TOP THINGS TO DO IN PHONG NHA:

See the Big One

Hang Son Doong is by some criteria, the largest cave in the world. It’s big enough to accommodate skyscrapers and has its own jungle ecosystem. No wonder then that the multi-day tours to Hang Son Doong have sold out every year since they began in 2013. To explore this mammoth wonder, you’ll need US$3,000 and six days, but for those with less time and funds, there is plenty more subterranean exploring in Phong Nha.

Join a cave expedition 

Entering the magical world of the Tu Lan cave system on a two-day trip means swimming through river caves and camping on the edge of waterfall-filled lagoons, while the beady eyes of flying squirrels peer inquisitively down from the tree tops. At Hang Nuoc Nut, you can camp at the base of a limestone cliff, then enter the surreal world of Hang Va. Hang En features a magnificent, colossal main chamber with shimmering turquoise pools, while the cathedral-like chambers of Paradise Cave allow day-visitors the chance to marvel at thousand-year-old beauty.

Go in search of wildlife 

Phong Nha’s jungles are home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The ultimate way to discover this is on Hai’s Eco Conservation Tour. Mr. Hai, a young and enthusiastic conservationist, will bring you to the Wildlife Rescue Centre to see rescued macaques, langurs, porcupines, and more. While trekking to the Thac Gio Falls, you may spot macaques in their natural habitat.

Eat outdoors

Hire a bike and pedal out to the Bong Lai village in search of the Pub With Cold Beer for one of the country’s best foodie experiences. Here, only one item is on the menu: sublime grilled chicken, served with unbeatable homemade peanut sauce. After lunch, ride a little further and reward yourself with a cold drink and views across the Cuong River valley at the impossibly pretty lookout of the Wild Boar Eco Farm.

Cycle the Eco Trail

Non Mooc Eco Trail remains serene, its cool, rushing turquoise water inviting you to cool down when the mercury rises. It’s possible to cycle out here via farmland and cross the original Ho Chi Minh Trail on a tour with Phong Nha Adventure Cycling. Alternatively, hire a bike and make your own adventure.

PHONG NHA ITINERARIES

24 hours

With just 24 hours in Phong Nha, head to the Paradise Cave to witness the majesty of the underground world. Add on a trip to the Non Mooc Eco Trail in the afternoon.

48 hours

Add a second day of exploring along the Bong Lai Loop by bicycle, or take a walk through the jungle with Hai’s Eco Conservation Tour. For the full caving experience, opt for the two-day trips that will take you into Hang Va, Tu Lan or Hang En.

PHONG NHA WEATHER

Rains close some of the caves from November to January. April to June are fantastic months for the peanut harvest and swarms of butterflies while July to September the temperature can be very warm.

TRANSPORT TO PHONG NHA

Trains arrive at nearby Dong Hoi train station from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Direct flights from both cities are also available. The easiest way to transfer from the airport in Dong Hoi to Phong Nha is by local metered taxi.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN MUI NE:

Explore the fishing harbour

Most of Mui Ne’s appeal comes from the 12 kilometres of beach that run from nearby Phan Thiet all the way to Mui Ne proper, where the area’s original fishing village still remains. Down at the harbour, an army of brightly coloured fishing boats bob up and down with the tide. Come early in the morning to watch the fishermen unload their catch from the night before.

Try kite-surfing

Mui Ne’s dependable winds, which average above 12 knots for more than 200 days of the year, are no longer a secret. Kitesurfing schools are your best bet for finding professional instructors, and the town’s main beach is the safest area for newbies and anyone still learning the ropes. If you are an experienced or intermediate kitesurfer, you’ll find other bays and beaches sprinkled nearby.

Climb the sand dunes

Mere kilometers from the coast, a pair of massive sand dunes, one red and one white, are positioned like deserts in the middle of a seaside oasis. The red sand dunes are most accessible, however the white sand dunes, roughly 30 kilometres away, are more impressive. Try sand-sledding down the dunes, then make time to walk the freshwater Fairy Springs to see it strange natural formations, carved out of the sand by wind and rain.

