The 18 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Vietnam

Hanoi – The capital of Vietnam

Hanoi, the capital where “Vietnamese” life blends with the colonial past.

The scooter is king in the heart of a maze of alleys with multiple small stands, small stalls of all kinds, and street food stalls. The congestion of the sidewalks is real! Clothing sellers, small coffee tables and stools for eating, children playing, craftsmen, etc.

The pedicabs make their way with difficulty by slaloming through the streets of the old quarters, which are specialized by trade. The colonial district, with its beautiful yellow buildings bordering wide avenues, recalls the colonial history of Hanoi.

The pretty Hoan Kiem Lake in the center is the lungs of Hanoi and the meeting place to stroll in the shade of tall trees, shop in the luxury boutiques, or indulge in Tai Chi while mingling with the crowd of Hanoians early in the morning.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay – Emblematic and legendary, is a sublime gift of nature whose worldwide fame is second to none. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of its exceptional landscapes.

A jade-colored water from which emerges thousands of picturesque limestone rocks, in an extraordinary universe.

A charming cruise, private or collective, sleeping under the stars, in peace, in a beautiful traditional-style junk, is an unforgettable memory.

Hoi An – Coastline in the center

Hoi An, coastline in the center, a city of art, historic, colonial, seaside, and full of charm. A former trading post in the China Sea, Hoi An is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Its historic center is home to old mansions restored from the time when Hoi An was a prosperous port, a delightful Japanese bridge, temples of Chinese congregations, alleys with colonial houses, low and yellow in color, artists’ studios.

The archaeological site of My Son, ancient kingdom of Champa still completes Hoi An historically.

Under the last rays of the setting sun, the port of Hoi An and all the streets are tinged with the soft light of the hundreds of small lanterns which light up at nightfall and which are the emblem of Hoi An.

A pretty seaside stopover, Hoi An boasts beautiful beaches with glittering sand and deliciously clear water.

Paddling in a kayak, pedaling in the countryside in the middle of peaceful rice fields, lazing on the beautiful golden beaches, this is all the charm of Hoi An and its relaxed lifestyle.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is in the Northwest region of Vietnam.

Rugs of rice fields in pretty checkerboard patterns at the foot of the Tonkinese cordillera where small authentic villages nestle.

The White Thai ethnic group lives in thatched-roof stilt dwellings and is mainly busy working in the rice fields. They make Ruou Can, a local alcohol made from rice.

Pedaling or hiking in this serene environment is a real pleasure and gives the opportunity to meet the inhabitants.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh, located southeast of Hanoi.

The silent and gentle river serenely flows through a vast expanse of green rice paddies and rocky peaks resembling sugar loaves, in absolute calm. A typical boat ride through this majestic nature is a delight at every moment, amidst small birds and glimpses of forgotten pagodas.

Ha Giang

At the border of Yunnan (China), Ha Giang is a region nestled in magnificent mountain landscapes, forests, and rice terraces.

At the northernmost point of Vietnam, live the ethnic minorities Tay, Nung, Dzao, Han, and Lolo, completely preserved from the modern world. Unforgettable encounters on colorful small markets with different ethnic groups in their embroidered and colorful costumes.

In the heart of an authentic Vietnam, and against a backdrop of mountains striped with rice paddies, houses on stilts with thatched roofs gathered in small hamlets. Here, ancestral traditions remain unchanged.

The horse fighting festival in mid-August is highly regarded and attracts many tourists for thrilling horse fights with a first prize awarded to the triumphant horse.

The Long Tong festival, unique to the Tay ethnic group, is held every January of the lunar calendar, to pray for a prosperous and happy year.

The Buckwheat Flower Festival (in Vietnamese “Tam Giac Mach”): In October, the white and pink buckwheat flowers invade nature. This magnificent sight is celebrated with a festival to the sound of local musical instruments such as the “khen” or flute.

Mu Cang Chai

For fans of rice paddies and dreamy photography, this is where you will see the most beautiful rice paddies in the country. A world of rice paddies surrounded, of incomparable beauty!

The rice paddies of Mu Cang Chai are classified as a national heritage of Vietnam.

From May to October, the tender green turns to golden blond, on undulating hillsides carved with rice paddies by the hands of humans.

The central highlands

Buon Me Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak province, is the largest city of the Central Highlands. Many ethnic minorities inhabit the area such as the Mnong, Ede, and Jorai.

Although this region is not very touristy, it is worth a visit. It is mostly known for being the main coffee producer in Vietnam.

In Lac Lake, a natural lake fed by the surrounding mountains, the Mnong minority lives and offers boat rides and elephant-back adventures.

The traditional music in local costumes with the sound of gongs is an artistic expression recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

Traditional houses with surprising architecture called “Rong” and topped with an immense, pointed thatched roof are characteristic of this region.

Ho Chi Minh City

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling and vibrant metropolis. Its buildings proudly display striking modernity, its crowded markets, trendy bars, everything contributes to making this economic capital a modern city.

A few kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi tunnel network is a striking historical site from the Vietnam War period. A real underground city composed of networks of over 250 km of tunnels where the Viet Cong waged its resistance war against American troops.

Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh is also a few kilometers from Ho Chi Minh. Tay Ninh is the headquarters of the Caodaism religion, a mixture of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Vietnamese spiritualism, Christianity, and the worship of “genies.”

To the south of Ho Chi Minh City, the beautiful beaches of Vung Tau are the weekend retreat for Saigonese.

Phu Quoc Island

In the southernmost part of Vietnam, off the coast of Cambodia, facing the Gulf of Thailand, and a 1-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh, Phu Quoc is the trendy beach destination.

Here, blond sand and coconut trees inspire relaxation!

Other more discreet beaches also offer worthy scenery to discover by motorcycle for a day trip around the island.

The small day market is lively and colorful, and the evening market is a real treat! Small food stalls offer fresh fish, seafood, and shellfish that will be served to you on the spot! Other shops will tempt you with white or black pearls from the pearl farm.

“Nuoc mam” is the great specialty of Phu Quoc and the main condiment of Vietnamese cuisine. Many small artisanal manufacturing companies open their doors for guided tours.

And to end your days, squid fishing under the light of lanterns serving as bait is one of the nocturnal distractions of Phu Quoc.