Wanderlust Storytellers has named Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai as their top pick among 25 breathtaking destinations. They describe it as a “seemingly hidden gem in the world, thanks to its stunning beauty.” They added, “This is one of our favorite spots and we’re sure it will become one of yours as well!”
Mu Cang Chai, celebrated as one of Vietnam’s most stunning destinations, is renowned for its breathtaking terraced fields. These fields gleam with vibrant emerald green during the growing season, transforming into a shimmering gold as the rice ripens.
Crafted by the skilled hands and boundless creativity of local farmers, these terraces create a dynamic landscape that shifts with the seasons, exemplifying the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity.
Wanderlust Storytellers highlights the serene, dreamlike vistas and extraordinary natural wonders that make our planet truly enchanting, allowing visitors to feel as if they’ve stepped into a magical realm.
In 2018, the British newspaper Telegraph recognized Mu Cang Chai’s terraced fields as one of the 12 most beautiful in the world, marking it as one of two Vietnamese entries on the list.
In 2007, 330 hectares of these terraced fields in the communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh were designated as National Monuments by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. By 2019, they received the prestigious status of Special National Monument from the Prime Minister.
The terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai epitomize the synergy of community spirit, natural beauty, and the creativity of the highland people, who have harmoniously coexisted with their environment for generations.
In Mu Cang Chai, the flood season spans from May to June, when the fields are readied and sown. September and October mark the harvest season, each period presenting its own unique beauty. During the flood season, the landscape transforms into a stunning blend of brown soil, white clouds, blue skies, and shimmering water. In contrast, the terraced fields come alive with vibrant hues during harvest, glimmering like gold under the sun.
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Ho Chi Minh City (or known by its old name – Sai Gon) captures tourists’ hearts due to not only the image of a vibrant and charming city, converging all the conveniences of a modern metropolis but also many attractions that we can spend time on exploring and enjoying with fun.
In order to help you know more about this city, please enjoy our list of Top 10 best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (also famous tourist attractions in Saigon) below.
1. War Remnants Museum
The first tourist site to visit in Ho Chi Minh City is War Remnants Museum, one of the most popular museums in Vietnam housing memory related to the Vietnam War and the First Indochina War in Vietnam. Established by the Vietnamese government, this museum has opened from September 4th, 1975 as the Exhibition House for the US and Puppet Crimes. In 1990, this has changed to the Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression. In 1995, when President Bill Clinton visited Vietnam, this finally changed to War Remnants Museum till today. Highlights: This museum has more than 20,000 documents, exhibits, and films, in which more than 1,500 documents, artifacts, and films have been applied to introduce in public. In this museum, visitors can have a chance to see so much military equipment of the US and Vietnam military in so many rooms from the Legend AK 47, UH-1 helicopter to M48 tank, T-54 tank. Especially, tourists can see “tiger case”, a place where South Vietnamese soldiers kept their political prisoners. Besides, they can look at many photographs in the Vietnam War, including black-white ones. This place is like the evidence of the crime and the consequences of war that the US and its allies have caused to Vietnam. Visiting this museum is worth of rewarding things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
Location: 28 Vo Van Tan street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Opening hours: 7:30 –18:00 every day
2. Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market is a symbol and one of the largest markets in Ho Chi Minh City. For a tourist, this market is a perfect place for searching many items from handicrafts, textiles to local cuisine. Established in the 17th century, this place was created by vendors near Sai Gon River. In 1870, the fire destroyed the total market and the French rebuilt it. In 1912, New Ben Thanh Market was established and it still existed today. Highlights: What can be found here? Well, first of all, it is real Vietnamese food. In the market, you can eat various kinds of dishes like Banh cuon, Banh xeo, Hu tieu, etc. Beer is also a cheap-price item (only from 2-5 $). Besides, local clothes and handicrafts are also famous. You can buy everything from clothes, bags to shoes, sweets, etc. Handicrafts created by excellent carpenters are best-selling. Especially, since Ben Thanh market is an ancient tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, so all services are quite regulated and there is no tourist solicitation phenomenon. I can ensure that do not buy anything in Ben Thanh Market is a miserable experience for you!
Location: Le Loi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Opening hours: 6:00 –24:00 every day
3. Cu Chi Tunnels
This 75-mile tunnel is a real “witness” of massive war in Vietnam. It tells tourists about the strong will of Vietnamese people and soldiers when competing with the giant US in nearly 20 years. In 1948 during the war against the French, Viet Minh soldiers built the tunnels to help them evade French soldiers near the area and have the ability to communicate with the villagers. This is also a place for the people sheltering from foreign invaders. In the Vietnam War, this was extended over approximately 250 km and considered as an important base for Viet Cong to win American soldiers. Highlights: In Cu Chi, there are two different tunnel display sites, namely Ben Dinh and Ben Duoc. To experience a unique thing to do in Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can crawl around in the tunnels in safe conditions. Besides, Cu Chi also has a shooting range for tourists to enjoy the strange feelings. The price for a bullet ranges from $1.1 (CARBIN) to $1.8 (AK 47 and M60). To get to Cu Chi, you have many choices to choose from, including motorbike, car, bus or speedboat!
Location: 45 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00 every day, including Sunday!
4. Independence Palace
Independence Palace, formerly Reunification Palace, is a famous site when it comes to attractions as well as things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This place is the home and workplace for the President of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. It also was the place that remarked the end of the Vietnam War on April 30th, 1975. In history, on 23 February 1868, Pierre-Paul de La Grandière, Governor of Cochinchina of France Empire, built a new palace for working. The building process continued until 1873. The designer of palace is Ngo Viet Thu – the first Vietnamese architect winning the First Grand Prize of Rome. After finishing, the palace was named Norodom Palace in the name of the king of Cambodia, King Norodom (1834–1904). In World War II, this is an important headquarters of Japanese officials. On 7 September 1954, Norodom Palace had become the main office of the State of Vietnam. In 1955, Ngo Dinh Diem became president of the Republic of Vietnam and renamed the palace into Independence Palace. On 30 April 1975, a tank of the North Vietnamese bulldozed over the main gate, ending the Vietnam War. In November 1975, this was renamed Reunification Palace. Highlights: Reunification Palace has five levels. The first floor has the Conference Hall, the Cabinet Room and the State of Banqueting Hall. The Second floor has the Ambassador Chamber, the President Reception Room, the President Office, National Security Council Chamber, and Vice-Presidential Reception Room. On the third floor, there is a card-playing room, a library, and a cinema while the fourth houses a casino. Reunification Palace rooftop terrace is fitted with a heliport. Under the place, there is a basement like a hideout for President including Command Central with so much communication equipment. This destination, through so many historical events, is like a real “witness” in the Vietnam War and Indochina War. When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, don’t miss this place to learn and know more about a part of the history of this city.
Location: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 08:00 – 11:00 & 13:00 – 16:00 every day
5. Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts
The next site to add to your itinerary is Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, a major art museum in the city. Many years ago, in the 20th century, this place belonged to Hui Bon Hoa, a famous and rich tradesman in Sai Gon at that time. This was designed and constructed by a French architect Rivera in 1929 as a villa for the Hua family. After 1975, the new government took over this place to Vietnam Exhibition Center and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to manage in 1987 and changed it to a public museum until now. Highlights: The museum is about 3514 square meters with over 20,000 works of art from many places in Vietnam. It has three floors with a basement. The first floor has a gallery of artworks for domestic and international arts display. The second floor has both paintings and sculptures of Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese artists while the third floor holds a collection of arts from 7th century to early 20th-century. Nowadays, this place has become one of the best destinations for a tourist when visiting Saigon. You should pay a visit to this site to see various works of fine arts and many valuable and attractive pictures in this museum.
Location: 97A – Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00 (Tuesday-Sunday, closed on Monday)
6. Jade Emperor Pagoda
Jade Emperor Pagoda or Jade Emperor Temple is a Taoist and Buddhist pagoda. This is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric temples in Saigon. Built in 1892 by a community of Chinese immigrants with their leaders Liu Ming, this pagoda is a representation of Mahayanist branch of Buddhism in Vietnam and it is the only place where the Jade Emperor is worshipped in Vietnam. From 1984, it was renamed into the new Chinese name Phuoc Hai Tu (Sea of Blessing Temple). It is also more and more famous when U.S. President Barack Obama visited this place during his state trip to Vietnam on 22 May 2016. Highlights: The structure of the temple can be divided into two separate parts: courtyard and inside the temple. Passing through the main door to the temple, you will arrive at the courtyard divided into three parts. In the first half of the courtyard, there is a small turret with a statue of Dharmapala, a Buddhist philosopher. After this first part is a small pond with many turtles and benches. The last part of the courtyard, so-called incinerator, is a chimney-shaped structure where worshippers can burn papers of which the smoke is believed to be able to reach their ancestors in heaven. Inside the temple, there are many artworks with a set of about 300 ancient statues, including 100 made from wooden cardboard, presenting a meeting of genies with the Jade Emperor in the pagoda. The pagoda’s worshipping area consists of three parts, the main chamber, and the other two departments. The main chamber worships Jade Emperor, the Buddha, and genies. The largest statue in the pagoda is the Jade Emperor in a meeting with genies. For tourists with troubles in real life, they can go here to pray and see beautiful scenes that can help them feel more balanced and relaxed.
Location: 73 Mai Thi Luu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 every day Entrance fee: No entrance fee but visitors can make donations.
7. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, aka Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica or Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in Vietnam and also considered the most attractive tourist attraction in Ho Chi Minh City. Built from 1863 to 1880 by the French architects, the cathedral is 60m high. Initially, it was called Saigon Church. The name Notre-Dame Cathedral was named after Bishop of the Church held a ceremony to install the statue of Peaceful Notre Dame in 1959. In 1962, Vatican anointed it as Saigon Chief Cathedral. Since then, this cathedral is called Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Highlights: Its design shows the influence of France and Christianity. At the time it was built, all the materials were directly imported from France. The two bell towers, each with a height of 60.5m and 6 bronze bells have just been added in 1895. The appearance of these bell towers increases the value of the cathedral’s unique architecture. When you visit the cathedral, don’t forget to spend time walking around to enjoy its fresh atmosphere as well as special architecture. This is an interesting place to visit when you are in Saigon because you can not only marvel at its gorgeous architecture but also see a lot of worshippers. However, remember that it is like any holy places around the world. That’s why you should dress appropriately and avoid disturbing the worshippers when visiting the cathedral.
