From Ha Long Bay to Phu Quoc: 12 places to visit on September 2nd

The National Day holiday on September 2nd is a time when many families and groups of friends take advantage of a change of scenery after busy days. With a four-day holiday, you can choose a short but experience-rich trip: spending the night on a bay, strolling through lantern-lit streets, chasing clouds in the highlands, or simply enjoying a delicious meal in a new city.

If you're considering "where to go for a worthwhile vacation," the list below brings together destinations stretching from North to South, focusing on activities that are easy to schedule during the holidays.

Ha Long Bay: Sleeping amidst rocky mountains and watching the sunset from the boat deck.

Ha Long Bay has been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The distinctive feature here is the majestic mountain range rising from the water, which turns a deep blue as evening approaches.

Popular attractions include Tam Cung Cave, Thien Cung Cave, Trong Mai Island, Gai Island, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Sung Sot Cave. A popular experience is taking a cruise to watch the sunset; if you have time, try spending the night on the bay to witness the sea change color from dusk to dawn.

For a more active experience, you can kayak through the rocky crevices or visit a fishing village to learn about the nomadic lifestyle. In the evening, night squid fishing and enjoying seafood on a boat is also a popular option.

In terms of cuisine, Ha Long - Quang Ninh has many famous dishes such as mantis shrimp noodle soup, sea cucumber noodle soup, blood pudding with mugwort, Ha Long squid sausage rice rolls, and horseshoe crab sausage. If you want to buy souvenirs, you can prioritize local specialties that are easy to carry during your trip.

Hai Phong: A short trip, but a great time enjoying the beach atmosphere and amusement parks.

If you don't want to travel too far, Hai Phong is a convenient option: the city is only about a 2-hour drive from Hanoi, according to the source. Besides the seaside atmosphere, a highlight is VinWonders Vu Yen with attractions such as the Aloha Water Park, a zoo, and various games for all ages.

Quick itinerary suggestion: a day trip if you just want a change of scenery; or combine it with a stay in the Vu Yen Island area, Do Son, or the city center to have more time to enjoy seafood and stroll along the beach.

Hoi An: Stroll slowly through the ancient town, release lanterns on the Hoai River.

Hoi An is perfect for those who enjoy a slow pace: leisurely mornings amidst its ancient architecture, and evenings bathed in the glow of lanterns. Notable landmarks include the Japanese Bridge and assembly halls such as the Guangdong Assembly Hall, the Hainan Assembly Hall, the Chaozhou Assembly Hall, and the Fujian Assembly Hall.

Experiences that are easily "remembered by the senses" include taking a boat ride on the Hoai River, releasing floating lanterns in the evening, and admiring the lantern-lit streets. If you want to add the beach, you can visit the beaches mentioned in the source such as Ha My Beach, An Bang Beach, and Cua Dai Beach.

When visiting Hoi An, the list of frequently mentioned dishes includes Quang noodles, Cao Lau, Phuong bread, chicken rice, Banh Vac, and Banh Dap. Practical advice: dedicate at least one evening to walking and snacking; Hoi An is at its best when you're not in a hurry.

Ho Chi Minh City: history, architecture, and a food tour.

Ho Chi Minh City is a great choice for a short city break: explore the architecture and history by day, and visit the markets and enjoy street food in the evening. Iconic landmarks include Notre Dame Cathedral, Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office.

If you're going in a group, you can add other attractions to "change things up" such as Grand Park (mentioned in the source as a 4,600m² tsunami wave pool with waves 15m long and 3m high; along with 33 outdoor games and water slides).

Regarding cuisine, the source suggests dishes such as wonton, Saigon-style broken rice, noodle soup, mixed rice paper salad, steamed rice cake, spring rolls, and braised offal. A little tip: divide your meals into "rounds" to avoid getting too full too quickly—one savory dish, one soup dish, and finish with a dessert.

Da Nang: the sea, the mountain pass, and the bridges that give the city its rhythm.

Da Nang is situated between three World Heritage sites mentioned in the source: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Imperial City, and My Son Sanctuary. Suggested activities to suit your preferences: those interested in spirituality can visit temples such as Linh Ung Pagoda and Quan Am Pagoda; those who love nature can explore Son Tra Peninsula, Hai Van Pass, My Khe Beach, and Marble Mountains.

Da Nang is also famous for its bridges such as the Han River Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, and Golden Bridge (according to source). A "just right" way to explore during a holiday: choose one day for the beach and an afternoon for the mountain pass roads.

Hanoi: 36 streets and alleys, a morning at Ba Dinh Square

Hanoi is perfect for short trips but offers a wealth of cultural experiences: from the bustling Old Quarter to ancient landmarks. Suggested experiences include watching the Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremony at Ba Dinh Square; strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake; visiting the Temple of Literature; and watching a water puppet show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Regarding food, the list in the source includes Hanoi pho, bun cha, bun thang, cha ca La Vong, bun oc, and banh tom Ho Tay. If you follow the right rhythm, you'll find Hanoi most memorable in very small moments: a fragrant cup of egg coffee, the sound of a cart rolling on an old street, and the breeze blowing across the lake at dusk.

