Destinations in Vietnam
Regions In Vietnam
- North Vietnam
It provides some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking views, as well as access to the city and the chance to see the indigenous peoples of the highlands. - Central Coast
Vietnam’s budding kings call Hue home, and Hoi An is one of the country’s most stunning historic seaside cities. - Central Highlands
Hills covered with beautiful forests, home to indigenous peoples and elephants on occasion. - South Vietnam
Vietnam’s economic engine, centered on Ho Chi Minh City but also covering the lush and little-visited Mekong Delta, the country’s rice basket.
Cities In Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – Vietnam’s largest city
- Da Nang – the third largest city
- Dalat – Central Highlands
- Haiphong – the “port city”, a large port in the north of Vietnam
- Hanoi – capital of Vietnam and main tourist destination
- Hoi An – a well-preserved old harbour near the ruins of My Son
- Hue – former residence of the emperors of Vietnam
- Nha Trang – booming seaside resort
- Vinh – the big city in North Vietnam with the beautiful beach Cua Lo
Islands In Vietnam
Lý Sơn
The solitary island in Quảng Ngãi province was known as “The Kingdom of Garlic” long before it made its way onto Vietnam’s list of most appealing places. Volcanic eruptions have created fertile soil perfect for cultivating high-quality garlic in Lý Sơn. Today, many visitors are drawn to this lonely island by its towering craggy cliffs, dazzling blue waters, and unspoilt environment.
Lý Sơn is made up of two small islands, Cù Lao Ré and An Bnh. Rent a motorcycle and ride to Mount Thới Lới on Cù Lao Ré, the larger of the two, for a dreamlike panoramic vista of the volcanic cliffs and sparkling sea below, or pitch up camp on An Bnh beach and let the ocean waves serenade you to sleep.
Hòn Tre
The Nha Trang resort island of Hon Tre is unlike any other in the country. Hon Tre is a fanciful holiday complex featuring an amusement park, golf courses, and premium spas, where Vietnam’s stunning nature meets world-class leisure and entertainment.
A 15-minute cable car trip with stunning views will take you from Nha Trang, the island’s coastal city, to Vinpearl Land.
Enjoy endless rides on rollercoasters and bumper cars with your children, or unplug, unwind, and rejuvenate by the sea with a lovely spa treatment. A verdant region filled with exotic plants and flowers from throughout the world is also included in the park, as is Asia’s largest over-the-water floating bay.
Chàm Island
When you think Hoi An couldn’t get any more romantic, a 20-minute boat ride from Cửa Đại Pier will take you to Chàm Island (Cù Lao Chàm), a cluster of eight islands with sparkling golden beaches and magnificent coral reefs.
On Chàm Island, there are seven beaches to explore. Foodies can indulge in delectable seafood at Bai Huong, culture lovers can visit Bai Làng for a glimpse into the daily lives of local fishermen and the nearby forbidden village (Xóm Cm), thrill seekers can explore natural caves and unspoiled landscapes at Bai Bac, and everyone can relax on the soft sand, rustling palm trees, and inviting sunbeds at Bãi Chồng and Bãi Bìm.
Côn Đảo
Côn Đảo, an isolated tropical island partly covered in vegetation, is located off the coast of Vũng Tàu City. Côn Đảo has beautiful empty beaches, a little attractive village, and a large national park. The fact that this island is a little out of the way adds to its allure. Côn Đảo’s immaculate white sand has only seen the footprints of local fishermen. If you want to get away from it all, here is the place to be.
Côn Đảo is well-known in Vietnam for its tragic history as a former colonial jail. The French and later American invaders utilized the island to imprison political prisoners from all around the country. The Côn Đảo jail and museum are disturbing reminders of this tragic time. Away from the little windswept town, the island’s coastline roads lead to turquoise waters and green hills. Côn Đảo features some of Vietnam’s top snorkeling spots beneath the water, and its national parks are crisscrossed by trekking paths.
Nam Du
Drift into perfect slumber on Nam Du, a secluded archipelago south of Vietnam, accessible only by ferry or private boat. This small island is probably unknown to you, which is a good thing. Nam Du lacks premium hotels and resorts, as well as reliable electricity and Wi-Fi, but it does have breathtaking natural beauty.
Sip cool coconuts on the palm-fringed shores of Bai Men, Nam Du’s most beautiful beach, or go island-hopping and splash in the crystal clear seas of adjacent islets. The most important thing on your Nam Du schedule, though, is straightforward: book an airy hut facing the sea, turn off your phone, sit back, and enjoy a rare moment of utter quiet. Some ideas for development are in the works, but for the time being, this island remains one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets.
Phú Quốc
While many of Vietnam’s islands are best visited in the summer, Phu Quoc, the largest of all, is ideal for a Christmas break. From November through March, the skies at Phú Quốc are clear and sunny, making these the perfect months to relax on the island’s lovely beaches. Sao Beach, with its pure white sand and azure blue waves, is a local and tourist favorite. But laid-back Ông Lang Beach is another must-see; the mellow sunset is just the icing on the cake.
On Phú Quốc, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do: take a boat out to dive and swim on smaller islets and coral reefs, ride the beautiful cable car to Hòn Thơm island, or check into a five-star stunner for some pampering. Phú Quốc has some of the country’s freshest and most delicious seafood, including local specialties like raw herring salad and flower crab. Some argue that the delicious fish alone is worth the journey.
Cát Bà
Long expanses of white-sand beaches and beautiful limestone karsts can be found on Lan Ha Bay’s main island. Cát Bà, only a few hours from Hanoi, is a superb nature escape for anyone looking for adventure.
Kayakers will find Lan Ha Bay, just south of the island, enticing, with calm water, breathtaking views, and plenty of islets and caves to explore.
From there, enjoy a sail on the emerald waters to the fishing village of Việt Hải, where you’ll spend the night at a charming sustainable homestay.
Sunrise enthusiasts will be in for a treat at this viewing location. The steep trek can be scary, but the rewarding vista is well worth the effort.