Location: No.1 Cong Xa Paris Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00 every day
8. Saigon Central Post Office
Ho Chi Minh City Post Office or Saigon Central Post Office is the main post office and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. The building was built around 1886 – 1891 by a French architect Alfred Foulhoux. The structure in the post office is reserved perfectly. Today, it has been the busiest post office in Vietnam. Highlights: Inside the post office, the structure of this place is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and French style. Walking inside, the building is big with a lot of space. The ceiling was designed with an arc shape with two rows of steel pillars. All the pillars in the front hall of the building are intricately decorated. This makes the building look more stable and larger. Post Office has all kinds of traditional postal services like mailing, selling postcards, or stamps. Foreign money exchange is also available. Inside the post office, you can buy souvenirs or write letters on wooden tables. Don’t forget Mr. Duong Van Ngo – an old man sitting at the end of a long wooden table. Mr. Ngo has been working here since he was 17, as a polyglot public letter writer and a translator. When he retires, he often helps people write letters in English and French. He says that he loves the job and also suggests you going to other attractions in Ho Chi Minh City to visit. Through many historical events, this post office still stands and plays an important role in the history of the city. If you want to know more about the unique structure of French colonies and the history of Saigon, this place should not be ignored!
Location: No. 2 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 07:00 – 19:00 every day
9. Saigon Opera House
Certified as a national relic in 2012, Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon Municipal Opera House, stays on top of the must-visit Ho Chi Minh City attractions. Saigon Opera House was built in 1898 by the French architect – Eugene Ferret in the Belle Epoque style. After 1956, this was used as home to part of the government of South Vietnam. After 1975, it was again used as a theatre, and restored in 1995. Inside the building, it has a main seating floor with two levels of seating above which can accommodate up to 1,800 people. In order to celebrate the 300th birthday of Saigon, the government invited some famous architects and artists to restore the house in 1998. Highlights: Today, the building has so many modern devices like electric appliances, lighting, sound systems, and safety equipment. The Opera House is surrounded by new plazas and hotels, which allow you to combine a trip to the Opera House with a shopping tour.
Location: 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m daily
10. Bitexco Financial Tower
Bitexco Financial Tower, a new modern symbol of Ho Chi Minh City, is a skyscraper where Bitexco Group houses the Ho Chi Minh City office. With 68 floors and three basements, it has a height of 262.5 meters. The tower is owned by Bitexco Group, a Vietnamese multi-industry corporation and is designed by Carlos Zapata, Design Principal and Founder of Carlos Zapata Studio, with French company AREP as the architect of record. The inspiration for the shape of the skyscraper is from Vietnam’s national flower, the Lotus. Highlights: Sky Deck in Bitexco Tower has a 360-degree view across the city and the Saigon River. Visitors can have a panorama of District 1 from this by a binocular. Great views are enjoyed from the 50th and 51st-floor restaurants, particularly at night. There are also local art exhibitions where you can buy souvenirs for your relatives.
Location: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Opening hours: 09:30-21:30 every day Entrance fee: $10/person in Skydeck.
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The diverse and alluring charms of Vietnam can make it difficult for you to decide where to visit on your next trip to the S-shaped country. If that’s the case, checking out the 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam may help start off your exploration into the country’s rich history and its unrivaled natural landscapes.
1. Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi
Being the only World Heritage Site in Vietnam to locate in the capital city – Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long has long been known for its unmatched historical and cultural values.
Constructed in the 11th Century of the Imperial Era, the Citadel has since transformed and evolved numerous times throughout its long-standing history. During the Vietnam War, the Headquarter of the Communist Party was situated within the site with an impressive underground bunker and an impenetrable war room in case of American bombings. The house was built in 1967; hence the name D67.
The Citadel was actually closed off from the public until 2004. It officially became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 during the celebration of Hanoi’s 1000th birthday.
Location: 19C Hoang Dieu, Dien Bien, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily except for Mondays
Year of recognition: 2010
2. Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Thanh Hoa Province)
Perhaps the more obscure destination compares to the other World Heritage Sites in Vietnam, the Ho Dynasty citadel dates back to the 14th century. While the Ho Dynastic itself only lasted 7 years, the Citadel with an imposing arched gateway is a testament of Vietnamese’s exceptional ingenuity and superior craftsmanship in a flourishing period.
Climb up the towering stone steps to the top of the main gate and have a walk along the wall, you’ll fall in love with the scenic view of the serene Vietnamese countryside. While taking in a deep breath of the fresh air, you can have a chat with the welcoming villagers nearby as they work on fields golden rice paddies that seemingly stretch out to infinity.
The Citadel of the Ho Dynasty may not be as glamorous as other World Heritage sites on the list but its modest beauty will certainly take visitors away from the big buzzing cities into a world of peace and tranquility.
Location: Vinh Tien, Vinh Loc District, Thanh Hoa
Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 6 PM daily
Year of recognition: 2011
3. Complex of Huế Monuments (Hue)
Hue was the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty that closes the historical Imperial Era of Vietnam. The complex of Hue Monuments harmoniously lies along the banks of the Perfume River, giving it a nostalgic and equally romantic setting as if you’re transported back in time.
This Vietnamese World Heritage site covers an extensive area, consisting of many monuments such as the Imperial City, royal residences, temples, tombs and fortresses. A visit to the site will for sure bring visitors into an exploration of the historical, cultural and spiritual essences of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Location: Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province
Opening hours: 8 AM to 5:30 PM daily except for Thursday (opening from 8 AM to 10 PM)
Year of recognition: 1993
4. Halong Bay
Known for its hypnotic, heart-stopping sceneries, Halong Bay has always been a popular travel destination and perhaps the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam.
Attracting millions of visitors each year, Halong Bay entices travelers with the enchanting landscape of magnificent mountainous peaks rising and piercing through the soothing emerald water. Take a rowing boat inside of one of the mystical caves and you’ll witness the hidden limestone pillars as they glisten when the lights touches the reflective water.
An adventure in Ha Long Bay is a journey that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. What else are you waiting for? Get up and book your next trip to Ha Long Bay for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Location: Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province
Year of recognition: 1994
5. Hoi An Ancient Town
Its past as a bustling trading hub from the 15th to 19th century has left an everlasting mark on Hoi An as a city with a mixture of diverse influences. A stroll around Hoi An Ancient Town, which is situated in the very heart of Hoi An, will bring you to the postcard-perfect Japanese bridge, the historic Chinese temples and not to mention the iconic yellow houses of the French colonial era.
One may call Hoi An a dreamy Lantern Town as the place becomes illuminated in the warm amber hues of candle-lit lanterns at night. Through the test of time, the lively spirit of Hoi An still remains and it’s easy to see why it is among the most magical World Heritage Sites in Vietnam.
Location: Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Year of recognition: 1999
6. My Son Sanctuary
Approximately 1h-drive away from Hoi An, a trip to the My Son Sanctuary will take you into a historic period like no other in Vietnam. Built during the Champa civilization between the 4th to 13th century, this Vietnamese World Heritage Site is a striking architectural ensemble of more than 70 tower structures that are believed to be temples and tombs to worship Hindu Gods.
Cradled in a valley between two dramatic mountain ranges, the unique architecture of the temples is said to mirror the glory of the sacred Mount Meru – a mythical mountain at the center of the universe where Hindu gods reside.
Visitors will be able to witness the skillful mastery and technological prowess of the Cham through the intricate carvings on the temples, depicting scenes and iconography of Hindu mythology.
Location: Duy Phu, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Opening hours: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily
Year of recognition: 1999
7. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh Province)
Along with Halong Bay, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the second of Vietnam’s only 2 natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
With a massive network of caves and underground rivers, including the world’s largest cave, many parts of this natural wonder has yet to be discovered. The elaborate karst formation of this mysterious natural World Heritage Site is thought to have been around for over 400 million years.
Exploring the Paradise Cave inside the National Park is a popular activity among visitors. There’s always something for every travelers to enjoy from mud bathing for spa-lovers to thrilling adventures on kayaks and zip lines for adrenaline junkies.
Location: Phong Nha, Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province
Opening hours: 7 AM to 4 PM daily
Year of recognition: 2003
8. Trang An Landscape Complex (Ninh Binh)
Inscribed in 2014, the Trang An Landscape Complex is Vietnam’s latest attraction to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the first mixed heritage for both its natural and cultural significance.
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride as you float along the mellow water to discover hidden caves and visit elegant temples and pagodas. The waterway gracefully curls around perching mountain peaks to reveal open valleys filled with lush golden rice paddies on the river banks.
While the destination is a popular day trip from Hanoi, visitors are highly recommended to stay overnight to fully experience the enchanting magic of this World Heritage Site where the raw natural beauty harmoniously blends in with a folksy, down-to-earth culture of the Red River Delta.
Location: Red River Delta, Ninh Binh Province
Year of recognition: 2014
Vietnam is the ideal travel destination that caters to anyone and everyone. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture-snob or a thrill-seeker, the endless list of attractions including these 8 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Vietnam will always offer something you want.
Grab your passport and go. Your adventure in Vietnam awaits!
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Mai Chau is located in a rural valley with towering cliffs, a unique culture and a relaxed atmosphere and only a three-hour drive from Hanoi. There are some nice things to do in Mai Chau, such as cycling through the beautiful green rice fields, visit minority villages, make a trekking in Pu Luong and enjoy the traditional Tai dances in the evening.
5 reasons to visit Mai Chau
Explore the beautiful rice terraces and jungle of Phu Luong.
Cycle past the rice fields through the Mai Chau valley.
Drive a motorbike to various viewpoints on the Thung Khe Pass.
