10 most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam

Vietnam is a land of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. From the towering limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay to the golden beaches of Da Nang and the peaceful rice terraces of Sapa, the country offers unforgettable sights at every turn. Ancient towns like Hoi An and dynamic cities like Ho Chi Minh City blend tradition and modern life perfectly. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural discovery, Vietnam has something for everyone. In this guide, we'll explore the 10 most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam — must-see destinations for your next unforgettable journey.

1. Notre-Dame Cathedral Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City

This red brick church built in 1877 is a symbol of the French colonial period. All building materials were shipped from Marseille, and the red color of the exterior wall has not faded for hundreds of years. Bronze bells were once installed on the tops of the two 58-meter-high bell towers, but they have been removed due to structural safety issues. The Central Post Office directly opposite the church was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the Eiffel Tower. The interior vaults and retro telephone booths are full of 19th-century style. The church is currently closed for maintenance, but the exterior is still worth checking out.

• Address: Paris Commune Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Opening hours: The outside can be visited all day long (the inside is temporarily closed).
• Tickets: Free.

Recommended activities:

1. Send a handmade postcard (about 20,000 VND) at the Central Post Office.
2. Walk to Pham Ngu Lao Street to experience Vietnamese nightlife.

2. Hội An Ancient Town

Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. It combines Chinese, Japanese, and French architectural styles and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations. The symbol of the ancient city is the silk lanterns hanging all over the streets. When night falls, praying river lanterns float on the Thu Bon River, just like a fairy tale world. It is also a paradise for customized Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional clothing), with hundreds of tailor shops providing 24-hour ready-to-wear services. Food lovers should not miss Cao Lầu, a rice noodle made with Hoi An’s unique well water, paired with pork and herbs, giving it a unique flavor.

• Address: Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
• Opening hours: Open all day (7:00-21:00 for some monuments).
• Tickets: 120,000 VND (about 5 US dollars, the pass includes 5 attractions).

Recommended activities:

1. Night tour of Thu Bon River and lighting of lanterns (about 20,000 VND/light).
2. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Hall and other historical buildings.
3. Cycling to An Bang Beach, 3 kilometers away, to bask in the sun.

3. Halong Bay (Hạ Long Bay)

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and is famous for its maritime wonderland of more than 1,600 limestone islands and turquoise waters. These islands were formed by geological movements 250 million years ago. Many islands hide huge caves, such as the "Sung Sôt Cave", which is full of stalactites. According to legend, this is where the divine dragon came to help Vietnam defend itself against foreign enemies, hence the name "Ha Long" (subduing the dragon). Traveling by boat, you can feel the poetry of "Guilin on the Sea". You can also choose to spend the night on a luxury cruise ship and enjoy the romance of the starry sky and the sound of the waves.

• Address: Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
• Opening hours: Open all day (cruise boats usually depart from 8:00-18:00).
• Tickets: There is no unified ticket. The cruise package is about 500,000-3 million VND (including meals and cave tickets, about 20-125 US dollars).

Recommended activities:

1. Take a traditional wooden boat or a luxury cruise ship to explore the core scenic spots.
2. Visit Surprise Cave and Thiên Cung Cave.
3. Kayak through a hidden lagoon or climb to the top of Titop Island for panoramic views.

4. Nha Trang

Vietnam's top seaside resort city, the 6-kilometer crescent-shaped beach has crystal clear water and a water park. Vinpearl is directly accessible via a cross-sea cable car. The island integrates an amusement park, an aquarium, and golf. Nha Trang is also famous for its mineral mud baths and the ruins of the Cham culture. The Po Nagar Cham Towers are the remains of an 8th-century Hindu temple. The Four Islands Tour offers snorkeling, sea fishing and a "mobile bar boat" carnival experience.

• Address: Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
• Opening hours:

           Pearl Island: 8:30-21:30

           Cham Pagoda: 6:00-18:00

           Mud Bath Center: 7:00-19:00

• Tickets:

          Pearl Island Pass: 800,000 VND (approximately US$33)

          Cham Pagoda: 30,000 VND (approximately US$1.3)

          Mud bath: VND 150,000-500,000 (approximately US$6-21, depending on the package)

Recommended activities:

1. Enjoy the high-altitude zip line and water park at Pearl Island.
2. I-Resort mud bath (including hot springs and waterfall pool).
3. Four-island tour for snorkeling and visit to Tri Nguyen Aquarium.
4. Watch the sunrise at Hon Chong Promontory in the early morning.

5. Golden Bridge, Da Nang

Jinqiao is an Internet celebrity landmark that has become popular in recent years. Two huge Buddha hands hold up a 150-meter-long golden trail, which is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, as if it is suspended in the air. It is located on the top of the Bà Nà Hills. This summer resort built during the French colonial period has now been transformed into a European-style theme park with castles, wineries and hanging gardens. Take the world's longest single-line cable car (5.8 kilometers) up the mountain and experience an instant journey from a tropical jungle to a "European town".

• Address: Sun World Theme Park, Ba Na Hills, Da Nang City, Vietnam
• Opening hours: 7:00-22:00 (last cable car departs at 20:30).
• Tickets: 750,000 VND (approximately US$31, including cable car and park passes).

