The magic in every city is in its hidden corners, and Vietnamese cities are no exception. Vietnamese culture honors nature, and they protect and preserve their communities and environments with the most care.
If you’ve been planning a trip to Vietnam, you’ve probably read lots of advice to visit popular places such as Mui Ne and Sa Pa Terraces. Those are beautiful, breathtaking sites, but there is more beauty to explore in both the cities and towns.
These are places inhabited by locals, and rarely included in travel guides, but are known to have left visitors speechless.
If you ever find yourself in Vietnam, be sure to spare some time to go see a few of the locations I will be talking about below.
The Best 7 Hidden Sites to visit in Vietnam
1. Long Hai
(Located in Southern Of Vietnam, Long Dat District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province)
Long Hai is located in Long Dat District, Ba Ria Vung Tau, 7km to the South East of the Ba Ria town. This gem was mostly hidden until the Long Hai resort was opened up for tourists. The white sands, clear water, and almost unnatural lights give the location an ethereal look. You can get a peaceful experience to take it all in if you visit during the week. By weekends, the locals leave the city and come into town to relax, and the resort is one of their better-favored spots.
2. Phuoc Hai Village
Located in Southern Of Vietnam (Long Dien District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province)
With the Minh Dam Mountains right behind it, Phuoc Hai is just 90km away from Ho Chi Minh city, in the Ba Ria Vung Tau province.
This town is known for two things: amazing beaches and equally amazing seafood. It also holds one of the most heart-tugging cemeteries called The Whales Cemetery. The fishermen believe that the whales are mythical beings and come with good luck. Whenever one is stranded or accidentally caught, a ceremony is performed for them and their bones are buried in the sacred cemetery.
3. Con Dao Island
Located in Southern Of Vietnam (Con Dao District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province)
This island is off the South Eastern Coast of Vietnam, about 179km away from Vung Tau city. If you want to see first-hand what some of the old colonial towns looked like, this island is a must-visit. It’s a mix of ancient buildings, charming coves, and a sprawling tropical forest. Its beaches are also clean and enjoyable, with enough space that you can find as much privacy to take it all in, as you want.
4. Phan Rang
Located in Southern Of Vietnam (Phan Rang – Thap Cham Town, Ninh Thuan Province)
Phan Rang sits right in Vietnam’s South Central Coast in a town that used to be known as Panduranga centuries ago. Its beach is basically a fitness center for the locals. It’s usually packed in the morning by people exercising who stay around for a couple of hours. After that, visitors have free range to enjoy the beach, and hillsides to enjoy the magical view from.
5. Vinh Hy
Located in Southern Of Vietnam (Vinh Hy Bay, Ninh Thuan Province)
Vinh Hy is just 30km away from Phan Rang. It is also very close to the Nui Chua national park, and they have done a tremendous job at preserving the bay and its environs. The contrast of the deep blue ocean against all the greenery floating over it is a sight to behold.
6. Mai Chau
Located in Northern of Vietnam (Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province)
Mai Chau is 65km away from Vietnam’s regional capital, and home to two of its most prominent ancient tribes who settled there centuries ago, from Thailand. It is covered in greenery as far as the eyes can see, bright blue lakes and mountains reaching the clouds.
7. Bai Tu Long
Located in Northern of Vietnam (Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province)
Bai Tu Long is just 30km to the east of the very popular Ha Long Bay and stretches for about 100km up to the Chinese border. If you don’t enjoy standing in tourist queues and want to walk into enthralling caves, ride in boats, and eat at great restaurants when you please, Bai Tu Long is a highly recommended destination. It’s not a high tourist attraction –yet, so you might have enough time to enjoy its charm before everyone else finds out about it.
Feeling excited thinking about all the places you might visit? I know I was my first time there!
Thankfully, it’s neither stressful nor expensive to get a visa and fly out to Vietnam. Vietnamese visas are usually issued a few days after application.
Lost on how to process your Vietnamese visa? Well, here’s how:
How to get your Visa to Vietnam
Vietnam visa in passport
Despite being an easy process, when applying for a Vietnamese visa you will be required to submit certain information either at their consulate, or online. Visas are not issued upon arrival without a letter showing your approval after application. In fact, airlines will not allow you board if you do not have your visa sorted out.
The e-visa application is the simplest option available. However, you can only apply if you are from one of these 46 countries, so be sure to confirm your eligibility before taking any other action.
If you are not from any of the eligible countries for e-visa, you can apply with us for the visa approval letter to pick up your visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam OR you can still apply using the good old-fashion way- visiting their consulate or embassy.
First, you need to find their embassy or consulate office in your city or the nearest city to you.
When applying, you will be required to submit:
- An entry form
- Photographs (sizes required will differ depending on where you are applying from)
- Passport photograph
- Visa application fee (varies depending on country)
To avoid going back and forth, visit this website to find out what the exact requirements are in your country.
Another stress-free option is to apply for a visa approval letter online. Through third-parties (travel agencies), you can apply for, print your letter of approval and be ready to leave in 2-3 days.
Choosing Vietnam as a vacation destination is easy, affordable (if you plan right), and magical. Its beaches, towns, and skylights (that come from nature’s own lamps) will give you a magical hideaway to get acquainted with what many have described “unreal beauty”.
Getting visa on arrival at the airport of Vietnam
