Top 15 Must-Visit Places in Vietnam

Vietnam has emerged as one of the most exciting tourist destinations of South East Asia in recent times. After continuous conflicts and war situations in the country, the government of Vietnam initiated a series of economic and political reforms. This marked the beginning of Vietnam’s journey towards integration into the world economy. Since 2000, the economic growth rate of Vietnam has been among the highest in the world. Gradually, this beautiful country has evolved and now become a hotspot for beach lovers, food enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Before we delve deep into the pristine beauty and cultural complexities of Vietnam, I have a major announcement to make.

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So, here’s my list of top 15 places to visit in Vietnam, powered by Vietnam Visa Online :

1. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, presents a spectacular seascape of some 1600 islands and islets with limestone pillars towering over the emerald waters. This was first recorded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, because of its exceptional biodiversity and aesthetic beauty. It has been recognised for its remarkable geomorphic features, which form a billion-year-living proof of Earth’s formation.

Many travellers are not aware that Ha Long Bay actually has an immense value to the world because of its rare concentration of biodiversity, culture and history. Hence, this is undoubtedly a magical tourist destination, often termed as the ‘beating heart of Vietnam’.

2. Mekong Delta

Most popularly termed as the ‘Rice Bowl of Vietnam’, Mekong Delta offers a lush-green landscape which is extremely soothing to the eyes. Here, the bustling commerce of its towns is in sharp contrast with the relaxed pace of life in the countryside.

The rice paddy fields, fruit-laden boats floating slowly on the mud-brown waters, the narrow lanes with rural hospitality and the beautiful mangrove forests summarise the beauty of the Mekong Delta. Moreover, the off-coast islands offer white sand beaches and tropical getaways for travel lovers across the world.

You can read more about Mekong Delta here.

3. Hoi An

The old town of Hoi An in Vietnam has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, as a well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries. This beautiful city of Vietnam, boasts of buildings with splendid architecture that displays a unique blend of local and foreign influence.

Owing to its ancient and peaceful charm, Hoi An has emerged as one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam that caters to travellers of all tastes across the world.

4. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The caves and underground rivers of this region form its major highlight. This National Park is known to have the oldest karst mountains in Asia, which were formed approximately 400 million years ago.

If you are keen on exploring the extraordinary scale of cave systems, forest-trekking opportunities, rural mountain biking and the area’s war history, you need to plan for a stay of around 3 or more days.

5. Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country’s second largest populous city. Located on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world.

This beautiful city is popularly known for its ancient architecture and rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. You can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city centre. This French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community.

6. Hue

Being the capital of the Nguyen dynasty, Hue (pronounced as ‘Hway’) stilll resonates with the historic glories of Imperial Vietnam. The charm of this beautiful city is also due to its location on the Perfume River. The landscape is undoubtedly picturesque on any day.

This city is most popularly known for its historical values and has been recognised as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, the city is a blend of both old times and new-age inventions, with sleek modern hotels towering over crumbling 19th-century Citadel walls. If you are a history buff, and love discovering exotic cultures, Hue (former Royal Capital of Vietnam) should definitely be a must-visit for you in Vietnam.

7. Sapa Countryside

Sapa Countryside is considered as northern Vietnam’s premier trekking base and is known for both its splendid scenery and cultural diversity. Sapa is an extremely picturesque town, that lies in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range near the Chinese border in northwestern Vietnam, known as “the Tonkinese Alps”.

Sapa and its surrounding region is inhabited by many hill tribes. The most popular attractions of this beautiful countryside are the rice terraces, lush green vegetation, and “Fansipan” – the highest peak in Vietnam.

8. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, widely known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam by population. This city was once called as the Diamond of the Far-East, since it looked even more luxurious than the likes of Hong Kong or Bangkok. Modern office skyscrapers, Oriental style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban ambience in a very unique sense.

Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is the reconciliation between American and Chinese influence, with many dots of modernity yet without losing Vietnamese traits and as much historical as it is modern.

9. Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a uniquely cosmopolitan city in Vietnam. The beautiful beachside promenade on Tran Phu Street is filled with towering skyscrapers, trendy restaurants and chic boutiques. Needless to mention, the vibrant nightlife picks up at sundown.

The options to wine and dine are endless, along with the additional luxury of white sand beaches nearby. This city is a perfect place to visit for travellers who are both cosmopolitan as well as nature-driven.

10. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi tunnels refer to a complicated network of connecting underground tunnels, located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. These are widely known as the location of the military campaigns during the Vietnam War and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Here, visitors are often invited to crawl into the safer parts of the tunnels, to get an idea about the war situation. This place is a must-visit in Vietnam, if you are a history buff.

11. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a very small province in northern Vietnam and is the perfect destination for offbeat travel lovers. This is mostly characterised by numerous limestone cliffs across the rice fields and is therefore nicknamed as the “Halong Bay in Land”.

This place is mostly not mentioned in travel itineraries. But, if you want to touch base with the most rural and authentic side of Vietnam, Ninh Binh is a must-visit.

12. Da Lat

This hill town of Da Lat has been the most popular getaway in Vietnam, since French colonial times. Located on a plateau of about 1,500 metres above sea level, this retreat town offers a good a refreshingly cool climate. This is remarkable because the other cities in Vietnam can be very hot and humid, especially during summer.

Da Lat is well-known for its beautiful landscape, evergreen forests and minority villages along with a wide variety of flowers, vegetables and fruit from its surrounding farmlands as well as countless nature sites.

13. Mui Ne

Mui Ne is a beautiful place, situated almost 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. This traditional fishing village is fast becoming a popular leisure destination. Even though resort developments are cropping up along the coastline, the lives of the fishing communities remain unchanged so far.

Mui Ne’s beach is quiet and serene, great for walks, jogging and spectacular sunsets.

14. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam is a major attraction for beach lovers across the world. The tropical waters and white sands make this island a pristine place to soak up the sun as well as Vietnamese culture.

A wide variety of water sports are popular here like scuba diving, snorkelling, jet-skiing, squid fishing and wind sailing.The early morning Duong Dong Market is also a must-visit for an authentic local experience.

15. My Son

My Son is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a Hindu sanctuary and a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization located in the southern part of Vietnam.

The Hindu-themed ruins are quite impressive and feature beautiful stone sculptures, temples and towers in tropical jungle surroundings. 

I hope all my readers find this list handy, on their next trip to this beautiful Asian country – Vietnam.

Before I wrap up this post, I must mention that finalising this list could not have been possible without the assistance of a dear friend, Rohan Naik. He is a road-tripper and a childhood friend.