Apart from visiting most famous attractions, taking a trip off the beaten path in Vietnam can be done with ease these days

Vietnam is a huge country with many different cultures and landscapes. Besides the mythical places and the most famous of the country, there are constantly new tourist destinations.

Natural escape

Phong Nha-Ke Bang, fairy cave

Nature has offered Quang Binh a superb world natural heritage - Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - unique in terms of geology, topography, biodiversity and geomorphology. The park contains 300 caves and Phong Nha is considered one of the finest in the world.

Located north of Hue, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is recognized world heritage by UNESCO since 2003 because “Phong Nha displays an impressive amount of evidence of earth's history. It is a site of very great importance for increasing our understanding of the geologic, geomorphic and geo-chronological history of the region” (UNESCO).

The beauty of Phong Nha Cave is recorded in historic annals. At the end of the 19^th century, in the “Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi”, a set of Chinese characters in geography books compiled by the Nguyen Dynasty, it was called “Fairy Cave”.

This cave is located north-west of Quang Binh province, near the border with Laos, 50km northwest of Dong Hoi city and 500km south of Hanoi. To get there from the center of Nhon Trach town (Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province), take a boat and cruise up Son river for 30 minutes.

Son Doong cave

According to the Huffington Post, Son Doong is regarded as “One of the most attractive destinations for international tourists in the next 20 years”.

Discovered in 1991 in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park by a local resident, Son Doong was recognized as the largest natural cave in the world and Vietnam. With a width of 200m and a height of 250m, its depth is at least 8.5km. This data is the result of several shipments made in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association. This cave is worth a seven-day adventure including exploration of underground rivers and caves, camping in nature and discovery of jungles.

Buon Ma Thuot

According to the Huffington Post, Son Doong is regarded as “One of the most attractive destinations for international tourists in the next 20 years”.  Discovered in 1991 in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park by a local resident, Son Doong was recognized as the largest natural cave in the world and Vietnam. With a width of 200m and a height of 250m, its depth is at least 8.5km. This data is the result of several shipments made in 2009 by the British Cave Research Association. This cave is worth a seven-day adventure including exploration of underground rivers and caves, camping in nature and discovery of jungles.

How to get there: You can visit Buon Ma Thuot by road from Dalat or Nha Trang. Or, you can sign up for a motorbike tour.

Cultural exploration

Chau Doc

About 245 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City, the town of Chau Doc is situated in the vicinity of An Giang province, in the center of Mekong Delta. Towards travelers, the town is best known as a Vietnam's border crossing with the neighbor country Cambodia. Due to its proximity to the border, the people of this region are either Cham, Cambodian, or Vietnamese in ethnicity, and they all live together in harmony. The Cham people who live in Chau Doc are descendants of the Muslim Cham people who were displaced from Central and Southern Vietnam during the war in the 18^th century. The unique mix of cultures and religions gives this town a different kind of vibe. The main draw to this town, besides the slower paced life, is the religious architecture. A few km outside of Chau Doc is Mount Sam, where they have many temples and pagodas, and around the area you will find many mosques as well. Chau Doc has a very close trading relationship with Cambodia so this border crossing is very convenient if you want to continue your journey westward. An interesting way to get to Phnom Penh from Chau Doc is to take a speedboat along the river.

How to get there: 4-6h drive by road from Saigon.

Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau

With towns like Sapa becoming more and more touristy by the minute, Mu Cang Chai or Mai Chau are great alternatives. As a small town of 43,000 people in northwestern Vietnam, Mu Cang Chai is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the country, meanwhile Mai Chau is a small valley surrounded by green mountains dotted with lakes, rice paddies, rivers and houses on stilts. Arrival here, you can enjoy a spectacular view of rice terraces and open mountainous areas with farmers donning conical hats. These areas are inhabited by more than 20 different ethnic groups, and in some areas, the Viet people are not the majority. These different people live in harmony with one another and live a very peaceful and self-sustaining lifestyle. There is very little interference from modern culture and they adhere to their beliefs very strongly. That being said, they are incredibly friendly and open with tourists. You will find that they are also less aggressive than their counterparts near Sapa because these smaller towns have not been inundated with tourists in the way that Sapa has.

