Live Your Best Lives
"Việt Nam, Xin chào!" Vietnam, a narrow country in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, runs from south to north, passing through four cities, starting from Ho Chi Minh City, passing through Mui Ne, Nha Trang, and finally to the capital Hanoi, embracing the beach and the sea, encountering cities and small towns, and feeling the mixture and fusion of French colonial style and Southeast Asian tropical atmosphere.
In Ho Chi Minh City, locals all know its former name [Saigon], and it seems that they still prefer to show off its old name. [Saigon] signs can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys. Even Vietnam’s largest beer brand [Bia Saigon] uses its name. This name is no longer just the name of a city, but also carries the historical silhouette and cultural symbol of an era.
"The Lover" written by Duras seems to have added a layer of lingering love filter to this "Little Paris of the East" full of strong French style.
Saigon was once the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). After the Vietnam War, it was named after the revered founding father, Ho Chi Minh, and the city was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Here, modernity blends with history, and prosperity and chaos intertwine. A "Saigon Enchanting" City Walk is the perfect place to experience it! Here are some must-see spots!
This charming pink church, known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, boasts intricate Gothic and Renaissance elements. It's the second-largest church in Ho Chi Minh City, second only to Notre Dame Cathedral. If you're here, be sure to cross the street and snap a stunning photo with a wide-angle lens from a low angle.
It is now the Hall of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. It is modeled after the Paris City Hall during the Renaissance. It is a century-old building with French style. There is a bronze statue of Ho Chi Minh waving at the main entrance of the building.
Also known as the Saigon Opera House, it was inspired by the ornate style of the French Third Republic. It is a typical Baroque building with exquisite and beautiful shapes, as well as lifelike figures and pattern carvings. You can still watch performances inside.
One of Ho Chi Minh City's landmarks, it's also known as the Red Church because of its red brick construction. Its overall architectural style is modeled after Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and it's said all the building materials were airlifted from France. At the entrance stands a statue of Our Lady of Peace. (P.S.: The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation, and the external scaffolding has not yet been removed.)
Just opposite the Saigon Cathedral is another well-preserved example of French colonial architecture. It is both a popular tourist attraction and still functions as Ho Chi Minh City’s central post office, making mailing a postcard here a truly wonderful experience.
Also known as the Independence Palace, it is located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. It was formerly used by colonial and South Vietnamese leaders. Various restored government office scenes can be seen inside. It is a symbol of the Vietnamese people's struggle for national independence and national reunification.
A new internet-famous check-in spot in Ho Chi Minh City, a must-visit for hipsters, it was converted from an entire old apartment building. Ten floors of the building are now home to coffee shops of different brands. Perhaps because there are many high-rise buildings nearby, the old coffee apartment seems unique and has attracted much attention.
The bustling bar street, colorful neon lights, deafening disco music, and crowds of people. If you want to understand Ho Chi Minh's nightlife, you might as well come here.
Heading north, we arrived at a small fishing village called Mui Ne in Phan Thiet City, Vietnam. We didn’t expect that there were so many new and interesting things to do here!
This is the cover of Lonely Planet's Vietnam, and it still retains its original appearance. Many colorful fishing boats are docked on the shore, creating a bustling scene that is breathtaking. You can also see the distinctive round dustpan boats, which look like bowls floating on the sea from a distance.
This is a red sand dune near the coast. The sand is relatively soft and very comfortable to walk on. There are some dense forests on the north and west sides of the dunes. When taking photos, you can capture the dunes, the coast and the trees at the same time, with the sea on one side and the desert on the other. Not only that, you can also sit on a sandboard here for an interesting sandboarding experience.
The rolling white sand dunes here rise and fall in graceful curves, resembling a miniature desert. On the other side, a lake surrounded by lush greenery offers a pure and beautiful scene. Here, you can take a thrilling jeep tour.
Fairy Creek is a small stream winding through the Red Sand Valley. It is very comfortable to wade in the water barefoot here. The red desertified ridges on the left bank and the coconut groves and rice fields on the right form a fresh and beautiful picture.
Mui Ne is one of the world's famous water sports destinations. The stable and strong wind and less rainfall here provide very good conditions for kite surfing. The best season is from November to April of the following year. Kitesurfing is flying all over the sky near the coast of Mui Ne's west district, which has long become a beautiful landscape in Mui Ne.
Continuing north, we arrived at Nha Trang, Vietnam, a Southeast Asian holiday paradise with exceptional value. Located on the "Golden Coast" of south-central Vietnam, it boasts some of the best beaches in the country! With an average year-round temperature of 28°C and over 300 days of warm weather suitable for swimming, a visit to Nha Trang wouldn't be complete without these few things to do!
✔️Take a mud bath and relax in the mineral-rich mud.
Mud bath, also known as hot mineral mud bath, uses mud as a medium at its own inherent temperature or after heating, and applies it to certain parts of the human body to transfer heat to the body, where it works together with the chemical components and microorganisms to achieve the effect of fitness and disease prevention.
The health, beauty, and therapeutic benefits of mineral mud are recognized worldwide. The I-resort we visited ranks highly among Nha Trang's many experiences. Not only does it offer relaxation and mineral mud baths, but its scenic and comfortable surroundings are also a major attraction. It embodies the rustic and romantic characteristics of Asian resorts, and is synonymous with Nha Trang's mineral mud bath brand and a representative venue for high-quality, luxurious mineral mud bath services. Its unique architectural style and impeccable service are worth a visit!
