Top 10 places to visit in Vietnam

Vietnam is a great country having many good attractions for their visitors and tourist.

Vietnam owns one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and plenty of beautiful scenery, fascinating culture and history.  It has many historic attractions and old temples. And there are many historical sites are people of Vietnam keepers.

These are the top 10 places to visit in Vietnam. Here it’s a handy list of beautiful places you simply cannot miss seeing during your travels in Vietnam.

1. Hanoi



Hanoi is arguably Asia’s most charming capital city. Hanoi, meaning ‘where the river bends’ is a city of broad, tree-lined boulevards, elegant French villas and colonial-era buildings painted in muted hues of yellow and orange. It is also one of Asia’s greenest cities with an abundance of parks and lakes as well as a host of cafes and art galleries and an Old Quarter steeped in history. The city’s most interesting places for tourists are all relatively close to each other, which makes it easy to enjoy the best parts of the city on foot or by cyclo. You could probably explore well-known landscape in Hanoi such as Literature Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, Sword Lake, West Lake, History Museum, Flag Pole, Ancient city…

2. Sapa

In September, tourists often rush to Sapa to discover the beauty of the terraced field in its harvesting season.

Sapa is one of the most breathtaking hill stations in Vietnam which reflects the signature of French architecture and colorful hill tribal cultures. This is home to stunning mountain landscapes, verdant rice terraces, unique stilt villages and Indochina peak, the Fansipan. Travellers are invited to enjoy the best of Sapa all the year round with different taste of seasons and exciting outdoors.

3. Ha Long bay

Halong Bay is a popular tourist destination and one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam because of its unusual rock formations, islands and caves such as the famous Kissing Rocks, Sung Sot Grotto (Cave of Surprises), Hoang Tan Island, Hon Trong Mai, Bai Tho Mountain, Thien Cung grotto (Heavenly Cave) and Cat Hai Island.
Halong Bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional scenic beauty and outstanding geological and geomorphic values. In 2012, the New 7 Wonders Foundation officially named Halong Bay as one of new seven natural wonders of the world. Hạ Long Bay is also a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World.

4. Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park

Viet Nam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park has been recognised as a world natural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at its 27th general assembly session being held in Paris from June 30-July 5

Phong Nha-Ke Bang park is now the fifth UNESCO recognised site in Viet Nam after Ha Long Bay, the imperial city of Hue, the ancient quarter of Hoi An and the My Son historical site.

Visit the rugged scenic beauty of the 200 hectare Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and:

•     Explore Phong Nha Cave, a large, illuminated wonderland.
•     See the spectacular jungle scenery & fascinating limestone formations of the karst mountains.
•     Swim in clear turquoise rivers overhung by jungle greenery.
•     Ride the river rapids.
•     Investigate the extensive network of unspoilt caves that make up one of Asia’s largest cave systems.
•     Observe the varied wild life; you may even come across a troop of rare Black Langur monkeys.
•     Organised tours are the usual way to see these sights but walking, Xe Om and bicycle riding are also options.
•     Mini van and or 7 seater car can be arranged for groups.

In addition there are many activities available at and around the farmstay:

    Ride a bicycle along the winding dirt tracks weaving through the rice paddy fields and through tiny quaint villages where you can stop to interact with the friendly locals, visit local markets & swim in the clear streams nearby.
    Learn about the history of the American War from the locals who participated and visit the memorial sites that the locals hold sacred.
    Participate in traditional farming activities including ploughing with buffalo and rice harvesting.

5. Hoi An Ancient Town



Hoi An is an old town down the Thu Bon River, on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, about 30 km south of Danang City 
The architecture of Hoi An, which is almost entirely of wood, is of considerable interest. It combines traditional Vietnamese designs and techniques with those from other countries, above all China and Japan, whose citizens settled there to trade and built houses and community centres to their own designs.
The typical house conforms to a corridor plan, the following elements occurring in sequence: house, yard and house. The buildings are:

• family cult houses, dedicated to the worship of ancestors;
• the community houses, used for worship of ancient sages, founders of settlements, or the legendary founders of crafts;
• the pagodas are almost all from the 19th century, although inscriptions show them to have been founded in the 17th and 18th centuries. They conform to a square layout and decoration is largely confined to the elaborate roofs. In the case of the larger examples, they constituted nuclei of associated buildings with religious and secular functions. Some of the larger pagodas also served as meeting halls. These are located along the main street (Tran Phu).
• Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized as World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO in 1999.

Today, Hoi An is also known as a shopping paradise that attracts tourists towards its wonderful souvenirs, handicrafts, antique pieces, silk materials and art paintings, and so on. Hoi An old town with colorful lanterned nights, with cristinely old plain houses and special mysterious cultural elements, and with the etiquette & culturally hospitable and friendly people are warmly welcoming you.

