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Explore Beauties Of Vietnam On Foot
Vietnam is a wonderful country that’s become increasingly popular with western visitors in recent years – and little wonder when you look at all the amazing things to see and do here. I first came here five years ago when I was starting out as a solo backpacker,
A perfect independent travellers haven, it’s a great place to travel solo if you are not short on time, it is an ideal country in which you can hire a motorbike and travel from one to the other just by following the Ho Chi Minh Trail or a great starting point from which to join a group and pack in as much of the country as possible on a complete overland tour, which also includes ample time for trekking in the hill tribes.
Aside from the should-not-miss hotspots of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is also known as a trekking haven, and getting right into the heart of Vietnam’s beautiful countryside is a perfect way to get off the beaten track and really get to grips with local life and tradition. Being able to combine towns, cities, beaches and rural plains is ideal, with some top choices outlined below…
Trekking in Mai Chau
The Mai Chau region of Vietnam is relatively undeveloped and dotted with traditional villages that you’ll have the opportunity to visit as you explore on foot. A mountainous area, it’s an ideal place if you’re hoping to enjoy some varied hiking and you’ll typically be travelling through paddy fields or areas of lush, passing stilt houses that line the roads, or trekking through palm plantations or sections of bamboo forest.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of passing through this kind of rural landscape is being able to interact with the villagers and learn about their way of life. Most evenings you’ll be treated to performance of dancing and music, or served up tasty local food – there’s no faster way to get to know Vietnamese culture than this.
Hiking in Sapa
It might be well known, but another fantastic area for trekking and climbing and getting to know the local communities is in Sapa, which is close to Vietnam’s tallest peak – Fan Si Pan. The amazing things about this area in the northwest of the country were people here, who have been living here centuries ago that we know very little about – in fact, all that remains from the earliest civilisation in the region are hundreds of petroglyphs.
In the hills around the town you’ll have the opportunity to meet some more of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities and stay in another tribal village overnight before continuing your walk through rice terrace and bamboo forests.
Take in the Sights and Sounds of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City – formerly known as Saigon – is a amazing cityscape to discover and a real must on any trip to Vietnam. Wander aimlessly among markets and local eateries, and find solace in passageways away from the chaos.
There are too many attractions here to mention, but some of the principal ones include the War Remnants Museum, which is home to artifacts and exhibitions relating to the American War (what the Vietnamese call the 1960s conflict), the Museum of Vietnamese History (which deals with a broader spectrum of the country’s past) and the Reunification Palace.
It might be an obvious choice on any trip to Vietnam, but for the avid explorer, it’s a vast space to get lost in and have sporadic encounters.
Enjoy Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of beautiful Vietnam’s coastal cities and a well-known seaside resort, but there’s more here than just a gorgeous beach if you know where to look. You can check out the Long Son Pagoda, which has existed in one form or another since the 19th century. The main highlight here is the imposing white Buddha statue, although the whole complex is decorated delightfully.
Another site you should not miss in Nha Trang is the Po Nagar Cham Towers – also known as Thap Ba. This iconic temple complex dates from between the 7th and 12th centuries and it is one of the most impressive vestiges of the Cham civilisation.
Take your time and admire the Hindu statues, sculptures and carvings that adorn the buildings and THEN hit the beach!
