Buzz
September 2nd is a wonderful opportunity to unwind after a long period of work. However, deciding who to travel with, where to go, and how much it will cost are important considerations that everyone must ponder for a long time. Below is a travel guide to 10 fantastic destinations in the South for you to explore with your family or friends
Famous Tourist Destinations in Southern Vietnam
1. Pearl Island – Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc Island, also known as the Pearl Island, stands as the perfect destination for a seaside retreat. As the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc mesmerizes with its azure skies and waters, resembling a sparkling gem. Its cool climate year-round, picturesque landscapes, and stretches of white sandy beaches like Truong Beach, Sao Beach, Khem Beach, and Ganh Dau, make it an ideal getaway for families, friends, or loved ones.
One of the renowned Southern Vietnam tourist spots (Photo by ST)
Phu Quoc boasts a rich and diverse marine ecosystem, inviting you to dive into its coral reefs – home to various fish species, seaweed, corals, and jellyfish. The warmth, hospitality, and amiability of the locals here make Phu Quoc a memorable destination.
Southern Vietnam's coastal tourist destinations (Photo by ST)
2. Hon Móng Tay Island – Kiên Giang
Hon Móng Tay Island is gaining popularity among adventurous travelers due to its untouched beauty. Situated in Dương Hoà commune, Kiên Lương district, Hon Móng Tay Island lies off the coast of Kiên Giang province, not far from Phu Quoc Island. With few inhabitants due to its harsh conditions, the island's pristine and secluded nature attracts curious explorers, especially couples seeking private getaways. You may also encounter some 'móng tay' trees (ironwood trees) on the island, which contribute to its distinctive name.
Hon Móng Tay Island – Kiên Giang tourism destination (Photo by ST)
3. Con Dao
Con Dao is an archipelago located off the coast of Southern Vietnam, belonging to the district of Con Dao which is part of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. The largest island in this archipelago is Con Son Island, surrounded by 16 other larger and smaller islands such as Ba Island, Cau Island, and Troc Island. Con Dao was first known to Western sailors, but it's only recently that this beautiful island has gained wider recognition. Visiting Con Dao, travelers can delve into the rich historical footprint of Vietnam. Previously considered a 'hell on earth' during the French colonial and American imperialist periods, today it has transformed into one of the most enchanting and mysterious islands on the planet, with dozens of pristine and dreamy beaches like Nhat Beach, An Hai Beach, and Dam Trau Beach. It always brings a sense of novelty to visitors.
Beautiful Southern Vietnam tourist area
4. Nghinh Phong Cape – Vung Tau
Nghinh Phong Cape is an emerging destination in Vung Tau, attracting many young people nowadays due to its serene beauty. Located about 100km from Saigon, Nghinh Phong Cape is an interesting spot for young campers with reasonable costs. Right at Nghinh Phong Cape, there's an abandoned house where you can camp, but remember to secure your personal belongings tightly, tie the tent firmly because the wind is quite strong, and prepare enough lights for the night. You can have a barbecue party and enjoy the sparkling night view of Vung Tau right here.
Southern Vietnam tourist destination image of Nghinh Phong Cape
5. Ca Na Beach
About 30km from Phan Rang – Thap Cham town, you will reach Ca Na Beach. Stretching for about 3km, the beach curves like a sickle, with its blue waters year-round creating a beauty akin to a sleeping princess. At Ca Na, you can relax, swim, hike the mountains, and explore attractions like Ong Phat Cave, Silver Mountain, and Hollow Well. Ca Na Beach is an ideal bathing spot as it gathers all the beauty of blue sea, white sand, mountains, cliffs, where you can hike, swim, and even go fishing in the offshore islands.
Ca Na Beach Southern Vietnam
6. Mui Ne Beach
Mui Ne Beach is located near the fishing village, 22km from Phan Thiet. It boasts numerous tourist spots such as Ong Dia Beach, Front Beach, Back Beach, and islands like Straw Island, Lao Cau Island, and beautiful sand dunes like Tuy Phong, Bac Binh, Trinh Nu. Mui Ne is a familiar name but few understand its meaning. The name originates from local fishermen; it's a cape where fishermen shelter from storms while fishing at sea, hence the name Mui Ne. It's a romantic place, offering fresh seafood and plenty of sports activities, making it quite enjoyable. In recent years, it has become popular among tourists due to its beauty and affordability.
Mui Ne Beach Southern Vietnam
7. Trị An Lake
From downtown Saigon, Trị An Lake is about 70km away. Located in Vĩnh Cửu district, Đồng Nai province, Trị An Lake is a man-made reservoir built to supply water for the Trị An Hydropower Plant. It's an excellent hiking destination for families or groups of friends who enjoy forest trekking or overnight camping. With a 7km trek through the jungle, you'll encounter a local community engaged in legal forestry and fishing within the lake. Choose a flat area near the lake to set up camp, barbecue, share stories, and await the beautiful sunrise over the lake.
Trị An Lake is located in Vĩnh Cửu district
8. Black Lady Mountain
If you've spent a lot of time at the beach, why not try mountain climbing? Black Lady Mountain is a fantastic destination for your hiking journey. Located 110km from Ho Chi Minh City, Black Lady Mountain consists of three peaks: Pig Mountain, Phung Mountain, and Black Lady Mountain. To conquer Black Lady Mountain, you have three options: take the cable car, hike, or use the slide. At Black Lady Mountain, you can visit temples like Lower Pagoda, Middle Pagoda, Upper Pagoda, or caves like Thanh Long Cave, Ba Co Cave. Additionally, you can explore nearby attractions like the Holy See of Tây Ninh, Dau Tieng Lake, or shop at Long Hoa Market. But remember to prepare all necessary equipment and supplies for your safety when hiking.
Black Lady Mountain tourism in Tay Ninh (Photo by ST)
9. Chua Chan Mountain
The name of the mountain originates from the Cham language. It is located 110km from Ho Chi Minh City, with a height of 800m above sea level, making it the second highest mountain in the South. To reach the summit, you have two options: take the Temple Route or follow the power line route. The power line route is easier to find, as you simply need to follow the power lines to avoid getting lost, but it requires endurance and agility due to the many rocks of various sizes. On the other hand, the Temple Route is more prone to getting lost due to tall grass, dense bamboo forests, and numerous forks in the path. However, taking the temple route will lead you past Linh Son Co Tu and then to the tallest temple, Buu Quang Temple. You can camp at the summit or rest at the foot of the mountain.
Chua Chan Mountain Southern Vietnam tourist spot
10. Forbidden Mountain
Forbidden Mountain, also known as Mr. Cam Mountain, is located in An Hao commune, Tinh Bien district. This is a sacred tourist area and also a fairly good resort area because it possesses a majestic appearance and a cool climate. Here, you can visit unique architectural structures, climb Forbidden Mountain, explore caves, and swim in streams. Since its discovery, many new facilities have been added, such as amusement parks, pilgrimage tourism areas, and resort villas. Don't miss landmarks like Van Linh Pagoda, Big Buddha Pagoda... This place has many mysterious legends and myths, attracting many backpackers due to the winding route that traverses from the foot to the summit of the mountain.
Forbidden Mountain Southern Vietnam destination
