Best Tourist Cities in Vietnam

Rich culture and history, breathtaking landscapes, great food… Shaped like the letter s (from North to South), Vietnam is scenic, spectacular, serene… “A cay of travelling will bring a basket full of learning”, said a Vietnamese proverb. Below, are some cities in Vietnam that deserve to be on your bucket list.

Hoi An

It is located in Central Vietnam. Hoi An, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1999, is a well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port. Visiting such town which reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures should be top of your list. The city is often called the “Venice of the East”.

You want to experience the culture and history of Vietnam, Hoi An is the place to be. It is a touristy spot. Is it worth visiting? Absolutely. Embark on a journey through charming streets, cultural and historical treasures, architectural marvels, natural wonders.

Some must-visit tourist destinations: Hoi An Ancient Town; Tan Ky Old House; the Japanese Bridge; Fujian Assembly Hall; Cantonese Assembly Hall; craft villages like Tra Que Vegetable Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, and Hoi An Silk Village; An Bang Beach, Cua Dai Beach, Ha My Beach, and Cham Islands.

Ho Chi Minh City

It is located in Southern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City, known by locals as Saigon, is the biggest city in Vietnam, with a population of over 9 million. Described as the “Pearl of the Far East”, because of charming colonial architecture built by former French rulers, dynamic atmosphere and friendly people, this vibrant city, one of the most modern ones, is home to commerce, street food markets, and also different cultures. It is also one of the best cities in Vietnam for foodies/cheap eats.

Some of the best places to visit when you go to Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Nguyen Hue Street, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Central Post Office, The Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, and Ben Nghe Street Food Market.

Da Lat

It is located in the Central Highlands. Da Lat, known as the “Flower city” or “Honeymoon city”, is home to beautiful French-era buildings and surrounded by pine trees and flowers, with breathtaking landscapes. Fresh air, cool climate, friendly people, luxuriant nature… The capital city of Lam Dong province, Vietnam, should be on your top list of cities to visit once in a lifetime.

Some of the top attractions in Da Lat are: Crazy House, Dalat Market, Datanla Waterfall, Xuan Huong Lake, Valley of Love, Tuyen Lam Lake, Bao Dai's Palace - King's Palace 1 (Dinh 1), Pongour Waterfall, Dalat Flower Park, Truc Lam Monastery, Langbiang Mountain, Elephant Waterfall, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Dalat Railway Station.

Sapa

It is located in the Northwest Vietnam. Known as the “town of clouds”, Sapa is a mountainous charming region, overlooking terraced rice fields, valleys, and majestic peaks. It is home home to numerous ethnic minority groups, for example the H'mong ethnic minority group, in Cat Cat Village, one of the largest ethnic groups in Sapa.

Nature lovers will appreciate this place. You can enjoy the natural beauty or hike through the stunning landscapes. Some spots you should not miss: the view from the top of Fansipan Mountain, Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa Silver Waterfall, Ô Quy Hồ pass, Ville De Mont Mountain or the Sapa Park.

Hue

It is located in the Central Coast. Hue, home to The Imperial City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to learn about Vietnam’s royal history, take a detour to this city, which has a lot to offer: several temples, museums, palaces, pavilions, theatres.

Places that are worth a visit: Hue Imperial City, Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, An Dinh Palace, Gia Long Emperor Tomb, Nine Dynastic Urns, Dieu De Pagoda, Phu Cam Cathedral, Hon Chen, and Dong Ba Market.

Hanoi

It is located in the North. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city, rich in culture and history. It is built on the natural levees of the Red River. Hanoians are known for their courtesy.

Hanoi is home to over 15 museums, such as Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Vietnamese Women's Museum, and Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, but also to the Hanoi Opera House, modeled on the Paris Opera. The city has a whole range of street food vendors, offering traditional menus. It is famous for the ever comforting noodle soup Pho.

Some notable places in the city include: the serene Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi Old Quarter, or Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Da Nang

It is located in the Central Coast. Da Nang is Vietnam’s third-largest city, known for its white-sand beaches, crystalline waters, restaurants and picturesque mountains and lush forests. Da Nang is known for some of its popular attractions: The Marble Mountains, a cluster of five mountains; the Golden Bridge, a 150-metre-long pedestrian bridge; Dragon Bridge; Lady Buddha Statue; Son Tra Mountain; Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture…

Nha Trang

It is located in Southern Vietnam. Nha Trang is a must-visit destination for those who love a mix of sun, stunning beaches, sand and nightlife. The city is also one of the best in Vietnam for snorkelling or diving.

Top landmarks in Nha Trang not to miss: Nha Trang Beach, Hon Tre, VinWonders Nha Trang, Ponagar Temple, Hon Chong, Nha Trang Stone Church, Soi Island Recreational Park, Tran Phu Bridge, Thap Tram Huong, Thap Tram Huong, or Po Nagar Cham Towers.

Ninh Bình

It is located in Northern Vietnam. Often called the "Halong Bay on land," Ninh Bình is known as one of the best cities in Vietnam for natural landscapes, scenic boat rides, and cultural exploration. Nature lovers will be overwhelmed.

Those who want to admire the majestic beauty of Ninh Bình can hop aboard a traditional sampan boat and enjoy the nature around. Some places worth a visit are: Trang An Grottoes, Phố Cổ Hoa Lư Ninh Bình, Mua Cave, Nhà Thờ Đá Phát Diệm, Núi Kỳ Lân, Viewpoint Đầm sen Hang múa, Hoa Lu Ancient Village, and Cuc Phuong National Park.

The end note

Whether you're seeking cultural immersion or natural beauty, Vietnam deserves to be on your bucket list. Its remarkable landscapes offer travelers unforgettable experiences. Home to several UNESCO world cultural heritage sites, mountains, rice terraces, forests, white-sand beaches, crystalline waters, the country is definitely worth a visit. From Hanoi to Sapa, passing through Hoi An and Da Nang, the fusion of cultures, history and modernity blends well. Ready to embark on your Vietnamese adventure?

Bonus: The Rough Guide to Vietnam

The Rough Guide to Vietnam is a practical travel guide which features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. This Vietnam guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. It has been fully updated post-Covid-19 and it comes with a free eBook.

Click on this link if you are interested: https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Vietnam-Travel-Guides/dp/178919654X