22 Of The Best Places To Visit In Vietnam [Cities, Islands, Nature & More]

Thanks to its epic karst landscapes, mouth-watering meals, insanely bustling cities, and distinct tradition, Vietnam is a completely traditional Asia journey vacation spot.

Where you journey in Vietnam can have a big effect in your journey, nevertheless, and also you’ll little doubt have some robust selections to make. To show you how to out, let me spotlight a number of the prime locations to go to in Vietnam.

Top locations to go to in Vietnam

Not to throw only one lengthy record at ya, listed here are some fast solutions:

Classic Vietnam itinerary stops

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City

Best cities in Vietnam

Hanoi for historical past/ambiance/markets, Ho Chi Minh City for nightlife, museums & energetic vibe

National Parks

Ba Be National Park, Phong Nha, Cat Ba National Park

Trekking

Sapa, Phong Nha, Da Lat

Islands

Cat Ba, Con Dao Islands (laidback), Phu Quoc (business resorts)

Hidden gems… or simply maintaining it actual

Ha Giang, Con Dao Islands, Phong Nha, Ba Be National Park

 

1. Hanoi

Experience the frenetic northern capital

No different place in Southeast Asia gave me extra of a way of marvel than the primary time I visited Hanoi. It’s really a frenzied place. There are so many motorbikes dashing via the streets that it generally feels such as you’re caught in a large swarm of wasps. So a lot of life takes locations on the road; folks eat and drink there, get their haircut, learn the newspaper and play video games.

Having visited a number of instances now, I put collectively some insider tips about how one can get the genuine Hanoi expertise.

 

2. Ha Long Bay

Cruise round gorgeous karst islands

Ha Long Bay in all probability wants little introduction! This UNESCO World Heritage website is well Vietnam’s most well-known. The bay is house to over 2,000 small limestone islands, scattered round an space of 334 km2.

The typical option to go to is to e book a cruise on a crusing boat, with journeys starting from 1 to three days. You can take a look at a 2-day Ha Long Bay journey right here.

It’s little doubt a must-visit in Vietnam. The location is magnificent and positively value it, although count on it to be very touristy. Most boats cluster round a single bay the place there are a number of viewpoints and caves and right here it will possibly get very crowded.

For one of the best expertise, go for a minimum of a 2-day cruise, so that you simply’re not in a rush. Also take into account excursions that embody the Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. These are additionally a part of Ha Long however as a result of they’re a bit farther from shore they’re quieter and have fewer day-trippers.

3. Cat Ba Island

Stay on the big island close to Ha Long Bay

Cat Ba is a less-touristy different to a number of the islands in Ha Long Bay. It continues to be fashionable and so there’s some vacationer infrastructure within the island’s primary metropolis, however many of the island is a protected wild jungle begging to be explored.

It has three primary seashores good for a lazy day sunbathing or swimming, however for those who’d reasonably do one thing lively, you possibly can snorkel or lease kayaks from the seaside or rock climb the steep limestone rock face. Day journeys are straightforward from Ha Long Bay, with three every day ferries that dock on the island’s northern coast. It’s a 40-minute drive to Cat Ba City, with buses and taxis to take you there.

You can get round most of Vietnam fairly simply utilizing buses and taxis, however for probably the most flexibility, mopeds or motorbikes are one of the best ways to discover Cat Ba.

4. Sapa

Stay or hike amongst terraced rice fields

During French colonial instances, the occupiers present in Sapa an appropriate retreat to flee the scorching warmth of Vietnam’s decrease lands. Today, it’s a well-liked beginning place for mountain trekking, in addition to a popular spot for rural homestays.

My primary tip for Sapa is to not keep within the city itself for those who can, because it’s seen fairly a wild progress of inns, therapeutic massage parlors, and vacationer eating places. Think of it as a handy hub, not the vacation spot itself, which could be very a lot the encompassing space.

The finest option to get pleasure from Sapa is to e book a homestay simply out of city amid the rice fields, or in a close-by village. Another nice option to expertise Sapa is to trek the paths between the highland villages of native minority tribes, together with the Hmong and Lao Chai folks.

The rice terraces are greenest from July to September. They’re golden yellow round harvesting season in September and October.

