You will never know what Southeast Asia is capable of until you meet this land. And even when you have experienced the region, it will still surprise from time to time. They often say that Southeast Asia is a land of magical things. And people ain’t lying about it. Take the flight and find out the reasons yourself.
This list compiles some of the most unique things to do in these two countries: Vietnam and Thailand. Whip out your bucket list and fill them up with each and every one of these points. After that, it’s time to conquer them all.
Surf the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne
If the Sahara desert is always your dream, you don’t need to go that far as in Mui Ne of Vietnam, you will find a mini version of it. It’s no surprise that you’ll be visiting the White Sand Dunes (Bau Trang) since it’s the main attraction for many travelers coming to Mui Ne, but to magnify that experience, hop on an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and start biking across the White Sand Dunes. The Red Sand Dunes is also an interesting choice as it makes up for its inadequacies with spectacular ocean views. Trudge up the dunes and ride down the slopes with plastic sleds that you can rent or borrow from the locals. Adrenaline junkies, don’t miss this!
Find romance and adventures in Dalat
Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong province, is the largest town in Vietnam Central Highlands. The region enjoys the cool mountain-climate at an altitude of 1,500m, offering its visitors large open spaces, picturesque waterfalls, colonial architecture, and incredibly fresh produce provide respite. With the astonishing beauty and the cool atmosphere, this town has been the top choice in Vietnam for lovebirds and honeymooners. And this is also the adventure capital of Vietnam, offering biking, canyoning, rafting and hiking opportunities. Breathe in the fresh air and make trips to Datanla waterfall and the summit of Langbian Mountain. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Dalat.
Try crossing the streets of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon as its former name), is an incredibly vibrant, exciting and a tad overwhelming destination. If you’re looking for something thrilling you don’t have to look far or pay for it – crossing the streets of Ho Chi Minh City will be an adventure itself. Conquer your fears, weave through the traffic (with extreme care if this is your first time seeing the chaos), and make your way to the city’s attractions like the Ben Thanh Market and the Reunification Palace.
Immerse yourself in the colorful hill tribes in Sapa
Located in Northern Vietnam, this fairytale town is surrounded by picturesque mountains, rice terraces, fog and a diversity of hill tribes in the remote northwest of Vietnam. This is also the homeland of the ethnic Hmong and Dao, with unique culture and tradition which creates Sunday markets like Bac Ha (listed as one of the ten most attractive markets in Southeast Asia), and thousands of strange but lovely forest’s product, handicrafts, delicacies.
Chase sunrise on a cruise in Halong Bay
Halong Bay, with aqua-green water and clusters of limestone islets rising from the water like dragons, seems to bring scenes from fantasy stories into real life. As you come to face these extraordinary islands, you’ll fully understand while Halong Bay is entitled a UNESCO World Heritage. This is a perfect destination for enjoying a cruise journey on a wooden junk boat, kayaking around, swimming, exploring and welcoming the gorgeous sunrise and sunset view from the deck or on the white sand.
Feel like royalty in Bangkok’s Grand Palace
Marvel in awe at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, which used to be the home of the King and the government’s administration. The sections open to the public include the Outer Court, the Central Court and also the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Catch glimpses of the old Bangkok
Once in history, Bangkok is considered as the Venice of the East, with its abundance of canals. Although there are a few remaining today, they still can provide an interesting insight into the city’s old-world life: traditional wood houses, ramshackle walkways, and children splashing in the midday heat, along with the occasional floating market. This can be the most exotic experience for your vacation in a city filled with flashlights, skyscrapers, and parties-all-night.
To go back in time in a metropolis like Bangkok, you only need to head to the pier at either Tha Tien or across the Chao Phraya at Wat Arun, to join a tour or hire your own long-tail boat for a Bangkok private trip.
Fly on a hot-air-balloon in Chiang Mai
To understand the “Up” movie in real life, let’s do a hot air balloon ride in Chiang Mai! The landscape below is hard to describe in words, as it is breathtakingly beautiful. The spectacular sunrise, clusters of old houses, prancing farm animals and the warm locals waving to you… are all the wonderful things you can expect. Just hop on and move up!
Step on the Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is historically famous as the area where poppy was mass-produced. It is also where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, and where the Mekong River and Ruak River converge. For travelers, the main draw of the Golden Triangle lies in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
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