Recommended activities:

1. Filmed the "Walking in the Clouds" blockbuster at Foshou Bridge.
2. Visit the 27-meter-tall white jade Guanyin statue at Lingying Temple.

6.Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park (Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng)

This national park has the largest karst cave complex in the world, with more than 400 discovered caves. The most famous one, Sơn Đoòng, can accommodate a 40-story skyscraper and even has an independent ecosystem and river inside. Ordinary tourists can choose to visit Thiên Đường Cave, which has a 31-kilometer-long underground corridor filled with crystal-like stalactites. Phong Nha Cave needs to be entered by boat. The entrance of the cave is hidden in the river deep in the jungle.

• Address: Bu Trat District, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam
• Opening hours: 7:30-16:00 (some caves require an expedition group reservation in advance).
• Tickets: Paradise Cave costs 250,000 VND (approximately US$10), Han Son Cave requires a 4-day and 3-night professional tour (approximately US$3,000 per person).

Recommended activities:

1. Explore the underground river of Phong Nha Cave by boat.
2. Hike through the primeval jungle in search of the endangered Saola.

7.Huế Imperial Citadel

Hue is the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the last dynasty of Vietnam. The imperial city was built after the Forbidden City in Beijing, but on a smaller scale. Although it was bombed during the Vietnam War, the remaining buildings such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Meridian Gate still reveal the royal style of the past. There are seven imperial mausoleums scattered along the Hong Kong River outside the imperial city. The Minh Mạng Tomb is the most famous for its symmetrical garden and the Khải Định Tomb for its Chinese and Western inlaid porcelain paintings.

• Address: Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam
• Opening hours: 8:00-17:30.
• Tickets: 200,000 VND (approximately US$8.50).

Recommended activities:

1. Rent Ao Dai costumes and take photos in the Imperial City.
2. Take a boat trip on the Hong Kong River and visit Thiên Mụ Pagoda.

8.Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn

My Son Holy Land is an important religious site of the Cham Kingdom, located in Quang Nam Province, hidden deep in the dense jungle. It consists of multiple red brick temples, built between the 4th and 13th centuries, and is an outstanding representative of Hindu culture in Vietnam. Although some buildings were damaged due to the war, the remaining carvings and reliefs are still exquisite, reflecting the artistic pinnacle of Cham culture. Listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, it is a mysterious place to explore Vietnam’s ancient civilization.

• Address: My Son Holy Land is located in Quang Nam Province, about 40 kilometers away from Hoi An City.
• Opening hours: 6:30–17:00 daily.
• Ticket situation: The ticket for foreign tourists is 150,000 VND (about 6.5 USD), and you can choose to rent an audio guide (75,000 VND) or a guided tour service (100,000 VND).

Recommended activities:

1. Visit the Cham Heritage Museum to learn about the historical background of the My Son Holy Land.
2. Enjoy a traditional Shiva dance performance and experience Hindu culture.
3. Follow the main path to visit various temple complexes and feel the charm of ancient architecture.
4. In the early morning, take photos of the sunrise scenery of the beautiful mountain sanctuary.

9. Phú Quốc 

Located in the Gulf of Siam, Phu Quoc is Vietnam's largest island and is known for its pristine beaches and luxury resorts. The island has clear waters, white sandy beaches and tropical forests suitable for diving, fishing and snorkeling. Phu Quoc Island has a developed pearl farming industry, a strong fishing village culture and night market delicacies. In recent years, Phu Quoc Island has developed rapidly and is equipped with an international airport and five-star hotels. It is an emerging international tourist island in Vietnam.

• Address: Phu Quoc Island is located in southwest Vietnam, belongs to Ca Mau Province, and is located in the Gulf of Thailand.
• Opening Hours: Phu Quoc Island is a tourist destination and is open year-round.
• Ticket situation: Tickets for major attractions such as VinWonders Phu Quoc Island are VND 950,000 for adults and VND 710,000 for children.

Recommended activities:

1. Visit VinWonders Phu Quoc Island and experience various themed areas and entertainment projects.
2. Visit Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc Island to observe wildlife up close.
3. Relax and enjoy the sun and beach in Long Beach.
4. Visit a pearl farm and learn about the pearl cultivation process.

10.Da Lat

Dalat is located on the Central-South Plateau of Vietnam, about 1,500 meters above sea level. It has a cool climate and is known as the "Eternal Spring City". This is a summer resort developed during the French colonial period and has a strong European flavor. Visitors can enjoy romantic flower gardens, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls, as well as unique buildings such as the Crazy House and the old train station. Produced with coffee, strawberries and flowers, Da Lat is an ideal city to relax and enjoy nature. The Dalat market is very lively at night and is a good place to taste local specialties.

• Address: Dalat City is located in the plateau area of ​​central and southern Vietnam, about 300 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City.
• Opening hours: Dalat is a city open all year round.
• Ticket situation: Ticket prices for major attractions in Dalat such as Dalat Garden, Crazy House, Xuan Huong Lake, etc. are generally between 50,000 and 100,000 VND.

Recommended activities:

1. Visit Dalat Gardens to admire the abundance of flowers and plants.
2. Tour the Crazy House and experience its unique architectural style.
3. Take a walk around Xuan Huong Lake and enjoy the tranquil natural scenery.
4. Visit Dalat Market to taste local delicacies and buy handicrafts.