 

5. Ninh Binh

Stay among the many karst cliffs within the ‘Ha Long Bay on land’

In the nationwide park of Trang An (and Tam Coc) you’ll discover stunning karst mountains poking out of the landscapes. Different from Ha Long is that they’re surrounded by rice fields and wetlands as an alternative of the ocean. The primary exercise is to take a paddleboat via the rivers and wetlands to see the gorgeous mountain surroundings, caves, and wildlife.

Ninh Binh will be finished as a day journey from Hanoi, but it surely’s value staying an evening or two for the complete expertise. I particularly advocate staying within the city of Trang An on the fringe of the park, which is really a hidden gem.

There you keep in guesthouses and eco-resorts alongside the river with cute bamboo docks with deck chairs and fairy lights.

You can learn far more ideas for Ninh Binh in my detailed information.

6. Ba Be National Park

Outdoor adventures in northern Vietnam

Located within the mountains of northeast Vietnam, it’s no straightforward job to get to Ba Be, but it surely’s one of the vital genuine touring experiences you possibly can have in Vietnam resulting from its being undiscovered by most vacationers.

There are plenty of group excursions that you are able to do in Ba Be, like biking excursions, waterfall hikes, cave expeditions, and in a single day tenting. Most of those are organized via native firms they usually’re simpler than attempting to go to independently.

Be ready for an extended journey to get there. It’s attainable to lease motorbikes, however you’ll be taking a look at an 8-hour trip to get there from Hanoi, so that you’re higher off taking a bus from My Dinh bus station, or a direct shuttle from Hoan Kiem district (each in Hanoi).

7. Phong Nha Ke-Bang

Marvel on the world’s greatest caves

The nationwide park of Phong Nha ke-Bang in central Vietnam is called top-of-the-line locations to go caving in Asia. In current years it’s really develop into the journey journey and ecotourism capital of Vietnam.

There are over 500 caves within the space of which 30 will be visited by the general public. These embody the world’s greatest cave and the world’s third-biggest cave, that are really epic places and fairly probably probably the most spectacular in all of Vietnam.

The mega-caves can solely be visited on multi-day expeditions (which begin at $330). My tour to Hang En, the world’s third-biggest cave, ranks amongst my favourite journey experiences wherever. If you’re on a smaller price range, then there are a great deal of different caves in Phong Nha you can go to.

The city itself is nice, with an unhurried vibe and a stunning riverside location — simply one of many actual gems of Vietnam.

8. Hoi An

Kick again on this cute and calm historic city

Despite being reasonably filled with vacationers, Hoi An nonetheless will get constantly rated by vacationers as their favourite place in Vietnam. Any time I do any casual polling amongst different vacationers I meet in Vietnam, Hoi An is on the prime of their record!

The delightfully well-preserved city of Hoi An was as soon as a key put up for Vietnam’s spice commerce with China, Holland, Portugal, and different international locations. Today, all of the small two-story service provider quarters function all method of eating places, memento retailers, and tailors (the city is known for promoting custom-tailored garments at unbeatable costs).

Hoi An’s UNESCO-protected Old Quarter could be very tourist-friendly with quite a few cute cafes, eating places, and arty memento retailers. The growth has all been very tasteful and all of the colourful lanterns hanging over the streets lend Hoi An a ton of appeal. The middle can also be largely pedestrianized, providing you with some welcome reduction from the chaotic site visitors of the larger cities.

There are many issues to do in Hoi An and it has some worthwhile seashores and sights close by, making it a must-visit for anybody on their first journey to Vietnam.

9. My Son

Explore a posh of ruined Hindu temples close to Hoi An

My Son is one in every of Vietnam’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located in Quang Nam province, simply an hour south of Da Nang. It’s a posh of ruined Hindu temples relationship from as early because the 4th century.

My Son has been in comparison with Indonesia’s Borobudur and the Angkor Wat complicated in Cambodia, although on a smaller scale. The manner the jungle has overtaken the ruins offers it a mystical high quality that makes it well worth the journey. Next to the ticket workplace is the Champa Museum, which explores the historical past of the temple complicated, and for those who occur to be there within the morning, there are conventional dancing performances at 9:45 am every day (besides Mondays).

