A list of destinations highlighting the best places in South Vietnam. Have a read and get a glimpse of the southern part!
Ho Chi Minh City
Considered as the business hub and the largest metropolis in the country, Ho Chi Minh is perhaps the most advanced place in the Southern part.
The vast city houses approximately 8 million residents however, once in the city, it might feel like a total urban jungle with a sea of faces.
Its central business zone or District 1 is mostly preferred by tourists while adventure seekers head to Binh Than, Phu Nhuan, or District 3.
Expect to see several museums, shopping centers, and exciting nightlife while exploring the city. Aside from these, never skip Nguyen Hue, Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien, Bitexco Tower when you visit.
If you ever feel famished during your trip, make sure to drop by and taste the best seafood dishes along the canal and Binh Thanh’s alleys.
Mekong Delta
Second, on the list of best places in South Vietnam is the Mekong Delta. It is known to be the “Rice Bowl of Vietnam” featuring a series of waterways with nutrient-rich soils and diversified ecosystems.
Its banks are best for fruit, veggies, rice plantations, and cattle farming. The Mekong Delta stretches wide enough to hold lily pad waterways, rice paddies, mangroves, and alluring wildlife.
There are plenty of ways to reach the Mekong Delta, the most common is through bus connections and motorbikes. The most iconic town to visit in the city is Tra Vinh while the most notable activity to do in the place is a boat trip through curtains of mangroves and water plants. Or rent a paddled boat and see the intriguing daily life on the river with enticing floating markets.
Mekong Delta is at its best during its dry season from December to May where flooding is rare.
Can Tho
Known as the largest city found in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho features some of the most fascinating markets found in the country.
It is nestled along the banks of Hau River where it has been a significant trading center for years.
A visit to Can Tho is never complete without checking the Cai Rang Floating Market and Phong Dien Floating Market. Also, make sure to reserve a day on your trip to explore its narrow canals and tributaries – featuring rice paper factories and crocodile or python farms!
Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc island is one of the most charming islands found in the country, albeit it is geographically closer to Cambodia.
The island is known for its lush greens, fine white sand beaches, and a series of hills. As intriguing as it looks, the island also has an intriguing history. It used to be a French missionary base and at the French colonial wartime prison – a gloomy reformatory that you can visit today.
Phu Quoc is known as a tropical haven, anyone can enjoy sunbathing on sandy beaches, scootering around fishing villages, visiting pearl and pepper farms, otherwise, you can trek to reach its waterfalls.
Power tip: Try out Phu Quoc’s famous fish sauce (nuoc mam) – you can even visit one of the fish sauce factories while you’re here!
Ca Mau
Another place on this list located in the Mekong Delta, Ca Mau, is the country’s southernmost province. It stretches at 5,211 square kilometers featuring three main sides bordering the sea.
Ca Mau has just recently captivated some eyes characterized by its black land due to melaleuca leaves of U Minh melaleuca forest have fallen into the water and colored it.
The place is a beauty to see with alluring gardens and rivers, typical characteristics of cities and neighboring towns found in the Mekong Delta.
Some of the notable activities you can do during your trip to Ca Mau are creep in the mangrove forest canals or enjoy the fresh air of U Minh Ha forest with vast green melaleuca forests, creating the wild and pristine charm.
Did you know? Ca Mau is the only place on the shore of Vietnam where you can watch the sunrise over the East Sea and set in the West Sea.
