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  Ba
Vi National Park - Numerous species of rare plants can
be found at this park, 65km west of Hanoi, and there are trekking
opportunities up to the 1287-metre summit, offering panoramic
views of the Red River Valley. The park also has a guest house
for overnight stays.
Handicraft
Villages - The silk weaving village of Van Phuc, the ceramic
centre at Bat Trang, and the furniture making village of Dong
Ky are among several handicraft villages around Hanoi. The
snake-breeding village of Le Mat is worth a visit for the
several restaurants offering this particular delicacy.
Museum
of Ethnology - An impressive and well arranged display
of some 15,000 exhibits, collected from all over the country
reflecting the myriad facets of Vietnamese culture. The museum
also serves as a centre for ethnological research.
The
Perfume Pagoda - Reached by road and scenic boat
ride, this complex of pagodas built into limestone cliffs
and inside caves, 60km south-west of Hanoi, is considered
one of the most beautiful sites in the country.
Halong
Bay - This World Heritage Site, with more than 1,600 islands,
islets and limestone rocks, rises from the waters of the bay.
Set against a rocky coastline perforated by numerous caves
and grottoes, Halong Bay is about 170km east of Hanoi, near
the port city of Haiphong. Most of the islands are uninhabited
and unaffected by man, protecting their unique flora and fauna.
Among the many highlights are the huge, three-chambered cave
Hang Dau Go and the Drum Grotto, where the sound of distant
drums is generated by the wind rushing through the stalactites
and stalagmites.
Halong Bay is a Jewel of the Mekong - click
here - for our feature.
Cat
Ba Island - The island's 350 square km, of which 90 are
a national park, with abundant flora and fauna, and numerous
caves, offers many opportunities for exploring and hiking.
An excellent base from which to explore Halong Bay.
 Hue
- This historic city straddling the banks of the Perfume river,
dates back to 1687 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 1993. Battles with the French, in 1885, and during
the Vietnam War in 1968, caused considerable damage which
is slowly being repaired.
The
Emperors' Tombs - Located at various sites along the banks
of the Perfume River, the furthest 16 kilometres south of
the city, these impressive mausoleums are the unique final
resting places of the Nguyen Dynasty Emperors, (1802-1905).
The most frequently visited are the impressive Tomb of Tu
Duc, and the beautifully majestic Tomb of Minh Mang.
The
Citadel - Begun in 1804 and surrounded by a 30
metre wide, 4 metre deep, moat, it was from here that the
Emperor presided over official duties. At its centre is the
Emperor's private quarters, the Forbidden Purple City. The
Citadel has a total of 10 fortified gates reached by bridges
spanning the moat.
Thien
Mu Pagoda - This imposing site with its 21 metre
high octagonal tower was founded in 1601 and has been rebuilt
several times since. Contained in the complex are an interesting
stele, plus a huge bell, weighing over 2000 kilograms, that
is audible for miles.
Danang
- About 100 km south of Hué, Danang was once the centre of
the Cham kingdom - a merchant people, thought to have arrived
from Java, Indonesia, around 1AD. The kingdom existed until
1720 when it was reduced to a small area around the present
Vietnamese town of Nha Trang. Later the Chams migrated to
an area which today belongs to Cambodia.
The
Cham Museum - Founded in 1915, and featuring the
world's largest collection of Cham art. The Cham people were
renowned for producing splendid works, particularly sculpture.
This open air site contains numerous masterpieces from different
periods of the Cham kingdom.
My
Son - A major Cham archaeological site with some
spectacular ancient brick monuments, set in picturesque mountainous
surroundings. Established in the 4th century, this philosophical
and religious centre flourished for over twice as long as
Bagan and Angkor, with its temples dedicated to Shiva, and
successive Cham kings. Vietcong guerillas used the sanctuary
as a military base, causing many monuments to be damaged by
subsequent US bombing. Restoration efforts are in progress.
Other groups of monuments are overgrown, with plans to make
them also accessible. Other important remains of the Cham
civilisation can be found at the remains of Tra Kieu, which
served as the kingdom's first capital from the 4th to the
8th century.
Marble
Mountains - Actually 5 summits of a limestone mountain
range, 12 km west of Danang. Numerous paths lead to caves,
pagodas, and small shrines. The summit offers spectacular
views.
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