10 Best Destinations to Visit in Vietnam 2024 [Should Not Miss]

You may not know Vietnam has all the off-the-beaten-path experiences that you are looking for. Every town and city is uniquely different so Vietnam will keep surprising you. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Vietnam that every traveler should not miss for a fully Asian experience in the country.

Keep scrolling to find out the 10 best destinations to visit in Vietnam

1. Hanoi - Best city to visit in Vietnam

The capital city is a great starting point for experiencing all the awesome things that Vietnam has to offer. In fact, Hanoi is more traditional and less bustling than Ho Chi Minh City. Wandering down the streets throughout the day, you will get a feeling for what Hanoi is really about.

Some of the highlights are the Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Ethnology Museum, etc. Beyond sightseeing, Hanoi street food features a quintessential Hanoian experience. The city is world-famous for its street food dishes which most of the tourists agree is the best city to visit in Vietnam.

Hanoi Old Quarter

2. Sapa - Best mountain town in Northwest

It would be regretful to travel to northwest Vietnam without a Sapa trip. This stunningly beautiful place with lush green valleys is home to numerous hill tribes such as the Black H'Mong, the Red Dao, and the Giay. Sapa is always beautiful in all four seasons and the best for exploring by foot – where trekking leads to some of the country’s most beautiful sights.

It’s a great area for an authentic rural experience, observing how ethnic minorities here live and visiting local markets. Home-stays can be a good way to support the local tribes and learn about their daily life.

Sapa - the beautiful mountainous area of Vietnam

3. Halong Bay - Best natural heritage site in Vietnam

The World Heritage Site is probably one of the top Vietnam must-see attractions. Only a few places in the world can deliver completely on promises of excitement and adventure like Halong Bay. Imagine this: kayaking through ancient sea caves, rock-climbing limestone islands, sunbathing on hidden beaches, exploring fishing villages that drift on the ocean, watching the sun sink into the sea as you cruise on a romantic wooden junk ship.

These sound like fantastic stories from your favorite novels, but you can do all of these things in Halong Bay. While you could opt for a day trip, we recommend taking a cruise Halong Bay on one of the ships that offer a neatly tour package. 

Halong Bay

4. Ninh Binh - Best ecotourism spot in the North

Known as the "Halong Bay on land", the landscape of Ninh Binh is formed by Mother Nature through million years and is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. Making it magnificent with many limestone caves, winding rivers, primitive mountains, and lush greenery. Also, you can see the unique ecosystem thanks to its wide range of forests, mountains, rivers and seas, conservation areas, and national parks. The most famous attraction of Ninh Binh is Trang An, a complex of mountains and caves which you can only reach by water.

Following are Bai Dinh Pagoda - a complex of both ancient and innovative pagodas, Tam Coc - a miniature limestone complexity like Trang An, and Cuc Phuong National Park - the oldest and most important biodiversity site, etc. On a day trip in Ninh Binh, you will capture many beautiful religious structures, covered with green nature, giving the area a peaceful image.

Ninh Binh is considered the "Halong Bay on land"

5. Hue - the destination of historical landmarks

Hue is Vietnam's imperial capital city from the Nguyen Dynasty, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993. Every year, Hue attracts a lot of tourists to not only its special historical sites but also the beautifully romantic landscapes.

Hue is such a poetic city that many Vietnamese artists, composers, and poets have been inspired by its imperial citadel, temples, pagodas, and monuments. In addition to the historic values, Hue is worth visiting for its specific local cuisines, royal music originated from Nguyen's Palace, and friendly residents. 

Hue Imperial City

6. Da Nang - Best honeymoon destination

Da Nang is an extremely ideal choice for any person intending to have a luxury trip, especially for couples, It is the best honeymoon destination in Vietnam. Danang maintains its excellent safety, without beggars, drug addicts, and mostly no traffic congestions. Most notably, My Khe beach has been voted one of the 6 most beautiful beaches in the world by US Forbes Magazine.

Visitors are not only able to sunbathe on the white sand beaches, immerse in the crystal-clear sea, but also admire the other great masterpieces of creators and human beings as well as enjoy its purity and peace.

Danang is known as a city of bridge

7. Hoi An - Best cultural heritage site in Vietnam

Hoi An ancient town is the most tranquil city in Vietnam with the traditional beauty which has been maintained for decades including its narrow winding lanes, Chinese-style shops, Japanese teahouses, colorful lanterns, and elaborated temples. As a scenic town with a lack of traffic, at any time, you can always feel so relaxed with your mind all free from stress.

Hoi An owns very charming beauty and delicious cuisine. Visiting the town, you will have a chance to experience many kinds of signature street food such as sandwiches, noodles, or sticky rice with chicken, and other more. You will never get stuck with Hoi An thanks to numerous things to see in the laid-back town as well as in the surroundings. 

Hoi An Ancient Town

8. Ho Chi Minh City - The best destination to enjoy the vibrancy

Ho Chi Minh City, also officially known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s most booming city, a place where the moving never stops. Every bit of space is utilized, making for adventurous wandering within this hidden world of Saigon.

Saigon is truly an amazing city where you can feel the burgeoning pulse of a new Asian metropolitan city, but still carries with it a lot of tradition. It’s these two sides of the spectrum that make exploring the city so amazing. There are plenty of places where you can sample delicious local street foods at little cost. If you’re searching for specific names – take the surrounding area of the Ben Thanh Market. 

While you’re on a Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find there is a place called Cu Chi Tunnels - an extensive network running underneath from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border. This is the place where Viet Cong soldiers hid during the Vietnam War. Visitors can now crawl through some of the tunnels, learn the struggle of life for days on end. It is an impressive part of the country’s history and is worth a visit when you travel to the south.

Ho Chi Minh City

9. Nha Trang - Best beach destination in Vietnam

Nha Trang is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Vietnam, which is famous for its soft white sandy beach and many gorgeous islands. The marine life with the turquoise blue seawater of Nha Trang which supplies fresh fish and shellfish is also the highlight of Nha Trang. There are mineral-rich mud baths where you can indulge and heal yourself.

Besides, an island adventure is a worth-try experience with the sprawling amusement park, scuba diving, snorkeling, top-notch golf, and stunning cable car ride. You won't find anywhere else in Vietnam with the diversity of five-star hotels and resorts in Nha Trang. Many resorts, serene getaways, downtown accommodations here can provide you the perfect vacation to Nha Trang.

Nha Trang beach

10. Mekong Delta - the destination of generosity

Traveling to Southern Vietnam, you definitely should go for at least one day trip to Mekong Delta which brings visitors an ordinary picturesque scenery filled with coconut palms, fruit gardens, and paddy fields. Get lost into the lush and beautiful, this wonderful on the water world is the best to be explored by boat.

Mekong Delta features the uniqueness and excitement of southern culture. Don't miss the chance to make your way to the colorful Cai Rang floating market and get closer to the local daily life. 

Floating market in Mekong Delta

All in all, there is a never-ending list of places to visit in Vietnam apart from the 10 destinations mentioned above. Let's discover the best of Vietnam by joining our Vietnam Tours with BestPrice Travel.

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Image sources: Internet