10 Places to Visit in Vietnam (And Where Not to Go) – Complete Travel Guide

Vietnam is stunning, but not every tourist spot lives up to the hype. From lantern-lit streets and limestone mountain ranges to bustling cities and tropical islands, Vietnam offers something for every type of traveller.

In this complete Vietnam travel guide, we bring you the Top 10 places you can visit in Vietnam, tips on what not to waste time on, and how to make the most of the trip. Whether you’re booking a trip or looking for a Vietnam tour package, this guide will help you map out the right choices.

To make this easier, we have categorized each of the 10 best places to visit in Vietnam into region-wise destinations.

Here’s a quick look-

North Vietnam

South Vietnam

Central Vietnam

Now let’s start exploring each place in detail-

1. Ha Long Bay Cruise

Ha Long Bay

Planning your itinerary and wondering which place you should visit? Ha Long Bay deserves a spot. It is one of the most postcard-perfect places in the country. Whether you’re visiting for nature, photography, or simply to experience serene vibes, this UNESCO site will leave a lasting impression. Known for its striking limestone islands and calm emerald-green waters, it offers a unique cruise experience. Ideal for couples, families, or anyone else who is looking to disconnect from the city noise.

For most tourists, Ha Long Bay is a once-in-a-lifetime, must-do experience that is visually unforgettable. Though it is a place that most people do not return to on repeat trips, its grandeur makes it an important inclusion in any Vietnam Tour package, especially for first-time visitors.

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

Search for tour options that include transport from Hanoi, meals, and cruise activities. If you are starting your journey from Hanoi, look for cruises that include shared shuttle transfers to and from the city, as it saves both time and money. Many tour operators offer good value, especially if you are considering a broader Vietnam Tour package.

What to Eat & Where –

Most cruises offer Vietnamese meals only, which are often seafood-based. Vegetarian options are available if you inform in advance. For Indian travellers, carrying your own snacks is a smart move.

2. Hanoi

Hanoi, being the capital of Vietnam, is a beautiful city that beats well with culture, contrasts, and a quiet charm. If Vietnam were a melody, then Hanoi would be its rhythm. This lively capital is a perfect blend of heritage, budget shopping, tasty food, and a whole lot of city buzz. Here, you can go for early morning walks around Hoan Kiem Lake and then to late-night pho under neon signs. Hanoi is the place where unique museums, golden pagodas, and unlimited entertainment lie.

This is the place where tradition resides comfortably beside its colonial history and modern new life. The place is chaotic, soulful, and definitely unforgettable.

Best Time To Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

What To Skip-

You can skip the Hanoi night market, as it is overhyped, filled with touristy trinkets, and cheap souvenirs. Also, you should avoid paying too much for puppet shows.

3. Sapa

Sapa, tucked away in Vietnam’s Northern highlands, is a dreamscape that feels like a quiet dream. This is the place where adventure meets culture, and is also known as Vietnam’s hidden Himalayan cousin. Sapa is a small market town that shares its borders with China, and is home to some of the best trekking, terraced rice fields, and mist-covered valleys.

This place is also home to several ethnic minority communities, like the Hmong, Dao, and Tay, who still live there farming and weaving fabrics.

When coming to Sapa, Trekking is the heart of this region. Whether you are hiking through Muong Hoa Valley, taking a cable car ride to the Fansipan Peak, or having an overnight stay with a local family in a village homestay, Sapa is full of moments that you will always remember.

Sapa also lets you experience Vietnamese culture up close, as you’ll see women selling handmade fabrics, weaving clothes, and kids playing in village alleys. It is a must-visit place for Indian backpackers, couples, and people who really want to connect with nature.

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What To Eat & Where-

4. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is often called “Halong Bay on Land”. This place is Vietnam’s hidden postcard, filled with emerald rice fields and surreal limestone karsts that rise dramatically over the rice paddies. It is a calm place away from the city chaos, offering temples, boat rides, and a whole lot of countryside charm. Ninh Binh is only a few hours from Hanoi, and is a cheaper alternative to Ha Long Bay, being the perfect one-day trip if you enjoy nature and beautiful landscapes. Unlike Ha Long Bay, here you can glide through the caves and valleys in a traditional sampan boat that is rowed by locals, often with their feet. Here, you can enjoy Tam Coc’s rice fields, Trang An‘s cave routes, or Bich Dong Pagoda’s layered beauty. This place is perfect for couples, solo travellers, and families who are looking for a break from busy city life.

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

What To Skip-

5. Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) is the financial capital of Vietnam, located in southern Vietnam. This capital city is all about late-night vibes and a whole lot of hustle. Imagine rooftop bars with beautiful skyline views, street food everywhere, and museums that tell Vietnam War history. This is what Ho Chi Minh City is. In this urban heart of Vietnam, you will discover Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, and other bars to live a loud, hustling life.

Ho Chi Minh is an ideal place for young couples, solo travellers, and people who love history. However, families with kids might feel overwhelmed and hectic because of the fast-paced life here.

Best Time To Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What To Eat & Where-

What To Skip-

6. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Co Chi Tunnels are a one-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. A half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels is absolutely worth it, as these narrow, hand-dug tunnels tell the story of Vietnam’s fight for Independence and survival. Here, you will relive the indigenous survival strategies of Vietnamese soldiers. It is a great place for people who are curious about real-world history, as you will see underground bunkers, kitchens, and shooting areas hidden here, beneath the dense jungle.

