Best Ways to Discover Vietnam for the First Time

If this is your first trip to Vietnam, well, then get ready for a beautiful journey to this exotic land of rich history. One of the best things about Vietnam is that it is a comparatively low-cost country to explore, but it does not lack gorgeous sceneries and sites. That is the reason why every other traveler places Vietnam at the top of his or her bucket list.

Vietnam is truly one of the safest and exciting journeys in Southeast Asia. The country boasts of fantastic beaches, vast rice terraces, and scenic nature, no matter where you go. As a first-time traveler, be a smarter one and use only reliable and trusted transpiration booking platforms like Bookaway for traveling within the country.

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Vietnam is well connected by air, rail, and land and boasts of more than 20 airports. Those visitors who want to go the extent of the country can take the train or hire a car or book a seat on the bus, based on their budget, flexibility, and what kind of adventure they are looking for.

Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy and discover Vietnam:

  • Explore and enjoy Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is well famous for its towering limestone and exotic beaches. Enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and scuba diving or go deep into those mysterious caves.

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  • Hanoi is a must-visit city as it carries more than 1000 years of history. Explore the authentic culture of Northern Vietnam in the Vietnam Capital, and some highlights include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and some more ancient villages.

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  • Meet the locals and look forward to a great experience as you tour the floating villages. Find yourself surrounded by the magnificent beauty of nature and go fishing with the locals and get familiar with their way of living and culture.

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  • Go to the Sapa region, where you will come across the most extensive rice farm in Muong Hoa. That is the primary rice farm area in the Sapa region, a perfect location for biking and trekking. Do not forget to bring the camera with you!
  • Visit the Phu Quoc island along the coast of Cambodia and experience the unique marine life of this precious island. Explore many different islands in the Phu Quoc district, tour the fish factories, or relax on the clean beaches of the island.

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  • Ninh Binh is another spot that you should not miss as first-timer. The major attractions here include the stunning unique landscape of Trang A and a trip to Hang Mua or the Dancing Cave. Hike to the Hang Mua peak to get a most magnificent view from the top.
  • Cycle through Muong Hoa Valley, which is an ideal place for biking as well as trekking. That is indeed a haven for nature lovers and adventurists. Do take your camera to capture some stunning landscapes.
  • Hue is another major center of Vietnam history and well famous for its culture and cuisine. It is a good idea to explore the city with a knowledgeable tour guide and get aware of the interesting history behind each attraction. Top attractions include Hue Citadel and Dong Ba Market and a Huong River cruise.
  • Take a cooking class in another ancient town of Vietnam, Hoi An City. The region is well known for its delicious cuisine that carries numerous influences of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese as well as French. Explore the traditional culture and impressive architecture of this place.
  • Another great idea is to cruise around Halong Bay, which is indeed one of the biggest attractions in Vietnam. It is indeed one of the best choices to make is to take a luxury cruise that offers higher quality amenities and meals, and you can relax as you find yourself surrounded by jagged limestones and deep emerald waters.

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  • A significant attraction for first-time tourists in Vietnam is exploring the floating markets here, and Cai Rang, Floating Market on Cai Rang River, is a must-visit. The particular market makes for a spectacular experience to enjoy the local Vietnamese culture as well as its traditional food.
  • Mu waterfall is a very popular waterfall in Vietnam, and it is hard to miss out on the stunning waterfalls in the fig-scented woodlands. You can hear the sound of water from afar, and it is indeed a visual delight to see the majestic waterfalls with blue waters flowing down the series of rocks.
  • A visit to the Hoi An silk village is a must. The traditional handicraft has been kept alive there, thanks to the efforts of eco-tourism. Enjoy looking at the traditional houses of Quang Nam and explore the mulberry gardens and learn about the traditional methods of silk making.
  • Take a picturesque boat excursion on the Perfume River. After the boating trip, you can visit the Hue Citadel and the Buddhist Monastery located on the banks of the river. The royal Hue complex has been listed among the UNESCO World heritage sites.
  • Embark on a cultural and adventurous tour in northwest Vietnam, which is a bit less touristy but boasts of historical destinations, breathtaking beaches, and intriguing limestone formations. You will fall in love with the traditional food and the simple people who live here.
  • It is indeed a unique and special experience when you sit on a cyclo in Vietnam, which is a mix of bicycle and taxi. Get an unobstructed and open view of the city on this specialized transportation that will take you across significant tourist attractions of the city.

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  • Do not come back without tasting the unique Vietnamese food flavored with sour, sweet, and salty seasonings that have been perfected over centuries. You will love the presence of fresh greens in almost every dish, and those unforgettable flavors of Vietnamese cuisines are sure to linger on in your memories even when you come back.

While the above are just a few ideas to explore Vietnam, these are some great options for a first-time visitor to the country, to begin with.