1. Sapa, Vietnam
Recommended Months to Visit: Any time from September to November
Sapa is a mountainous area in northwestern Vietnam known for the gorgeous rice terraces, trekking opportunities, and home to a large group of ethnic minorities. Once a sleeper town, Sapa has recently boomed as a top destination in Vietnam.
The fall season, especially September, is an ideal time to visit Sapa. Many visitors and tourists head to Sapa to visit the rice terraces as they glow a golden color in preparation for the harvest time. It’s a photogenic time to see the beautiful terraces. While rain may occur during the season, the weather is the most pleasant.
While visitors can drive by the terraces and see them from afar by car or motorbike, trekking is the best way to see the rice terraces up close. The length varies from 1-3+ days depending on the schedule. Along the way, hikers awe at the landscapes, stop by ethnic minority villages, and stay overnight at homestays.
In addition, the popular tourist attraction is visiting Fansipan peak. At 3,143 meters (10,312 feet) and the highest mountain in Vietnam, visitors take the cable car from Sapa’s city center or by trekking. Experienced hikers can take 1-2 days to trek Fansipan Mountain. The top of Fansipan has Buddhist temples, statues, and plenty of summit signs.
2. Can Tho, Vietnam
Recommended Months to Visit: October to November
The best thing to do in Can Tho is to ride a small sampan boat and visit the Floating Market at sunrise. It’s a memorable experience to see large boats overstuffed with fresh produce and fruits such as garlic, pumpkin, and pineapples. The sellers must sell the produce before heading back home, so the buyer-seller transactions occur all day long.
For breakfast, stop by the famous boat in the middle of the Floating Market. This boat makes and sells delicious hủ tiếu, a hot noodle soup, that visitors can eat in their boat.
Along the way, visitors can visit several factories making rice noodles, coconut candy, and puffed rice snacks. It’s the perfect spot to buy souvenirs.
In Can Tho city, there are other fun places to explore such as the Night Market along the Ninh Kieu Wharf, temples, and pagodas. For those who love street food, there are many local shops selling fresh noodles, Vietnamese food, and snacks.
3. Borneo
Recommended Month to Visit: September
Dubbed the Emerald of the Equator, September is the best time to visit the island as it is already considered the off-peak season after the summer ends and the weather on the island is still nice enough to stroll around.
Also, get a chance to stop by Pontianak, a city in the Indonesian part of Borneo. There, you will experience “The Culmination of the Sun,” when the shadow of objects will disappear in the afternoon as the sun hovers directly around the Equator on September 21-23 every year.
Travel to the north, and cross the border to Sarawak, a Malaysian part of Borneo, to enjoy the island’s wildlife. Visit orangutans in their natural habitat at Semenggoh Nature Reserve in Kuching. Also, go trekking around Bako National Park and see the wildlife in front of your eyes.
If you still have time to explore more parts of Borneo, head over to Brunei, the smallest country that is also the only Islamic sultanate-governed country on the island. You can see the solid Islamic culture and architecture through Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosques.
4. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia
Recommended Months to Visit: September to October
Nestled in the heart of Java in Indonesia, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is a must-visit for any nature lover. It is known for its volcanoes and landscapes and was recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is home to many unique attractions, including active volcanoes, steaming craters, and lush green valleys. Visitors can also enjoy a range of activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching.
One of the best things you can do in the park is to go on a guided tour to see a sunrise over one of the active volcanos in the Tengger Caldera: Mount Bromo. It is an incredible sight to see, and one that you surely won’t forget.
The excursion usually includes traveling through the National Park at night in Jeeps, hiking up to the steaming top of the volcano, and taking pictures in the scenic spots recommended by the guides.
5. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Recommended Months to Visit: September to October
One of the best places to visit in Indonesia is Komodo National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site on the island of Flores.
The best way to explore the wonders of Komodo National Park is with a boat tour, either on a day trip or a multi-day sea journey.
On a day trip, the boats usually start at Padar Island, where you’ll hike for approximately 30 minutes to the top of the mountain to take in postcard views of the surroundings.
Then, you’ll visit Rinca Island with a park guide to glimpse the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.
Also, tours usually include a stop at Taka Makassar (a sandbank with crystal clear water) and some time at the stunning Pink Beach for snorkeling or swimming.
According to lifeofdoing.com
