Vietnam is a south-east Asian tourism hotspot, famous for its busy cities, mountains, jungle and crystal clear waters. There are so many unforgettable things to see and do in Vietnam. It’s no wonder its popularity just keeps on rising year after year.
This Vietnamese Photography Gallery will showcase many of my personal favourite spots and activities. From the stunning SaPa Trekking Tour to the aqua waters of Lan Ha Bay, and so many other memorable moments from Vietnam. This colourful country has much to offer almost every style of traveller.
As always, I’d love to hear about what you loved/hated about your travels through Vietnam! Just drop me a comment below.
Let’s get into Travel Through Photography- Vietnam!
Fire-breathing dragon of Da Nang
For me, DaNang is Vietnam’s most underrated city. Beautiful ocean views at the Buddhist Temple Chua Ling Unh and on top of that, the city of DaNang comes alive every night in vibrant fluorescent colours. Buildings along the banks and boats lapping the Han River are illuminated so brightly by different coloured lights. However, it is the mascot of DaNang, the fire-breathing, super-soaking dragon that steals the show every weekend at 8 pm. Giant fireballs erupt from the ferocious jaws and then cooled off by drenching jets of water steaming over the mass of people gathered below. It was one of my most memorable experiences of Vietnam and well worth planning to visit DaNang during a weekend.
Hue’s Abandoned Water Park
Ho Thuy Tien is an abandoned water theme park just outside the ancient imperial city of Hue in central Vietnam. Initially pitched as a family fun amusement park, it was packed with water slides, crocodiles (they have since been humanely relocated), an amphitheatre and the unique addition of a giant space simulator. Yeah, a minivan-sized space simulator – weird right?!
Of course, there is Ho Thuy Tien’s dragon. Unlike DaNang’s well-maintained mascot, this water park’s scaly mythical beast is not doing so well. With an air of mystery as its covered in graffiti and derelict inside, it’s not hard to see why Ho Thuy Tien is more popular now than it was when it originally opened in 2009.
Marble Mountains of Vietnam
Situated between Hoi An and DaNang is a popular tourist site, called the Marble Mountains. These are 5 towering chunks of marble and limestone that break up an otherwise flat area of Vietnam. While all mountains have tunnels and rooms that were used by Viet Cong soldiers in the Vietnam War, only one mountain, Thuy (meaning water) is open for the public to explore. Each of the 5 mountains (to be fair, their height should really classify them as large hills I think) is named after an element.
Ancient Port town of Hoi An
Staying in central Vietnam with one of the most visited small towns in the entire country. Hoi An is a well preserved, ancient port and lives up to the largest expectations. With a range of activities and sights like the iconic Japanese Bridge, or a popular Hoi An tailored suit, this beautiful town will have you ready to experience ancient Vietnam. Along Hoi An’s narrow river, nighttime becomes a beacon of beauty. Lanterns line the shores and long tail boats paddle back and forth giving a wonderful light display.
Phong Nha trekking and bike tour
If you enjoy jungle trekking, Phong Nha should be high on your list of destinations in central Vietnam. Known for being along the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, trek through thick jungles and into giant caves. Many different treks are offered throughout Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and there’s something suit every visitor.
This park of dense jungle is home to the world’s largest known cave, Don Soong. However, if you’re not up for a 5-day trek costing thousands of dollars, there are plenty of amazing trails and caves to explore.
Around the town of Phong Nha itself, there’s surprisingly a lot to see. By staying at Easy Tiger Hostel you can hire bikes free of charge. This is definitely the best, most fun and healthiest way of exploring Phong Nha. Take a ride to the duck stop or, alternatively, watch thousands of ducks cross a rice paddy field at sunset. For more detailed information, check out my Self Guided Phong Nha Bike Tour post.
Trekking the villages around SaPa
SaPa is a small town in northern Vietnam, well known for its trekking opportunities. While inside SaPa itself there isn’t too much, Cat Cat village is the closest “trek” accessible from the downtown core of Sapa, but even then its touristic vibe is a bit too much for me.
