Change Is Coming after April in Vietnam
There is a western saying that a ‘’young man’s fancy turns to love’’ in the spring. Likewise, April is a popular month for weddings and certainly it is a month for considering a Vietnam honeymoon vacation. A good Vietnam travel agent will advise on the best Vietnam holiday itinerary for those on honeymoon, especially regarding the coastal resorts where a beach holiday can be enjoyed with little chance of poor weather. To be fair, April weather is changeable with the chance of a little rain but the temperatures in Central and Southern Vietnam are excellent, without being too hot; that really hot weather follows in the next months.

Tourist crowds have yet to grow until May approaches so the major landmarks and sites of Vietnam are not especially busy.

The cool temperatures in the North are a thing of the past. Many tourists begin their Vietnam travel packages in Hanoi and certainly three of the most important national highlights are in the North, including the Capital City itself. To the North of Hanoi there are highland regions and the Sapa Terraces where rice is grown over the following months. April is a little early for planting the rice but the villagers will be tidying up the terraces ready for planting. Trekkers will love the whole region and it is also a joy to meet the ethnic hill tribes who have lived there for centuries, with little change to their lifestyle. There are markets where locals sell their handicrafts and produce and of course the tourist numbers have increased the opportunity for sales.

East of Hanoi to the Coast, Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and if you want a real treat, it is to have an overnight stay on a junk in the Bay, enjoying sunset, a lovely meal, often fresh seafood and sunrise the next day. Your junk will meander amongst a huge number of islands and there is the chance to explore as well as swim and try a kayak.

April weather gets warmer as you head south, hence the suggestion about the coastal beach resorts of Central and Southern Vietnam. There is much more to see and do away from the beaches however. Hue was the Imperial Capital of the Nguyen Dynasty which ruled throughout the time of the French occupation. There was plenty of grandeur, if limited power, at that time. The other city in Central Vietnam with plenty of history is the port of Hoi An which was an important trading centre during the Champa Kingdom many centuries ago. Both of these cities should be on your holiday itinerary if you intend to cover the whole length of Vietnam.

Vietnam is fairly narrow between the sea and its western border. This Central Highland region was selected by the French as a means of escaping from the really hot months. It is great for trekking and has become increasingly popular for weddings and honeymoons; check out Da Lat and make your own minds up. Obviously, your Vietnam travel agency will give you all the help you need.

The South has a number of excellent coastal resorts, some close enough to Ho Chi Minh City to be weekend retreats for the wealthier locals. The beaches are excellent and the tourist infrastructure well-developed. You will have the choice of peaceful luxury accommodation or enjoying the many watersports on offer. Either way, the fresh seafood is certainly something to try more than once.

Ho Chi Minh City itself is warm at this time of year. There are a number of attractions as well as the chance to go north to the Chi Cu Tunnels that the Vietcong used to such good effect during the Vietnam War. West of Ho Chi Ming City is the Mekong Delta. Don’t imagine this is a sparsely populated region. There are towns and cities in the Delta but you don’t have to join in with the crowds. There are still quiet backwaters and the chance to wander through small villages, orchards and the fields that make the Delta the most productive part of the Country.

April 30th is a significant day in Vietnam’s history; it is Reunification Day. There are events held throughout the country to celebrate the day and remind those born well after the end of the Vietnam War about its positive outcome. The fact that International Labour Day follows on 1st May means that the holiday is extended; the Vietnamese do not need much of an excuse to hold festivities.