The best ecotourism experiences in Vietnam

Struggle to find a place for eco tour in Vietnam? Here is the list of top 6 incredible ecotourism destinations for your hiking, trekking, sightseeing and discovering unspoiled natural landscapes in Vietnam.

Boat on Ba Be Lake

This beautiful lake is the largest in Vietnam. Nestled among surrounding mountains, Ba Be Lake sits northeast of Ha Noi. There are boat tours that will take you out into the smooth waters during the day where you can watch the mist rise off the water in the morning, admire the clear waters in the afternoon, and gaze at a romantic sunset in the evening. This dreamy location makes for an idyllic scenic trip so make sure to bring your camera.

A trip to Cuc Phuong National Park

140 kilometers to the south of Ha Noi, Cuc Phuong National Park is considered as the oldest nature reserve in Vietnam. Covering an area of 22 hectares of rainforest, this place is one of the most attractive ecotourism destinations when you travel to Northern Vietnam. Thanks to its botany diversity and long history, Cuc Phuong attracts not only tourists but also archaeologists who are long for exploring primitive life in Nguoi Xua Cave (Pre-historic Man Cave).

The most notable scenery in Cuc Phuong is thousands of vibrant butterflies flying in ‘butterfly season’ from April until the end of May. Tourists will be blessed by a colorful realm of 280 butterfly species gathering in the park. You can see butterflies landing everywhere, on the road, your cars and your helmets.

Boat trip along Ngo Dong River in Ninh Binh

Literally meaning “three caves”, travelers visiting Tam Coc – Bich Dong will be amazed by the Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba caves that are situated on Ngo Dong River in Northern Ninh Binh Province. Bich Dong refers to a beautiful pagoda complex built in the fifteenth century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will take your breath away with its limestone mountains, lazy rivers, serene rice fields, and bright blue skies.

The gorgeous natural beauty makes this complex a top destination for ecotourism experiences in Vietnam. There is a wide range of day trips that include a visit to the ancient Hoa Lu Citadel and a boat ride along the Ngo Dong River.

Trekking through Ha Giang

Ha Giang province borders China in northern Vietnam. This remote, stunning location is perfect for travelers seeking a multi-day trekking experience. Trekking tours through Ha Giang range from 5-13 days and itineraries include touring breathtaking rice terraces, limestone karsts, and visiting minority villages. The view from the province’s Ma Pi Leng Pass is surreal. Trekking Ha Giang offers an excellent selection of tour packages, from quick hikes to two-week adventures. Note that the price depends on tour length and group size.

Biking Tours in the Mekong Delta

These multi-day tours begin in the southern city of Saigon, a bustling metropolis with a population of nearly nine million people. Seeing the city fade in the distance as you cycle into glorious natural surroundings is an amazing sight in itself.

Over the course of several days (4-6) you will cycle through fields of sugar cane, banana plantations, narrow country lanes, and across water channels. This is the perfect getaway from the big city for anyone with an affinity for traveling several days on a bicycle.

See more: Top beautiful towns in Vietnam

Biking and Trekking Tours in Sapa

Favored by nature, Sapa has long been a famous tourist destination in the northwest of Vietnam. Taking a tour to Sapa, you can contemplate a lot of strikingly beautiful landscapes with some famous destinations like Fansipan Mountain, Muong Hoa Valley, O Quy Ho Pass, Ethnic villages, etc.

Likewise, there is a wide range of forests and terraced rice fields that are extremely suitable to hold some fascinating activities in ecotourism. Sapa trekking tours will definitely offer the most authentic experiences and help tourists respectively experience their life and culture. The stunning views and scenery do not hurt either.

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How to spend 24 hours in Tokyo

It’s impossible to experience the entirety of Tokyo in one day, but this itinerary will help you maximize your time – from culinary and cultural experiences to famous sights and activities.

Immerse in the hustle and bustle of Harajuku

 Make your way to Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for shopping and people-watching. Takeshita Street contains tonnes of quirky shops and trinket sellers. So whether you’re looking for offbeat souvenirs or unique pieces to add to your wardrobe, you’ll find them here. Harajuku’s unofficial specialty is crepes, so grab one before heading toward Omotesando.

👉 Takeshita Street 1-13-17 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Stop by Meiji Shrine and try on traditional Japanese attire

Although they share the same grounds, you can’t access Meiji Shrine from inside Yoyogi Park, so exit at the southeast corner and head north; the shrine entrance is behind Harajuku Station. If you’ve ever wanted to try on a yukata or kimono, this is a good opportunity to do so. You can book a rental in advance at Sakaeya Kimono Shop and be guided through the shrine (though be sure to budget more time for this activity).