This place is ideal for solo travellers, history enthusiasts, and adventure seekers who want to know about Vietnam’s history. However, this place is not ideal for elderly travellers, young children, or someone who’s claustrophobic, as the hand-dug tunnels are extremely narrow and can feel suffocating. Some parts even require crawling and bending, which is definitely something that not everybody can do.

Best Time To Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What To Eat & Where-

Cu Chi does not have much food variety at the tunnel itself, but here is how you can plan-

What To Skip-

7. Mekong Delta ( My Tho)

The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s lush river region that has floating markets. It is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Being nicknamed the Rice Bowl of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is where the land and water meet in a maze of floating markets, green paddy fields, and stilt houses. More than half of Vietnam’s requirement of rice and fish is provided by the Mekong. This place is for people who want an earthy experience, from holding a python to enjoying fresh tropical fruits.

My Tho is a popular gateway in the Mekong Delta region, which offers boat tours that will take you through bee farms, fruit orchards, and calm waterways. My Tho is known for traditional folk music, calm water beds, cruises, and coconut candy-making fields. You should definitely add this place to your trip to Vietnam, as this is a refreshing place, ideal for people who want to experience rural Vietnam without staying too far from the cities.
Mekong Delta is a place ideal for families with kids, couples who are looking for a rural, laid-back experience

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

What to Skip-

8. Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam, which is often compared to Phuket or Bali. This place is home to beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise waters, seafood shacks, and sunset views that look straight out of a movie. This island in the southern region of Vietnam has a vibe like no other. The Island offers everything from luxury resorts to beach shacks and sunset bars. It is an easy place to reach, through its International airports and frequent flights. This place is located just 4km from Cambodia, which means that you can look up the Vietnam and Cambodia tour package given by Flip Trip Holidays for a guided tour to this place.

Phu Quoc has pristine beaches, Long Beach (Bai Truong), Ong Lang Beach, and Sao Beach (Bai Sao), each of them offering its own charm and beauty. Beyond the beaches, the island also offers dense jungles, scenic waterfalls, and wildlife reserves like the Phu Quoc National Park, where you’ll find diverse flora and fauna, including rare wildlife. Here, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing are popular due to the island’s rich marine life.

This place is ideal for couples who are looking for a relaxing beach getaway. Also, families with kids can come visit, as there are swimmable beaches and attractions like Vinwonders theme park and Safari Zoo.

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

9. Da Nang & surroundings

Da Nang is Vietnam’s cleanest and livable city. This city sits comfortably between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, and is often considered the best base to explore Central Vietnam. Da Nang is the kind of place that rarely disappoints. There is spiritual calm at Marble Mountains or the beauty of the whimsical Golden Bridge, which is held by two giant hands in the clouds. It is also home to Ba Na Hills and the most famous Fantasy Park.

This place is loved by families, who love to visit the Fantasy Park, solo travellers are attracted to the clean beaches and beautiful temples, and even couples are excited to try out the cable car ride over the misty mountains of Ba Na Hills.
If you’re planning a Vietnam trip that balances culture, relaxation, and adventure, then Da Nang definitely deserves a spot.

Best Time to Visit-

Local Tips and Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

What to Skip-

10. Hoi An Ancient Town

Welcome to Hoi An, Vietnam’s lantern capital. This place was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999. The name, “Hoi An”, translates to a peaceful meeting place.
Hoi An feels like a living museum, with its ancient architecture, peaceful temples, and the calm Thu Bon River. This yellow-walled place looks like the perfect blend of Japanese, Chinese, and French influences. The narrow alleys, quaint cafes, and riverside walkways make this place warm, cosy, and a worthy cinematic experience.

During the day, there are plenty of heritage buildings and local markets to explore, but the evenings here are magical. As the sun sets, the town is beautifully lit with colourful lanterns hanging across the streets, bridges, and boats. When walking around the market, you will come across local tailors, antique stores, tea houses, and beautiful cafes. Hoi An captures your senses like no other, a calm place with roots in history.

Best Time to Visit-

 

Local Tips & Budget Hacks-

What to Eat & Where-

Packing Tips & Essentials for Vietnam

Before you explore the Top 10 places to visit in Vietnam, this is what you should toss in your suitcase-

Pro Tip- Overpacking is common, but you do not need to worry. Vietnam is easy to travel light, as you can get everything here at affordable prices.

Conclusion

Vietnam is your go-to destination for exploring diverse landscapes and cities. Narrowing down the places to visit in Vietnam is no easy task. If you would like to skip the research and planning process, then you can book your Vietnam Tour Package from trusted travel companions like Flip Trip Holidays.

This extensive travel guide focuses on the Top 10 best places to visit in Vietnam, cautiously handpicked for their beauty, charm, and scenic views. Be it hiking in Sapa, lounging in Phu Quoc Island, strolling through lantern-lit markets, discovering ancient streets, visiting sacred temples, or learning Vietnamese war history, this guide has it all. To save you some trouble, we have also added some places that you might want to skip since not every place lives up to the hype.

Planning your itinerary can get really overwhelming, especially if you are visiting for the first time. That is why this travel guide includes the best time to visit Vietnam, which is catered to keeping in mind all the different regions. This blog will help your trip become smooth, as it provides a complete food guide, local tips, saving hacks, and even packing tips for Vietnam.

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