HomeAsiaSoutheast AsiaVietnam 15 Places to Visit in Vietnam + Things To Do for First-Timers By Marcos Detourista. Updated on January 2, 2019. Where to go in Vietnam? Achieve your travel goals with this list of beautiful destinations, things to do, best places to visit, Vietnam tourist spots, attractions & more. Vietnam is most known for its turbulent wartime history, delicious food, and Ha Long Bay. Before arriving in the country and traveling around its countrysides, little did I know that it is also home to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, and charming heritage sites that are worth a peek. Vietnam’s tourist spots are broadly spread out in its northern, central, and southern regions. The country isn’t overwhelmingly massive, but unless you’re traveling long-term or plan to stick to just one or two regions, you will have to pick destinations to skip or prioritize. To make it easy for you to decide on where to go, here’s a list of my favorite places to visit in Vietnam: Follow me on Instagram 1. Hoi An Japanese Covered Bridge under the sunset twilight in Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam Colorful lanterns and local craftsman, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam Dusk view along the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam If you’re planning to visit Central Vietnam, this is a heritage city that you shouldn’t miss. Hoi An is a small and compact town with an old-world charm. The riverside setting is like a more relaxed version of Malacca, but of course, Hoi An’s vintage buildings are heavily influenced by Vietnamese, French, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Delicious local food is also a major attraction here. The city’s magical atmosphere comes alive under the romantic sunset light and at night when the houses, temples, and shops are lit up. How to go — The most popular gateway to Hoi An is Da Nang in Central Vietnam. nearest major city. There are a lot of convenient transport options between the two cities. Travel time is only around 45 minutes. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts My Son & Hoi An Private Day Tour from Da Nang My Son Temples day tour from Hoi An Hoi An Private City Transfers for Da Nang, Hue & Ba Na Hills See more 15 Places To Visit in Hoi An 2. Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake at Night in Hanoi, Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi , Vietnam Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, in Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam Like Bangkok, there seems to be something interesting to discover at every street corner in historic Hanoi, especially in the old quarter of the city. It’s one of the best cities in Southeast Asia to explore on foot. Hanoi also has scenic lakes that are best viewed from rooftop restaurants or bars, while enjoying traditional Vietnamese coffee or a chilled bottle of Saigon beer. How to go — Hanoi along with Ho Chi Minh is one of the major international gateways in Vietnam, so getting by air is very easy. Hanoi-Noi Bai International Airport found 45 minutes away from the city center serves frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, Beijing. As well as major cities in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and more. Major airlines include AirAsia, Jetstar, VietJet, Vietnam Airlines. From the Philippines, Manila-Hanoi flights are served by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. Flight duration is around 2.5 hours. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Private Noi Bai Airport Transfers (HAN) for Hanoi City or Halong Bay Hanoi Private Car Charter Private City Transfers for Hanoi City and Surrounding Areas See more 11 Places To Visit in Hanoi 3. Ho Chi Minh Nguyen Hue Walking Street in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Hall in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Vietnam Notre Dame Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam Bustling Ho Chi Minh, on its own, may pale as a travel destination compared to other cities in Southeast Asia, but it is a necessary transport hub if you plan to explore Southern Vietnam. In case you find yourself in Ho Chi Minh, the city center offers interesting cultural sights, urban experiences, Vietnamese food+coffee & cheap shopping, in addition to scenic day trips to the Mekong Delta. How to go — Ho Chi Minh’s International Airport is the busiest airport in Vietnam. Found 45 minutes away from the city center, this airport serves frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, Beijing, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Melbourne & Sydney. As well as major cities in New Zealand, Europe, Middle East and more. Major airlines include AirAsia, Jetstar, VietJet & Vietnam Airlines. From the Philippines, Manila-Hanoi flights are served by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Vietnam Airlines. Flight duration is around 2.5 hours. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts 44% OFF Full Day Mekong Delta Excursion from Ho Chi Minh 14% OFF Ho Chi Minh City-Mekong Delta River Cruise Ho Chi Minh Airport Private Transfers – Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) for Ho Chi Minh City See more 14 Places To Visit in Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh Travel Guide 4. Mui Ne Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam Fairy Stream in Mui Ne, Vietnam White Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Shared City Transfers between Da Lat and Mui Ne via Shuttle Bus Mui Ne Private Jeep Tour Da Lat to Mui Ne, Nha Trang or HCMC Car Transfer See more 5 Places To Visit in Mui Ne 5. Da Lat Crazy House in Da Lat, Vietnam Pongour Waterfall in Da Lat, Vietnam Da Lat Coffee Farm, Vietnam Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Da Lat Countryside Day Tour Shared City Transfers between Da Lat and Mui Ne via Shuttle Bus Da Lat Waterfalls Day Tour 6. Da Nang Carp Statue and Dragon Bridge lit up at night in Da Nang, Vietnam Cathedral-like Huyen Khong Cave, Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Vietnam Da Nang People’s Committee building and Da Nang Administrative Center tower in Da Nang, Vietnam Da Nang is one of the biggest surprises on my first visit to Central Vietnam. It’s a major tourist hub with its own set of attractions and convenient direct domestic and international flight connections. Da Nang is a great place to visit for travelers who aren’t ready to leave their urban comfort zones. This clean, modern, and laid-back city is bordered by a long white sand beach that is lined with top-notch resorts. The riverside area of the city center feels more like a huge outdoor theme park with well-maintained promenades, iconic bridges lit up at night, and the Sun Wheel (giant Ferris Wheel). How to go — After Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang’s airport is the next most well-connected international airport in Vietnam. Da Nang International Airport (DAD) serves direct flights from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo-Narita. As well as flights from major domestic destinations including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Buon Ma Thuot, Hai Phong, Pleiku, Vinh, Can Tho, Da Lat & Nha Trang. Major airlines include AirAsia, Jetstar, China Eastern, Silk Air, Vietjet & Vietnam Airlines. Travel time by flight to Da Nang is around 1.5 hours from Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Day Tour Cham Islands Day Tour from Da Nang Da Nang Airport (DAD) Private Transfers for Da Nang, Ba Na Hills & more See more 12 Places To Visit in Da Nang 7. Hue Roadside view of Thien Mu Temple, along the Perfume River, in Hue, Vietnam Green view at Lang Minh Mang (tomb), in Hue, Vietnam Side view of Cua Ngo Mon (gate), the main tourist entrance, at the south side of the Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam, on September 2015 Hue is central Vietnam was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802-1945. It is home to a massive royal citadel called the Forbidden Purple City, which admittedly sounds more interesting than the actual war-ravaged site. For travelers who love visiting heritage sites, a more tempting incentive to visit Hue are exquisite imperial tombs scattered around the outskirts of the city. How to go — Hue, in Central Vietnam, is located two hours north of Danang. The best way to get there is by train, which offers scenic coastal views along the Hai Van Pass. If you want to fly directly, Hue-Phu Bai Airport (HUI) serves flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Lat & Nha Trang. Airlines include Vietjet, Jetstar & Vietnam Airlines. Travel time to Hue-Phu Bai Airport takes around 1 hour from Hanoi and 1.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Hue Private Day Tour from Da Nang Hue heritage sites join-in tour Phong Nha Cave Exploration from Hue See more 14 Places To Visit in Hue 8. Phong Nha Phong Nha Cave, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, Vietnam, on September 2015 Paradise Cave formations, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, Vietnam Near Phong Nha Village Center, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh, Vietnam, on September 2015 If this is your first time to know about Phong Nha, join the club! Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park located in Central Vietnam might not be popular as other places featured on this list, but it has something special to offer that is unrivaled not only Vietnam, but all of Southeast Asia, and maybe even the World — it’s massive and insanely beautiful caves. How to go — Phong Nga, in Central Vietnam, is 4–5 hours north of Hue by land or 7 hours north of Da Nang. If you are coming from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, consider a flight or train to Dong Hoi. Then, continue the 45-minute land trip to Phong Nha by shuttle. Flights are operated by Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and VietjetAir. Flight duration to Dong Hoi Airport (VDH) is around 1 hour from Hanoi (HAN), and 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh (SGN). See more 5 Places To Visit in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park 9. Ninh Binh Overlooking the massive limestone mountains and winding river at Tam Coc, in Ninh Binh, Vietnam Local on a boat filled with gathered firewood, at dusk, at Trang An riverside, Ninh Binh, Vietnam Dinh Tien Hoang Temple at Hua Lu Ancient Citadel, in Hua Lu Ancient Citadel, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, on September 2015 Facade of Phat Diem Cathedral, located on the outskirts of Ninh Binh City, in Vietnam, on September 2015. Touted as “Ha Long Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is filled with steep karst mountains soaring amidst tranquil rice paddies, meandering rivers, and dotted with temples and ancient settlements. The best way to explore the area is on a scenic boat ride that passes through the mountainscape or by following the riverside path by bicycle. Ninh Binh is two hours away from Hanoi in Northern Vietnam. How to go — Ninh Binh is around 2 hours south of Hanoi by land. You can go on the bus from Giap Bat (Southern) Bus Terminal or a train on the Reunification Express. To get around Ninh Binh, you can either join an organized tour or go on a do-it-yourself (DIY) tour by bicycle/motorcycle. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Private City Transfers for Hanoi City and Surrounding Areas 13% OFF Hanoi-Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh Private Day Tour Mua Cave and Trang An Tour from Hanoi See more 11 Places To Visit in Ninh Binh 10. Ha Long Bay Cruise boats and blue sky, in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, Vietnam Tourist on a kayak, in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, Vietnam Sunrise, in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh, Vietnam No doubt Ha Long Bay is beautiful. With over 1,600 towering karst islands and islets, it’s a natural wonder worth a peek. However, if you’ve been to Krabi (Thailand) or El Nido (Philippines), do not expect too much with the quality of the water. The area that surrounds the bay is simply not as pristine, even under the bluest of skies. If you’re already traveling in Hanoi & Northern Vietnam, consider a trip to nearby Ha Long bay. How to go — Ha Long City is the main jump-off point to the islands surrounding Ha Long Bay. The land journey from Hanoi takes around 3.5 to 4 hours. There are many shuttle/bus companies operating this route with pick-up directly from your hotel. You can easily book one at your hotel or by shopping around the travel agencies in Hanoi Old Quarter. To get around the bay, you have many options including sightseeing day trips to multi-day overnight cruises. Where to stayTours + discounts Top discounts Private Noi Bai Airport Transfers (HAN) for Hanoi City or Halong Bay Private City Transfers for Hanoi City and Surrounding Areas 27% OFF Hanoi-Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise 11. Ban Gioc Waterfall & Cao Bang Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang, Vietnam If you’ve read my other best places to visit lists, you may already know about my fascination for beautiful waterfalls. Cao Bang in Northern Vietnam is home to Ban Gioc Waterfall, the most majestic in Vietnam. Half of this massive cascade sits on the Chinese border and is called Delian Waterfall on the other side. How to go — Total travel time from Hanoi to Ban Gioc is around 8 to 11 hours. If you want convenient transfers, consider booking an organized tour. If you want to go on your own, local buses to Cao Bang depart from My Dinh Bus Terminal in Hanoi. Travel time is 7.5–8 hours. From Cao Bang, minibus and shuttles go all the way to Ban Gioc Waterfall. Travel time is 2.5–3 hours. On My Bucketlist 12. Sa Pa & North Vietnam Sa Pa, Vietnam 13. Nha Trang Nha Trang, Vietnam 14. Phu Quoc Phu Quoc, Vietnam 15. Can Dao Islands Con Dao Islands, Vietnam. Photo by vanlaphoang1945 via Flickr Places to visit in Vietnam 1. Hoi An 2. Hanoi 3. Ho Chi Minh 4. Mui Ne 5. Da Lat 6. Da Nang 7. Hue 8. Phong Nha 9. Ninh Binh 10. Ha Long Bay 11. Ban Gioc Waterfall & Cao Bang On My Bucketlist 12. Sa Pa & North Vietnam 13. Nha Trang 14. Phu Quoc 15. Can Dao