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17 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

By Spencer Leasca · Last updated on March 25, 2024

A long, narrow country squeezed in between the South China Sea and the Laos and Cambodia borders, Vietnam is a land of striking landscapes that range from the lush rice terraces and forested mountains in the north to the picturesque valleys of the Central Highlands and the fertile delta and beautiful beaches of the south.

Vietnam has seen its fair share of struggles. Ruled for almost a thousand years by various Chinese dynasties until 938 AD, Vietnam became a French protectorate in the 19th century. After independence, there was the Vietnam War.

Today, Vietnam is a proud country and you can see why. Not just for fiercely defending its own independence, but for its incredible landscapes and history.

The first words on everyone’s lips when speaking of Vietnam are undoubtedly Halong Bay, a beautiful set of karst islands and formations off the northern coast. Hanoi is the bustling, motorbike filled capital. Plan your trip to this beautiful Southeast Asia travel destination with our list of the best places to visit in Vietnam.

17. Da Nang

Nestled on the central coast of Vietnam, Da Nang is an energetic coastal city with a historic French colonial port.

It is known primarily for its fantastic beaches, including the famous My Khe Beach , which Tripadvisor has named as one of the best beaches in Asia.

However, it is also a popular starting point for exploration of the Bà Nà hills , which lie on the city’s western reaches. From there, the spectacular Hải Vân Pass showcases incredible views of Da Nang Bay. Moreover it conveys the Marble Mountains , five imperious limestone outcrops crowned with ornate pagodas and yield caves containing lavish Buddhist shrines.

Da Nang boasts impressive landmarks like the iconic Dragon Bridge , world-class golf courses, and a modern skyline dotted with luxury resorts and upscale shopping centres.

The city is also home to many cultural experiences, including the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and Da Nang Fine Arts Museum.

16. Ha Giang Loop

If you pride yourself on being an adventurous traveler, then you should embrace the Ha Giang Loop with open arms.

Located in the remote and breathtaking Ha Giang province , tourists can embark on a thrilling motorbike journey through some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. This scenic loop takes you on a winding road that cuts through majestic mountains, lush valleys and terraced rice fields.

The journey provides an immersive experience, allowing you to connect with the authentic culture of the ethnic minority communities that call this region home.

Along the way, you’ll encounter traditional villages , where locals showcase their rich heritage, colorful attire, and warm hospitality.

The loop offers stunning viewpoints such as Ma Pi Leng Pass , with its jaw-dropping vistas of the Nho Que River snaking through the mountains. You can also visit attractions like Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Geopark, and the fairy-tale-like Lung Cu Flag Tower.

Typically, this journey takes three to four days to complete. Its rugged beauty and remote nature are perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.

15. Bai Tu Long Bay

If you can’t get to or don’t fancy visiting Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay is an excellent alternative. Situated in the northeastern part of Vietnam, it has all the pristine beauty and untouched landscapes of its more illustrious neighbor, only with greater tranquillity and fewer crowds.

The picturesque bay is characterized by its emerald waters, towering limestone islands , and lush vegetation. Cruising through it provides fabulous opportunities for kayaking , swimming and visiting remote fishing villages.

The bay is also home to a diverse ecosystem accommodating rare wildlife, colourful coral reefs and hidden caves waiting for you to discover them.

A tour of the area allows for a more intimate connection with nature and a chance to experience the serenity of the surroundings. Whilst there, be sure to visit the incredible Thien Canh Son Cave . One of 59 discovered caves in the area, it will wow you with its unique stalactite formations.

14. Tam Coc

Tam Coc, often called ‘ Halong Bay on land ‘, is an enchanting destination in the Ninh Binh province.

Forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tràng An scenic landscape site, it is renowned for its dramatic limestone karsts that dramatically rise out of emerald green rice fields. Tam Coc presents visitors with a stunning natural landscape that will forever leave an impression on their heart.

The main attraction in Tam Coc is a scenic boat ride along the Ngo Dong River , where local rowers skilfully navigate through a series of caves and limestone formations. As you glide along the tranquil waterways, you’ll be mesmerized by the picturesque scenery and the harmonious blend of nature and verdant rice paddies.

Tam Coc is also home to ancient temples and pagodas, such as Bich Dong Pagoda , which is perched atop a hill and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

If you are into cycling, you can also explore the area in more detail on two wheels.

There are several places in Vietnam where you can go for some beach R&R, but few can compare to the sheer beauty of Mũi Né.

A stunning beach resort town along the southeast coastline, it boasts a long stretch of golden palm-tree-lined sand, perfect for walking and sunbathing. During the dry season, with steady wind conditions, the area becomes a fantastic destination for sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

The highlight of Mui Né is undoubtedly its captivating sand dunes . The iconic White Sand Dunes and Red Sand Dunes offer a surreal landscape that resembles a desert oasis. On our last visit, we explored the dunes on an ATV ride and sand boarded down the slopes. Both were a lot of fun!

Beyond the beaches and dunes, Mui Né offers opportunities to explore nearby fishing villages , taste delicious seafood, and indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments. Close by, The Fairy Stream, with its gently flowing water and unique rock formations, is a popular spot for a refreshing dip on a stiflingly hot day.

Year-round cool weather and idyllic scenery of misty valleys, lush pine trees and colorful flowers are some of the reasons that Dalat was once used by Vietnamese emperors and French colonials as a summer retreat. Today, this charming town in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam is a popular destination for honeymooners, weekend getaways and for those looking for relief from the heat.

A walkable city, Dalat is a beautiful scene of French colonial architecture and villas set amid picturesque landscapes. The city is well known for its royal palaces that were owned by the last emperor of Vietnam. These lovely palaces are open for tours as is the Hang Nga Guesthouse, the city’s most bizarre attraction. Informally called the “Crazy House,” this structure is a fantastical construction with caves, spider webs and shapes of animals and mushrooms.

Dalat’s lively market is a great place to find fruits, flowers and vegetables grown in the local area as well as handicrafts and silk embroidered items.

Outside the city are scenic lakes, flower gardens, plantations and mountains offering pretty waterfalls and trails for hiking and mountain biking. A must-do is the Valley of Love, an incredibly beautiful valley with pine forests and lakes where tourists can enjoy pedal-boating and canyoning.

Located on the central coast of Vietnam near the Duy Phú village is the important archaeological site known as My Son. One of Southeast Asia’s most notable heritage sites, My Son was once a significant center of religious Hindu ceremonies where the kings of the Champa Kingdom built numerous temples devoted to the worship of the god, Shiva, between the 4th and 14th centuries.

Believed to have once contained more than 70 temples that were constructed with brick and decorative carvings and sculptures bearing scenes of animals, priests, gods, mythical battles and inscriptions of Sanskrit and Champa, My Son today features a complex of ruins in varying states of disarray and repair, all arranged in several groups.

Within the site is a museum where visitors can check out exhibits and artifacts to better understand and appreciate the ruins. Near the entrance of My Son are a few cafes, food vendors and a shop selling souvenirs. At certain times of the day, visitors can watch live Champa dance performances. Additionally, the site is surrounded by jungle, hills and a lake where visitors can enjoy hiking and kayaking.

My Son is often reached by organized tour groups from Hoi An. However, visitors can also arrive at My Son by motorbike rentals.

10. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is a scenic island in the Gulf of Thailand. While it officially forms part of Vietnam, it is actually closer geographically to Cambodia . Today, it’s characterized by dense tropical jungle, soft sandy beaches, and undulating hills. But the island has a fascinating history, having served first as a French missionary base and then as a French colonial wartime prison – a gloomy reformatory that you can visit today.

History aside, the island is most tempting for its alluring tropical nature . Days in Phu Quoc are spent sunbathing on sandy beaches, scootering around fishing villages, visiting pearl and pepper farms, and, if you’re up for it, trekking to waterfalls.

An island that’s famous for its seafood, don’t miss an opportunity to try out Phu Quoc’s famous fish sauce (nuoc mam) – you can even visit one of the fish sauce factories while you’re here!

9. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Tucked away in the Quang Binh Province in Vietnam’s Central Coast region, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the most picturesque parts of the country. With a steadfast reputation as a filming location for 2017 Kong: Skull Island, and with a nearby international airport, the national park is more popular than ever before.

Opened to the public in 2010, the appeal of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the escape from the city. Here, you’ll live life in the slow lane as you cycle through Kong jungles at your own pace.

Home to 400 million-year-old karst mountains, there are hundreds of caves and secretive rivers to explore. The Son Doong Cave is a must visit. Home to its very own hidden jungle, microclimate, and Underground River, it’s one of the largest caves on Earth .

Due to its location near the Laos border, access to the park is strictly controlled, and visitors can expect to find a strong military presence here. This is mainly due to its war history – the park has some of the world’s highest numbers of undetonated bombs, which is why visitors can only visit this place with a licensed tour guide.

8. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon , is the biggest city in all of Vietnam. It’s also the old capital of the Republic of Vietnam. When Saigon fell to the north in 1975, it was renamed to HCMC, yet its former name is still used today, particularly when describing the beating heart of the city.

Hoi Chi Minh has a bit of everything – temples, museums, parks, and tourist shopping. Whatever your interests, you’ll find something to do here. Head to the top of the Saigon Skydeck for an astonishing 360-degree view of the city – especially impressive at night when the lights twinkle on below.

History buffs should not miss the chance to explore the mysterious network of the Cu Chi tunnels , the headquarters for many military operations during the Vietnam War.

The five stories of Reunification Palace – also known as the Independence Palace – is also a fascinating place to go. It’s a famous spot in Vietnam’s history as it captures the time when Saigon fell as a tank broke through the gates of the palace. A replica of this same tank can be seen on the grass outside the palace.

