6 ~*Hidden Gems*~ You Need To See In Vietnam

Vietnam is the perfect place to be in if you’re a fan of all types of travel. Going to a country to try their food? Experience the culture? Explore beaches, mountains, or unobstructed scenery? Vietnam has it all!

Although it might not have been on top of the usual “must see” travel lists, Vietnam is now slowly emerging as a hot tourist destination. We're pretty sure that you're familiar with Vietnam's Golden Giant Hand Bridge, for example. Now that borders are gradually starting to open across the world, a new trend on social media has come to light: Revenge travel. It’s when people slowly start making up for family vacations, out-of-town trips, and out-of-country flights lost during the height of the pandemic. What better way to start your revenge travel than by flying to one of Southeast Asia’s finest countries rich in food, history, and culture? (BTW, it's a visa-free destination for Filipinos!)

If you ask us for a list of reasons to travel to Vietnam, we wouldn’t even know where to start. So we rounded up some of Vietnam’s most prized possessions a.k.a hidden gems that you should *definitely* add to your travel bucket list!

Here are 6 hidden gems in Vietnam that you need to visit:

1. Buon Ma Thuot

Address: Buon Ma Thuot, Central Highlands, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

Buon Ma Thuot is a city located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. If you so easily fall in love with nature, this is the perfect spot for you. The place has been dominantly populated by ethnic groups for about a thousand years. Lose yourself in the beautifully-crafted wooden houses, waterfalls, splendid lakes, and coffee. Yes, coffee! The land of Buon Ma Thuot is one of the largest coffee producers in the country, so expect to have the best cup of coffee during your stay here.

2. Ha Giang

Address: Ha Giang, Ha Giang Province, North Vietnam

Think Batanes, but international. Ha Giang is located in the northernmost province of Vietnam. It’s home to the most majestic sights, deep valleys, and landscapes of the country. It’s known to be the best track for motorbike trips, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The thrilling peaks of the mountains blend perfectly well with the vibrant natural colors of the rich flora around. Not to mention, you get to see majestic views of the lake and waterfalls.

In Ha Giang, you will encounter remote villages with local groups where you can learn from and immerse yourself in their culture. This place is really just out of this world. You have to see it to believe it. Make sure you include Ha Giang in your list of places to check out when you visit Vietnam.

3. Yen Bai

Address: Yen Bai, Northern Vietnam

The northern part of Vietnam is really jam-packed with breathtaking landscapes. Yen Bai is around three hours away from Hanoi. It’s an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This agriculture-based province boasts majestic rice terraces, where colorful parachutes from the Paragliding Festival fly over the golden rice fields. The view is breathtakingly stunning—you need to go see it for yourself. While you’re at it, embrace a relaxing day in a hot spring surrounded by beautifully-kept rice terraces.

4. Fingernail Islet

Address: Fingernail Islet, South of Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Dubbed “The Maldives of Vietnam”, Fingernail Islet lies in the south of Phu Quoc. This beach’s beauty remains untouched by most tourists, which explains its pristine and lush evergreen landscape. The beach has crystal blue waters and powdery white sand lined with what seems to be an endless array of poplar trees.

5. Hang Son Doong

Address: Hang Son Doong, Quang Binh, Vietnam

Would you believe us if we told you that this is the largest cave in the world—yet it remains unknown to most people? That’s because the cave was discovered in 1991, but nobody knew how big it truly was until 2009.

Want a visual representation of how big the interior is? Picture a Boeing 747 aircraft. This easily fits inside the Hang Son Doong cave. PSA: You might want to prepare yourself (both physically and financially) since the trek through the jungle to get to the cave is quite challenging and may cost up to $3,000 or about P170,000 per person.

6. Pho Anh

Address: 8 Ky Dong, Phuong 9, Quan 3, Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pho (“fuh”) is the national dish of Vietnam. It's a noodle soup with beef, chicken, or a mix of meatballs, brisket and beef. Pho Anh is one of the OG restaurants in Ho Chi Minh that serves hot pho daily. The portions are perfect for big eaters or for sharing, the service is fast, and there’s a good balance between the taste and price point! If you ever find yourself in Vietnam, do yourself a favor and grab a hot bowl of pho at Pho Anh.

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