5 Places that I want to visit in Vietnam

2012 has really flown by, and as the end of the year approaches, the time has now come to focus on 2013. Next year is looking like it is going to be a huge travel year for me, and I have several plans in the works. I will talk more about my overall plans for next year at a later date, but one country that I am planning to visit in 2013 is a new one for me – Vietnam. South East Asia has to be one of my favourite places in the world, and although I have spent plenty of time there, really, I have only just scratched the surface of this amazing region. There are a lot of places that I still want to visit in South East Asia, but at the top of this list would have to be Vietnam.

Here are five places that I really want to visit when I travel to Vietnam in 2013:

Hanoi

Hanoi Old Quarter by Binder.donedat on Flickr

I am planning on starting in Northern Vietnam and then working my way down to the south, so Hanoi will probably be the first place that I will visit. This thriving capital city is full of interesting museums and attractions, but I think the big draw for me would be exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with it’s old historical buildings. I’m hoping to find some nice street food stalls and some markets to explore as well. The beautiful Halong Bay is close by and there seems to be plenty of guided tours in Vietnam, so I am hoping to take a couple of days to cruise around the islands.

Sapa

Valley in Sapa by mac.rj on Flickr

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know about my love for hiking, adventure and experiencing new cultures, which is what makes Sapa a must see for me. Located near the Chinese border, this green mountainous region has some very beautiful scenery, with hiking trails that allow you to explore the area and visit some of the ethnic minorities in the region.

Hoi An

Old Architecture in Hoi An by jmhullot on Flickr

I love history, and the beautifully preserved old town of Hoi An is perfect for me to delve into some of Vietnam’s ancient history. The old architecture and narrow alleyways and waterways are also going to be amazing to photograph. I really think that I will like this town a lot, and it’s probably going to be one of those places that I spend a lot more time in than I planned.

Dalat

South Central Highlandsby AG Gilmore on Flickr

Located in the South-Central Highlands of Vietnam, Dalat is another place that my adventurous appetite draws me to. With it’s high altitude, this town was built up during the French Colonial days for the French to escape the heat and humidity of Saigon, and I think that this will probably be a welcome relief for me as well. The area has some excellent hiking opportunities amongst some beautiful scenery, so I’m sure that my hiking boots will be back in action again here.

The Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta by katinalynn on Flickr

From Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), I want to end my tour of Vietnam by exploring the Mekong Delta. I have spent a lot of time in or around the Mekong River during my travels through Thailand and Laos, and it will be great to see the area where this mighty river ends. I would like to spend some time on the river itself, making my way to Can Tho where I hope to visit it’s interesting floating markets.

There are a lot of places to see in Vietnam, and I’m hoping to visit as many as I can, but these five places are at the top of my list.

Have you been to Vietnam? Do you have any suggestions on places that I should visit?

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Travelindochina