If you’re curious to learn more about the war, you’ll enjoy a visit to the War Remnants Museum or the Museum of Vietnamese History.

7. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, nicknamed the ‘Rice Bowl of Vietnam,’ is a lush network of waterways in Vietnam known for its excellent nutrient-rich soils and diverse ecosystems – the banks are a veritable patchwork of fruit, vegetables, rice plantations and cattle farms that provide sustenance for more than a third of the country.

This impressive stretch of river frontage is the most biodiverse in the world if you don’t count the Amazon. Taking up much of the south of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is an extraordinary place filled with lily pad waterways, rice paddies, mangroves, and enchanting wildlife.

With plenty of bus connections and motorbikes, tourists can explore the Mekong Delta and its towns like Tra Vinh , which is considered one of the prettiest villages of the delta. A boat trip down the tranquil tributaries and mangroves of the Mekong is an unforgettable experience.

Paddled by a local in a wooden canoe, you’ll be able to witness everyday life on the river, passing farmlands, fruit orchards, monkey bridges, water buffalo, and floating markets . The best time to visit the Mekong is during the dry season between December and May when there’s less chance of flooding.

6. Nha Trang

If it’s beaching you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Nha Trang is the most famous seaside resort in Vietnam, with a laidback atmosphere and exceptional scuba diving. While it’s certainly not on the same scale as many of Asia’s other beautiful beaches , Nha Trang offers warm water and some picturesque offshore islets.

The promenade that encircles the beachfront is always a hive of activity, filled with parks and sculptures that make a stroll here interesting. As with most beach resorts, most of the activity gets going when the sun goes down, and Nha Trang is no different. You’ll find a host of vibey bars and restaurants near the beachfront.

There’s much more to Nha Trang than sunbathing and strolls, though. Go for a soak in the Thap Ba Mud Bath or take a ride on the longest cross-sea cable car in the world. The sacred Po Nagar Cham towers, dating back to the 7th to 12th centuries, offer a taste of the city’s history – they’re an active religious site for Cham, Chinese, and Buddhists even today.

Tracing the border with China, Sapa is a captivating remote town in the Hoang Lien Son mountains of northern Vietnam. Its elevation 1,500 meters above sea level is nothing to scoff at when you’re trekking the terraced hills and slopes around this high-altitude mountain town. While there’s plenty of natural beauty to tempt you to this far-reached corner of the country, much of Sapa’s appeal lies in its raw and authentic culture.

Days are spent trekking through rice paddies , rural villages untouched by tourism, and the clouds of Fansipan – Vietnam’s highest peak.

Scenery aside, the highlight is hands down the opportunity to chat with these fascinating people along the way – local kids will tag along and try to sell you some of their handmade jewelry or simply try to improve their English by speaking to you.

In the town of Sapa itself, there are attractive French colonial sites worth visiting such as the Gothic church, the town square and city hall. Sapa is a major market town where the various ethnic tribes in the area often gather to sell their handicrafts, which make excellent souvenirs. At the Sapa Culture Museum, visitors can learn all about the history and cultures of these ethnic groups.

Hue – formerly known as the Panduranga of Cham Kingdom – was once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Located in the central region, Hue had a huge role to play in the Vietnam War. Captured by the Viet Cong for a total of 24 days, thousands of people were killed here if they were thought to be sympathizers of the south.

Today, the city is split in two by the Perfume River. The old city with its ancient ruined citadel lies to the north and the modern-day city to the south. The Demilitarized Zone, which marks the official former border, is one of the most popular day trips from Hue while the Thien Mu Pagoda is the city’s official symbol.

Of the city’s monuments , the Citadel is the most famous. Once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, the Citadel is a sprawling complex of grand palaces, ornate temples, walls and gates. Prime attractions within the Citadel are the Forbidden Purple City, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Ngo Mon Gate. Another important landmark on the river is the city’s official symbol, the Thien Mu Pagoda.

A stroll along the promenade is also recommended, through the statue-abundant parks and onwards by scooter or boat cruise to the Tombs of the Emperors on the outskirts of the city. Dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, the Tomb of Tu Doc, with its striking Buddhist architecture is the cherry on top.

Laidback and charismatic with a charm all of its own, Hoi An is the highlight of any Vietnam itinerary. Located south of Da Nang within cycling distance of some excellent warm-water beaches along the central coast, this atmospheric old town is a feast of color, where bright and cheerful lanterns adorn each and every building.

The narrow, winding lanes of the old town are lined with beautiful historic buildings, Chinese temples and wooden-fronted shops with excellent opportunities for retail therapy. The bustling night market and lantern-lit streets are also great places for shopping and people-watching.

At the same time, you can also take a boat ride along the Thu Bon River or join a cooking class to learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. Wrangle a tempting spa deal, and get a dress or tailored suit handmade for you at one of the town’s many illustrious tailors.

Don’t leave without a visit to the gorgeous Japanese Covered Bridge and the glaze-roofed Chinese merchant houses that date back hundreds of years and house a quarter of the town’s population. There’s plenty to fill your afternoons in Hoi An.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is truly chaotic, but that’s all part of its charm. An interesting mix of French and Sino-Vietnamese influences, it’s one of the most rapidly growing cities in Southeast Asia.

Those visiting this energetic capital should be prepared. It’s a hive of activity at the best of times, utter chaos at the worst – a city where crossing the road could be taking your life into your own hands with cars, motorbikes, and tuk-tuks vying for right of way in a city without road rules.

One of the best places to experience the madness of Hanoi is at Legend’s Corner . The well-located Legend Beer restaurant is the ideal spot to sit with a drink and watch the rush hour insanity just before sunset. You’ll see pedestrians, dogs, cars, tuk-tuks, and scooters all entwined in traffic, yet somehow there are very few accidents.

Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets filled with charming colonial architecture, street vendors, and bustling markets. The best way to explore it is on foot or by cyclo (cycle rickshaw). This will enable you to soak up its atmosphere and discover hidden gems like the ancient Temple of Literature or the vibrant Dong Xuan Market.

See also: Where to Stay in Hanoi

For a change of pace, go for a stroll around the freshwater Hoàn Kiếm Lake in the Old Quarter or soak up more Vietnamese history with a visit to the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum , the final resting place of the Revolutionary leader and Vietnamese President, is a must-see.

1. Ha Long Bay

Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, Halong Bay is celebrated for its gorgeous emerald-hue waters, thousands of spectacular limestone karsts, astonishing waterside caves, and beautiful tree-topped islands.

It’s a popular location for adventure – scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing can all be enjoyed in and around Cat Ba National Park . For those who wish to simply relax and enjoy the views, there are numerous Halong Bay cruises to choose from, from basic to top-level luxury.

The thousands of islands scattered about the bay are a real mixture, ranging from isolated landmasses home to free-roaming monkeys and antelope to bigger inhabited islands with some fantastic beaches . Boat cruises are the best way to experience the natural wonder of Ha Long Bay.

With hundreds of boats ranging from traditional Chinese junks to luxury cruisers, boat tours can vary from day trips to multiple-night journeys . These tours often provide meals, nightlife activities and excursion stops where islands, caves and lagoons can be explored. Most boat cruises are arranged either from Hanoi or from ports such as Haiphong, Halong City and Cai Rong.

As with most holidays on the water, Halong Bay is easily affected by the weather. Plan your trip between March and June to get the most out of your visit. June to September is the off-season, so you can usually get some great deals – just be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast as monsoons can really put a dampener on your trip.

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Reader interactions.

September 15, 2019 at 1:19 am

I hereby compose a key-word list of outstanding places in Vietnam. Hope it’s helpful for you guys searching.

1. Islands: Côn Đảo ; Phú Quốc ; Lý Sơn, Cam Ranh, Bình Ba, Bình Hưng, Điệp Sơn ,Đảo Yến Hòn Nội, ,Cù lao Chàm , Đảo Nam Du, Hòn ông đảo cá voi, Cát bà.

2. Best beaches on islands Bãi Nhát ( Côn Đảo ), Bãi Suối Nóng ( Côn Đảo ), Hòn Cao ( Côn Đảo ), Bãi Sao ( Phú Quốc ), Bãi Khem ( Phú Quốc ), Bãi ông Lăng ( Phu Quoc ) , Nam Du ( Phu Quoc ), Dao Be ( Ly son ) , Bai Kinh ( Binh Hung), Bai Nom ( Binh Ba ),

3. Coastal Cities : Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau.

4. Best beaches on coastal cities: Doc Let, Dai Lanh, My Khe, Nha Trang, Ky Co, Bãi Binh Tien, Bãi Cà ná, Bãi bắc beach da nang, quy nhon beach.

5. Best Bays Ha Long Bay, Lang Co bay, Nha Trang bay, Ninh Van bay, Van Phong bay, Cam Ranh bay.

6. Highland cities/town offer great mountain views, trekking activities : Sapa, Da Lat, Ha Giang, Cao bang.

7. Ancient cities/towns : Hoi An, Dong Van, Hue

8. Caves: Phong Nha, Thien duong, Son Doong, Hang En, Hang Sung Sot, Hang Va, He thong hang dong Tu Lan, Tam Coc bich dong

9. Rivers Mekong delta, Sông Ngô Đồng, Tràng An, Sông đáy chùa hương, Sông Son, Sông Nho Quế, Sông Chày.

10. Waterfall Thác Bản Giốc, Thác Voi, Thác Pongour

11. Lakes Hồ Ba bể, Hồ Xuân Hương, Hồ Tuyền Lâm, Hồ Tơ Nưng, Hồ Lắk, Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, Hồ Thác Bà, Phá Tam Giang.

