If you're looking for exotic provincial sights and historically rich places to go, Vietnam has so much to offer that makes your trip more than worthwhile. Below are Top Ten Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam as recommended by Petal Mashraki, a freelance travel writer whose article has been published in globalgrasshopper.com.

1. Son Tra Peninsula. Also known as Monkey Island. Located near Da Nang City whose beauty can be seen from the peninsula's mountain top. Boasts of white beaches, crystal-clear water, forest-covered mountains and coral reefs just below the surface. Famous beaches include the North Beach, South Beach and Buddha Beach which are popular, among others, for their beautifully turquoise color and unbelievable cleanliness.

2. The Nguyen Dynasty Tombs. Tombs are spread out along the banks of the Perfume River. The tombs were built according to religious outlines including “symmetrically-balanced geometric angles and symbolic motifs.” Each tomb has its own character, surrounding gardens, small bridges and walkways. Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, Tu Doc, Thieu Tri and Dong Kanh are considered the most beautiful tombs. Khai Dinh Tomb in particular is famous for its elaborate ceramic and glass work.

3. Phu Quoc Island. Unlike most commercially popular beaches, Phu Quoc Island is known for its tranquility and privacy. The island coast is covered with thick inland forests and filled with long stretches of white sandy beaches and clear waters. Even the under water is breathtaking filled with coral reefs.

4. Mekong Delta. Has a fertile land which makes it home to wild flora, agricultural plants and pure, untouched nature reserves. Tourists visiting the place will find it interesting to witness life on the river of the local residents on floating markets, small villages and islands near the delta. Visitors will also enjoy the abundance of rice paddies, small rivulets and water channels which make the landscape of Mekong Delta truly a work of art.

5. Tram Ton Pass. Or “Heaven's Gate,” it is considered the best view in Sapa because it is the highest and most stunning mountain pass in the whole of Vietnam itself. Bac (Silver) Waterfall and Fansipan Mountain are two of the other major tourist attractions in the area. Majestic mountains, green valleys, traditional tribal villages, ethnic groups, bamboo forests, rice terraces and other naturally beautiful scenery also make up the place.

6. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. UNESCO-recognized nature reserve. Where Son Dong can be found, the biggest cave in the world. In Son Dong as well can be seen a 13-meter long underground river, and stalactite and stalagmite formations, the two former due to the area being in a 2,000-kilometer square limestone zone. Tien Son Cave, Thien Duong Cave and Von Cave are three other important and beautiful caves in the place. 300 other significant caves and grottoes can be found at the park as well as tropical vegetation, evergreen forests and 500-year old trees.

7. Halong Bay – Bay of Descending Dragons. 3,000 island limestone formations above the water in varying shapes and sizes. The Karst limestone formation can be seen by riding on a traditional wooden junk. Visitors can also canoe or swim in the bay. The place has an overall mysteriously interesting effect being often covered in mist and filled with a number of spectacular caves.

8. The One-Pillar Pagoda. Located in the capital city of Hanoi, the One-Pillar Pagoda was built in 1049 to materialize Emperor LyThai Tong's dream wherein he dreamt of a Buddhist temple which appeared to float above a lotus pond. The pagoda is made of wood and stands on one, small pillar to resemble the lotus in the king's dream. The temple is decorated with elaborately beautiful painted carvings. The original One-Pillar pagoda was destroyed during the war and what stands today is a reconstruction.

9. Ghenh Da Dia. Formed from volcanic basalt rocks. Located at An Ninh Dong Commune, Phu Yen Province. Less visited by tourists compared to other places in Vietnam, but in fact beautiful with its naturally-made sculptures created from the mixture of volcanic eruption and water that has been cooled and formed these uniquely breathtaking structures.

10. Hue Imperial City. Used to be home of the Nguyen Dynasty that is why the place is filled with many beautiful sights to see such as temples, ceremonial gates, streams, moats, pavilions, bridges, gardens and pagodas. The top three tourist attractions in the place are: Thai Hoa Palaces, Truong Sanh Residence and Thien Mu Pagoda. Hue Imperial City is considered to be the “essence of Vietnamese artistry.”