Explore villages of local hill tribes.
Go on an adventurous trip with a kayak or go rock climbing.
What is in this Mai Chau travel guide
Practical information
Recommended days to stay
There are not a lot of sights to visit, so if you are are here just to relax and bike between the rice fields, minimum two full days is good. If you are planning to visit Pu Luong nature Reserve it is recommended to stay a day or two longer.
ATM’s & money exchange
There are a number of ATMs in Mai Chau, but not in most villages and sometimes hard to find. Take enough cash with you. Most hotels accept a bank card or credit card, but homestays often do not.
Best time to visit
Best travel time: From December to May. The first 2 months can still be cold, but after that it gets warmer. There is also little rain this period.
From November to February it is winter and the temperature can drop to 10 degrees.
The rainy season is from June to September.
10 best things to do in Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a peaceful valley with extensive rice fields, villages of ethnic minorities and some small waterfalls. There is actually not much to do in Mai Chau, but this is what makes the area so attractive to visit. You come here mainly for the peace and the natural beautiful landscape.
1. Cycling through rice fields
Cycling in Mai Chau is great and in fact, it is one of the best places to go cycling in Vietnam. In the valley you will find a beautiful landscape with rice fields surrounded by mountains and small local villages of ethnic minorities. The valley is almost completely flat, with small roads connecting the villages and almost no traffic. This combination makes it the perfect for cycling. You can go with a guide or rent bikes yourself at your hotel or homestay; accommodation offer them often for free or for a very small fee.
2.Homestay experience
One of the best things to do in Mai Chau is stay in a homestay of a local ethnic minority. You learn more about their unique culture and traditions here. You can find homestays in one of the two largest villages in Mai Chau; Poom Coong and Lac. The houses here are usually built on stilts. Life is simple: you wake up to the sound of roosters crowing and farmers going to work, you sleep on a mattress lying on the creaking bamboo floor and you spend your evenings drinking the local wine and watching a cultural show.
Some homestays in Mai Chau have upgrades their accommodation, with more modern facilities and comfortable beds with private bathrooms. These small-scale accommodations are a little less authentic but still provide a unique experience compared to hotels.
3. Ethnic villages
With stilt houses and lush, green rice fields, Ban Lac, Pom Coong and other villages dotted in the valley are quaint and serene, ethnic Thai villages with very hospitable inhabitants. During the day you see the local population working on the land and moving cattle. In the evening, you are invited to relax and enjoy traditional alcoholic beverages and participate in traditional songs and dances of Thai ethnicity. The best way to explore villages in the Mai Chau valley are by bike or a trekking.
4. Go Lao waterfall
One of the most beautiful sights in Mai Chau is the Go Lao waterfall. About 20 meters high and located in a beautiful setting. After descending the unpaved stairs, you stand next to the waterfall. In the dry season there is little water, but you can take a dip in the cool water.
It is located next to Hoa Binh lake so it can be perfectly combined. If you like to see more waterfalls in Mai Chau, you can visit the Pung Waterfall and the Tat Nang waterfall.
5. Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Pu Luong Nature Reserve is not only a top attraction in Mai Chau, but also one of the biggest highlights in Vietnam. In this beautiful landscape you will find very beautiful rice terraces that are immersed by water wheels made of bamboo. There are local villages of ethnic minorities where you can see how they live. The best way to explore this area of villages and paddy fields is by making a trekking. Pu long is one of the hidden jewels of Vietnam.
6. Thung Khe pass
When you take the bus from Hanoi, you already drive over the Thung Khe Pass. but if you don’t stop here is worth going back by car or motorbike. You can rent a scooter yourself and ride this pass, but be very careful here. On this mountain pass you have a viewpoint with the best view over the Mai Chau valley. Drive a bit further to have more amazing views of mountains and the countryside.
7. Hoa Binh lake
Lake Hoa Binh was created after the construction of Hoa Binh hydroelectric power station. It is the largest lake in Vietnam, with 47 large and small islands. You can rent a boat to explore the lake for around VND 50,000 – 70,000.
8. Climbing
The most adventurous activity you can do in Mai Chau is rock climbing. Climb up to have a beautiful view of the Mai Chau valley. There are several possible routes for rock climbing to choose from, something for everyone, regardless of age, athletic ability or level of experience.
9. Caves
The shape of the mountains of Mai Chau come from limestone bottoms of karst, the same type of geological formations that Ha Long Bay has created. Where there is karst, you will find caves and Mai Chau is no exception. The two largest caves in Mai Chau are Mo Luong Cave and Chieu Cave.
10. Go off the beaten track
Mai Chau is already not as popular as Sapa or Ninh Binh, but you can even go more off the beaten track here if you don’t mind traveling a bit.
The two earlier mentioned waterfalls Pung and Tat Nang are located further from the tourist villages and are hardly visited by other travelers. In addition they are located in a stunning landscape. Around the latter named waterfall you can visit the entire area of Van Ho with many villages of ethnic minorities and beautiful rice fields. Continue a little further to Pac Co village where you can visit an unique ethnic minority market on Sundays. Around the Pung waterfall you will find one of the few terraced rice fields of Mai Chau in various places.
Best hotels & hostels in Mai Chau
In Mai Chau there are two villages where tourists look for their accommodation: Lac and Pom Coong. These two villages are also right next to each other, with a few hundred meters away. Most accommodations consist of homestays, but there are also a few hotels and luxury resorts. In the village there are shops and a few restaurants.
Budget hotels & hostels
Little Mai Chau Home Stay
Mai Chau Backpackers House
Lim’s house
Eco Homestay
Mid range hotel
Mai Chau Nature Lodge
Mai Chau Valley View Hotel
High end hotel & resort
Mai Chau Villas
Mai Chau HideAway Resort
Mai Chau Ecolodge
Food & drinking
Restaurants
There are a few restaurants in Mai Chau, but it is more likely that you eat at your homestay, hotel or resort. Eating at a homestay overnight is often included in the price and the food is great. There is no menu. Classic, country-style dishes are served from a set menu for lunch and dinner. It is simple and nutritious and a good fuel to explore the region.
The restaurants in Mai Chau can be find in the main villages, surrounded by shops. Expect mainly local dishes. For western food you want to check the restaurants that are part of a resort.
Nightlife
There is no real nightlife in Mai Chau; which is only a good thing for a town in this setting. But every night there are traditional dance shows being giving to welcome the new guest. You can find these shows at some of the hotels and resorts.
How to get there
Mai Chau does not have a railway station or airport. If you want to use this, it is best to first travel to Hanoi and from here travel to Mai Chau.
Busses to Mai Chau
The easiest and fastest way is by minibus from Hanoi. These minibuses from Hanoi to Mai Chau are also included in most Mai Chau packages with accommodation.
Direct buses to Mai Chau leave from My Dinh bus station in Hanoi at 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The journey costs around 80,000-100,000 and lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours. If you want to stay in the villages of Lac or Pom Coong, ask the bus driver to drop you off there. You will be dropped off at the crossroads, were you can get a taxi to your accommodation.
Buses return to Hanoi at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Host families in your homestay or hotel can reserve this bus for you and arrange for you to be picked up from the village.
How to get around
The best way to explore Mai Chau is walking or cycling. As you cycle or walk along the unpaved roads of Mai Chau, you can enjoy the landscape, wildflowers, rice fields, villages and the locals moving cattle from place to place. Guides can propose trekking or cycling paths. Most hotels and homestays have free bikes or can recommend a bicycle provider for a small fee.
In addition, if you are staying in a resort they also have electric golf buggies which they use to drive their guest around the rice fields. It is quiet, comfortable and offers a bit more cover for the sun.
Itinerary 2 days in Mai Chau
Check our 2 day example itinerary below to know what to do in Mau Chau.
Day 1
The first day is a day of relaxation. Rent a bike and explore the valley. Drive through peaceful villages, past rice fields and see how the locals live.
Day 2
Visit the main highlight of the area: Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Plan an organized trekking tour or day tour by motorcycle or car through this area. If you have more time it is recommended to stay here for at least one night.
More tips for traveling in Mai Chau
Where to go next?
Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a good next destination after Mai Chau. You can also visit both Mau Chau and Pu Luong with our tours to Mai Chau, including transfers from Hanoi.
You can also choose to go directly from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh and from here travel back to Hanoi or go farther south to Phong Nha or Hue / Hoi An.
For other destinations in north Vietnam you always have to travel to Hanoi first. From Hanoi you can go to Halong Bay, Ha Giang or Sapa; though we recommend to either choose to go to Sapa or Mai Chau and not visit both if you have not many days to travel in Vietnam.
For people that want to go off the beaten track, they can head to Son La with Moc Chau. Here you can visit tea plantations, mountains and more minority villages.
Mai Chau with kids
This valley is one of the best places to travel in Vietnam with kids. Staying in a resort with a pool is highly recommended. Biking through the rice fields over small roads with little to no traffic at all. In addition, it is a great place to learn children about the ethnic minorities that live here.
Language
It might not be as touristy as other destinations in north Vietnam, it has developed over the years. English at the resorts is often spoken, the homestays and restaurants often much less, but they always have an English menu.
What to bring
The valley can get very hot most of the year, only not during the winter months in and around December and January. In the summer it can rain more. For that reason it is always good to see which season you are going.
Plan well before your cruise to make your every moment in Mai Chau unforgettable.Make your plan to Vietnam right now by apply a Vietnam visa at vietnamvisapro.net. We, a reputable and reliable Visa service, will assist you turn your plan into reality at the very first step
Con Dao is a name of an archipelago of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province in the south of Vietnam. It is the largest island in the chain of 16 mountainous islands and islets, with a total area of 76km² and the local population is about 5,000 inhabitants. Con Dao Island is known for not only the prison system to detain and torture the political prisoners but also the lovely romantic beaches and the beauty of the wild nature. Ranked fourth in the top 10 must-see places in Asia in 2016 by Lonely Planet magazine, the island has now become an international charming tourism destination for tourists worldwide to explore
Con Dao Island has been referred as“The Hell on Earth”with the notorious prison built and ran by French colonist and American military during Vietnam War. This place is full of prisons, where many medieval punishments and tortures were carried out. Anyone arrested there would suffer the death slowly and painfully.
