5 Days The North of Vietnam
Ha Long Bay : Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s not hard to see why. The area is home to one of the world’s most unique and spectacular landscapes, where islands and limestone mountains majestically rise out of the emerald water. The name ‘Ha long Bay’ means ‘The Bay of descending Dragons’ and legend has it that a huge dragon swooped down from the mountains, lashing its long tail around causing land to fragment and form the 2000 or so islands. Legend or not, this is one of the world’s most breathtaking bays and a must-see in Vietnam. Ha Noi Ancient : Vietnam’s graceful capital is steeped in history, atmosphere and culture. It has the characteristic buzz and energy of Vietnamese cities, but not to the frenzied degree of Ho Chi Minh city. French-style boulevards lead to lakes where locals gather to catch-up over coffee, practise t’ai chi or play chess. Leafy lanes filled with ancient pagodas and architectural delights mingle amongst hotels, shops and restaurants ranging from traditional to modern. The heart of Hanoi is its historic Old Quarter with its maze of historic streets brimming to bursting point with hawkers, shops, Pho and street food stalls; local-style cafes and beer joints, temples and of course motorbikes weaving around the mayhem and parked all over the narrow sidewalks.