Vietnam is a stunning combination of natural wonders and cultural diversity. The scenery ranges from rugged peaks visible from twisting mountain routes to luscious paddy fields painted in every shade of green, while culture vultures will find plenty to admire thanks to the country’s lengthy history and large number of ethnic minorities.
Hikers, bicyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts may explore the countryside in one of the many national parks, while the beautiful karst seascape of Halong Bay is a natural wonder that even the most slothful can see up close on a cruise.
While the countryside offers breathtaking views, the big cities are bustling with activity and offer plenty of opportunities to sample Vietnam’s delectable cuisine.
This interesting country is one of Southeast Asia’s most undervalued locations, packed with surprises. Our list of the greatest beautiful places in Vietnam will help you plan your trip.
15 beautiful places in Vietnam
5 beautiful places in Northern Vietnam
Sapa & the Tonkinese Alps
The modest French hill station of Sapa, hidden in the clouds among the soaring Tonkinese Alps, serves as a gateway to one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful areas.
The rolling green Hoàng Liên Son Mountains plummeting into the Muong Hoa Valley, covered in a patchwork of shimmering emerald rice terraces, can be seen when you break through the foggy fog.
We propose taking a 3-day trip between the villages to take in the breathtaking scenery and learn about the H’mong and Dao hill tribal villages’ traditional culture. If trekking is not an option, day visits in a vehicle can still be used to see the most stunning sights.
The modest French hill station of Sapa, hidden in the clouds among the soaring Tonkinese Alps, serves as a gateway to one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful areas.
The rolling green Hoàng Liên Son Mountains plummeting into the Muong Hoa Valley, covered in a patchwork of shimmering emerald rice terraces, can be seen when you break through the foggy fog.
We propose taking a 3-day trip between the villages to take in the breathtaking scenery and learn about the H’mong and Dao hill tribal villages’ traditional culture. If trekking is not an option, day visits in a vehicle can still be used to see the most stunning sights.
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its silky emerald seas and towering limestone karsts covered in thick vegetation.
For many visitors to Vietnam, an overnight junk boat ride across Ha Long Bay is the highlight of their trip. As you glide through the peaceful waterways, passing floating communities like Cua Van, Vung Vieng, and Cong Dam, you’ll be treated to unearthly splendor.
Take a swim in the calm, clear waters or go kayaking through the stunning caverns and karsts – it’s the best way to see one of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots.
When is the best time to visit Ha Long Bay?
Spring (March and April) and fall (September and October) are the finest times to visit Ha Long Bay because of the lovely weather.
How do you go to Ha Long Bay?
Ha Long Bay is a four-hour drive from Hanoi in northern Vietnam, and you may easily get there with a private vehicle or a coach tour.
Wayfairer’s Best Advice
Spend a night or two on Cat Ba Island, a beautiful island off the coast of Ha Long Bay. Cat Ba National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, covers half of the island, while the other half is littered with ancient caverns, historical buildings, and golden beaches bordered by jagged karsts. You can take a sailing or kayaking tour to explore Ha Long Bay from the island.
Detian Waterfall
The Detian Waterfall (Virtuous Heaven Waterfall) is one of the most stunning waterfalls on the planet, cascading down three tiers and surrounded by enchanting karst peaks.
The falls are also known as Ban Gioc Waterfall, which means “half-way across” in Vietnamese. They are the world’s second greatest transnational waterfall, located on the border between China and Vietnam.
The Detian Waterfall is absolutely awe-inspiring, measuring over 200 meters wide with a drop of more than 70 meters, and you can hear its thundering cascades before you even see it. For an extraordinary close-up encounter, take a bamboo raft around the base of the falls.
When should you go to Detian Waterfall?
With vivid red blossoms in the spring and golden leaves in the autumn, this remarkable wonder of nature changes with the seasons. The greatest time to visit is between April and November, when the summer rains bring the cascades to life.
What is the best way to get to Detian Waterfall?
A 6-hour picturesque trip along the route between Hanoi and Cao Bang city will bring you to the Vietnamese side of the waterfall. It’ll take another 2-hour drive from Cao Bang to reach this magnificent waterfall.
Ninh Binh Province
Ninh Binh province, often known as the land’s Ha Long Bay, comprises a location of breathtaking natural beauty. Hundreds of limestone karsts covered in deep vegetation climb into the sky, while luminous green rice fields carve around the flowing Ngo Dong River.