Roundtrip taxi rent to and from the location is round 10 USD from Hoi An, but it surely’s about half that to lease your personal bike, which then offers you added flexibility if you wish to discover different close by sights, resembling My Son Lake (the place you possibly can lease kayaks) and the Bang An Tower, an Eleventh-century tower nonetheless visited by worshippers.

10. Hue

Explore temples, tombs, and revel in a smaller Vietnamese metropolis

Hue (pronounced like ‘way’) is the right cease in central Vietnam for those who’re excited about seeing many tombs, temples, and pagodas.

The primary draw inside Hue metropolis itself is the Imperial Citadel, however remember the fact that practically all the pieces at this website was bombed within the conflict so it may be seen comparatively shortly.

Much extra worthwhile are a number of the sights round Hue. The Tombs of the Emperors, as an illustration, could be very spectacular and nearly totally intact. The sights round Hue supply some fascinating examples of Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetics and structure and are nicely value a go to.

11. Ha Giang

Ride a motorcycle via gorgeous mountain surroundings

This is sort of probably one of the best factor I’ve finished in all of Vietnam. The northern Ha Giang area close to the border with China has a number of the most attractive mountain surroundings in the entire nation, which has solely develop into extra accessible in recent times because of improved roads. The distant area is house to minorities such because the Hmong, who costume in vibrant apparel.

In Ha Giang, it’s all concerning the journey. The surroundings is just spectacular and finest loved on a motorcycle journey. Many vacationers do a loop beginning and ending in Ha Giang metropolis.

You will pay for bike drivers or go on an organized group tour, however one of the best ways is to drive by your self.

Ha Giang is maybe not a spot to tick off the record shortly for those who’re in Vietnam on a shorter vacation. It’s finest to have a while for Ha Giang to actually get pleasure from it. Plan for a minimum of 3 days, but it surely’s higher to have 5.

12. Mui Ne

Go sandboarding and kitesurfing

A pleasant spot to remain a few nights is the small city of Mui Ne on the southern coast. The seaside shouldn’t be the principle attraction, as it is vitally skinny and extra loved by kitesurfers than sunbathers, but it surely’s the resorts round Mui Ne and the enjoyable sights within the space that make it value a cease.

The outdated fishing village of Mui Ne extremely picturesque and famed for its vibrant fishing boats.

There can also be an amazing little river canyon stroll close by, in addition to white sand dunes the place you possibly can watch the dawn or strive sliding down the dunes on a board. When you end up on this sandy desert, you’ll absolutely marvel for those who’re in Vietnam or within the Sahara Desert.

Mui Ne additionally has a giant traveller scene and is a superb place to loosen up with numerous nice budget-friendly lodging.

13. Vinh Moc

See the Vietnam War tunnels

There are quite a lot of insightful Vietnam War museums and websites — or the American War, because it’s identified in Vietnam. The better of the bunch is the War Remnants Museum in Saigon, although you possibly can count on it to be uncomfortable and heart-wrenching.

Not too far north of Da Nang and Hue are the tunnels of Vinh Moc, an elaborate complicated of shelters constructed by villagers through the conflict. The tunnels had been a hit and no villagers misplaced their lives, although they needed to reside in completely terrible situations. It’s a really insightful place to see, and there are additionally the same Cu Chi tunnels close to Ho Chi Minh City within the south of Vietnam.

14. Da Nang

A bite-sized Vietnamese metropolis makes for a pleasant cease

Vietnam’s fifth-largest metropolis can also be one in every of its liveliest. Danang is only a brief distance up the coast from Hoi An, so it could be straightforward to lump these two collectively for those who’re already visiting the one.

The metropolis is a mixture of coastal and concrete, so you can begin your day on the fashionable My Khe seaside (over 6 miles lengthy), or go to a few of their well-known theme parks. Visit SolarWorld within the Ba Na Hills to see the well-known bridge held up by two hand sculptures and delightful views over town, or Danang Wonders for thrill rides. Don’t miss the golden dragon bridge for an amazing picture op.

