M16 rifle for a cost (No thanks! I’ll just watch!).
Halong Bay
Looking for an escape from the bustling city of Hanoi? Halong Bay provides a relaxed atmosphere with magnificent limestone karsts jetting out of the water in varying sizes and shapes. The name Ha Long means ‘descending dragon’. Hanoi is a popular departure point when heading out to the bay, roughly 160km away. For an added experience, opt to head to Cat Ba Island for a few days before heading onto the water. The best way to discover Halong Bay is by boat for at least 2 days. Choose to head out on a junk ship which is a type of Chinese sailing ship with fully battened sails. Kayak through caves and grottoes, and visit the floating villages. There are numerous adventures to enjoy in the area.
Phu Quoc
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, this tropical paradise is the largest island in Vietnam, featuring white sand beaches, tropical forests, crystal blue water, and stunning coral reefs. It is an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. What was once very remote with very little infrastructure, is quickly turning into a more developed island. The government wishes to turn the island into a high quality eco-tourism destination.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a slow-paced, coastal fishing town featuring a picturesque and colorful harbour lined with fishing boats. Savor the cheapest and freshest seafood around! Not far from town, large sand dunes can be found (strangely one is red and one is white). Although the red dunes are easier to access, the white dunes (30km further away) are larger and more impressive. Be sure to set aside time to walk through Fairy Springs and witness its irregular formations carved out of the sand by rain and wind.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region where the Mekong River empties into the sea and the best way to explore the area is by boat. This lush land is covered with rich soil, making the delta a prime place for agriculture, producing more than a third of the country’s annual crops such as rice, sugar cane, fruit, and coconut. Life in the Mekong Delta revolves around the river and many villages are accessible by boat, instead of a road.
