Vietnam is one of the most popular countries to visit amongst tourists looking to enjoy an authentic Southeast Asian experience. It stands out for its diverse landscapes, stunning beaches, delicious food and rich culture.
There’s really countless different places to visit while traveling through Vietnam. From small villages to the largest cities, each one has a different story to tell for those interested in listening. Read our Vietnam travel guide to put together the itinerary of your dreams, from the must-see places to fun ideas for day trips.
Another aspect of Vietnam that might be of interest is safety and security for travelers. All you need to know is in this guide: Is Vietnam safe to travel?
Best places to visit in Vietnam
Hanoi
Hanoi, a city filled to the brim with history and amazing food, is likely to be the starting point of your Vietnam trip: it’s the capital and the main gateway for international flights. I recommend spending at least 3 full days here since there’s countless activities to do and attractions to see.
Prepare to soak in Vietnam’s past in the Old Quarter. This area is great to taste the delicious Hanoi cuisine with a cold Bia hoi beer in hand, a great end to a day of strolling around. Another top recommendation is the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049. It’s right in the middle of a lotus pond, in an environment so serene that you’ll forget you’re in the second biggest city in the country.
Recent Vietnamese history is best exemplified in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the famous leader. It closes on Mondays and Fridays so take that into account when you create your itinerary.
There’s another landmark that you’re not likely to find in a tourist guide, but it’s so worth the visit: the train street. To get the most authentic experience, just walk around and wait in a cafe for a train to pass. Don’t be scared (but be careful)!
Want some more ideas?
- If you can, try to go see a water puppet show. They’re on everyday in the afternoon and night.
- Spend a quiet moment walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, a favorite spot of the locals.
- Other landmarks you could visit: Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for insight into the different ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Halong Bay
Boarding a cruise to Halong Bay is a rite of passage for every first-time traveler to Vietnam. This stunning place, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is definitely one of the most famous places to visit in Vietnam.
The most common way to explore the area is by cruise, and you can choose to stay overnight or to just book a day trip. As long as your travel plans and budget allow it, I would recommend staying for at least one night. I promise you won’t regret it!
You’ll be able to swim around, enjoy water sports of every kind, and also explore the many caves littered around the bay.
If for some reason you’re not able to go to Halong Bay, there are other cheaper, less crowded options available. They’re all just as beautiful, don’t worry. Bai Tu Long Bay, for example, is a great alternative to Halong Bay.
Sapa
Sapa is one of the best starting points to discovering the real, most authentic Vietnam. You should allot 2 days to this part of the trip.
The biggest draw for tourists are the trekking trails. Think rolling hills and rice paddies everywhere you look. It’s also where you can find Fansipan, the highest peak in the entire country.
This city is a great respite from the hustle and bustle of the bigger ones. Although it’s a popular choice for travelers, there won’t be as many people around as in Hanoi, for example.
Most tourists choose to book a guided tour and to stay in a local home. Please, if you choose to tour Sapa with a guide, try to prioritize the local offers. That will guarantee you get an accurate read of the place and it’s the best way to support the different ethnic groups that live in and around Sapa. Tours usually include meals and a place to stay for the night (which won’t be luxurious at all, but do you even want it to be?!).
Hue
The city of Hue played a central role in Vietnam’s history up until the end of the American war. The attractions left standing open a window to the city’s tumultuous past in an educational and impactful experience. You’ll need around 3 or 4 days to explore it all.
The first stop in every trip to Hue is the Imperial city. Hue served as the Imperial capital from 1802 to 1945 for the Nguyen dynasty, and what remains of that time is within the walls of the Citadel. It will take you a whole day of exploring to see everything: besides the palaces, there are dozens of tombs and temples waiting for you. There’s even a moat! I would recommend the company of a guide to make the most of the excursion, especially if you’re a history buff like myself.