The most famous and terrible prison is “tiger cages” established in 1940 in order to incarcerate about 2,000 Vietnamese political prisoners. Containing 120 chambers having ceiling bars, where the jailers poked at the prisoners like tigers in the zoo. The prisoners were hit by the sticks from above and even sprinkled with water and lime. More horribly, jailers even invented “sunbathe room”, known as the “tiger cages” with no roof to force people inside to suffer from the sun heat for days. These “tiger cages” were constructed away from the major prisons and were not excavated until 1970 when Tom Harkin, a US congressional aide visited the town of Con Son and saw evidence of the brutal maltreatment of prisoners. Apart from “tiger cages”, Phu Hai Prison, Phu Binh camp or Hang Duong Cemetery are also the famous places which conjure up a dark memory in Con Dao that makes anyone trembling when reminding of the past.
Sightseeing on Con Dao Island
Con Dao Island nowadays is famous for the beautiful and untouched beaches in Vietnam. Travelers will be surprised at the splendid beauty of the island with lovely beaches, scenic bays, coral reefs, and partially covered in thick forests. As the largest one among 16 islands, Con Dao possesses 200km of ideal coast with crystal emerald sea and fine white sandy beaches. From a bird’s eye view, this island looks like a powerful hunting sea bear amidst the incredible blue of the sea.
Con Dao is one of the few places in Vietnam that is home to rare dugong, sea turtles, and dolphins, and to varieties of orchids found nowhere else in this country. It is a shining example of good conservation. 80% of the land area of the archipelago is a National Park offering primary jungle teeming with interesting life such as the endemic black squirrel and the crab-eating macaque.
2.1. Dam Trau Beach
It is hard to ignore Dam Trau Beach which is considered as one of the most beautiful beaches on Con Dao Island. Located 15km to the north of Con Son town center, Dam Trau is home to stunning sceneries of smooth white sand that stretches along the bottom of all-shaped cliffs and has symbolized a yellow ribbon tied across the green carpet. Since the beach is surrounded by pockets of tropical jungle, old green pine trees and a prominent bamboo forest, the air is so fresh and the space is so quite. This is an ideal place for anyone to wind down.
2.2. An Hai Beach
An Hai Beach is the main beach of Con Dao Island, where most resorts and hotels are located. The beach stretches quite a long distance with white smooth sand, crystal waters and calm waves. It is relatively crowded, especially before sunset so if you want a quieter place, walk a bit far to the south, you could explore a new vision of peace and tranquility with your own patch of sand.
2.3. Lo Voi Beach
Lo Voi Beach is located in the northern of Con Son town center directly in front of some Con Dao’s famous prison complexes. There is no hotel built next to the beach, which makes it more unspoiled and cleaner than the other beaches. The sand here is quite dark and there is seaweed scattered on it, looking like as an isolated area. The ideal time to visit Lo Voi Beach is in the morning just after the sunrise when the tide recedes. You can see the very first light shining on this island while slowly walking around the wet, soft sand on the shore.
2.4. Bai Nhat Beach
Bai Nhat Beach is only exposed during low tide in the afternoon. You can visit the beach from 2PM to 7PM every day. Bai Nhat is a picturesque beach, with white sand, blue water, pleasant waters and wonderful natural scenery. It is also considered as the best place to watch the sunset in not only Con Son but also in Vietnam generally. Many couples come to this beach to take their wedding photoshoots because of the view and the stories about its backdrop mountains, which resembles two people embracing each other dearly.
2.5. Bay Canh Island
Bay Canh is the second largest island among 16 islands in Con Dao archipelago with the highest number of sea turtles in Vietnam. Each year there are hundreds of mother tortoises on the spawning grounds. The whole island is covered by primitive tropical forest, with rich composition and forest vegetation. Come to Bay Canh island, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the mangrove ecosystem and go snorkeling to view the coral. The coral reefs here are very diverse with species of plate coral, table type, branches, blocks which are in Vietnam’s Red Data Book.
2.6. Dat Doc beach
Dat Doc Beach has recently become famous as it is home to 5-star luxurious Six Senses Con Dao Resort – one of Vietnam’s best beach resorts. The beach attracts tourists with clear sea water, slight waves and long white sandbank. Passing through small trails deep in the forest, Dat Doc Beach appears with untouched image, covered by green forests and canyons reaching out to the coast made up the small beach that is romantic and privacy. Although the resort is restricted to public visitors, there is a small area that you can stop for a while and take some photos.
2.7. Con Dao National Park
Established in 1993, Con Dao National Park is the only place in the country where both forest and marine life are conserved. Famous for its wild beauty, thefloral system in Con Dao National Park is extremely rich with over 882 species of plants and 150 species of animals. If you like to walk through the forest to breathe fresh air, hear the birds singing, or to watch colorful butterflies and many other animals, a trip to Con Dao National Park is recommended. Not only that, the beaches around the national park are also very beautiful and deserted so you can also participate in fishing services, snorkeling, or cycling here.
Best time to visit Con Dao island
Since Con Dao is isolated from the mainland and located in the Asian monsoon climate and influenced by ocean climate, its weather is relatively cool and pleasant all year round. There are two seasons: rainy season and dry season. The rainy season runs from April to September with the highest rainfall in August and September. Meanwhile, in dry season, from October to March, it is cool with the annual average temperature of 27°C.
So depending on your travel purposes, you can consider and choose your best time to visit Con Dao Island:
For those who are adore diving and exploring the ocean, the period from February to July is a perfect choice when the beach is relatively calm with gentle waves and the waters around Con Dao have visibility averaging between 20 and 30m. • If you want to discover nature and wild life, you should consider visiting Con Dao during the dry season when you have chance to see turtles nesting on Hon Bay Canh Island. • If you are into history, you can visit Con Dao anytime except for the storm season, starting from September to October.
How to get to Con Dao Island
Situated at about 185km from Vung Tau City and 230km from Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao can be reached by plane from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho or by speedboat from Soc Trang, Can Tho and Vung Tau.
4.1. By plane
The fastest and most convenient way is to take a flight to Con Dao Airport. There are direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho to Cao Dao operated daily by VASCO collaborating with Vietnam Airlines – the best current airline of Vietnam. It usually takes about 65 minutes to fly from Tan Son Nhat Airport or 50 minutes from Can Tho Airport to Con Dao Airport. The price for round-trip ticket is about 150-200 USD.
4.2. By speedboat
If you would like to have a new experience, traveling to Con Dao by speedboat is another choice. You can depart from Can Tho, Vung Tau or Soc Trang and reach Ben Dam port in Cao Dao Island after 2,5 – 4-hours journey. Recently, there are two companies operating the trip to Con Dao Island. Check out the detailed schedule and ticket price as below tables:
* Con Dao Express
Time
Route
Departure – Arrival Time
Adult
Children <11 years old Senior > 60 years old
Mon – Thu
Can Tho – Con Dao Con Dao – Can Tho
7:00 – 11:00
610,000VND
520,000VND
Fri – Sun
12:00 – 16:00
660,000VND
600,000VND
Mon – Thu
Vung Tau – Con Dao Con Dao – Vung Tau
8:00 – 12:00
660,000VND
550,000VND
Fri – Sun
13:30 – 17:30
880,000VND
700,000VND
Mon – Thu
Soc Trang – Con Dao Con Dao – Soc Trang
9:00 – 11:00
320,000VND
260,000VND
Fri – Sun
13:30 – 15:30
350,000VND
290,000VND
* Superdong Speedboat
Time
Route
Departure – Arrival Time
Adult
Children <11 years old
Mon – Sun
Soc Trang – Con Dao
8:00 – 10:30 13:15 – 15:30
310,000VND
230,000VND
Con Dao – Soc Trang
8:00 – 10:30 13:00 – 14:45
Accommodations on Con Dao Island
Almost all accommodation on Con Dao is in the small town of Con Son. You can find here budget local guest house, homestays, mid-range hotels to luxury resorts with price vary from 20 USD to 2,000 USD per night.
The most reputable and luxury resort on Con Dao Island is Six Senses Con Dao at Dat Doc Beach. It is designed in contemporary style, yet draws on the essence of a traditional fishing village. The resort is out of reach of the hustle and bustle of Con Dao Town with a long private beach, which give you a perfect space to chill out and enjoy your holiday. Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa is another high-end accommodation you may consider. Inspired by a harmonious blend of Vietnamese traditional design and French colonial heritage dating from the early 20th century, the resort embodies the richness of Vietnamese culture with the vibrancy of the present.
For some mid-range hotels, it is suggested to choose Villa Maison Con Dao Boutique Hotel, Con Dao Resort, Saigon Con Dao Resort or Former ATC Resort… The room rate varies from 50 USD to 100 USD per night. For those who are tight on budget, a mini hotel or local homestay is a good choice, namely, Lighthouse Boutique Hotel, Phi Yen Hotel, Uyen’s House Homestay, Red Hotel… with price from 20-40 USD.
Conclusion
Overall, Con Dao Island is an extremely perfect destination for an authentic getaway you should not miss in your travel list. The island itself is a paradise off the beaten track and is recognized by the immense natural beauty with forested hills, untouched sandy beaches and extensive coral reefs perfect for diving. Let’s get rid of the hectic traffic and the thousands of noisy motorcycles and then immerse yourself in the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere on the pretty island.
On the way to explore Danang and Hoian, tourists often choose to visit Marble Mountains, Linh Ung Pagoda, Bana Hills, Hoian Ancient Town and popular beaches such as My Khe Beach, Cua Dai or An Bang Beach. Besides these places, My Son Holy land can’t be missed for those who are interested in culture and history of Cham people while they are in Danang and Hoian. If Hoian enchants tourists by colorful lanterns along downtown streets by night, Da Nang city is lit up brilliantly by colorful lights of bridges, buildings and civil houses. Charming red towers in My Son surely amaze tourists in the sunset with the story about the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for the most of its existence.
