These islands also protect the city from occasional storms. The Nha Trang coastline boasts coral reefs which attract a wide variety of tropical fish and plant life. The sandy beaches of Nha Trang are also ideal for para-gliding and surfing. When not at the beach, the tourist in Nha Trang can visit the Cham towers, an oceanographic institute, and aquarium or enjoy a mud bath and massage. Nha Trang was voted as one of the top thirty most charming seaside cities in the world.

These cities dot the largest section of the Vietnamese central highlands. The area is cooler than the lowland coastland. The highlands contain vast forests and are home to the mountain people, called Montagnards, and include tribes such as the Ede, Giarai, Bana, Stieng, M'Nong, Ma, Ctu...  Visiting these minority people villages - where it is sometimes possible to spend a night after permission is obtained - is a special treat. Tourists visiting the highlands are delighted by imposing waterfalls, vast coffee, tea and rubber plantations. If they so choose, they can ride elephants!

This is the holy land of the former Hindu-based Kingdom of Champa. The relics are evidence of a nation that once was among the richest in culture, history, and art. Today Champa is recalled primarily through its ruined temples as well as through artifacts found in Vietnamese museums. There were once about 100,000 Cham people living in the area that is now Vietnam, primarily in the provinces Phan Rang, Phan Thiet, Tay Ninh, and An Giang. My Son is considered a world cultural heritage by the United Nations.

An ancient little town located on the central coastline. The reason why this little town has been certified as one of the world cultural heritages is that it used to be the earliest trading port in Vietnam, opened to Western and Asian countries several centuries ago. Hoi An witnessed traders from India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Portugal, Spain, France and Holland among others. Their vestiges remain and are found in graceful architecture throughout the town. Today quaint Hoi An draws tourists who are attracted to culture, art, peace and quiet. Here one also finds countless tailor shops that offer Vietnamese and Western dress. Hoi An likes to boast its clean and active beaches.

This is the third largest city of Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi. The city has an active port located midway down the Vietnamese coastline. The area has many pagodas, a notable Cham museum, and exquisite beaches. Outside of Danang, Marble Mountain is the source of lovely handcrafted marble sculptures. The area celebrates "China beach," which became famous in the 1960s and after which a television series was named. Here tourists are attracted to the Bana highland resort, the so-called "Dalat" of central of Vietnam. Danang also has an international airport which receives domestic flights and others from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Korea.

This is the imperial capital of Vietnam, the location of the court of Emperor Quang Trung, one of Vietnam's most beloved heroes,  beginning in 1789, and later of the Nguyen dynasty, from 1802 to 1945.  This is a city rich in religion, history, culture and art. It is a city not only of tombs and mausoleums, but also of temples and Buddhist monks, of chants and incense. This famous imperial citadel is known throughout the world. Hue has been voted a world cultural heritage location by the United Nations. Apart from its rich history, Hue is a lovely location to enjoy boat cruises on the Perfume river and a visit to the famous Thien Mu pagoda.

About 170 kilometers north of Hue, one finds the picturesque and mysterious caves of Phong Nha, a major tourist attraction. As soon as they were discovered, Phong Nha was quickly suggested as another world natural heritage location by the United Nations.

This is the capital of Vietnam and has been through many periods of Vietnam's proud history. Visiting Hanoi, tourists feel the calm and beauty of a city full of lakes, temples and pagodas. It is a city of narrow streets and old homes, of villas that blend East and West, of Chinese and French architectural forms. Hanoi is a city that wakes up early in the morning as Vietnamese migrate to Hoan Kiem lake for early exercises. Soon, as the city awakens to a new day, it becomes a fish bowl of life and activity. Hanoi is noted for its scholarship and literature. It is the home of the first university in Vietnam. The Old Quarter of Hanoi, with its narrow and busy streets, is a major tourist draw. Hanoi boasts a more than 1500-year-old pagoda, called the Tran Quoc pagoda and another 1000 year-old pagoda, One-pillar pagoda. The city houses, the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh,  the art museum, an ethnic museum, and many other places of interest. Hanoi deserves the reputation as being one of the most beautiful cities of Asia.

One of the truly exotic wonders of the world, Ha Long bay contains 1,969 tiny islands and islets scattered over 1,530 square kilometers, a mystical and mysterious tapestry of water and land. It's always calm, dreamy, and charming year around. Caves and grottos of limestone enriched by many stalagmites and stalactites attract visitors from around the world. On the bay one also finds floating fish and pearl farms, as well as small fishing and travel boats. A lunch or a dinner on a boat during a cruise on the bay becomes a marvelous and relaxed moment. 

A still exotic highland area in northwest Vietnam, this is the home of hills tribe peoples including the Tay, Nung, Dao, H'Mong.... The lure of encountering wildlife and colorful cultures draw many tourists.

These pagodas are famous not only for their 1,000-year history, but also for their locations deep inside largely deserted mountain areas near rivers and streams. The isolation of these pagodas is a testament to the spirituality of monks who retreated from the world in order to better achieve enlightenment.