Top Destinations & Places to Visit in Vietnam

Vietnam has been gifted with the splendid beauty of gorgeous mountains, wonderful beaches, and magnificent limestones. Beyond its impressive nature, Vietnam is home to many world-famous ancient towns, French colonial buildings, Buddhist shrines, and hill tribe villages. 

You might not be aware that Vietnam offers all the unique experiences you’re seeking for. Vietnam will continue to surprise you because every town and city is distinctively different. Here are the top destinations in Vietnam that no traveler should skip if they want to have a truly Asian experience in this country.

Destinations to Visit in Vietnam

Come to the S-shaped country and admire the perfect blend of the new and the old features. Traveling to Vietnam, you will feast your eyes on beautiful landscapes and wonderful nature. Go on trips and excursions to different regions to contemplate the timeless beauty of the beautiful country. 

The Northern Part of Vietnam

Start your trip in the northern mountainous area of Vietnam, here are the top must-visit places. 

Hanoi – Best City to Visit

Go down towards the lowland in the North, you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to visit the Hanoi capital – the central heart filled with historical & cultural sites, old quarter streets, and unique cuisine.

The Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ethnology Museum, etc. are just a few of the highlights in this city. Along with sightseeing, Hanoi street cuisine offers a truly local experience. The majority of tourists say that this city is the best in Vietnam and that it is known throughout the world for its street cuisine delicacies.

Halong Bay – UNESCO Natural Heritage Site 

Undoubtedly, one of the top Vietnam must-see sights is Halong Bay with spectacular heart-stopping scenery. Situated in Quang Ninh Province in the northeast of Vietnam, Halong Bay owns a 43,400 hectares area with more than 1,600 islands and islets.

This tourist attraction has the alluring landscape of majestic mountain peaks rising and piercing through the tranquil emerald ocean, drawing in millions of visitors every year. Although you might choose a day excursion, we advise going on a cruise across Halong Bay on one of the ships that provide a well-rounded vacation package.

Sapa – Mistful Mountainous Town

Traveling to the northwest of Vietnam without visiting Sapa would be regrettable. The Black H’Mong, the Red Dao, and the Giay are just a few of the hill tribes that call this breathtakingly gorgeous region with its verdant valleys home. All four seasons are magnificent in Sapa, which is best explored on foot as trekking can take you to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the nation.

It’s a terrific place to get a real taste of rural life, see how local ethnic minorities live, and explore the markets. Supporting the local tribes and learning about their way of life can be accomplished through homestays.

Ninh Binh – The Ancient Capital 

With numerous limestone caves, meandering rivers, rugged mountains, and rich vegetation, Ninh Binh is considered to be the “Halong Bay on land”.

Due to the abundance of forests, mountains, rivers, seas, conservation zones, and national parks, you can observe the distinctive environment in Ninh Binh. Trang An, a collection of mountains and tunnels that can only be accessed by water, is the most well-known site here.

Other famous places are Bai Dinh Pagoda, a collection of both historic and modern pagodas, Tam Coc, a scaled-down limestone complex similar to Trang An, and Cuc Phuong National Park, the oldest and most significant place for biodiversity, among others. 

A day trip to Ninh Binh will allow you to see several stunning religious buildings that are surrounded by lush vegetation and give the area a serene appearance.

 

The Central Part of Vietnam

Central Vietnam treats you with a laid-back atmosphere to get a deep insight into the cultural heritage. 

Hue – The Imperial Capital City

Since 1993, UNESCO has designated Hue, a historical landmark of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty, as a World Heritage Site. Hue draws a large number of tourists each year to both its unique historical sites and its incredibly picturesque settings.

Many Vietnamese composers, poets, and artists have drawn inspiration from Hue’s imperial citadel, temples, pagodas, and monuments because it is such a lyrical city. Hue is worth visiting for its unique regional cuisines, royal music that was created in Nguyen’s Palace, and welcoming locals in addition to its historical significance.

Da Nang – A Peaceful Destination

Da Nang is one romantic place in Vietnam and an excellent choice for anyone looking for a couple to travel. Da Nang continues to be extremely safe, with few beggars, drug users, and generally few traffic jams. Most notably, US Forbes Magazine named My Khe beach in Da Nang as one of the top 6 beaches in the world.

Visitors can enjoy the purity and quiet of the area in addition to sunbathing on the white sand beaches and swimming in the clear water. They can also view other outstanding works of art created by humans and other great artists.

Hoi An – The Ancient Town

Hoi An, Vietnam’s most serene city, has preserved much of its original charm over the years, including its intricate temples, Chinese-style stores, Japanese teahouses, and small-twisting streets. Because it is a picturesque town with little traffic, you may always feel at ease and stress-free.

Hoi An is quite attractive and has wonderful food. When you visit the town, you will have the opportunity to taste a variety of local specialties, including Banh Mi, Mi Quang, Cao Lau, sticky rice with chicken, and more.

 The Southern Part of Vietnam

Every traveler may find something to enjoy in Southern Vietnam, from high-rise rooftop bars to lovely UNESCO buildings, from island beaches to meandering rivers and floating markets.

Ho Chi Minh – The Energetic and Vibrant City

Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, commonly referred to as Saigon, is the busiest city in Vietnam with unstoppable activities, where you can sense the throbbing heart of a young Asian metropolis while also experiencing a strong sense of tradition. 

Apart from high-rise buildings and bustling streets, Ho Chi Minh City still retains a great diversity of ancient landmarks, colonial structures, and historical complexities. There are several locations where you may try delectable native street food for a reasonable price. Take the area around the Ben Thanh Market if you’re looking for specific names.

Nha Trang – Top Beach Destination

One of Vietnam’s most picturesque beach towns, Nha Trang is well known for its silky white sand beach and numerous picturesque islands. The marine life in Nha Trang’s aquamarine waters, which provide fresh fish and shellfish, is another attraction of the city. You can delight and heal yourself in mineral-rich mud baths.

Along with the expansive amusement park, world-class golf, breathtaking cable car ride, and scuba diving and snorkeling, an island excursion is a worthwhile experience. The range of five-star hotels and resorts in Nha Trang is unlike anything else in Vietnam. You can have the ideal holiday in Nha Trang thanks to the abundance of resorts, peaceful retreats, and downtown lodgings.

Mekong Delta – The Mellow Countryside

When visiting Southern Vietnam, you must take at least one day’s journey to the Mekong Delta, which offers tourists a typical gorgeous landscape dotted with coconut palms, fruit orchards, and paddy fields. The greatest way to explore this fascinating world on the water is by boat, where you can get lost in the lush and lovely surroundings.

The distinctiveness and thrill of southern culture are present throughout the Mekong Delta. Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the vibrant Cai Rang floating market and learn more about the local way of life.