Location: Quang Nam Province, 69 km southwest of Da Nang City
Opening hours: 6AM to 5PM
Entrance fee: 150,000 VND/ foreigner visitor – 100,000 VND/ for local
Between the 4th to 13th centuries, there was a unique culture developed on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Indian Hinduism. This is demonstrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site of My Son Holy Land, which was the religious and political capital of the Cham Pa Kingdom for most of its existence. Through stone stele and royal dynasties, My Son was proven to be the most important Holy Land of the Cham people during the mentioned centuries, reflecting their style and history.
The Cham people belong to an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. They formed the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Cham is a remnant of the Cham Pa Kingdom (7th to 15th centuries), closely related to the Malay race.
The property is located in the mountainous border Duy Xuyen District of Quang Nam Province, around 75km from Hoian, 69km southwest of Da Nang city and 150km from Hue. It is surrounded by a ring of mountains, which provides the watershed for the Thu Bon River of Hoi An. The location gives the sites its strategic importance as it is also easily defensible.
My Son used to be a group of more than 70 structures (mainly temples and towers) built by Cham Kings to commemorate important events during their reign. After the Champa Kingdom was defeated, the temples were abandoned among lush nature until 1903, when Henri Parmentier – a French archaeologist, and his team began an excavation of the site.
During the excavation, Henri organized the complex of My Son into 14 sections according to the alphabet. For better orientation, every temple has its own number within a group, for example A1, A2, B1, B2…. Currently, sections A – G are the easiest areas to access thanks to the walking paths.
Cultural Values Of My Son Holy land
In 1999, My Son was honorably recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with two criterions:
Criterion (ii): The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with an indigenous society adapting to external cultural influences, notably the Hindu art and architecture of the Indian sub-continent.
Criterion (iii): The Champa Kingdom was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South – East Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son.
Religion
Situated inside the 2-kilometer-wide valley in Quang Nam province, the My Son Sanctuary temple complex used to be the central praying and worshiping ceremony place of Cham Pa reigns. It was considered as the tool to assist the reigns to contact with God and Saints. The land accordingly becomes the significant religious and cultural center of Cham Pa reigns.
The ruins of My Son are not as grand and impressive as those of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. However, the site was inhabited from the 4th to the 15th century AD, far longer than any of the other Indian-influenced sites in the region including the famous sites of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia, Bagan in Myanmar, or Ayutthaya in Thailand.
Cham-style Architecture
According to records on the stone stele, the initial foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Siva Bhadreshwara genie but this temple was destroyed by a big fire in the late 16th century. After that, the next structures were built with red bricks by the kings of the Champa Kingdom.
My Son used to be a group of more than 70 structures including temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. Bricks are main material for the construction of the Cham Towers. Each historical period has its own identity so that each temple worshiping a genie, or a king of a different dynasty has its own architectural style of different impressions. Most of the temples point to the East, the sun direction because Champa people believed that the East was the place where the gods lived.
All of the Cham towers were built on a quad-rate foundations and each comprises three parts: a solid tower base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and sacred tower body, representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the shape of a man offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing things that are close to the spirits and human beings. My Son sanctuary is truly a vivid proof reflecting Cham-style architecture which is much influenced by India style.
The architectural art of the Cham towers at My Son Sanctuary is the convergence of different styles, including the continuity of the ancient style in the 7th-8th centuries, the Hoa Lai style of the 8th-9th centuries, the Dong Duong style from the mid-9th century, My Son and My Son-Binh Dinh styles, etc.
However, it has yet been unable to figure out the reasonable explanation how and by what kind of substance Cham people could stick red baked bricks together to form such solid structures. High shrine towers with double pillars, solid walls, elaborate carvings and striking sculptures, all reflect the exclusive beauty of Cham culture.
Although many towers have been destroyed by the time and the wars, the remaining sculptural and architectural remnants still reflect the style and history of the art of the Cham people. Their masterpieces mark a glorious time for the architecture and culture of the Cham, as well as of Southeast Asia. They are also vivid proof, confirming the history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich cultural tradition.
How to Get to My Son Holy land?
Taxi
Taxi is the fastest transportation to go from Da Nang or Hoian to My Son but the taxi fare is quite expensive, ranging from 700,000 VND to 800,000 VND one-way. So, it may not suitable for those having a low budget.
Local Bus
In contrast with taxi, bus is the cheapest means of transportation. But the drawback is that the waiting time for a bus is quite long. Thus, you need to be very patient. The right bus leading you to My Son is bus number 06, which departs from Da Nang Central Bus Station directly to My Son. The price is between 8,000 VND to 30,000 VND.\
Motorbike
This means of transportation is suitable for adventurous persons loving to explore the roads in Vietnam. However, most of the road to My Son from Da Nang or Hoian was busy and dusty and not interesting. Only after reaching the point where is only 10 km left, the surroundings change a little and lead through a countryside, rice fields and nice views of the mountains.
Private Car/Van
This is the most comfortable way to discover My Son. Our driver & Local guide will wait for you at your hotel lobby, Pick you up at your convenient time and the most enjoyable visit. The private car/ Van of Vietnam Travel could stop along the way for your tea and photo opportunity.
If you want to save time and gain much experience, the best option is to book a day trip with escorted tour guide from Da Nang or Hoian to My Son with Vietnam Travel.
Tips on Visiting My Son Holy land
Best time to visit My Son?
You can visit My Son Sanctuary in the early morning, right after the gate is opened to avoid the extreme heat here, but please note that there are more and more people coming here for sunrise tours. Another option is to visit the site in the afternoon, around 2 pm, when all the tourists are gone.
Overview: Straight after the ticket check point you will find a small museum, where you can read some interesting facts about the discovery of My Son and its preservation and look at a few artifacts.
Weather: My Son is usually in very hot weather, so it’s better to use the free electric shuttle with 10-minute ride to save a ton of energy. The shuttle leaves every 15-25 minutes. It will take you to lush jungles, then drop you off close to the ruins, and from there it’s only a couple of minutes walking.
Safety: Walk only through the marked paths and don’t detour into the lush forest by yourself, since there is still a de-mining process going on in the area of My Son.
Show: Traditional Cham dance show takes place in a small performance hall 3 times a day: at 09:30, 10:30 and 2:30. You can enjoy watching the beautiful local dancers moving to the beat of the rhythmic music.
Northwest Vietnam is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, lush, terraced rice fields, diverse culture of different minority groups, especially unique bustling local markets. For those who love to explore the ethnic culture, learn more about the local daily life and enjoy nature beauty, visiting 8 best local markets around Sapa listed as below is a perfect way to do.
Sapa market is right in Sapa town, about 1,5km from Stone Church. Opening every day for people to buy and sell products, it is the most popular and touristic market. The most impressive feature of Sapa market is its unique brocade products in vibrant colors, and subtle patterns of the H’Mong, Dao Do, and Giay. On the other hand, such products as fruits, vegetables, and spices are also favorite goods of tourists.
Every Saturday night, Sapa Love Market would be operated, a place for young men and women from other villages come find partners. They show up sentiments and loving gestures through playing leaf-horns, traditional games, singing and dancing basing on special melodies, and if luckily, they might become husband and wife. However, due to the influence of the tourism industry, it is no longer a place to find true love; however, you can find something special here.
Time: Every morning (*Sapa Love market opens on Saturday night only)
Coc Ly Market
Coc Ly is a colorful market in a mountainous area where the Nung, Tay, Black Zao and H’mong ethnic minorities frequently gather every Tuesday. Here you will find a variety of goods from local fruits, vegetables, honey and corn wine to colorful fabrics, clothes and embroidered items, horses, cows and buffalos. For ethnic locals, going to market is an interesting activity which is an important chance for them to sell and buy products, to meet friends and exchange information, to date and find partners.
Time: Every Tuesday morning Distance from Sapa: 80 km
Sin Cheng Market
On every Wednesday, Sin Cheng market (100 km from Lao Cai Railways Station, or nearly 40km from Bac Ha Town) offers the opportunity to discover a colorful gathering point of many local minorities such as the Flower H’mong, Tay, Nung and Thu Lao.
This market is not only a place for people trading local products like buffalos, horses, vegetables, herbs, clothes…. but it is also a socialized place for the young people to meet and find partners, for the old to get away from life’s struggles, and for men to enjoy the traditional corn whiskey with their old buddy.
Time: Wednesday morning Distance from Sapa: 130 km
Cao Son Market
Cao Son is a small market of 4 ethnic minorities of Mong, Phu La, Dao and Black Han living in Muong Khuong district. Opened every Wednesday, this colorful market is set among majestic rolling mountains, terraced rice fields and mighty Chay river. Coming here, you will have opportunity to interact with local people, see how they exchange local goods and learn about their cultures. Like other local markets, the main products in Cao son include vegetables, herbs, honey, corn wine, household items, jewelry, brocade fabric, etc.
Time: Wednesday morning Distance from Sapa: 90 km
Lung Khau Nhin Market
Located close to the border with China, about 80km from Sapa, Lung Khau Nhin market is operated every Thursday, starting around 7.30am and closing in the early afternoon. Compared to the other local markets, Lung Khau Nhin is smaller but older. This market is a place for Black Dao, Giay, Tay and Flower H’Mong groups to exchange agricultural products such as corn, rice, soybean, peanut, vegetables, handicrafts and livestocks.
Time: Thursday morning Distance from Sapa: 80 km
Can Cau Market
Can Cau Market is one of the most attractive outdoor markets in Sapa, specializing in cattle trade, or known as the largest buffalo market in the Northwest. This market is only 7km from the Chinese border, so do not be surprised when you see a large number of Chinese traders here. Organized every Saturday, Can Cau attracts many people from several ethnic groups surrounding like Flower H’mong, Black Dao, Red Dao, Tay… come to this market to sell and buy their products from vegetables, honey, rice, herbs, brocade fabrics to several of livestock like pigs, dogs, chickens, horses, etc.
