4 Places to visit in the South of Vietnam

With sunshine all time a year, the South of Vietnam is definitely ideal for your holidays. Whether you prefer a stroll along the beach, a dynamic nightlife, a place for local specialties – Southern Vietnam will delight you! Let’s take a look at the 4 most interesting places in the South of Vietnam.

Read More:

• 7 most attractive travel destinations in Northern Vietnam
• 7 Places to Visit in the Central of Vietnam
• Top 3 beaches in the South of Vietnam

1. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Sai Gon) is the most populated and dynamic city of Vietnam. This city is characterized by the elegant architecture which is the combination of American and Vietnamese style. 21-century skyscrapers, apartment buildings and shopping malls are in harmony with historical and religious buildings in this city.

Traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, you will be amazed by its combination of historical and modern attractions. Reunification Palace, once known as Independent Place, is definitely the place to check out. It used to be the home and workplace of South Vietnam’s president before April 30, 1975. Other places for you to understand Vietnamese history are Ho Chi Minh Museum, Revolutionary Museum and Vietnam History Museum.

If you want to experience a metropolitan area, District 1 will satisfy you with a lot of shopping malls, food vendors, restaurants and nightlife activities. Some notable attractions in this district are Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.

If you want to escape from crowded streets, Cat Tien National Park and Cu Chi Tunnel will tantalize you with exotic experience. A trek in Cat Tien National Park will reward tourists with spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife and refreshing mind. On the other hand, Cu Chi Tunnel is a gigantic network of tunnels used by Vietnamese soldiers during Vietnam War.

2. Vung Tau

If you want to have a break from sultry Sai Gon, Vung Tau, with an advantage in distance, is the best option for you. You can go either by bus, car or speedboat from Sai Gon to Vung Tau.

Bai Sau (Front Beach) is the most popular beach in Vung Tau. This beach is full of high-end restaurants, resorts, hotels and hospitality services. Surfing is a sought-after activity when traveling to this lovely beach.

Plan your schedule to visit the White Villa. This place used to be a summer retreat of Bao Dai Emperor. Moreover, the giant statue of Jesus is also a highlight in your Vung Tau trip.

3. Mekong Delta

Consisting of 12 provinces, Mekong Delta is frequently visited by domestic and international travelers due to its unique cultural aspects and unspoiled natural landscapes. Mekong Delta is well-known for tropical fruits (mango, durian, banana, etc) and fish (Linh fish, basa fish, snakehead fish, etc). Ben Tre, An Giang and Can Tho are three must-see provinces in this area.

Ben Tre

Traveling by boat is an iconic and signature activity when visiting Mekong Delta. On a day tour to Mekong Delta, it is common that visitors spend time on boats across Tien River which is the border between Ben Tre and Tien Giang.

Ben Tre is famous for its products made from coconut. There are four coconut candy factories across Ben Tre where you can see local women making candy. Tourists can try many candy flavors before deciding to buy. Moreover, Cho Lach flower village, which takes half an hour drive from Ben Tre city, will fascinate you with numerous types of colorful flowers and fruits.

An Giang

An Giang is inhabited by Cham community. Chau Doc, the provincial city of An Giang, is where you can visit Cham village. Tourists can purchase colorful brocade produced by skillful Cham women. Thanks to the close proximity to Cambodia, many religious communities are living in Chau Doc, including Vietnamese Buddhists, Cambodia Buddhists and Muslim Cham. Mubarak Mosque, Tay An Pagoda and Cave Pagoda are some religious centers to visit.

Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is a highlight of your Mekong Delta trip. This place is proudly praised by international tourists owing to its unparalleled beauty and pristine scenery. It is advisable that you visit Tra Su during October and November to enjoy bird sanctuary.

Can Tho

Floating market is a lively scene of flourishing Mekong Delta. It is said that if you don’t visit floating markets, you don’t see the soul of Mekong Delta. Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho is the largest floating market in this area. Hundreds of wooden boats are gathering from early morning until dawn, which creates a bustling trading center on the river. You can buy many kinds of unique tropical fruits such as jackfruit, mango and durian from local boat vendors. Even clothes, spicy and mobile card can be found here, the same as other normal markets!

You don’t need to eat breakfast before going to Cai Rang market. You can have rice vermicelli, bread and finish your breakfast by drinking from a delicious coconut.

4. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is one of the most well-known destinations on a trip to Southern Vietnam. Belonging to Kien Giang Province, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam. There are 20 pristine beaches in Phu Quoc, the most popular ones are Khem Beach, Long Beach and Pineapple Beach. In this island, you can take part in some exciting activities such as diving the coral reefs, night squid fishing, cycling along the beach and kayaking in the bay.

Some unspoiled islands which are worth spending a day trip are Hon Xuong and Hon Thom. You can reach these islands by boats and enjoy picturesque sceneries and fresh air.

The locals on this island earn their living mostly from the sea and Phu Quoc is famous for producing traditional fish sauce (nuoc mam).

Best Tours to Southern Vietnam:

• Highlights Of The South of Vietnam tour
• Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Village 1 day Tour
• Phu Quoc Wild Paradise 3 Days 2 Nights
• Hochiminh city – Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi tunnels 1 Day