Introduction
This report introduces some of Vietnam’s nature-rich tourist destinations. There are many tourist destinations in the northern, southern, and central regions of Vietnam where visitors can enjoy unique landscapes and natural beauty. In addition to the beauty of Vietnam, there are many places where you can experience the culture and traditions that are deeply related to Vietnam.
Northern Tourist Attractions
In the northern part of Vietnam, there are many rich natural and historical tourist destinations. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is located in the north, and there are many attractive tourist destinations in the north. Below we will introduce some of the more natural tourist destinations in the north.
Ha Long Bay（Vịnh Hạ Long）
Ha Long Bay is located in the northern part of the country, about 3.5 to 4 hours from the capital Hanoi, in Quang Ninh Province, south of Ha Long City. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Vietnam, attracting many tourists from home and abroad. Halong Bay is a group of limestone islands with approximately 3,000 oddly shaped rocks of various sizes, offering beautiful scenery. According to legend, when the Chinese attacked Vietnam, a father and son dragon emerged from the bay, and after defeating the enemy, a large amount of jewels from their mouths turned into islands and strange rocks in the bay. Therefore, the name of the bay is “Vịnh Hạ Long” in Vietnamese, and “Hạ Long” means “the dragon descends”.
Halong Bay is also home to limestone caves, which are world famous for their beauty and were inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 1994. Sightseeing in Halong Bay includes cruise tours, kayaking, and swimming. The beautiful scenery of Halong Bay seen from a boat is like a different world and very attractive.
【How to get to Ha Long Bay】
You can either take a local bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay or take a local tour to/from Halong Bay. Tours can be booked online. There are many different types and many include meals. Tours are recommended for those who do not know the local area or are not comfortable with English or Vietnamese. If you are going by bus, take a bus from Hanoi to Halong from “My Dinh Bus Terminal (Bến Xe Khách Mỹ Đình)”. To get to Bến Xe Khách Mỹ Đình, you will need to take a cab or the number 34 bus from Hanoi. It is recommended to use Google Maps.
- My Dinh Bus Terminal：Mỹ Đình, Nam Từ Liêm, Hanoi
- Ha Long Bay： Thành phố Hạ Long
Banzok Waterfall（Bản Giốc）
Ban Xoc Waterfall is located in Cao Bang Province, about 350 km from Hanoi, the capital of northern Vietnam. Straddling the border with China, it is one of the largest waterfalls in Vietnam, with a drop of 30 meters and a width of up to 200 meters. Another point of interest is that visitors can get close to the waterfall by raft. You can feel the power of nature up close with the sound of splashing water and falling water. It is famous as one of the most beautiful spots in Vietnam.
【How to get to Banzok Waterfall】
It takes 10 hours one way from the Hanoi bus terminal to reach Ban Xoc Waterfall. There is no direct transportation, and you must take a bus from the bus terminal around Hanoi to “Cao Bằng Province” to Ban Xoc Waterfall. Buses from Hanoi can go to Cao Bang from “Bến Xe Khách Mỹ Đình” or “Bến Xe Gia Lâm” bus terminals.
- My Dinh Bus Terminal：Mỹ Đình, Nam Từ Liêm, Hanoi
- Zaram Bus Terminal ：Xe buýt 03, 22, 34 vào- ra xe Gia Lâm Bến, Long Biên, Hà Nội
Tamcock（Tam Cốc ）
Tam Coc is located in Ninh Binh Province, about an hour away from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
Tam Coc was the capital of Vietnam about 1,000 years ago, and there are still historical buildings from the 10th century, including the palace, temples, and mausoleum of the first emperor, Dinh Tien Hoang. The city was ruled by the Chinese until 35 years before these structures were built, so many of the buildings were also influenced by the Chinese.
