The S-shaped land is blessed by mother nature, Vietnam has numerous stunning landscapes. Planning to have a journey in Vietnam must be a tough call for you to decide which place to visit. In order to make it easier for you to choose, this blog will provide 10 most popular destinations in Vietnam that you can note for your Vietnam trip.
Top 10 most popular destinations in Vietnam
I.The North
Sapa
Sapa is an ideal place for nature lovers to visit, coming to Sapa is such a get away from the polluted environment. It will treat you with fresh air and heart touching landscapes. The diversity of biology and culture in Sapa will bring you the most unforgettable experience in Vietnam.
Fansipan mountain- The roof of Indochina.
If you don’t like the touristy downtown then hiking or trekking, The adventure to discover Sapa highland will amaze you by the magnificent mountains and the dynamic life of the minorities . Moreover, unlike the tropical weather of the majorities in Vietnam, the weather in Sapa is much cooler, especially in the winter, the temperature can go under 0 celsius degrees and has snow. Therefore, Sapa has become one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam.
What to do and see in Sapa?
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- Meeting the locals
- Staying at homestay
- Conquering the roof of Indochina- Fansipan
- Discovering ethnic markets and buying their crafts: Bac Ha market, Coc Ly market,…
- Trying the specialty cuisine: Thang Co soup, Sapa cabbage, mam da, smoked buffalo, …
Ha Noi
It will be a disadvantage if you travel to Vietnam without visiting Hanoi, the capital city. Among the popular destinations in Vietnam , it must be on the top. Hanoi is the combination of the ancient and modern. Beside the developing industry with skyscraper buildings (Keangnam Landmark 72, Lotte Center,…) , modern transportation( CatLinh- HaDong sky train,..) , there is still a part of antique architecture from the French Colonial period (Old quarter, Long Bien Bridge,..) Even in some parts of Hanoi you can clearly observe the contrast between the ancient and modern beauty of this city.
One Pillar Pagoda – Hanoi
Besides the poetic scenery, Hanoi cuisine is also one spotlight for tourists. Starting the day with a bowl of Pho and then having a cup of coffee is the authentic way to enjoy Hanoi like a local. A food tour in Hanoi is endless with a variety of choices from savory dishes like Bun Cha, Bun Thang,… to sweet desserts such as Che Buoi (Pomelo Sweet Dessert), Che Com ( Green rice flakes sweet desserts),…
The weather in Hanoi is usually quite hot during summer about 35-40 celsius degrees, and pretty cold in winter mostly under 20 celsius degrees. The best time to visit Hanoi is in the Autumn, the weather will be very comfortable with the gentle sunlights during the day, the golden beauty of the trees in Hanoi. This is also the most romantic season in Hanoi and has become the inspiration for many songs.
What to do and see in Hanoi?
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- Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter
- Visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda)
- Watching sunset in WestLake or Long Bien Bridge
- Trying signature dishes of Hanoi: Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi, Cha Ca,…
Ha Long Bay
Being well-known as one of the World heritage sites ( approved by UNESCO) , HaLong Bay is no longer unfamiliar to tourists all over the world. The beauty of HaLong is such an artwork of nature.This is also the heaven for fans of adventurous activities, you can experience scuba diving, kayaking, rock climbing,…
Ha Long Bay
The best time to visit HaLong is between March and June, since Halong has thousands of stone islands, it might be risky if you visit The Bay during storm season ( usually from July ). To visit all islands in HaLong Bay, joining a cruise will be the best choice.
What to do and see in HaLong?
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- Taking a cruise on Halong Bay with one night on board
- Kayaking in Halong Bay
- Discovering floating fishing village
- Visiting caves in Halong Bay
- Eating seafood dishes, especially Cha Muc (Squid cake)
Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is a historical destination, it was unpopular until it appeared in the blockbuster Kong movie. It is obvious that in the adventure Ninh Binh, you will have a chance to admire the majestic scenery in the movie.