Immerse your self in Vietnam’s historical past and structure by visiting the Marble Mountains, 5 limestone hills named after the 5 parts. The towering karsts have underground caves, trails, pagodas, and 360° views of town.

If different cities are too chaotic or polluted on your liking, you would possibly fairly get pleasure from Da Nang. While missing the historic ambiance of Hanoi or the hustle-and-bustle of Saigon, Da Nang has the next high quality of life, attracting the eye of many expats and digital nomads.

15. Da Lat

Vietnam meets France on this former hill station

Da Lat is a mountain city within the Central Highlands. Once used as a hill station in colonial instances (a spot to flee the warmth in summer season), right now it’s usually referred to as The City within the Forest resulting from its lush environment and sweeping greenery.

Its historic French affect is mirrored within the structure, which provides it the native nickname of ‘Little Paris’. The European really feel is contrasted with Da Lat’s farming trade because it’s one of the best place for rising produce because of a year-round temperate local weather (this additionally makes it colder and wetter than different elements of Vietnam, so costume accordingly).

There are farms and produce markets scattered all through town, so you’ll want to decide up some fruits or veggies whilst you’re right here. Other than discovering the right artichokes or avocados, Da Lat’s metropolis has lots to supply: numerous botanical gardens, pagodas and temples, and the gnarled and twisted “Crazy House”.

16. Nha Trang

Enjoy an unpretentious seaside resort

Nha Trang is the right stopover for those who’re craving just a few days of rest. This coastal metropolis is thought for its white sand seashores and wonderful climate, with little rain and plenty of sunshine. It is thought for its many beachside inns and has fairly an array of spas. One of the most well-liked is the I-Resort, identified for its mud baths and thermal swimming pools.

In earlier instances Nha Trang catered closely to Russian vacationers and it’s also referred to as a little bit of a backpacker get together hub. While it’s not primarily for the sights, there are nonetheless a number of issues to do. You can go temple hopping on the Long Son Pagoda and the Ponagar Tower, or go cliff-jumping and swimming on the Ba Ho waterfalls.

Families will ant to go to the large Vinpearl water & amusement park, which is by itself island reached by cable automotive from town. It’s additionally a enjoyable time out for those who’re with a bunch of buddies and craving a break out of your cultural discoveries in Vietnam.

If you don’t have time to cease between Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, maximize your time by taking one of many in a single day sleeper trains. When on the lookout for inns on a price range, don’t e book too near the seaside. Instead, get monetary savings by staying additional inland.

 

17. Ho Chi Minh City

Visit the southern business capital, a.ok.a. Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City (beforehand often known as Saigon) is Vietnam’s second-largest metropolis. Being on the far reverse facet of the nation to Hanoi, it has a really completely different vibe.

Hanoi is extra conventional with windy market streets, outdated temples, and tree-lined streets. Saigon is much more cosmopolitan and Western-oriented, having develop into the fast-paced business capital of Vietnam.

Many backpackers love Saigon as a result of it’s an amazing place to get together. But it’s additionally an fascinating cultural cease, because of its War Remnants Museum, large avenue markets, and distinct delicacies.

18. The Mekong Delta

See floating markets and rural scenes

South Vietnam is the place the mighty Mekong river splits into a whole bunch of smaller tendrils, forming the Mekong Delta. It’s fashioned an unlimited maze of rivers, rice paddies, and riverine islands.

One of the highlights of the Mekong Delta are the floating markets, the place boats dock collectively on the river to promote all method of fruit and greens. One of one of the best locations to see floating markets is on the metropolis of Can Tho.

There are many organized excursions to the Mekong Delta, together with day-trips from Saigon, however they are often fairly cookie-cutter. I like to recommend staying in a guesthouse or homestay someplace in or close to Can Tho, and trying out the markets by your self or with an area information. Driving across the rice fields and waterways on a scooter can also be a pleasant option to get a style of life within the Mekong Delta.

19. Bao Loc

A mild metropolis among the many tea fields

Although Bao Loc is on the route from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat, it’s ignored by many vacationers and nonetheless passes largely below the radar. If you take into account your self a tea lover, this will likely be an pleasing place to go to, because the Lam Dong province is thought for its tea manufacturing.