12. Lagoons Pha Tam Giang, Đầm Vân Long.

13. National Parks Phong Nha ke bang, Nam Cát Tiên, Bạch Mã, Cúc Phương, Ba Vì, Ba Bể, Tràm Chim Tam Nông, núi chúa.

14. Terraces rice field Mù Căng Chải, Hoàng Su Phì, Tú Lệ , Sapa, Y Tý, Bát Xát, Pù Luông.

Enjoy your traveling trip!

May 1, 2019 at 2:46 am

I like Vietnam. I really do. I love their culture and traditions. Just recently I went on a trip to Vietnam and I absolutely loved it. The people there were so nice and lovely. The wildlife, vegetation and sacred places were amazing too. But I have to say, the most beautiful place that I went to in Vietnam is Ha Long Bay. The scene was incredibly stunning! I also stayed in Sapa. It has astonishing views. Especially when you look at it from a distance. It has fog surrounding the buildings, has tall mountains in the background and has brightly coloured buildings. It’s breathtakingly beautiful!

March 3, 2019 at 1:49 am

I am a Vietnamese and according to my experience, there are two places you should visit when you are in Vietnam: Cat Ba Island in the Northeast Vietnam and Phu Quoc Island in the Southeast Vietnam.

March 29, 2018 at 9:26 pm

The market in Can Cau is fabulous.

November 21, 2017 at 10:29 pm

I think these places are amazing to visit but I have a question, how is Vietnam in general? Is it a safe country to visit ??

November 8, 2017 at 8:19 am

I recommend Pu Luong nature reserve, not very far from Hanoi.

September 19, 2017 at 4:52 pm

I really liked Da Nang.

November 23, 2016 at 4:13 am

Great list. I have just spent two months in Vietnam and did most of the places except My Son and Sapa. Will come back for that. Love this country!

July 21, 2015 at 2:04 pm

There are lots of day trip activities from Hoi An– snorkeling or diving at the Cham Islands, early morning cycling trips to the countryside, visiting the My Son archeological ruins. Hoi An also has terrific food, and is a great place to wander around and explore.

June 2, 2015 at 6:46 am

There are at-least 30 incredible places to visit in Vietnam, your list is correct those are about the top places but there are alot more amazing places in Vietnam and no one should stop at just 10

November 7, 2014 at 4:11 am

Great places. You can also put Ninh Binh and Ha Giang.

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17 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Written by Jess Lee Updated Aug 30, 2023

Vietnam is an astonishing mix of natural highlights and cultural diversity.

The scenery ranges from jagged peaks seen from winding mountain passes down to verdant paddy fields painted every shade of green in the palette, while Vietnam's long history and multicultural population (with over 50 ethnic minority groups) make a trip here rich in heritage.

Outdoor lovers can get their teeth into the countryside within the numerous national parks, where hiking, biking, and kayaking are popular things to do, but Vietnam's most famous natural tourist attraction, the spectacular karst seascape of Halong Bay, is one natural sight that even the more slothful can experience up close on a cruise.

While the rural areas brim with lush panoramas, the big cities buzz with contemporary life and provide ample opportunities to get stuck into Vietnam's tasty culinary highlights.

This fascinating country is full of surprises and is one of Southeast Asia's most underrated destinations. Plan your sightseeing with our list of the best places to visit in Vietnam.

1. Halong Bay

2. ho chi minh city, 4. phong nha-ke bang national park, 7. sapa countryside, 9. nha trang, 10. cu chi tunnels, 11. ba be national park, 12. mekong delta, 13. cat ba island, 14. ha giang, 15. phu quoc island, 16. con dao islands, frequently asked questions, when is the best time to visit vietnam.

The karst seascape of Halong Bay is one of the best places to visit in the world for spellbinding sea views and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thousands of limestone islands sit within this bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, eroded into jagged pinnacles by wind and water action over millennia.

With the bay's scenery best seen by boat, this is prime cruising territory. Opt for at least an overnight tour to see Halong Bay's iconic views as a day trip doesn't do it justice.

There are plenty of caves in the bay that can be entered including the Hang Sung Sot, with three mammoth caverns, and the Hang Dao Go, with superbly weird stalagmites and stalactites. For most people though, the highlight is simply cruising amid the karsts and soaking up the changing scenery of pinnacles as you pass by.

There are plenty of different cruise tours to choose from. Check the different itineraries offered before booking as many travelers have left Halong Bay underwhelmed by their cruise.

Author's Tip: If possible, book a tour that takes in neighboring Lan Ha Bay as well as Halong Bay. The karst scenery is just as dramatic here but fewer cruise trips visit. And check if your cruise offers included activities such as guided kayaking (which allows you to experience an up-close view of the scenery).

For big city fans, no visit to Vietnam is really complete without a visit to Ho Chi Minh City, the buzzing commercial hub of the country.

The streets are an insane clog of motorbikes and cars, the restaurant and café scene is incredibly cosmopolitan, and the shopping is the best in the country.

At its center is Dong Khoi, a relatively small and easily navigable central district, which holds most of the city's sights.

Here, you'll find the HCMC Museum, with a brilliant collection of artifacts that weaves together the story of the city, and the grand Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 19th century.

Check out the old district of Da Kao nearby for some of the best surviving examples of the city's French colonial architecture and also to visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda with its dazzling array of Buddhist and Taoist religious iconography.

Afterwards, the History Museum is a must-do for history fans with stacks of relics on display from various archaeological sites.

For many visitors, the two big-hitter tourist attractions not to miss are just a little out of the center, along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. The Reunification Palace, then known as Independence Palace, was the residence for South Vietnam's president. It's chiefly famous as the spot where North Vietnam's tanks stopped on 30 April 1975, officially ending the war. It's a completely fascinating place to visit complete with 1960s furnishings still in situ.

Nearby is the War Remnants Museum, which although very obviously biased, paints a disturbing picture of the brutality of war and the many atrocities committed by US Forces during their Vietnam campaign.

One of Vietnam's most historic towns, Hue is packed to the brim with relics from the reign of the 19th-century Nguyen emperors.

Sitting along the banks of the gorgeous Perfume River, the Imperial Enclosure is a huge site set within walls that sprawl for 2.5 kilometers.

While touring the grounds check out the gorgeous Ngo Mon Gate, the Thai Hoa Palace with its finely lacquered interior detailing, the Dien Tho Residence where the Queen Mothers would live, and the Halls of Mandarins with its preserved ceiling murals.

A dazzling number of historic sites lie outside the Imperial Enclosure walls as well.

One of the nicest ways of visiting a collection of outlying sites is by taking a riverboat cruise on the Perfume River. A day cruise can take you to visit several royal tombs along with some pagodas.

If you're short on time, the best tomb to visit is the Tomb of Tu Doc and the most important pagoda in the area is the Thien Mu Pagoda, with its tower that soars for 21 meters high.

One of the best places to visit in Vietnam for caving, World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a dramatic karst mountain formation honeycombed with huge caverns, which are home to superb stalactite and stalagmite displays.

It's best known for its caving activities , which range from multi-day hiking and caving tours for the more adventurous, to simpler half-day trips to caves with easy access provided by boat trips and modern boardwalks, but the national park also offers mountain biking and trekking activities.

The most popular destinations within the park are the Paradise Cave , which extends for a staggering 31 kilometers below ground, and the Phong Nha Cave, where the interior is accessed by boat. Half-day tours can be easily arranged once you're in the area.

The national park's most renowned caverns though are Son Doong Cave (the world's largest cave) , and the Tu Lan Cave with its cavern river system. Access to these, and to certain other caves in the park are restricted to organized tours (ranging from one-day to multi-day expeditions) which are all run by Phong Nha's expert adventure tour company Oxalis . It's well worth booking in advance to secure your spot.

To make the most of your time here, time your visit for outside the rainy season, which runs from October to December, when many of the national park's caves are closed to the public.

You can access Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park from Son Trach (also known as Phong Nha village).

Surrounded by lush jungle-covered mountains, My Son is a ruined Cham era temple city that dates from the 4th century.

This old Hindu religious center was still very much in use during the 7th to 10th centuries and only fell into complete decline and abandonment during the 13th century.

There are around 20 temple structures still standing here, all built of brick or sandstone blocks and showing interesting influences from various Asian empires, including Indian and Malay.

Note that the temples of Group B are the oldest, while Group A once contained the site's most important monument but was destroyed deliberately by US forces during the Vietnam War.

A good museum on-site houses plenty of information on the Cham.

Access to My Son is from Hoi An.

Beautiful Hoi An is the most atmospheric city in Vietnam, with bags of surviving historic architecture.

The old town quarter is a joy to explore, packed to the brim with well-preserved merchant houses that hark back to Hoi An's trading center heyday of the 15th century, when the town was a major meeting point for Japanese and Chinese merchants who flocked here for the local silks.

Plenty of the old merchant houses have been opened to the public, so you can get a taste of these times. The best is 17th-century Tan Ky House, with fascinating architectural and decorative elements.

Hoi An's major symbol is the delightful Japanese Bridge at the western end of Tran Phu Street, while nearby, the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation is the old town's most highly decorated temple.

There are numerous small pagodas and museums dotted about town, but Hoi An's true charm is found in simply rambling the old town streets admiring the well-preserved facades.

The verdant rice field countryside surrounding Sapa, bordered by the jagged peaks of the Hoang Lien Mountains (often still known by their French colonial era name of the Tonkinese Alps), are home to Vietnam's most beautiful rural vistas.

