This post was most recently updated on May 12th, 2020
Vietnam is a beautiful paradise and is also becoming one of the top destinations in the world. It’s no wonder with its endless natural beauty, misty mountains, white sand beaches, and terraced rice fields. Vietnam is also an astonishing mix of cultural diversity and natural highlights. It is packed with surprises and is also one of the most underrated destinations in Southeast Asia. I’m going to share with you the 15 most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam. Go ahead and scroll down!
1. Da Nang City
About 30 kilometers north of Hoi An is Da Nang City, the third largest city in Vietnam. It is brimming with natural cultural and beautiful attractions. Enjoying the clear water and white sand beaches in Da Nang is a must for beach lovers. It also has some fabulous nightlife. You will need several days here to view all of the sights including many gorgeous temples and the Marble Mountains, a group of mountains having a maze of trails and caves. You can visit Ba Na Hills, which features the world’s most extended cable car lift. Also, you can’t miss the Dragon Bridge that is illuminated at night. The Golden Bridge Hand is also a great destination you won’t want to miss. This architectural attraction has drawn tourists from all over the world.
Best Time To Visit Da Nang
The weather of Da Nang is at its best from February to May, with clear skies and warm temperatures. The rainy season begins from September to February while the hottest months start from May to September.
2. Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a world-famous travel destination in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name, Ha Long Bay, is translated as “The Bay of Descending Dragons.” The Bay covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers and is dotted with 1,600 limestone islets and islands. Go kayaking through the breathtaking karsts and caves or take a dip in the clear, calm waters – it is the ultimate way to discover one of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam. The destination has a lot to offer for tourists especially those who enjoy water sports. If you want life within a luxury cruise, you can enjoy the high-quality services offered by Orchid Cruise Halong Bay. The cruise offers a chance for tourists to discover the amazing Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay route.
Best Time To Visit Ha Long Bay
The ideal time to travel to Ha Long Bay is in March, April, September, and October, as temperatures in these months are pleasant.
3. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is the most famous beach resort in Vietnam with a beautiful turquoise bay, sweeping crescent beach, and stunning mountain backdrop. The town itself is also home to gothic-style Catholic churches, Buddhist temples, and Cham ruins. You can go to White Buddha Temple or Long Son Pagoda to see a 14-meter high white Buddha sitting on a lotus blossom. Besides that, Nha Trang has natural hot springs, unique waterfalls, and salt fields that offer many sightseeing and recreational activities. You definitely shouldn’t miss the Ba Ho Waterfalls.
Best Time To Visit Nha Trang
You can visit Nha Trang in February to April because, at this time, rainfall is low and temperatures are pleasant.
4. Hoi An
Hoi An is an excellent choice for both foreign and Vietnamese vacationers. UNESCO formally recognized Hoi An in 1999 as a World Heritage Site with its cobblestoned streets, Chinese-style shop houses, narrow canals, and French-colonial buildings. Hoi An is home to lots of pagodas, temples, and old houses bearing its very unique mark. Located on the central coast, Hoi An is well-known for its historic Old Town. Although a lot of old shops have been changed to modern businesses (including art galleries, tailors, restaurants, and souvenir shops), the town has maintained its old-fashioned charm. The city is also known for its excellent and diverse food: a legacy of the many nationalities such as Vietnamese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese that traded or have lived here. Along with that, each night, the colorful lanterns light up the streets in Hoi An and add a romantic shimmer over Thu Bon River.
Best Time To Visit Hoi An
The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April, as these months have little rain and warm, comfortable temperatures.
5. Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc is another beautiful place to visit in Vietnam, filled with magical waterfalls and lush jungle, and lined with sparkling waters and white sandy shores. It is a relaxed, quiet island, small enough to discover many beaches by scooter or bicycle. In addition to this, you can venture into the jungle to spot wildlife and enjoy hiking trails. You can also visit the largest town, Duong Dong, with many lively markets selling fresh seafood and handicrafts.
Best Time To Visit Phu Quoc
The high season for Phu Quoc is November to March with blue skies and warm weather. Plus, October to November can be a great time to visit here with beautiful blooming jungle flowers and fewer tourists.
6. Da Lat
Da Lat is one of the most romantic destinations in Vietnam, ideal for adventurous couples, thanks to its magical waterfalls, brilliant flower gardens, and shady forests. Known as The City of Lovers, The City of Flowers, and the Paris of Vietnam, tourists will explore a charming town with the gorgeous Valley of Love, an Eiffel Tower-shaped radio tower, horse-drawn carriages, and French-colonial villas. The city is also surrounded by picturesque crops of strawberries, coffee, and flowers. Apart from that, the misty mountain air and colder weather make it an excellent place for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking or canyoning.
Best Time To Visit Da Lat
The perfect time to visit Da Lat is in December and March. The weather is sunny and dry, and temperatures are cold for outdoor adventure.
7. Ha Giang Province
Ha Giang is the northern-most province in Vietnam with its breathtaking landscape of granite outcrops and limestone pinnacles. The region impresses tourists with its high karst plateau, winding roads, steep hills, and ethnic diversity. Ha Giang is home to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and geological area that is part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Ha Giang is ideal for outdoor activities including trekking and camping.
Best Time To Visit Ha Giang
The ideal time to travel to Ha Giang is from March to May and from September to November. The dry season brings cold weather from December to February, while the rainy, hot season begins from April to October.
8. Ninh Binh Province
Ninh Binh province holds an area of jaw-dropping natural beauty and is also known as the Ha Long Bay on land. There’s plenty to discover here including ancient caves, Van Long Nature Reserve, Tam Coc – Bich Dong beautiful pagodas, and the oldest national park in the country with excellent hiking trails – Cuc Phuong National Park.