Time: Saturday morning Distance from Sapa: 120 km
Bac Ha Market
Bac Ha Market is typically assumed to be the largest and most famous market in Northwest region. The market takes place every Sunday, from 6.00am to 2.00pm but the best time to visit the market is in the early morning. It is so crowded with several ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Nung, Tay, Phu La, Xa Fang… They come from the surrounding hills and valleys and have to walk for some hours to take part in the market. Here you can see the local women in their beautiful handmade traditional clothing and colorful scarves focusing on selling and buying their local products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, brocade, homemade wine, etc.
Time: Sunday morning Distance from Sapa: 100 km.
Muong Hum Market
Muong Hum market is located in a small valley in Bat Xat district, next to lovely stream and surrounded by majestic mountains. Taking place every Sunday morning, this is a place for Hmong, Dao, Ha Nhi and Giay ethnic people to gather, meet, communicate each other and trade local communities in a very traditional and intimate village setting. Muong Hum is not as famous and touristic as Sunday Bac Ha market so it offers you the authenticity and bring you the true experience of mountainous hill tribe cultures.
Nam Du Island, around 40 kilometers away from Phu Quoc, is becoming an attractive destination for backpackers heading to the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang. This pristine island has 21 islets, 11 islets of which are inhabited, while the others remain completely untouched.
The immense blue sea and sky, imposing mountains erupting amidst the ocean, endless evergreen primeval forests, long stunning beaches and splendid rock cliffs of Nam Du Archipelago (Quan dao Nam Du– in Vietnamese) in Kien Giang Province have seen it compared to the “New Wonder of the World” – Halong Bay in Quang Ninh Province.
The archipelago stretches over two communes of An Son and Nam Du with a population of 10,000 people working in fishing and sea-related services. Formed from a volcano, it has numerous six-meter creeks which are advantageous for transportation. As it is endowed with high mountains, Nam Du also is suggested as a great spot for offshore fishermen to flee rough storms.
There are two main seasons in Nam Du: dry season (from November to May) and rainy season (from May to October). The rainy season is characterized by rain, and during the peak of this season from July to September, it may have a lot more rain and rough seas. Hence, the best time to visit Nam Du Island is from December to April when the sea is peaceful and turquoise, the temperature is comfortable, and the weather is consistent and sunny.
HOW TO GET TO NAM DU ISLAND
By Plane You can take a flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc to Rach Gia Airport (Kien Giang Province) and then take a bus or taxi from the airport to Rach Gia wharf to catch a ferry to Nam Du.
Ferry to Nam Du Island from Rach Gia At the Rach Gia ferry wharf, you can take Phu Quoc Express Boat, Superdong Speed-boat or Ngoc Thanh Ferry to Nam Du Island. The Phu Quoc Express Boat and Superdong Speed-boat are efficient, orderly, air-con and comfortable. Seating is assigned and you get a bottle of water, a refresher towel and entertainment on flat-screen TVs.
Ferry
Route
Departure
Arrival
Adult
Child
Phu Quoc Express VIP Catamaran
Rach Gia – Nam Du
6:30 ——- 11:45
8:30 ——- 13:45
250,000 VND
200,000 VND
Nam Du – Rach Gia
9:00 ——- 14:30
11:00 ——- 17:30
Ngoc Thanh
Rach Gia – Nam Du
7:30
9:45
205,000 VND
145,000 VND
Nam Du – Rach Gia
12:15
14:30
Superdong
Rach Gia – Nam Du
7:20
9:50
210,000 VND
150,000 VND
8:45
11:15
Nam Du – Rach Gia
11:00
13:30
11:50
15:20
GETTING AROUND NAM DU ISLAND By Boat: To explore the surrounding islands like Hon Lon and visit some beautiful places, you can rent a private boat or join in a group. Find a boat of the local people at the main pier on Hon Lon Island.
By Motorbike: The main road to Hon Lon Island is paved and you can rent a motorbike from your motel/guesthouse for about 150,000 VND – 200,000 VND per day. One of the most memorable things to do in Nam Du Island is to ride around the coast at sunset. The scenery is so stunning, and the ocean sunset is absolutely gorgeous.
By “Xe om”: You can also hire a motorbike taxi driver to visit some of the popular sites on Hon Lon. Sometimes, they will be a tour guide showing what and where you should visit on Nam Du Island.
ACCOMMODATIONS ON NAM DU Almost hotels, guesthouses in Nam Du Island are motel and they are still basic. There are two ways to spend your night on Nam Du Island, rent a hotel’s room or choose homestay with the locals. For those who like experience, you can rent a tent in beach to spend your night.
The majority of the accommodation options in Nam Du are available on Hon Lon Island. They range from simple guesthouse to motels and price vary from 100,000 VND to 500,000 VND per night. You should check and book a room in advance, especially on the weekends. To enjoy the sound of sea waves with an ocean view, you can book a room in Phuong Vu Hotel (outside of Cu Tron Town), Humiso Resort, Thao Thuong Camp, Kim Yen Motel, Thuy Diep Motel and Sau Co Motel in Hon Lon Island.
Camping on Nam Du Island is also popular for tourists who want to have a special experience. Hon Dau Island is the most suitable beach for overnight cause of coconuts and long sandy beach, price for rent beach is 30,000VND and 40,000VND per night for rent a tent.
KEY SITES Hon Lon Island Hon Lon, also known as Big Island, locally called Cu Tron islet, is Nam Du’s largest island on Nam Du, where you can find most accommodations, restaurants and the ferry dock. Hon Lon Island is famous for its lighthouse, a restricted military zone and has some stunning beaches: Dat Do Beach, Nhun Beach, Men Beach and Mam Beach. And Men Beach is the most beautiful one of Nam Du Archipelago with green row of coconut, white sands and blue sea.
Hon Dau Island A must-see location is Dau Islet, which is 95 percent forest and also boasts shady, picturesque coconut gardens, simple yellow sand beach. Tourists should take a boat trip around the whole archipelago, cruising along Nom Ngoai, Dam, Hang, Moc, and Tre islands’ beautiful rocky beaches.
Hon Ngang Island Hon Ngang is the center island of Nam Du, where most of the people live. It takes 30 minutes to get here from Hon Lon by boat. There is no means of transport on this island, you have to walk around to explore the island, visit the pier to see a sea inundated with fishing boats and fish farms for a photo opportunity. Tourists can also rent a room in the local’s guesthouse for an overnight stay.
Hon Mau Island Mau Island is about 2 square kilometers and has a small fishing village with a hundred households. This is famous for beautiful beaches lined with coconut trees and Chuong beach is the best because it is the only real white sand beach. Other beaches are Nam beach, Nom beach, Da Den beach and Da Trang beach. Hon Mau is rapidly expanding to accommodate the tourist surge and there is now a sizable community found on the island that cater to the growing tourism sector.
Hai Bo Dap Island Hai Bo Dap is an uninhabited island that is surrounded by coral. Most island hopping tours stop here for camping, swimming, snorkeling and fishing. One of the unique features of this island is its natural bridge that connects two islands together to form Hai Bo Dap. This natural sea bridge can only be seen at low tide.
WHAT TO EXPLORE ON NAM DU ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO Trekking and Hiking For people who love some sport activities, trekking to Nhum Beach is a great experience, you need to hike along a small trail, pass the towns fresh water supply source, and down through a densely forested area teeming with wildlife. The trail eventually leads to a rocky beach and the best time to hike this trail is before sunrise.
Snorkelling Nam Du Archipelago is plentiful marine life and coral reefs, and Hon Dau Island is a perfect destination for diving, snorkelling that offers you a discovery of the colorful world of wonderful coral reefs. You can snorkel from shore, join a tour, or charter your own boat and don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and your swimming goggles.
Sunrises and sunsets Nam Du’s Ocean sunrises and sunsets are some of the best you will ever see in Vietnam and since the island is so small you can actually watch from a single location. The pier at Hon Lon Island is a perfect spot to watch the sunrise right behind Hon Dau Island. Be sure to keep an eye out above to spot the few hawks in the area. Meanwhile, sunset along the coastal road on Hon Lon Island is breathtaking. Stop anywhere along this road and watch an amazing ocean sunset.
Fishing and foraging on Nam Du You can either fish from the main pier, commission a small boat, or rent a boat. There are also night squid and baby octopus fishing excursions that may be of interest to you. You can also forage for your own food as all the Nam Du Island are blessed with many wild edibles and seafood such as sea snails, oysters, clams and sea urchins.
Nam Du Lighthouse Nam Du Lighthouse is located on the top of Hon Lon Island, 300 meters above the sea level and it is considered to be the highest lighthouse in all of Vietnam. With this height, tourists can see the most beautiful panorama of Nam Du island. However, it is a restricted military zone and most visitors to Nam Du will not be able to visit it without “tipping” someone or being invited by the military.
Temples and pagodas There are two colorful temples called Mieu Ba Chua Xu and Ngu Thanh Mieu. Mieu Ba Chua Xu is near Tret Beach having a beautiful statue of Ba. Ngu Thanh Mieu is near Bai Ngu, worships whales and you can see their bones on display.
Nam Du Island discovery tour Discover the Nam Du Archipelago by joining a full or half day tour of the Nam Du Islands. The itinerary for these tours consists of visiting the popular islands, swimming at calm bays, snorkeling in areas that have good coral, and visiting Nam Du’s best beaches. There are 2 tours available, a full day tour or half day tour so you should consider with your schedule.
SPECIAL FOODS ON NAM DU ISLAND Nam Du Island specialty dish is Blue bonefish or “Xuong Xanh”, as this green colored fish is quite abundant in and around the Gulf of Thailand. It is of served grilled or a dried version is fried.
Grilled scallop with fat and onion Scallops are a popular seafood with delicious ivory flesh without toughness, suitable for both fried and roasted, and is one of the materials to be processed into a variety of delicious and nutritious dishes such as: fried scallop with salt and pepper, grilled scallop with fat and union.
