Where to go in Vietnam!
Whether you are planning on travelling for 2 weeks or 3 months, here is a list of the places to visit in Vietnam! We have broken it down by must-do, popular tourist locations and lesser-known locations for travellers with a bit more time.
TLDR: You need approximately one month to travel both the north and south of Vietnam. Some typical tourist destinations are:
North: Hanoi, Cat Ba, Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang, Sapa, Ninh Binh
Central: Da Nang, Phong Nha, Hoi An, Hue
South: Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City
Your itinerary is going to be first and foremost influenced by the amount of time you have allocated to travel Vietnam. At the end of this article, we have provided suggested itineraries for different travel durations.
The first decision you need to make is whether you are going to try and tackle both the north and south during your trip or whether you will just stay in one part for the duration. To avoid rushing, you need approximately one month to be able to go all the way from the north to the south.
Overview of the 3 main regions
Northern Vietnam: the north of Vietnam is characterized by large mountain ranges and stunning landscape views. As you move closer to the north-east corner of the country, these mountain ranges start to dissipate into towering limestone cliffs. From there, you start to get the picturesque stone-cliff structures that are well-known along the coast of Ha Long Bay. The north is good for people who would like to trek, tackle the Ha Giang Loop, take a cruise, and experience beautiful landscapes.
Central Vietnam: the center of Vietnam is most known for it’s coastal cities of Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An. If you’re looking for pretty buildings, fun culture and beaches, this is where you should head to! Central Vietnam also grows a variety of produce throughout the year, meaning you can wander through rice fields or farms and see lush green fields.
Southern Vietnam: if you have done some travel research, or have spoken to other travellers, you might have come across the sentiment ‘the north is better than the south’. As a short explanation for this statement, the Vietnam-American war ended in 1975 – just 50 short years ago. American war chemicals were used to decimate the nature in the south, causing catostrophic damage to the nature, the trees and the landscape. Although Ho Chi Minh City has rebuilt to become a thriving, modern metropolis, the surrounding rural nature has not been so lucky. This is not to say that it is unsafe, quite the opposite. It just means that the war-flattened land has become primarily farm lands that stretch across the south. These lands do not draw large tourist populations or foreigners. The main draws to the south are Ho Chi Minh City, a modern and economically bustling city, the Mekong Delta, and the coastline of Nha Trang and Mui Ne.
What does each location offer?
Northern Vietnam
Hanoi – Capital City of Vietnam
This is often the starting point for travellers looking to explore the north as there is a main international airport here, connecting it with the rest of the world. Travellers concentate on Old Quarter, which is a bustling marketplace of souvenirs, clothes, restraurants, cafes and bars. It is famous for ‘train street’ which is a train track that runs through the center of the city with cafes lined on either side. Visitors can sit and enjoy a coffee or beer while waiting for the train to pass through the narrow passage, sitting approximately 1 meter from the edge of the track. You can also visit Hoan Kiem Lake and the museum of Ho Chi Minh. There are several pagodas and temples to be explored and endless streets to wander. Click here for Hanoi’s full itinerary suggestion: Hanoi travel guide.
Ha Giang – The famous Loop
Ha Giang has become famous for it’s world-renowned ‘Ha Giang Loop’. The Ha Giang region consists of vast mountain passes and rich ethnic minority culture that draws travellers from across the world. It offers guided tours by motorbike, jeep or car to witness the stunning landscapes. You can also choose to venture through the province on your own by renting a motorbike. For full details, please see “What is the Ha Giang Loop?”
Sapa – Rice terrace trekking
Sapa is equally known for it’s dramatic mountain landscape, but the main draw to this region is hiking. Whether it is trekking through the rice fields or visiting Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam, travellers should be prepared to walk. These treks are designed for people of all ages and abilities, they are not just for expert hikers. You will be able to wander through small, local villages, farms & rice fields, and marvel at natural waterfalls. Don’t miss out on Fansipan, which is the highest mountain in Vietnam. You can reach the summit by trekking (experienced hikers) or by taking the cable car to witness the stunning views.
Cat Ba/ Ha Long Bay – Ocean Cruise
If you are looking to escape off the mainland, Ha Long Bay offers spectacular views of limestone karsts complete with overnight cruises and kayaking. There are many different options available, from day cruises to multi-day cruises and from budget operators to luxury operators, there is something for everyone! If you choose to stay on the mainland, enjoy the ocean from the shoreline beaches and luxury accommodations.
Ninh Binh – Limestone cliffs & rice fields
Ninh Binh is a quieter, inland escape for anyone that is looking for beautiful scenery. Although still a main tourist destination, it offers a calming and more peaceful alternative to some of the other locations on this list. It is known for the iconic Mua Caves and picturesque viewpoint at the top of the limestone karst. Rent a bicycle and cycle through the ricefields or go on a row boat tour to see dramatic cliffs and sacred pagodas. If you’re travelling between the north and the south of Vietnam, this is a great place to stop in between and relax for a few days. Enjoy massages and good food before getting back on the road to some of the more bustling locations. One thing to note is that Tam Coc is the smaller village associated with Ninh Binh and often the preferred destination for travellers.
