29 photos that show what makes Vietnam one of the most beautiful countries in Asia

With 8 UNESCO heritage sites, vibrant food scenes from North to South, a stunning maze of rivers and canals, beautiful natural landscapes, and pristine sandy beaches, Vietnam is perhaps one of the most fascinating countries in Asia.

Here are what you will expect to see if you have a trip to this beautiful country

1. Vietnam is always in the bucket list of almost every traveler when they think about Asia. It doesn’t take much research to see why

Visitors are walking along the Golden Bridge in Danang. Nestled in the forested hills of central Vietnam, two giant hands emerge from the trees, holding up a golden bridge.

2. United Nations World Tourism Organization reported there were 15.6 million of tourists visited this country in 2018, which rose 20%, making it the fourth fastest-growing travel destination in the world

A breathtaking view from the windy Hai Van Pass. There is a train road passing along the 2,000-mile-long coastline of Vietnam through this pass.

3. Hanoi, the country’s capital is a cultural hub. The city is a nice amalgamation of old and new, of modern office blocks interleaving with yellow colonial-era buildings

The Presidential Palace in Hanoi is the official home of Vietnam’s president. Completed in 1906 by French architect Auguste Henri Vildieu, this palace is named as one of the most beautiful presidential palaces around the world.

4. Vietnam is also known for its vibrant food scenes, especially in big cities like Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Nang

Pho may be the best well-known dishes in Vietnam. You can find this tasty food in every corner of the country. It comes with tender noodles, soft beef, numerous chopped herbs, and delicious hot broth.

5. Visitors love to try Bun Cha, a dish that Anthony Bourdain shared with President Obama during his visit to Hanoi….

Bun Cha is a traditional food of Hanoi. The locals have it mostly on their lunch. Pork is marinated for an hour with shallots, garlic, fish sauce, and black pepper then charcoal-grilled. They place the smoky pork slices in a bowl, and pour over a diluted savory fish sauce. It is served with noodles and fresh herbs.

6. … or sit on a low chair, take small sips of Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) while watching the local life passing by

Like nowhere else in the world, Ca Phe Sua Da is prepared in a very Vietnamese way. Hot water pours into a small inox percolator holding dark powder. The black liquid drips through the percolator into a glass. Add 2 spoons of sweetened condensed milk and ice cubes and stir. You have one of the most delicious coffees in the world.

7. This country has many kinds of delicious fruits due to the tropical climate

You’ll find it easy to buy fresh fruits from vendors selling along the streets.

8. Vietnam is proud to be home to 8 UNESCO Heritage Sites, including extraordinary natural heritage sites...

Declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Ha Long Bay is well-known worldwide.  From the bird’s eye view, it looks like a beautiful painting with thousands of limestones emerging from the green water.

9. … and cultural heritage sites, such as Hoi An

With its alluring beauty, Hoi An is the most favorite town in the country.

10. It’s hard to resist the charm of this town....

Visitors are captivated by its lovely ambiance, lazy river, narrow streets hanging colorful lanterns, lovely yellow merchant houses, assembly halls and bridges which are influenced by Chinese and Japanese architecture.

11. … and it’s popular dish: Cao Lau

Cao Lau is a regional Vietnamese noodle that is made with pork and herb. It’s popular in Hoi An and easy to find from street vendors to restaurants.

12. If you venture to Ninh Binh, you will see another Ha Long Bay “on the land”

Giant karst limestone mountain massifs in Ninh Binh have experienced at least 250 million years in various geological states.

13. With its bewitching scenery, Ninh Binh was chosen to film Skull Island in 2017 and Pan in 2015.

Boating on the calm water in Van Long Lagoon, Ninh Binh like traveling to the world of peace.

14. With a coastline of 3,260 km, Vietnam boasts beautiful sandy beaches

Ky Co is famed for its white sand beaches and stunning turquoise water.

15. But its mountainous areas are just as stunning

The H’Mong tribe has been cultivated on their mountains in Mu Cang Chai for hundreds of years. In May, the terraces are filled with water, creating fantastic geometric patterns. In harvesting time, these fields turn brilliant yellow. Both provide an astonishing look and leave a flutter in the tummy for anyone who dares to witness them.

16. There are dozens of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, giving this country a wild diversity of culture and lifestyle. Each tribe has its own costumes, language, and traditional practice

A happy smile of Red Zao woman in Sapa.

17. Thanks to the terrain diversity and annual monsoon season, Vietnam is home to numerous magnificent waterfalls

Ban Gioc Waterfall locates in Cao Bang province. This is one of the biggest cross-border waterfalls in the world. The falls are 98 feet high and 984 feet across, making it the widest waterfall in the country. A kind of natural landscape that makes you say “wow” when you see it.  

18. Nature lovers will like a trip to Ba Be National Park which is less than a 5-hour drive from Hanoi

One of the country’s 33 national parks, Ba Be National Park boasts authentic natural scenery like lakes, forests, and rocky land.

19. This country is bursting with mazes of rivers

The Mekong Delta encompasses 40,500-kilometer square of southwestern Vietnam. It is a maze of rivers, islands, mangroves, Khmer pagodas, and small villages.

20. The floating market is a unique attraction of the Mekong Delta region. With a majority of the area being rivers and canals, trading by boats becomes a habit of the locals

A floating market on the Mekong Delta. They sell everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, something for your breakfast to housewares.

21. Vietnam even has a floating flower village that is full of colors

Sa Dec Flower village is the oldest flower village in Vietnam.

22. Flowers from here will be delivered to Saigon as well as other nearby provinces

A wooden boat is loaded with colorful flowers

23. There are many colorful hidden pockets in the tourist centers. Each of them can be an Instagrammable photo even if you aren’t a good photographer. From this one in Hoi An….

The iconic yellow houses in Hoi An

24. … to Train Street in a lesser-known corner of Hanoi

Train Street or Railway Street is where people live along the track which is literally one step from their front doors.

25. This country is filled with historical sites that date back hundreds of years

Built-in 1776, Thanh Toan Bridge is a rare, ancient tile-roofed wooden bridge. It crosses a small canal in a picturesque village in Hue. 

26. Vietnamese people are friendly and handy. Their craft products often require a lot of skills

Two women in a fishing village are sewing a fishing net.

27. They are very hard-working, too. They work for long hours each day to ensure a better life for their future

Ninh Diem salt fields provide the best photos you ever took. With 3 sides facing the sea, salt production is the main industry of the village. Workers in the fields are mainly women wearing hats, face masks, and rubber gloves to protect themselves from the heat of the sun.

28. With all the country has to offer, it’s no wonder that Vietnam is one of the best destinations in Asia...

A woman with her buffalo on the rice field of northwest Vietnam

29 … a country of alluring nature and rich culture, of hospitality people and irresistible cuisine. It’s a country full of surprises

A Vietnamese woman is making incense in northern Vietnam.