Top 8 unusual destinations in Vietnam
Want to get off the beaten track and visit unusual places in Vietnam? This country offers atypical and unsuspected places. During these visits, you will live unique experiences that you will not find anywhere else. Find here our top 8 unusual places to see in Vietnam.
1. Hanoi
The capital Hanoi is characterized by its old 36-corporation district, with a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultural atmosphere. Try a pedicab ride or get lost in the narrow streets full of bikes and scooters. These streets themselves are scenes of unusual activities. You can experience street food by sampling dishes on the sidewalks with chopsticks, get your hair done on the street, watch a water puppet show, and the “My Village” show that presents quintessential Vietnamese. Other sites not to be missed are the chaotic local markets like Long Bien and Dong Xuan, the Ethnography Museum, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. This city can always offer a unique experience to every traveler.
2. Lan Ha Bay
If you are looking to escape the large number of tourists attracted by Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is for you. What could be better than an unusual cruise on a traditional private junk! You will be amazed by the unique beauty of the bay, composed of thousands of sugar loaves, small deserted beaches and floating fishermen villages. Various activities such as kayaking, swimming in an unusual spot, cycling to Viet Hai village will create unforgettable memories.
3. Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is an exotic stopover to make during a trip to Vietnam. This region has spectacular landscapes and deserves its nickname of “Halong Bay”. The Tam Coc river, the Trang An site or the Van Long nature reserve allow you to row a boat through peaks and caves in an untouched environment. The locals have a very particular technique to row as they use their feet. You can also rent a bicycle and ride along the small paths among the karst peaks to discover the agricultural life. Don’t miss the great pagoda of Bai Dinh or the Hang Mua peak from where you will have a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
4. Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai, located in Yen Bai province in the northwest of Vietnam, has an unusual beauty that is relatively untouched by mass tourism. This place is reserved for travelers in search of serenity, total change of scenery and authenticity. You will be surprised by its breathtaking landscapes of rice terraces. It is also an ideal place for hiking in the mountains through the rice fields. This region is populated by ethnic minorities such as Hmong and Thai. A night at a local’s house allows you to explore their way of life unchanged for centuries.
5. Bac Ha
As the capital of the Hmong flower region, Bac Ha presents an authentic climb. It is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the gentle way of life through rugged hiking trails, ancestral customs and the warm welcome of Upper Tonkin. You will be able to visit colorful ethnic markets such as the Bac Ha market on Sunday, the Can Cau market on Saturday or the Sin Cheng market on Wednesday. These markets offer you beautiful encounters with the inhabitants. You will also be able to spend the night at the inhabitant’s home to discover in depth their culture in all conviviality.
6. Ha Giang
Nestled in the mountains of northern Vietnam, Ha Giang province offers travelers the opportunity to explore the pristine beauty of Vietnam. Nature lovers and adventurers will appreciate the region for its unspoiled nature and the diversity of ethnic minorities living in the remote villages. With the Hoang Su Phi rice terraces, Dong Van stone plateau, colorful markets, Ma Pi Leng pass,… this mountainous region is unique and worth discovering !
7. Ba Be
Ba Be National Park, located 250 km from Hanoi, in the middle of nature, awaits you for a welcome moment of relaxation. The beauty of nature, biodiversity and cultural diversity of ethnic minorities make this place a small paradise for those who like to explore Vietnam on unknown roads. You can take a boat trip on the lake to the giant Puong cave and Dau Dang waterfall, go kayaking or hiking in the forest. Immersion stay not to be missed !
8. Cao Bang
More than 300 km from Hanoi, Cao Bang, the mountainous province of the extreme Northeast, is one of the pearls of Vietnam. Still little visited, it offers an unusual stay sheltered from the agitation of the city. You will be able to admire the wild and grandiose landscapes. Impossible not to mention the impressive waterfall of Ban Gioc or the superb cave of Nguom Ngao. You will also have unique encounters with the many ethnic groups (Lolo, Hmong, Dao, Tay) who live in the valleys or cling to the sides of the mountains.
You now know the unusual destinations to include in your travel itinerary in Vietnam.
