Top best islands in Vietnam | Vietnam travel

TOP BEST ISLANDS IN VIETNAM

With a long coastline of 3,260km, Vietnam possesses thousands of islands in different sizes, of which the most popular and magnificent ones can be named as Cat Ba island, Con Dao island, and Phu Quoc island. 

1 - Cat Ba Island 

Cat Ba Island belongs to Cat Hai island district, about 60km from the center of Hai Phong city. This is the most gorgeous island in Vietnam’s Northern sea, impressive with numerous unspoiled sandy beaches, primeval forests, majestic limestone mountains, mysterious caves and a diversity of ecosystems. With the fresh air and favorable temperature all year round, Cat Ba Island is a perfect destination for relaxation and vacation. There are a wealth of captivating attractions as well as amusing activities that should not be missed when you travel to Cat Ba island such as bathing in the cool fresh water in stunning beaches, paying a visit to Cat Ba National Park, Cai Beo ancient fishing village, and Trung Trang cave, etc. 

Cat Ba island (Source: Vietnamonline.com)

One of the most outstanding attractions in Cat Ba island is Lan Ha Bay, where you can admire the limestone islands and water caves hidden in the mountains by renting a kayak. Another worth-visiting place for enhancing the knowledge about Vietnam’s history is Cannon Fort oor Peak 177, a historical site witnessing the wars between France and America, featuring large cannons and a system of military trenches and tunnels. 

2 - Con Dao Island 

Con Dao, situated off the southern coast of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, about 40 miles from Soc Trang City, is one of the best islands in Vietnam not only by its serene beauty but also its crucial historical role - a bloody and tearful time. When visiting the island, you can feel a heroic but tragic period in the history of Vietnam at the old French colonial prison. Besides, Con Dao is also well-known for Vietnam’s top tourist area, regarded as a paradise of relaxation, particularly you can have a chance to see sea turtles laying eggs in Con Dao during the period from March to September with cool weather, little rain, and calm sea. 

Con Dao island (Source: VnExppress)

The most appealing tourist spot here is Con Dao Prison, where many political prisoners used to be exiled, featuring sixty non-roofed rooms (sunlit rooms) for punishing prisoners, a system of shackles, chains, and other cruel tortures. The most famous place in Con Dao prison is “Tiger Cages” with a camp and prison cells built into chambers, which is only 1.45m wide. Con Dao National Park is also a should-not-miss place in Cat Ba Island with an area of 15,043ha with rare vegetation and more than 30 species of orchids, precious herbs together with numerous rare animals. 

3 - Phu Quoc Island 

Phu Quoc island, the largest island of Vietnam, is renowned for its unbelievable primitive and appealing appearance of idyllic beaches, evergreen forests, serene atmosphere, and glorious sunsets. With a myriad of gorgeous and charming beaches such as Long beach, Ong Lang beach, and Star beach, Phu Quoc island is a true paradise for recreational beach activities like scuba diving, swimming, and snorkelling, etc. 

Phu Quoc island (Source: Vietnamplus)

Bai Sao or Star Beach is a hidden gem that still keeps the pristine beauty with crystal clear water and smooth white sandy beach, more attractive to tourists at night, when thousands of starfish move to the shore, creating an incredible scene hardly seen in other places. The famous place for entertainment in Phu Quoc is the complex of VinWonders. There are more than 3,000 species of birds and 175 species of mammals and reptiles at the zoo in the campus of Vinpearl Safari and Vinpearl Land and hundreds of games and recreational zones together with aquariums which can satisfy all the needs of tourists regardless of tastes and ages. If you are a nature lover and would love to discover religious architectural works, Dinh Cau Cape, a spiritual destination, may be an ideal place for you to admire the sunshine, immersing yourself into the breath of sea and big waves. If you come here on the lunar October the 15th and 16th, you can  participate in a big festival in the temple of Dinh Cau, which is located near the beach. 

These islands mentioned above are outstanding with the spectacular landscape, favourable weather, rich historical values and a wide array of entertainment services, making them the most popular tourist attractions to not only the Vietnamese but also international tourists. 

It may interest you: Traveling to Vietnam with Localtravelidea