What to do and see in South Vietnam?

I am taking advantage of the fact that I am about to leave road trip in northern Vietnam the day after tomorrow, to give a little rundown of what not to miss in the southern part of the country, already visited before (hence the visit to the north this time 😉).

Ho Chi Minh City: the economic lung

A city that everyone still knows as Saigon (and ultimately rarely called by his real name!), It is the largest city in the country, even ahead of the capital, Hanoi.

What strikes you immediately upon arrival is of course the chaotic traffic, where motorbikes rule, and pedestrians squeeze through this infernal merry-go-round as best they can...

Among the must-see visits, the Ben Thanh Market, Giac Lam Pagoda or the Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace). If you have the heart, you can also go to the War Remnants Museum (literal translation of the local name: War Remnants Museum).

For my part, I simply enjoyed the walk along the river and the rather wooded and green aspect of the city.

The Vietnam Delta: for its ecological diversity

The only one on the list that I haven't visited myself (apart from Saigon which is also on it). But I would have liked to, so I encourage you to take a look. Among the attractions? The Can Tho floating market, but also all the fauna and flora which make this region so rich.

Although being rather close to the coast of Cambodia, it should be noted that Phu Quoc Island is part of the delta, generally popular with travelers in the region, since it is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Southeast Asia, it gives a good reason to go for a trip to the south of Vietnam!

Dalat: a “little Paris” feel on the high plateaus

Affectionately nicknamed Little Paris, due to its popularity during the time of French Indochina, these high plateau mountains (1500 m) bring freshness and a mild climate all year round! Dalat even has the privilege of being one of the rare cities nicknamed "city of eternal spring", because the average temperature never falls below 10°C in winter, and does not exceed 25°C in summer.

It is a city with a welcoming atmosphere, with its lake in its center, and even romantic, with its valley of love! Nature reigns supreme in the surroundings with many crops, varieties of flowers and fruits, growing thanks to the mild climate of these mountains.

Do not miss Neuf-Brisach's Dantala waterfall (by going by rollercoaster, yes yes!) and take the time to stroll through the streets, you can come across the cathedral, but also a large number of different architectural styles, you can come across Norman villas as well as Savoyard chalets or even Basque houses! And also, the "Crazy House" ... a hotel with a unique look that lives up to its name!

We also found an excellent little bakery there which I really liked!

On the other hand, the Cam Ly waterfall is a scam to avoid… (paying to see a disgusting waterfall where sewer foam accumulates at its foot… no thanks)

Mui Né: unsuspected landscapes

Mui Ne was without a doubt one of my favorites during my visit to South Vietnam. I recently had feedback from a traveler who did not like it at all, arguing that the beach was crowded with Russians etc. For our part, it was mostly crowded with kitesurfers…

The fact is that it is not at all the beach that I remembered after my stay in Mui Ne… We were certainly staying there next door, but I really preferred to leave explore the area by motorbike.

Among the famous points of Mui Ne, besides the impressive port with its countless boats covering the sea, we will note the "fairy river or stream" (Fairy Stream locally), timidly indicated on the side of the road. It is a small stream that you go up on foot, bordered by greenery and a small red cliff, while the stream is rather brown, the whole gives a mixture of interesting colors.

Then, 2 “flagship” attractions of Mui Ne, these are these sand dunes. One Red, close to the port, and the other, blanche, about 30 km away. 2 colors for 2 completely different atmospheres. The red one allows a view of the sea, while the white one is bordered by a lake and offers much more contrasting colors.

In the end, Mui Né is a semi-desert landscape but with the sea as a backdrop, a contrast that, I insist, makes me appreciate Mui Né! To finish, I would not fail to mention the market, located right next to the port.

Hoi An: the old town, a real favorite

Another favorite, this time, rather that of the wife at the base. Jitima had already been to Vietnam and to Hoi An. It was she who had advised me to include a stop in this old town, listed in the Unesco World Heritage.

We stayed there for 3 days! Which is quite long for a fairly short trip in the end! So we were able to enjoy the city. One of its symbols being the venerable Japanese bridge dating from 1593 !

It's also simply pleasant to walk these streets, stop in the shops, have a snack in one of the restaurants, often offering excellent dishes, desserts and other tasty products that are a bit of a change from rice 😉

We liked the walk along the water, observe the colors of traditional lanterns at night, stroll. Also take the time to go to the seaside, there are great landscapes along the Thu Bon River, and you can stop there to sip a drink in an enchanting setting (well, this paragraph is almost too much of a brochure…)

Also don't miss the fish market (and market in general), if you know my blog a little (I already refer to it in this very article), you know how much I love markets, the one in Hoi An is no exception!

And you? Any favorites in the south of Vietnam? Any suggestions?