What’s not to love about taking a summer vacation in Vietnam? We want to make your trip all the more special with these Vietnamese phrases you can use while lying on a beautiful beach or trekking deep into one of the country’s stunning jungle areas.
A few basics before we get going:
Ling is the perfect accompaniment for you to take on holiday. It’s a simple app that slides into your pocket. No more carrying unwieldy phrase books and dictionaries; now you have the power of cutting-edge language learning at your fingertips while you enjoy a cool Mai tai in Ha Long bay. You wouldn’t go scuba diving without a tank, and you shouldn’t go to Vietnam without Ling!
Summer Vacation In Vietnam: Helpful Vocabulary
Here are some basic vacation words to know.
Helpful Phrases To Get Around In Vietnam During Summer
Picture the scene. You’re on a three-day hike in Sapa (not my idea of a good summer vacation in Vietnam, but I know some people love it), and your phone battery dies. Now you have to rely on your old-fashioned, run-of-the-mill brain! You’re desperate to tell the guide that you want to stop and take a drink of water, but you haven’t learned how to say it in Vietnamese. Fear no more. Here’s a helpful list for your summer vacation in Vietnam, whether at the beach, in a city, or in the heart of darkness!
7 Amazing Places To Visit In Vietnam
Every year, millions of people visit Vietnam. They go there for various reasons: to learn more about the country’s history, take pictures of the beautiful scenery and monuments, or just change their routine.
The thing is, as soon as they get there and start exploring, they find out just how many things there are for them to do!
Summer is the perfect time for a trip to Vietnam. The weather is hot, but not too hot, and the sunsets are gorgeous.
You can go to the beautiful beach and swim in the warm waters, visit the famous Ham Ninh fishing village, or just stroll through the city and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
If you’re planning your summer vacation in Vietnam, you might be wondering where to go. There are so many things to do! Well, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve put together a list of 10 places that are amazing to visit during your stay in Vietnam. They’re sure to make your vacation unforgettable.
1. Nha Trang
If you’re spending your summer holiday in Vietnam, there’s no better place to visit than Nha Trang. It’s a beautiful city with plenty of activities for people of all ages.
If you’re looking for a place to relax on the beach, there are plenty of options here.
Nha Trang Beach is among the most popular beaches in Vietnam, and it’s easy to see why: white sand, clear water, and soft powdery sand make this a great spot to spend some time tanning or swimming.
The best part about visiting Nha Trang is that it has one of the most stunning sunsets in Vietnam! If you come during sunset, you will see a beautiful orange glow as the sun goes down over the horizon!
2. Đà Nẵng
Đà Nẵng is the largest city in central Vietnam, and it’s a great place to visit for summer vacation. The weather is perfect for swimming, surfing, scuba diving, and kayaking, and many hiking trails offer incredible ocean views.
Đà Nẵng is known for its beaches and resorts, but it’s also worth exploring the city.
Fancy visiting cool caves? Well, you’re in luck! The most popular attraction in Đà Nẵng is the Marble Mountains.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features grottos carved into limestone caves millions of years ago. You can climb these mountains or take a boat across the river to get closer looks at the caves.
If you’re interested in history, you’ll want to visit the Cham Museum in Đà Nẵng—it has exhibits of Cham art and architecture as well as artifacts from this ancient civilization that once ruled over most of Southeast Asia.
3. Hạ Long Bay
If you’re traveling to Vietnam in the summer, then Hạ Long Bay is a must-see destination. It’s a beautiful, mysterious island chain popular with foreign tourists but still offers a look into the culture of Vietnam.
Hạ Long Bay is located in northern Vietnam and is famous for its thousands of rocky islands that jut out from emerald waters. The bay was formed by tectonic movements 1 million years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna.
It’s easy to see why so many foreign tourists flock to Ha Long Bay every year—the views are absolutely stunning!
You’ll be able to spend hours just staring out at these floating wonders, but if you’d like some more information about what makes this place so special, we recommend visiting one of the many tours offered by local companies or taking an overnight cruise on one of their boats.
If you’re visiting Vietnam in the summertime, there’s no better place to go than Halong Bay!
Phú Quốc Island
Phú Quốc is a tropical paradise with stunning primitive beaches, clear blue water, and white sand. It’s an island off the coast of Đà Nẵng, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. It’s also just a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City by plane or ferry.
Phú Quốc Island is also home to Sao Beach—one of the best places to meet new friends! The people there are so friendly and welcoming that it’s easy to make friends with them and practice your language skills.
In addition to its beaches, Phu Quoc Island has a lot of other attractions. You can visit famous spots like the Duong Dong Town Market or the Cao Dai Temple, both located in Duong Dong.
The island also has many historical sites, including Phu Quoc National Park. This park includes several ancient temples that are still in use today.
Sa Pa
If you’re looking for a place to cool off in the summer holiday months, look no further than Sa Pa. It’s a beautiful and relatively low-key town in the mountainous north of the country.
