HomeAsiaSoutheast AsiaVietnam Vietnam’s Amazing Natural Landscapes and Heritage Sites By Marcos Detourista on October 17, 2015. IN PHOTOS: Two weeks exploring karst mountains, gigantic caves, old-world towns, lush countrysides, and waterfalls in Central and Northern Vietnam. Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Central Vietnam. Hoi An Ancient Town was a remarkably well-preserved heritage site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It was filled with old-world architectures, a mix of eras and styles from Chinese, French-colonial, Vietnamese, and Japanese influences.Hoi An TempleHoi An's iconic Japanese Covered Bridge shot under the sunset twilight. The town was very compact and easy to explore by bicycle or even on foot.Japanese Covered Bridge sunset twilightLocal paper lantern maker in his colorful well-lit shop in Hoi An Ancient Town.Hoi An Paper LanternsRomantic evening view of colorful shophouses along the Hoi An Riverside.Hoi An Riverise at DuskOverlooking view from the top of Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Central Vietnam. This city is the primary flight gateway and largest urban area in Central Vietnam.Da Nang Marble MountainsLocals hanging out along Da Nang riverside with a view of the iconic fire-breathing Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng Bridge).Da Nang Dragon BridgeDa Nang's half-carp half-dragon water fountain statue reminiscent of Singapore's Merlion.Da Nang Half-Carp Half-Dragon Water Fountain StatueImposing south gate of the Royal Citadel (Forbidden Purple City) in Hue, Central Vietnam. This Central Vietnamese city served as the unified country's former capital and sea of Nguyen Dynasty emperors.Hue Royal Citadel South GateExquisite architecture and scenic natural setting of the Emperor Minh Mang's tomb. Hue's imperial tombs and royal citadel is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Minh Mang TombBo Bun Hue (noodle soup), Hue's famous and very delicious local dish.Bo Bun Hue (noodle soup)Vietnamese coffee brewed using a traditional Phin coffee filter that are commonplace in local coffee shops all over Vietnam.Traditional Vietnamese Phin CoffeeAmazing natural formations inside Paradise Cave (Thiên Đường Cave) in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. The national park is also famous for Son Doong, considered as the World's largest cave.Paradise CaveThe massive entrance cavern of Paradise Cave. At the time of my visit, the Paradise Cave holds the title as Asia's longest dry cave at 31km in length.Paradise Cave Entrance CavernSubterranean River and rock formations in Phong Nha Cave. Phong Nha Cave Subterranean RiverThe breathtaking view of monolithic karst mountains and the Tam Coc section of the Ngô Đồng River from Mua Caves Viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Northern Vietnam. Mua Caves ViewpointEnjoying the awesome view in Ninh Binh, an unexpected highlight on my entire trip in Vietnam.Me at Mua Caves ViewpointBoat Cruise group in Tam Coc-Bich Dong, one of Ninh Binh's main tourist spots.Tam Coc Boat TourThe temple of Lê Đại Hành at Hoa Lư Ancient Citadel in Ninh Binh.Hua Lu Ancient CitadelTrang An riverside shot under a misty dusk twilight. Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites and includes Hoa Lư, Tam Cốc-Bích Động, and Bai Dinh Temple. Trang An RiversideFacade of Phat Diem Cathedral in Ninh Binh.Phat Diem Cathedral FacadeDetailed Wood Carvings at the Phat Diem Cathedral.Phat Diem Cathedral Detailed Wood CarvingsView of scenic farms and karst mountain on my way to Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang, Northern Vietnam.Cao Bang CountrysideThese views really inspire me to come back to Northern Vietnam and explore more of the area.Cao Bang CountrysideOverlooking view of Ban Gioc Waterfall surrounded by lush rice paddies. It was located along Vietnam's northern border and is the country's largest waterfall. That's China on the other side of the river where it is named differently as Detian Waterfall.Ban Gioc-Detian WaterfallStrong current of Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall's lower cascade in September.Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall Lower CascadeThe main cascade of the Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall.Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall Main CascadeCruise Boats passing through the narrow straits in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Northern Vietnam. As you may already know Ha Long Bay is also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Ha Long Bay Cruise BoatsRare view of clear blue skies and sunny weather in Ha Long Bay.Clear Blue Skies in Ha Long BaySharing the view of the magical sunrise twilight in Ha Long Bay with my tour mates.Ha Long Bay Sunrise TwilightThe glorious sunrise view from our overnight Ha Long Bay boat tour.Ha Long Bay SunriseBeautiful night view of the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. My visit was timely because it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated majorly throughout Vietnam.Hoan Kiem LakeFestive Mid-Autumn Festival Night Market at the Hanoi's Old Quarter. This particular area is known as the "toy street" because of the abundance of toy shops. I loved that fact that many streets in Hanoi had a distinct theme and speciality.Hanoi Mid-Autumn Festival Night MarketLocal shops selling bamboo products in Hanoi Old Quarter.Hanoi Bamboo StreetEnjoying my last night in Vietnam with Bia Saigon and a view of the Hoan Kiem Lake.Bia Saigon in Hanoi On a two-week trip in Vietnam, I journeyed across the country’s central and northern provinces. This area was filled with some of Southeast Asia’s most scenic natural views. It was also home to a couple of remarkable old-world settlements that not be as spectacular as other ancient sites in the region, but they were fascinating nonetheless, enough for UNESCO’s nod as World Heritage sites. I started my Vietnam trip by flying to Central Vietnam, particularly in the urban beach city of Da Nang and ended my journey in Northern Vietnam with Hanoi, the nation’s historic capital. My journey northwards happened entirely by land and included stopovers in Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Imperial City, Phong Nha Caves and Ninh Binh, and then overnight detours to Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ha Long Bay. Hope you enjoy these photos from my travel highlights exploring the natural wonders and charming cities of Central and Northern Vietnam. Don’t leave yet. There’s more! Best Travel Booking Apps & Sites for 202315 Things to do in Vietnam + Tourist Spots7 Places to Visit in Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem +…15 Places to Visit in Florence and Tuscany + Things To Do Discover more blogs and travel tips in: HanoiVietnamDa NangHoi AnNinh BinhHuePhong NhaHalong Bay Southeast AsiaAsia See all places Find more posts about:NatureUrban Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments John Inton says April 21, 2016 at 10:48 pm Your blog is very informative and entertaining. I just read a Pinay’s blog on Iran and looks like an interesting place to see. which country are you going to next? I would like to tag along and share the experience. Reply Marcos Detourist says April 22, 2016 at 12:28 am Thanks John! Haven’t got trips planned yet. I might post my next destination on Facebook :) https://www.facebook.com/marcosdetourist/ Reply
John Inton says April 21, 2016 at 10:48 pm Your blog is very informative and entertaining. I just read a Pinay’s blog on Iran and looks like an interesting place to see. which country are you going to next? I would like to tag along and share the experience. Reply
Marcos Detourist says April 22, 2016 at 12:28 am Thanks John! Haven’t got trips planned yet. I might post my next destination on Facebook :) https://www.facebook.com/marcosdetourist/ Reply