Ancient caves, gorgeous pagodas, Van Long Nature Reserve, and Cuc Phung National Park, Vietnam’s oldest national park with great hiking routes, are just a few of the attractions.
When is the best time to visit Ninh Binh?
The greatest time to visit Ninh Binh to view it lighted in its lushest emerald is from late May to early July, and from September to October, when local farmers harvest rice.
Rice harvesting is finished during the dry season (November to March), leaving the fields murky yellow. The landscapes are nonetheless spectacular, despite the lack of flora.
How to Get Around Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh may be reached in a private vehicle in less than two hours from Hanoi or three hours from Ha Long Bay.
Wayfairer’s Best Advice
To get the most out of this gorgeous location, spend at least one or two nights in Ninh Binh. Trang An, a beautiful mountain range with caverns, and Tam Coc, a more popular scenery with caves, rivers, rice fields, and pagodas, are both best visited early in the morning to escape the crowds.
Ha Giang Province
Ha Giang is a tranquil riverfront province in Vietnam’s northernmost regions, bordering China. It is known for its spectacular landscapes.
You’ll descend a rabbit hole of ethereal landscape, complete with forested mountains, strange caves, and the gorgeous Quan Ba Valley, where Quan Ba pass is located. The pass, also known as Heaven’s Gate, offers breathtaking vistas of shimmering rice terraces, rolling hills, and serpentine rivers.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a fantastic conservation and geological region that is part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, is also located in Ha Giang.
When is the best time to visit Ha Giang?
Although Ha Giang is a year-round location, the best months to visit are September to November and March to May. The dry season lasts from December to February, with cold weather, while the hot, rainy season lasts from April to October.
How to Get Around Ha Giang
The most convenient way to get to Ha Giang is to take a private vehicle for a six-hour journey from Hanoi.
5 beautiful places in Central Vietnam
Hoi An
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most attractive cities, with cobblestoned alleys, small canals, Chinese-style shophouses, and French-colonial structures.
This historical trading harbor on the central coast is known for its historic Old Town. Despite the fact that many of the old shops have been turned into modern companies such as tailors, art galleries, souvenir shops, and restaurants, the town has kept its old-fashioned charm and atmosphere.
Every night, the Old Town’s electricity is turned out, and traditional silk lanterns are hung from every store front. The bright lanterns illuminate the streets and provide a romantic glow over the Thu Bon River.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
From February through April, Hoi An is at its best, with pleasant, comfortable weather and little rain. From July to August, you can see the most stunning Full Moons of the year, despite the fact that these months are known for their scorching heat.
How to Get Around Hoi An
The quickest way to get to Hoi An is to fly into Da Nang, which is about 40 minutes away. A train or a private automobile transfer are also options.
Wayfairer’s Best Advice
Hoi An is a must-see trip, and I suggest staying for at least two or three days. Hire a bicycle to tour the countryside around Hoi An after you’ve wandered the town to get a glimpse of rural Vietnamese life. You can also travel 50 kilometers outside of Hoi An to My Son, a historic temple sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With mountains and verdant rice fields in the north and the interesting rivers of the Mekong Delta in the south, Vietnam entices visitors with its stunning natural beauty. However, Vietnam has a lot more to offer than only old traditions and a long past. There are numerous historical sites and old temples in the area. Above is a rundown of Vietnam’s most spectacular and gorgeous destinations!
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a gorgeous place with turquoise lakes, old caverns, and forested mountains to explore, as well as a variety of adventure activities.
It is home to the world’s oldest karst system, estimated to be between 400 and 450 million years old, as well as Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest cave and one of Vietnam’s most astounding wonders.
The cave is almost 5 kilometers long, with sections exceeding 200 meters in height and 150 meters in width, and is large enough to house a 40-story skyscraper block in New York City.
It was discovered in 1991 by a local guy named Ho Khanh, but it was only until a party of cavers from the British Cave Research Association began exploring the cave that it became widely renowned.
In a second voyage in 2010, the crew determined that the cave was the world’s largest after overcoming an 80-meter high calcite barrier.
When to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
The months of March through May are ideal for visiting the national park, as temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is minimal.
The months of December through February are also dry, however the temperature can be extremely chilly. The hottest months are June through August, while August and December should be avoided owing to excessive rain and flooding.
How to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Take a domestic flight to Dong Hoi airport in northern Central Vietnam, then hire a private vehicle for the one-hour journey to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Private car transportation can be arranged from any urban region, including Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and Hoi An.