How to get there: The easiest way to reach Mu Cang Chai or Mai Chau is by road from Dien Bien Phu or from Hanoi.

History reveal

DMZ Hue

Located in the central region of Vietnam, Hue City is considered the heart of the national cultural heritage. The picturesque scenery and rugged terrain gave Hue a special position in the history of Vietnam. Hue was the capital during the Tay Son and Nguyen dynasties, the most prosperous reigns in Vietnam. The DMZ in Hue between Northern and Southern Vietnam is close to many tunnels, very similar to Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon. Cu Chi Tunnels are very touristy, so visiting these tunnels near Hue is a great alternative. There are many more historical sites and museums to visit in Hue, but far fewer tourists visit there than other cities in the region, like Danang and Hoian. If you can get past the notoriously bad weather, visiting Hue can be both an enjoyable and educational experience.

How to get there: Hue is very accessible by road, plane or train since it is on the coast. In order to visit the DMZ or the tunnels in the area, you will need to set up a tour and find a motorbike taxi.

Dien Bien Phu

Dien Bien Phu is the city that has been an important aspect of Vietnamese nationalistic pride. During the French Indochina War, Dien Bien Phu was the site of the ultimate battle between the Viet Minh and the French Union which led to the termination of French rule in Vietnam. In fact, this battle is so famous that is has been depicted in paintings anr caricatures, and has been featured into a movie of the same name. As a side note, the commander who led the Viet Minh into the battle and secured this victory, General Vo Nguyen Giap, recently passed away and his death weighed heavily on the hearts of Vietnamese throughout the country because he played a very important part in giving Vietnam its independence. Interestingly, Dien Bien Phu was also once famous for being one of the strongest fertile areas in Vietnam at that time, exporting rice mainly but also being at the center of opium export. You can experience some of this history first hand by visiting the bomb crater sites and museums in Dien Bien Phu. The surrounding area of this city is also breathtaking, with the hills and the greenery all around.

How to get there: Dien Bien Phu is very close to the fringes of Vietnam and although it is accessible by road, it could be a long trip. Fortunately, there is an airport there and you can fly from many major cities in Vietnam and Laos.

Beach break

Quy Nhon

With beaches in Vietnam becoming more and more popular in Southeast Asia, it can be difficult finding some quiet beach time. During high tourist season, many of the beaches in Vietnam are riddled with tourists and locals. Although this makes for a very lively atmosphere, it is most definitely not tranquil. Quy Nhon is the perfect alternative to busy beach areas like Nha Trang and Hoian. The beach is relatively untouched, there are very few peddlers, and it is not very commercialized yet. There are very few resorts and hotels there and fishing is a major industry in Quy Nhon. This city doesn’t have the kind of nightlife that Nha Trang does but you feel like you are much more connected to the local culture.

How to get there: Quy Nhon is actually quite accessible by train or road, because it is situated perfectly between Nha Trang and Hoian. You can stop over in Quy Nhon to break up the journey.

Con Dao

Located off the southern coast of Vietnam, the Con Dao Islands are one of the main attractions of Vietnam. This “Heaven on Earth” is a must-see destination for those who love the sun, wind and sea. Arguably Con Dao Island (Poulo Condor) is beautiful year round. But it is during the period between December and February that this island is the most beautiful. With over 200km of coastline, Con Dao provides its visitors a score of pristine beaches, devoid of any pollution, fine sand, the sun floods its golden lights. Tourists can swim, contemplate sunrise or sunset over the sea, and discover the mysterious underwater world. A recommended address: Lo Voi Beach.

How to get there: The only reasonable way to reach Con Dao is by plane. The short flight from Saigon adds to the appeal of Con Dao because only a few flights a week go there and the flight is operated by a smaller carrier affiliate of Vietnam Airlines.