The 29 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam
Vietnam is becoming one of the world’s top destinations owing to its endless natural beauty. White sand beaches, limestone mountains, terraced rice fields and more beckon travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam.
Đà Lạt, for cool temperatures
Natural Feature
Nestled in the southern highland region of the country, picturesque Đà Lạt is a refreshing break from the south’s tropical climate. Cool temperatures and fresh air – not the mention the gorgeous surroundings – make Đà Lạt a must-see destination. You can catch a quick flight from Saigon or hop on a bus.
Cát Bà Island, for beautiful beaches
Natural Feature
Cát Bà Island lies on the southeastern edge of Vietnam’s iconic Ha Long Bay and is a regular top choice for travelers. Pristine beaches, clear waters, and dense jungles make this island extremely popular during high season, so it’s best to try and visit when the crowds are low outside of the summer season.
Da Nang, for the dramatic Dragon Bridge
Natural Feature
Hội An, for colonial architecture
Building, Market, Buddhist Temple
Charming Hoi An is another top choice for Vietnamese and foreign vacationers. The old city is full of colonial architecture and is a lovely place to take in an early morning or late afternoon stroll, when the sun is no longer at its blistering peak. Lush gardens, illuminated lanterns glowing after dark, good food and gorgeous beaches await at this dreamy, ancient spot in central Vietnam.
Phú Quốc, for a mixture of jungles and beaches
Natural Feature
Hà Giang, for dramatic scenery
Natural Feature
This northern province shares a border with China and is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in Vietnam. Terraced rice fields, forested limestone and granite mountains and magnificent caves are this province’s claims to fame, as well as Quản Bạ pass – also known as Heaven’s gate for its panoramic views of terraced rice fields.
Sa Pa, for a local homestay
Natural Feature, Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark
Mekong Delta, for seeing life on the river
Natural Feature
Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’ is a huge maze of rivers, swamps, small islands and lush greenery everywhere you look. The inhabitants’ main modes of transportation are small boats. When visiting you’ll have tons of options. You can either stay in a quaint homestay on the river, visit the bustling town of Can Tho, tour ride paddies, or even visit a crocodile farm! Keep your eyes peeled on the river – thousands of families breed crocodiles in the region and unknown numbers of the giant reptiles have escaped into the mighty Mekong.
Sơn Đoòng Cave, for the largest cave passage in the world
Natural Feature
Located near Vietnam’s border with Laos in the north-central province of Quang Binh, Sơn Đoòng Cave is known as the largest cave passage in the world. Stretching for more than 5km (3mi) and large enough to house an entire block of New York City, Sơn Đoòng Cave is an unparalleled adventure.
Ban Gioc Waterfall, for impressive waterfalls
Natural Feature
This is actually the name for two waterfalls on the Quây Sơn River lying within the Unesco-listed Cao Bang Geopark in northeastern Vietnam. The falls straddle the border of Vietnam and China and measure an impressive 30m (98ft). These falls are in an extraordinarily scenic location and they are one of the few places best to see during the monsoon season between May-October, when the river’s flow is at its most powerful.
Côn Đảo Islands, for political history
Natural Feature
Huế, for imperial grandeur
Natural Feature
Mũi Né Sand Dunes, for a quad bike ride across the dunes
Natural Feature
Vietnam really has it all – you can even experience the desert. The red and white sand dunes of Mũi Né are very popular with tourists and locals on a weekend trip from Saigon. Quad bikes and dune buggies are abound, so don’t expect any peace and quiet. Check the time before you schedule a trip there – no one wants to be on the dunes when the sun is at its peak. It’s best to go super early to avoid the scorching heat.
Cát Tiên National Park, for spotting wildlife
Natural Feature, Park
Hạ Long Bay, for epic landscapes
Natural Feature
This iconic Vietnamese landscape deserves its fame. Embarking on an overnight cruise through the emerald waters is an experience like no other. Sunsets over the bay are magnificent and the mist rising off the waters adds an eerie, mysterious element to this geological wonder. It’s the number one tourist destination in Vietnam so it can be crammed during high season, but gazing at the limestone formations in the water is worth it.
Paddies outside Hội An
Natural Feature
Hội An itself is a spectacle to behold, but there’s plenty of natural beauty outside the city as well. You can rent bicycles and motorbikes to go for rides in stunning paddies, where lumbering water buffaloes roam and old farmers tend the same fields as their ancestors. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Hai Van Pass
Hill Station, Natural Feature
While man-made, it’s the jungles that make this road so special. It’s a serpentine stretch carved into the side of a mountain just north of Đà Nẵng that climbs over a chunk of the Annamite Range, the mountains bordering Vietnam and Laos. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Fansipan and the Muong Hoa Valley
Natural Feature
These two could each have their own spot on this list, but we’ll put them together since they can see each other. Fansipan is the tallest mountain in Indochina, looming over the town of Sapa in the far north. Below Sapa lies the Muong Hoa Valley, an amazing expanse of terraced paddies and villages. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Bắc Sơn District
Natural Feature
This area of odd topography and amazing views is in the northeast of Vietnam, in Lạng Sơn Province. It’s sparsely populated but ripe with beautiful scenes. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Ba Bể Lake
Natural Feature
This lake is part of the Ba Bể National Park in northeast Vietnam. It’s the largest natural lake in the country, enclosed by limestone cliffs and old-growth forests. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Ninh Bình Province
Natural Feature
This area is best known for its jutting karst limestone formations. There’s hiking, tours of grottoes, and boat rides along the rivers. For some of the most picturesque views, head to the town of Tam Cốc. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Chàm Islands
Natural Feature
It only takes two hours to get to these islands from Hội An or Đà Nẵng, but there aren’t many places to stay overnight. Life on these islands is significantly more laid-back than the rest of Vietnam, which is why they are popular with people looking to slow down after some time in the cities. Recommended by Matthew Pike.
Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang
Natural Feature
Hanoi Train Street
Architectural Landmark
This narrow residential alley through which train tracks run down the middle, frighteningly close to the homes, makes for a special photo in the Vietnamese capital. Trains only pass twice a day, prompting residents to pack up their things and move inside before a horn sounds and it’s safe to re-emerge. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.
My Son Sanctuary
Hindu Temple, Ruins
Pongour Waterfalls, Da Lat
Natural Feature
The Pongour Waterfalls are found in Da Lat. Train your camera on the huge rocky chasms, or try to snap the wide, terraced falls in one go. There’s lush foliage here, too, and plenty of dragonflies. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.
Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City
Market
Not only is Ben Thanh Market where daily trading takes place; it also serves as a historical site that has witnessed all the ups and downs of Ho Chi Minh City. A landmark, a rendezvous point and a beautiful background for photos, this spot is a rite of passage for all visitors to the city. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Natural Feature
Long Beach, Phu Quoc
Natural Feature
Phu Quoc has some of the best beaches in the country. Of these, Long Beach is known to have the best sunset views and, as a result, it is lined with luxury resorts. Head here to make your followers seriously jealous. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.