|
| |
Active
Things To Do in Vietnam
Cycling
Vietnam is ideal for long-distance cycling as much of the country is flat and
the shortage of vehicles makes for light traffic. Caution is needed, however,
especially on busier roads as traffic can be very undisciplined. Bicycle hire is
widely available.
Watersports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular beaches
are Vung Tau, just north of the Mekong Delta; and Nha Trang, near
Da Lat, where the clear, turquoise waters offer good snorkeling and scuba
diving. Snorkeling and diving equipment can be hired at most beach resorts.
Other good beaches can be found at Phan Thiet (southcentral coast); Mui
Ne (noted for its large sand dunes); and the magnificent Ha Long Bay,
where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and
grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin. Access to the islands is by boats,
which can be hired in Ha Long City.
Hiking
There is good hiking and horse riding in the beautiful countryside around Da
Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. Generally, the northwest
is the best region for hiking. Other good destinations include Bach Ma
National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park (near Hanoi) and Lang Bian
Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory. In the north, Ba Be
Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) and Cat
Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island also offer beautiful scenery.
Other
Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Pong Nha river caves,
northwest of Dong Hoi. Boat trips are particularly popular in the Mekong
Delta, Vietnam’s southernmost region, which consists of an intricate
network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers.
River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Ho Chi
Minh City) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
There are opportunities for visitors to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It
is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads,
trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war.
It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son mountains and into
western Laos. The claustrophobic network of tunnels used by villagers and
guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi (35km/22 miles from Ho Chi Minh City) and
Vinh Moc can also be visited.
|
