The 29 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam

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 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 is Vietnam’s third largest city and lies approximately 30km (19mi) north of Hoi An. This is the city you’ll fly into before driving south into the colonial town, but Da Nang is also a great city to explore. Like any coastal Vietnamese town, Da Nang’s white sand and clear water beaches are a must for beach lovers whilst the city has some fabulous nightlife too. The Dragon Bridge is illuminated at night and the whole place looks incredible from the vantage point of one of its many rooftop bars.

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 island is undergoing massive construction to accommodate the recent flood of domestic and foreign tourists and is predicted to become Asia’s top vacation destination in the coming years. Phú Quốc is home to dense jungles and stunning waterfalls and the northern beaches are still relatively untouched by tourism.

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 is a town situated in northwestern Hoàng Liên Son Mountains and close to Phang Xi Pang, Vietnam’s highest peak. The town is home to some of Vietnam’s indigenous tribes, such as the H’Môngpeople, who regularly offer authentic homestays and guided tours of the surrounding glorious landscape as well as climbs up Phang Xi Pang.

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.

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.

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.

The Con Dao islands form an archipelago southeast of Phu Quoc, with Côn Đảo its largest. The island played a significant role during the Indochina war as it was where many French political prisoners were held and executed. It is also the location where Vietnam’s national heroine was put to death at age 19. Make sure to visit her tomb and nearby museum before, or after, enjoying the island’s splendid beaches.

Huế is a historical city in central Vietnam that housed the last emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. The ancient citadel is a spectacular sight to behold, especially during the annual Huế festival. There are temples, pagodas and delicious cuisine famous throughout the country. Along the Perfume River are multiple tombs of former Nguyen dynasty emperors – make sure to visit the architecturally ornate tomb of ancient emperor Khải Định. Tempted to visit?

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.

Nam Cát Tiên National Park is so large that it spans three provinces: Đồng Nai, Lâm Đồng, and Bình Phước. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can easily reach here by motorbike or by taking a bus. Protected by local authorities, you can expect a clean and fresh getaway. Head over here between December and May–this is the dry season in the south and you won’t have to deal with the rain. As this is a protected area, please call the authorities in advance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Ma Pi Leng Pass is a mountainous route in the Ha Giang Province of northern Vietnam. Measuring approximately 20km (13mi) long, it connects the towns of Dong Van and Meo Vac. It’s a spectacular stretch of road overlooking stunning rock formations, rice terraces and gorgeous scenery, so experienced riders may want to travel this area via motorbike to stop at every possible photo op. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.

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.

Recognised as a Unesco site, My Son Sanctuary is composed of ruins from the ancient Champa civilisation that once served as an important political and religious site in Vietnam. Commonly referred to as the Angkor Wat of Vietnam, these were built between the fourth and the 14th centuries CE, with the ruins now overgrown with weeds to make for an enchanting photo opportunity. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.

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.

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.

The Cu Chi Tunnels offer the chance to snap some amazing pictures as you crawl on all fours into chambers and tunnels where both soldiers and civilians lived during the Vietnam War. Recommended by Piumi Rajapaksha.

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.