Central Vietnam
Hue – Imperial City
Hue is located north of Da Nang and has gained popularity in recent years. It hosts the Imperial City which is a large draw for travellers looking to learn more about history or admire the old, historical buildings. It is rich in royalty with castles, pagodas and old markets. It is a smaller city alternative to Da Nang but still offers travellers with amenities.
Da Nang
If you are looking for a large coast city, Da Nang is the spot! This is a vibrant, busy city home to families and becoming increasingly popular with foreign digital nomads. If you are looking for a destination to regroup and do a bit of shopping, make sure to stop in Da Nang. Many tourists are drawn to the beaches that this city has to offer, the night life and the numerous restaurants. This city offers a lot of amenities for travellers, but often tourists find is lacking in more of the culture aspect. If you’re looking for culture, head to the nearby city of Hoi An.
Hoi An
Hoi An is an old port city that is teeming with culture. Although the old quarter section of the city has become quite touristy in recent years, it offers the iconic Vietnam culture that you are looking for. It became famous for the lantern festivals, held once a month in relation to the lunar calendar. However, travellers need not worry about timing these festivals anymore as the row boats and lanterns can be experienced every night in the old quarter. If you’d like to take classes to learn more about Vietnam, this city offers coffee making, cooking, lantern making and jewelry making throughout the city. You may have seen online that it has become quite popular to get clothes tailored in Hoi An, so if you are here for a couple of days then check that out as well!
Phong Nha
Phong Nha is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is famous for the large limestone karsts and accompanying caves. If you’re interested in seeing massive caves, definitely make this stop a priority. It is also another popular way to break up the trip between north and central Vietnam. Beyond the caves, tourists do not spend much time in Phong Nha which makes it smaller and less busy than some of the other main tourist locations.
Southern Vietnam
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is the hot spot for tourist beaches. It’s long-established beach town offers travellers full amenities while having direct access to the beach. Tourists can participate in many water-based activities or sunbathe on the large stretch of sand. This is a very popular place for both domestic and international travellers and can become quite busy during tourist high seasons. If you are travelling during rainy season, please note that this city tends to be highly affected by tropical storms.
Mui Ne
The once resort-like destination of Mui Ne has recently experienced a significant decline in tourism over the last couple of years. Home to many foreign investment resorts along the beaches, Mui Ne has suffered economically and sections of the coastal city are now abandoned. This location is known as being a hot spot for seafood lovers, but unfortunately if you’re looking for beach vacations, we’d advise you to go elsewhere. The beaches are significantly polluted and run down. There are still some large resorts that are open and operating ‘all-inclusive’ type vacations if you are looking for that type of experience. For backpackers, it continues to be a stopping point for those looking to bus between Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. If you do spend a day here, check out the sand dunes on a jeep tour.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) is the modern hub of Vietnam. This large city boasts skyscrapers and financial districts that offer significant contrast to the rural lands. If you’re wanting to feel the normalcy of a big city, Ho Chi Minh is the place to go. With large shopping districts and endless food options, travellers will find an unlimited amount of activities. Some of the most popular options are visiting the war museum to learn more about the American/Vietnam war, as well as taking a guided tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels to experience the history of this war.
Farther off the Beaten path – requires more time
Cao Bang – North
Cao Bang is a stunning location in the north that offers peaceful landscapes and beautiful scenery. However, it is significantly less touristy than the other locations mentioned above, therefore it takes more time in order to be able to get around. The most popular ways to explore are through a tour combined with the Ha Giang Loop, or by bussing directly from Hanoi. Note that due to its less-known location, travellers find it more difficult to get around and explore the surrounding locations without a tour.
Dalat – Central/South
Dalat was once a lesser-known spot for people with extra time in their trip, however thanks to social media it has began to gain popularity. It is a spot that is known as a stopover for travellers going between central and south Vietnam. It is located in the highlands of Vietnam and the mountain terrain offers peaceful and calming escapes for travellers. It also often offers cooler temperatures in the otherwise hot seasons of Vietnam. Enjoy flower gardens, lakes and waterfalls in this region of the country.
Can Tho – South
Can Tho is most well-known for being home to the Mekong Delta. Many travellers will make a day trip out here from Ho Chi Minh City, however if you’re looking to head off the beaten path for a few days, Can Tho offers a more local experience away from main tourist hubs. Can Tho is still quite a large city and offers night markets, many restaurants and activities, but it also allows you to do full day tours of the rice noodle making shops, floating markets, and fish farms. It’s a good destination for anyone wanting to experience more of the south but escape the busyness of Ho Chi Minh City.
