Still hesitating whether to travel to Vietnam for a holiday or not? Let’s find out the reasons to visit Vietnam, a diverse and culturally rich country with a unique blend of history, stunning natural landscapes, vibrant traditions, and friendly people with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Through this blog post, we will delve into the reasons below.

Charming natural landscapes

Charming natural landscapes is undoubtedly among the reasons to visit Vietnam. Not only being scenic backdrops, Vietnam’s landscapes are living canvases that tell stories of centuries past. From majestic mountains to terraced rice fields, limestone islets, emerald water, stunning beaches, etc., Vietnam offers you everything you may want to see for your trip. During your journey to explore Vietnam, you will be amazed by its rich nature. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the destinations below.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay

Being recognized as one of the world heritages by UNESCO, Halong Bay attracts tourists with its stunning natural landscapes and exciting activities offered. The limestone and karst mountains here were formed 250 to 280 million years ago under many different conditions and environments to form a special and rare landscape. Coming here, you can find various islands and islets with distinct forms and shapes. They are the Dau Nguoi Islet, Dragon Islet, La Vong Islet, Ga Choi Islet, Lu Huong Islet, etc. Hidden in the heart of these rocky islands are beautiful caves associated with many magical legends such as Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Trinh Nu Cave, Tam Cung Cave, etc.

Thien Cung Cave

Sung Sot Cave

Dau Go Cave

For more detailed information about Halong Bay, please refer to our blog post here: Exploring Halong Bay - The World Heritage Site and Natural Wonder. 

Sapa

Terraced rice field in Ta Phin, Sapa

Sapa is also among the top destinations and reasons to visit Vietnam. This destination is located in the Northwest of Vietnam, famous for its amazing natural beauty with imposing mountains and green valleys, fascinating cultures and traditions of many hill tribes, and beautiful pleasant weather all year round. 

Red Dao women in Sapa

Love Waterfall, Sapa

For more things to know before you travel to Sapa, please visit our blog post here: Sapa travel guide.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha – Ke Bang is one of the most favorite destinations for adventuring lovers in Vietnam. It is located in Bo Trach District, 50 kilometers from Dong Hoi City of Quang Binh Province. This destination attracts tourists by the harmony of the primeval forests, the river, dry caves, and water caves, creating a fascinating picture of nature. 

Phong Nha Botanic Garden

Trekking in Phong Nha

Here is a guide on things to know before you travel to Phong Nha: Phong Nha travel guide.

Pristine beaches

Possessing a long coastal line, Vietnam has many pristine beaches appealing to tourists. These beaches also become one of the reasons to visit Vietnam. Besides Halong Bay, many other destinations in Vietnam own beautiful beaches. Let’s explore some of them with us!

Phu Quoc

Truong Beach, Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is one of the ideal destinations for a holiday vacation in Vietnam. Possessing a 150-kilometer coastal line stretching from the North Island to the South Island with numerous sandy beaches, Phu Quoc is undoubtedly a paradise for beach lovers. Star Beach, Dai Beach, Truong Beach, Ong Lang Beach, and Rach Vem Beach are some amazing beaches here.

Dai Beach, Phu Quoc

Ong Lang Beach, Phu Quoc

For more beaches and detailed information, please visit our blog post here: The top 09 most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc. 

Nha Trang

Nha Trang Beach

Nha Trang, located in the Southcentral coastal area of Vietnam, is famous for its beautiful sceneries of islands and beaches with crystal seawater and fine sand under the blue sky. Traveling to Nha Trang, don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in Nha Trang Beach, Dai Beach, Doc Let Beach, etc. Here is detailed information about the top beaches in Nha Trang: The top 07 beaches in Nha Trang.

Doc Let Beach

Long Beach

Con Dao

Con Dao Archipelago, also called Con Lon or Con Son, is an archipelago belonging to Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. The island has a lot of beautiful and peaceful beaches. They are Lo Voi Beach, An Hai Beach, Dam Trau Beach, etc. These beaches have idyll sea surfaces, crystal blue water, and long and clean white sandbanks. 