👉 Meiji Shrine 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Dine and shop along Omotesando

First, you might want to head straight to 76Cafe for a late lunch of taco rice, an Okinawan dish that combines classic taco ingredients with rice instead of tortillas. Then, along Omotesando, you’ll find luxury goods and some of the most impressive architecture in the world. Many of the best shops, including second-hand and vintage stores, can be found in the winding back alleys, so don’t be afraid to explore.

👉 76 Cafe 4-9-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Check out the Shibuya Crossing and enjoy a ramen dinner

Head to Shibuya to check out the sights, including Hachiko, Shibuya Crossing, and the iconic Shibuya 109 mall. It also has endless options when it comes to food. Try ramen at a restaurant where vending machines take your order instead of people, find sushi go round joint where you order from a tablet, or check out Tengu Sakaba for izakaya fare and a friendly atmosphere.

👉 Shibuya Station 2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Read more: Street food in Tokyo, dishes that you should try once

Drop by Tokyo’s entertainment district, Kabukicho

If you’d like to make it an early night, head to Shinjuku to wander the alleys of Kabukicho, and grab a drink in the district’s famed Golden Gai. Otherwise, stay in Shibuya and spend the night at one of the many live music venues, clubs, or DJ bars in the area.

👉 Golden Gai, 1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

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The best BBQ spots in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

There are many reasons to love BBQ, the mouth-watering aroma, the juicy steak, the irresistible flavor, etc. Do not hesitate to head right away to the most feast-worthy barbecues in Ho Chi Minh City anytime you are in mood for some grilling.

King BBQ

King BBQ is often referred to as one of the most high-quality grilled restaurants in Saigon. It is known for superior service as well as its delicate attention to details, providing you with the best experience at a fairly reasonable price. The restaurant offers a wide selection of meat and vegetables, as well as full access to its salad bar, soup, and dessert. The place is best for large group meetups since it can offer something to everyone at a very good price.

Here are some its branches you can try: 

• B3-10B, Vincom Center, 70-72 Le Thanh Ton street, District 1
• L5-03, Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi street, District 1
• 208 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, District 3
• 515 Nguyen Tri Phuong street, District 10.
• 04 - 05b, SC Vivocity, 1058 Nguyen Van Linh, District 7
• B1-11, Vincom Quang Trung, 190 Quang Trung street, Go Vap district
• 38 Mac Dinh Chi street, District 1

TNT BBQ

Hickory-smoked, tender beef brisket and other succulent meats await to satisfy your barbeque cravings at TNT BBQ nestled in a small building off Ly Tu Trong street in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

This American-owned eatery started off as delivery-only but now regularly greets a line of hungry patrons eager to sink their teeth into their famous brisket, smoked chicken, or delicious pulled pork sandwiches. TNT’s selection of equally satisfying side dishes perfectly complement the main dishes and are best enjoyed with one of several craft and local beers on draught.

Address: 1-3 Dang Tran Con, Ben Thanh ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Rom BBQ

Rom BBQ is another terrific rooftop spot for some delicious Vietnamese barbeque. The atmosphere at Rom is more peaceful than you would expect, and is a great choice for couples looking to share a romantic dinner. Rom serves up the classics for patrons to grill on their own; selections of duck, goat, chicken, and pork all come coated in different homemade sauces to sizzle on the grill. Do not miss the marinated coconut and sesame chicken with a side of lemongrass rice.

Address: 2 Luu Van Lang, Ben Thanh ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Grill

Saigon Grill is centrally located on trendy Pasteur street and boasts a fantastic rooftop view of the city. Their wide variety of BBQ dishes are packed with local Vietnamese flavour and some are cooked right on the table. This spot is perfect for anyone looking for variety, their menu includes traditional BBQ meat as well as a wide selection of seafood.

If you are famished, consider ordering one or two extras – the portions can be a little on the small side for anyone used to American-sized BBQ servings!

Address: 91 Pasteur, Ben Nghe ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City

5ku Station

If you are looking for a fun place to kick back with an ice-cold beer and enjoy authentic Vietnamese barbeque, 5ku Station is your place. This off-the-street grill is where locals and tourists alike mingle and devour heaps of grilled meat, seafood, vegetables, and noodles until the wee hours of the morning.

It is so good that you will do a double-take when you get the bill; 5ku is notorious for its high-quality, affordable menu. You will almost always have to wait for a table at peak dinner times, but it is definitely worth it.

Address: 29 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Jake's American BBQ

Owner Jake has been serving delicious food across Asia for the past decade, and Ho Chi Minh City is the lucky location of his latest venture. Jake’s BBQ serves up the classic, tender, mouth-watering BBQ that southern America is known for fall-off-the-bone ribs, crispy fried chicken, slow-and-smoked pulled pork, tasty burgers and more. Jake’s is situated on popular Pasteur street, so check in here and get your Americana on.

Address: 50 Pasteur, Ben Nghe ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Read more: Best restaurants to have Chinese foods in Ho Chi Minh City

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