Vietnam is a vibrant Southeast Asian country known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning scenery. It borders China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east and south.
The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture, with influences from Southeast Asia, China, and France. The largest city is Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), a bustling metropolis known for its French colonial landmarks, including Notre Dame de Paris and the 19th-century Central Post Office.
Vietnam’s history is marked by periods of Chinese domination, French colonial rule, and the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975 with the reunification of North and South Vietnam. Today, it is a socialist republic with a single-party system led by the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The country is known for its natural beauty, from the terraced rice fields of Sapa to the limestone islands of Halong Bay. Vietnamese cuisine, known for dishes such as pho and banh mi, is celebrated worldwide for its balance of flavors and fresh ingredients.
With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is one of the most populous countries in the world. Its rapidly growing economy is driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
In 2023, Canadian travel magazine The Travel included Vietnam in the list of the world’s 10 friendliest destinations voted by foreign tourists. “Courtesy and respect are an important part of Vietnamese culture, so it makes sense that tourists consider Vietnam a hospitable country,” said The Travel.
“Kong: Skull Island” is the first Hollywood blockbuster to be shot in Vietnam. 70% of the scenes in the film were shot in Vietnam, and the shooting locations are magnificent and full of mystery. Vietnam’s primitive and wild natural scenery was brought to the movie, showing the isolation of “Skull Island”. A total of 5 scenic spots in Vietnam were selected as the filming locations of “Kong: Skull Island”, including Trang An Ninh Binh, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, Tam Cốc- Bích Động, Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, and Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province.
I arranged a 10-day trip to Vietnam, with Hanoi as the center, and traveled to Sapa, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh. We departed from Singapore and flew to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. To facilitate the trip, we chose to stay in Hanoi Old Quarter because many tour groups depart from Hanoi Old Quarter. Because we stayed in a three-star hotel, to avoid the driver being unfamiliar with the route, we asked the hotel to arrange a pick-up service. The price is not too much different from Grab Taxi, but it can avoid unnecessary trouble.
On the first day, we chose to stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter, to buy some snacks and drinking water and prepare to use them in Sapa, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh, because most tourist packages do not include drinking water. After shopping, lunch, and dinner, we went back to the hotel early to rest, because we had to leave for Sapa early tomorrow morning.
The next day, we had a quick breakfast at a restaurant near the hotel before setting off. After a six-hour drive and two short breaks, we arrived at the Sapa Hotel and began our three-day, two-night trip to Sapa.
Sapa is a picturesque town located in Lao Cai Province in northern Vietnam, about 350 kilometers northwest of Hanoi. Nestled in the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range at an altitude of about 1,600 meters (5,200 feet), Sapa offers stunning views of terraced fields, lush valleys, and towering peaks, including the iconic Fansipan Peak, the highest peak in Indochina.
Sapa is famous for its stunning natural landscapes. The terraced fields, especially those in the Muong Hoa Valley, are breathtaking, especially during the harvest season when they turn a golden color. The area’s cool climate and misty atmosphere add to its charm, making it a favorite destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Famous attractions included Ham Rong Park, Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Falls), Notre Dame Cathedral Sapa, Cat Cat Village, Sun World Fansipan Legend, Ta Phin Village, and many Heaven Gate Instagram photo spots, and a famous Glass Bridge.
Sapa has a rich ethnic minority community, including Hmong, Tay, Red Dao, Giay, and Xa Pho. Each ethnic group has its own unique traditions, languages, and colorful costumes. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting traditional markets such as Bac Ha Market, where ethnic minorities gather to sell their goods and display their bright costumes.
Due to bad weather, we only visited the following attractions
Lao Chai village, this town floating in the frost is not only famous for its spectacular mountains, but also for its quiet villages. Among these villages, Lao Chai Village, with its irresistible temptation, fell in love at first sight. Lao Chai Terraces is beautiful, but hiking in the mountains is a bit difficult and not suitable for the elderly. We set out from the Mong Village Resort and it took us 2 hours to complete the walk.
Ham Rong Park is the highest point in Sapa town. It doesn’t take too long to climb to the top, about 30 to 60 minutes, and the entrance is right next to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. On the way to Ham Rong Park, you can see many kinds of flowers, and the flowers of various colors are very beautiful. Many people stop here to take pictures. Before reaching the top of the mountain, you can see a landscape similar to a stone forest. There is a cafe at the highest point of the mountain. While drinking coffee, you can overlook the Fansipan Peak, the highest peak in Vietnam, and the entire Sapa town.
Moana Sapa’s most popular virtual paradise, with 7 beautiful places suitable for Instagram photos, has created a special attraction for thousands of tourists.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was built by the French in the 20th century and is one of the must-see attractions in Sapa town! The church itself is a Gothic building with stone as the building material, which perfectly reflects the simplicity of Sapa; the interior of the church is completely different from the stone exterior, with pure white walls and stained glass, which makes people feel energetic. At night, the church will light up with colorful lights, making the church present a different scene from the daytime.
Sapa Lake is a peaceful and picturesque place in the heart of Sapa town, Vietnam. Surrounded by lush greenery, this tranquil lake is a peaceful respite from the bustling city center.
With many traditional markets filled with local crafts and cultural activities, Sapa’s markets offer travelers a rich experience.
Here we also witnessed that Vietnam is a rainy and typhoon-prone region, so travel dates must be carefully selected.
Continue to Halong Bay and Ninh Binh