The charm of coastal resort cities is irresistible – after seeing these 20 photos, you’ll instantly want to fly to Vietnam

Text & Photos /Yu En

Vietnam offers unforgettable experiences everywhere, with highlights including: the ultimate experience – sailing on a traditional Chinese junk boat in Ha Long Bay while admiring the surreal seascape of countless limestone islands from the deck; the absurd experience – crossing streets in Hanoi, where motorbike traffic flows like a tsunami and it can take ten minutes just to get across; the inspiring experience – exploring the world’s most spectacular cave systems in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park; the humorous experience – seeing a motorbike carrying grunting pigs swaying along rural paths; and the thought-provoking experience – witnessing a lonely grave in a cemetery that holds the remains of thousands of war victims. (Excerpted from Lonely Planet Vietnam on BloggingBooks)

For a long time, Vietnam seemed to be a niche travel destination. Most Taiwanese people prefer Northeast Asia and Europe/the US, and even when visiting Southeast Asia, they tend to go to Thailand, Boracay, and other popular spots. However, in recent years, Vietnam has been gaining more attention. Its affordable prices, diverse seafood, laid-back atmosphere, and charming coastal landscapes attract travelers who visit this beautiful country every summer.

What do you know about Vietnam? Before I went there, I only knew about Ho Chi Minh City (as a child, I always thought it must have something to do with former Taichung mayor Hu Zhiqiang), and I only knew about Ha Long Bay. But when I actually arrived in Saigon, I realized how little I knew, and how Taiwan’s geography and history education neglects Southeast Asia. I knew almost nothing about this beautiful country through which the Mekong River flows.

In the summer of 2016, I packed my 15-kilogram backpack and began my two-month independent backpacking trip across Southeast Asia, with Vietnam as my first stop. Now, let me share with you my 20 favorite photos from my month in Vietnam, hoping to help more Taiwanese people discover the beauty of this country.

Mui Ne

Mui Ne was my first stop in Vietnam. After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at nine in the morning, I immediately hopped on a bus and rode for five hours to this simple seaside town. When planning my itinerary, I was determined to make my first stop a beach destination. After cramming nearly 60 credits in one semester, all I wanted was to enjoy the sea breeze and stare at the waves. Mui Ne was the perfect place.

Once a city that backpackers would skip, it has now become more well-known. Its endless white sands and crystal-clear blue waters make it more relaxed and affordable compared to other cities. Thanks to its great location, it’s suitable for water activities all year round, so I also met many surfers and kitesurfers who have settled in this fishing port town.

※ Fun fact: A few years ago, when the Russian economy was strong, Mui Ne was a popular tourist spot for Russian visitors, so almost all shops had signs and menus in Russian. But due to the plunge in raw material prices leading to an economic downturn in Russia, many shops have closed, yet various Russian signs still stand along the streets.

The first photo is of my accommodation on the first night. There was a huge pool surrounded by dozens of lounge chairs. If you didn’t want to swim, the beach was just across the street. With clean landscaping, relaxing music, and a restaurant serving cheap but delicious Western and Vietnamese dishes, plus affordable beer, the best part was that it cost only NT$150 per night. I stayed for three days, and with food, shopping, and drinks, I spent less than NT$1,000.

Da Lat

Da Lat is one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. How much do I love it? So much that after traveling from the south to the north of Vietnam, I bought a flight ticket back to Da Lat to stay for another five days before finally heading to Cambodia.

Funny enough, unlike other Vietnamese cities, Da Lat’s mountainous elevation keeps it cool all year round. You can easily sit outside and enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face, unlike the humid and stuffy heat in other cities where you’re drenched in sweat just stepping outside. And because of the perfect weather, Da Lat doesn’t grow rice but instead produces strawberries, coffee, and even has its own wine.

But the weather isn’t the only reason I love Da Lat. Its mountainous location means there are dozens of spectacular waterfalls nearby, as well as various canyoning and rock-climbing activities, ensuring you’ll never be bored in Da Lat.

This photo is from the family dinner that Cozy Nook, the hostel where I stayed, hosts every day. Almost all backpackers here join in, making it a great opportunity to meet others, make friends from around the world, and even find travel companions.

