Vietnam Tourist Places: No.1 & Best Tour Places in Vietnam (No More Choice Anxiety)

From north to south, Vietnam is packed with amazing destinations. To help with choice anxiety, we've put together a selected list of top places to visit. Every stop will provide a new experience, and you'll be sure to have a great Vietnam tour.

What Is the No.1 Tourist Spot in Vietnam? Halong Bay - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Halong Bay is a mesmerizing natural wonder. Internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural value, it is Vietnam's number one tourist spot. The bay is a landscape of emerald waters dotted with limestone karsts topped with rainforests. It is a place of leisure, exploration, and culture where you can swim in the clear waters, visit island caves, and see floating villages.

The best way to see is on a Halong Bay cruise. Two-day, one-night, and three-day, two-night cruises are the most popular. They will take you out into the waters for great vantage points of the scenery, visit famous places like Cat Ba Island and Heaven Gate's Island, and provide food and entertainment on the journey.

7 Days Northern Vietnam Historical & Natural Tour Package

Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh - Hanoi

The easiest way to get to Halong Bay is by shuttle bus or private car from Hanoi. It takes 3-4 hours, and you can book door-to-door service right to your cruise embarkation point.

October to November and March to April are the best times to visit Halong Bay, followed by the rest of the dry season from December to February. Clear skies and calm waters are the norm during these months, allowing for good visibility and fun water activities. It's possible to go during the rainy season, but pay attention to the weather forecast to ensure the cruise is not canceled due to bad weather.

Top Cruise Options:

What Are the Top 5 Tourist Places/Destinations in Vietnam? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Sapa & Hoi An

Halong Bay
Halong Bay is the top destination in Vietnam. After a cruise of the stunning bay, you can visit one of its famous beaches and explore the city. Hon Gai Beach is a coconut tree-lined beach near the cultural center of Halong Bay City.

After soaking in some sun or spending time in the water, you can visit the nearby Sun World Ha Long Park. At night, the beach's promenade lights up with entertainment and food, and Ha Long Night Market is also nearby, where you can shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay

Hanoi
The other destinations in the top 5 are waiting if you have more time in Vietnam. Hanoi, the capital city, has an endless list of attractions blending history, culture, and modern life. The Old Quarter preserves the traditional feel of the city and is the best place to find hidden gems of street food stalls and local shops.

At the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you can learn about the revered founder of modern Vietnam through exhibitions and artifacts dedicated to his life and achievements. The Temple of Literature is an ancient temple that stands as a symbol of Vietnamese culture. To escape the bustle of the city, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the Restored Sword, is an oasis of calm in the heart of the city surrounded by pagodas and gardens.

Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, is the second largest city in the country. In the Mekong Delta region of Southern Vietnam, the city is a vibrant cultural center. It is the best place to learn about the history of the Vietnam War at the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels are a preserved underground network used by soldiers during the war.

A cruise of the waterways of the Mekong Delta is a relaxing way to see the scenic riverside villages and learn about their traditional way of life. Vietnam night markets shouldn't be missed. Ben Thanh Market is one of the city's oldest landmarks and a place to find anything, including delicious seafood.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall

Sapa
Sapa, in north Vietnam, is a mountainous region with a climate and landscapes distinct from the rest of the country. It's famous for its beautiful rice terraces cascading down the mountain slopes. Fansipan Mountain is the highest mountain in Vietnam. Visitors can take a challenging one or two-day hike to the peak or ride the cable car for breathtaking views of the ascent.

Exploring the countryside will take you to places like Cat Cat Village, where you can see the way of life of the H'mong people or see stunning waterfalls like Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall.

Hoi An
Hoi An, in central Vietnam, is another of the country's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Recognized for its well-preserved ancient town and beautiful surroundings, Hoi An is a peaceful cultural experience. Hoi An Ancient Town is where you can see ancient architecture and landmarks like the Japanese Bridge and Quan Cong Temple.

On the 14th day of every lunar month, the city holds a lantern festival. The city lights up with thousands of traditional paper lanterns, creating a beautiful scene. To experience the natural surroundings, you can explore the countryside on a bike tour or go to Cua Dai Beach to relax and eat freshly caught seafood at a beachfront restaurant.