6. Hue Citadel

Hue has chosen to be the capital city of the Southern Kingdom by all Nguyen Lords and officially became the capital under Tay Son'reign. For approximately 400 years, Hue has become a great landscape and architectural site. Hue' royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (1993).

Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, with an area of 500 ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).

The Ngu Binh Mountain in the South is used as a front screening elevation. The Con Hen and Con Da Vien (both are sand dunes) on the Perfume River are chosen as geomancy condition "dragon on the left, tiger on the right" to protect the capital city.

7. Nha Trang

Nha Trang, capital of Khanh Hoa province, is Vietnam’s most famous seaside resort-town and its most prominent scuba diving destination. Nha Trang is also known for the best weather in Vietnam. The city is bordered by beautiful mountains and an amazing, long beach along a bay impressively dotted with many scenic islands. It offers plenty to tourists – from island-hopping boat trips, scuba diving and many other water sports, trekking, mudbaths, historic sites to golf.

Today, Nha Trang attracts a large number of domestic as well as international tourists from all over the world, mostly in summer. If you plan to visit Nha Trang from June to August, it is advisable that you book your hotel well in advance.

Nha Trang is famous for its culinary specialties like fresh seafood and barbecued pork rolled in rice paper, which are available in many restaurants in Nha Trang. In addition, the swallow’s nest soup – with bird’s nests collected from the wild, is regarded as the best in Vietnam.

8. Da Lat

Valley of Love. Photo by Dzung Viet Le

Located 200 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh and at an altitude of 1,500 meters, Da Lat has the appearance of an old French city. It was founded in 1897 when Doctor Alexandre Yesin recommended that the area be developed as a resort.

Da Lat has many natural and artificial such as Ho Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Da Thien and Tuyen Lam, which are all bordered by rows of pine trees, one of Da Lat’s best-known features. A trip to Da Lat is not complete without a visit to the Flower Garden. The temperate climate is suitable for orchids, roses, lilies, camellias and a wide variety of other flowers.
Tourists can go on from Da Lat to nearby Langbian Highlands, home to many ethnic minorities. Langbian Mountain’s highest peak (2,165 m) is very tempting for climbers. From Lom Bieng Klo peak, one can see endless green mountains reflecting the golden rays of the sun. There are many organized tours in the area, including parachuting and climbing.
Some traveler ever said: “If you are in love, a week in Da Lat – a rhythmic land of flowers and romance- will make your love turn into a happy ending!”…

9. Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon by night

Vietnam's bustling largest city sets the cultural and economic pace for the country. The former Saigon boasts charming French colonial architecture and wide boulevards, usually thronged and choked with traffic. Taxis are an option for seeing the sprawling city. The War Remnants Museum shows the Vietnam War through Vietnamese eyes. Don't miss the impressive Jade Emperor Pagoda. Go to the frenetic Ben Thanh Market for food, flowers or frogs. Tour through the Mekong Delta, past rice paddies and houseboats.

10. Phú Quốc Island

Phu Quoc is an almost unknown destination in Vietnam. International tourists and Vietnamese alike just recently discovered Phu Quoc. It is not hard to see why many tourists are boasting of the splendid natural beauty and untouched remote beaches of this spectacular tropical island.

This peaceful tropical paradise, floats in the warm turquoise waters in the Gulf of Thailand, 50kms from the Vietnamese mainland and a 50 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Open year round with a peak season from November to March, Phu Quoc is becoming well known for stunning beaches, untouched natural environment, the easy going and relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, and fantastic scuba diving and snorkelling.

The majority of Phu Quoc Island is dedicated to National Park and protected marine environment, providing a memorable experience, with plenty of exciting activities and places to visit to keep you and the family entertained during your stay.

Phu Quoc is blessed with favourable natural environment like the virgin forest of over 37,000 hectares, white sandy beaches, coral gardens offshore, varieties of wildlife species, so it is not hard Long Beach, Phu Quocto see why the island has great tourist potential.

For the time being, tourists visiting phu quoc can still enjoy the experiences of finding a remote beach lined with coconut tress and calm blue waters.

Final Thoughts: Which Place Should You Visit in Vietnam?

Vietnam offers an extraordinary variety of travel experiences, from the historic streets of Hanoi and Hoi An to the spectacular mountains of Sa Pa, the limestone scenery of Ha Long Bay, and the tropical beaches of Phu Quoc.

Each destination has its own character and attractions. History lovers may prefer Hanoi and Hue, adventure seekers can explore Sa Pa and Phong Nha, while beach enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. Meanwhile, Hoi An and Da Lat are wonderful choices for travelers looking for beautiful scenery, local culture, and a more relaxed atmosphere.

If you have enough time, consider combining several destinations into a journey from northern to southern Vietnam. This will allow you to experience the country's remarkable diversity and discover why Vietnam continues to attract travelers from around the world.

Which of these 10 destinations would you most like to visit? Share your favorite place in the comments and start planning your next adventure in Vietnam!

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