Tay Ninh: mountains, lakes, and records worth a trip to see.

Tay Ninh is described by sources as having many record-breaking landmarks: Mount Ba Den, 986m high; a 72m high bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy; the Tay Ninh Holy See; and Dau Tieng Lake, covering an area of ​​270km2. In addition, there is Lo Go - Xa Mat National Park, Ma Thien Lan Valley, Cao Son Tu Pagoda, and Binh Thanh ancient tower.

Local specialties include sun-dried rice paper, Trang Bang rice noodle soup, shrimp salt, Ba Den custard apple, mountain snails, and young beef. This is a suitable destination for groups who prefer day trips or extended weekends, prioritizing nature and local experiences.

Da Lat: cloud hunting, waterfalls, and cool evenings.

Da Lat is a popular choice for the September 2nd holiday, especially if you want to escape the heat to cool weather. Many activities are suggested: exploring waterfalls like Elephant Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, Dambri Waterfall, and Prenn Waterfall; chasing the sea of ​​clouds at Cau Dat tea plantation, Da Phu Hill, Thien Phuc Duc Hill, Langbiang Mountain, and Hon Bo Peak.

According to sources, September in Da Lat is a time of cool, fresh air; it's also when wild sunflowers and hydrangeas bloom and persimmons ripen. Regarding food, you can note down specialties such as chicken hot pot with basil leaves, dried persimmons, steamed rice rolls with chicken offal, steamed pork dumplings in bread, and banh can (rice flour pancakes).

Nha Trang: Long days at the beach, interspersed with sightseeing.

Nha Trang is suitable if you want a "morning beach, afternoon sightseeing" itinerary. Suggestions include places like the Nha Trang Oceanographic Institute, Ponagar Tower, and Luong Son Pass; and water activities such as surfing, parasailing, scuba diving, kayaking at Hon Tam, snorkeling at Hon Mun, and exploring the sea-walking path at Diep Son Island.

If you're traveling with family and want to optimize your time, the source also mentions the Vinpearl complex on Hon Tre Island with entertainment options such as VinWonders Nha Trang, Tata Show, and Vinpearl Submarine.

Quy Nhon: at the end of the dry season, the sea is clear and the roads run along the mountains.

According to sources, September in Quy Nhon marks the end of the dry season with cool, dry weather. Highlights include Eo Gió Quy Nhon, Ky Co Beach, Hon Kho Island, and Phuong Mai sand dunes (100m above sea level, according to sources). This is an ideal place to combine swimming, watching the sunset, and experiencing canoeing, kayaking, and basket boat rides.

Local specialties: shrimp spring rolls, straw-wrapped fermented pork sausage, Tam Quan pink rice cakes, coconut rice paper, fermented pork sausage, dried barracuda fish, and pork skin noodle soup.

Phu Quoc: fine sandy beaches, fishing villages, and night markets.

Phu Quoc, often called the largest island in Vietnam, is famous for its pristine beauty and numerous beaches. Suggested spots include Bai Sao Beach, Rach Vem, Phu Quoc Night Market, and Phu Quoc Pepper Gardens.

If you prefer an itinerary with many activities, the source suggests attractions within the Vinpearl Phu Quoc ecosystem such as VinWonders Phu Quoc, Grand World Phu Quoc, and Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc.

Hue: the imperial city, the Perfume River, and an authentic dinner.

Hue has a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for strolling slowly and observing. Suggested places to visit include the Hue Imperial Citadel (a World Heritage Site), the Hue National University, Thien Mu Pagoda, Trang Tien Bridge, and the Perfume River.

Hue cuisine, as found in the source, includes clam rice, Hue beef noodle soup, banh nam (steamed rice cakes), Hue sweet soup, Hue grilled pork skewers, Hue fermented pork sausage, banh bot loc (tapioca dumplings), and "com am phu" (rice from the underworld); souvenirs to take home include Hue sesame candy, Hue fig tea, royal tea, royal wine, conical hats, and betel nut candy.

Tips for preparing for a light and low-risk trip on September 2nd.

• Book early: The source recommends booking flights and hotel rooms early to avoid "fully booked" situations (rooms and tickets selling out).
• Documents required for travelPrepare your ID card/citizen identification card or personal identification confirmation; if traveling with children, you will need the required documents (source of note).
• Luggage: Familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding checked baggage and carry-on baggage beforehand, especially if it's your first time flying.
• Basic suppliesClothing, swimwear, camera, battery charger, medicine, sunscreen… according to the suggested list.

With a four-day holiday, a "beautiful" itinerary usually involves choosing one main destination to stay longer, rather than trying to visit too many places. When you have free time to sit down—a cup of coffee, a local dinner, or a few minutes watching the sea change color—the September 2nd trip truly leaves a lasting impression.