For such a small country you would imagine there wouldn't be all that many things to see and do but you'd be wrong. Three distinct regions, each with its own character and dynamics, climate and customs. It's difficult to say which region is best or better: the north, the center or the south. Each region has its own major city too: Hanoi in the north, Da Nang in the center and Ho Chi Minh in the south.
Must-see attractions in Vietnam, 10 of the most unforgettable things you'll want to see and do? Read on. The list is by no means exhaustive, yet the variety will prove to be useful to you. What is so amazing about Vietnam is it's welcoming for everyone. A very open, friendly destination for backpackers, couples and families. In fact, many Europeans to their pleasure, have retired to Vietnam.
The country is an international destination, and you feel that more so when in Da Nang. If you've been doubtful of an amazing holiday experience in Vietnam, sweep those aside.
From the list of 10 unforgettable things about Vietnam, our top 10 list is as follows. Which part of Vietnam you're holidaying in, influences the attractions. Don't worry, each region of Vietnam has something for everyone. As we said, Vietnam caters to most people and their desire to travel, for an Asian experience.
There are luxury cruises stretching from several days to over a week. The cruises take you from Cambodia's capital, down the length of the Mekong to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City. Or vice versa. Great experiences of course, you get to see many sights, for example Siem Reap. The world-renowned Angkor Wat Complex is something everybody should visit. But if you are holidaying in Vietnam, and heading to Ho Chi Minh City, a smaller boat trip is preferable?
Hire a local guide when in town. They'll take you on a small wooden paddle boat trip around the waters of the Mekong on the outskirts of the city. A few hours or a full day as you please, the trip is memorable because of the peacefulness and tranquility felt. You are under cover of shade a lot of the time, provided by the mangroves towering above you. The narrower waterways of the rivers and canals often crowded, ease off again further on.
An hour's drive by private taxi from Da Nang City, the small town is ancient. French colonial architecture present to this day, there is so much activity in this town. Hoi An Ancient Town deserves a few days of your holiday, at least. Sample local street food, see all the attractions including a memorable cruise.
One highlight of your last evening in town is finding a nice restaurant by the river for a meal. The Hoi An Lantern Festival brings startling sights. The 14th day of each Lunar Month, light from hanging lanterns reflect off the water after dark. Festivities ring loud like a party atmosphere with lots of entertainment.
One other attraction we urge you to try is the round boats, when in Hoi An Ancient Town. The round boats are small, and at most two people sit down at any one time. When you are comfortable, the rower brings the boat to open water. The boat is rotated 360° in a full circle. The more the boat spin, the faster it spins as you scream in the excitement of a thrilling ride. Holding on for dear life, the world around you spin too.
Quite a thrilling experience and dizzying but a lot of fun too. Of course, it's only natural to scream, just like everyone else out on one of the boats.
Do the two-day Fansipan trek if you wanted but we recommend you take the 20-minute cable car ride instead. More convenient and sensible. Stunning views looking down to the forest landscape below are what you dreamt of Vietnam. The ride is an experience of its own, the closer you get to the summit, the better. Holiday in December or January for the fog hogging the valley and mountain top.
But there is so much more to Sa Pa than the Fansipan attraction and Muong Hoa Mountain. Do high rise rice terraces rich in green fascinate you? Because of their natural beauty, read our other holiday travel adventure to Sa Pa, Vietnam.
If the 9 hours over night train ride derails your dream of Sa Pa, don't fret. A little closer to Hanoi, to the east, is Mai Chau District. A three-hour taxi ride gets you to within reaching distance of this secret holiday escape. It's perfect for nature lovers. And those:
The beauty is awesome, without a doubt you'll never ever forget those sights but there is more. Rich mountains of green appear, before your eyes fall upon the rice fields. Going deeper into a valley, the closer you are to the small ethnic villages. The villages are dotted "here and there", all around the landscape. Is this the real Vietnam? It is. History and culture thriving in these small communities, their traditions unchanged in centuries.
A completely different world to Hanoi that welcomed you to Vietnam. So, for sure make the concerted effort to nail down a two-day retreat in Vietnam's countryside. Because not only are the local villagers super friendly, but their food is also authentic. Their simpler way of life warms you inside. It's the dream escape you've always wanted and the perfect end to your Vietnam holiday.
One of the best weekend events of the city. Read our separate Da Nang City travel guide for more information about the fire breathing dragon.
Yet another UNESCO registered Biosphere Reserve Vietnam lays claim to. The landmark is heavenly for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, those of you who go weak at the knees. Do you fall into either group? You're in for a treat if you do. Dong Nai Province is towards the east of Ho Chi Minh City, so leaving the capital you are heading to the city of Tan Phu.
