Vietnam doesn’t just score points with its delicious food, lush landscapes, bustling cities, and charming villages. Lush green rice terraces, dreamy white beaches, cool islands, and breathtaking national parks await you. Bolle and Marco are, among other things, blown away by the beautiful city of Hoi An in Central Vietnam and love thinking back to their time there. If you’re currently planning your trip through Vietnam, you should definitely make a note of my top 12 Vietnam attractions. Enjoy browsing!
- Vietnam Attractions – Overview Map
- 1. Ho Chi Minh | Saigon
- 2. Magical Hoi An
- 3. The rice terraces of Sapa
- 4. Mui Ne & desert landscape
- 5. Lifeline Mekong Delta
- 6. On to Hanoi
- 7. Landscape near Ninh Binh
- 8. The old imperial city of Hue
- 9. Magical Halong Bay
- 10. Hai Van pass road
- 11. Cúc Phuương National Park
- 12. Cat Ba National Park
- 13. The Golden Bridge in Vietnam
Vietnam Sights – Overview Map
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1. Ho Chi Minh | Saigon
Vietnam’s largest city, “Ho Chi Minh” or still known as “Saigon”, awaits you in the south of the country and is the first stop in Vietnam for most travelers. At first, you might be a little overwhelmed by the heat, noise, and chaos, but wait, Ho Chi Minh has a lot to offer. A landmark and definitely worth a visit is the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can stroll for hours.
Not far away, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor. In addition to one of Vietnam’s most important Taoist temples – the Jade Emperor Pagoda – you shouldn’t miss the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, and the delicious Vietnamese food on the streets. More about this here: Saigon Sights and Travel Tips.
2. Magical Hoi An
Hoi An is considered the most popular city in Vietnam among travelers. No wonder, I think, because the city fascinates with its many colorful lanterns, charming alleys, cozy cafes, friendly people, and lots of charm. You should definitely not miss a visit to the cute old town with its many alleys and boutiques. Hoi An is also known as the “City of Tailors.” Bolle and Marco were able to see for themselves and had a beautiful dress and suit made for Marco. They both highly recommend it!
The tour continues through the city. The “Japanese Bridge” and a visit to one of the “Chinese Assembly Halls” are also a must on your trip through Hoi An. Let yourself be enchanted and transported to a city that offers not only culture and color but also a truly feel-good atmosphere. Grab a bike and ride through the lush green rice fields before you reach the sea. More about this here: Hoi An Sights and Highlights.
3. The Rice Terraces of Sapa
In the province of “Lao Cai”, not far from the Chinese border, lies the mountain town of Sapa. It particularly attracts hikers and trekking enthusiasts, as the area around Sapa offers breathtaking natural scenery and great hiking routes through the most beautiful rice terraces in the country. If you don’t just want to enjoy the landscape but also experience the culture and life of the people in the Lao Chai region, I recommend one of the trekking tours with a guide who can tell you about the history and culture in the villages. You will usually stay overnight with locals in homestays.
Great Tours & Excursions
- Tour from Sa Pa: Waterfalls, Trekking and Tribal Villages*
- Motorbike Tour around Sapa: Meet the Locals*
- From Hanoi: 3-Day Hiking and Bus Tour to Sapa*
- Sa Pa: 2-Day Hiking & Visit to a minority village*
- Private trekking tour to local villages with lunch*
4. Mui Ne & Desert Landscape
A desert in tropical, humid Vietnam? Yes, you read that right. About 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh lies the small coastal town of Mui Ne, which is particularly known for its red and white sand dunes. You can either rent a scooter and explore the dunes on your own, or book a tour* and enjoy the sunrise or sunset in the desert. You can also take a hike through the “Fairy Stream.” This is a small river that flows through a canyon, perfect for a cool stroll.
5. Lifeline: Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is often referred to as the “lifeline of Vietnam.” Here, you’ll find a vast labyrinth of rivers, swamps, and floating markets in southern Vietnam. For the people here, boats and ships are the primary means of transportation between rice paddies, pagodas, and villages.
The Mekong Delta captivates with its lush green colors, lush rice fields, coconut palms, warm people, and plenty of jungle feeling. If you are interested in local life, agriculture, and nature of the Mekong Delta, I recommend you plan at least 3 days for it. Immerse yourself in this magical region and its inhabitants and experience an unforgettable time.
