5 Incredible Places to Explore in Vietnam, Beyond Ha Long Bay
From the towering limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay and the famous lantern-lined streets of Hoi An to floating markets in the Mekong Delta and the French Concession district in Hanoi, there are plenty of iconic sights to soak up in Vietnam. And while we relish in showing you these spectacular highlights, our expert local guides also take you beyond popular places in a guidebook to truly immerse you in the unique culture of the country. Take a look at five different (yet equally incredible) experiences you can have in Vietnam that you’re unlikely to find in a top 10 guide.
1. The Marble Mountains
A popular destination among those in the know, the Marble Mountains are situated in the Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city. Those who know flock to the cluster of five spectacular Marble Mountains topped with pagodas and Buddhist temples are greeted with one of the more unique sights in Vietnam. With each mountain named after the five elements Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (Wood), Hoa Son (Fire), Kim Son (Metal or Gold) and Tho Son (Earth), these large outcrops and their caves provided much-needed shelter and a hospital base for the Viet Cong during the war. Today, quaint villages have sprung up around the base of the Marble Mountains, that house local experts who specialise in marble sculpture.
2. An indigenous stilt village
For those looking to see a different side of Vietnam, why not head deep into the countryside to visit the indigenous villages of Da Bac and Da Bia? Located in Hoa Binh Province, this idyllic region is filled with dewy rice terraces, palm trees and lush rainforest trails that are waiting to be explored. The very phrase Hoa Binh means “peace” in Vietnamese, which is a very apt name to call this spectacular slice of Northern Vietnam.
3. Paradise Cave
Another place many may not have heard of is Thien Duong cave, located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This relatively new tourist attraction was only discovered in 2005 by scientists from the British Cave Research Association. The group of scientists were helped by a local man who had told them he heard the mountains ‘whistling’ while he was farming. With its spectacular array of stalactites and stalagmites, no wonder the locals have dubbed this cave, “Paradise Cave”.
4. The Mekong Delta
The coconut candy-making process was first introduced back in the 1930s by Ms Nguyen Thi Ngoc in the Ben Tre Province, which was once known as the “Kingdom of Coconut”. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the first coconut candy factories and cottage industries started flourishing all along the Mekong Delta. With manual machines, shredding the home-grown coconuts for their milk and cream, the mixture is then boiled into a caramel substance that makes the coconut candy. Coming in a variety of different flavours like cacao, pandan and ginger, it’s a great local delicacy to try when you’re exploring the Mekong Delta.
5. The Pass of the Ocean Clouds
Winding over a mountainous stretch of highway, just north of Da Nang, lies the Hai Van Pass (Đèo Hải Vân) which literally translates to “Pass of the Ocean Clouds”. Renowned as being one of Vietnam’s most scenic coastal roads, it stretches over 21 kilometres and boasts challenging inclines of up to 11 degrees in some sections. With exhilarating twists and turns over a spur of the verdant Truong Son Mountain range, the highest peak of the road reaches a towering 1,627 feet!
Historically, the Hai Van Pass was also a crucial land route to connect the cities of Hue and Da Nang during the American War. If you look closely, you may see that the top of the pass still has fortifications that were once used to stop unauthorised passage since the Dai Viet Kingdom. At the top of Hai Van Pass, you’ll also find Emperor Minh Mang’s ornate brick gate, built in the 19th century, which is surrounded by battle-scattered bunkers dating from the First Indochina War (French War) and later used by American forces during the American War.