Islands Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank. Don’t Stop Here Click below for more travel inspiration: 14 Places To Visit in Ho Chi Minh 11 Places To Visit in Hanoi Ho Chi Minh Travel Guide 15 Places To Visit in Vietnam 16 Beautiful Countries in Asia Indochina Itinerary 11 Places To Visit in Ninh Binh 17 Places To Visit in Da Lat Share your travel goals with #detourista Chasing sunsets at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Megaw Hello Sunshine 💚 Iloilo River Esplanade . Love You had me at IL♥️ 👍 see the full video @ex 🏠💙There's no place like home Happy Holidays my home, the Philippines' CITY OF L♥️VE . #ilo 🧘♂️ stretching is the new flex loving th Follow on Instagram Pin on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/detourista/best-of-detourista/ Don’t leave yet. There’s more! 32 Places to Visit in The Philippines + Things To Do…19 Places to Visit in Hong Kong + Things To Do for…13 Places to Visit in Cambodia + Things To Do for…20 Places to Visit in Malaysia + Things To Do for… Discover more blogs and travel tips in: Ho Chi MinhVietnamDa NangHanoiHoi AnNinh BinhHuePhong NhaHalong BayCao BangDa LatMui Ne Southeast AsiaAsia See all places Find more posts about:FeaturedBest TravelBest PlacesBest Things To Do Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Website This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments Manuel Sia says October 16, 2015 at 10:48 pm Thanks for sharing your travel to Vietnam. Been to Saigon in 2011 and been wanting to go to Hanoi. Never knew about the other worth visiting places until you shared your wonderful pictures. Is it hard to tour Halong Bay? Would it be just fine skipping Halong Bay when I go to Hanoi? Reply Marcos Detourist says October 16, 2015 at 11:23 pm My pleasure Manuel :) There are still more potentially worthy places to visit in Vietnam. I want to go back as well, particularly, for Sa Pa and Da Lat. I booked an overnight boat cruise in Ha Long Bay for $80. I had a very bad experience with both the booking and tour agency. Touring Ha Long Bay is easy since you just have to turn up at the travel agencies in Hanoi or Ha Long City at least a day before (or book online). It’s finding a decent tour agency / boat operator that is the tricky part. If the weather is too cloudy or rainy, I would skip Ha Long Bay. I enjoyed Ninh Binh and Phong Nha a lot more than Ha Long Bay. Reply Raquel says October 13, 2017 at 7:32 pm Amazing Vietnam!!!! Reply Jhon roach says December 26, 2017 at 9:31 pm What an amazing and informative blog marcos.One should definitely go through the blog if he/she is travelling to vietnam.This country has a blend of chinese as well as french culture so anyone can feel the presence of both the cultures. Reply Huong Bui says April 24, 2020 at 10:15 am I’m Vietnamese and living in Hanoi but I haven’t had opportunity to visit of all these places. Now I got more motivation to visit more places in the Southern of Vietnam, especially Mui Ne Beach! About the last place Can Dao Island, actually its name is Con Dao, not Can Dao. Anyway, thank you for sharing the destinations to visit. Reply
Manuel Sia says October 16, 2015 at 10:48 pm Thanks for sharing your travel to Vietnam. Been to Saigon in 2011 and been wanting to go to Hanoi. Never knew about the other worth visiting places until you shared your wonderful pictures. Is it hard to tour Halong Bay? Would it be just fine skipping Halong Bay when I go to Hanoi? Reply
Marcos Detourist says October 16, 2015 at 11:23 pm My pleasure Manuel :) There are still more potentially worthy places to visit in Vietnam. I want to go back as well, particularly, for Sa Pa and Da Lat. I booked an overnight boat cruise in Ha Long Bay for $80. I had a very bad experience with both the booking and tour agency. Touring Ha Long Bay is easy since you just have to turn up at the travel agencies in Hanoi or Ha Long City at least a day before (or book online). It’s finding a decent tour agency / boat operator that is the tricky part. If the weather is too cloudy or rainy, I would skip Ha Long Bay. I enjoyed Ninh Binh and Phong Nha a lot more than Ha Long Bay. Reply
Jhon roach says December 26, 2017 at 9:31 pm What an amazing and informative blog marcos.One should definitely go through the blog if he/she is travelling to vietnam.This country has a blend of chinese as well as french culture so anyone can feel the presence of both the cultures. Reply
Huong Bui says April 24, 2020 at 10:15 am I’m Vietnamese and living in Hanoi but I haven’t had opportunity to visit of all these places. Now I got more motivation to visit more places in the Southern of Vietnam, especially Mui Ne Beach! About the last place Can Dao Island, actually its name is Con Dao, not Can Dao. Anyway, thank you for sharing the destinations to visit. Reply