Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces, each offering unique attractions. This guide by THiET Travel and Tourism helps first-time visitors navigate and explore the country's diverse regions
DESTINATIONS - SORTED BY A-Z
Explore Destinations from North to South
Destinations Alphabetically from North to South
Destinations Starting with the Letter 'H' :
1. Hải Phòng 2. Hà Giang 3. Hà Nội 4. Hạ Long 5. Hà Tĩnh 6. Hoàng Su Phì 7. Hưng Yên 8. Hoà Bình 9. Hà Tiên 10. Hậu Giang 11. Huế 12. Hội An 13. Hochiminh (Saigon) 14. Hồ Tràm
Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi
THE NORTH
East | West | Red River Delta
RED RIVER DELTA
(Đồng Bằng Sông Hồng)
1. HÀ NỘI: Vietnam's capital, with the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
2. VĨNH PHÚC:Tam Đảo mountain range and resorts, Tây Thiên Pagoda, and Vĩnh Yên City.
3. BẮC NINH: Traditional folk music and Ancient Temples, Dau Pagoda, and But Thap Pagoda.
4. HƯNG YÊN: Traditional villages and pagodas, Pho Hien, and Chu Dong Tu Temple.
5. HÀ NAM: Mix of natural beauty and historical sites, Ba Danh Pagoda, and Tam Chuc Pagoda.
6. HẢI DƯƠNG: Historical sites and lush countryside, Côn Sơn – Kiếp Bạc, and An Phụ Temple.
7. HẢI PHÒNG: Major port city with Do Son Beach, Cat Ba Island, and Du Hang Pagoda.
8. THÁI BÌNH: Serene rural landscapes, Dong Chau Beach, and Keo Pagoda.
9. NAM ĐỊNH: Historical Churches, traditional festivals, Phu Day Temple, and Vi Khe Bonsai Village.
10. NINH BÌNH:Karst landscapes, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, and Bai Dinh Pagoda.
THE NORTH-WEST
(Tây Bắc Bộ)
11. LAI CHÂU: Rugged landscapes and ethnic cultures, Sin Ho Plateau, and Tac Tinh Waterfall.
12. LÀO CAI: Gateway to Sapa’s terraced rice fields, Fansipan Mountain, Bac Ha Market, and Muong Hoa Valley.
13. ĐIỆN BIÊN:Điện Biên Phủ battle site, Muong Phang Historical Site, and Pha Din Pass.
14. YÊN BÁI:Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, Thac Ba Lake, and Suoi Giang Tea Hills.
15. SƠN LA: Natural beauty and tea plantations, Moc Chau Plateau, and Son La Prison.
16. HÒA BÌNH: Hydroelectric power plant and scenic landscapes, Mai Chau Valley, and Thac Bo Temple.
THE NORTH-EAST
(Đông Bắc Bộ)
17. HÀ GIANG:Karst landscapes, Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and ethnic diversity.
18. CAO BẰNG:Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, and Pac Bo Historical Site.
19. TUYÊN QUANG: Revolutionary history and cultural sites, Tan Trao Historical Site, and Na Hang Lake.
20. BẮC KẠN:Ba Bể National Park and lake, Hua Ma Cave, and Puong Cave.
21. LẠNG SƠN: Historic temples and markets, Mau Son Mountain, and Tam Thanh Cave.
22. THÁI NGUYÊN:Tea plantations, ATK Dinh Hoa Historical Site, and Tan Cuong Tea Hill.
23. BẮC GIANG: Scenic Tây Yên Tử, Khe Ro Forest, and Suoi Mo Eco-Tourism Area.
24. QUẢNG NINH:Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Yen Tu Mountain.
25. PHÚ THỌ:Ancient Hung Kings’ temples, Au Co Temple, and Lang Suong Temple.
THE CENTRAL
North | South | Highlands
THE SOUTH
Southeast | Mekong Delta
THE ISLANDS
Phu Quoc | Con Dao | Cat Ba
THE INDOCHINA Vietnam | Laos | Cambodia | Thailand
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Hcm City - Mekong Delta - Danang - Hoian - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay
SERVICES INCLUDES:
Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room in selected hotel
Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
English speaking guide (for other languages a supplement applies)
Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
Entrance fees for mentioned visits
Daily drinking water
SERVICES EXCLUDES:
Visa for Cambodia (Visa issued on arrival for most nationalities, USD30/pax, please bring 1 passport photo).
Visa for Vietnam
Any surcharge/extra fees for visit of the Angkor Historical site imposed by the Apsara Authorities in Siem Reap which are subject to change without prior notice
Other meals than mentioned
International and Domestic Flights (quoted separately)
Camera/video entrance fees
Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips etc)
Travel insurance including recommended helicopter evacuation for Cambodia
Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
DAY 1
PHNOM PENH ARRIVAL
On arrival in Phnom Penh, be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and then transferred to the hotel for check-in.
After a relaxing break, set out to discover the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a very fun way to explore this lively city. First, head to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
Continue to the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!
Sightseeing concludes with a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, the founding place of the city on a small hilltop and a great place to people watch as the locals come to pray for good luck.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
£££
DAY 2
PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, be greeted by the local English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel for check in.
This afternoon, start the visits to Angkor by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, with each side of the city being 4km long, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.
From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 52 towers with four faces of the Buddha, looking out over the vast provinces of the once great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate relief carvings. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
£££
DAY 3
SIEM REAP
After breakfast this morning, explore the temples of the Small Circuit by remork (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Start the tour with a visit to Ta Prohm temple. Built between the late-12th to early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. As this temple has become increasingly popular, it’s best to visit at 7:30am, just as it opens, enter from the East, the direction the temple faces and, conveniently the opposite side from the tour bus parking lot. The visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.
Alternatively, visit Preah Khan, a larger temple built by the same king in honour of his father (Ta Prohm was built for his mother). Less well known and therefore less frequently visited, Preah Khan is more grand in scale and yet provides a more intimate (more “Tomb Raider”) experience because of fewer visitors and it’s many collapsing and crumbling corridors. (Note: Speak to the guide on the morning of the visit. Depending on the season there is a chance to visit a different temple to avoid the crowds as Ta Prohm is very crowded during peak months.)
Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat.
After a rest at the hotel, depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
£££
DAY 4
SIEM REAP – HO CHI MINH CITY
After breakfast, free till transfer to the airport for departure flight from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon).
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
£££
DAY 9
HUE – HA NOI
Start the day with a visit to the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market to see it’s abundance of fresh produce. After exploring the market take a cyclo through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax, full of lotus flowers in summer there are many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study.
Continue to former emperor Minh Mang’s tomb located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds.
Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.
From here transfer 30-minutes to Hue Airport for the 1-hour flight to Hanoi. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.
£££
DAY 10
HA NOI – HA LONG BAY
Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 4hour drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After the welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on Halong Bay.
£££
DAY 11
HA LONG BAY – HA NOI
Enjoy a fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
In Hanoi, in the afternoon, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), a research centre and public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Overnight in Hanoi.
£££
DAY 12
HA NOI DEPARTURE
This morning depart the hotel for the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam's first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary (closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug)
Continue to walk through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. This area of 36 narrow streets is a lively place to walk around while seeing and learning about Vietnam’s traditional ways of life. Visit the busy Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap photos and chat with the locals on the way.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure for shopping until the transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the onward flight.
