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Vietnam is known as a country of undiminished natural beauty — where its heritage of French colonization and war—ravaged past make it a fascinating place to visit. Since this communist state opened its doors to tourism a little more than a decade ago, travelers have been making their way to this intriguing land faster than you can say ’Miss Saigon’, hoping to savour this relatively undiscovered strip of south east Asia before the mass package tours inevitably arrive.

World Heritage Sites 

With so much to see and do in this gem of a country, a wonderful way to experience Vietnam is undoubtedly through its five World Heritage Sites. Designated by UNESCO, the heritage sites in Vietnam are truly a treat for the senses, offering outstanding cultural and natural features. From the breathtaking scenery in Ha Long Bay to the intricate architecture of My Son Sanctuary a trip to these world heritage sites are more than just postcard—perfect scenes, but places where the aesthetic elements meet authentic Vietnamese culture. And best of all, the packed tourist coaches are still few and far between.

Complex of Hue Monuments

Hue was the fuedal capital of a unified Vietnam from 1802 until 1945, once home of the Vietnamese Emperors. Although not the most picturesque city in Vietnam, Hue is considered a hub for travelers passing from the North to the South, and has a charmingly named Perfume River which winds through the city and its environs. Perhaps one of the best ways to experience Hue would be to take a Dragon Boat Cruise down Perfume River, which seductively makes its way through picturesque bridges, temples and palaces. The Citadel or Imperial palace is another place of note, based on the Forbidden City in Beijing, and although badly bombed during the 60’s, it remains an impressive sight and is currently undergoing extensive restoration.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a truly stunning spectacle of nature located in the northeast corner of the country. Put on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994, its mystical and legendary qualities are close to the Vietnamese people’s hearts, and the name itself, ’Ha Long’ translates to’ Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea.’ Limestone formations and islets, secret lagoons, ancient caves, deserted coves, grottos and islands with whimsical names like The Isle of Surprise and Isle of Wonder pepper the magnificent coastline, while Chinese Junks sail serenely on the azure waters, giving a beautiful and almost surreal quality to the bay. In fact, many travelers who have cruised on one of the wooden boats or kayaked through this dreamy landscape (while perhaps sampling the exotic fruit from floating fruit vendors) have claimed that Ha Long Bay is indeed one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Hoi An Ancient Town 

The ancient port town of Hoi An lies on the banks of the lovely river Thu Bon, and is close to the Marble Mountains some wonderful beaches. Pretty much smack in the center of the country, the quaint Hoi An is a great stop for a taste of old Vietnamese village life, with charming narrow streets, pretty patios, historical homes and bridges. Galleries, good food, interesting shops and a mixed cultural ambience lend a unique flavour to this charming town.

MySon Sanctuary 

Further south about 65 km from Hoi An, is the splendid My Son (or Myson) Sanctuary, the sacred capital of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th —13th centuries. Although decidedly not as grand as Angkor Wat, (mostly because of bombings during the American war and a fire in the 16th c.) My Son holds is own with its remarkable red—brick, Hindu—inspired architecture set against the glorious Cat’s Tooth Mountain.

Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park

This impressive national park 500km south of Hanoi was the latest to be inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage list (2003), and is a en extraordinary nature reserve filled with diverse forest, underground rivers , caves ,caverns, and a multitude of endangered animals and rare plants. Bound to west by Laos, it is still in effect, virgin territory with unexplored mountains and archeological artifacts such as the ancient hieroglyphic script of the Cham.