Tam Coc is a beautiful scenic spot, also known as “the land version of Halong Bay,” with its rural scenery and karst landforms. In particular, water sightseeing called “Tam Coc’s Waterways,” which can be enjoyed on a boat, is popular among many tourists. It is also known as the filming location for the movie “King Kong: The Giant God of Skulls,” and is a popular tourist destination with its calm and rich nature.
【How to get to Tamcock】
It can be reached by cab and train. Of course, it is also possible to take a day trip, as it takes only one hour each way. From Hanoi station (Ga Hà nội), go to Ninh Bình station (Ga Ninh Bình), and then take a cab to Tam Coc. The train fare from Hanoi to Ninh Binh costs about 100,000 VND.
- Song Dong Cave ：Xuân Trạch, Bố Trạch District, Quang Binh Province
- Tam Coc：Thôn Hải Nham, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province
Southern Tourist Attractions
The southern part of Vietnam offers a variety of attractions including nature, history, culture, and cuisine. Ho Chi Minh City is a typical tourist destination in the south, where various cultures have mingled and developed, but below we will introduce some of the more natural tourist destinations in the south.
Phu Quoc Island（ Đảo Phú Quốc）
Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in Vietnam, located in Kien Giang Province, in the Gulf of Thailand in southern Vietnam. Phu Quoc is also famous as the largest producer of Nuoc Mam in Vietnam. It is popular among foreigners and Vietnamese alike for its beautiful scenery of emerald green sea and white sand beaches. The island is also surrounded by crystal clear waters where snorkeling and diving can be enjoyed. The Da Bàn Stream (Suối Đá Bàn) and the Tranh Waterfall (Suối Tranh Waterfall) are also popular tourist destinations where visitors can get more in touch with nature.
【How to get to Phu Quoc Island】
It can be reached by domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. It takes one hour from Ho Chi Minh City and about two hours from Hanoi. It is also possible to go by boat from Ho Chi Minh City. It takes about 5 hours by boat, so those with time to spare can enjoy the scenery.
- Phu Quoc Island：Phu Quoc, キエンザン ベトナム
- Dâng Stream（Suối Đá Bàn）：Cửa Dương, Phú Quốc, Kien Giang
- Chang Stream(Suối Tranh Waterfall)：TL47, Dương Tơ, Phú Quốc, tỉnh Kiên Giang
Con Dao Island（Côn Đả Côn Đảo）
Con Dao Island is located off the southern coast of Vung Tau Province and is a popular tourist destination for its quiet, beautiful sand and beautiful beaches. It is also known as a diving spot. Con Dao National Park is home to rare species of flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
It is also known as the last paradise in Vietnam. It was not so popular in the past because of its history of being used as a penal colony for war criminals, but it became a topic of conversation when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visited in 2011. And for tourists, the luxury Hotel Six Senses Con Dao is also a popular tourist attraction.
【How to get to Con Dao Island】
It takes about 45 minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Con Dao Island：Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu
- Con Dao National Park： Côn Đảo, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu
- Six Senses Con Dao：Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Town, Côn Đảo, Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu
Cantor（Cần Thơ）
Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta, about 160 kilometers west of Ho Chi Minh City. It is rich in food culture and is especially famous for its fresh fruits. In addition, approximately 50% of Vietnam’s rice is produced in Can Tho. Mekong Delta cruises are popular in Can Tho, and visitors can enjoy the nature and lifestyle of the Mekong Delta while traveling by boat on the river. The floating market is another famous tourist attraction. Can Tho is also home to cultural facilities such as the Cao Dang Museum and Mang Tok Trang Temple, which are also popular among tourists.
【How to get to Cantor】
There is a bus service from Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about three hours.
- Cantor：Cần Thơ
Tourist Attractions in Central Vietnam
The central region of Vietnam is a blend of beautiful nature and historical heritage. The infrastructure has not yet been developed, and there are many natural and unspoiled tourist destinations. Below we introduce some of the most beautiful natural tourist destinations in the central region of Vietnam.
