When it comes to South East Asia Vietnam was one the countries that I always wanted to visit. I had heard so much about the country in terms of Food, culture, places to see and of course shopping.
Vietnam has distinctive climates in northern, Central and Southern parts of the country. In Hanoi & the north, May to October is hot and humid with high rainfall; November to April is cooler and dry. In the far north, December & January can be particularly cold.
Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August whilst high levels of rainfall can occur in September, October & November. Southern Vietnam is generally dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.
Since different parts of Vietnam has different climates, hence it gives you a choice to visit the place of your choice.
The place that I would choose to go in Hanoi and Ninbinh. Being a big country it’s not possible to see all the places in a weeks time.
There are some interesting places that can be explored
- Water Puppet Theatre
A unique ancient art form of water puppetry has a long association with Hanoi. The original – and widely regarded as the best – theater in town is the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. It’s roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th century.
Using large rods to support the puppets it appears as if they are moving across the water with the puppeteers hidden behind a screen.
2. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an important artifact of Vietnam’s history and, signifies its historical and cultural importance. Its s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple:-
Hoan Kiem Lake is a central feature of Hanoi and is a popular hangout spot with locals and international tourists. Ngoc Son Temple sits on a small island in the centre of the lake. It is connected by a bridge and that makes a beautiful scenic view. This area becomes especially busy with joggers in the mornings and evenings , couples enjoying the relaxing views across the lake, and the elderly practising Tai Chi and line dancing.
4. Dong Xuan Market
Dong Xuan Market is the largest of its kind in Hanoi. It is housed within a four-storey Soviet-
You can buy printed T-shirts or cheap sunglasses, it is still fascinating to see the comings and goings of the local traders, and there is a wet market on the ground floor where the sights and smells of exotic produce.
take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park.
4. Halong Bay
Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk Boat tours , kayaking. These attractions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing, and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park.
One can choose to do an overnight cruise. This is a must experience but beware of the storms the cruise may get cancelled.
A day trip to Nin Binh – When it comes to Nin Binh I would personally recommend is Tom Coc. Tam Coc which means 3 caves, is a zone of Vietnam that elapses between rice paddies, bathed by the Ngo Dong River punctuated by karstic rock formations and limestone caves. The most impressive of Tam Coc are rice fields when at its best, with a bright green with yellow, ending in the beginning of the cliffs of the rock formations.
The Vietnamese call the paddy fields of Tam Coc as the Green Sea.
Nin Binh boasts of the most majestic and impressive natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, yet many travelers overlook it.
How to Get to Nin Binh:- From Hanoi, you can reach Ninh Binh city by train. There are at least 3 southbound trains available (SE5, SE7, SE19).Another more convenient option is the bus. There are regular buses from Hanoi’s southern bus terminal (Giap Bat). The Journey takes around 2 to 2.5 hrs via train and bus.
The rainy season is also when the rice fields are at their best vivid green, so there’s really a reason to visit all year round.
Boat ride in Tom Coc
These are in my places to see and that’s what makes it special to visit Hanoi in August.. look forward to go here soon…..