10 Best Destinations to Visit in Vietnam [Should Not Miss]
You may not know Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experiences that you are looking for. Every town and city is uniquely different so Vietnam will keep surprising you. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Vietnam that every traveler should not miss for a fully Asian experience in the country.
1. Hanoi - Best city to visit in Vietnam
The capital city is a great starting point for experiencing all the awesome things that Vietnam has to offer. In fact, Hanoi is more traditional and less bustling than Ho Chi Minh City. Wandering down the streets throughout the day, you will get a feeling for what Hanoi is really about.
Some of the highlights are the Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Ethnology Museum, etc. Beyond sightseeing, Hanoi street food features a quintessential Hanoian experience. The city is world-famous for its street food dishes which most of the tourists agree is the best city to visit in Vietnam.
2. Sapa - Best mountain town in Northwest
It would be regretful to travel to northwest Vietnam without a Sapa trip. This stunningly beautiful place with lush green valleys is home to numerous hill tribes such as the Black H'Mong, the Red Dao, and the Giay. Sapa is always beautiful in all four seasons and the best for exploring by foot – where trekking leads to some of the country’s most beautiful sights.
It’s a great area for an authentic rural experience, observing how ethnic minorities here live and visiting local markets. Home-stays can be a good way to support the local tribes and learn about their daily life.
3. Halong Bay - Best natural heritage site in Vietnam
The World Heritage Site is probably one of the top Vietnam must-see attractions. Only a few places in the world can deliver completely on promises of excitement and adventure like Halong Bay. Imagine this: kayaking through ancient sea caves, rock-climbing limestone islands, sunbathing on hidden beaches, exploring fishing villages that drift on the ocean, watching the sun sink into the sea as you cruise on a romantic wooden junk ship.
These sound like fantastic stories from your favorite novels, but you can do all of these things in Halong Bay. While you could opt for a day trip, we recommend taking an overnight cruise to Halong Bay on one of the ships that offer a neatly tour package.
4. Ninh Binh - Best ecotourism spot in the North
Known as the "Halong Bay on land", the landscape of Ninh Binh is formed by Mother Nature through million years and is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. Making it magnificent with many limestone caves, winding rivers, primitive mountains, and lush greenery. Also, you can see the unique ecosystem thanks to its wide range of forests, mountains, rivers and seas, conservation areas, and national parks. The most famous attraction of Ninh Binh is Trang An, a complex of mountains and caves which you can only reach by water.
Following are Bai Dinh Pagoda - a complex of both ancient and innovative pagodas, Tam Coc - a miniature limestone complexity like Trang An, and Cuc Phuong National Park - the oldest and most important biodiversity site, etc. On a day trip in Ninh Binh, you will capture many beautiful religious structures, covered with green nature, giving the area a peaceful image.
5. Hue - the destination of historical landmarks
Hue is Vietnam's imperial capital city from the Nguyen Dynasty, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993. Every year, Hue attracts a lot of tourists to not only its special historical sites but also the beautifully romantic landscapes.
Hue is such a poetic city that many Vietnamese artists, composers, and poets have been inspired by its imperial citadel, temples, pagodas, and monuments. In addition to the historic values, Hue is worth visiting for its specific local cuisines, royal music originated from Nguyen's Palace, and friendly residents.
