The world has over 2 million cities and Vietnam is home to over 60 0f those cities. This means before you visit Vietnam you will have a tough decision ahead of you as to which city or cities you are going to visit. Whether you are backpacking or visiting just one city, the following four favourites will make that choice a little bit easier for you to make.
Hanoi – Capital of Vietnam
Over the years many Asian cities have started to lose their historical cultural by replacing it with an invasion of modern buildings. While this is happening in a lot of other cities in Vietnam, Hanoi has managed to retain most of the culture that Asia itself is famous for. There is a mix of both modern and historic features in this city, which makes it a very attractive place. You can enjoy a coffee in an air-conditioned café whilst enjoying the sights of t’ai chi directly in front of a temple just a few feet away.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh, formally known as Saigon, is a bustling city that is forever full of chaos, constant traffic and clogged up streets of people who are always in a rush. The most famous thing the city is known for is its constant abundance of motorbikes whose riders tend to be a little bit crazy with their driving skills. When you dare to cross the roads, you will be glad you did – the reason being is you will find an array of different attractions in buildings you would have thought there was nothing even inside of in the first place. While it is a busy city, it still has some of its traditions and a museum is never too far away.
Da Nang
The name of this city originates from the work “Da Nak” which means the “Opening of Big River”. Da Nang is a major port city of Vietnam. In the year 1847 the city was invaded by the French and was also used as a big part of the American air base during the Vietnam War. Over the years many remains were left from the war giving the city a vast amount of history. Many people give this place a miss even though it has some of the friendliest people and some of the most beautiful beaches that Vietnam has to offer.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a beach town that is located about 125 miles away from Saigon. The town was named after the local fishing people as the word “Mui” means cape and “Ne” means avoiding or hiding. The city is famous for its very long stretch of ocean and strong, awakening sea breeze. This place attracts those who wish to come and relax and those who want to enjoy some wind surfing. If you are looking for a place that is beautiful and very quiet then this is the place for you.
Mentioned above are just 4 cities out of the 63 that Vietnam has to offer. When you are visiting Vietnam or any other place for that matter, research is key. Before you leave home, it is very important to research all of your options before you make your final decision.