Van Long-Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh represents the rustic beauty of North Vietnam with the immense fields, fascinating mountains, the peaceful life of locals,…Moreover, one of the largest temples in Asia is also located here. Taking a rowing boat to slowly take in the gorgeous and lyrical nature is the finest approach to experience this well-known landscape complex. With the sound of bells echoing from faraway temples and the lapping of the river beneath your boat in Ninh Binh, you will certainly experience a sense of spiritual serenity.
Regardless of the time period in a year, Ninh Binh always performs its unique beauty, it means that you can visit Ninh Binh anytime you want.
What to do and see in Ninh Binh:
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- Discovering Tam Coc, the Jade pagoda, the eco-tourist complex of Trang An, the ancient capital Hoa Lu, the Buddhist complex of Bai Dinh, the national park of Cuc Phuong…
- Cycling in the rice fields
- Tasting Ninh Binh foods: mountain goat meat, com chay (grilled rice), Nem chua Yen Mac (fermented minced pork)
II. The Central
Hue
Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam under the prosperous rule of the Nguyen Dynasty, which explains a rich collection of tombs, palaces and royal buildings. It is also the strong point of this romantic city.
Imperial City in Hue
Hue is certainly not a tourist hub, but if you are looking for an atmosphere steeped in history, then Hue will be your ideal choice.
Located between the South and the North, the climate of Hue is characteristic of both regions. Hue has four seasons, but the most obvious are the sunny season and the rainy season. The dry season lasts from March to August, it is quite bright and warm. The rainy season extends from August to November. Especially from October there are prolonged rains and thunderstorms.
What to see and do in Hue:
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- Discovering from his imperial city
- Visiting one of the tombs of the kings
- Taking a cruise on the Perfume River
- Watching a Nha nhac cung dinh Hue show on the Perfume River in the evening
- Tasting its excellent cuisine: Bun bo Hue (Hue beef soup), banh bot loc, che
Da Nang
Further south of Hue is a beautiful coastal city – Da Nang. Da Nang is a tropical sea paradise in Vietnam; it has some of the most beautiful secluded beaches, such as Non Nuoc Beach, which is almost never too crowded. It would entice you to extend your stay here with its spectacular mountain temples, well-decorated bars and restaurants, and more. It’s no coincidence that many expats choose to settle here, as you can easily find a hint of the modern big-city lifestyle mixed with the tranquility of the natural surroundings. Da Nang must be in the list of must-visit destinations in Vietnam.
Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang with the tallest Guan Yin Buddha statue in Vietnam
The ideal time to visit Da Nang is during the dry season, from January to July, and the most perfect time is between February and May. During this period, the weather is pleasant and it rains less.
What to see and do in Danang:
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- Visiting the Champs Museum
- Discovering Ba Na Hills by cable car
- Resting on the beautiful beaches
- Passing the Col des Nuages and admire a breathtaking view of the bay of Lang Co.
- Kayaking on the Han River
- Discovering the local cuisine: Banh xeo, Banh trang cuon thit heo (pork meat wrapped in a rice pancake), Mi Quang (shrimp noodle soup), Ram cuon la cai (spring roll wrapped in a vegetable leaf and a rice cracker)
Hoi An
Classified as a World Heritage Site, the traditional town of Hoi An not only bears witness to the range of landscapes but also to many years of cultural interference between the three countries of China, Japan and Vietnam. You’ll need to be prepared to fall dotty with this small town’s blend of vibrant lifestyle and old-world architecture.
Nightlife in Hoi An
Hoi An is additionally famous for its big range of charming cafes and restaurants overlooking peaceful views. Even for a neighborhood, the town’s specialties are one amongst a form. Because the most beautiful city in Vietnam, Hoi An is crowded all year round, with the tourist season ranging from November to the end of February. If you wish to enjoy a “real” Hoi An, the amount from April to June is the right one for you, when there are the smallest number of tourists.