Steamed squid with ginger During the breeding season, squids contain many eggs, for more than 70% of a squid. With Squid eggs, you can make many a tasty dish like: fried squid eggs with chili fried ruffled squid, but the most striking is still steamed squid with ginger.
PERMITS FOR FOREIGNERS Nam Du is a popular tourist attraction among Vietnamese people. Foreigners are only allowed on the island with a permit. Foreigners need a valid passport, visa, residence papers and “permits for entry into maritime boundary areas issued by provincial-level public security departments” to go to Nam Du Island. However, Nam Du is off limits to foreigners because Nam Du businesses cater to mainly “package tourists and tour group”, please check for foreigner’s permission information to travel to Nam Du, which is best worth to spend your beach holiday when you want to extend your trip.
Da Nang is halfway between the capital Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh city in the south. It is the fourth largest city in Vietnam. Apart from some historical sites, the famous Hai Van Pass, the Son Tra peninsula and the beaches are the main reason for staying here.
5 reasons to visit Da Nang
Drive motorbike over the Hai Van Pass
Explore the Son Tra peninsula
Rock climbing at the Marble Mountains
Relax on the beach
Watch the fire show of the dragon bridge
What is in this Da Nang travel guide
Practical information
Recommended days to stay
If you are in Da Nang in the right season, it is a great place to stay for a few days at the beach. If you are desire a bit more culture and things to do, it is recommended to skip this city and stay in the neighboring town of Hoi An.
ATM’s & money exchange
There are ATMs everywhere in the city, including a number at international banks.
Local events and holidays
Danang International Fireworks Festival: Held in the months of May or June, with spectacular displays of international fireworks teams illuminating the river and bridges.
Best time to visit
Dry season: April – August
Monsoon season: September – March
Warmest months: June – August (with the highest average temperature of 35 ° C)
Coolest months: November – January (with lowest average temperature of 18 ° C)
10 best things to do in Da Nang
Not long ago, Da Nang was a port town like so many can be found in Vietnam. However, in a short time Da Nang has developed into one of the largest and most modern cities in Vietnam. The beautiful beaches of Da Nang and the surrounding area have made the city one of the best beach destination in Vietnam.
There are lots of things to do in Da Nang, but especially around it. It is located right between the two ancient cities of Hoi An and Hue and you can find impressive national parks and stunning coastal roads.
1. Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass is at number one of the top 10 things to do in Da Nang. Made famous in an episode of the Top Gear TV show, the Hai Van Pass is now a must-do for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts and adventurers looking for alternative things to do in Da Nang.
This 21 km long mountain pass between Da Nang and Hue offers some of the most incredible ocean views. A new highway tunnel that has been built ensures that the traffic over the mountain pass is minimal. Rent a scooter in the city and leave early in the morning if you plan to be back in Da Nang the same day.
2. Son Tra
The beautiful rainforest that juts out into the sea from the city of Da Nang is called the Son Tra peninsula. Rent a scooter to ride the newly constructed road to the end of the peninsula and view the nature reserve and head to the top for a great view. If you are lucky you can see a very rare monkey, the red Duoc Langur. There are also a host of unspoilt beaches along the peninsula, making it one of the most beautiful and unspoilt sights in Da Nang.
3. Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a cluster of marble and limestone hills just 7 km from the city and one of the best sights in Da Nang. The mountains are full of caves, tunnels and Buddhist shrines that you can discover. You can climb to the top of the mountains for spectacular views of the entire area. If you are more adventurous, you can also rock climbing and abseiling in the Marble Mountains.
4. Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is one of the best known landmarks in Da Nang, particularly for Vietnamese tourists. It is one of the newest and most exciting projects in Vietnam. It is a mountain village on top of a mountain that looks like a medieval castle, but within these stone walls are modern accommodations, restaurants and a Fantasy Park full of exciting attractions. The newest addition is the golden bridge that is being held by two giant stone hands.
5. Relax on the beaches
The best beaches in Da Nang are known for their clear water and fine sand. The more popular beaches, such as My Khe and Non Nuoc, are relatively close to the city center and are often full of locals during the weekend and on public holidays. You can also find plenty of local restaurants with fresh fish and Da Nang specialties at affordable prices. Beaches further from the city are often a lot quieter. View here the list of the most beautiful beaches in Da Nang.
6. Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge is a long bridge with six lanes and a popular place among photographers. This unique bridge is built in the shape of a golden dragon. Although it is a beautiful sight at any time of the day, Dragon Bridge is special (and full of tourists) during the weekend because it is illuminated with colorful LEDs as the fire exhales and water spits out from 9 p.m.
7. Cham Island
If you want to see coral reefs, colorful fish, tropical beaches and islets, then the best thing to do in Da Nang is taking a trip to Cham Island. It is actually a cluster of beautiful islands that are only an hour’s boat ride from Da Nang. It is a great day trip or you can spend the night there. In a day trip you visit a few islands, you go snorkeling and you can relax on the beach.
8. Cham Museum
Cham Museum shows the age-old culture, lifestyle and customs of the indigenous Cham tribe in Vietnam, dating back to 192AD. Founded during colonial French rule in 1915, it is known as the only museum of its kind in the world. Cham Museum Da Nang is divided into ten rooms, where 300 terracotta and stone sculptures from the 7th to the 15th century are exhibited.
9. My Son
My Son is approximately a 40-minute drive from Da Nang. There are several companies that organize trips there, or you can drive there yourself with a scooter. This attraction is not as big as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but it does offer a good insight into the past of the country. There is a small museum at the entrance and all the ruins have information boards.
10. Hoi An
The most famous landmark in the region is the old town of Hoi An. If you do not plan to stay in Hoi An, this is the best thing you can do from Da Nang. Read here how to travel from Da Nang to Hoi An. In this well-preserved old trading city you can easily spend a whole day seeing and visiting old buildings, markets and the lanterns that give a nice atmosphere in the evening.
Best hotels & hostels in Da Nang
Where to stay
On the beach – One of the best things to do in Da Nang is enjoying it’s beautiful beaches. So for obvious reasons this is the best place to stay. There is a very long strip along the beach with different neighborhoods like Son Tra, An Thuong, My An and Khue My. This is also the place with the most hotels and (western) restaurants.
Near the river – The Han River is a very popular place to find a hotel in Da Nang with many restaurants, bars and good nightlife.
Staying in Hoi An – Most tourists choose to stay in Hoi An for a better atmosphere and take a day trip to Da Nang. It is only 45 minutes from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Best hostels & hotels in Da Nang
Budget hotels & hostels
Barney’S Danang Backpackers House
Travellers Nest Hostel
Danang Backpackers Hoste
Mid range hotel
Halina Hotel and Apartment
Mitisa Hotel Danang
John Boutique Villa Apartment
Frangipani Boutique Hotel Da Nang
Avora Hotel
High end hotel & resort
Monarque Hotel Danang
Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
Food & drinking
Restaurants
There are many places where you can eat well in the city of Danang. Due to its location, in the middle of Vietnam, you can find many types of food from the rest of the country. In addition to local dishes, there are also many international style restaurants, with dishes like pizza, pasta, hamburgers and Indian food .
Thien Ly Danang-style
Madame Hanh
Market’s
Tamarind Tree Restaurant Da Nang
Sofia Restaurant
Red Sky Bar & Restaurant
Lam Vien Restaurant
Madame Lân
Ngon Villa Danang
Burger Bros
Nightlife
The nightlife and nightlife in Da Nang consists of a collection of rooftop bars, sophisticated lounges, friendly expat bars and lively night clubs.
Rooftop bars
Sky 36
Brilliant Top Bar
Clubs
New Phuong Dong Nightclub
Golden Pine
OQ Bar
Bar & live music
The Daw
Seventeen Saloon
Bamboo Bar 2
7 Bridges Brewery
How to get there
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Flights to Da Nang
The busy Danang airport has many domestic connections and popular international flights to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Singapore. There are also a growing number of connections with Laos, China, Taiwan and South Korea. Domestic flights to destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat and Nha Trang are operated by regional airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar.
Busses to Hanoi
Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station in Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang and Hanoi.
Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station in Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang and Hanoi.
Trains to Da Nang
The Da Nang train station is just outside the city center and you will find a train connection that can take you anywhere in Vietnam. The train ride to Hue is one of the best in the country and is worth taking on itself as an excursion.
How to get around
Grab / Taxi: Getting a Grab taxi anywhere in Da Nang is pretty easy. This saves money compared to a normal taxi. You just have to download the app and have an internet or data connection. To avoid expensive taxis, you must choose a well-known taxi brand: Mai Linh Taxi, Vinasun Taxi, Tien Sa Taxi.
Motorbike rental: Traveling by motorbike is the most fun option of all. The average price for renting a motorcycle is 130,000 VND ($ 6) per day.
Private car: If you want to make a day trip to certain places of interest or a place outside Da Nang, you can rent a car with driver.
More tips for traveling in Da Nang
Where to go next?
It is very easy to travel from Da Nang to other cities in Vietnam due to its airport with very good domestic connections. You can fly to Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat or Nha Trang. In addition it is also located a 45 minute ride to Hoi An and a 1,5 hour ride to Hue.
Da Nang with kids
Da Nang is a great place to bring children. There is a huge beach where they can play, different attraction parks such as Ba Na Hills and Asia Park and plenty of day trips you can do from here.
Language
Da Nang is a very international city, so most people in hotels and restaurants speak a descent word of English.
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Dalat is clearly one of the highlights of Vietnam, especially if you like adrenaline. Dalat is completely different from any other place in Vietnam. The weather is spring-like cool instead of tropical hot, the city is littered with elegant French-colonial villas instead of a grim socialist architecture, and the farms around are littered with strawberries and flowers instead of rice.
5 reasons to visit Dalat
Increase the adrenaline pace with mountain biking, white water rafting, canyoning or a climbing adventure in the hills around Dalat.
Jump on a motorbike and explore the waterfalls, lakes and forests in the area.
In the early morning, gibbons wanted to track down and then search for crocodiles in the Cat Tien National Park.
