Vietnam is a country that has a lot to offer but I feel it’s underrated by most people especially compared to some of the other countries in the region like Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. Vietnam really has it all; diverse landscapes, rich culture, intriguing history and the list goes on and on. From bustling metropolitan cities to charming countryside towns, every corner of Vietnam paints a different picture. And the goal of this guide is to help you discover the best cities to visit in Vietnam based on your preference and expectations.
But before we get to our top 23 favorite destinations in Vietnam, let’s cover some basics…
Helpful Resources For Finding The Best Cities To Visit In Vietnam
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Now that we covered some basics, let’s get to the most important part of this article- the best cities to visit in Vietnam.
Hanoi
Situated in the northern part of Vietnam, Hanoi is the second-largest city in Vietnam. One of the main attractions is the Old Quarter, some serene spots like Hoan Kiem Lake, known as ‘Lake of the Returned Sword’, the enchanting Ngoc Son Temple, and the city is also a foodie paradise with a thriving cafe culture.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s version of a city that truly never sleeps. Vietnam’s largest city and its capital has a thriving nightlife and features an interesting blend of influences. The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office are splendid examples of the city’s colonial past, while the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels are great places to learn about Vietnam’s recent history. The city also serves as the gateway to the Mekong Delta, offering a glimpse into the rural life and natural beauty of Vietnam.
Hue
Situated along the banks of the Perfume River, Hue, is the former capital of imperial Vietnam (back in the dase) and a showcase of the country’s regal past. The town is home to the Imperial Citadel lying in the heart of the city and some other famous attractions feature the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story historic temple and the Royal Tombs, the eternal resting place of former Vietnamese emperors.
Da Nang
Located on the eastern seafront of Vietnam, Da Nang is a beautiful city that combines the tranquility of its beaches with modern city vibes. It’s one of the best beach resort destinations in Vietnam and it is surrounded by beautiful nature featuring the Monkey Mountain and the My Son Sanctuary. And if that’s not enough, here you can also find Khe Beach, the most famous beach in Da Nang and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (and that’s just one of many).
Hoi An
Hoi An stands out as the most lovely historic urban area in the nation since it earns the title of Vietnam’s best city destination. The Ancient Town, which is as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents the main attraction of this former trading port with its collection of Vietnamese tube houses and Japanese-style bridges. The riverside area of this town provides visitors with incredible sunset views throughout Vietnam while remaining within a short distance of the beach.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of the most beautiful coastal cities on the South China Sea. The city offers memorable views thanks to its beautiful promenade but Nha Trang is also known for both its underwater life and one of Southeast Asia’s premier diving destinations. Besides the beaches, Nha Trang offers a few inland attractions, including the Po Nagar Cham Towers from the ancient Cham civilization and the ancient Agarwood Tower, as well as the Institute of Oceanography and the lovely Ba Ho Waterfalls.
Da Lat
In the highlands of Southern Vietnam, you’ll find Da Lat, a distinctive city with an extensive collection of natural scenery, featuring lakes, flowing waterfalls, and forested mountains. The city also has a wide assortment of blossoming flowers celebrated each year through the annual Flower Festival. Another important characteristic of the city is its French colonial influence, including the Da Lat Railway Station and the Dalat Palace Hotel among others.
Phu Quoc
Located in The Gulf of Thailand, near Cambodia’s border, Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam with some of the most stunning beaches you’ll find in this country and as a bonus, you also get to see tropical rainforest landscapes. In addition to beaches, the island’s coastal areas also host numerous species of marine life, making the island a great scuba diving destination and yet another highlight (if all this is not enough by now) is the national park that actually half of the island belongs to it and the world’s longest cable car ride from where the views are spectacular.
Can Tho
Located in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’ and an unusual setting surrounded by a maze of rivers, swamps, and picturesque rice fields. It’s arguably the best place in the country to experience life in the Mekong Delta, that you keep reading about on travel blogs like this one. The city’s star attraction is the Cai Rang Floating Market, one of the largest such markets in the whole country, and exploring the delta’s waterways by boat.
Hai Phong
Hai Phong is a major port city in the northern part of Vietnam named after the flame-red blossoms that line its streets famous for its colonial architecture, ornate temples, wide boulevards, and of course, one of the liveliest ports in the country. The city’s old quarter and its French colonial buildings closely resemble those of Hanoi and is also home to the Du Hang Pagoda, a beautifully preserved piece of Vietnamese heritage, and the Opera House Square that’s home to one of the most beautiful fountains in Vietnam.
Sapa
Nestled in the highlands of northern Vietnam, Sapa is a beautiful getaway famed for its magnificent rice terraces and different ethnic minority groups with distinct cultures and traditions that have been preserved for thousands of years, offering visitors a chance to experience first-hand the often-forgotten and not spoken about cultural diversity of Vietnam.
Vinh
Located in north-central Vietnam, Vinh is a bustling port city where traditional Vietnamese pagodas standing shoulder-by-shoulder alongside remnants of French colonial architecture. The city’s most popular attraction is Hong Son, a temple that has the status of a national treasure and the Uncle Ho House, which offers insightful glimpses into the life of Ho Chi Minh (the Vietnamese leader and father of the modern Vietnamese nation).
