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 main land, Ha Long Bay offers spectacular views of limestone karsts complete with overnight cruises and kayaking.
Ninh Binh – Limestone cliffs & rice fields
Central Vietnam
Hue – Imperial City
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Da Nang
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Hoi An
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Phong Nha
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Southern Vietnam
Nha Trang
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Mui Ne
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Ho Chi Minh City
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Farther off the Beaten path – requires more time
Cao Bang – North
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Dalat – South
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Can Tho – South
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