What to see and do in Hoi An:
- Visiting the Japanese covered bridge, the old traditional houses and the many temples
- Taking a boat cruise on the Hoai River in the evening and release the paper flower lanterns
- Discovering the rich craftsmanship of the city
- Exploring My Son Sanctuary
- Watching the show of “ Ky uc Hoi An ” ( Memories of Hoi An )
- Tasting its gastronomy: Cao Lau, Banh Beo, Com ga (Rice-Chicken), Banh Mi,…
and you’ll be hard pressed to choose from all the goodies.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang, one of the foremost beautiful coastal cities in Vietnam, has been recognized as a tropical marine paradise. Not only do the long blue beaches and dozens of islands large and little remain untouched, but Nha Trang is additionally a perfect destination for culture and history buffs, because it is additionally the land of the flourishing Champa Kingdom within the past.
Nha Trang
The most significant advantage of this city is that the long sunny season during the primary eight months, the temperature difference isn’t considerable. Nha Trang’s time of year lasts from September to December and peaks in October and November.
What to see and do in Nha Trang:
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- Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang
- Discovering the Long Son Pagoda, the National Oceanographic Museum
- Visiting My Son Sanctuary, Champo Nagar Tower
- Exploring Tri Nguyen Fishing Village and Aquarium
- Taking a mud bath
- Enjoying the rustic and tasty cuisine of the city: Nem nuong Nha Trang, Goi ca mai (Herring salad), Bun cha ca (Rice noodles with grilled fish), Bun sua (Rice noodles with jellyfish),…
II. The South
Ho Chi Minh City
When talking about the most popular destinations to visit in Vietnam, it is impossible to ignore the largest city in the country: Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the most developed and somewhat chaotic city in the country, once known as the “Pearl of the Far East”. Although Saigon is not rich in natural resources, it offers a wide range of street food and nightlife activities.
Ho Chi Minh City
And if your heart is in search of knowledge, there is a list of museums and galleries scattered around the city for you to visit and explore the city at the same time.
Chinatown is also the soul of this dynamic city, with its centuries-old temples and shops, where you can take a break after a hard day’s work. It’s no exaggeration to say that Saigon has it all.
The climate of Ho Chi Minh City does not have four seasons like in Hanoi, but only two: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season extends from May to November. In general, you can visit Ho Chi Minh City at any time of the year. The rainy season is also the most beautiful season in this city.
What to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City:
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- Discovering the emblematic markets: Ben Thanh market, Binh Tay market
- Visiting the city’s Chinatown
- Going to the War Remnants Museum
- Admiring the most emblematic colonial buildings of the city: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Majestic Hotel, the Central Post Office, the Opera or the Museum of Fine Arts.
- Exploring Chu Chi Tunnels
- Embarking on a dinner cruise on the Saigon River
- Tasting Saigon specialties: Hu Tieu (Saigon soup), banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), Com tam (broken rice), Banh mi
Mekong Delta
Located in the southwest of Vietnam, the region is known for its fertile land, tropical orchids, simple-hearted people and unique floating markets that attract many tourists who come to find peace of mind and experience the atmosphere. authentic rustic Vietnamese villages.
Local life in Mekong Delta
It’s no surprise that the delta was voted as one of the 10 most beautiful places in Vietnam. Keep an eye out and you’ll also see children riding water buffaloes, bright yellow incense sticks drying by the roadside, and locals moving on rope bridges or rowing boats through the maze of delta channels.
Having a mild and sunny climate, the Mekong Delta can be visited at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit the Mekong Delta is during the dry season, which runs from December to May.
What to see and do in the Mekong Delta:
- Taking a boat to discover floating markets: Cai Be market, Cai Rang market,…
- Cycling through the rice fields of the delta
- Discovering the small canals by sampan
- Visiting some Khmer pagodas, temples and old houses
- Tasting fruits in the orchards and unmissable specialties: Coconut candies, Hu Tieu My Tho (Noodle soup), Fish with fried elephant ears, Banh Khot (Small pancakes)
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As one of the most enchanting destinations, Vietnam abounds, from north to south, with abundant and exceptional heritage at all levels, natural, historical and cultural. Please save the above 10 destinations in your list to start a trip to Vietnam.