There's a regular train service from District 1 which can take you halfway. After that, hire a taxi to get you to your Tan Phu accommodation. Go all out and hire a taxi from Ho Chi Minh City for the entire journey. Expect to pay US$90. Honest, you'll pay a good part of that anyway between the train and taxi combined. Another US$10 or so for convenience and comfort is worth it in the end. The taxi is quicker, and you can instruct the driver to pull in at any roadside stop as you please.
There are plenty of buses leaving Tan Phu daily that will drop you off at the gates of the park. If you miss the timetable, hire a taxi instead. When you're ready, you can either a) head back to Ho Chi Minh City, or b) continue eastward. The town of Miu Ne, for the desert like sand dunes and buggies (they're lots of fun) is a worthy destination. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City? Look in on Suoi Mo Recreational Park (especially if there is family in tow) for a nice, relaxing day out.
Pro Tip #1: Two days to get a sense of what the national park is enough, any longer and boredom may creep in.
The beautiful thing about Vietnam is seeing the street vendors at the side of the road. It's a tradition of selling fresh food and sourced goods. Even in some of the smaller towns in Vietnam, they're at the roadside. A local market is never far away, for quality on a budget. Is it because Vietnam is a poor country? We would argue it's because the people enjoy a slower pace of life, even in a sprawling metropolis like Ho Chi Minh.
Vietnam manages to keep with the times, and yet remembers its roots. That fact is common throughout Asia, actually.
For the young professionals, foreign to Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a powerful magnet. For that matter, Da Nang City and Hanoi City too, each attractive to differing people. We would wager a bet Hanoi has a more influential and authentic Vietnamese food scene as well. HCMC city pulls you in and refuses to release its grip, a lot is to do with local traditions and hospitality. There is a lot of history of course, you feel it.
Especially with the aftereffects of war that almost destroyed Vietnam. Afterwards, on reflection returning home you are thankful the culture survived such brutality.
Pro Tip #2: One relaxing "must try to enjoy" experience when in Ho Chi Minh City is an evening meal at one of the city's rooftop restaurants.
What you will remember of the evening is the good food and service. Staring, hypnotized, out over onto the nightscape takes your thoughts to another world. There are many roof top restaurants and bars close to the city center. Dining in the open air creates a calming atmosphere with live music or comedy nights. We (strongly) recommend you book your table in advance.
As soon as you arrive at your hotel, inform the reception of your table and in which restaurant. A taxi will be prepared, collecting you and delivering you in enough time. As we've said all along, the level of hospitality service in Vietnam is off the scale.
A large part of the pleasure of deviating from Hanoi City to Ha Long Bay is the 3D2N luxury cruise. If you are only going for a cruise, then there is no need to book accommodation in town. You arrive the day you board and enjoy an amazing few day (and nights), returning to Hanoi afterwards. What makes the cruise feel so unreal? It isn't one thing alone but lots of subtle things ― you don't see at the moment but recall much later.
Firstly, the prices are very good and reasonable per person because:
A cruise affords you the chance of creating lifelong memories. It's a Vietnamese holiday you'll never forget: moments inside Dau Go Cave for example. On a lot of the boats, you have spa and beauty facilities. A recreational gym too, on some of the larger boats. Usually those facilities are exclusive, costing a little extra. If staying in shape is important to you, even on holiday, they're available for your use. Going on a luxurious cruise on Ha Long Bay could be one of the best experiences you'll have from Hanoi City.
You immediately wouldn't think of Vietnam having tropical Islands, but they're there. There are quite a few Vietnam tropical Islands actually, each worth a little of your time. Phu Quoc Islands does command your attention for much longer, much more than a weekend escape.
Vietnam's archipelago in the south is feature rich:
You can Island hop by private boat or use the cable car system that keeps some of the Islands chained together. Stay in town for the food and shopping or stay in one of the jungle resorts for the peacefulness and nature. It's breathtaking to wake up early in the morning before sunrise, at one of those jungle resorts.
It feels like being back to Ubud on Bali. Is Phu Quoc worth visiting? Yes, because this is where some of Vietnam's best beaches are. So far south the climate is much warmer, average temperatures in the high 80's Fahrenheit. Plan your weeklong holiday to Phu Quoc year-round, flying from Ho Chi Minh City it's only a few hours away.
Hanoi is a magical gateway to the hidden wonders of the north. But be sure to save a day or two for the city experience, such as the Old Quarter. It's the city's top "go to" place for sampling traditional cafe and restaurant culture. Away from, off a little distance from the old quarter is Hoan Kiem Lake. Both locations are regular haunts for travelers, you must visit before leaving Hanoi. Especially for the food but also the shopping the Old Quarter is famous for.
