

Vietnam has a dreamlike landscape that has received increasing recognition in the last decade. Many tourists are now starting to flock here, wondering what natural beauty they may find around the next corner. Well today we’re here to help you find them. These 7 natural wonders of Vietnam make excellent day trips, and are great destination stops for some amazing photo opportunities! So without further ado we present to you – the 7 Wonders of Vietnam:





Halong Bay

Located about 3 hours from Hanoi, Halong Bay sits near the Chinese border and covers over 1, 500 square km. Once you see Halong Bay with its 1600 limestone islands and inlets and it’s perfect turquoise waters, it will come as no surprise to you that the landscape has been featured in many movies. ‘Pan’, ‘Life’, ‘Kong’, and ‘Tomorrow never dies’ are just a few of the many blockbusters that have taken advantage of this beautiful scenic area within their footage.

The Bay was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, and has long been popular among tourists to Vietnam.

Things to do there:

-Kayaking

-Swimming

-Caving

-Sunset watching

-Boat cruise

-Helicopter and seaplane tours

Best time to visit: In order to avoid extreme heat, the best time to visit Halong Bay is from March to May or September to November.



Ninh Binh

Sometimes referred to as the “ Halong Bay of the land”, Ninh Binh shares a striking resemblance to Halong Bay. The only difference is that rather than being on water, Ninh Binh is on land. Surrounded by limestone formations along the riverbank, this beautiful landscape has everything you need to enjoy a day out of the city.

Ninh Binh is located 2-3 hours from Hanoi and can be covered in a day trip. If you prefer to stay, plenty of affordable accommodation options are also available here.

Things to do there:

-Row through the sea caves

-Explore Tam Coc

-Explore the Van Long Nature Reserve

-Visit one of the oldest parks in Vietnam (Cuc Phung National Park)

-Check out the local Pagodas

-Visit the Gothic Church

-Hike up Hang Mua Peak

-Visit the set of “King Kong: Skull Island”

The best time to visit:

Ninh Binh is subject to landslides and flooding during their rainy seasons (May to September), so it is advised to visit the area outside of these times. If you are interested in seeing the rice fields, they turn a brilliant green in September and again from March to April. If you visit during October or between May and June, the rice fields are likely to be golden yellow. If you visit during the winter months (November to February), it’s likely that the landscape will be parched.

The best time of day to visit Ninh Binh is in the morning when there are fewer tourists.



An Binh Island

If you’re looking for an authentic Vietnamese experience, An Binh Island is where you want to go. An Binh Island is not as touristy as some of the other destinations on this list and allows you to experience the beauty of Vietnam without being surrounded by other tourists. In fact, An Binh Island is a great place to have a more authentic experience and meet with some of the locals. Here, many of the locals still make their livelihood through traditional craft making.

If you really want to integrate yourself into Vietnamese culture, plenty of Homestays are also available in this area.

Things to do there:

-Get to know the locals

-Laze in a handmade hammock

-Bike ride through the island

-Explore the fruit orchards of the island

-Catch fish in a traditional costume at the Tien Chau Pagoda

-Motorboat or row through the canals

-Visit pottery village and make some rice paper

-Try some traditional cuisine

-Visit the Vinh Sang Entertainment center for ostrich riding, go karting, and games

The best time to Visit: May to August, between 2-5pm.



The Sapa Rice Terraces

The Sapa Rice Terraces are one of Vietnam’s most popular attractions and have been voted as one of the most beautiful rice terraces in the world. These are the biggest rice terrace fields in Vietnam and have been around for hundreds of years. When seen from afar they make for a stunning view and photo opportunity.

Things to do there:

-Take photos – lots and lots of photos

-Explore some of the surrounding villages

-Stop to try some local rice

-Have a traditional experience by spending the night in a Homestay

-Trek through the rice fields

Best time to visit: August to September when the rice fields are the greenest.



Son Doong Cave

Located with Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Son Doong Cave is a more recent discovery (discovered just over a decade ago). The cave has only been open to the public since 2013, but gained quick popularity for its massive size. In fact, the cave has now been deemed as the largest cave in the world. Though the cave itself is only 5.5 miles in length, the ceiling of the cave stands over 100 meters tall (that’s the size of a 40 story building!). Estimated to be over 3000 years old, this cave has now made our list of Vietnams 7 Natural Wonders.

What to do there:

– Explore the cave with Oxalis Adventure Tours

– Set up camp inside of the cave

– Explore the surrounding village of Ban Doong

Best time to visit:

To date, the only tour company allowed to offer tours through the cave is the Oxalis Adventure tour company. This company only offers tours from January until the end of August, and only 1000 tourists are accepted each year. Departures for this tour are limited, so if it’s something you are interested in be sure to book plenty in advance.



The Mui Ne Sand Dunes

If you want to feel like you’re in the middle of the Saharan desert, the Mui Ne Sand Dunes are where you want to be. Incredibly picturesque, the sand dunes are located approximately 200km east of Saigon. There are actually two different sets of sand dunes to see here, the white dunes and the red dunes, which are easily distinguishable by their colors.

What to do there:

-Picnicing

-Sand Sledding

-Quadding

-Hot air ballooning over the dunes

Best time to visit: You can visit the dunes year-round, but the best time to visit is in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the sweltering heat and hot sands.



Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is the agricultural center of Vietnam, and takes you back in time to a city living on water. It’s a great place to learn about Vietnamese life and to really experience the local culture. Whether you are interested in floating along the canals, visiting a floating market, or integrating yourself into the Vietnamese culture, Mekong Delta is the perfect place to do it.

What to do there:

-Visit a floating market

-Explore the countryside

-Visit a snake farm

-Learn about the process of traditional silk making

-Visit a fruit Orchard

-Bird watch

-Take a cruise

-Visit a local temple

Best time to visit: Anytime

So there you have it! The 7 Wonders of Vietnam. Check out Explore One Vietnam to learn more about amazing beaches, experiences, and opportunities in Vietnam.