The Thien Mu pagoda is one of the most beautiful attractions that you can find in Vietnam. Situated in front of the famous Perfume River, the pagoda of Thien Mu or the Heavenly Lady pagoda was built by Lord Nguyen Huang after he heard a story about the appearance of the Heavenly Lady on the exact location.

Built during 1610, the pagoda consists of two main parts; the front and the rear ends. The rear part of the pagoda consists of the main hall where the Buddha has been enshrined; it is also the area where the monks live and practice Buddhism. The front part of the pagoda consists of the Phuoc Duyen tower which is an attraction that can be seen in Hue.

What You Should Not Miss

The attractions around the Pagoda are surely what you should not miss because of the natural beauty it holds. The road to the pagoda itself is an amazing spectacle especially during the afternoons where numerous boats travel along the Perfume River.

The car used by Thic Quang Duc before he burned himself down in Saigon is another historical memento that is well kept in the rear of the pagoda. This important keepsake that was a defying act against the Deim regime is popular to both locals and tourists alike.

What You Should Know

Bringing in a camera is advised so that you can take snapshots of the pagoda’s beauty and also pictures of the environment which is still full of lush and well kept greenery.

From Ho Chi Minh City or from Hanoi, you can get a plane to Phu Bai Airport in Hue. Transportation from the airport to the pagoda is fairly easy and transit will only last for twenty minutes either by cab or by motorbike if you are a bit adventurous.

Halong bay is very popular for its legend. It is said that a lot of sailors who have passed by have seen either a snake or a dragon appear near the islands. Also, known as Luc Thuy, Van Don or An Bang, the name Halong Bay was only recognized during its first appearance on a French maritime map.

The French explorers where the ones responsible for spreading the legend of Halong bay and making it popular around the world; since then, most tourists and even other sailors claim that they have also witnessed the appearance of the sea creature.

What You Should Not Miss

It will be hard not to see one of more than a thousand limestone islands situated in Halong Bay. To take a closer look, you can easily rent a ‘junk’ which is similar to a Chinese sailing vessel.

Sailing along the bay for several hours or even overnight is an attraction that most tourists, and even locals, enjoy. Most tourists will also rent their own junks which you will eventually bump into from time to time.

Most of the islands in the bay have their own names and you can actually go island hopping with your junks. However, it is advised that you take a guide with you when island hopping to ensure your safety.

What You Should Know

It is advised that you purchase a tour package for Halong Bay so that you will not have any problems anymore when it comes to purchasing individual passes and tickets. Different prices for packages are also available which can cater to your needs yet the amenities and the quality of the service will mainly depend on the price you will be paying.

If you plan not to purchase a package, most hotels in Halong Bay offer cheaper packages that mainly include a tour of the islands. First class hotels will also offer additional activities included in each packages like kayaking, helicopter rides, swimming, and deluxe service from imperial junks.

The old town of Hoi An is a combination of different Asian cultures since it is an old port where ships and traders from different parts of Asia make their trades. The old town, which was once known as Faifo, has the architectural influence of the Chinese shop houses including the winding roads that interconnect in the heart of town.

The Old Town has been slowly yet continuously preserved in contrast with Vietnam’s fast progress. Since the shipping business has long been moved to another part of Vietnam, the Old Town is being preserved as a cultural attraction for tourists in addition to being a memento for the locals.

What You Should Not Miss

Hoi An old town is full of attractions that are rich in history. The town also boasts of its proximity to natural wonders like the Bo River and the An Hoi islands which can be easily accessed from the town.

You will need to buy a ticket costing around five dollars to get access to all preserved historical sites inside the town. The sites you can access include the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, the Museum of Say Huynh Culture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, and the Museum of Folk Culture.

What You Need to Know

Walking around the town is advised since you cannot bring in any vehicles. You can drop by stores and preserved buildings where hospitable locals will help you with a smile.

The main drop off point for you to get to Hoi An Old town is through Danang. The airport in Danang also has regular flights to the neighboring countries in Vietnam like Cambodia and Singapore. You can take an air-conditioned mini bus from the airport to the Old town for just five dollars compared to taking a taxi which will cost you fifteen dollars in total. Travel from the airport to the old town will last for thirty minutes to an hour which is adequate for sightseeing.

The Cu Chi tunnels in Vietnam will definitely leave you breathless with amazement. The rich, yet atrocious history of these interconnected underground tunnels will educate you on how the Vietnamese created tunnels that spans more than two hundred kilometers with the use of simple shovels to dig the hard red earth.

What You Should Not Miss

Though it will not be possible to explore every tunnel in just one day, you can experience the feeling of being underground the Cu Chi tunnels through guided tours that usually last half a day. Most tourist packages include a guided tour in the Cu Chi tunnels so you won’t have any problems when booking one.

Underground, you should not miss the hospitals, the underground factories, and the underground villages that once housed both the civilians and the Viet Cong. You will surely feel the struggles and the challenges felt by the Vietnamese while living underground and while protecting themselves from the continuous bombings and the wars which broke out.

What You Should Keep in Mind

The Cu Chi Tunnels are two and a half hours away from Saigon when taking the bus. It is advised that you sit by the window and enjoy the landscapes and the view to kill boredom. From the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, there usually are private tour buses included in most tour packages that take you directly to the Cu Chi tunnels.

All throughout the year, the Cu Chi Tunnels are open; however, it is advised to take the tour during summertime which is from March to May so that you won’t experience any rainfalls.

Souvenir shops are abundant in Cu Chi where most locals sell unique items and delicacies, bringing Vietnamese Dong will make transactions easier since you will be transacting with the locals. Money changers are also available though you are only advised to trade for emergencies because of a lower exchange rate.