Overseas friends often ask me to recommend places to visit in Vietnam. If you’re coming from far away, can spare at least two weeks, and want an overview of the region’s cultural highlights, I’d recommend expanding your trip to include stops in Cambodia and Laos. Here are my must-do destinations and activities in Indochina, from most to least favourite.
1) Siem Riep, Cambodia (Angkor Wat)
An ancient city of temple towers started in the 12th century, Angkor is not to be missed. Siem Reap’s Old Town has an interesting market stuffed with colourful silk scarves and many charming shops and restaurants. I highly recommend the modern Cambodian cuisine at Aha Restaurant
2) Cuong’s motorbike tours, from Hanoi
Not for the faint-of-heart, Cuong’s tours are highly recommended. All of Cuong’s tours leave from Hanoi and go around Northern Vietnam — he does motorbike, bike with sidecar and jeep tours. Fun local guides will take you through rice paddies and up mountain trails, into areas populated by some of Vietnam’s 53 ethnic minority groups. Get your motor running…
3)
Hoi An, Central Vietnam
This historic town lies about 40 minutes from Danang Airport in Central Vietnam. In the 1600s it was an international trading port. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An features picturesque 19th century wooden shophouses, colourful pagodas, interesting boutiques and many great restaurants. Mango Mango, near the Lantern Bridge, stands out for its festive atmosphere and creative modern Vietnamese food. Hoi An’s Old Town is located by a brown river. From here, it’s a 20-minute bicycle ride to An Bang Beach - a chilled place for seafood, cocktails and decent coffee at Soul Kitchen.
4) Luang Prabang, Laos
Laos’ religious capital is home to hundreds of ancient pagodas set among wooded mountains by the Mekong River. You can hike to turquoise jungle waterfalls or take a boat to a cave full of centuries-old Buddha statues. The town is charming and has many good restaurants and small hotels, plus countless cafes, including the Scandinavian Bakery. Yum.
5) Sapa, Northwest Vietnam
An overnight train ride from Hanoi (splurge on a first-class sleeper cabin), this mountain town is now quite touristy, but remains a good base for exploring the surrounding hills and valleys. You can hike, or rent a motorbike and bump up and down scenic dirt roads. This region has stunning views and is home to diverse ethnic groups in colourful garb. Hunt down the good people behind the curiously-named Tet Lifestyle Collection.
6) Hanoi, Vietnam
Crowded and chaotic, with bad traffic, Hanoi still has charm: crumbling French-colonial architecture, old pagodas, filthy but picturesque lakes, and bustling streets lined with shops selling everything you don’t need… Plus endless cafes. If you don’t mind the bells, Joseph’s is a cozy place to stay, hidden behind the Cathedral and a five-minutes’ walk to Hoan Kiem Lake.
7) Ha Long Bay, Northern Vietnam
Thousands of karst islands are scattered around a green bay, about two-and-a-half hours from Hanoi. The best way to see the bay is via an overnight boat trip that includes kayaking. While I recall Ha Long as it was 20 years ago - pristine and empty - and bemoan its current crowds and pollution, the bay’s natural beauty remains undeniable. Be warned: From November through March, it is cold and misty.
8) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
If you like big cities, Saigon has a vibrant - or some would say frenzied - atmosphere. An interesting day-trip takes you to the historic Cu Chi tunnels, where Viet Cong fighters hid and fought during the American-Vietnam War, and the eclectic Cao Dai Temple, where the brightly-clad faithful worship a mix of Eastern and Western religious and cultural figures. Saigon is also a jumping-off point for tours to the Mekong Delta. You can take boat or car trips into the Delta and see rural life in the paddies and fruit orchards. Personally, I find the Mekong mind-numbingly dull, but if you’ve never seen a rice paddy you might enjoy it.
Elka’s recommended 14-day Indochine itinerary:
Fly from Bangkok/Singapore/HK to Luang Prabang for 3 days - Hanoi 1 day + (Cuong’s Mai Chau motorbike or jeep tour 3 days - Halong 2 days) or (Northwest VN tour 5 or 6 days) - Hoi An (fly to Danang) 2 days - Siem Reap (Angkor) 3 days = 14 days
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