The other essential attraction of the city is also linked to its royal past: it’s what’s known as the imperial cuisine of Hue. It was developed to satisfy the appetites of emperors, so you can assume it will be fine for you as well.
But there’s even more things to do in Hue! For example, you could go to the beach if you travel in the summer (Lang Co is my top recommendation), or visit one or more of the pagodas littered around. The two most famous are the Thien Mu and Tu Hieu pagodas.
To close the list, it’s worth noting that sailing through the Perfume river is a beautiful activity to enjoy in Hue. You can rent a dragon boat or any other type of transportation. It’s a particularly stunning sight at sunset.
Hoi An
In my experience, you need about 3 days to explore Hoi An in detail. This is such a great city to get to know, and definitely one of my favorites in Vietnam.
The first thing you should do when you arrive might not be what you expect it to be. Hoi An is famous for its abundance of tailoring shops, and most visitors try to take advantage of this to have some clothes made to measure. So, when you arrive, try to find one you like and begin the process. It will take a couple of days to be done.
The most famous place for sightseeing in the city is the Old Town, a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO. You’re required to buy an entrance ticket to walk around, and to enter most places of interest. However, this isn’t thoroughly checked, so you might be able to explore for free. If you prefer to avoid the possibility of an uncomfortable moment, you can buy a ticket when you get there. It will cover five landmarks, including the famous Japanese bridge, museums and pagodas.
Another typical activity to enjoy in Hoi An are cooking classes and food tours. You can also take advantage of your trip to visit nearby villages or take a day trip to the Marble Mountains or Cham islands, two of the most popular choices.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is arguably the most famous city in all of Vietnam. Even though it’s not the capital, HCMC is the heart of the South, a city bustling with activity and filled with fascinating attractions that reflect its storied past.
If you’d like to dive into said past, the two places that stand out are the War Remnants Museum, with permanent and special exhibitions showcasing the horrors of the American war, and the Cu Chi tunnels, which were used by the fighters to hide and attack and are now open to the public.
The city itself has a lot of places of interest: you can’t leave Ho Chi Minh City without having seen the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Independence Palace. Another top attraction? Street food! Don’t miss out on the chance of trying some Vietnamese delicacies, like bánh mì or the local coffee, a delicacy.
If there’s enough time left in your trip, you should try to explore the Mekong delta and the floating markets: boats sail through the river selling all kinds of products, from fresh food to flowers. However, be warned: these markets can be very crowded!
Plan your itinerary around spending at least 3 days in Ho Chi Minh City. If you’d like to stay longer, you absolutely can! The city is full of excitement, and there are a lot of things to do nearby as well.
Da Lat
Da Lat, or Dalat, is an idyllic city in the Central highlands of Vietnam. Quiet and green, it stands out for the many natural attractions located around it.
Dalat is an ideal place for hiking and canyoning, two of the most popular activities amongst visitors. Another great choice is to visit waterfalls. Datanla, Pongour and Prenn waterfalls are usually the favorites.
If you want to be surrounded by a different kind of natural environment, a typical tour in Dalat is a visit to one of the coffee plantations nearby. It might surprise you to learn that Vietnam is the world’s second biggest exporter of coffee after Brazil. The Central highlands are the primary production hub for coffee. You can visit plantations to learn about the entire process (and try the local beans!).
What about the city itself? There’s a truly unique landmark that is sure to catch your attention: the Crazy House, a mix of Picasso, Gaudí and Dalí all in one. What makes it even more interesting is that you can sleep in it! I can’t even imagine what that would be like… probably incredibly fun.
The center of Dalat is Xuan Huong Lake, a place for resting and recharging your batteries after a long day of exploring. You can even rent a boat to see the lake from another perspective, or lounge on a bench while drinking an authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Looking for keepsakes to take home or souvenirs for your friends and family? Then close out your visit to Dalat with a trip to the Night Market. It opens late in the afternoon until midnight. Take advantage of the opportunity to try the local street food in one of the many food stalls open in the Night Market.