Ha Long: The Most Famous Bay In Vietnam
Ha Long Bay stands as one of Vietnam’s most renowned natural wonders, and it deservingly holds the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many limestone islands with rainforest cover make the Bay one of the most prominent attractions in the whole country. When you embark on a cruise expedition in the Bay you can navigate past these magnificent limestone landmarks and explore the mysterious underground caves located inside. And a short distance from the bay, you’ll find the Sun World Ha Long Park that combines park attractions, including amusement rides and animal exhibits, making it great for people traveling with kids.
Buon Ma Thuot: The Coffee Capital
Located in the Central Highlands, Buon Ma Thuot is known as the Coffee Capital of Vietnam. The city leads Vietnam in coffee production, producing most of the robust beans that contribute to Vietnam’s reputation as a leading coffee exporter. So, yes, there are many plantations you can visit and learn about the coffee-making process, but there are other things to do as well. Very close to the city you’ll find the Dray Nur and Dray Sap Waterfalls, and the Yok Don National Park, Vietnam’s largest national park.
Vung Tau
Among all Vietnam’s beaches, Vung Tau stands out as a popular seaside resort, and it’s famous for being home to the distinguished Black Beach and the beautiful Front Beach. The location near the capital makes Vung Tau an excellent option to escape Ho Chi Minh City on a quick getaway. People who want surfing or jet-skiing, and kite surfing must visit this location. And lastly, a few of the city’s other non-beach highlights include the Christ of Vung Tau statue that towers over the city, providing great views of the area, and visitors can admire both Vung Tau Lighthouse and Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda in addition to seeing this large statue.
Quy Nhon: A Hidden Coastal Gem
Among the best Vietnamese cities for visitors to explore is this oceanic haven located centrally within the country. Tourists flock to Quy Nhon because of its two main attractions: Ky Co and Bai Xep beaches (you just need to visit them if you come to Vietnam for a beach holiday). Various significant historical sites also exist in the city, including the Banh It Towers and Twin Cham Towers, fascinating remnants of the vanished Champa civilization. International visitors rarely frequent Quy Nhon, and for this, we also featured on our list of hidden gems in Vietnam.
Pleiku
Located in the central highlands of Vietnam, Pleiku is a city encircled by awe-inspiring natural beauty and the city’s most popular landmarks are its lakes – the serene Bien Ho Lake, often cloaked in morning mist, and the volcanic Sea Lake, offering panoramic views from its shores. Pleiku is also the gateway to the scenic Kon Tum Province which is home to diverse ethnic minority groups with unique culture and traditions that have been around for hundreds of years (especially the Jarai and Bahnar villages, with their unique communal rong houses).
Dong Hoi
Located in the central part of Vietnam, Dong Hoi is an interesting city that has everything you’d expect to find in a modern city plus a window into rural Vietnam. You see, the city is a great starting point for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the world’s largest cave, Son Doong (it’s practically next door).
My Tho
In the Tien Giang Province, in the heart of the Mekong Delta region, you’ll discover the city of My Tho. Both natural and human activities merge at My Tho to create a distinctive vision of typical delta existence, which extends across its water channels and river-based shopping areas beyond its orchards and rice fields.
Ninh Binh
Situated in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh is another beautiful bay that with time, earned the nickname “Halong Bay on Land” due to its jaw-dropping landscapes that look like Halong Bay is its cousin. Nearby the town, you can also find many other famous tourist sites, including the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and the Tam Coc area, known for its super large cave system.
Phan Thiet
This list of the best cities to visit in Vietnam wouldn’t be complete without Phan Thiet, a coastal city in south Vietnam famous for the Red and White Sand Dunes. The city is also home to a few pretty beaches, including Mui Ne (my personal Vietnamese favorite) and Phu Quy.
Quang Ngai: The Ancient Ruins Hub
The central Vietnamese city of Quang Ngai exists as a background filled with historical significance and cultural value. The outstanding remnants of the Champa civilization attract recognition to the city and its flagship monument, the Thap Poshanu Cham Tower. A visitor to My Lai Massacre Memorial Museum can experience the somber reminder of the Vietnam War through this powerful memorial.
Tuy Hoa: A Hidden Beach Lover’s Paradise
Last but not least, we round up this list of the best cities to visit in Vietnam with Tuy Hoa, the perfect hidden paradise for beach lovers. Situated on the coast, Tuy Hoa presents travelers with both unblemished sandy shores as well as beautiful azure water bodies, making it an ideal secluded beach getaway. The Da Dia Reef stands out as the prominent natural attraction of this city through its extensive collection of basalt rock columns resulting from volcanic eruptions. Near the top of Tuy Hoa’s natural landmarks exists the Nhan Mountain, which features the ancient Nhan Tower for viewing vistas of the city along with scenic regional landscapes.
Did you like our list of the best cities to visit in Vietnam? Which one would you like to visit first? Do you think we forgot to include some other interesting cities on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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