A trip to Vietnam is for many a bucket list destination. This exotic holiday destination has grown in popularity over the past couple of decades thanks to its incredible natural beauty and scenery, interesting culture, food, architecture, and more. And while there are many tourist hot spots, that may not be the best take on the country. If you want to experience Vietnam in a more authentic sense, you must get off the beaten track and explore little-known destinations, sites, and activities. Here’s a look at a few that you can put on your list.
—Moc Chau – A Visually Stunning Experience
You can rarely find a landscape that is so different from anything you’ve ever seen or experienced, but that is the case with the Moc Chau Plateau. Described as relaxing, serene, and peaceful it can be found 200 km from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. These are the tea hills, which feature thousands of hectares of tea leaf gardens on beautiful rolling hills. The mountains create the backdrop making for scenery that doesn’t even look real.
To make the experience even more interesting, take some time to explore the village of Hua Tat – which is nearby. The village has a slow pace, is brimming with local culture and the Dai Yem waterfall will make for some stunning photos.
—Explore the South by Bike in the Mekong Delta
Vietnam’s southern regions are incredibly lush and alive with flora and fauna, which you can explore by bike when you go to the Mekong Delta. Binh Island is a must-see, as this rural location is surrounded by water and dirt paths. The paths are ideal for biking and you’ll find places you can stay overnight. As you bike along the dirt paths, either side is flanked by large full palm trees and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a distant tropical oasis.
—Pu Luong Nature Reserve Is Perfect for Eco Tourists
If you’re an eco-tourist who is after an authentic and unique experience while in Vietnam, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is the place to find it. This is located in Northern Vietnam and is described as a trekking spot for eco-tourism. It’s extremely remote, so you’ll feel far removed from the typical tourist locations. Plan on spending a full weekend so that you can explore the surrounding small villages, the untouched nature, the cuisine, and the welcoming culture.
Make Sure the Trip Is Smooth
Before you get too excited about booking a trip to Vietnam, be sure you’ve learned everything you need to know about getting a Visa. You don’t want to be rushing around trying to get your paperwork done in time for your trip, causing unnecessary stress. And it’s not just the visa, you’ll want to look into any other important information (travel documentation, any necessary vaccinations, and so forth) you need before traveling to the country. You can also check out my article for tips on visiting remote places in Vietnam.
Discover the Little-Known Secrets of Vietnam
Each of these hidden gems is perfect for travelers who wish to get off the beaten track and discover the little-known secrets of Vietnam. Feel free to leave in the comments in case you know of a place that I missed to include on this list. Ciao!
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wood-landscape-nature-person-6346644/
