Vietnam is a gorgeous country famous for delicious street food, striking mountain peaks and a vibrant culture! While this list only scratches the surface, here are some of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
What’s great about travel in Vietnam is that there’s truly something for everyone! Beach goers can soak up the sunshine on any one of the country’s fabulous sandy beaches like Phú Quốc and Mui Ne. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can climb impressive peaks in the north.
History buffs have plenty of traditional, Buddhist, and war related landmarks to visit. And foodies can eat their hearts out in a country often ranked as having one of the best cuisines in the world! For all these reasons and more, Vietnam had long been on my bucket list! So when I nabbed an exciting job teaching English in Vietnam for a summer, I made it my mission see the best of the country.
If you’re at the beginning of your Vietnam itinerary planning, here are the some exciting places to visit in Vietnam that’ll guarantee an adventure of a lifetime!
↠ Read More: 26 Vietnam Travel Tips
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
The absolute best time to visit Vietnam is between December to February, however you can’t go wrong visiting any time of year. The winter months are often declared the best because they see more pleasant temperatures and less rain than Vietnam’s two monsoon seasons that usually occur between May to September in the south and October to April in the north.
I was living/traveling Vietnam in June and July, and had a wonderful time. It was quite hot and humid, but it was manageable. The rain wasn’t too bad either. I’ve found that rainy seasons in tropical places usually mean a little bit of rain every day, and sunshine in between, with maybe one unlucky streak of straight rain that is entirely unpredictable. Moral of the story, don’t let a chance for rain spoil your fun!
How long do you need to travel Vietnam?
Most travelers spend anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks backpacking Vietnam. The country is pretty long, covering an impressive distance of roughly 2,800 miles / 4,600 km from north to south. That means traveling to enjoy the best destinations in Vietnam can take a good chunk of time!
If you only have one week in Vietnam, many opt to fly into Hanoi and spend their time visiting popular places like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and SaPa.
How to Get Around Vietnam
There are many convenient options when it comes to traveling around the country. Vietnam has three major International airports in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh, found in the north, center, and south of the country respectively. Internal flights are the most convenient way to travel between far destinations, and there are three Vietnam-based airlines (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines) making it affordable to fly.
It’s also possible to take sleeper trains and buses, to pay for a ride in private van long-distance taxis, or even hire a motorcycle ride to travel between popular Vietnam destinations. Especially for the overnight trains and buses, you should always try to book your tickets in advance, and it’s best to purchase them at a local travel agency or directly at the station.
For the adventurous, consider renting a scooter and riding it between your destinations! This is by far one of the most bucket-list worthy experiences to have in Vietnam. Just be careful and make sure you have travel insurance that covers scooter accidents.
When you’re traveling within a city, the best way to get around is actually not by city bus, but instead by Grab taxi which operates both scooter taxis and car taxis. I recommend downloading the Grab App before you arrive in Vietnam.
↠ Read More: One Day in Hanoi Itinerary
17 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam
1. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a beautiful Vietnamese island off of the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is home to white sand beaches and makes for a great relaxation destination. It’s a small little island, so it’s ultimately best for some r&r rather than adventure.
Because it’s an island and one of the southern most places in Vietnam, the best way to get to Phu Quoc is flying from Ho Chi Minh. Flights are quick, fairly frequent, and affordable. It’s also possible to take a speed boat to the island from Ha Tien or Rach Gia, two coastal towns that can be reached via bus from Ho Chi Minh.
2. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is one of the most notable regions in Vietnam and is an important source of rice for the entire country. Visitors come to enjoy a cruise along the riverways while visiting the local islands along the way. It’s home to a diverse number of plants and animals and locals have adapted their lives to the water that surrounds them. Most tourists opt to enjoy the Mekong Delta as a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City, but it’s also possible to stay nearby.
3. Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s most populous city in the south, Ho Chi Minh is bursting with tradition and modernity and continues to carry the influences of French colonization and the Vietnam War. Often left off of visitor’s Vietnam itinerary, it’s my personal opinion that you shouldn’t underestimate the charm of the city and all of the wonderful things to do in Ho Chi Minh.
If you’re torn trying to decide where to start your adventure between Saigon vs Hanoi, I feel you – I had the same issue. While both offer a great experience, I felt that Hanoi was a bit more touristy whereas Ho Chi Minh had more of an expat scene.
4. Mui Ne
A small coastal city about a four hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is best known for its beaches, white and red sand dunes, and fresh seafood. It’s a popping place for expats living and teaching in HCMC who often visit on the weekends and there are no shortage of party spots to dance the night away.
The best way to get to Mui Ne is via bus. From Ho Chi Minh, the bus ride is about 5-6 hours and usually doesn’t cost more than $10. If you’re traveling with a large enough group, you can also hire a private van, which is what we did!
5. Da Lat
A hilly idyllic city in the middle of the country, Da Lat is often called ‘Le Petit Paris’. As with most of the country, the French inspired architecture brings a certain charm to the city. The area also boasts numerous impressive waterfalls for my nature lovers looking to get to chasing during their visit to Vietnam.
The quickest way to get to DaLat is by flying, with flights leaving from both Hanoi (2 hours) and Ho Chi Minh (1 hour). It’s most likely possible to take a bus or train from where ever your previous stop is, but it can take some time.
6. Hoi An
One of the most picturesque little cities in the country, Hoi An is often a Vietnam favorite. The best things to do in Hoi An include exploring the old city and its cultural gems, hiring a local tailor for affordable custom made clothing, and going for a cruise in a traditional coconut boat. This little city lights up at night with hundreds of lanterns and creates a truly magical experience. You don’t want to miss Hoi An’s highlights.
