Vietnam is one of the top destinations on travelers' bucket lists.

There are some spots in the country that cannot be missed.

There are many places to visit in Vietnam.

A view of Halong Bay from a high vantage point on an island. The bay is made up of many limestone islets, jutting out from the calm blue waters.
Halong Bay is a major tourist draw in Vietnam © Alex Stoen / Getty

Halong Bay

One of Vietnam's top tourist attractions is the stunning combination of limestone peaks and sea. There are more than 2000 islands to see. You can make time for your own special moments on this World Heritage wonder by booking an overnight cruise or kayaking. Do you prefer your landscape to be less crowded? Bai Tu Long is to the north and Lan Ha Bay is to the south.

Getting around in Vietnam.

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A handful of yellow and red tents can be seen ereceted on a sand bar near the entrance to the cavernous Hang En Cave in Vietnam. The cave is one of the biggest in the world, and the tents all look tiny in comparison to the vast space.
Find caves (like Hang En), mountains and lakes in Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park © James Kelley / Getty Images

Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng National Park

The Hang Son Doong is one of the world's largest caves and is located in the center of Phong Nha–K Bng National Park. Unless you spend at least $3000 on a tour, you won't be able to enter this subterranean wonder. Hang n is one of the caves that you can go through for a fraction of the cost. There are guided treks around the oldest mountains in Asia, home to tigers, elephants and 300 species of bird.

Natural wonders of Vietnam.

A number of blurred moped cross an intersection in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. There are many mopeds on the street, making the roads look very busy.
Buzzing Ho Chi Minh City can be a bit of a shock to the system © lichtbildfotograf / Getty

Ho Chi Minh City

The energy of former Saigon will delight big city devotees. The whole experience is overwhelming and some visitors seem to be constantly seesawing between the two. The War Remnants Museum is a must visit if you want to see a lot of history, delicious food and a vibrant nightlife. Don't worry, the heat is always on in Vietnam.

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An overhead shot of the coast of Phu Quoc island, showing shallow teal waters and an empty stretch of white sand, backed by palm trees.
Phú Quốc's biggest asset is its wonderful coastline © Jimmy Tran / Shutterstock

Phú Quốc

It's easy to slip into low gear, reaching for a seaside cocktail and toasting a copper sun in the shade of a white-sand beach in the south of Vietnam. The island is relatively compact and offers areas of natural, untouched jungle along with newer, less-serene additions.

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People sit outside bars and restaurants in Hanoi's Old Quarter. It is night and tables and chairs have been set out on the road outside the businesses.
Hanoi's Old Quarter is a wonderful place to wander (and snack!) © TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock

Hanoi

The city of Vietnam's capital has one foot buried in a fascinating past, while the other is confident and moving forward. You can sample the mix of history and ambition by wandering the streets of the Old Quarter, sipping an egg coffee or watching businessmen eat breakfast. After you check out the decadence of the French Quarter, you can head to the cosmopolitan Tay Ho for fine dining and the lowdown on the art scene in Vietnam.

There are 8 national parks in Vietnam.

A rickshaw driver cycles two young children down a street in Hoi An, which is lined by characterful old buildings, decorated with colourful lanterns.
Despite the crowds, Hoi An is still one of Vietnam's most charming towns © luctra_design / Getty 

Hội An

Hi An is Vietnam's most atmospheric town. It used to be a major port and now has grand architecture. The Old Town has an incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, elaborate Chinese guildhalls, and ancient tea warehouses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents, and a lot of tailor shops are part of the scene here. If it gets too much, hop on a bike to explore the town's outskirts and pristine surroundings, where you'll find that life moves at a less frenetic pace.

There are a lot of places to visit in Vietnam.

An empty boat is tied up on the banks of a lake in Ba Be National Park. Beyond the boat the shimmering still waters of the lake is visible, which is backed by numerous mountains, most of which are covered in forest.
Explore Ba Be National Park on foot or by boat © Ingram Publishing / Getty

Ba Be National Park

The Ba Be National Park is an essential destination for travelers who want to go on an adventure. The scenery here swoops from limestone mountains peaking at 1554m down into plunging valleys wrapped in dense evergreen forests. The park is home to hundreds of wildlife species, including monkeys, bears and pangolins, which are the only mammals covered in scales. After a day of animal-spotting, go back to your home in a village guesthouse.

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An aerial view of the beach of Nha Trang. The beach runs right alongside the city, with a number of skyscrapers and modern buildings visible just behind the golden sands.
Nha Trang is good for both bar and beach crawling © Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock

Nha Trang

The high-rise, high-energy beach resort of Nha Trang is ringed by a necklace of hills and has a turquoise bay. The shoreline is defined by a crescent beach of white sand and a promenade dotted with parks and sculptures. There's a cosmopolitan array of boutiques and dining options inland, but as restaurant service winds down for the evening, nightlife cranks up. Are you looking for a more relaxing vibe? The city is a great launching point for a beach crawl up the coast to the city of Quy Nhon.

Getting around in Vietnam.

A view of the entrance of the Citadel in Hue, an ancient walled enclosure within the city housing temples and palaces. The stone structure has a moat around it, and the image is framed by red leaves of a nearby tree.
Entrance to the Imperial City in Huế © Luciano Mortula - LGM / Shutterstock

Huế

Hu was the capital of the nation in the 19th and early 20th century. The city is situated on the banks of the Perfume River and has a famous cuisine. The Imperial City, a citadel within a citadel, houses the emperor's residence, temples and palaces, as well as the main buildings of state, within 2.5 km of the wall. Some of Vietnam's most impressive pagodas and royal tombs can be found in the city's fringes.

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An aerial view of Lung Cu flag tower in Ha Giang, Vietnam. The large flag stands on top of a mountain, with views over the surrounding green valleys and hills.
Venture to Lung Cu flag tower, the most northern point of Vietnam © Jimmy Tran / Shutterstock

Hà Giang

Lung Cu is a hilltop flag tower that is located in H Giang province and is a great place to ride a bike. With improved roads, new trekking routes, and a wider choice of guesthouses, homestays and restaurants, Vietnam's far north is firmly planting itself on the travel map as a hotspot for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

Natural wonders of Vietnam.

It was first published in April 2021.