The deep valleys here are home to a diverse mix of the country's ethnic minorities, including the Hmong, Giay, and Red Dzao people, while the rippling hills are terraced with rice fields and overlooked by the country's tallest peak, Fansipan Mountain.

This is the top trekking destination in Vietnam with oodles of options to trek or day hike between tiny villages and experience the staggering mountain views.

Sapa itself is the main base here - an old hill station and now a bustling and forever growing tourist center that is a stark contrast to the sumptuous tranquil countryside right on its doorstep.

Author's Tip: Keen trekkers looking for more of northern Vietnam's lush mountain vistas may want to skip the busy Sapa scene completely and nudge further 95 kilometers northwest to Bac Ha , where the terraced hill views on hikes between hill villages are just as beautiful. Bac Ha's Sunday market is also a very popular day trip from Sapa.

Vietnam's capital is the frenetic heartbeat of the nation and a place that befuddles travelers as much as it charms them.

The motorbike frenzy, pollution, and constant clamor of street vendors can get too much for some travelers, but if you want to dive into Vietnamese city life, Hanoi is the place to do it.

The old town quarter has plenty of dilapidated charm on offer, while history fans should make a beeline here simply to see the bundle of excellent museums.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and Vietnam Fine Art Museum are both brilliant introductions to the diverse artistry of the country, while the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important tribute to the founder of modern Vietnam.

Author's Tip: It's well worth adding extra time into your itinerary to use Hanoi as a base for exploring the many sights within day tripping distance. In particular, the Tay Phuong and Thay Pagodas (30 kilometers west from the central city), Co Loa Citadel (24 kilometers northeast), and the Huong Pagoda (also known as the Perfume Pagoda; 60 kilometers southwest).

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hanoi

For sandy fun in Vietnam, Nha Trang is king. The well-maintained beach trundles for six kilometers along the shoreline of central Nha Trang city and during summer is jam-packed with local families on vacation, as well as foreign visitors.

There is excellent swimming here with designated swimming areas and manicured lounging areas that make this a great option for relaxing days soaking up the sun and sand.

If you do get bored of sunbathing, the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers are just to the north across the Xom Bong Bridge and have been used as a place of worship here since at least the 7th century (with some historians saying the site itself has been a place of active worship since much earlier).

There is also an excellent museum dedicated to the work of Alexandre Yersin who discovered the cause of the bubonic plague and founded Nha Trang's Pasteur Institute (which still carries out vaccination programs in Vietnam today).

An absolutely fascinating experience for all travelers, not just those interested in Vietnam's modern military history, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive tunnel network that during the war, stretched for more than 250 kilometers, allowing VC troops to operate and communicate in the area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City.

Two short sections of the network can be visited with a guide who'll take you down into the narrow unlit confines, which definitely are not for claustrophobia sufferers.

You will literally be crawling on your hands and knees and some points. You can access the tunnels at either Ben Dinh village (the more popular choice) or Ben Duoc village.

Tranquil Ba Be National Park is absolutely stunning with the three interlinked Ba Be Lakes at its heart, rimmed by jagged karst peaks and thickly forested slopes.

Most visitors come here to take peaceful boat trips or kayak on the lake and explore the caves full of stalactites and stalagmites in the vicinity, but for the more active, there's also excellent hiking and trekking in the hills here between ethnic minority villages.

This is one of the most peaceful spots in Vietnam, and travelers who spend the night here sleep in traditional stilt-house homestay accommodation along the lakeshore, allowing an experience of simple rural life.

The far south of Vietnam is where the mighty Mekong River finally finds its way to the sea in a maze of waterways that crisscross the floodplain.

Incredibly lush, with paddy field vistas and mangroves, and full of local life, with chaotic floating markets to explore by boat, the delta is one of the most interesting regions for travelers to discover.

Can Tho is the most popular town to use as a base, as it's close to the floating markets of Phong Dien and Cai Rang, while boat trips from Ca Mau allow you to explore the U Minh Mangrove Forest and Cau Mau Nature Reserve.

This area of Vietnam is one of the best to visit for keen bird watchers and nature lovers , as it is home to both Tra Su Bird Sanctuary Forest and Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary.

One of Vietnam's major centers for activities and adventure travel attractions, Cat Ba Island sits on the western edge of Halong Bay.

This is the best place to visit if you want to organize cruises and kayaking trips in Lan Ha Bay, which lies off Cat Ba's southern coast. Lan Ha Bay is a less visited seascape of karst islets and outcrops that makes for a quieter alternative to Halong Bay.

Off the water, much of Cat Ba's dense jungle interior is part of Cat Ba National Park, where hikers can spot plentiful birdlife, as well as animals such as macaques.

For many visitors, though, Cat Ba is all about climbing opportunities. Climbing excursions here utilize both the island's limestone cliffs and Lan Ha Bay's outcrops, providing experiences to suit both complete climbing beginners and experienced climbers.

The emerald-green karst mountain landscapes along Ha Giang's mountain passes make this far-north province prime territory for scenic road-tripping by either motorbike or car.

In particular, the twisty Quan Ba Pass between Ha Giang town and Tam Son provides panoramic vistas of the karst plateau and its jagged limestone outcrops, while the zigzagging Mai Pi Leng Pass between Dong Van and Meo Vac offers dizzying views of the lush mountain scenery and narrow valleys below.

Time your visit to coincide with one of the area's market days, when traders from the surrounding mountain villages pile into town. Dong Van's Sunday market is one of the best.

Sitting 45 kilometers off the southern coast of the country, in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is a densely forested island, speckled by sweeps of white-sand beach that attract plenty of sunseekers during the winter dry season.

Dry season (November to May) is also when the island's underwater and on-the-water tourism attractions spring into action, with plenty of dive sites in the waters just offshore, as well as opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and boat trips.

Many of the main boat excursions head to the An Thoi Islands, just to the south of Phu Quoc, which is home to the best snorkeling in the area.

Off the water, the Phu Quoc cable-car provides bird's-eye views for eight kilometers, soaring over the seascape and islands, all the way from Phu Quoc to the island of Hon Thom in the An Thoi Islands.

Phu Quac is accessed by plane or regular ferries from the mainland towns of Rach Gia and Ha Tien. As Ha Tien lies very close to the southern border crossing with Cambodia, the island is a popular first (or last) stop-off in Vietnam for overland travelers.

This remote island group lies around 160 kilometers offshore in the South China Sea and is renowned among divers as one of the best places to visit in the country, both for the variety of sea life and for the coral reefs.

Much of the Con Dao Islands, and the surrounding water, is a protected wilderness area, with the island shores home to nesting turtles, and dense forest still covering the island interiors.

The main island, and prime base for visitors with all the accommodation and things to do, is Con Son Island, which has sweeps of sand strung out across its coast that attract beachgoers looking for a relaxed sun-soaked getaway, as well as divers.

Even if you're here mostly for the beach, make sure to explore the historic sites of Con Son Town (the island's only settlement) including Phu Hai Prison, Bao Tang Con Dao Museum, and the prison known as the Tiger Cages, which document the dark history of this isolated island group.

Con Son's remote position led to the island being used to incarcerate political prisoners during the era Vietnam was occupied by French colonial forces, and later by both the South Vietnamese government and the occupying American forces.

Preserved sites including Phu Hai Prison and the prison cages used by the US forces, known as the Tiger Cages, along with Con Son Town's Bao Tang Con Dao Museum, do an excellent job of documenting this history for visitors.

Access to Con Son Island is either by flight from Ho Chi Minh City or by ferry from the coastal city of Vung Tau.

Once a sleepy coastal fishing town, Mui Né has developed into a beautiful beach resort town and a prime destination for windsurfing, sailing, and kitesurfing.

Compared to other beach destinations in Vietnam , however, Mui Né remains relatively unknown - and this means pristine beaches and a quiet retreat for most of the year.

One of Mui Né's most unique attractions is the natural Red Sand Dunes just outside town, where visitors can practice sand-sledding or rent dune buggies for a more adrenaline-charged experience.

Tucked away between nearby fishing villages and towering orange limestone formations, there's the fairy stream, a slow-moving warm stream that almost feels like a walkway because it's so shallow - follow it to the end to reach a waterfall.

For those wishing to explore beyond the coastline, there are also the ruins of the Po Shanu Cham Towers - remnants of the Cham Empire that dominated the area many centuries ago.

Vietnam experiences strong monsoon seasons, where heavy rains hit the cities and the countryside, often causing floods and mudslides. If you're planning to travel around, the best time to visit Vietnam is during the dry season, which lasts from December to February – but there are some exceptions.

The south of Vietnam – where Ho Chi Minh city is located – experiences a more tropical climate, with high temperatures and high humidity year-round. Visiting these areas in the cooler months means less humidity and temperatures in the high 20s rather than the high 30s and 40s, which makes it more comfortable to walk around.

In the north, however, many areas experience an actual winter. Hanoi sees temperatures in the mid- to high teens in December and January – and in the mountains of Sapa in the north, you'll even get to see some snow during these months.

If you're visiting Danang for some beach time or to travel through the ancient town of Hoi An, it's best to arrive between February and May, when water and air temperature are in the 20s – perfect beach weather for enjoying the sand or a dip in the water. The rainy season, and especially the months of September and October, see very heavy rains and often very strong wind storms on the coast, so it's better to stay away from Danang during this time.

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Vietnam Travel Maps

If you are planning to visit Vietnam, it is worth taking a look at some Vietnam travel maps and provincial maps to understand our country and prepare a suitable itinerary to Vietnam.

Vietnam is a combination of natural beauty and cultural distinctiveness, bustling metropolis and rural villages. Since Vietnam is a long and narrow country with an S shape, it may be difficult for tourists to plan destinations and transportations to our country. Our comprehensive Vietnam travel maps will provide you with information about interesting tourist destinations of our country to help you schedule an itinerary for a tour to Vietnam .

