Most visitors to Vietnam make a trip to the picturesque Halong Bay in the northern part of Vietnam not far from the Chinese border. The bay is dotted with limestone islands making it an absolutely stunning site. Halong Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Tour operators offer a variety of packages including luxurious two and three day cruises to one day tours with a guide. The bay also boasts some mysterious caves that are well worth exploring.
Further south in Vietnam, visitors can experience three more UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi, the Hoi An Ancient Town, and the Complex of Hue Monuments. The Imperial Citadel was the political centre of the country for 13 consecutive centuries and served as the capital of Vietnam for eight decades. Excavation of the site took place from 2002 to 2004 and it was only awarded the title World Heritage site in 2010 in time for Hanoi's millennial anniversary. Finally, the Cu Chi Tunnels are also a must for visitors interested in history. The tunnels serve as a live museum of the underground life of the Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War.
