Being a very beautiful country of striking landscapes, Vietnam also offers world class tourist destinations for anyone in the holiday spirit. The country has many unforgettable beautiful places to visit. The two major ones I think you should not miss out on when on Vietnam travel are the Ha long bay and Sapa. The two are great highlights of Vietnam for good reasons. The two are in no way the same but are both beautiful and major spots you wouldn’t want to miss out on. However, the main driving factor behind you choice should be solely grounded on your interests and what you wish to get out of your trip.
Ha long bay (bay of descending dragons), is situated in North of Vietnam around a 120km coastline. It is so breathtaking and it features thousands of islands. Most of them are hollow with enormous caves. Others include lakes and some even support floating villages of fishermen. Each is topped with thick jungle vegetation forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. This beautiful bay offers an array of activities that will make Vietnam travel even more interesting. This includes kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, cycling and boat trips. Boat cruises happen to be the best way to experience the natural wonder of Ha long bay. There are several boats ranging from traditional Chinese junks to luxury cruisers, and when on board, meals are provided. You also get to enjoy nightlife activities and excursion stops where islands caves and lagoons can be explored.
Sapa on the other hand has some jaw dropping scenic vistas on a clear day. It is a place in the remote northwest of Vietnam surrounded by pictorial mountains, rice terraces and a diversity of hill tribes’ .If by any chance you are interested in ethnic minorities or you are a trekker, this is definitely the place to be in the course of your visit. This is due to the fact that, guided treks which include visits to the ethnic minority villages are available from half day and range from easy to challenging. These tours present views of beautiful waterfalls, and the opportunities to experience the food, customs and way of life among the local tribes. This fascinating experience will make your visit very unforgettable.
If you are looking to relax during your visit, both places offer this opportunity. When in halong bay, you can relax on deck or on Cat Ba Island, on the beach, whereas in Sapa, relaxation will be in the form of finding a spot overlooking the valley maybe with a good book to read. Unfortunately, Sapa has no sunbathing spots as the only pool in town is covered and only accessible to guests of the Victoria Sapa Hotel, and also if you are looking to party Sapa is also not a place for you. Both places can get very chilly during winter; therefore they may not be suitable if you are looking to make the best of some warmth during your Vietnam travel.