What Places To Visit In Vietnam?

Its elongated shape promises many adventures but also presents some challenges: What to do in Vietnam? Where to go in Vietnam? Vast. Slender. Sometimes fiery, sometimes serene. The land of the dragon perfectly combines historical exploration, nature escapes, and gastronomic journeys… sometimes all at once! 😉

In this article, we will give you an overview of some must-see destinations as well as unusual spots to enrich your travel project. Let's start with the South!

Must-see destinations in Southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh city

Ho Chi Minh City is a must-visit destination in Vietnam in the most literal sense. It is usually in the bustling streets of former Saigon where your journey begins (unless it's in the feverish atmosphere of Hanoi). The economic heart of the country, this megacity with 13 million inhabitants invites you to discover an urban life contrasting noisy modernity and rebellious history. Upscale restaurants, bars, scooters, nightclubs versus street food, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, remnants of French Indochina… If you want to tour the city, reserve at least a full day. Of course, if you're not a "big city" person, you might want to flee… but be careful when crossing the streets!

Take a cruise on the Mekong

Here’s an unusual activity. Aboard a traditional sampan, you can explore the Mekong and its treasures over one to three days. This cruise offers a wonderful cultural interlude, taking you from Cai Be to Can Tho to discover the famous floating markets, local crafts, and most importantly, the life on the water. If you’re leaving from Ho Chi Minh City, you can also include a detour to Ben Tre (85 km). This lesser-known destination offers a real breath of fresh air under the shade of its many coconut trees.

Phu Quoc island

A gem of the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island is a perfect family destination for relaxation. In addition to its beautiful white-sand beaches, you can go diving, visit the Phu Coc Detention Center turned into a museum (very poignant), stroll through the village of Rach Vem, and discover the first Vietnamese Safari… Numerous activities in an exceptional setting, plan at least one night on the island.

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Con Dao archipelago

Comprising 16 islands, the Con Dao Archipelago, like its counterpart Phu Quoc, is an exceptional natural destination known for its maritime and land national park. Hiking, diving, beaches, crystal-clear waters… and history! This site was one of the main French prisons and later used by the Vietnamese Republic until 1975. If you choose Con Dao, take the time to visit the museum and the prison, ideally on a minimum one-night trip.

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Must-see destinations in Central Vietnam

The central highlands

The Central Highlands of Vietnam, known as Tay Nguyen, is a natural destination for travelers eager for fresh air and space. This basaltic land offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the green of its mountains, forests, and meadows, but most notably, to appreciate its coffee and tea plantations that have built its reputation. Why not take a two-day getaway and spend a night with a local? You can find more information ici, where we detail our latest scouting mission.

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The beaches of Nha Trang

Nha Trang is Vietnam’s largest beach resort. Ranked among the most beautiful bays in the world, its coastline is home to dozens of islands that boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Sea outings, scuba diving, seafood, and coconut trees… It’s a very popular seaside destination for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. If you prefer more secret and less "urban" spots, then head straight to Hoi An.

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The lantern city of Hoi An

Hoi An, the Lantern City, is the flagship destination of central Vietnam, due to its many charms. Hoi An is a true open-air museum, with each building manifesting a flourishing period for this former 17th-century trading port. Despite its significant tourist influx, Hoi An exudes an intoxicating atmosphere that both adults and children succumb to without resistance. This destination is a perfect stop between the north and south and deserves at least two days (one night) of your attention.

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Châm island

When time allows, we always include an excursion to Cham Island when our travelers pass through Hoi An. This 16 km² maritime treasure is a true haven of peace, providing a break in a South/North - North/South itinerary. On a day, or even two, you can relax exclusively while enjoying delicious fresh seafood. Its wild beaches and turquoise waters deserve to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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The imperial capital of Hue

Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A historical, cultural, and gastronomic cradle, this city offers a tourist experience where you can appreciate our history and its remnants. You’ll need a full day and a guide to see and, most importantly, understand each historical monument. You can also discover imperial cuisine, known for its finesse and Yin/Yang balance. Yes, our emperors were very mindful of what they ate!

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Must-see destinations in Northern Vietnam

Hanoi

The capital. From its narrow streets bustling with traffic, to grand restaurants and street kitchens, to tailors and conical hats, modernity and tradition coexist, revealing an astonishing and unique urban life. Hanoi deserves a stop of a few days—two or even three—to soak in the "Vietnamese way of life." Between its museums, remnants of French Indochina, restaurants, lake, and markets, your days will be filled with surprises. Venture out to cross the streets, get lost to understand the city, be patient to fall in love with it. And most importantly, don't hesitate to visit us!

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Ba Be lake

A favorite getaway for Hanoians during long weekends, Ba Be Lake remains a destination relatively unknown to foreign tourists. Yet, it is! Ba Be Lake is an invitation to nature, calm, and beauty… In short, this gem of northern Vietnam is a natural remedy for stress. Hiking, swimming, cycling, canoeing, boating, overnight stays with locals… Ba Be Lake is a family-friendly destination to consider when planning your trip. Typically, we recommend staying one or two nights with a full day of activities, and it’s not uncommon for our travelers to tell us, "I wish I had stayed another night." To which we reply, "The mountains are waiting for us”.

The mountains of Northern Vietnam

Yes, they are plentiful. Northern Vietnam is all about relief and natural beauty. While Sapa remains the most popular and well-known site to enjoy our stunning terraced rice fields, there are numerous other routes and off-the-beaten-path trails to explore and discover this part of Vietnamese culture. Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, Ta Cu Ty (undoubtedly the most beautiful panoramas in the north), Meo Vac (limestone mountains), all the way to Ban Gioc. When planning your itinerary, the key here is to tailor it to your preferences, such as the type of hiking you enjoy, or the kind of accommodation you prefer.

You can explore the entire north while staying with locals (this applies to all of Vietnam, actually). If you're interested in history, you can follow the enigmatic RC4 route. For hiking, the duration and difficulty can vary depending on your starting point. In short, the factors are too numerous to name a single "must-see." However, if you love the fresh mountain air, then set aside a good few days in the north for the total length of your itinerary. It’s just magnificent, both for the eyes and the heart!

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Ninh Binh

It's hard not to mention Ninh Binh. The famous "Halong Bay on land" is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in northern Vietnam. Whether by boat, bicycle, on foot, or simply in peaceful solitude, there are many ways to explore the majestic limestone peaks that shape this region. It’s a destination that definitely deserves at least one night’s stop.

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Halong Bay

What can we say? To be honest, we’ve been guiding travelers on the emerald waters of the bay for almost 20 years aboard our own traditional junks. No one, not even our crews, has ever resisted the magic of this place. Halong Bay, along with its little sisters, Cat Ba and Lan Ha, is a must-see, not just in Northern Vietnam, but in Southeast Asia as a whole. Treat yourself to the enchantment of a private or group cruise (ranging from one to three nights) without a second thought!

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If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team consists of avid runners, passionate hikers, history buffs, and art enthusiasts… Sometimes, all at once! 😉

If you have any questions or would like us to organize your trip, please contact Vietnam Insolite !