5 Best Sights in Vietnam

This lake is linked to the legend of Emperor Le Loi, who is believed to have received a magical sword from the gods, which he in turn used to repel Chinese invaders. Afterward a giant turtle reclaimed the sword for the gods from Le Loi as he boated on Hoan Kiem Lake, which derives its name ("returned sword") from the story. The sword-lifting turtle is commemorated by the lake's distinctive Turtle Tower. Ngoc Son Temple on the island at the lake's north end is a tribute to Vietnam's defeat of Mongolian forces in the 13th century. The temple can be reached by way of a wooden bridge painted red. History aside, the slender park surrounding the lake serves as an important part of daily life for locals in the Old Quarter and is a pleasant place for people-watching, especially at dawn, or taking a break from exploring the city. Bordering the water are benches, small cafés, and a 30-minute walking trail that loops the lake.

You'll regularly catch glimpses of the Saigon River, which snakes its way through many districts of Ho Chi Minh City, while you're sightseeing. A Saigon Waterbus trip is a cheap and comfortable way to view the city from the river, and the "kissing bridge," aka Thu Thiem Bridge, has stunning views of the city at night. The riverside boardwalk around the Bach Dang waterbus station comes alive at night with food vendors and local Vietnamese chilling out and enjoying the cool river breezes.

Son La is the largest dam in Southeast Asia. It went into operation in 2011 and sits astride the Da River. Interest in developing the area for eco-tourism followed a few years later. Nowadays, there are a handful of ecolodges and businesses promoting water sports, kayaking, and island-hopping day trips out of the Dam vicinity.  

For much of the year Tinh Tam Lake is hardly worth the bother, but during the spring and summer months this little lake in the citadel comes alive with lotus flowers that cover it entirety. Do as the emperors once did and walk across one of the bridges to the island for a brief respite. The best way to see it (and find it) is by asking your driver to include it in a cyclo tour of the citadel.

Circumscribed by a walking path, Xuan Huong Lake is Dalat's central feature, naturally a hub for leisurely activity, including walking, biking, and swan-shape paddleboats. The dam-generated lake takes its name from a 18th-century poet, considered one of Vietnam's greatest, known for her daring, witty work.