With its lush green landscapes, golden beaches, historic cities, and mouthwatering cuisine, Vietnam offers an incredibly diverse travel experience. As you explore Vietnam from north to south, you’ll discover ancient Buddhist pagodas, bustling markets, spectacular national parks, and warm Vietnamese hospitality.
Vietnam packs countless wonders into its narrow frame.
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Must-see Places in Vietnam
Here are 15 of the best places to see on your trip:
1. Ho Chi Minh City
The fast-paced metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, still popularly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s biggest city and commercial hub. Wander through old-world landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office before absorbing the electric atmosphere on the crowded streets.
Don’t miss the War Remnants Museum for some history before browsing markets and relishing tasty street food. Venture beyond the main city sights to explore charming pockets like District 4, with its leafy streets and colourful shophouses.
2. Hanoi
Vietnam’s charming capital has an old-world grace. Must-see sights include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and through the tangled lanes of the atmospheric Old Quarter.
Treat yourself to a strong Vietnamese coffee and some street-side pho noodle soup. Join locals doing tai chi at dawn by Hoan Kiem Lake for some exercise.
3. Halong Bay
Cruise amongst picture-perfect limestone peaks rising from emerald waters in Halong Bay, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a day kayaking into grottos and visiting floating villages.
Overnight on a traditional junk boat to experience the tranquil atmosphere at its best on the shimmering waters dotted with islands. You can also try squid fishing at night under the starlit skies from your cruise.
4. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Vietnam is home to Asia’s most extensive cave system, with breathtaking geological formations and underground rivers.
Key attractions include the awe-inspiring Hang Son Doong Cave, the Paradise Cave, featuring the world’s longest underground river, and Phong Nha Cave, which is marked with bullet holes from the Vietnam War. Adventure tours also provide thrilling activities like ziplining, trekking, and mountain biking.
5. Hue
Once the imperial capital under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945, Hue retains its historic charm despite the devastation of war. Must-see sights are the sprawling 19th-century Imperial Citadel with its palaces and temples, the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved only for royalty, and local pagodas like Thien Mu.
Take a cruise along the Perfume River at dusk to enjoy magical city views at sunset.
6. Hoi An
This exceptionally well-preserved ancient town of temples, shophouses, and bridges over the Thu Bon River seems untouched by time. Wander narrow lanes dotted by lanterns, visit centuries-old merchant homes, and see the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
Have some bespoke clothing tailored at one of Hoi An’s many shops. Sign up for a countryside cycling tour of farming villages and paddies surrounding Hoi An.
7. Mekong Delta
The lush Mekong Delta, dubbed “Vietnam’s rice bowl,” is a fertile region ideal for boat trips through emerald-green waterways and paddies. Visitors can see floating markets, sample tropical fruit, visit orchid gardens, and experience the local culture on islands like Ben Tre.
Many Vietnam tour packages include excursions to the Mekong Delta, offering an authentic taste of Vietnam’s rural charm and vibrant community life.
8. Sapa
Sapa draws visitors to Vietnam’s gorgeous northern highlands near the Chinese border with stunning vistas of terraced rice fields carved into mountains. The region has diverse hill tribes and excellent trekking opportunities through lush valleys.
Visit ethnic minority villages and colourful markets around Sapa, such as the Bac Ha Sunday Market. During spring planting or autumn harvest, visit the most spectacular rice terraces.
9. Nha Trang
For the classic beach holiday experience in Vietnam, head to the breezy seaside town of Nha Trang along the South Central Coast. Enjoy the turquoise waters and sweeping beachfront lined with palm trees.
See the Po Nagar Cham Towers dating back to the 7th-9th century, and visit nearby hot springs for a relaxing dip. The area offers excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, and many PADI certification courses are available.
10. Phu Quoc Island
Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs, Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is a tropical haven. Relax on the pristine Long Beach, explore the underwater world through snorkelling and diving, kayak through serene mangrove forests, and indulge in fresh, delicious seafood.
The island also produces some of Vietnam’s finest fish sauce and pepper. Visit the Phu Quoc National Park, which covers over half the island with dense rainforest, hiking trails, and wildlife.
11. Dalat
With its cooler climate, lush pine forests and flower gardens, the hill station of Dalat has been popular as a retreat since French colonial times. Explore colourful lakes, waterfalls, valleys and pagodas on the picturesque Langbiang Mountain.
Take a vineyard tour, try regional delicacies like strawberry wine, and see the eccentric Crazy House architectural complex. Ride a paddle boat on Xuan Huong Lake in the city centre or go canyoning along scenic canyons just outside town.
12. Cuc Phuong National Park
Get immersed in nature at Vietnam’s oldest national park, known for its rich biodiversity, including Delacour’s langurs, silver pheasants, and leopards.
The park’s Endangered Primate Rescue Center rehabilitates and reintroduces endangered primate species into the wild. Explore the park’s lush forests through treks to the thousand-year-old trees, waterfalls, and enormous limestone caves. Visit in spring to see the park flourishing with over 2,000 species of vascular plants and orchids.
13. Con Dao Islands
Beaches with azure waters, coral reefs and excellent diving ring the remote Con Dao archipelago off Vietnam’s southeast coast. Once a grim prison island under French colonial rule, Con Dao now focuses on ecotourism.
Hike through thick forests filled with wildlife, stay in lovely beachside resorts, and visit the old tiger cages and prison grounds as a reminder of its brutal history. The island is also a key nesting site for endangered sea turtles.
14. Ba Be National Park
This scenic national park encircles Vietnam’s largest natural lake with lush forests, waterfalls, and limestone peaks in northern Vietnam’s mountainous Bac Kan Province. Take a boat trip to hidden caves like Puong Cave or Ba Be Lake to swim in blue waters overlooked by towering cliffs.
Stay in local Tay, Dzao and Hmong ethnic minority villages around the park. Visit in spring to boat under pink plum blossoms or in autumn to see rice terraces during harvest.
15. My Son Sanctuary
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these atmospheric Cham temple ruins nestled amongst green hills are Vietnam’s version of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. From the 4th to 14th century AD, My Son’s red brick Hindu temples were an important religious site of the ancient Champa Kingdom.
Wander amongst the crumbling monuments, towers and remnants of sanctuaries covered in intricate stone carvings of gods and animals.
Conclusion
Vietnam offers incredible diversity, from dynamic big cities to remote highland villages. As you travel through this slender country, which stretches over a thousand miles from north to south, each new landscape reveals a different facet of Vietnam. For travelers seeking varied experiences, pairing Vietnam with other destinations like a Mauritius tour package is a great idea.
While Vietnam offers breathtaking cultural immersion, lush landscapes, and historical treasures, Mauritius enchants with its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and serene island vibes. Together, these destinations promise unforgettable memories and diverse adventures.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