✔️Visit the Cham Towers and experience the historical relics of the Cham people
Po Nagar Cham Towers, also known as the Temple of the Goddess Thien Yi, is a Hindu monument dating back a thousand years. The goddess Thien Yi, who protects coastal fishermen, is enshrined here and is equivalent to Mazu in the minds of Chinese fishermen. Many local people also often come here to worship.
✔️Take a ride on the "Passenger Dies First" and experience the unique local three-wheeled transportation
This traditional Vietnamese pedicab, nicknamed "passenger first dies," was invented for a rather pretentious reason: it's practically only used by tourists! Passengers sit in the front, while the driver pedals from behind. It's said to have been designed by French colonists. It allows passengers to avoid the driver's sweat while still enjoying an unobstructed view – truly the best of both worlds.
✔️Stay in a five-star sea view pool hotel and enjoy the sea view from your balcony
Located in the heart of Nha Trang, Queen Anna Nha Trang Hotel offers luxurious rooms with European amenities and ocean views. The hotel is 900 meters from Nha Trang Night Market and 1 kilometer from Nha Trang Beach. Rooms offer panoramic views of the beautiful coastal city from their balconies.
✔️Have a barbecue with tiles and savor the delicious taste over the hot charcoal fire
These tiles, originating from Vietnam and said to be made from red clay, are used for grilling meat, preventing it from getting burned or scorched. They avoid the aroma of food being burnt by high temperatures, and instead preserve the original flavor of the food. A tile is placed on a burning charcoal stove, tilted, and then doused with peanut oil. Because one end of the tile is tilted downward, the peanut oil slowly flows into the bowl, preventing the food from becoming overly greasy due to oil accumulation.
✔️Drink drip coffee and savor the Vietnamese style with every drop
Vietnam was once a French colony, and the romantic and enjoyable French brought coffee culture here. After all these years, the Vietnamese still maintain the ancient method of drinking coffee - drip coffee.
The method is simple: sprinkle coffee grounds on the pressure plate of a drip cup, press it tightly, and then pour in hot water. All that's left is to patiently wait for the coffee to slowly drip out from the pores. However, the coffee produced by the drip cup is extremely dark and bitter, and few people can enjoy such bitter coffee.
This coffee is also known as Didijin, a nod to the Chinese proverb "Time is money." Each drop is not just a cup of mellow coffee, but also a moment of precious time. The inventive Vietnamese also add a thick layer of condensed milk to the bottom of the cup, creating a magical fusion of sweetness and bitterness.
✔️Visit Five Finger Rock and visit the filming location of "The Lover" in Cardulas
Five Finger Rock, also known as Zhongyu Stone Cape, is located north of Nha Trang. It is a rare granite coastline in Nha Trang, with numerous reefs stacked on the beach. One of the rocks stands out, with a lifelike five-finger handprint on it, which is the origin of its name.
✔️Take a photo of Nha Trang Catholic Church and experience the French style
Nha Trang Cathedral is located not far from the center of Nha Trang City. It is a Gothic cathedral. Mass is held in the cathedral every morning and evening. You can often hear the chanting of scriptures or the beautiful singing of the choir outside the door.
✔️Climb Longshan Temple and see the majestic white Buddha
Long Son Temple, located west of Nha Trang City, Vietnam, is a Chinese-style Buddhist temple. Built into the side of a mountain, it is famous for its large white Buddha statue. After visiting the temple, we hiked up to the summit, where a large white Buddha statue stands. From the summit, we can overlook the entire city of Nha Trang and the seaside. Coconut trees lushly cover the east and north sides of the mountain. The scenery is natural and pristine, becoming even more captivating at sunset.
Heading north, we finally arrived at Hanoi, a city with green trees and lakes. This was once the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and now the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with red flags flying. It has the shadow of thousands of years of Chinese culture and the romantic style under French colonial rule. These destinations here are not to be missed!
Here, you can witness the unique sight of trains whizzing through the narrow streets, recreating the magical experience you've seen on TikTok. It's also a great place to relax and grab a cup of coffee at one of the cafes on either side of Train Street!
Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, is surrounded by lush, tree-lined paths, making it a popular spot for locals to cool off and stroll. In the lake's center stands a Turtle Pagoda. Legend has it that a sacred turtle on the lake requested Emperor Le Loi to return a mystical sword he used in battle against the Ming Dynasty of China to its waters. The lake was subsequently renamed Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning "Returning the Sword."
Hanoi's oldest church, modeled after Notre Dame de Paris, is a representative example of French architecture in Hanoi. Its intricate altar, stained glass windows, and square towers are truly breathtaking. Entering the church, the ethereal sound of music fills your ears, and you'll feel as if you've ascended to heaven!
Thirty-six Lines Ancient Street is Hanoi's main commercial street. In the past, each street sold essentially the same type of goods, hence the name "traveling street." The street is both prosperous and pristine, both stylish and timeless, boasting numerous unique craft shops and studios of local artists. It's a true gem for those seeking out shops! Roaming the streets on a battery-powered tourer is also a delightful experience.
Vietnam, the exploration continues...