Some say the area has now become exploitive and over commercialized, but we disagree. There is still more than enough of the look and feel of what once was Vietnam. A few businesses being in families for generations, going strong now for a thousand years. Yes, you did read that correctly, a few businesses are as old as that. Unbelievable.
It's a case of you don't come to Hanoi if you've no plans on going to the Old Quarter. Aside from the history and food, one amazing attraction is the trains that pass through. You've to move away from the track and stand with your back up against the wall until the train passes. Scary? Not so but it's something to be aware of. But don't worry, you hear the train before you see it so you've lots of time to grab your smartphone for the event.
Many of the cafes and restaurants are inside, the first floor gives you better views of any passing train.
Is Pho any good? Yes, one of the best dishes for a Vietnamese breakfast. There are regional, and even local, variations to Vietnam's national dish (which happens to be Pho) you will undoubtedly wish to try as you travel ― great. But the original and best you'll experience will only be served to you in Hanoi. In fact, let's rephrase that actually ― in the north. What was originally thought to be a simple noodle soup, had it's flavor boosted when a villager added meat to their soup, in those years before World War 2.
Thought to be a simple noodle soup in the old days. The flavor was boosted when a villager added meat to their soup, in those years before World War 2. In those days meat was expensive in terms to farm the animal. Far too precious to throw it away in a soup, yet it caught on somehow. Today the soup is a national dish and tens of millions of people living in southeast Asia enjoy it daily. Many eat Pho for their breakfast before leaving home and then buy it as a takeaway in the afternoon. Take care before deciding where to eat Pho though, as quality isn't equal in all restaurants.
Pro Tip #3: If the restaurant or cafe is busy (people are sitting, waiting or there's a queue) then eat there. The food is of excellent quality, not because it's cheaper to eat there.
Ha Giang, to the west of Cao Bang Province is one of the best destinations to the north of Vietnam. The Ha Giang Loop, a notorious route for motorbike road trips, has some of the best scenery in southeast Asia:
The loop is notorious for sure, but an utter pleasure for those who do appreciate the natural world. All around are rising rice terraces, as you slow down for the hairpin bends and give throttle once free of them. You cannot fail but to stop every so often to:
Depending on your 2D2N or 3D2N package tour, it'll take you to different sights. It's best and better actually to book a tour because the guides are seasoned locals. They somehow know all the roads, the dangers and so forth. Where to be careful depending on the time of year, the weather, and best places for exploring. If you were to go it alone, chances are what could happen:
A mountainous region in the north of Vietnam that's on the border with China. Aside from the provincial city of Lao Cai, the other notable talking point of the province is Sa Pa City. The best trekking in Vietnam is found here. The remote homestays and never-ending unfolding rice terracing. It's as famous, in high demand as much as Ha Long Bay and Hoi An Ancient Town.
The province is also where you'll fall upon Muong Hoa Valley when on a guided trek. You are asking your guide for the route to Cat Cat Village. It's one of those "lost in time" places you could never have imagined to be real. Today, it dumbfounds you. Not until you set eyes on it from afar, can it be true. And the closer you get, the wider your eyes open and your heart skips a beat. You could lose an entire day in the village exploring the nooks and crannies.
Moving on with your journey, it fills you with sadness for having to leave. If you seek a laidback, peaceful retreat ― the perfect escapism, Cat Cat Village is for you.
There are so many differing experiences all round Vietnam. Very difficult to separate each one and pick out the best one ever of the lot. After deliberation it fell to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Ninh Binh Province. The province alone is a world-famous top tourist attraction. We won't go over it a second time with this guide, but our thoughts are clearly laid out in another guide (link below). Clear a two-week window, book those flights and hotels and rub your hands together in glee.
What's so special with Vietnam? We've said this much before, it's the three distinct regions the country offers you. The north, center and south are micro countries in their own right, yet you are thankful of this. Because they all fit so well together as one unlike anywhere else you care to mention. You warm to the people very quickly, their traditions and way of life. When traveling in rural Vietnam, you touch and feel the real Vietnam:
You cannot help but feel compelled in wanting to return again and again. What other country enthralls you like so.
One of the most memorable nights you could have, is an evening spent at the Air Saigon bar and restaurant when staying in Ho Chi Minh City. Of all the memories given to us throughout your holiday in Vietnam, this'll was one of the highlights. That's a promise. The establishment has excellent:
Do your darndest to get a table by appointment, maybe even book in advance long before your due to fly out.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.