Visit the Cham Towers 

Mui Ne’s Cham Towers are worth a visit. Perched between Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, these thousand-year-old Hindu temples belong to the former Cham empire, a medieval kingdom which ruled much of the southern coast for centuries. From the top of the hill you’ll have a fantastic view overlooking Phan Thiet.

Dine on fresh seafood

Vendors set up camp every night along the seaside at a series of stalls with the catch of the day on offer. Just choose your fish and shellfish and tell the cooks how you’d like each one prepared. Steamed fish, grilled clams, and sweet and sour prawns are all surefire bets.

MUI NE ITINERARIES

24 hours 

Take an early morning stroll down to Mui Ne Harbour, where colourful fishing boats float atop the waves. Stop to see the local market on your way. When you return, hang a right off the main road to visit Fairy Springs before grabbing a bite to eat. After lunch, hop in a cab or onto the back of a motorbike for a ride to the white sand dunes, and round out your day with a sundowner on the beach.

48 hours 

For a two-day visit to Mui Ne, tack on a bit of extra R&R time at the beach in the morning, or try your hand at a water sport. In the afternoon, you can hire a bicycle and pay a visit to Mui Ne’s red sand dunes or make the trip out to the Po Shanu Cham Towers in the late afternoon for a view of Phan Thiet.

MUI NE WEATHER

You’ll find the weather is best between November and April, when a slightly cooler – but no less windy – dry season prevails. Even Mui Ne’s rainy season is fairly tame, making this a year-round destination. Tourist arrivals in the town reach their peak between November and January, and high season for kitesurfers is between November and March. It’s wise to book ahead during these months, as prices can change.

TRANSPORT TO MUI NE

Roughly 220 kilometres from Saigon, Mui Ne attracts occasional weekend visitors from Ho Chi Minh City, as well as travellers heading south from Nha Trang and Dalat. Tourist buses routinely stop along Mui Ne’s main stretch, while the local bus station lies just east on the edge of town. For train travellers, the nearest station lies in Phan Thiet, a 30-minute drive from Mui Ne.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN VUNG TAU:

Visit Vung Tau’s tallest resident

The most famous landmark here is the Christ of Vung Tau, a towering 105-foot-tall structure akin to Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Arms outstretched, the Jesus figure stands part way up Vung Tau’s Small Mountain. All you have to do is make the hike up a generous set of stone stairs, enter the statue, and perch on its shoulders for an incredible view of the ocean.

See old French ruins

Nestled in a tangle of trees are several old military garrisons which, it seems, have gone largely untended since the French departed in the mid-20th century. These untended outposts, set up to protect the mouth of the Saigon River from invaders, remain outfitted with cannons and other military equipment. On another hillside, White Villa is a mansion originally built for the French governor, and an interesting look into the domestic life of the colonialists.

Dine on local delicacies

Vung Tau is the birthplace of one, much-loved Vietnamese dish, bánh khọt. While the setting isn’t much, the home of the local specialty, Bánh Khọt Góc Vú Sữa, still serves this dish to hungry visitors. Bánh khọt are crispy cakes with a plump shrimp in the centre. Roll them up with lettuce and herbs and dunk in fish sauce for a perfect seaside snack.

Find a quiet beach

Vung Tau’s beaches are not the most stunning in Vietnam. Beachgoers often opt to stay at resorts in Long Hai, an even sleepier, more local seaside town, or Ho Tram, which is home to a high-end resort casino and Greg Norman-designed golf course.

VUNG TAU ITINERARIES

24 hours 

Depart from Saigon in the morning, either by boat or hydrofoil, and arrive in Vung Tau around mid-morning. Make the trek up to the Christ of Vung Tau for an aerial view of the city before exploring the French garrisons that dot the hillside. When you’ve had enough, grab lunch at Bánh Khọt Góc Vú Sữa and laze for a while either on Front Beach or in one of the nearby cafes. Pay a visit to White Villa once you’ve recovered from the midday heat. You can also tuck into a helping of local seafood, time permitting, before heading back to Saigon in the evening.