7. Da Nang
While I wouldn’t say that Da Nang is the most impressive of the places to visit in Vietnam, it is the nearest city to the famous Golden Hands Bridge. So if the bridge is high on your priority list, 24 hours in Da Nang is a good amount of time to see the surrounding area. Other noteworthy things to do in the city include checking out the golden dragon bridge, hiking to the top of Table Mountain, and visiting the Lady Buddha statue.
8. Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful scenic drives in Vietnam. Find yourself a scooter and drive from Hoi An to Hue and enjoy the mountain roads and stunning views.
If you’re not comfortable driving your own scooter, there are many easy rider tours that offer to pick up tourists and take them for a ride along the pass. We went with Hue Easy Riders and weren’t disappointment with our experience!
9. Hue
Hue was once the national capital from 1802-1945 and the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. The best things to do in Hue include a visit to the Imperial City, paying respects to the tombs of past emperors, and visiting the Instagram famous abandoned waterpark. Another small city that doesn’t require much more than a day to see, Hue is a great place to see in Vietnam.
If you’re not arriving to Hue via a hired motorcycle road trip, then you can find buses, trains, and private mini vans that depart many times through the day between Hue and other major Vietnam destinations.
10. Phong Nha Caves + Ma Da Valley
Lovely Phong Nha National Park is one of the best Vietnam national parks and is a perfect place for nature lovers. At Phong Nha, you’ll explore a vast network of caves set against a landscape of flowing rivers and striking karsts (limestone cliffs).
Only accessible outside of the rainy season (October – December), Phong Nga is one place in Vietnam I regret not making time for. It looks so insanely beautiful and people rave about the Elephant Cave trek by Jungle Boss.
11. Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh was hands down my favorite place in Vietnam. We stayed outside of the city in Trang An (which I highly recommend), and were surrounded by stunning views of the mountains and lotus fields. Renting a scooter or a bike is a must, and the top attractions include taking the Trang An river tour (amazing!), hiking to the top of Mua Caves (stunning!), and visiting the popular Bich Dong Temple (fantastic!).
12. Ha Long Bay
When you picture Vietnam, you most likely see dreamy images of Ha Long Bay floating around in your head. It’s one of Vietnam’s best UNESCO landmarks and is always at the top of everyone’s things to do in Vietnam bucket list. When planning your trip to Ha Long Bay, a day trip from Hanoi for a sunset or sunrise cruise is the most popular tour because there isn’t much to see in the actual city.
For the best experience, be sure to book a quality cruise – you get what you pay for in Vietnam and there are so many companies to choose from – and try to plan your trip during clear weather for the best views. You’ll also want to ensure you pick the best time to visit Ha Long Bay, often regarded as springtime.
13. Lan Ha Bay + Cat Ba
More and more people are choosing to visit Lan Ha Bay and the island of Cat Ba over Ha Long Bay. Located next to Ha Long, Lan Ha tends to be less busy with fewer cruise ships, it’s reportedly cleaner (Ha Long Bay is sadly very polluted), and the views are supposedly just as good. So if escaping a bit of the crowds is a big priority for you, consider Lan Ha Bay and a night or two stay on the pretty island of Cat Ba.
14. Hanoi
The current capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is the starting destination for most travelers and is definitely one of the must-see places in Vietnam. Stay in the heart of the hustle and bustle and find accommodation in the Old Quarter where French and Chinese influences come together with Vietnamese tradition. The markets, architecture and street food is some of the best here in Hanoi.
15. Bac Son
The Bac Son province is home to the famous Bac Son Valley where patchworks of rice fields meet jutting mountainous karsts. The valley is about a 4-hour drive from Hanoi and most people choose to do a day trip because the area isn’t exactly set up for tourism. For those feeling more adventurous and looking for quiet, opt for a homestay experience with a local family!
16. SaPa
Located in the northwest region near China, SaPa is another of the most popular places to see in Vietnam. Travelers love to visit SaPa for the awesome treks up Mount Fansipan and through surrounding rice terraces, and homestay opportunities in the rolling rice fields and valleys. SaPa is home to many of the minority groups in Vietnam such as the Hmong people, Red Dao and others and offers a unique perspective to life in the country.
For anyone visiting SaPa, I highly recommend one of the tours from Ethos SaPa, a tour company dedicated to being socially responsible and bringing employment to minority groups in the area.
17. Ha Giang Province
Ha Giang Province is THE best place to see in Vietnam for those looking for an epic scooter road trip. Driving through the Meo Vac and Dong Van districts provides the best views on winding mountain roads. Most people take a few days to enjoy the drive and I’ve heard nothing but great things about it.
BONUS VIETNAM TRAVEL TIP: If you’re planning on renting a scooter, most travel insurance policies DON’T include accidents if you’re not properly and legally licensed. Most standard driver’s license only cover scooters up to a maximum motor size, and most scooters in Vietnam are actually above this “legal” size. Be sure to do your research into what is needed to legally drive in Vietnam if this is a concern for you!
There you are! Some of the best places to visit in Vietnam! What are some of your favorite things to do in Vietnam? Share below.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
Great article, Brit! Thanks for sharing my post on Lan Ha Bay 🙂
Thank you so much!! I didn’t have a chance to go to Ha Long myself and your article was really inspiring for me when i was planning!! 🥰
This makes me want to go back to Vietnam so bad! Ninh Binh is one of my favorite places ever but I’d love to explore more of Southern Vietnam. 😁
Oh my goodness Ninh Binh is a dreeeeam!!!