Vietnam: 10 Best Places to Visit

A long, narrow country squeezed between the South China Sea and the borders of Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam is a land of evocative landscapes that range from lush rice terraces and forested mountains in the north to the picturesque valleys of the central highlands and the fertile delta and beautiful beaches of the south.

Vietnam has seen its fair share of struggles. Ruled for almost a thousand years by various Chinese dynasties until 938 AD, Vietnam became a French protectorate in the 19th century. After independence, there came the Vietnam War. Today Vietnam is a proud country, and you can understand why. Not only for fiercely defending its independence, but also for its incredible landscapes and its history.

The first words on everyone's lips when talking about Vietnam are without doubt "Ha Long Bay", a beautiful series of karst islands and formations off the northern coast. Hanoi is the lively capital of the motorbike. There is plenty of historical heritage in Hoi An, the beaches sparkle in the city of Nha Trang, and the Mekong Delta is full of winding canals, floating markets and lush landscapes. The places to visit in Vietnam are almost endless.

10Dalat

The cold climate all year round and the idyllic scenery of misty valleys, lush pines and colourful flowers are some of the reasons why Dalat was once used by Vietnamese emperors and the French colonialists as a summer retreat. Today, this charming city in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam is a popular destination for those seeking relief from the heat. A walkable city, Dalat is a fine scene of French colonial architecture and villas set in picturesque landscapes.

9My Son

Located on the central coast of Vietnam, near the village of Duy Phu, lies the important archaeological site known as My Son. One of the most important ancient sites in Southeast Asia, My Son was once an important centre of Hindu religious ceremonies, where the kings of the kingdom of Champa built numerous temples dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva, between the 4th and 14th centuries.

8Ho Chi Minh City

Located along the Saigon River, near the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City was previously known as Saigon and was the capital of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in the reunified country, offering many reasons to visit, from its mix of historical and modern attractions to lively shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

7Mekong Delta

Colourful floating markets, fruit orchards, rice fields, clumps of sugar cane, bird sanctuaries and picturesque villages are what draw many to the Mekong Delta in the south-west of Vietnam. Nicknamed "Vietnam's Rice Basket", the Mekong Delta is an agricultural region made fertile by the labyrinth of canals and streams fed by the Mekong River. Stretching from the Gulf of Thailand to the city of Ho Chi Minh, the Mekong Delta feeds over a third of the country from its rich plantations, orchards, rice fields and fish farms.

6Nha Trang

Located in one of the most beautiful bays in Asia off the coast of south-central Vietnam, Nha Trang is a renowned beach city. Picturesque mountains, beaches and lush islands make it a favourite destination among tourists, Vietnamese and divers. Adorned with resorts, palms and a charming promenade, Nha Trang beach is its main attraction. Amusement and water parks offer fun for everyone with roller coasters and wave pools.

5Sapa

Surrounded by picturesque mountains, rice terraces and a variety of mountain tribes in the remote north-west of Vietnam, Sapa is a quiet town frequently used as a base for trekking in the Hoang Lien Son mountains and for visiting rice fields and traditional villages. From the town, there are many organised tours that help tourists on mountain hikes and to explore the nearby rice fields and remote villages. These tours feature views of beautiful waterfalls and opportunities to experience the food, costumes and lifestyle of the local tribes.

4Hue

Located on the banks of the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty. Today, the vestiges of this ancient glorious period are reflected in the city's architecture, culture and cuisine, making it one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. Of the city's monuments, the Citadel is the most famous. Once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, the Citadel is a sprawling complex of grand palaces, ornate temples, walls and gates. Another landmark on the river is the city's official symbol, the Thien Mu Pagoda.

3Hoi An

Located off the coast of the South China Sea in south-central Vietnam, Hoi An is a beautiful old town dating back two thousand years to the kingdom of Champa. The town's historic architecture, traditional culture and textiles make it a popular destination in Vietnam. At the heart of Hoi An is its evocative old quarter, which is small enough to explore easily. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are lined with beautiful ancient architecture, traditional wooden houses and hundreds of tailor shops selling clothing, shoes, bags, souvenirs and made-to-measure services.

2Hanoi

For the past century, Hanoi has had Indochina and the Vietnam Wars to emerge as the expanding capital of a reunified Vietnam. At the heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, an open-air museum of historic Asian and French colonial architecture that has remained largely intact despite the bombing of the Vietnam War. Here, among scenic tree-lined avenues, tourists can visit crowded markets, sip coffee in picturesque cafes and visit important sites such as the Grand Opera House, the Presidential Palace and St Joseph's Cathedral.

1Ha Long Bay

With its aquamarine water and the cluster of limestone rock outcrops emerging from the water like sea dragons, Ha Long Bay looks like a scene from a fantasy story. Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Hanoi, in northern Vietnam, this otherworldly bay is home to over 2,000 jungle-covered islands with caves, grottoes, sinkholes and intriguing lakes. Many of the islands have been carved over the centuries by natural processes into fantastic formations.