If you have enough time left, here are more options to complete your itinerary:
- The Buddhist temple Truc Lam Zen Monastery
- The Cathedral
- The Bao Dai Palaces
- The railway station
- The Valley of Love
Vietnam tourist attractions: cool options for intrepid travelers
In Vietnam, sites to visit are never lacking. I’ve already shown you the most popular places, now it’s time for some options off-the-beaten-path. Some can also be for certain budgets or for longer trips, but what I can promise you is they’re all worth seeing for yourself.
National parks
Ba Be National Park
This national park is easily reached from Hanoi. There are countless activities to enjoy: caving, cycling, trekking, kayaking on Ba Be Lake, fishing and more.
Besides the natural aspect, a visit to Ba Be National Park can prove to be an enriching cultural experience as well: the Tay, Dzao and H’mong ethnic minorities live around the park. Take this opportunity to see the most authentic side of Vietnam and learn how these groups live, farm and connect.
It’s possible to spend the night inside the park, and there are two options available: you can go camping or stay in the official lodging.
Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien is a stunning and large national park in Vietnam, a space protected by UNESCO and Ramsar for its importance in terms of biodiversity.
Visitors have the chance to see yellow gibbons swinging from tree to tree, crocodiles in the lake, bears, leopards, birds, butterflies and so much more! It’s very common to book a night safari to see the jungle in its prime.
Other activities waiting for you in Cat Tien National Park include trekking, cycling, visiting the rescue center for the local fauna, amongst others.
You can spend the night inside the park, whether you choose to go camping or to spend the night in the lodgings.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Did you know that the largest cave in the world is in Vietnam? Really! And it’s inside this national park. This natural marvel even has a river coursing within!
To be able to explore it, you need to book a guided tour, which will take days to be completed. It’s not for the faint of heart or untrained… or for budget travelers. However, if you’re up for it, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary is a Hindu temple complex built within the 4th century and the 14th century. It’s a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO, usually explored as a day trip from Hoi An.
Although the sanctuary is in ruins, there are many buildings and sculptures built by the Cham people still standing. There’s also a museum in the grounds of My Son depicting what the structures looked like in their time.
Even though there’s not an actual dress code enforced, you should remember the fact that this is a sacred site. Be respectful and try to dress modestly to honor the religious nature of My Son Sanctuary.
Islands and beaches
The Vietnamese coast is one of the main points of interest for tourists, and who could blame them? There are so many options, so many areas with top-notch beaches to choose from!
Here are a few of the most beautiful beaches and islands in Vietnam:
- Mui Ne
- Con Dao archipelago
- Nha Trang
- Phu Quoc island
- Ho Coc
- An Bang beach
- My Khe beach
- Doc Let beach
Rural villages
There are many rural villages in Vietnam that you can visit to see the way of life of the different communities.
You should pick the ones that better fit your itinerary, but here are some options to help you with the nearest urban center specified:
- Cat Cat (Sapa)
- Duong Lam (Hanoi)
- Bat Trang (Hanoi)
- Cam Thonh (Hoi An)
- Sinh (Hue)
- Cu Lao Gieng (An Giang)
- Chan Giang (An Giang)
- Sa Dec flower village (Dong Thap)
- Pom Coong (Mai Chan)
- Vung Vieng fishing village (Ha Long)
The best Vietnam itinerary for 10 days, 2 weeks and 3 weeks
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the amount and variety of things to do in Vietnam, but don’t worry: I’ve got you covered.
Here are four different itinerary options for traveling through Vietnam:
- Two 10-day itineraries: one focused on North Vietnam and the other on South Vietnam
- A 2-week itinerary
- A 3-week itinerary
I hope they help! And remember that, depending on your nationality, you might need to get a visa for Vietnam. Luckily, most countries are allowed to go through the process online. If that’s the case for you, you can apply here for your Vietnam eVisa.