Bao Loc is roofed in lush, mountainous tea fields, with probably the most well-known tea subject being Tam Chau tea hill. This a part of Vietnam is well-known for its oolong tea manufacturing, and for those who take a tour of the fields you possibly can be taught concerning the rising and harvesting course of. Finish by visiting the tea store, the place you should purchase just a few souvenirs and pattern the several types of tea (together with artichoke tea).

Another fashionable place with locals is the Dambri Waterfall, which additionally has a vacationer middle with a pool and amusement rides for teenagers. The waterfall itself is spectacular to see and would make a notable cease throughout your go to. If you’re spending the night time, begin your morning by watching the solar rise over the Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda.

20. Phu Quoc island

Vietnam’s premier resort island

Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s reply to Thailand’s Phuket, having designated it as a key tourism growth zone. It provides Vietnam’s finest collection of upmarket resorts, villas, and seaside golf equipment.

It’s not practically as built-up as Thailand’s counterpart although, so you possibly can positively discover uncrowded seashores in Phu Quoc.

If you wish to be on the seaside, Sao Beach is one of the best spot for snorkeling or simply enjoyable on the sand. If you wish to strive one thing extra memorable, go to a pepper farm or be taught to make a fish sauce (vestiges left from the island’s pre-tourism days when meals export was its main trade). There’s additionally an amazing night time market with tons of avenue meals. Try bún kèn, a wealthy, fishy soup with lemongrass and papaya over rice noodles.

Although its tourism attain is increasing and new inns are being constructed left and proper, the best space to remain is round Duong Dong city. Long Beach, one of many island’s hottest seashores, is an effective selection for central entry to the remainder of the island.

21. Con Dao Islands

A hidden gem for those who’re in search of less-touristed islands

In spite of journey bloggers and Instagram pictures, the Con Dao islands are nonetheless one of many best-kept secrets and techniques of locations to go to in Vietnam. The archipelago has 16 islands; Con Son is the most important and can be one of the best place to base your keep.

There is a plethora of issues to do right here. Because of the low tourism, the seashores are pristine and due to being to date offshore, supply a number of the finest diving and snorkeling in Vietnam. The water right here is a number of the bluest and clearest ever, so positively make time to hit up the seaside! Otherwise, you possibly can discover Con Dao National Park, go to the Con Dao Museum to see the outdated 18th-century French colonial prisons, and even e book a wellness retreat at a non-public lodge.

We don’t doubt you’ll go to Con Dao for the seashores, so remember the fact that lots of them are skinny and solely accessible at low tide. Do your analysis forward of time with tide schedules to keep away from being disenchanted.

22. Ben Tre

Lovely riverside surroundings within the Mekong Delta

Located alongside the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre is a simple day journey from Ho Chi Minh City. The metropolis is in an space famend for its coconut manufacturing, so preserve an eye fixed out for indicators saying dừa xiêm—small, extraordinarily candy coconuts.

Most Mekong Delta excursions cease by the bigger Can Tho or My Tho, making Ben Tre a pleasant different. Nevertheless, many outings to Ben Tre are organized by tour firms so even for those who forge your personal path, this received’t be a low-key, off-the-beaten-track sort of tour. But you get to expertise some fascinating sights so it’s well worth the journey.

The boat trip down the delta exhibits one other lifestyle since many Vietnamese nonetheless make their residing alongside the delta. Visit a coconut grove and style recent fruit at an island orchard by boat, earlier than following the agricultural roads inland to go to a honey farm and style recent honey. You may even catch snakehead fish for lunch and have it cooked recent.

Vietnam planning ideas

There’s far more to see in Vietnam than most individuals can match right into a single journey, so for those who’re having bother deciding in your actual itinerary, you shouldn’t miss my ideas for planning a Vietnam journey.

Don’t underestimate Vietnam’s dimension; its size is just like that of your complete West Coast USA. If you wish to see a number of locations within the north, middle, and south, depend on needing a minimum of 3 weeks.

A typical Vietnam itinerary is to go to Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and eventually Ho Chi Minh City. Yes, that’s numerous locations beginning with an ‘H’. If you want extra inspiration, simply jump over to my Vietnam nation overview for all of the related articles.