And Cozy Nook isn’t just known for its delicious food and clean rooms. The reason I’d spend money on a flight to come back is the owner and his wife. They’re kind-hearted and genuinely care about all the guests. This place truly feels like home, and I think that’s why I love this city so much.

Nha Trang

Vietnam’s most famous coastal resort city, with a unique and perfect setting, along with a variety of restaurants, bars, and activities, making it a vibrant and lively place. The clear blue waters, combined with nearby islands, create a stunning landscape. And because everyone wants to see this beauty, more and more hotels and luxury resorts are opening up, making the cost of living here significantly higher than in surrounding towns. Especially since Nha Trang’s only two international flights are from Russia and China, most shops have signs in both Chinese and Russian, and some have even stopped using English altogether.

For a budget backpacker like me, I don’t think Nha Trang quite fits the needs of backpackers, mainly because of the prices (by Vietnamese standards) and the overwhelming number of tourists, making it not much different from other beach resort cities. But if you’re just looking for a beautiful city to relax, enjoy the sea, and get a spa treatment without going to places like Phuket or Boracay, Nha Trang is a great destination. However, if you’re a budget traveler like me, you can easily find similarly beautiful but much cheaper cities just a bit further south or north.

Hoi An

Before coming to Hoi An, I was super excited. I was traveling from south to north, and along the way, I met many backpackers going from north to south, all of whom raved about Hoi An. I took an overnight bus from Nha Trang at seven in the evening and after 12 hours, I finally arrived at the legendary ancient town.

But, perhaps because I didn’t sleep well on the bus, my mind was a bit foggy, and within ten minutes of getting off the bus, I got scammed.

Regardless, Hoi An lived up to my expectations. A town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, despite the influx of tourists from all over, it still maintains an old-world charm. The low-rise buildings, combining Chinese and French styles, are situated along the river, paired with stone bridges, making the entire town feel untouched by time, quietly sitting by the sea.

My Son Sanctuary was built around 500 AD and was the heart of the Champa Kingdom, which ruled central and southern Vietnam for 14 centuries.

The first wooden temple in My Son Sanctuary was built in the late 4th century and was destroyed by fire 200 years later. When rebuilt, more durable materials were used. Each generation of the powerful Champa dynasties constructed new temples or restored old ones. From the 4th to the 13th century, over 70 temples were built, making My Son a sacred site of the kingdom.

After being abandoned in the late 13th century, My Son Sanctuary remained intact. The ruins were discovered by archaeologists over 100 years ago. However, during the Vietnam War in 1969, U.S. bombings caused significant damage to human cultural heritage, leaving only 20 out of 70 temples and towers standing. In 1999, UNESCO listed the My Son temples as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Being at My Son Sanctuary truly made me understand the greatness of ancient architecture and the impact of faith on humanity. The temples scattered across the mountainside, even in ruins, allow you to imagine their former glory and the reverence people had for this sacred place. Though lesser-known, these structures are even older than Angkor Wat.

Ha Long Bay

YEAHHHHHHHHHHH, that’s right, it’s Ha Long Bay—the Ha Long Bay I’ve been dreaming of, the one I’ve been eagerly anticipating for so long I thought my eyes would give out.

I immediately decided to join a two-day, one-night cruise. After boarding at noon, we slowly set sail toward the open sea. Later, we stopped at small islands for some light activities, followed by various options like kayaking and fishing. Then, I fell asleep to the rhythm of the waves, and when I woke up, an absolutely breathtaking view greeted me. The beauty of Ha Long Bay made me understand why this place has been recognized as one of the world’s wonders by UNESCO. It’s just a shame I forgot to bring my wide-angle lens, so the photos came out small and lacked a broader perspective (or maybe it was just my photography skills?).

To keep my not-so-great photos from ruining the mood, here’s a beautiful photo of Ha Long Bay (sourced from Gapyear.com).
Alright, that’s 20 photos in total. Putting this article together actually made me want to go back to Vietnam all over again. I hope this piece shows you a side of Vietnam beyond its bread, brides, and the Vietnam War—and maybe even inspires you to explore this amazing country.