The magnets that have attracted me to Vietnam
With so many inviting choices, figuring out where to go in Vietnam isn’t easy unless you have a lot of time
to explore. The vibe, food, and culture differ greatly between the north and
south; there are more than enough exciting places strewn between Hanoi and Saigon. Use this
list to choose from the top 10 destinations in Vietnam, or ideally, see them
all along the way!
Note: These great places to
see in Vietnam are listed from north to south.
01 of 10
Hanoi
•••
No trip to Vietnam is complete without walking the busy-and-narrow streets
of Hanoi, a city that could best be described as the cultural heart of
Vietnam. The vibe in Hanoi is dramatically different than that in Saigon (Ho
Chi Minh City). Love it, as most travelers do, or hate it: you can’t say that
you’ve experienced Vietnam without experiencing Hanoi.
But don’t assume that Hanoi is all cold, heartless concrete: life
centers around a beautiful lake and park right in the middle of the city.
02 of 10
•••
The number one tourist destination in Vietnam, Ha Long Bay can be
easily reached by a five-hour bus from Hanoi, or a packaged boat tour can be
booked in Hanoi. The scenery in Ha Long Bay is breathtaking, but choosing
the right tour for a good experience is crucial.
The roughly 2,000 islands and islets in Ha Long Bay jut
dramatically from the water; the opportunities to grab gorgeous photos are
overwhelming. You’ll need more than one day to really enjoy Vietnam’s most famous
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
03 of 10
Sapa
•••
Vibrantly green rice terraces cascade down rugged mountains in Sapa, a great
place for trekking and
interacting with ethnic minority groups.
Getting to Sapa from Hanoi takes a little effort, but if you’re
craving fresh air and homestays, you’ll find plenty of both.
04 of 10
Hue
•••
Hue, pronounced “hwe,” was the imperial capital of the
Nguyen dynasty, but the city was made most famous by its role during the Vietnam
War. Bullet holes are peppered throughout the Citadel, the former forbidden
city accessible only to the emperors and their concubines. The Battle of Hue
was one of the most fierce during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
The Imperial City and Citadel in Hue are best enjoyed on bicycle. Tombs for various emperors can also be
visited.
05 of 10
Da Nang
•••
Da Nang, Vietnam’s fifth largest city, sits roughly between Hanoi
and Saigon. The city served as a major hub of operations for South Vietnamese
and U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. The air base there was considered to be
one of the busiest airports in the
world due to the amount of daily sorties flown.
Da Nang is home to an expat community and the infamous China
Beach, a popular rest-and-relaxation spot for American G.I.s during the war.
Although there aren’t a lot of things to do in the city, locals are friendly
and hole-in-the-wall bars abound. Nearby Hoi An is much more touristy but also
more charming for an overnight.
06 of 10
Hoi An
•••
Although the word is out and the town stays busy, Hoi An is a
favorite for many visitors to Vietnam. The atmosphere is simply unforgettable
at dusk as swinging lanterns illuminate ancient, brick streets. Hoi An once
served as an important trading port, but today it is most famous for tourism
and the abundance of cheap tailor shops that will customize clothing to order.
Hoi An’s Ancient Town is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site that attracts an ever-increasing number of tourists.
The famous
Japanese Bridge there is beautiful at night. Don’t miss your chance to try
the rarest
noodle dish in the world when visiting Hoi An!
07of 10
Nha Trang
•••
Nha Trang is a
good-sized city with wide beaches that attract Vietnamese tourists as well as
Western travelers and backpackers. Nha Trang is arguably Vietnam’s scuba diving
epicenter, and groups can hire sailboats -- along with a captain -- to enjoy
the beautiful bay.
Vin Pearl
Land, attached to Nha Trang by cable car, is a large five-star spa,
resort, and entertainment complex.
08 of 10
Mui Ne
•••
If you’re looking for a mostly quiet beach town without the
backdrop of hotel high-rises, Mui Ne is the
spot. Mui Ne is famous for its kitesurfing scene; Western enthusiasts live
there seasonally between November and March to take advantage of the wind and
surf. One end of Mui Ne is very popular with Russian tourists -- even signs and
menus are in Russian!
Backpackers head to Mui Ne to enjoy the sand dunes just a short
motorbike ride away from the beach. Travelers can rent sheets of plastic for sledding
down the dunes.
09 of 10
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
•••
Although Saigon was renamed to Ho Chi Minh City, travelers
and locals alike often still refer to Vietnam’s largest city as Saigon. The
energy and pace of Saigon are certainly more electric than in Hanoi. Saigon has
the best nightlife in Vietnam with “bia hois” along the streets selling light,
locally brewed beer for less than 50 cents each!
An abundance of historic sights are dotted around Saigon,
including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Water
puppet shows are also a popular attraction.
The airport in Saigon (SGN) is Vietnam’s largest and busiest. Read
about flying
into Vietnam. Also, traveling from Saigon
to Hanoi is easy.
10of 10
Mekong Delta
•••
Travelers interested in a quieter, unique experience should make a
trip from Saigon to see the Mekong Delta. Numerous villages and rice paddies
line matrix of canals and waterways that form Vietnam’s most
productive agricultural center.
Although a handful of places in the Mekong Delta are busy
with tourists
who go for river cruises, a more “authentic”
experience can be enjoyed by easily getting off the beaten track. The Mekong
Delta is around four hours by bus from Saigon.
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