Photography
Photography in Vietnam. Places tagged for it include Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay, and Hanoi. Sights include Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge and Dragon Bridge.
Attractions
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
A full day in the hills west of the city, built around the Golden Bridge and the stone hands that hold it. Go for the view and the bridge. Skip it if your days are already spoken for by the beach and Hoi An.
- Dragon Bridge
The yellow dragon across the Han River is the picture of the city. Walk the river path at dusk. If you want the fire-and-water show, check which night it runs before you wait for it.
Festivals
- Da Nang International Fireworks Festival
A recurring summer fireworks festival on the Han River. Teams compete over several nights. The calendar and any ticket rule are set for that year.
- Hoi An lantern night
The monthly lantern nights fill the old town. They are crowded and pretty. Confirm the date on arrival, and do not plan museum time if the river is up.
Places
1 Ha Giang
The Ha Giang Loop is a mountain road through Vietnam’s far north: passes, minority markets, and buckwheat f…
2 Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a drowned karst landscape east of Hanoi.
3 Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and the usual start of a northern trip.
4 Hoi An
Hoi An is a preserved trading port of wooden shophouses, a Japanese covered bridge, and a river that floods…
5 Phong Nha
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a national park of river caves.
6 Can Tho
Can Tho is the main city of the Mekong Delta and the base for the Cai Rang floating market.
7 Cat Ba
Cat Ba is the large island at the western edge of the Ha Long and Lan Ha bay karst.
8 Da Lat
Da Lat is a cool highland city of pines, lakes, and French-era villas.
9 Da Nang
Stay in Da Nang when you want the airport, a long beach, and a city that still feels like a city.
10 Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is the karst-and-rice country south of Hanoi.
11 Sapa
Sapa is a highland town near the Chinese border, used as a base for rice terraces, market days, and Fansipan.
12 Tam Coc
Tam Coc is the boat village of Ninh Binh.
13 Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a valley of rice and stilt houses west of Hanoi, closer and gentler than Sapa.
14 Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a beach strip northeast of the fishing town, known for kitesurfing, red dunes, and a white sand d…
15 My Son
My Son is a valley of Cham temple towers west of Hoi An, built between the 4th and 13th centuries.