Vietnam Travel Map

Vietnam tourist map with cities (Source: Internet)

Vietnam is located on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The country borders China to the north, Laos, and Cambodia to the west, the Gulf of Thailand to the south, and the Gulf of Tonkin and the Vietnam Eastern Sea to the east. Vietnam’s total length is 1,650 kilometers with a long coastline of 3,260 kilometers from Mong Cai in the north to Ha Tien in the south. The south of Vietnam is wider than the north.

There are plenty of natural landscapes for your discovery trip to Vietnam since our diverse topography includes mountains, hills, deltas, highlands, and beaches. Three-quarters of our territory is made up of tropical lowlands, hills, and densely forested highlands. Vietnam is characterized by its monsoon and humid climate with different weather in the north, central, and south.

The Vietnam travel map includes some most famous travel destinations in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City, and Mekong Delta.

Northern Vietnam Travel Map

Northern Vietnam is divided into two parts: Northeast and Northwest. This region possesses a temperate climate with four seasons. It is sultry in summers and bitterly cold in winters as the temperature may drop to 0 degrees Celsius in the mountainous areas. Bear in mind that there may be typhoons between July and September in the Northern mountainous region, so carefully if you want to travel to Sa Pa or Ha Giang during this time.

When traveling to Northern Vietnam , you can have a chance to admire mesmerizing rice terraces, imposing mountains, turquoise islets, and beautiful hill tribes. It is also the best region to explore Vietnam’s long-lasting history and culture since Northern Vietnam is the home to Hanoi – the capital and the heart of our country.

You can consider Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, and Ha Giang if you love to discover this region.

Northeastern Vietnam Travel Map

Most ethnic hill tribes in Vietnam live in the northeast and northwest. Northeastern Vietnam includes Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Ban Kan, Bac Giang, Hanoi and Ninh Binh.

Northwestern Vietnam Travel Map

Northwestern Vietnam consists of Son La, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, and Dien Bien.

Central Vietnam Travel Map

The central part of Vietnam is endowed with beautiful coastline with crystal-clear water, golden sand and clear sky for your perfect beach vacation in Vietnam . Central Vietnam has two seasons: wet and dry season and you may experience heavy downpours from September to January. The Central Highlands, including Da Lat and Buon Ma Thuot, is cooler all year-round.

Da Nang is the economic and cultural hub of this region. You cannot miss Hoi An, the ancient town which is 30 kilometers from Da Nang when traveling to Central Vietnam. Other travel destinations of this region are Phong Nha, Hue, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Da Lat.

Central Highlands Travel Map

Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) is an exotic and off-the-beaten-track in Vietnam which is not well-known yet to foreigners. This region consists of five provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong. Endowed with the cool climate, you can escape from the heat of summers in Vietnam here. Also, Tay Nguyen is the largest coffee production area of our country and you will be served the best coffee when traveling to Buon Ma Thuot or Gia Lai.

Southern Vietnam Travel Map

Southern Vietnam has warm weather all year-round with the average temperature of 26-28 degrees Celsius. This region has two seasons: rainy and dry and it will rain from May to the early November. Despite high temperature, the summer here is not as humid as it is in the North and there is no chilly winter in the south.

Travelling to Southern Vietnam , you can visit the metropolis Ho Chi Minh City with outrageous nightlife, beautiful Vung Tau and Phu Quoc’s beaches, and exciting Mekong Delta, one of two most arable areas in Vietnam besides the Red River Delta.

Southeastern Vietnam includes Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Dong Nai, and Tay Ninh. Southwestern Vietnam, also known as the Mekong Delta region, includes 13 provinces: Can Tho, Ben Tre, An Giang, Hau Giang, Tien Giang, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Long An, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Bac Lieu, and Ca Mau. This Southern Vietnam travel map will show you some well-known places in the region:

Hanoi City Travel Map

Hanoi  is one of the most unique places in Vietnam due to its quaint and rustic atmosphere. This city is a combination of traditional beauty and colonial architecture. Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter are the two must-visit attractions in Hanoi. Taking a cyclo-rickshaw around this area, you can see the bustling daily life of local people, visit some ancient houses, and immerse in the colorful culture of this 1000-year-old capital city. There are many other colonial relics, museums, pagodas, music shows and concerts in Hanoi. Make sure you try some local dishes such as Pho and Bun cha, and buy some traditional souvenirs in the Old Quarter.

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Map

Ho Chi Minh City  (also known as Saigon) is the most dynamic and bustling city in Vietnam. It is remarkable for the harmonious blending of traditional values with northern and western cultural features. Skyscrapers dot the city and everywhere are the signs of growing status cars, mobile phones, upscale cafes, fine dining and trendy nightlife. This city will be an ideal destination for history buffs who love to discover our colonial era. There are many colonial architecture and museums for your  tour to Ho Chi Minh City : Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, and Saigon Opera House. For shopaholics, don’t forget to check out Ben Thanh Market and many other shopping malls.

Distances between Main Travel Destinations in Vietnam

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Large detailed tourist map of Vietnam with cities and towns

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Explore Vietnam: The Ultimate Touristic & Geographic Map

Vietnam is a country with a long and rich history, a diverse and vibrant culture, and a stunning and varied natural beauty. Whether you are interested in exploring its ancient temples, colonial buildings, modern cities, ethnic villages, or scenic landscapes, you will find something to suit your taste and curiosity. But how can you plan your trip to Vietnam and make the most of your time there? One of the best ways is to use a Vietnam map that shows you both the touristic and geographic features of this amazing country. In this blog post, you will have a complete guide to Vietnam that will help you plan your trip and enjoy your adventure. Let’s get started!

1. Geography of Vietnam

2. tourist map of vietnam, 3. vietnam map in 3 regions, 4. the north (northern vietnam map), 5. the central region (central vietnam map), 6. the south (south vietnam map), 7. conclusion.

Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a relatively small country, covering an area of 320,000 square kilometers. Its shape resembles that of an S or a dragon, exceptionally long and stretching nearly 2,000 kilometers from north to south. Its maximum width is only 600 kilometers in the northern part, while the minimum width narrows down to a mere 50 kilometers in the region of the Phong Nha National Park and underground caves in the central area. It shares its borders with China to the north, Laos to the west, Cambodia to the southwest, and is also bordered by the Pacific Ocean, specifically the East Sea, as well as the Gulf of Tonkin to the north and the Gulf of Thailand (or Siam) to the southwest.

Vietnam boasts about a dozen must-visit destinations throughout its expanse. The ancient millennium-old capital, Hanoi, the magnificent mountains, the famous Halong Bay, or its terrestrial counterpart in Ninh Binh are destinations not to be missed in the North (the upper part of the country). In the Central region, one should not overlook the former imperial capital of Hue and the old port town of Hoi An.

In the South, there are also essential stops for all itineraries, including the Mekong Delta. Especially the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the white sandy beaches of the islands of Phu Quoc or Con Dao. Therefore, if one wishes to explore Vietnam from North to South (or vice versa) while visiting its major destinations, it is advisable to plan a stay of at least two or three weeks.

>>>  Want to explore the country from north to south? Check out our 2-week North to South Itinerary .

Since Vietnam shares its border with Laos to the west and Cambodia to the southwest, you'll easily have the opportunity to extend your journey to these two countries. From northern Vietnam, you can travel overland to Luang Prabang , the former capital of Laos . Additionally, from the southern Mekong Delta, you can journey upstream along the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, and then continue your trip to Siem Reap, either by land or air.

Vietnam is divided into three main regions: the North (the largest portion at the top of the S-shape), the Central region (the longest and narrowest section in the middle), and the South (the lower part of the country). Mountains and highlands, which predominantly occupy the northern and western areas, form a natural border with China and Laos, covering three-quarters of the territory. The highest points, such as Mount Fansipan, are located in the northwest; the "roof of Indochina" towers over the Hoang Lien Son range at an altitude of 3,000 meters.

The dragon-shaped country also encompasses two deltas near its two ends: the Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the south. The former is the cradle of its civilization linked to irrigated rice. However, the primary "granary" for this essential grain for its population is mainly situated in the mouth of the Mekong, covering an area nearly three times larger.

The eastern part of the country is bordered by a coastal coastline adorned with numerous bays, beaches, lagoons, and aquaculture zones spanning over 3,000 kilometers. The most beautiful seaside spots for swimming - such as those in Nha Trang , Phu Quoc Island , or Con Dao Island - are located in the Central and Southern regions.

The northern region of Vietnam is dominated by the northern mountains and the Red River Delta, which form the "head" of the country. The northern mountains extend across two sub-regions, first the northwest (the western wing of the north), including places like Nghia Lo, Mai Chau , Mu Cang Chai , and Sapa . This part of Vietnam is renowned for its breathtaking terraced rice fields that seem to stretch endlessly. It is also home to Mount Fansipan and the historic battlefield of Dien Bien Phu. These lands are adjacent to Laos, making it very convenient to visit by crossing the border posts of Tay Trang to Dien Bien Phu or Na Meo. These are off-the-beaten-path routes that allow travelers to appreciate extraordinary landscapes and cultures in every sense of the word.

The northeastern region, the eastern wing of northern Vietnam, is equally magnificent, boasting breathtaking and wild landscapes. You can admire these landscapes in places like Ha Giang  or experience Ha Giang Loop and the Dong Van Geopark, or at the Ban Gioc Waterfalls and Ba Be National Park, for example. The inhabitants of this region also have fascinating lifestyles and customs to explore.

