Speaking
Practice

An area of Vietnam that is well known for its natural beauty is Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province. It is famous for thousands of limestone islands rising from calm green-blue water.

The bay is in northern Vietnam and can be reached quite easily from Hanoi by coach or private car. Many visitors stay in Ha Long City and then join a scenic cruise for a few hours or overnight.

People can take in the scenery from a boat, visit caves, kayak between smaller islands and stop at viewpoints. What makes the area special is the combination of water, steep rock formations and changing light. On a cloudy morning, the islands can look mysterious because some disappear into the mist. When the sun comes out, the water becomes brighter and the whole bay feels more open. Visitors can also explore impressive cave systems with large chambers and unusual rock shapes.

I think Ha Long Bay is considered beautiful because the landscape is both dramatic and peaceful. It has the kind of picture-postcard views people remember easily, but seeing the scale of the bay in person is much more impressive than looking at photos.

An important plant that grows in Vietnam is rice. It is one of the country's most important crops and is closely connected with both daily meals and farming life.

Rice is grown in many parts of Vietnam, especially in large paddy fields in the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta. It also grows in smaller fields in central and northern provinces, depending on local weather and water supply.

A rice plant is fairly simple in appearance. It has long narrow green leaves and thin stems that carry clusters of rice grains when the plant matures. During the growing season, paddy fields can be bright green, while before harvest they often turn golden. Rice is important because it is a staple food for most Vietnamese families. It is also used to make noodles, rice paper, cakes and many traditional dishes. In rural areas, rice farming supports the livelihoods of millions of people and remains an important part of the local economy.

I think rice plays a central role in Vietnam because it is not only an agricultural product. It is part of everyday food, rural life and cultural traditions. That combination makes the plant much more significant than its simple appearance suggests.

A natural place I like visiting is Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam. It is a large protected area with forest, rivers and many kinds of wildlife.

I first heard about the park from friends who had visited it on a weekend trip. Later, I read more about its forest trails and birdlife, so I decided to go there myself with a small group.

The park feels very different from a city because there are long stretches of forest, fewer buildings and much less traffic noise. Visitors can walk or cycle along forest trails, join guided wildlife trips and take short boat rides. When I went, we woke up early and walked for several kilometres before the weather became hot. We heard many birds and saw monkeys moving high in the trees. The air felt fresh, and even simple things such as crossing a wooden bridge or sitting beside the river were relaxing.

I like visiting places like this because they help me get away from the city and slow down for a while. Cat Tien also makes me feel close to nature without requiring a difficult expedition. It is peaceful, educational and physically refreshing at the same time.

My favourite type of climate is mild and slightly cool weather, similar to spring in a highland city. I prefer temperatures that are neither very hot nor very cold.

For me, an ideal daytime temperature would be around eighteen to twenty-four degrees Celsius. I do not mind light rainfall from time to time, as long as it does not rain heavily every day. I also prefer relatively low humidity because humid weather can feel uncomfortable even when the temperature is not very high.

This kind of climate makes everyday activities easier. I can walk outside, exercise or sit at a café without becoming tired from the heat. It is also easy to dress for because a light jacket is usually enough. If there is occasional rain, the air feels fresher afterwards and plants stay green. I especially like cool mornings and evenings because they make it easier to sleep and concentrate.

This climate suits me well because it gives me energy without making daily life difficult. Extreme heat makes me slow, while very cold weather requires too much preparation. Mild weather feels balanced, comfortable and practical.

An important river system in Vietnam is the Mekong River, especially the part that spreads across the Mekong Delta in the south of the country.

The Mekong is one of the major rivers of Southeast Asia and flows through several countries before reaching Vietnam. In the south, it divides into a large river network with many branches, canals and smaller waterways.

In the delta, the river is wide in many places and is surrounded by flat, fertile land. Boats, houses, farms and markets can often be seen close to the water. The river system provides freshwater for homes and farming, supports agriculture and helps move goods between towns and rural areas. It is especially important for rice, fruit and fish production. Many communities have developed around the waterways, so transport and daily life are closely connected with the river.

I think the Mekong is vital to Vietnam because it supports food production, jobs and entire communities. It is not only a natural feature on a map; it is part of the economic and cultural life of southern Vietnam. Protecting its water and surrounding ecosystems is therefore extremely important.