Colorful lanterns hanging up in the street in Hoi An

Which Cities Are the Most Beautiful in Vietnam? Hoi An, Da Nang & Nha Trang

It's challenging to pick the top places in a beauty competition. Hoi An stands out. Its charming streets and historic architecture make it one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam. A boat ride on the Thu Bon River is a great way to see it. It will take you through the heart of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Da Nang, also in central Vietnam, combines a beautiful coastline, pristine beaches, and a modern city skyline. The surrounding Marble Mountains, dotted with caves, pagodas, and Buddhist shrines, are a great place to explore and an amazing vantage point from which to take in views of the city.

Along the south-central coast, Nha Trang is another exceptionally beautiful city. Loved by beachgoers, Nha Trang Beach has clear waters and soft, golden sands. The Po Nagar Cham Towers are ancient, 8th-century Hindu temple towers overlooking the city from a nearby hill. Surrounding natural attractions like Yang Bay Waterfall show off the local natural beauty.

10 Days Central Vietnam Beach Relaxing & Culinary Tour

Da Nang - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Mui Ne - Da Lat - Da Nang

How Many Days Are Best for Vietnam? What Are the Best Tour Itineraries in Vietnam?

Plan for 7-8 days to see the highlights of Vietnam. One of the most popular tours is our 8 Days Best of Vietnam Tour Package. It's an exciting tour from north to south that includes the top destinations in the country.

Day 1-2 starts in northern Vietnam with an exploration of Hanoi. There's time to visit main attractions like the Ho Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature and take a cycling tour through the old quarters. Then, it's a two-day, one-night Ha Long Bay cruise, where you can see the beauty of the bay and enjoy water activities like kayaking or swimming.

Next, you'll visit Hoi An in central Vietnam. You'll see Cam Thanh Village with its traditional fishing practices and ride in a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Over two days, you'll explore Hoi An, which includes visits to the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda, and Hoi An Market.

The last stop is two days in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. The first day is spent seeing the city's sites, such as the colonial architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral and historical sites like Emperor Jade Pagoda. The next day is spent on a full-day cruise of the Mekong Delta, visiting floating markets and local cottage industries and enjoying a riverside meal.

8 Days Best of Vietnam Tour Package

Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon - Mekong Delta – Saigon

If you have more time, the 14 Days Highlights of Vietnam from North to South tour includes the 8 day tour highlights, plus other unforgettable destinations. In north Vietnam, you will visit the rice terraces of Sapa and ride the cable car to Fansipan Peak.

Before Hoi An in central Vietnam, this tour adds a stop in the ancient capital of Hue. The Hue Capital Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 520 hectares with a grand fortress-like complex. Hue is home to tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, like Tu Duc Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb. Local cuisine can be enjoyed at Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre for a unique dining experience while enjoying Hue's musical and cultural heritage.

After Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, the tour ends on the tropical island paradise of Phu Quoc. You won't need any itinerary there, just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere relaxing on the beach.

14 Days Highlights of Vietnam from North to South

Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Can Tho – Phu Quoc

More Tourist Places in Vietnam

You could spend a lifetime in Vietnam and never run out of things to do. Every city and region has a wealth of places to explore.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Vietnam and home to some of the world's largest cave systems.
Mui Ne: Along the southeastern coast, known for its Red and White Sand Dunes and exciting kite-surfing scene.
Tam Coc-Bich Dong: Near Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam and referred to as 'Halong Bay on land'. It's a place to take riverboat trips through karst formations and rice paddies.
Da Lat: Called the 'City of Eternal Spring,' the hill station in the central highlands boasts French colonial architecture and beautiful flower gardens.
Cham Island: A beautiful island on the coast of Hoi An. As a marine conservation area, it's a popular destination for diving and snorkeling.
Vinpearl Land: A massive recreation complex near Nha Trang. It has a water park, amusement rides, and state-of-the-art aquarium.
Vinh Long: In the Mekong Delta, it's a charming riverside town and an embarking point for boat cruises to the Cai Be floating market. 

Conclusion

The list of top places to visit in Vietnam should help you decide how to spend your time. Make sure to see Halong Bay, then venture on to the other top locations. If there's too much to do on one trip, you'll just have to return to see more. Our extensive range of Vietnam Tours can fit any travel schedule, or contact us to plan a personalized itinerary.