This vast, northern, mountainous region, consisting of both east and west parts, is indeed the homeland of various ethnic minority groups such as the H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, and Lolo tribes. It is a great destination for hiking enthusiasts, with natural attractions and villages that are less frequented by mass tourism. These areas offer wonderful opportunities for friendly encounters with the local population. Learn more about the ethnicities of Vietnam.

Hanoi  is the starting point for all northern excursions , traversing the Red River Delta. From the political and cultural capital, it's also easy to access the terrestrial Halong Bay in Ninh Binh , an area known for its limestone formations, karst landscapes, and breathtaking flooded rice fields. Not to mention the marvelous Halong Bay itself, with a similar topography but on water, featuring hundreds of islands and islets. It remains a "must-visit" for all travelers looking to explore Vietnam.

The Central region, nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the east and Laos to the west, is renowned for its abundance of natural and cultural sites, some of which are classified as UNESCO World Heritage. This narrow part of Vietnam is home to the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, featuring the splendid Phong Nha caves, particularly the gigantic Son Doong Cave.

On the other hand, the ancient imperial city of Hue stands as a living testament to the history of the Nguyen dynasty. Further south, the ancient town of Hoi An is considered the most charming city in the country, famous for its lantern-adorned streets. The region's first metropolis, Da Nang, is also worth a visit due to its vibrancy and long stretches of white sandy beaches, as paradisiacal as many others in the Central region. For more details on Da Nang, click here.

Bordered by Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, the South is divided into three sub-regions: the highlands, the Mekong Delta , and the coastal area. The highlands, thanks to their altitude, enjoy a temperate climate in tropical latitudes. The city of Da Lat (or Dalat), its capital, is a legacy of the colonial era, which has made it a resort town favored by Europeans. The Southern Highlands have become tourist attractions with renowned features such as elephants and plantations of coffee, tea, and rubber trees.

The southern coastal region of Vietnam stretches from the city of Hoi An to Vung Tau, north of the Mekong Delta. It boasts beautiful beaches, especially in the coastal cities of Quy Nhon, Nha Trang , Mui Ne , and their surroundings.

The third sub-region in the South is the Mekong Delta , a unique world that combines both land and water. It is a fertile area thanks to the alluvial deposits from the tributaries and branches of the mighty Mekong River. The Mekong River originates thousands of kilometers away from Vietnam, in the Himalayas and Tibet, traversing several Southeast Asian countries before dividing into two major branches and flowing into the sea near Ho Chi Minh City . The lives of the delta's population are deeply influenced by this watery environment, especially along the canals. A prime example of this is the floating markets, which involve unusual means of transportation and commercial activities. Visiting these markets is an interesting way to immerse oneself in the unique characteristics of this sub-region.

To conclude, travelers can journey up the Mekong River, eventually reaching Cambodia after a few hours on a fast boat. This route offers a "two-in-one" experience, highly appreciated by tourists. Check out our suggestions for Vietnam-Cambodia tours .

Vietnam is incredibly diverse geographically, climatically, and culturally along its S-shaped length. Jagged "alpine" peaks define the northern provinces, while a pancake-flat river delta enriches the endless rice fields of the extreme south. Limestone hills pockmarked with caves rise above the central belt, and dense tropical forests line its western border. The Vietnam maps above are insufficient to capture the myriad attractions in each region of Vietnam. Practical experience is the best way to grasp them.

To facilitate your journey and customize each itinerary to your preferences, we would be delighted to assist you in creating a tailor-made trip. Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation!

>>> For your infomation, check these out: 

• When to go to Vietnam? Your ultimate weather guide for the perfect trip
• The best way to get to Vietnam
• Vietnam Visa: Latest Procedures and News
• Discover the Top Vietnamese Dishes to Try in Each Region!

Quiz: What do you know about Vietnam?

The emblematic dish of Hoi An is 'Cao lầu.' It is a noodle specialty prepared with unique ingredients: thick and tender noodles, slices of marinated pork, fresh herbs, and a special sauce. What makes this dish unique is its connection to ancient well water in Hoi An, which is known for imparting the noodles with their special texture and distinct flavor.

The largest city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City, located in the south of the country. It is an important economic center offering numerous commercial and cultural activities. The most dynamic and modern in the country, it is renowned for its vibrant nightlife.

The Vietnamese New Year is called "Tet" (Tết). It is the biggest festival celebrated in Vietnam to mark the start of the year according to the lunar calendar. It is an important time when families come together and exchange well wishes.

Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia. It is a country located in this region of Asia, surrounded by countries like China, Laos, and Cambodia. Its borders extend along the South China Sea.

Vietnam is famous for the dish called Pho. It is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, usually made with beef or chicken broth, rice noodles, and various toppings like fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and sliced ​​meat. It is a popular and iconic dish of Vietnamese cuisine, known for its savory flavors and freshness.

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Are you seeking a profound exploration of our nation? Opt for the 21-day "Many Faces of Vietnam Tour." This extensive cross-country journey spans three weeks, encompassing all the prominent destinations across Vietnam. Your adventure will include a memorable junk cruise...

A Journey Through Vietnam's Highlights in 14 Days

This 2-week tour offers an overview of the three regions of the country in the shape of an 'S.' To the north, you will visit Hanoi, the thousand-year-old capital, and the maritime and land of Halong Bay. You will also make an excursion to the splendid mountains of Sapa. In the center, you will explore the ancient imperial city of Hue and the old town of Hoi An before concluding your trip in the south by visiting Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Here are our program suggestions for a 14-day tour in Vietnam.

Vietnam in 12 Days: From the North to the South

Our 12-day North-to-South itinerary is tailor-made for those who are in favor of initiating their journey in the capital, Hanoi, and departing from Ho Chi Minh City. It provides travelers with an immersive exploration of the S-shaped country, discovering its vital cultural and natural riches.

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• Maps of Vietnam

Our tourist maps

Discover Vietnam like you’ve never seen it before! Here are 4 printable tourist maps. Vietnam has breathtaking landscapes, many varied activities and a very rich culture. However, some sights stand out as a definite must-see such as, Hanoi the capital city, the super Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta. Discover our maps to prepare the best possible trip to Vietnam. Discover our maps to plan your trip in the best possible way.

Discover Vietnam! In spite of its difficult history, this Southeast Asian country remains a welcoming and pleasant country. It has a unique history, culture and heritage. Admire the green mountains of the North of the country, contemplate the superb temples in the centre and sail between the green rice fields of the Mekong Delta. Overall, a trip to Vietnam is the guarantee of bringing back exceptional memories and amazing photos.

Overview of 6 tourist regions

Central vietnam.

The historical sites, the traditional gastronomy (especially in Hue) and the rich culture make this region an essential stopover.

From Truong Song to the Eastern sea

Discover miles of coastline and beautiful unspoilt beaches. The most popular seaside resorts are Nha Trang and Mui Ne.

Ha Long Bay

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ha Long Bay is a major attraction. A cruise through the islets offers a magnificent view of the different landscapes.

Ho Chi Minh City and its surroundings

Also called Saigon, this metropolis has both an immense cultural and commercial value but it's also very Intense and dynamic, it is one of the top destinations in Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta

Discover an aquatic landscape: boats, rivers, floating markets and rice fields. This region offers unique and authentic hikes.

The Northern region

This region has many fertile valleys and spectacular mountains. Therefore, ideal for travellers looking for adventure.

Attractions maps

Vietnam has a great variety of touristic sites to be discovered. There is so much to see! However, a few places stand out and are totally worth a visit. For instance, the Ha Long Bay and its thousands of islets and the city of Sapa and its green rice fields. The centre of the country offers many breathtaking parks and landscapes, such as Trang An or the monuments in the city of Hue, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In south Vietnam are the legendary city of Ho Chi Minh, the famous Mekong Delta and so many other incredible places to see.

Routes and distances maps

To enter Vietnam, a valid passport and a tourist visa are required. Once you have arrived, you can travel from one city to another by bus, train or plane. Depending on your itinerary, taking the plane can save you precious time, Vietnam is a large country and travelling times can be quite long. Renting a car or a motorcycle is very easy and cheap, and always includes a driver.

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A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is unforgettably compelling.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Vietnam. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

War Remnants Museum

Ho Chi Minh City

To understand the US invasion of Vietnam, and contextualize its devastating impact on the country's civilians, this remarkable and deeply moving museum is…

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

North-Central Vietnam

Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2003, the remarkable Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park contains the oldest karst mountains in Asia, formed…

Hang Son Doong

Hang Son Doong (Mountain River Cave), located in the heart of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, is known as the world's largest cave, and is one of the…

Tu Lan Cave

The Tu Lan cave system comprises of more than 20 wet and dry caves, which are thought to be between three and five million years old. Huge caverns,…

Cat Ba Island

Lying to the south of Halong Bay off the north-eastern coast of Vietnam, the 300-or-so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as…

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Ban Gioc is one of Vietnam’s best-known waterfalls, and its image adorns the lobby of many a cheap guesthouse. The falls, fed by the Quay Son River that…

Paradise Cave

Surrounded by forested karst peaks, this staggering cave system in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park extends for 31km, though most people only visit the…

Phu Quoc Island

With picture-perfect white sand, the delightful curve of beautiful Sao Beach bends out alongside a sea of mineral-water clarity just a few kilometres from…

Top picks from our travel experts

The 15 best things you can do in vietnam in 2024.