Visit the local farms and plantations.
Enjoy local food, which comes directly from the area.
What is in this Dalat travel guide
Practical information
Best time to visit
10 best things to do
Best hotels & hostels
Food & drinking
How to get there
How to get around
Itinerary
Practical information
Recommended days to stay
If you like adventure it is recommended to stay around 3 days in Dalat, so you have time to do some activities as well as driving through the area and visiting the waterfalls, forests and lakes.
ATM’s & money exchange
Dalat is a relative big town with enough ATM’s.
Local events and holidays
Dalat Flower Festival – A cultural festival which takes place every other year between late December and early January, with the purpose of exhibiting flowers, vegetables and ornamental plants from the local as well as other regions within the country
Best time to visit
Spring (January-March) – Season of trees and flowers; between 20 and 28 degrees
Summer (April – June) – Season of fog and warm weather; between 24 and 31 degrees
Autumn (July – September) – Season of rain; between 24 and 31
Winter (October to December) – Season of flowers on the hills; between 20 and 26 degrees
10 best things to do in Dalat
Dalat is a cool mountain town for both Vietnamese and travelers who want to escape the heat and smog of the larger cities. Most people come here so that they can relax and enjoy the natural sights in Dalat, such as the lakes, forests, hills and plantations. But there is also a lot of action for those who want to make their heart beat in perhaps the adventure capital of Vietnam. These are the 10 best things to do in Dalat.
1. Canyoning in Dalat
Without a doubt, canyoning is the best thing to do in Dalat. Especially for the real adventurous travelers it is one of the highlights in Vietnam. During canyoning in Dalat you abseil from waterfalls, jump from cliffs into the river, enjoy a zipline above the water, float in a river and slide down a natural water slide.
2. Explore waterfalls
There are many different waterfalls in Dalat. Some of these are not far from the city and are therefore easy to visit, but others require a long drive. The most famous is the Datanla waterfall. Here you will also find a mountain toboggan roller coaster, cable car and the place where you will find the popular canyoning.
The Pongour waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls, where the water flows down several steps. The forests around the waterfall give it an extra magical atmosphere.
The Elephant Waterfall is another impressive waterfall that is a little closer to the city. The path that leads to the waterfall is a bit tricky, but well worth a visit.
A number of other waterfalls around and in Dalat are Bao Dai waterfall, Prenn waterfall and Tiger waterfall.
3. Mountain biking
Dalat is a paradise for mountain bikers, with some great single-track, technical descents, mountain climbing and once on top, breathtaking views of fields, forests and mountains. Mountain biking is therefore one of the best things to do in Dalat and a great way to explore the region.
4. Trekking
Relaxed walks or adventurous treks through nature and along forest paths are another way to discover the beauty of this area. It is full of many natural sights in Dalat where you can find interesting animals and birds. Some tours can lead you to caves, waterfalls, lakes, volcanic peaks, minority villages, suspension bridges and farmland. The best known treks are to the top of Lang Biang Mountain and treks through the Bidoup Nui Ba National Park.
5. Easy Rider Tour
Would you like to explore the forests, lakes, waterfalls and plantations of Dalat, but would you rather not be in a car or would you rather not drive a motorcycle yourself? The Dalat easy riders are the perfect solution! Easy Riders are experienced guides who take behind travelers to popular sights, as well as places that all these local guides know where to find a more authentic experience. They can be found all over Vietnam today, but are originally from Dalat. This is therefore the best place to take an Easy Rider in Vietnam.
These motorcycle guides drive around the city, but you can also book them in advance. They often have a book with reviews and pre-made routes, but you can also indicate your wishes. It is possible to take a day tour to a waterfall, plantations and forests, but you can even take a multi-day easy rider tour, where you can choose to go through the central highlands or drive to the coast and continue along one of the most beautiful coastal roads in Vietnam.
6. Coffee shops
Vietnam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world, just after Brazil and most coffee comes from the central highlands, where Dalat is located. So what better place than to have a coffee in this region?
In addition to coffee in Vietnam, a whole culture has also developed around coffee shops, and Dalat is the capital of this. It is more than a place where you come to drink coffee, but also where you come for the environment. These small coffee bars are often uniquely decorated or have a special theme and others have are situated in a unique environment. For example, you will find coffee shops in Dalat on top of mountains with a beautiful view over the forests or greenhouses that are lid in the evening. Enjoy the view over a lake or the city. And coffee shops in less good locations are uniquely decorated or with a special theme, such as Harry Potter, fairy tales or a jungle theme.
7. Tuyen Lam lake
Tuyen Lam Lake is the most beautiful lake in the Dalat area and is also called Paradise Lake. The lake is surrounded by a green pine forest and gives a peaceful feeling in a beautiful landscape. In addition to enjoying the romantic scenery around the lake, you can go horse riding, climbing, fishing and kayaking. You can combine a visit to this lake with the cable car to Truc Lam Pagoda, which is right next to the lake.
8. Dalat night market
The best thing to do in Dalat at night is a visit to the Dalat night market. When the night market is open in the weekend, the central market area is pure madness, with thousands of people shopping and socializing. It is a lively scene apart from the usual relaxed pace of the city. Even on weekday evenings, the area is rich with inviting scents from all street vendors.
9. Coffee and tea plantations
Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee exporters and many of the highlands around Dalat are used for plantations. The central highlands of Vietnam offer the ideal climate for growing tea and coffee. When you drive through the Dalat region you will pass large plantations of both coffee and tea and depending on the season there will be countless tarps on the road where coffee beans dry in the sun.
10. Crazy house
The Crazy House in Dalat offers a bizarre structure and completely unique experience. It is officially called the Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, but is known as Crazy House for its bizarre and crazy design. With many revolving corridors and odd spaces, this is something completely different.
You can choose to stay here overnight, altough you have to keep in mind it is also a tourist attraction. A better option might be just visiting this place for an hour.
Best hotels & hostels in Dalat
Where to stay
Staying in the center – Located near the Dalat night market, suitable for shopping, eating and relaxing, most means of transport (taxi, motorcycle, bicycle) are available, with many beautiful views that are worth seeing, including Xuan Huong Lake, the flower garden of the city of Dalat.
Hotels outside the city of Dalat – Staying further away from the city center also has some unique advantages: a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, less touristy and a cheaper price. Although it takes you more time to travel to the market or other highlights of the city, in return you get a beautiful landscape to enjoy, as well as more private space to relax.
Best hotels & hostels in Dalat
Budget hotels & hostels
The Lake House
Gaia hostel
Magnolia
Cozy Nook Hostel
Mr.Peace Backpacker’s House
Mid range hotel
La Vie En Rose Villa
Tasme Hotel
Boutique Stop and Go
Tulip Hotel
Iris Dalat Hotel
Sam Tuyền Lâm Resort
High end hotel & resort
Zen Valley Dalat Resort
Swiss Belresort Tuyen Lam
Terracotta Hotel and Resort Dalat
Food & drinking
Restaurants
Dalat has numerous restaurants to serve varied visitors, of all shapes and sizes, ranging from local Dalat dishes to central and South Vietnamese dishes and a large number of Western and French-inspired eateries, bars and restaurants. The city has a reputation for high-quality fresh produce and is also the source of some of the best coffee in Vietnam.
Restaurants 1. Artist Alley Restaurant 2. Le Chalet Dalat 3. Goc Ha Thanh Restaurant 4. Da Quy Restaurant 5. Chu Quan Bbq Grill
Cafe / coffee shop 1. An cafe 2. Me Linh Coffee Garden 3. Wednesday’s Violet book cafe 4. Ma Rung Lu Quan (Ma Rung Inn) 5. Panorama Cafe Dalat 6. Cafe Nông Trại Vui Vẻ
Nightlife
The nightlife in Dalat is quiet compared to other cities in Vietnam because it is best known as a place for rest and relaxation. However, you can still find a handful of great bars and pubs until late in the evening:
Dalat Night Market
Maze bar
The Escape Bar
Beepub Hostel & Bar
Rain Nightclub
V Club Da Lat
How to get there
Flights to Dalat
There are regular flights with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar, including a daily service to Danang (1¼ hour), four daily to Hanoi (1¾ hour) and HCMC (45 minutes), and twice a week to Can Tho (1¼ hour) ).
Busses to Dalat
Dalat is an important bus stop for open bus tickets. The Sinh Tourist has daily buses to Mui Ne, Nha Trang and HCMC.
Dalat’s long-distance bus station is 1.5 km south of Xuan Huong Lake and is dominated by Phuong Trang buses that offer free hotel pick-ups and drop-offs and buses to all major regional destinations.
How to get around
Motorbike: The bets way to get around is by motorbike/scooter. Rent is 150,000d to 200,000d per day. It is understandable if you don’t want to drive around yourself, as the roads in Vietnam as not very safe. In this case we highly recommend doing a Easy Rider tour.
Car: Alternatively you can travel by comfortable car. Daily rental (with driver) starts at around $ 50.
Taxi: For within the city you can use taxis. Uses Mai Linh for reliable service.
More tips for traveling in Dalat
Where to go next?
From the city you can easily travel by bus or car to the coast cities of Nha Trang (if you are planning to go north) and Mui Ne (if you are planning to go south). You can also go by bus or flight to to Ho Chi Minh City. It is possible to go straight to Hoi An / Da Nang by bus, but it is not recommended to takes these long bus trips. There are flights available too from Dalat to Da Nang.
You can also choose to continue your journey through the central highlands and visit destinations such as Dak Lak, Kon Tum and Pleiku.
Dalat with kids
Dalat is a nice destination in Vietnam with kids, especially if they are a little older. You can take wonderful walks through the forest, mountain biking and kayaking. There are also plenty of sights that you can visit in the city and the surrounding area.
Plan well before your cruise to make your every moment in Vietnam unforgettable.Make your plan to Vietnam right now by apply a Vietnam visa at vietnamvisapro.net. We, a reputable and reliable Visa service, will assist you turn your plan into reality at the very first step
