Written by: Muhammad Asif Nawaz
Posted on: January 14, 2020 | 
| 中文
The Golden Hand Bridge
Newly resurgent on the must-see list of all the international travelers, Vietnam certainly lives up to the hype. The country offers everything, and you can easily make an itinerary of where to go, given your interests. It would be good to travel the country vertically, to make the most of it. I started in Hanoi in the north, took domestic flights to Da Nang in the centre, and then downwards till I flew out via Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
It is difficult to choose where to visit, and never enough time to see everything. So here’s a little list of my top four favorite places to visit in Vietnam. The competition was cut-throat, and I do not underestimate other treasures, like the city of Hue, or the Mei Kong Delta. But going to Vietnam and missing any of the following places would be a shame.
A Pagoda at the city of Hue
While there’s much to see and do in Hanoi, as well, you cannot miss Ha Long Bay, about three hours east of the capital. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bay is routinely listed by travel publications as one the most beautiful places on the planet. “Ha Long” means “where the dragon descends”, and Vietnamese folklore believes that the numerous limestone islands and islets present in the ocean have been forged by dragon fire, interspersed with jade and other jewels. The story goes that the dragons were sent by the gods to protect ancient Vietnam from invaders, and these obstacles created in the ocean were the dragons’ way of keeping enemies at bay.
Ha Long Bay
Numerous travel companies offer tours to the bay. You can either book them in advance or visit agencies in Hanoi. The cruise journey has an optional raft or bamboo boat trip for an adventure in the open waters. One can also explore the inside of one the caves at the bay, where pre-historic human settlements once settled. If you have more free days at your disposal, you can stay at the many alluring resorts in Ha Long, as opposed to a day trip.
If one were to ever imagine a fantastical city, complete with twinkling music playing in the background, a river shining with a hundred lanterns, and ancient architectural wonders blended with modern cafes and outlets, it would be Hoi An. Located in the neighborhood of Da Nang (which, itself, is a very livable city), the old town of Hoi An is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. With cars banned in the area, you can walk around or hire bicycles to see the place.
The city of Hoi An
A ticket gives you access to any of the five ancient buildings in the town. And among these ancient buildings, be sure to visit the covered Japanese bridge. Hoi An is illuminated by lanterns of every colour and shape. You can buy one as a souvenir, or take a boat ride on the Thu Bon river to release a paper lantern into the waters. You can also have a lot of special and unplanned fun in the adjoining areas of Hoi An. On your way back, you can always have a dress stitched for you by one of the city’s tailors, who have quite a reputation in South East Asia for their immaculate stitching.
We were almost about to miss this one due to the unfriendly weather in Da Nang, and the warnings from some of the other tourists. But we should be lucky we didn’t heed their advice. Although we had to cover the place in haste when one can easily spend a day there, it was still worth visiting. While you should make it a point to cover the Marble Mountains and Son Tra Peninsula as well, Ba Na is different, as it is a proper tourist resort. One cannot help but be overwhelmed by the 5 km journey to the top in South East Asia’s most modern cable car, that offers you astounding views of the mountains and waterfalls. The French village theme park at the end of it also has something for everyone, and you can easily mistake the place for Europe. A further connection via the cable car leads you to Vietnam’s landmark Golden Hand bridge, a 150-meter bridge supported by gargantuan hands. It does get foggy during the winter months up there, but when the clouds clear and the hands are visible, they make for the perfect picture.
A Cable Car at Ba Na Hills
If the historic and decade-long Vietnam War influences you to visit the country, as it did me, you will be happy to find many museums and tributes to the war. After visiting the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh city, book a tour to experience the Cu Chi tunnels. If the visit to the museum leaves you with a heavy heart thinking about the atrocities committed during the war, the tunnels will leave you spellbound with the Viet Cong’s innovative tactics and undying resolve.
Originally spread over 200 km, the tunnels were an essential feature for guerrilla warfare employed during the war. The National Liberation Front would use them to hide, attack, plan and store ammunition. Detailed insights are given into the tunnels’ structure and layout by the guides, to make it easier for you to navigate the tunnels before you can have your pictures coming out of the ground (it’s a popular picture to take whilst visiting). But beware, the tunnels are narrow, suffocating and dark; and you’ll probably have a hunch in your back by the time you make it to the end.
Vietnam is a country that offers something to everyone due to its unique blend of history, culture, hardships and perseverance. It mixes nature and the old ways with modern sensibilities to make for a truly unforgettable experience. If you are still doubtful about visiting this country, or if you always wanted to visit but needed that extra push, this is it.
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