Vinh Moc Tunnels

Demilitarised Zone

A highly impressive complex of tunnels, Vinh Moc is the remains of a coastal North Vietnamese village that literally went underground in response to…

Cao Dai Holy See

Home to the Cao Dai Great Temple (Thanh That Cao Dai), the Cao Dai Holy See, founded in 1926, is 4km east of Tay Ninh in the village of Long Hoa. As well…

HCMC Museum

A grand neoclassical structure built in 1885 and once known as Gia Long Palace (and later the Revolutionary Museum), HCMC’s city museum is a singularly…

Tomb of Gia Long

Emperor Gia Long founded the Nguyen dynasty in 1802 and ruled until 1819. Both the emperor and his queen are buried here. Badly damaged during the…

Located 15km northeast of Tay Ninh, Nui Ba Den rises 850m above the rice paddies, corn, cassava (manioc) and rubber plantations of the surrounding…

Thien Mu Pagoda

Built on a small hill overlooking the Song Huong (Perfume River), 4km southwest of the Citadel, this seven-storey pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and as…

Tomb of Khai Dinh

This hillside monument is a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. Most of the tomb’s grandiose exterior is covered in darkened, weathered…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Vietnam is a dream destination for travelers but what to do when you finally get there? Here are 15 can't-miss experiences in 2024.

Things to Know

Vietnam serves up a lavish buffet of Asian sights, sounds, scents and flavors, but there are things to know before you come. Try these tips.

Transportation

Whether it's bus, train, private car, motorcycle, bike, plane or boat, you can plan your trip around Vietnam with this guide to getting around.

Visa Requirements

The process for obtaining a visa for Vietnam can be confusing, but for a short trip, you may not need a visa at all. Here’s what you need to know.

Money and Costs

One of the many great things about Vietnam is how much you spend is within your control – just choose wisely. Here's how to visit Vietnam on a budget.

Traveling with Kids

From family beach days to hiking in the highlands, here are the best activities for kids in Vietnam, along with some top planning tips.

Best Road Trips

Vietnam was made for exploring by road. From the mountains to the Delta, here are our top road trip routes.

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Travel and tourist maps of Vietnam

Maps of Vietnam Vietnam is a nation in Southeast Asia. The size territories is about equal to California States. Population of  almost 100 million ( 54 tribes).  Statistics of 2021 . This country is long and narrow with 3260km (about 2,030 miles) of coastline. When you travel to Vietnam, it depends on your own interest, you could see the travel map of Vietnam in different lens. We provide here some brief information so you could draw your own Vietnam travel map, We hope it will be useful when you plan your own Vietnam trip . REGIONS: The country has 3 major parts:

Lung Cu Flag tower – the far north point of Vietnam

North Vietnam (Mien Bac). It start from Northern point in Lung Cu (Lang Son provice) and stretch out to 17 th parallel.

17th parallel. Hien Luong Bridge cross Ben Hai river

Central of Vietnam (Mien Trung) is the narrowest part of the country, some part is only 50km wide ( from Laos border to the sea). It includes 19 provinces of middle of the country. It covers area of more than 150 thousand square km. with more than 27 million population

Ca Mau- Farest point in the South of Vietnam

South Vietnam (Mien Nam) Includes 17 provinces in the South of the countries with 2 major Cities are HCM City & Can Tho. The farest point in the South is Ca Mau point.

CITIES: I will list here the most popular destinations for traveler in each part of the country: It has links with packages cover these city.

HISTORY Vietnam has history of more than 4 thousand years. Hanoi was found over 100 years ago while Sai Gon (Present-day Ho Chi Minh City) was established more than 300 years ago. When you travel from North to the South, you will travel along with the history of Vietnam.

CLIMATE Vietnam is a long country, the distance of Hanoi and Saigon is more than 2 thousand km. North of Vietnam has 4 typical seasons( Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) . However, in the Central both extremes are amplified, with occasional snow in the winter and temperatures hitting 40°C (104°F) in the summer.

South Vietnam has 2 main seasons (Dry and Wet). Some traveler would like to start their Vietnam holiday in the North then end their trip in the South at some sunny beach resort before going home.

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This Vietnam map page with interactive links to hundreds of attractions and places to discover in Vietnam, also use to find a gite. Please click on each city of Vietnam blow for the map and tourist information.

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• Places to go

Each Vietnamese city exudes its own distinct character. Get a feel for Vietnam’s fascinating urban centres in these interactive tours.

heritage sites

Curious what awaits you in Vietnam? Take a 360-degree tour of some of the country’s most compelling natural wonders and cultural attractions right here.

One of Vietnam’s strongest draws is the diversity of its natural beauty and landscapes. 

The capital of Hanoi is your gateway to the treasures of the north: spectacular mountains, valleys and bays studded with limestone karsts. Smack in the centre, up-and-coming Danang is one of Vietnam’s most progressive cities. From here you have easy access to photogenic riverside towns, national parks and long, sandy beaches. The southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City will entice you with its cool culture and captivating streets (just watch out for those motorcycles.) Nearby, the Mekong Delta runs to the sea, passing on-the-water villages and mangrove forests along the way. And all down Vietnam's S-shaped coast, you’ll find islands big and small, just waiting to be explored.

Click on a city or region to find out more.

Northern Vietnam

The north of Vietnam makes a statement with majestic mountain ranges, centuries-old rice terraces, and fascinating ethnic groups. Read more

Top Destinations

Central vietnam.

Central Vietnam is known for its well-preserved historical sites, smiling locals, and soothing natural beauty. Read more

Southern Vietnam

From island escapes to non-stop action, southern Vietnam offers both vibrant urban energy and mellow countryside. Read more

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Get an insider look at Vietnam’s best destinations. Let these local Vietnamese show you around their hometowns with personal stories, top tips, and must-do experiences.

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Places To Visit in Vietnam

Here are the top 47 tourist places in vietnam.

1 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 83 Tourist attractions

Perched on the banks of the Red River in Northern Vietnam, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Boasting well-preserved colonial buildings, golden pagodas, unique museums, mouthwatering cuisine, entertainment destinations, and traditional bazaars, Hanoi is a melting...

Best Time: October to April

2. Ho Chi Minh City

2 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 84 Tourist attractions

Popularly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam is the largest city and the financial and cultural capital of the country. Ho Chi Minh City is a fast-paced city deeply rooted in its cultural roots whilst quickly having adapted to the demands of urbanisation. Here you will find o...

Best Time: November to April

3. Halong Bay

3 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 51 Tourist attractions

Characterised by towering karst limestone pillars and small islets of various shapes and sizes amidst crystal blue waters, Halong Bay's ethereal beauty is a sight to behold. Located in northern Vietnam, it is the most popular tourist spot this side of the country. Halong Bay, where 'Halong' translat...

Best Time: April to September

4 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 37 Tourist attractions

One of the oldest cities in Asia, Hoi An is a town in central Vietnam which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Located south of Danang, Hoi An translates to 'a peaceful meeting place'. It is culturally and historically one of Vietnam's most important towns and also one of the r...

Best Time: February to July

Vietnam Travel Packages

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Vietnam Package Tour 7 Days: With Excursion to Mekong Delta

Best of vietnam holiday package including halong bay cruise.

Explore Vietnam Holiday Trip with Halong Bay Cruise

Experience the Best of Vietnam - 11 Nights 12 Days

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Luxury Vietnam Honeymoon: 7 Nights Blissful Package Deal

5 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 48 Tourist attractions

Da Nang sits prettily on the east coast of Vietnam, right between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Popularly known as the tourist capital of South-Central Vietnam, Da Nang is truly stunning - filled with beaches, museums, evolving nightlife and world-class infrastructure. On the South China Sea coast, wi...

Best Time: February to May

6. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

6 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

Phong Nha ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its many cave systems, old karst mountains, thick green forests and scintillating underground rivers. There are many spectacular caves in the region, including the most extensive cave network on earth. Spread across 10,000 hec...

Best Time: February to August

7. Nha Trang

7 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 41 Tourist attractions

Home to some of the most beautiful bays in the world, Nha Trang on the coast of Southern Central Vietnam, is a popular beach resort city. While the fine powdery white crescent beach is a highlight of the shoreline, regular makeovers have produced parks, sculpture gardens, bright promenades and beach...

Best Time: February to April

8 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 34 Tourist attractions

Hue, the former royal capital of the Nguyen empire in central Vietnam, is one of the oldest cities in the country. Set on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is a primarily a historical city which famously houses the Imperial City (declared a World Heritage Site in 1993) within the Citadel, which ac...

Best Time: January to April

9 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 28 Tourist attractions

Situated atop the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, Sapa is a colonial-era town in northwest Vietnam overlooking the terraced rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley. At an elevation of 1,500 metres, this small market town shares its border with China and offers some of Vietnam's best trekking. Arguably offering th...

Best Time: March to May

10. Phu Quoc

10 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 28 Tourist attractions

Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam, boasting the most beautiful white sand beaches, surrounded by palm and coconut trees. It's the largest island in Vietnam and is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical landscapes. Located just 45 kilometers from...

Best Time: November to March

11. Mekong Delta

11 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

The Mekong Delta in south-east Vietnam is one of the world’s greatest river regions. The Mekong River is the twelfth longest river in the world and the seventh longest river in Asia. The delta is a hive of activity and serves as an important transport and agricultural hub. Known as the ‘rice bowl of...

Best Time: November to May

12. Ninh Binh

12 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 9 Tourist attractions

Rich in natural landscapes and a myriad of historical destinations, the city of Ninh Binh and its surrounding regions is a nature lover's dream destination. Capital of its namesake province, it is one of the oldest regions of Vietnam and is regarded as the sister destination of Halong Bay....

Best Time: Throughout the year

13 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 29 Tourist attractions

Da Lat is a refreshing hill station located in the southwestern highlands of Vietnam and is about 6 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City. It is the capital of Lam Dong Province, known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' for its distinctive temperate climate. A far cry from the tropical heat of the...

