Whilst you’ll spend a lot of your time in the classroom teaching your students on the Vietnam Internship, make sure you’ve got some fun trips lined up from when you get a break from school life.
We thought long and hard about where our favourite places to visit in Vietnam are and managed to get it down to our top 5!
What do you think? Have we got it right or have we missed your top spot? Get ready and start planning your next trip!
5. Dalat
Dalat really is a feast for the eyes: beautiful flowers fill the fields, with a backdrop of rolling hills and Alpine Lakes – it’s often described as a fusion of Vietnam and Switzerland! The Vietnamese like to retreat here in the height of summer, as temperatures remain cool (they can drop to about 10 degrees Celsius at night).
Whilst the scenery certainly is something that should be enjoyed (a leisurely stroll around Ho Xuan lake, anyone?!), one place you simply MUST see is the Hang Nga. Translating to ‘crazy house’, this fairy-tale inspired treehouse was designed by architect Dang Viet Nga, with a series of ten guest rooms, including the Tiger room and the Eagle room, representing China and America respectively… it certainly lives up to its name.
4. Hanoi
So the first thing that you won’t be able to avoid are the swarm of motorbikes driving round the streets, but Hanoi has so much more to offer than that! There’s a constant buzz in the air, which is especially present at the bustling street markets. Be sure to head along to a night market for socialising Vietnamese-style, whilst checking out all of the deals!
Finally, no visit to Hanoi is complete without catching a show at the Thang Long Water Puppet theatre: an ancient Vietnamese tradition dating back to the 11th century, the puppet show takes place in a pool of water – well worth a watch!
3. Hoi An
Named the Best City on Earth 2013 by Wanderlust, it’s definitely worth exploring when you’re on the Vietnam internship! As the culinary capital, it’s the perfect place to try your hand at cooking traditional Vietnamese food, with lots of schools offering classes at very reasonable prices.
If you can still move once you’ve snaffled all of those tasty dishes, take a trip slightly outside of the city to the beautiful paddy fields, or alternatively relax on the golden shores of An Bang or Cua Dai (you’ll find much more tourists here – we’d recommend the former!)
2. Nha Trang
Voted one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Nha Trang is a popular seaside resort with golden sands and tranquil blue shores. The diverse mix of fish makes it ideal for scuba divers; but if you’d prefer to stay on land, you can visit the amusement and water park, both located in Vinpearl Land.
But it’s not all built-up touristy areas! Nha Trang has natural beauty by the bucket-load, with a backdrop of mountains, forests and waterfalls. Plus, it’s home to the stunning Long Son Pagoda, mosaic dragons adorn the roof, and a giant sitting Buddha statue, it’s not to be missed.
1. Ho Chi Minh City
The largest city in Vietnam – there’s an air of sophistication about it, with its classy bars and swanky shops! One place you MUST go to is Alto Heli Bar – situated on the 52nd floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower, you can enjoy amazing views of the city’s skyline whilst sipping on a cocktail or two.
But it’s not just the glamorous nightlife that makes Ho Chi Minh worth a visit (and worthy of our top spot!); it’s got culture, history and stunning architecture in abundance. Pay a visit to the Ho Chi Minh museum to learn about the country’s tragic past, or check out the Notre Dame Cathedral to see a piece of history! Of course, the day isn’t complete without a stop at the street markets to pick up some tasty Vietnam cuisine, and bag some (more) bargains – be prepared to haggle!
Are you ready to pack your bags and join the Paid Vietnam TEFL Internship? We’ve still got places left so make the dream a reality. You can find out more by downloading the Vietnam Internship guide here.