Dalat（Đà Lạt）
Dalat is a highland resort located in Lam Dong Province in south-central Vietnam. Because of its high elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, the temperature is relatively cool even in summer. It is blessed with a mild climate and beautiful nature. It has a history of being developed as a summer resort during the French colonial period.
It is a popular destination for Vietnamese travelers and is known as a summer resort and a famous tourist destination. It has many photo spots and is often visited by tourists. Dalat has a mild climate with year-round temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, and is known for its vegetable production. Flower Park, Datang La Waterfall, and Elephant Waterfall are popular natural tourist attractions in Dalat. The Flower Park is popular among tourists for its flower displays and beautiful scenery. Datang La Waterfall and Elephant Waterfall are natural tourist attractions where visitors can see waterfalls up close and play in the water. The streets of Dalat also offer a mix of French and Vietnamese atmosphere, with architecture from the French colonial period remaining.
【How to get to Dalat】
You can either fly or take a bus to Dalat. Buses to Dalat are available from various locations in Vietnam. From Ho Chi Minh City, buses to Dalat take about 6-7 hours. Buses are also available from coastal cities such as Da Nang and Nha Trang. Dalat has an international airport, Lien Cuong International Airport, and there are flight services from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Dalat will be about 1 hour from Ho Chi Minh City and about 2 hours from Hanoi.
- Dalat：Thành phố Đà Lạt
- Dalat Flower Park：Đ. Trần Quốc Toản, Phường 8, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng
- Datangla Falls：QL20 Đèo Prenn, Phường 3, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng
- Elephant Falls：Gia Lâm, Lâm Hà District, Lâm Đồng
Sonchar（Sơn Trà）
Located near Da Nang, Son Cha is known for its rich and unspoiled nature. Once an island, it was connected to the mainland by the accumulation of soil in the Han River, giving it its present shape. The Sonchar Peninsula is home to about 1,000 species of plants, many of which are medicinal herbs used for treatment. It is also home to rare animals. It is a valuable place for nature lovers and researchers. In addition, the beautiful scenery from the top of Banco Mountain on the Song Cha Peninsula attracts many tourists. With well-maintained trails, it has become a popular spot for not only Vietnamese but also international tourists to climb the mountain for taking pictures.
【How to get to Sonchar】
Sonchar can be reached by cab or motorcycle and is about 10 minutes from My Khe Beach.
Sonchar：Thọ Quang, ソンチャー区 ダナン
Leeson Island（Huyện Lý Sơn）
Ly Son Island, also known as “Garlic Island,” is an island of rich nature located in Quang Ngai Province. The name comes from the fact that one-third of the island’s area is covered with garlic fields. Ly Son Island is known for its pristine beaches and abundant nature. However, due to the lack of infrastructure and the difficulty of accessing Ly Son Island, it is a place that attracts few foreign tourists. Under such circumstances, the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai Province has submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to build a new airport on Ly Son Island by 2025. Once the airport is completed, the number of foreign tourists will increase and the island will become one of the most popular tourist destinations.
【How to get to Leeson Island】
The trip to Ly Son Island is by boat. From Da Nang, go to Sa ky port in Quang Ngai province and take a boat from there. To reach Sa Ky port, you can either take a bus or fly to Chu Lai airport (Chu Lai). If flying, fly from Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Hanoi to Chu Lai Airport, then take a cab to the airport, which takes about one hour by car. By bus, take a bus from Da Nang to Quang Ngai Province for about 3.5 hours, then take a cab to Sa Ky Port. From Sa ky port, take a boat to Ly Son Island. The trip takes about 40 minutes.
- Leeson Island： Lý Sơn
Summary
What do you think? There are many natural tourist destinations in Vietnam that you may not know about yet. Some are already developed and beautiful for tourists, while others are undeveloped and still have a lot of nature left. For those who want a more local experience, we recommend renting a motorcycle and going sightseeing on your own.
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