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Vietnam Attractions -
Top Sightseeing and things to see
Can Tho
| Chua Doc |
Dalat
| Danang
| Haiphong
| Hanoi
| Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Hoi An |
Hue
| Long Hai |
Nha Trang | Phan Thiet |
Phu Quoc Island | Vung Tau
Beach
Cantho is the political, economic, cultural and transportation centre of
the Mekong Delta. Rice husking mills provide the main source of income
and the area is linked to most other main centers in the Mekong Delta
via the waterways and road/rail systems.
Boat Trips 
are
available that take you across the water or through the local canals on
many interesting sightseeing excursions that definitely require a
camera. Larger boats venture up the Mekong River and this is a definite
MUST DO if you are in the area.
Cantonese Congregation Pagoda was built on a different site
originally but now stands where it is today. The pagoda occupies a
splendid location facing the Cantho River.
Central Market is where you should go to stock up on fresh
produce either direct from the farms or the fishing grounds nearby.
Floating markets are the Delta's prime attractions.
Unlike those found in Bangkok, these markets aren't for the benefit of
camcorder-
toting
tourists. Early each morning the Bassac River and its tributaries swell
with vendors in sampans, houseboats and longtails jammed with fresh
Delta produce: jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, papaya, mango, bananas,
pineapple, guava, fresh vegetables and smuggled sundries from cigarettes
to shampoo. The best market to visit is about 30 km south of Can Tho in
Phung Hiep.
Ho Chi Minh Museum is the only museum in the Mekong Delta
devoted to this ruler. It is a large museum, if you haven't been to a
similar one elsewhere, is worth a visit.
Chau Doc is a riverine commercial centre and is not that far from the
Cambodian border. Once known for it's dug-out canoe races it is now
better known for it's Cham and Khmer temples in its environs.
Chau Doc Church was constructed in 1920 and although small is
interesting and for those of the Christian faith they hold mass here
seven days a week.
Chau Phu Temple was built in 1926 and is decorated with both
Vietnamese and Chinese motifs. Inside are funeral tablets with the names
and biographical information on the dead.
Floating Houses, are well worth a few photos and it's worth it
to hire a boat to see them better.
Mosques in the area consist of the Chau Giang Mosque and the
Murbank Mosque. There are others in the area but those mentioned are the
largest,. Visitors are permitted but please respect the faith and do not
enter them during 'calls of prayer' which occur 5 times a day unless you
are of the Islamic faith.
Sam Mountain 
is
the place to go if you want to see dozens of temples, pagodas and the
like and is well worth visiting. Located about 6 km from the city. Not
only do temples abound but the trek to the top of the mountain is also
popular though one can go by motorised vehicle if you so desire.
Tay Anh Pagoda is renowned for its fine carvings of hundreds
of religious figures most of which are wooden. The building reflects
both Hindu and Islamic influences and outside stand a black elephant
(with 2 tusks) and a white elephant (with 6 tusks) as well as various
monks tombs etc.
Temple of Lady Chua Xu faces Sam Mountain not far from the Tay
An Pagoda and was founded in the 1820's. The original was built of
bamboo, but this has been replaced over the years and the last
reconstruction took place in 1972.
Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau 
who
was a high ranking officer that served the Ngyen lords and later the
Nguyen Dynasty is buried here. Nearby are several other tombs of similar
officials serving under Thoai Ngoc Hau.
Cavern Pagoda also known as Phuoc Dien Tu is about halfway up
Sam Mountain and is well worth a visit.
The
city of Dalat is the main centre of the Southern Highlands region. In
the past it was renowned as a cool, green city with a park-like
environment. This is changing fast, as the economy booms and life speeds
up. Still, Dalat is definitely worth a visit and it's a good base for
trips into the surrounding highlands, which remain tranquil. In Dalat,
make sure you visit the Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery,
nicknamed by locals the Crazy House. It's created by artist and
architect Mrs Dang Viet Nga (known as Hang Nga).
Dalat is famous for its coffee shops, and is extremely popular with
domestic tourists and honeymooners. You can fly to Dalat from Ho Chi
Minh City. The airport is 30km from town; express buses also link the
two cities.
The Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace is stuffed with
interesting art and everyday objects, and is well worth a look. It's
also interesting to stroll around the old French Quarter.
The Valley of Love, 
5km
north of the city centre, is a bizarre place where you can hire a paddle
boat on the lake or a horse from one of the Dalat Cowboys (no relation
to the Dallas Cowboys), who are, indeed, dressed as cowboys. There are
some pleasant walks or rides (on horseback or bike) in the countryside
around the city, but be aware that areas signposted with a C-sign are
off-limits to foreigners.
Prenn Falls are worth a visit and are located at the foot of
Prenn Mountain Pass. The 10km long pass is on the route from Dalat to Ho
Chi Minh City.
Further out, you can visit the villages of some of the hill tribes,
such as Lat Village and the Chicken Village (with a huge
statue of a chicken).