48 hours

For a full two-day stay in Vung Tau, tack on a sundowner on your first evening and make the local seafood a must. The following morning, make a trip out to the Vung Tau lighthouse before putting in some quality beach time; for sunbathers, Back Beach is best.

VUNG TAU WEATHER

Vung Tau experiences its best weather from November to April, when the dry season staves off heavier rains, though it tends to get hot around the end of April and into May. Just when the heat becomes unbearable, the rains arrive and provide steady, daily downpours from May through October. The coolest weather occurs during December and January.

TRANSPORT TO VUNG TAU

Currently, most travellers visiting Vung Tau make the trip by bus, with regular, air-conditioned vehicles departing from the southern hub and traveling along a relatively new, motorbike-free expressway, cutting travel time down to about two hours. The only other transportation option is one of the hydrofoils which depart from downtown Ho Chi Minh City and take around an hour and 20 minutes to reach downtown Vung Tau. While you’ll have to hop on a local bus to make it to Long Hai, resorts in Ho Tram routinely offer shuttle service to and from Ho Chi Minh City. As a popular destination for city dwellers, prices in the beach town tend to go up at the weekends.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN CON DAO:

Go beach-hunting

With their pick of beaches, each as peaceful and secluded as the next, Con Dao travellers are spoiled for choice. Inside the park, take a hike to Ong Dung Beach, a stony coastal spot where you can snorkel close to shore, or head further afield to Dam Trau Beach. Not far from town, Dat Doc Beach is a prime spot for sunbathing.

Sign up for a day trip

Snorkeling and diving excursions on Con Dao reveal some of Vietnam’s best underwater sightseeing. On land, hikers can arrange a guide through the national park office or set off on their own with a national park map. If you’re a wildlife watcher, don’t miss a trip through Con Dao National Park to visit Bay Canh Island, home to its own turtle sanctuary.

Visit the Con Dao Museum

Con Dao is also home to one of the most infamous former prisons in Vietnam. Throughout the 20^th century, the island’s prison complex was an incarceration facility for the French as well as the Americans. Roughly 20,000 prisoners lost their lives here due to abuse and malnourishment. Visitors can get some solid background on the island’s history at the newly built Con Dao Museum.

CON DAO ITINERARIES

24 hours

Spend your first day getting acquainted with the island and its history at the Con Dao Museum. This brand-new facility gives insight into Con Dao’s past as well as its present. From there, take a stroll down the waterfront road to Quay 914, the island’s original pier, which acquired its name from the number of prisoners who lost their lives during its construction. Purchase a ticket for the prison complexand explore the island’s historical sights. In the afternoon, enjoy a drive toward the fishing village on the southern end of the island, or visit Ong Dung Beach.

48 hours 

On your second day, continue your island adventures with a trek out to Dam Trau Beach for a lazy day by the water. Be sure to bring your own snacks and supplies, as there are no shops to be found here. If you like hiking, book a guide out to Dam Tre Bay, home to one of Con Dao’s best snorkelling beaches.

CON DAO WEATHER

Con Dao’s coolest weather takes place between September and January while its hottest months are June, July and August. Given the island’s location, Con Dao is also prone to strong winds in December and January. Wildlife watchers should note that turtle-hatching season takes place from mid-August to early December.

TRANSPORT TO CON DAO

Flights depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City and land at the island’s modest airport. Seats tend to book up fast, and it’s recommended to book in advance. If you don’t find a seat, sometimes the hotels can provide assistance.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN PHU QUOC:

Stay on the beach

The main drag, known as Long Beach, is relaxed and offers easy public access to the water. Toward the island’s southern coast, Bai Sao is famous for its scenery and comes with the added adventure of navigating Phu Quoc’s dirt roads. Further north, you’ll find more secluded shores, from Ong Lang beach to the long, empty stretch of Bai Dai.

