The American news channel has selected the top 30 most beautiful
places in Vietnam, suggesting travellers to undertake their own travel
adventure through a "beautiful Vietnam.”
Son Doong cave: Discovered by a Vietnamese farmer in 1991, it is the largest
known cave passage in the world by volume. It’s located inside the
UNESCO-listed Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.
Sapa Highlands: The mountainous region of Lao Cai Province lures adventurous
travelers who appreciate fresh air, magical waterfalls, rice terraces, cultural
homestays, bamboo forests and challenging hikes.
Can Tho: One of the most picturesque cities along the Mekong River
Delta, Can Tho is home to a labyrinth of tributaries, lush landscapes, rice
farms, mangroves and colorful floating markets.
Nha Trang Vinpearl Cable Car: Off Vietnam's central coast,
the two-mile-long Nha Trang Vinpearl Cable Car connects Hon Tre Island with
Nha Trang, providing aerial views of the vast ocean below and the towering
mountains in the distance.
Phu Quoc Island: Ringed by white-sand beaches, this un-spoilt oasis in the Gulf
of Thailand recently welcomed the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort
& Spa, which was designed by Bill Bensley. From there, it's all tropical
jungles, white beaches, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and island-hopping
around the 20 or so uninhabited islets nearby.
Son Tra Nature Reserve: Jutting off the northeastern coast of Da Nang, in central
Vietnam, the millennia-old rainforest plays host to ancient banyan trees,
rare flora and the peculiar-looking red-shanked douc langurs.
Hoi An: As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An's Old Town is brimming
with handmade lanterns, rickshaws, graceful low-rise merchant houses,
tailors, fresh markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries that will transport you
to a bygone era.
Dong Van Karst Plateau: A UNESCO Global Geopark located in the northeastern corner of
Vietnam, Dong Van Karst Plateau is dotted in limestone peaks and canyons.
Cao Dai Temple: Located in Long Than village, northwest of Ho Chi Minh City,
the Cao Dai Temple was built in 1955, featuring ornately carved pillars and
pretty blue ceilings.
Ganh Da Dia: Along the central coastline, north of Nha Trang, the Ganh Da
Dia (Cliff of Stone Plates) National Heritage site showcases mysterious
basalt rock columns formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred thousands of
years ago.
Hanoi Opera House: Erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and
1911, Hanoi's Opera House is modeled on the Palais Garnier in Paris and is
one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi.
National Highway No. 4D: Connecting the northern provinces of Lai Chau and Sapa, the
infamous National Highway No. 4D (QL4D) wraps around steep cliffs, while
trucks whiz around at cavalier speeds.
Than Uyen Terraces: Hidden away in the sparsely populated Lai Chau province of
northwestern Vietnam, the Than Uyen rice terraces and tea plantations wind
across the countryside in concentric patterns.
An Bang Village: Set on a beach outside of Hue, Vietnam's ancient imperial
capital in central Vietnam, An Bang Village is a 250-ha cemetery housing hundreds
of opulent family tombs with vibrant tile pillars, regal lion motifs and
sparkling dragons.
Ha Long Bay: Named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Ha Long Bay is
home to thousands of craggy karst rock formations, grottoes and islands.
Con Dao Islands: Sitting off the southeast coast of Vietnam, the Con Dao
archipelago is loved for its colourful coral reefs, diving sites and clean
beaches -- some of which double as turtle nesting sites between June and
September.
Ban Gioc Falls: Straddling the border of China and Vietnam, the Ban Gioc Falls
can be found along the Quay Son River in northern Vietnam, thundering from 98
feet at its highest point and nearly 1,000 feet at its widest point.
Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica: At the
heart of Ho Chi Minh City's District 1, the 60-metre Notre Dame Cathedral was
constructed from 1863-1880 by French colonists, recalling the namesake
cathedral in Paris in a neo-Romanesque architectural style with dramatic
spires.
Da Lat Central Highlands: Sitting at an elevation of
4,900 m above sea level, Da Lat has become synonymous with misty valleys and
its "eternal springtime" climate.
Jungle Beach: On a peninsula north of Nha Trang, on Vietnam's Central Coast,
Jungle Beach is one of those untouched getaways with its clean water, soft
sand and trek-worthy jungle interior.
Trang An Grottoes: Part of a massive eco-tourism complex in Vietnam, the UNESCO
World Centre is best explored by boat, with a maze of rivers and caves,
alongside craggy limestone facades and jade green water.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda: Completed in 1952, outside of Da Lat city, the Linh Phuoc
Pagoda stands at 118 feet tall -- making it Vietnam's highest bell tower,
with intricate mosaics along the facade and corridors and glass dragon
sculpture crafted from thousands of broken bottles.
Hue: Sitting on the banks of the Perfume River in Central Vietnam,
Hue served as the capital during the Nguyen Dynasty, from the mid-1500s until
1945. The city still remains the historic and cultural epicentre of Vietnam,
retaining its imperial feel due to a clutch of royal palaces, shrines and
theaters that are all housed in the UNESCO Complex of Hue Monuments.
Cat Ba Island: A wonderland of caves and waterfalls, Cat Ba Island is Ha long
Bay's largest atoll. Across the 135-square-mile island there are several
untouched beaches, nature treks, mangroves, rock climbing, lakes, forts and
caves to explore.
Ngo Dong River: Part of the UNESCO Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, south of
Hanoi, the Ngo Dong River is one of the most serene sights in Vietnam.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park: A UNESCO
World Heritage, Phong Nha - Ke Bang is home to more than 300 caves, imposing
karst mountains, jungle treks, and underground rivers. Son Doong Cave, the
largest cave system in the world, can be found here.
Bac Son Valley: Surrounded by cone-shaped mountains and peaceful rice paddy scenery,
the Bac Son Valley in northern Vietnam is impossibly pretty. The best time to
visit is late July and early August, when the ripening rice fields glow in
vibrant shades of green and gold.
King Khai Dinh Tomb: Tucked away in the mountains near Hue, the imposing King Khai
Dinh Tomb is a beautiful combination of French and eastern architecture.
Cuc Phuong National Park: Another beauty in Ninh Binh
province, Cuc Phuong National Park is the country's oldest nature reserve and
opened in 1962, featuring caves, fossils and ancient trees, including one
incredible tree that's 1,000 years old, along with vibrant flora and more
than 135 mammals.
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Source: NDO