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In its early July issue, Paris Match dedicated an entire article to introducing Vietnam as a destination that brings together diverse experiences in a single trip: beaches, historical heritage, mountains, and local life. The French magazine suggests travelers follow three main stages, each with its own unique character but all telling a consistent story about a Vietnam that is both modern and deeply rooted in its culture.
The first leg of the journey begins in Da Nang, the leading coastal tourist center in Central Vietnam. Along My Khe beach, a series of high-end resorts have sprung up right at the water's edge. Son Tra Peninsula is a nature reserve and resort area nestled amidst a pristine forest. Tourists wishing to avoid the intense sun should visit Son Tra early in the morning, when golden monkeys and forest birds are still active near the trails, and take advantage of the soft light to capture panoramic photos of Da Nang Bay from the top of the peninsula.
Located about 30km south of Da Nang, Hoi An continues the journey with a completely different atmosphere. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient town still retains almost intact its wooden houses, the Japanese Bridge, and the Chinese assembly halls that served as a bustling international trading port for centuries.
Hoi An Ancient Town creates a scene that makes many tourists feel like they are stepping into a historical film.
Paris Match specifically mentions the Precious Heritage Museum of French photographer Réhahn, which houses portraits of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups – a stop that helps foreign tourists understand the Vietnamese people, not just the scenery. In the evening, when lanterns are lit and floating lanterns drift on the Hoai River, it's best to arrive at the pedestrian street before 6:30 PM to avoid the crowds and get a good photo spot before the throngs disperse.
Leaving Central Vietnam, Paris Match takes readers to Ha Long Bay – a wonder described by the magazine as captivating viewers with its rare scale of thousands of limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters. However, the French magazine also doesn't shy away from the downside: the dense concentration of tourist boats sometimes overcrowds the bay, diminishing the authentic experience many tourists expect.
This is also an issue that the domestic tourism industry is addressing through measures such as channeling ships and limiting the number of daily tours. For those who want to avoid crowds, a common practice is to choose overnight cruise tours instead of day tours, as most short-haul boats depart in the morning and return at almost the same time.
Ha Long Bay captivates visitors with its rare natural scale.
The final stop on the itinerary suggested by Paris Match is the Yen Tu - Ninh Binh cluster in the North. Yen Tu, the cradle of the Truc Lam Zen sect, offers a leisurely pace with ancient stone paths and temples hidden in the mountains. Ninh Binh, often referred to as the "Ha Long Bay on land," stands out with its towering limestone mountains surrounding rice paddies and winding rivers.
The centerpiece of this region is the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, where visitors can take boat rides through water-filled caves beneath cliffs millions of years old.
According to ticket prices effective from the beginning of 2026, a tour of Trang An for adults costs approximately 250,000 VND, including boat fees, with a travel time of 2-3.5 hours depending on the three available routes. The ideal time to visit is spring, from February to April, or autumn, from September to November, when the weather is cool and there is less rain. On weekends or holidays, it is advisable to arrive at the boat dock before 9 am to avoid long queues.
A journey to discover the depths of culture and nature.
Paris Match emphasizes that Vietnam's appeal lies not only in its natural landscapes or luxurious resorts, but also in its ability to harmonize the modern pace of life in tourist cities with cultural spaces preserved for centuries. From the beaches of Central Vietnam, the ancient town of Hoi An, the wonder of Ha Long Bay, to the scenic Trang An, each region offers a unique perspective, but together they form the reason why the French magazine asserts: just three trips are enough for visitors to fall in love with this S-shaped country.