In this post, I explain why trekking in SaPa is best done with a socially responsible company with ties to the communities. Guided by Xuan, a local Red Dao ethnic minority resident, my small group of 4 got to experience many beautiful sights of rural SaPa.
The green ripples of rice fields stack upon one another up vast and rolling hills. This continues far off into the distance for most of the overnight treks.
A local homestay is an amazing way to see the rural way of life away from all the tourism that frequents Vietnam. Walking around at dusk, along the rocky dirt roads, being immersed in rural life around SaPa is inescapable.
I doubt this girl even noticed me walking passed, she seemed much too interested in whatever behind me had her attention.
Nearing the end of the demanding 2-day trek through the hills of SaPa, a group of kids played with a single umbrella in a distant field. As soon as they noticed us walking along the trail, they began waving and shouting things in some form of Vietnamese dialect I wasn’t familiar with. Even though I had zero clue what they were yelling at me, this encounter still sticks in my mind and brings a smile.
Dien Bien Phu sunset
In Vietnam’s north, Dien Bien Phu is a town used by most as a stop over into Laos. Most travellers catch a bus, boat and another bus hours into Laos, with the usual final destination being Luang Prabang.
Sights in Dien Bien Phu are slightly lacking compared to its other Vietnamese city counterparts, as the small city is used as a transit location and travellers don’t stick around too long. However, if you’re spending the night and looking for a worthy place to visit in Dien Bien Phu, climbing the steps to the statue of Victory gives a beautiful vista over the landscape, especially for sunset.
Thap Rua, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
Every weekend Hanoi turns into a family friendly playground. Shutting down all roads around the downtown Hoan Kiem Lake, many people gather to play games and just hang out with their family or even foreigners gathered around the lake. As night descends on Hanoi, lights illuminate Thap Rau. Also known as Turtle Tower, this temple lights up the small island isolated on Hoan Kiem Lake.
Just a stone’s throw away is Ngoc Son temple. Home to a bronze replica of one of the three remaining giant turtles in Vietnam. This family-friendly, colourful side of Hanoi is a great way to spend a night in Vietnam’s capital city.
Drive the Hai Van Pass
Nestled in between the cities of Da Nang and Hue lies the gorgeous 21 km stretch of highway, the Hai Van Pass. Once posing a significant land barrier to invading forces between north and central Vietnam is now one of the countries most popular sections of asphalt.
In 2008, the Hai Van Pass became even more solidified as a Vietnamese “must-see” when ex-presenter of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, referred to the road as “a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world.” I have to agree with him! It is an unforgettable view!
Mekong River boat ride
The Mekong River flows through 6 countries in Asia, Vietnam being one. At over 4300km long it is the 12th longest river in the world. Throughout Asia I encountered this fast flowing, snaking river many times. One of my favourite times on the Mekong River was actually as part of a tour in southern Vietnam. Taking a small wooden longtail boat through the Mekong Delta was fantastic.
Even though it was quite touristy, the majority of the ride we paddled down an incredibly picturesque, secluded stream of the Mekong where massive palms growing out of the water created a quiet, tunnel-like passage to enjoy the gentle current.
Minh Mang tombs
Just over 12km from the central Vietnam city of Hue sits Minh Mang tomb. Construction began in 1820, the year that Emperor Minh Mang began his rule. But it wasn’t finished by 1841 when the Emporer passed away and was completed by his son and successor, Thieu Tri. This beautifully detailed resting place is surrounded by lush jungle. Combining it with the previously mentioned Ho Thuy Tien, it makes a great day trip itinerary for Hue.
I hope you enjoyed Travel Through Photography – Vietnam.
I’d love to hear what you loved or disliked about your travels through Vietnam, or where you’d love to visit!
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Happy and safe travels,
Ben
