Vietnam is gradually being discovered as one of Southeast Asia’s best kept secrets and is considered as an exciting new option for travelers as compared to its neighbors in the area.
A land of shimmering terraced rice fields, powder-fine sandy beaches, breathtaking landscapes and modern bustling cities, Vietnam delivers one of the world’s most delicious and diverse gastronomies. Despite its history of an extended French occupation, and devastating wars, the Vietnamese are a proud people with a deep and rich cultural heritage. The country has one of the fastest growing economies in the area and is undergoing rapid change: air access has become easier than ever, roads are continuously being upgraded, hotels and resorts are springing up in destinations across the country as foreign investment increases. Not to be discounted is the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit which is a driving force behind this success.
There’s an unimaginable array of things to see and experience countrywide. Starting with Hanoi in the north, renowned worldwide for being a peaceful, welcoming and inexpensive capital. On the other hand, in the south, modern day Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is on the fast track with towering skyscrapers with the hustle and bustle you’d expect to find in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. In between lies a tapestry of soaring mountains, fertile deltas, misty forests inhabited by exotic flora and fauna, pristine beaches, waterfalls, rock formations and caves. Vietnam has a centuries-old history and culture of ancient architectures, religions and cults, traditional festivals and an authentic way of life. Finally, Vietnam has been recognized as one of the most secure and welcoming countries on the globe.
Hanoi, formerly Thang Long, the “City of the Rising Dragon,” is one of the most picturesque, culturally rich, and has well-laid streets that it one of the world’s most attractive and interesting cities. It’s the country’s cultural heart where its thousand-year history is ever-present and takes center stage by its centuries-old but well-preserved colonial architecture. Hanoi is best known for its two main neighborhoods - the French Quarter and the Colonial Quarter which are rich in attractions. It is a capital of irresistible charm, at the meeting point of traditions and legends, dotted with lakes, tree-lined avenues, and lush parks.
Best time to visit Hanoi Things to do in Hanoi How to get to HanoiHa Long Bay located in the Gulf of Tonkin, just 165 km from the capital of Ha Noi is known not only as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the world's most famous natural wonders. Ha Long Bay has been featured in countless movies, travelogues, and magazines because of its rich biodiversity and exceptional scenic beauty that looks straight out of a postcard. Seen from above, the bay resembles a light blue handkerchief dotted with emerald limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 square kilometers making for a most breathtaking and spectacular view to humble even the most jaded traveler.
Best time to visit Halong Bay Things to do in Halong Bay How to get to Ha Long BayNinh Binh, approximately 100km south of Hanoi, is a wondeful spot for many tourists who love natural beauty of mountains, rivers, caves, and hundreds of limestone cliffs scattered across swaths of lush paddy fields, that is why we call it "Halong Bay on land." Recharge yourself in its beautiful karst scenery and its lush green environment and experience a quiet, peaceful and pure rural way of living. It is absolutely an ideal trip for anyone who wants to get away from the noise of the city and live a carefree life.
Best time to visit Ninh Binh
You can travel to Ninh Binh at any time in the year. However, we recommend that you should visit Ninh Binh in the summer (from the end of April to June when rice is turned from green to yellow)
Things to do in Ninh Binh
Going on a boat trip to explore Tam Coc, Trang An, Nang valley (Thung Nang), Bich Dong Pagoda, Hoa Lu ancient capital and But Cave…
Treks to the top of Mua Cave nearby in the late afternoon or early morning to have a panoramic view of the river and ripe rice fields.
Gentle walks or bicycle rides through villages and talking to the local folks, taking photos.
Hiking in the Cuc Phuong National Park which features a diverse ecosystem.
Visit Phat Diem Cathedral with its rare and unique design and the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
Top dishes to try in Ninh Binh are Scorched Rice, Eel Noodle and Steamed Sticky Rice.
How to get to Ninh Binh
By road: Travelling to Ninh Binh by bus is comfortable and cheap. Another transportation option is to arrange a private car from Hanoi.
Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
The country’s length from north to south is 1,650km (1025 mi). Its width, stretching from east to west, is 600km (373 mi) at the widest point in the north, 400km (248.5 mi) in the south, and 50km (31 mi) at the narrowest point, in the center, in Quang Binh Province. The coastline is 3,260km (2025.6 mi) long and the inland border is 4,510km (2082.3 mi).
Total area: 330,363 sq. km (205,278 sq mi)
Population: about 98 million (2021)
People: 85% Vietnamese (Kinh), 3% Ethnic Chinese, also Khmer, Cham (a remnant of the once great Indianized Champa Kingdom) and 55 ethno-linguistic groups.
Languages: Vietnamese, French, Chinese, English, Russian and a variety of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian local dialects
Religion: Buddhism is the principal religion, but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Muslim and Christian minorities.
Full country name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Capital city: Hanoi
Major cities: Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City; Hai Phong; DaNang; Can Tho
| Area | Country | Term of residence |
|---|---|---|
| ASIA | Thailand | Less than 30 days |
| Malaysia | Less than 30 days | |
| Singapore | Less than 30 days | |
| Indonesia | Less than 30 days | |
| Cambodia | Less than 30 days | |
| Laos | Less than 30 days | |
| Philipines | Less than 15 days | |
| Myanmar | Less than 15 days | |
| Brunei | Less than 15 days | |
| South Korea | Less than 15 days | |
| Japan | ||
| EUROPE | Russia | Less than 15 days |
| Sweden | Less than 15 days | |
| Norway | Less than 15 days | |
| Finland | Less than 15 days | |
| Denmark | Less than 15 days | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Spain | ||
| Germany | ||
| Belarus |
Vietnam's e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries: Please follow this link for the nationals of 80 eligible countries that be able to apply for a 30-day single-entry E-visa to enter Vietnam.
How to Apply for a Vietnam’s e-visaThose who are not eligible or failed to get an E-visa to Vietnam, or plan a multiple-entry visit or a stay over 30 days, you will want to apply for a visa on arrival. To do this you'll need:
In recent years, air travel in Vietnam and Indochina has been much improved and convenient connections at reasonable cost are now available.
In Vietnam, we drive on the right side. An International driving license is NOT valid, only Vietnamese driving license holders are allowed to drive a car.Vietnam's weather ranges from a familiar four-season system in the north to eternal summer in the south. Because of regional variation, there are pleasant places to visit in Vietnam throughout the year.
