September Getaways

This year, the holidays of September 2 (Vietnam National Day) will last four days, from September 1 to 4. For those looking to escape to nature, here are our getaway suggestions.

 

The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will celebrate the national holiday.
Inaugurated in October 2010, on the celebrations of the millennium of Hanoi, the capital, the cultural and tourist village of the Vietnamese ethnic groups is located about forty kilometers west of Hanoi, the capital. It belongs to the tourist complex of Dong Mo, commune of Son Tay and offers, through the reconstitution of typical villages, a discovery of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. The site is divided into four «villages». The first is home to 28 ethnic groups from the highlands, valleys, and midlands of the mountainous regions of the North-West, North-East, and Central-North (including Tay and Thai, but also H'mong or Muong). The second village includes the 18 ethnic communities of Truong Son - Central Highlands, such as the Ta Oi, Xo Dang, Co Tu, Raglai and Ede people. The third represents the cultural space of the Cham, Khmer, Chu Ru and Cho Ro ethnic groups. And finally, the fourth village brings together the Kinh, Hoa, Ngai and San Diu ethnic groups. Eight ethnic communities live permanently in the Ethnic Village: Tay, Thai, Muong, Dao, Kho Mu, Ta Oi, Ede and Khmer.

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From September 1 to 4, the Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village of Vietnam will organize activities to celebrate the National Day of September 2, with the participation of 200 artists from 15 ethnic communities: Nung, Tay (from Thai Nguyen Province), Mong (from Ha Giang province), Muong (from Hoa Binh province), Thai, Kho Mu (from Son La province), Ta Oi and Co Tu (from Thua Thien-Hue province).
Good to know:

♦ Bus line number 71, departing from My Dinh bus station leads to Son Tay, while 107 (departing at the PTA building, 1 Kim Ma Street) will drop you off directly at the village for ethnic culture and tourism
♦ Count 30,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND if you are a student. Children under the age of 6 receive free admission
♦ Opening hours: from 8h00 to 11h00 and from 13h00 to 16h30, from Tuesday to Sunday, holidays included

With mild temperatures and sunny days, the months of September and October are particularly pleasant to stroll through the terraced rice fields, all gold coated. The highlights of this golden season are Sapa (Lao Cai Province) and Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province. If you want to meet fewer people, have the reflex bushy paths of Mr Lin’s Adventures!

► Awaken the adventurer in you : 8 days off the beaten tracks in North Vietnam
 

Known for its rice considered the best in Vietnam, the province of Thai Binh offers the visitor the refuge of its pagodas, the trip in the time of its historical sites and the romanticism of its beach of Con Vanh.
Located just over 100 km from Hanoi, Thai Binh – the provincial capital – is easily accessible by bus or private car. Alternatively, you can also get there by train, the station being located about twenty kilometers west of the city center. Depending on your preferences, you can choose a seaside break on the ecological site of Con Vanh, located a little outside the city. Often deserted, the beach borders the dreamy coast. Push your walk to the Ba Lat lighthouse and its breathtaking view of Con Vanh. Another option is to head to Thuy Xuan, a commune in Thai Binh province, to contemplate the languid kiss of the sea and the sky. It is in fact a mudflat some 7 km long, with water up to the ankles at low tide. To enjoy the breathtaking spectacle of the sea like a mirror in which the sky would drown, wake up at 4 a.m., to accompany the sunrise…

► Hidden gem of the Red River Delta: Cuc Phuong Natural Park, 1 day tour

 

Whatever the season, Miss UNESCO 1994 continues to seduce and enchant anyone who ventures on its jade waters.
Absolute masterpiece of Nature, Halong Bay marks the west coast of the Gulf of Bac Bo. If you’re looking for privacy, head to Lan Ha Bay, or head to Bai Tu Long bay for a tranquil setting of mesmerizing and wild beauty.
 

Nicknamed the «Sa Pa de Quang Ninh», Binh Lieu is characterized by its cool climate and breathtaking views.
Known for its white reed meadows, this border province with China is located a hundred kilometers from the city of Quang Ninh and more than 300 km from Hanoi. Due to its mountainous terrain, Binh Lieu has a very different climate than the rest of the province: in winter, it is not uncommon to see villages sprinkled with snow… Crossing winding roads weaving through landscapes of majestic beauty, Binh Lieu is a destination off the beaten track, barely populated by some local communities mainly Tay, Dao and San Chi. Also known for its beautiful rice terraces, Binh Lieu remains the favorite destination for hikers a little adventurous, who come here to challenge «The Dinosaur Spine», a rocky escarpment bordered at the top of a hiking trail overlooking a landscape of beauty.
Good to know:
We can go there by bus: just choose from Hung Long bus station to go directly to Binh Lieu, with a fee of 160,000 to 200,000 VND/person. Get off at Binh Lieu bus station and rent a motorcycle (xe om) to continue your discovery.

Discreet, natural, and endearing, Quy Nhon attracts more and more travelers in search of picturesque landscapes.
Easily accessible, Binh Dinh Province is a thriving getaway destination, with the rugged beauty of its coastline matched only by its peaceful hinterland. Sometimes called the «Maldives of Vietnam», Quy Nhon proves to be an ideal getaway for all, solo, family or lovers, while presenting itself as a charming stopover between Da Nang and Nha Trang. Bordered by a coastline with bumpy rocks, the waters of Quy Nhon come to play with superb white sand beaches, including that of Ky Co the magnificent. Quy Nhon is also an opportunity to discover the Cham civilization, with its twin towers (located just outside the city center) and temples, including the complex of Banh It towers or the citadel of Vijaya, the most remarkable remains.

Although known locally, Phu Yen province has this discreet charm of timeless places.
Highlighted by a coastline of nearly 200 km on which clear blue waters come to play, the province is known – in addition to its splendid bays, like Xuan Dai in the lead - for its amazing sites: mention the lagoon of O Loan, the nature reserves of Krong Trai and Bac Deo with their superb hiking trails, or the cliff of Da Bia, perhaps the most famous attraction. With its Giant’s Causeway look, this coastal escarpment reminiscent of a huge honeycomb is a spectacular destination that attracts many local and foreign visitors.

While Phu Quoc can be blamed for its masses of tourists, the largest island in Vietnam has kept some destinations still wild, conducive to natural relaxation.
Located in the southwest of the country and attached to the province of Kien Giang, Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful beaches, including – to mention only the most emblematic - Sao, Dai, Khem, Ganh Dau, Vung Bau, Rach Vem, Ba Kèo or Cua Can. Here, everything is white sand and clear waters, seaside pleasures extended by dives to discover the multicolored seabed. Pepper crops, workshops of the famous nuoc mam sauce or even pearl crafts, make Phu Quoc one of the most attractive getaways for all.

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