Hike in the National Park

With more than 50% of Phu Quoc’s land area protected as a national park, a large part of Phu Quoc’s best assets are hidden inland in sites such as Suoi Tranh. Hire a motorbike and find your way around the island, stopping off to explore independent hiking trails and freshwater springs.

See a slice of local life

To get a better sense of local life on Phu Quoc, pay a visit to Dinh Cau, a modest temple at one end of Long Beach. Curious foodies can also swing by the fish sauce factories in Duong Dong, to learn how Vietnam’s most important condiment is made. On the opposite side of the island, Phu Quoc’s Coconut Tree Prison reveals a troubled history, while Vinpearl Resort’s many attractions up north signal a new age in the island’s development.

PHU QUOC ITINERARIES

24 hours 

Begin your stay by getting your bearings in Duong Dong, the island’s main town. Be sure to get a glimpse inside one of the island’s fish sauce factories before passing by Dinh Cau Temple. For more on-land activities, pay a visit to the Coi Nguon Museum, a privately run outfit celebrating the history of Phu Quoc, or lay down a towel on Long Beach for some R&R. In the evening, make a point of visiting the local night market for fresh local seafood.

48 hours 

For your second day, hire a motorbike and head south to Bai Sao, an popular stretch of sand with few beachgoers. Have lunch on the beach before heading to Coconut Tree Prison for a Phu Quoc history lesson. Round out the day by taking a wander through An Thoi, the southernmost fishing village on the island, before heading back.

72 hours

For an extra beach day, hire a motorbike again and travel north of Duong Dong to peaceful Ong Lang beach. You can grab lunch in sleepy Cua Can village before heading on to Bai Dai, arguably one of Phu Quoc’s most secluded stretches of coast, and Ganh Dau. Once you’ve had your share of beach time, turn into the forest for more outdoor adventure.

PHU QUOC WEATHER

Phu Quoc is best visited between November and April when rainy season is not yet in effect. Peak season for foreign travelers typically occurs in December and January.

TRANSPORT TO PHU QUOC

Daily flights to Phu Quoc International Airport depart from Ho Chi Minh City, while high-speed boats travel between the island and the Mekong Delta towns of Rach Gia and Ha Tien.

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE MEKONG DELTA:

Visit on-the-water villages

From the quiet towns of My Tho and Ben Tre to the floating markets of Can Tho, the flower farms of Sa Dec to the stunning, waterlogged landscapes of Chau Doc, there is plenty to keep you occupied in the Delta. Head to My Tho or Ben Tre for verdant islands containing everything from fruit orchards to coconut candy factories. Veer west toward Vinh Long instead and you’ll pass Cai Be, where a French colonial cathedral stands in view of the town’s famed floating market.

See floating markets and ancient houses

Can Tho is the region’s largest city. Fast developing into a proper hub, this laid-back riverside town boasts its own collection of cultural sights, such as Cai Rang floating market, the most famous of its kind in the Mekong. Other attractions include the Binh Thuy Ancient House, a prime example of French colonial architecture.

Step inside the house of The Lover  

Sa Dec houses the former residence of Huynh Thuy Le, a wealthy Chinese businessman with whom Saigon-born French novelist Marguerite Duras had an affair. Their relationship later served as the inspiration for Duras’ novel L’Amant (The Lover) and its 1992 film adaptation.

Go bird-watching

Nature lovers will appreciate the Delta’s collection of wildlife sanctuaries, particularly the beautifully green Tram Chim National Park, home to a quarter of all bird species found in Vietnam, including the sarus crane, the world’s tallest flying bird. Just a stone’s throw from the Cambodian border, Tra Su Bird Sanctuary holds plenty of winged wildlife in its flooded forests.

MEKONG ITINERARIES

24 hours 

If you can only stay one night in the Mekong Delta, visit Can Tho, the region’s hub. Take some time to explore the town, stopping by the charming riverfront Ong Pagoda and taking a wander around Ninh Kieu Pier before paying a visit to the Can Tho Museum as well as the local Wat Pitukhosarangsay, Can Tho’s local Khmer pagoda. Book an early morning boat for the following day so you can see the floating market. In the evening, see the night market and unwind by the riverside.

