Get all LGBT in Ha Long Bay (Getty)
Interesting that communist Vietnam—where you still can’t legally access Facebook and where we once lost a war for “freedom”, is contemplating a law to sanction gay marriage. Especially since here, in the “land of the free”, there’s over 30 states that have constitutional amendments restricting your freedom to do just that. Add to that the Chick Fil A attack on gay families and 2012 has officially become an alternate universe where Communist Vietnam is more welcoming to the gays than much of the United States of America. With that in mind, turn your attention to Vietnam which could be on its way to becoming the next big gay tourism or gay honeymoon destination in Asia. Here’s 8 places not to be missed.
1—Nha Trang
Everybody Nha Trang Tonight! (Getty)
We love it when our beachside resorts have names that sounds like drag queens. This place is a mixture of a bustling Vietnamese beach town and gorgeous Western resort-land set on one of the most scenic bays in the country. Look inland and you’ve got pretty mountains staring back at you too. You can chill, beachside, to your heart’s desire but it’s also the scuba diving center of the country and there’s fun island hopping boat trips as well as some mud baths.
2—Mekong River, Meking Delta
Hold your partner's hand here. (Getty)
Here’s where you can truly become a rice queen. The river delta makes so much of the stuff that it can feed the country once over and then have a little left over for you. Trek out here to visit flower markets, bird sanctuaries and rustic river beach get aways like Hon Chong.
3—Phu Quoc
Get some Phu Quoc on your trip to Vietnam (Getty)
We prefe Phun Quoc, but we didn’t write the language. Anyway, This is the largest island in Vietnam with pristine tropical forests, undamaged coral reefs and beaches that’ll make you cry. Make sure you find Bai Dai beach, which has won accolades as one of the world’s most beautiful and clean beaches.
4—Sa Pa Terraces
I'll have the dream fried rice (Getty)
Enter another world. One that is filled with perfectly constructed rice paddy terraces. We dare you not to be inspired.
5—Hanoi / Hoam Kiem Lake
Where to be chill in Hanoi (Getty)
Hanoi itself is cray—imagine a French style city overrun with a million too many motorbikes—but this giant peaceful lake is where you can escape it all.
6—Ha Long Bay
(Getty)
Halong are you? Really, this is what its all about. The name translates in to “Bay of Descending Dragons” and is the number one top tourist attraction in the country. Thousands of islands topped with thick jungle form a seascape of epic proportions.
7—Thien Mu Pagoda
You won't find this Pagoda in the Mall (Getty)
Visit Vietnam’s tallest pagoda for no other reason that its being located along the Perfume River
8—Hoi An
(Getty)
Any place called the “Venice of Vietnam” should be on your list, plus one of the country’s most luxurious hotels is just yonder.
Matt Bell is a New York based travel and style writer who contributes regularly to Esquire.com and Essential Homme Magazine. He has also written for Out.com, Next Magazine, American Spa Magazine and was the Senior Editor for Genre Magazine.
Related: A luxury hotel in Vietnam