Best Time: December to March

14. Ba Be National Park

14 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 5 Tourist attractions

Located at a distance of 240 kilometres from the city of Hanoi, Ba Be National Park is a stunning national reserve blessed with rolling hills, tall limestone karsts and over 550 plant varieties. It is also populated by 353 types of butterflies, 65 types of mammals and the rare Vietnamese Salamander.

15 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 14 Tourist attractions

The picturesque beach resort town of Mui Ne is located at a four-hour train ride away from the city of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). Once a sleepy fishing beach village, the town is now dotted with swanky beach resorts, posh cafes and restaurants, attracting a large number of seaside-loving tourists and loc...

16. Bai Tu Long Bay

16 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

Bai Tu Long Bay in Northeastern Vietnam is an extension of Ha Long Bay - A UNESCO World Heritage site -  located at a mere 30 km from it. However, this small distance creates a vast difference in the experience that you can have here! The same limestone karsts, teal blue waters and languid crui...

17. Bach Ma National Park

17 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Bach Ma National park is a verdant paradise, located about an hour-and-a-half drive away from the city of Hue. Home to a varied range of flora and fauna with about 358 bird species, it is also proclaimed to be one of the wettest areas in Vietnam. One of the most popular spots on the touris...

Best Time: June-August

18. Con Dao Islands

18 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 6 Tourist attractions

A picturesque archipelago of 16 Islands, Con Dao lies off the southern coast of Vietnam. Out of the 16, Con Son is the largest and the only inhabited island. However, even the uninhabited islands are rich with stunning beaches. Emerging out of its past as prison islands for prisoners of war, the de...

Best Time: November to February

19. Vung Tau

19 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 13 Tourist attractions

Vung Tau translates into 'The bay of boats'. Sitting on a hilly strip of land that juts into the Ocean, Vung tau is one of the best beach towns located around 100 Km from Ho Chi Minh City. It primarily serves as a weekend getaway from Saigon and other cities in the nearby region. The two main beache...

20. Dong Hoi

20 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

A pleasant seaside city, with easy access to the Phong Nha Ke Bang caves, Dong Hoi is a rapidly rising tourist destination. Apart from its proximity to the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Dong Hoi has its own tourist attractions, authentic cuisine and unique history that beckon people to explore an...

21. Dien Bien Phu

21 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 6 Tourist attractions

Formerly known as Thaeng, Dien Bien Phu is the capital of Dien Bien Province in the northwestern region of Vietnam. It is among the most historically eminent cities in Vietnam. It is here that the French were finally defeated in the year 1954 by the Viet Minh Communist Revolutionaries.Initially, jus...

Best Time: April to June, September to November

22 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

Son La is a picturesque Vietnamese town hidden amidst towering mountains. The town has a dark past as it played house to one of the most brutal prisons in the world. Today, all that remains is the ruins and a tiny town with ghosts of its past deceptively hidden behind its natural rivers, trees and f...

23. Cat Tien National Park

23 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Cat Tien National Park is located in the Southern region of Vietnam, approximately 155 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City. This forest reserve covers around 720 sq.km. of the few surviving tropical low-lying woodlands of Vietnam. The national park is home to exquisite flora and fauna such as the ...

Best Time: December to May

24 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 3 Tourist attractions

Bac Ha is a village located in the Northwest of Vietnam and is a sleepy little town, the economy of which is centred around its Saturday and Sunday markets. The exchange, the colours, the local wares and an ever-bustling affair, these markets are usually visited on a day trip from the neighbouring S...

Best Time: December to April

25. Phan Thiet

25 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 2 Tourist attractions

Playing house to an amalgamation of heated sand dunes, lush mountains filled with greenery, golden beaches with blue water and gurgling streams, Phan Thiet is the perfect escape into the beauty of Mother Nature.

Best Time: September to December

26. Lai Chau

26 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 6 Tourist attractions

Nestled in the midst of sloping mountains and plateaus, Lai Chau is a quaint town with monumental government buildings. This town offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the mystic scenery of the Vietnamese countryside. In addition to that, you can learn about the locals, go trekking, backp...

27. Hoa Binh

27 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 5 Tourist attractions

Hoa Binh is the Capital City of the Hoa Binh province of Vietnam. Located but a short distance from Hanoi, this hidden gem offers spectacular natural beauty, coupled with a rich culture. The natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture have made Hoa Binh a tourist attraction.

Best Time: October to January

28. Lao Cai

28 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 7 Tourist attractions

Nestled in the midst of mountains and valleys, Lao Cai, an obscure yet well developed Vietnamese region offers you something out of the ordinary - rich Vietnamese culture sans the sultry tropical heat. Lao Cai offers you a picturesque scenery, adventure and a peek into the rich culture and history o...

Best Time: September to October

29. Haiphong

29 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 19 Tourist attractions

Haiphong is Vietnam's third largest city and a major port. Haiphong is an industrial city and you can feel it in the air as soon as you enter. However, Haiphong also offers you with hidden relaxation, tucked and hidden away in the industrial town. It has a number of beaches and markets in addition t...

30 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 3 Tourist attractions

Ca Mau is Vietnam's southernmost town and the only city in the Ca Mau province. Braced against the Bac Lieu Canal, Ca Mau is a town that is still trying to decide its identity. While on one hand, it is a trade hub and a bustling metro, on the other, it is a quiet town with a bird sanctuary!The silky...

Best Time: June to October

31. Mong Cai

31 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 6 Tourist attractions

Nestling on the very edge of Vietnam, Mong Cai is a small town located on the Vietnam-China border. It is filled with picturesque untouched beaches and a rich history of the Vietnam - China conflict. The town has booming trade owing to its proximity to the border. Mong Cai is also full of untou...

Best Time: April to July

32. Vinh Long

32 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

Vinh Long has a vibe - a relaxed one. As soon as you step foot in this nondescript town in the Mekong Delta, you will physically feel your worries melt away as though you are stuck in a time lapse. The beautiful scenery coupled with the friendly locals, thatched huts, narrow lanes and fruit-laden or...

Best Time: January to March

33. Tuy Hoa

33 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 7 Tourist attractions

Flanked by the highway, the ocean and the Da Rang River, Tuy Hoa is a sleepy and nondescript city that does not see many tourists. This quiet Vietnamese city is the perfect place to relax, catch some waves or intent with friendly locals who are more than welcoming of tourists. The miles and miles of...

34. Mai Chau

34 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam 4 Tourist attractions

The perfect location to cut yourself off from the world, Mai Chau is a quaint sleepy town that is not very well known and subsequently does not have as many tourists. If you want to drop off from the earth and land in a richly cultural land, in the midst of nature, then Mai Chau is the place for you...

35 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

A hidden gem in the Mekong Delta, the small sleepy town of Sa Dec belongs to the Dong Thap Province. The town has a sense of calmness in the air and does not draw too many tourists. Although a bit of a silent town, it can keep a tourist busy with places such as the old busy market by the river, old ...

Best Time: July to October

36. Quy Nhon

36 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Quy Nhon is characterised by diverse topography ranging from hills, mountains, peninsulas, lakes, beaches and much more. This small corner of Vietnam is an undiscovered gem for most tourists eliminating your worries about crowded and noisy beaches. 

37. Bien Hoa

37 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Bien Hoa is a busy town on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam. Close to the cultural heart of Vietnam, Bien Hoa is connected to it by Vietnamese Highway 1. At present, it fosters eco-tourism through its national parks and reserves. It is a huge industrial area that is expanding expon...

38. Cao Lanh

38 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

The refreshing town of Cao Lanh is the capital city of Dong Thap Province of Vietnam located on the southeastern coast of the country along the Mekong Delta. The newly flourishing city has a pretty good trade scene, especially in rice. The city does not give off a touristy vibe for the simple reason...

Best Time: October to December

39. Hai Van Pass

39 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Hai Van Pass, between Da Nang and Hue, is said to be one of the most scenic and beautiful roads in the world. The road is flanked by the South China Sea on one side and the Annamite mountain ranges on the other. The pass stretches for 19 km and serves as a link between the north and south of Vietnam...

40 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Also known as the war city, Pleiku is the capital of Gia Lai province in Vietnam. The city has become the hub for tourists in Vietnam. This central highland offers a range of places to see, visit and eat. Famous for its cuisine and military campaign in 1965, Pleiku should especially be visited durin...

41. Tay Ninh

41 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Tay Ninh, the capital city of Tay Ninh province, is the site for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels built during the Vietnam War for military siege. It shares its borders with Cambodia and is only 90 kms from the largest city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. The city’s crucial location gives it an economic advantage...

42. Kon Tum

42 out of 47 Places to visit in Vietnam

Due to the lack of a mainstream touristy vibe, the destination offers a calm off-centre experience to travelers and dwells them into the authentic Vietnamese culture. The city holds significance in the Vietnam War history and has many war sites open for visits by tourists and the locals. The surroun...

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Top hanoi attractions.

• The Three Lakes (Hoan Kiem, West Lake, and Truc Bach)
• Temple of Literature
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Hanoi 36 Streets (Hanoi Old Quarter)
• Hanoi Cathedral
• Hoa Lo Prison
• Dong Xuan Market
• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
• Hanoi Opera House
• Long Bien Bridge
• Thang Long Water Puppet Theater
• Quang Ba Flower Market
• One Pillar Pagoda
• Bat Trang Ceramic Village
• Hanoi Train Street

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TOP HANOI FOOD

• Ngan Chay Toi
• Ca Phe Trung

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12 must-visit attractions in Hanoi

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