48 hours 

In the early morning, hop on a boat to Cai Rang Floating Market, where you can see firsthand the bustle of an on-the-water trading post. You can spend as little as a couple hours or as long as a full day exploring the many nearby tributaries. If you arrive back to the pier in time, pay a visit to the Binh Thuy Ancient House before returning to the city in the late afternoon.

MEKONG DELTA WEATHER 

The best time to travel through the Mekong Delta is during the dry season from October to November and in April or May.

TRANSPORT TO MEKONG DELTA

While there is an airport in Can Tho and a handful of small hangars in various Delta towns, the primary mode of transportation in this region is bus. In some cases, boats are available. A few tour operators offer Mekong river cruises from HCMC to Cambodia. Whether you’re using over-land or water transport, you’ll need to set aside extra travel time here.

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Get in line for your banh mi fix at Banh My Phuong first thing, then poke around the stalls of the wet market to eye the day’s best produce. Cycle through the rice paddies to An Bang Beach for a seafood lunch and dip in the ocean. When the air cools, walk the streets of the Ancient Town, stopping to check out any stores that catch your fancy. Have a sumptuous Vietnamese dinner, and stroll back to your hotel in the glow of Hoi An’s colourful lanterns.

48 Hours 

On your second morning in Hoi An, sign up for one of the excellent cooking classes in town or visit the organic vegetable farms on Tra Que. In the afternoon, divert yourself to the historical ruins at My Son, or do a self-guided tour of Hoi An’s charming cafes and tea houses. Afterward, sip sundowners with a view of the river at Mango Mango, do a last-minute spot of shopping, then treat yourself to a well-deserved foot massage.

HOI AN WEATHER

Like the rest of Central Vietnam, Hoi An weather can be unpredictable. Expect rainy days and several storms from September to January. If you arrive at the start of the year, bring a few extra layers to stay warm. March to May are the best months to visit, but you can also see Hoi An from June to August, if you don’t mind the intense heat.

TRANSPORT TO HOI AN

The easiest way to access Hoi An is to fly into the international airport in Danang, a 30-minute drive from the Old Town. There are domestic flights from Vietnam’s major cities to Danang, as well as direct flights from Bangkok, Siem Reap, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Hoi An can also be reached by bus from the North or South of Vietnam.

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HUE ITINERARIES

24 Hours 

Start off as early as possible to see Thien Mu Pagoda, then take your time at one or more of the Imperial tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, or Khai Dinh. Refuel with a bowl of bun thit nuong at Huyen Anh, before taking on the sprawling Huế Citadel. Later in the afternoon, have a calming walk around the Tu Hieu Monastery, then climb aboard a cyclo for a ride at dusk.

Check out Hue City tour 1 Day

48 Hours

Fill up on a supremely satisfying bowl of bun bo hue before delving into the chaos at Dong Ba Market. Spend your morning either cycling to Thanh Toan Bridge, or hire wheels to see the impressive tomb of Emperor Gia Long. Back in the city, lunch with the locals at Hanh, then pick up some cultural insight at An Dinh Palaceand Tu Cung Residence. If you have time, walk the length of Le Loi, stopping for a café sua da and any sights that catch your eye. Watch the sunset from Vong Canh Hill, or take an evening cruise on the Perfume River.

Check out Hue Imperial City Tour 2 Days 1 Nights

HUE WEATHER

Huế’s springtime months, from February to the end of April, show the historic capital in its best light. In June and July, prepare for scorching days. The rains come in August, and can last all the way through January. It’s worth noting Huế experiences some flooding, usually from October to late in the year.

TRANSPORT TO HUE

Domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City touch down in Huế’s Phu Bai Airport, a 30-minute drive from the city. Travelers also can hitch a train to Huế on the Reunification Express line, ride the open bus or hire a private car from the international airport in Danang, two hours away.

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