Best Time To Visit Ninh Binh
Almost any time of the year is excellent to visit Ninh Binh. From May to October here is humid, hot with high rainfall. During September, the region can be prone to typhoons. November to April months tend to be dry and more cooling.
9. Mui Ne
The White and Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne are two geological wonders no Vietnam travelers should ever miss,. The striking white and red dunes have built up over time since winds and waves carry the sand inland. Notably, the dunes create a barrier against beach erosion and storms and offer a habitat for endangered animal and plant species.
Best Time To Visit The Sand Dunes Of Mui Ne
Mui Ne is one of the driest areas in Vietnam and hence, you will enjoy pleasant weather here all year round. Visit Mui Ne in December and April for the best beach conditions.
10. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Quang Binh Province, in north-central Vietnam. It is a beautiful region of ancient caves, forested mountains, and turquoise lakes with many adventure sports available to discover the park. It has the oldest karst system in Asia and is home to Son Doong Cave which is one of the most significant wonders of Vietnam — and the largest cave in the world.
Best Time To Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Between March and May are the best months to go to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Rainfall is low, and temperatures are pleasant in these months.
11. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Vietnam’ and is also one of the most scenic areas of Vietnam. The scenery here is a lush maze of mangrove forests, vibrant green rice fields, and languid waterways. You can visit the mighty Mekong by boat, stopping at the famous floating markets of Cai Rang, Chau Doc, or Can Tho, where farmers and traders come to buy and sell vegetables, fish, and fruits. Apart from that, when traveling here, visitors will experience lots of exciting activities including enjoying the Southern region specialties, listening to Don Ca Tai Tu folk music, and visiting the vast orchards.
Best Time To Visit The Mekong Delta
You should visit Mekong Delta during the dry season between April and December as it has low humidity and blue skies. In this region, the coolest months are from November to January.
12. Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park is a well-known natural attraction in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. The park covers a vast area of lowland tropical forest and is also a breathtaking biosphere reserve in Vietnam. The park is home to plenty of botanical gardens, ancient trees, and endangered wildlife. You can cycle or walk along the leafy trails to spot the endemic golden-cheeked gibbon together with other rare primates, mongoose, bears, civets, pangolin, elephants, deer, and rare birds.
Best Time To Visit Cat Tien National Park
The perfect time to visit the park is from December to May, as rainfall is low and temperatures are milder making it easier to discover the forest.
13. Hue Imperial Citadel
When coming to Vietnam, you should not miss the Citadel Complex of Hue – the World Cultural Heritage site, which captures many tourists’ attention. It is located on the north bank of the Perfume River (Huong River), inside Hue city. It covers an area of 520 hectares and comprises three circles of ramparts including Forbidden Citadel (Tử Cấm Thành), Royal Citadel (Hoàng Thành), and Hue Capital Citadel (Kinh Thành Huế). There are also plenty of famous sites here, such as Dien Tho Palace, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, etc. Besides, travelers can take a boat on the Perfume River to visit pagodas and tombs here, including Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc tomb, Khai Dinh tomb, etc.
Best Time To Visit Hue
January to April is the greatest time to go to Hue, as the weather is temperate and the rains aren’t aggressive anymore. It’s neither too humid and hot nor too wet and cold during the day, which is perfect for discovering the city.
14. Ho Chi Minh City
When visiting Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a great place you should not skip. The city is one of the two most prominent cultural and economic centers in the country. The initial impression of tourists when visiting this city is its dynamism, youthfulness, and excitement. Along with that, the city is full of crowded markets, food stalls, high-rise buildings or entertainment areas. Visitors can also learn about the Vietnam War by visiting Cu Chi tunnels or War Remnants Museum. For shopping, Ben Thanh Market is the best place with multiple kinds of items.
Best Time To Visit Ho Chi Minh City
Luckily, the climate in the city is pleasant, warm all year. It rarely has severe natural disasters, such as floods or typhoons. Anytime during a year is an excellent time to visit Ho Chi Minh City.
15. Sapa
Sapa is becoming one of the most breathtaking destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists, thanks to its majestic natural scenery, sumptuous cuisines, beautiful terraced fields, and the mysterious Love Market. The natural landscape here is a mixture of the green color of forests and the terrain of hills and mountains. Sapa also boasts Fansipan – Vietnam’s highest mountain and is dubbed the “Indochina roof.” This city has a variety of beautiful tourist attractions such as silver waterfall, Ham Rong flower garden, Muong Hoa valley, Bac Ha market, and much more.
Best Time To Visit Sapa
The best time for visiting Sapa is from March to May and September to November, as the weather is almost stable with cold nights and sunny days at these times.
Which place do you consider best to visit in Vietnam? Let us know in the comments box below.
Guest Author bio:
I am Mai Linh. I was born in Vietnam – a country with many unknown beaches, historic sites, and tourist attractions. Understanding that Vietnam nowadays is a famous destination, I established the blog site Vina.com to introduce the elegant beauty of Vietnam to friends around the world. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, our blog will provide you with essential information on where to go and what to do in our country.
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I’ve wondered about Vietnam ever since my business travels in the region and friends having gone there. Sounds great!
Thanks for the list of the must-see places in Vietnam. It is a huge country, I mean really long from north to south dotted with so many touristy places. A list like this helps a lot. Ha long bay is on the top of my list though.
Vietnam is a beautiful country indeed. Of the places I have visited, I really liked Hoi An for its charming historic feel. Phu Quoc Island looks amazing and a place I would love to go.
Vietnam is so beautiful. I really enjoyed Hue and China Beach. I can’t wait to return.
Vietnam has so many amazing places. How many days exactly we need to check out all these places as each one looks great in one or another way. Anyways, thanks for compiling up this great list.
I really liked reading your post!