Discover Vietnam’s breathtaking landscapes, from Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts to the mystical Tonkinese Alps. Dive into the beauty of Mui Ne’s sand dunes, the underground marvels of Phong Nha-Ke Bang, and more. A guide to the unparalleled natural beauty and adventures awaiting in Vietnam’s most stunning destinations.
In Vietnam, breathtaking scenery can be found everywhere you look. Vietnam’s topography is a patchwork of colourful ecosystems, ranging from the towering limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the mist-covered mountains of the Tonkinese Alps. As we travel into the country’s interior wilderness, we’ll discover the intricate ecological balance that makes Vietnam a microcosm of natural treasures.
Halong Bay
One of Vietnam’s leading attractions is Halong Bay, with a fantastic combination of sheltered, glistening waters and karst limestone peaks. There are over 1,600 islands and islets in the bay, most of which are uninhabited and untouched by human presence. These variously shaped and sized limestone karsts and isles create a stunningly beautiful panorama, making it a natural wonder in Vietnam. Taking a cruise is one of the best ways to see the bay. Options include both day trips and overnight stays. These trips often include swimming, visiting caves, grotto excursions, and kayaking. The region is renowned for its biodiversity, with common habitats including coral reefs, freshwater swamp forests, and tropical rainforests. Numerous plant and animal species call this place home. The largest of the bay’s islands, Cat Ba, offers a variety of experiences, including hiking in Cat Ba National Park, visiting Monkey Island, and unwinding on its beautiful beaches.
Mui Ne Sand Dunes
Located close to the town of Mui Ne in Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province, the Mui Ne Sand Dunes are one of Vietnam’s most remarkable natural phenomena. They are a favourite among travellers because of their enormous stretches of rolling sand dunes that resemble a desert, showcasing the natural beauty in Vietnam. The two primary dune locations are the White Sand Dunes and the Red Sand Dunes. Further out from Mui Ne are the vast white sand dunes, also known as Bau Trang or White Lake. Their vast, sweeping views and desert-like terrain are what they are renowned for. The dunes provide a unique experience with each visit since the wind constantly shapes them. An additional attractive feature of the area is the White Sand Dunes’ proximity to a lovely lake teeming with lotuses. The Red Sand Dunes, closer to Mui Ne, are smaller yet well-known for their reddish-brown hue, making a striking backdrop contrast with the blue sky and the ocean. These sand dunes are more accessible to reach and often have more visitors. Mui Ne’s sand dunes are popular for an assortment of activities. Sandboarding, quad riding, or simply strolling over the dunes are among the activities that visitors can engage in to appreciate the beautiful surroundings, especially at dawn or sunset when the colours are at their most vibrant.
Tonkinese Alps
The term “Tonkinese Alps” is a historical name often used to refer to the mountainous region in northern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. Formally speaking, this area is known as the Northwest Highlands or the Vietnamese Alps. Their rough and majestic mountainous landscapes are what define this place, with peaks frequently rising beyond 3,000 metres, making it a natural wonder of Vietnam. The cultural richness of the area makes it significant. Numerous Vietnamese ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong, Dao, Tay, and Thai, among others, call this place home. These communities maintain their unique customs, dialects, and ways of life and often live in small villages dispersed across the mountains. Famous locations in the Tonkinese Alps include Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, Sa Pa, a town noted for its terraced rice fields and diverse culture, and Ha Giang, a region well-known for its picturesque motorcycling routes and buckwheat’s yearly bloom.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
This national park is a notable caving and spelunking spot due to its vast network of underground rivers and caverns, earning it worldwide recognition. The most well-known of these is the world’s largest cave, Son Doong Cave. Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave (Thien Duong Cave), and Dark Cave (Hang Toi) are a few other noteworthy caverns. A fortunate few can experience the cathedral-like chambers of Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, discovered in 2009. Its enormous chambers can fit entire city blocks, and it’s home to unique ecosystems with its own localised weather. More accessible are the exhilarating experiences of ziplining and kayaking in Hang Toi (Dark Cave) and the surreal splendour of Paradise Cave, highlighting the natural wonders of Vietnam.
Hang Son Doong
It wasn’t long ago that this gigantic cave was discovered. Ho Khanh, a hunter from a jungle community near the border between Vietnam and Laos, often hid in the caverns that crisscrossed his mountainous territory. He discovered the huge Hang Son Doong in 1991, but it wasn’t until British explorers came back with him in 2009 that the enormity and majesty of the main cavern was confirmed as the largest cave in the world – measuring over 5km long, 200m high, and, in some places, 150m wide. The cave’s environment is extraordinarily distinct, possessing its own regional climate. Trees and other vegetation grow where sunbeams shine through, creating a landscape that is out of this world. The cave’s estimated geological age is between 2 to 5 million years; it was formed by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain where the limestone was weak. Adventure travellers are increasingly drawn to the cave. However, in an effort to protect the delicate ecosystem, access is restricted, with only a select small number of visitors allowed in on an annual basis, organised by a single tour operator, making it one of the most exclusive natural wonders in Vietnam.
Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in Vietnam, located off the coast of Cambodia. The island sits near the Vietnamese mainland and is a part of the Kien Giang Province. The majority of the area is mainly hilly, with dense tropical jungles. The island is well known for its immaculate beaches, which include smooth white sand and glistening blue waves. Khem Beach, Sao Beach, and Long Beach are a few of the most well-known beaches. In addition to beaches, the island has dense jungles and national parks that provide chances for hiking and animal observation. Historically, Phu Quoc has been a quiet fishing island. The island is well-known for its seafood, especially its superior fish sauce, which is an essential component of Vietnamese cooking. The night markets in Phu Quoc are excellent spots to sample regional cuisine and fresh seafood. If you want to kick it up a level, grab a bike and head out on the red dirt roads, exploring the natural beauty in Vietnam.
Ban Gioc Waterfall
One of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural beauties is the Ban Gioc Waterfall, part of the border between Vietnam and China. It’s one of the biggest and most striking waterfalls in all of Vietnam, measuring around 300 metres wide and 30 metres high, with several tiers and encircled by verdant, beautiful scenery. The falls expand and intensify throughout the rainy season. The region surrounding Ban Gioc is renowned for its picturesque limestone scenery, lush woods, and rice terraces. The stunning scenery in the area is sometimes likened to China’s well-known Guilin landscapes, showcasing yet another aspect of the natural wonders in Vietnam.