Con Dao

Overall, the coastline offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it among the reasons to visit Vietnam. As the waves gently lap the shores, Vietnam's coastal paradise beckons, promising an unforgettable beachfront experience that complements the country's diverse and enchanting offerings. 

Rich history and culture

The rich history and culture is also among the reasons to visit Vietnam. If you are seeking a journey through time and a deep dive into traditions that have withstood the test of centuries, Vietnam is undoubtedly an ideal choice. Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue, and Saigon are some perfect destinations to get to know about Vietnam’s history. Let's find out some general information on each of them.

Hanoi

Hanoi Old Quarter 

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is an ancient city with a long history, unique museums, ancient pagodas, and charming French-colonial architecture. All those ancient beauties perfectly blend with the path of modern life. Traveling to Hanoi, you may not want to miss strolling in Hanoi's Old Quarter, visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Vietnam National Museum of History, etc. For more things to know before traveling to Hanoi, please visit our blog post here: Hanoi travel guide. 

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Hanoi Temple of Literature

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is also an ideal destination to learn about Vietnam’s history. Traveling to Ninh Binh, don’t forget to drop by Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. With a total area of more than 300 hectares, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is a relic complex with caves, temples, and other architectural works with high historical and cultural value. Undergoing more than 1000 years of history, the important relics in Hoa Lu are still kept intact and preserved until now. 

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hue

Regarding historical aspects, Hue was the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty dating back from 1805 till 1945. The ancient capital is home to many temples, pagodas, tombs, and palaces with impressive architectural styles. There’s a mistake if you don’t mention the Imperial City which is the walled citadel and royal palaces when traveling to Hue. The Imperial City served as a venue for significant court ceremonies, forebear worship, and the royal family’s residence.

Hue Imperial Citadel

Tu Duc Tomb

Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, known as “The Oriental Pearl,” is the largest cultural, economic, and political center of Vietnam. Traveling to Saigon, you may want to visit the Independence Palace (Dinh Doc Lap), the symbol of victory and peace, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi Tunnels, etc. 

Independence Palace, Saigon

Cu Chi Tunnels

In general, Vietnam offers tourists the chance to immerse themselves in a cultural journey that transcends time. Let’s travel to Vietnam now!

Diverse ethnic groups

Diverse ethnic groups also contribute to the reasons to visit Vietnam. For travelers seeking an immersive experience into the rich mosaic of traditions, languages, and customs, Vietnam stands as a living testament to the beauty of human diversity. Whether you're trekking through the highlands, cruising the Mekong Delta, or exploring historical sites, Vietnam invites you to embrace its human mosaic. 

Dao woman in Sapa

Hmong girl in Ha Giang

Traveling around Vietnam, you can encounter various ethnic minorities with distinct characteristics. For example, Sapa is home to the Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho people. Ha Giang is where the Hmong, Tay, Nung, and Lo Lo People. Mai Chau is inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group known for their stilt houses and vibrant traditional attire. The Khmer people, an ethnic group with a rich history, add a distinctive flavor to the Mekong Delta Region. 

Exciting cultural festivals and celebrations

Besides diverse ethnic groups, Vietnam’s cultural festivals and celebrations also show the country’s culture. One of the best ways to get acquainted with Vietnamese culture is by joining festival activities. In Vietnam, holding festivals is one of the indispensable parts of spiritual life. Festivals are held all over the country, reflecting the customs and practices of each region. 

Tet Holiday in Vietnam

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) is one of the most meaningful festivals for Vietnamese people. lt is calculated according to the lunar calendar, often lasting two weeks from December 23. Kitchen God Day, New Year's Eve, three first days of the New Year are some crucial timelines. If you travel to Vietnam during the Tet Holiday, you can immerse yourself in the busy atmosphere to prepare food, flowers, and decorations. 

Besides Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnam also hosts many other festivals imbued with national identities. For more detailed information, please visit our blog post here: The top 05 best festivals in Vietnam. 

Is festival among the reasons to visit Vietnam? Let's arrange your itinerary and plan for your trip!

Delicious cuisine

Undoubtedly, delicious cuisine is among the reasons to visit Vietnam, where you can savor from street food to 5-star Michelin food. Let’s explore the most delightful dishes in Vietnam with us!