Sa Pa is a popular scenic destination for many tourists wanting to experience life in the mountains and experience traditional culture. It is home to many different ethnic groups, including the Hmong, Dao, Tay, and Giay people.
The town is famous for its terraced rice paddies built on steep hillsides. It also has some of the best views of the surrounding mountains in Vietnam.
Hoi An
When you think of Vietnam, the first place that comes to mind is probably Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’ve ever been there, you know that it can be a bit overwhelming. But if you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, consider heading south to Hoi An for your next trip.
Hoi An is a small town in southern Vietnam. It’s a place that will make you feel like you’re in a dream. The weather is tropical, the air is fresh, and there’s no better place to be when you’re learning Vietnamese than this little town. The people here are so friendly, and they love to chat!
The best part about Hoi An is that it’s incredibly easy to get around. You can walk everywhere. And if you want to go farther than just around town, renting a scooter is easy.
Another great thing about Hoi An is An Bang Beach. It is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing on the sand. There are many great restaurants along the beach, so you can grab a bite of the most delicious dishes before or after your swim.
Da Lat
Da Lat is a city in central Vietnam known for its beautiful weather and cool climate. It’s a popular destination for those looking for a break from the heat during the summer months.
It’s also close enough to Ho Chi Minh City that it makes an ideal day trip destination. The average temperature in Da Lat hovers around 78°F during the summer months.
Da Lat is a city that is known for its unique architecture. You’ll see lots of French-style buildings and villas with colorful roofs, which makes it very interesting to visit.
Don’ts Of Travelling In Vietnam
- Don’t forget to apply for a visa- This one may sound obvious, but many tourists assume that Vietnam is the same as Thailand and that you don’t need a visa to travel here. In the past, things were a lot simpler, and tourists could apply for a three-month multiple entry visa; however, due to Covid restrictions, now it’s only one month at the time of writing (I’m told that barring another Covid wave, the old system may return). A Vietnam visa is currently around $25usd.
- Don’t drink tap water- Although not as bad as in other countries, it is highly recommended that you only drink bottled water in Vietnam(and always check that it’s sealed correctly). Tap water has the potential to include all sorts of nasty germs like typhoid and cholera!
- Don’t kiss in public- Vietnamese culture is still quite conservative, with Northern Vietnam a little more so than Southern Vietnam. Although the chances are that nobody is going to say something to you, it’s always polite to keep your smooches indoors.
- Don’t rent a motorbike- I know how tempting it is to rent a motorbike in Vietnam, and it is the most exciting way to see stunning areas of natural beauty like the Hai van pass in central Vietnam. However, you’re asking for trouble. If the worst does happen and you have a crash, it could even make your health insurance void.
- Don’t use a taxi cab- Although there are licensed taxi cabs in Vietnam, it can sometimes be challenging to know which exactly they are. I’ve been in seemingly legitimate cabs and then watched in horror as the meter shot up exorbitantly. It may sound slightly counter-intuitive, but ride-sharing apps like Grab are almost always the best option.
- Don’t constantly mention the Vietnam war- There is a slight caveat to this because some people will be happy to talk about the conflict; however, this is a country very much with its eyes set on the future, and if you keep bringing up the past you can seem at best outdated and at worst offensive.
Enjoy The Best Summer Vacation In Vietnam
With all the things to do, places to see, and food to eat in Vietnam, it’s no wonder it’s one of travelers’ favorite destinations. There’s something for everyone in Vietnam, whether you’re into the outdoors, shopping, or history.
You can spend your days hiking through the mountains or exploring caves, or stay indoors and learn about Vietnamese culture at one of many museums throughout the country.
Plus, the people are also extremely friendly and welcoming, so you’ll always feel at home here!
Vietnam is very accessible to foreign tourists and great for a summer holiday. There is something for everyone, from a crowded city like Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful streams of the Mekong Delta or the ancient town of Hoi An.
My personal favorite is the Unesco World Heritage site Halong Bay(in the South China Sea), where beach lovers can spend the days in cool caves and take in a coconut tree’s bounty at sunset.
One final thing, be aware of when you’re visiting Vietnam. Vietnam has a typhoon season and what’s more complicated is that different parts of the country experience this at different times.
Although most of the country is accessible during the rainy season, some mountain trails might be dangerous! Generally speaking, the dry season would be the best time to visit the mountains.
Learn Vietnamese With The Ling App
If you enjoyed this blog, think about checking out a few others such as Vietnamese health vocabulary and Vietnamese business vocabulary.
To ensure you get the best summer experience possible, it’s a good idea to learn some basic Vietnamese phrases before you go.
This will help you communicate with the locals and get a feel for their culture. You’ll also be able to read signs and menus effortlessly, making your travels much more enjoyable!
To learn some basic Vietnamese, check out the Ling app. It’s a fun and easy way to learn Vietnamese, and it’s available on iOS and Android.
Get started on your journey, and feel more at home when you get there! The Ling app has two free units, so why not give it a try?