Ronan O'Connell from Perth, Australia is one of many western travelers who have a special affection for Vietnam.

In his latest visit, O'Connell spent one month discovering many cities and provinces in Vietnam, from the north to the south, experiencing the colorful life in each locality and enjoying Vietnamese dishes.

He was most impressed with Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, HCM City, and Da Nang, believing that these are the top five destinations most worth visiting in Vietnam.

He said HCM City is not a place for people to go on a diet because "food is available everywhere”. 

“Every day when you leave the hotel, you’ll feel just like stepping into a party of tastes. You’ll see grilled ribs shop on the left, and the bread next, and then banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes)."

The Australian traveler said that Da Nang was the friendliest city in Southeast Asia, after Singapore. There are many ideal places for excursions and shopping, and beaches are nearby. Sites include Da Nang Cathedral, the Museum of Cham Sculpture, and APEC Park.

The city also has an interesting nightlife and offers interesting choices in accommodations for visitors.

“Da Nang is clean, peaceful, with little traffic, and beautiful because of the splendor of nature, with the sea in the east and green hills in the west,” he said.

The traveler said he had strong impressions from his trip, especially the astounding growth of many localities, so he wanted to visit some peaceful destinations to fully relax.

Stopping at Hoi An ancient town, he said that this was the best place to take pictures, especially at night, when the landscapes are impressive with ancient yellow-walled houses lit with thousands of colorful lanterns.

Colorful lanterns are hung in villas, shops and historic temples hundreds of years old. The lanterns, as the symbols of Hoi An, are wonderful souvenirs. 

He said that, in the region, only Luang Prabang in Laos could compare with Hoi An as a heritage destination with a picturesque location and architecture.

O'Connell also liked Hue, the city with many different features, attracting visitors with its quiet beauty and many cultural heritage sites. Dong Ba Market, Thien Mu Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hai Ba Trung Food Street, and the Tomb of Tu Duc were his favorite sites.

He also described the Hue Royal Citadel as one of the most beautiful in Asia.

In Hanoi, he was impressed by the life in the heart of the country. He believes this is the best city in Asia thanks to the harmonious mixture of modern and ancient beauty with a history of 1,000 years.

Another plus is the low travel cost. With $200 a day, or VND4.7 million, in Hanoi, travelers can stay in a 5-star hotel, enjoy premium breakfasts, and travel around the city in a taxi, as well as visit famous famous sites. In Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong, similar experiences can cost travelers about $500 (VND11.8 million).

O'Connell advised people to combine visits to both busy and peaceful destinations for emotional and physical balance. For example, after HCM City he went to Can Tho to visit the floating market of Cai Rang. After finishing the trip around Hue City during which he visited temples and mausoleums, he went to Lang Co Bay. After leaving Da Nang, he went to Ba Na Hills to relax and to My Son relic after seeing Hoi An. After visiting Hanoi, he travelled to Sa Pa in the northwest.

Phan Dau