Pho (Vietnamese noodles)

Pho is one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes, consisting of rice noodles, beef or chicken, and sweet broth. It is typically served with fresh herbs, lemon, northern pepper, chili, and green onion. Although you can find restaurants and street vendors serving Pho in many regions of Vietnam, this dish is considered the best in Hanoi.

Pho Vietnam

Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette)

Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) is also among the Vietnamese dishes that you should try. Originating from France; however, Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) has become a well-known specialty in Vietnam.

Banh mi Vietnam

Goi Cuon (Fresh spring rolls)

Goi Cuon, which can be served as a brunch, is also one of the favorite Vietnamese dishes. There are five main ingredients inside the spring rolls, which are rice paper, raw vegetables, noodles, meat, and shrimp. Spring rolls are made by using rice paper to roll all the above ingredients inside.

Other Vietnamese dishes can be found here: Exploring Vietnam’s culinary diversity: The top 13 Vietnamese dishes you should not miss. 

Coffee culture

Coffee as one of the reasons to visit Vietnam? Believe us, that’s true. Enjoying coffee is one of the indispensable parts of Vietnamese culture. Traveling around Vietnam, you can catch up with the image of local people sitting in a local street vendor or a coffee shop to enjoy a cup of coffee. A coffee shop is indeed an ideal place for chatting with friends, business cooperation, or staying alone to reflect on life and people.

Egg coffee

The way Vietnamese people roast, brew, and enjoy coffee is entirely different from other parts of the world. Vietnamese people also have distinctive styles of enjoying coffee by sipping and contemplating. Many Vietnamese people like to try filtered coffee, a popular way to enjoy Vietnamese coffee. It is extremely exciting to wait for each drop of coffee to fall into the cup and fall into the coffee’s smell and flavor.

For more detailed information about coffee culture in Vietnam, you can read our blog post here: Enjoying Vietnamese coffee - a charming beauty in Vietnamese culture. 

Various outdoor experiences

Vietnam, a land of natural wonders and diverse landscapes, beckons outdoor enthusiasts with a myriad of thrilling experiences. Thanks to the terrain diversity, Vietnam offers various outdoor experiences for tourists, which are also among the reasons to visit Vietnam. Here are some amazing things you may not want to miss. 

Trekking

Vietnam is a paradise for trekking lovers. Let’s embark on multi-day treks, and stay in a homestay to immerse yourself in charming nature and local cultures. Some of the popular destinations for trekking in Vietnam include Sapa, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Cat Ba, Ba Be, Ha Giang, Bach Ma National Park, and Da Lat. Here is the detailed information: The top 09 best places for trekking in Vietnam. 

Trekking in Sapa

Kayaking

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers not just stunning views from above but also a unique perspective on the water. Kayaking through the bay's limestone karsts and emerald waters unveils hidden caves and secluded lagoons. Besides Halong Bay, you can also join trekking in Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and other sea and river areas. 

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Cave exploring

 Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers not just stunning views from above but also a unique perspective on the water. Kayaking through the bay's limestone karsts and emerald waters unveils hidden caves and secluded lagoons. So, cave exploring is also an exciting experience in Vietnam. Traveling to Vietnam, don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover the Sung Sot Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Tu Lan Cave, etc. More caves in Vietnam can be found here: The top 07 best caves in Vietnam you should not miss. 

Phong Nha Cave

Snorkeling 

Many beach destinations in Vietnam offer snorkeling services, like Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Son Con Dao, etc. Let’s dive into the clear waters to witness the kaleidoscopic world beneath the surface.

Snorkeling in Nha Trang

Vietnam's diverse outdoor experiences cater to adventurers of all kinds. Whether you're seeking the thrill of conquering mountain summits, the tranquility of kayaking through pristine waters, or the exhilaration of sandboarding down dunes, Vietnam invites you to explore its natural playground. 

In general, whether you are a history, nature, cuisine, or cultural experiences lover, Vietnam offers you all. What are the reasons to visit Vietnam? Hope that through this blog post, you have found out your answer. Let’s prepare for your journey to unveil the beauty of Vietnam. If you need any further information, want to book a tour package or tailor your own itinerary, please do not hesitate to contact our team.