Great Tours & Excursions
- Mekong Delta: Small Group Tour Vinh Trang Pagoda & Rowing Boat*
- Upper Mekong: Day Tour on the River*
- Củ Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Day Tour*
- Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market: 2-Day Tour*
6. Off to Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and also one of the most culturally significant cities in Southeast Asia. Countless museums offer you the opportunity to better understand Vietnamese history and the wartime revolution. Hanoi’s streets are crowded and hectic, but hidden in all the hustle and bustle are unique sights, such as the famous Hoan Kiem Lake with the sacred Turtle Tower surrounding the Jade Temple, the Old Town with its narrow alleys, the beautiful Temple of Literature, the Presidential Palace, and numerous other temples and pagodas.
7. Landscape near Ninh Binh
The Ninh Binh Province is considered, along with the mountain town of Sapa, to be the most beautiful landscape in Vietnam. A true natural paradise, it captivates visitors with its stunning views, enormous limestone cliffs, small rivers, and vibrant green rice fields. You can visit the Tam Coc region, about 9 km southwest of the city of Ninh Binh, by rowboat.
Huge limestone cliffs rise from the picturesque rice fields and are partly covered with plants. A fascinating world that opens up to you from the boat. You should also not miss the Bai Dinh Pagoda and the Cuc Phuong National Park with its diverse flora and fauna.
- Hoa Lư and Tam Coc-Bich Dong: Day Tour with Small Group*
- From Hanoi: Ninh Binh & Cuc Phuong National Park (2 days)*
- Private full-day Trang An, Bai Dinh Pagoda with lunch*
- Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Am Tien Cave and Trang An day tour*
8. The ancient imperial city of Hue
The ancient imperial city of Hue has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The name of the city means “harmony” and is the center of Buddhism, which is otherwise not widespread in Vietnam. The city is home to over 300 temples and pagodas, offering a wealth of cultural experiences. You should definitely visit the citadel with the Forbidden City, which was modeled on Beijing, and the octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda. Let yourself be carried away and immerse yourself in Hue’s history. A guided tour will give you even deeper insight into the culture and history. You can book this tour here*.
9. Magical Halong Bay
Halong Bay is probably one of the most famous photo motifs in Vietnam. Located in the far northeast on the coast of the South China Sea lies this absolute Vietnam highlight, which is probably on every Vietnam traveler’s bucket list. Magical, rainforest-covered limestone cliffs rise from the emerald-green water and transport you to a completely different world. Numerous boat tours take you to the mystical and unique caves and to remote beaches. You should definitely hike to one of the viewpoints to marvel at the unique Halong Bay from above.
Great Tours & Excursions
- Halong Bay: Islands, Caves & Kayaking – Day Tour*
- 2-Day Royal Palace Boat Trip: Halong Bay & Ti Top Island*
- Halong Bay 2-Day Overnight Boat Trip*
- Kayaking Tour: Cát Bà National Park, Lan Ha & Halong Bay*
10. Hai Van Pass Road
The 21 km long Cloud Pass lies between Hue and Da Nang and forms the border between North and South Vietnam. From a climatic perspective, the pass is also considered a weather corridor between North and South. The pass offers breathtaking views, magnificent landscapes, mountains, and a view all the way to the South China Sea. A road leads you up winding roads to the abandoned French and American bunkers. On the way down, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the sea, the harbor, and the city of Da Nang.
11. Cúc Phuong National Park
The Cuc Phuong National Park, also known as the “Jungle of Vietnam”, is located about 120 km southwest of the capital, Hanoi, and will transport you to a fascinating world. A magical rainforest, lush valleys, giant trees with climbing plants, bamboo, high waterfalls, and clear rivers await you. An absolute dream for nature lovers. You can explore the national park either on one-hour or multi-hour hikes, or take a multi-day trek where you spend the night in a village with the local Muong people. At night, adventurers can observe nocturnal animals and enjoy the tranquility of the national park with all its animal sounds. You can book a 2-day tour here*.
12. Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba National Park is located in northern Vietnam on the island of the same name, “Cat Ba,” and is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. You can choose between shorter and longer hikes on well-marked trails to viewpoints and caves. For those who don’t suffer from vertigo, there is an observation deck that offers a view of the entire park, the villages, and the surrounding mountains.
- From Cat Ba: Halong Bay & Monkey Island Boat Tour*
- Cat Ba: Full-Day Island Tour*
- Hanoi: 2-Day Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba National Park with Hiking*
13. The Golden Bridge in Vietnam
Last but not least, I have a real treat for you. Have you ever heard of the “Golden Bridge”? It’s located near Da Nang (around 30 km) and is about 150 meters long. This pedestrian bridge offers fantastic views of the 1,400-meter-high Truong Son Mountains. Particularly fascinating are the giant stone hands that rise up on the sides of the bridge. They almost seem to be holding the bridge in place. You can purchase tickets for the bridge and the temples here*.
