One of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a magical land with a turbulent history, diverse culture, and incredible landscapes. If you ever find the collage of the best places to visit in Vietnam, you will see a dazzling blend of limestone cliffs, French colonial buildings, numerous small islands, hidden beaches, and lively markets.
Vietnam has ably emerged as one of the happiest countries in the world recovering from the scars of the war and has established itself as one of the best tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. While Ha Long Bay, Marble Mountains, and Ba Be Lake are some famous Vietnam tourist attractions, its unique pagodas and parks also attract a constant inflow of tourists. Want to know what the best places in Vietnam to visit are? Check out this list.
1. Ha Long Bay
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Look at the pictures of Ha Long Bay and you are sure to forget all the worries. Thousands and thousands of limestone cliffs surrounded by the emerald waters create a heavenly landscape everyone would like to be a part of. Ha Long Bay is the pride of Vietnam. You can take a cruise or junk boat tour or even a kayak expedition to move around the Ha Long Bay and explore the unique islands with unique names such as Teapot and Stone Dog. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994, Ha Long Bay offers activities like rock climbing and scuba diving.
2. Phú Quc
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Off the coast of Cambodia, the island of Phu Quoc is one of the best vacation spots in Vietnam. Phu Quoc is often called the secret paradise of Vietnam as it houses 28 islands, most of which are still uninhabited and less-explored. Wouldn’t you like the Robinson Crusoe experience? The most precious gem of Phu Quoc is the Phu Quoc National Park that offers plenty of hiking trails, an exotic wildlife, and ultimate wooden hanging bridges to walk across the forest. The palm-lined white sand beaches of Phu Quoc are another highlight.
3. Phong Nha-K Bàng National Park
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Located in north-central Vietnam and extremely close to the border of Laos, Phong Nha-K Bàng National Park is, indeed, the most stunning place you will ever see in Vietnam. Featuring hundreds of cave-systems with limestone karsts, Phong Nha-K Bàng looks one of the most mysterious places on earth. Phong Nha-K Bàng National Park has also got a place in the World Heritage List. The national park is home to animals like elephants and black bears.
4. Cát Bà Island
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Largest of the 367 islands, Cat Ba Island is surrounded by the dramatic landscapes created by the Ha Long Bay. Half of the area in Cat Ba Island is covered by the National Park which has a wide variety of ecosystems and also features a rich biodiversity. Another thing that makes it one of the top destinations in Vietnam is that people who are exploring Ha Long Bay come here to stay overnight. Off the island, you will find a large number of fishing villages.
5. Marble Mountains
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A cluster of limestone and marble hills, the Marble Mountains can be found in Ngu Han Son District of Vietnam. While this set of 5 mountains is geographically unique, it is also religiously treated, and many Buddhist and Hindu grottoes are found around the Marble Mountain. These five mountains are named after the five elements such as earth, fire, wood, metal, and water. If you explore the surroundings, you will learn a lot about the tradition of stone carving and sculpture making.
6. Imperial City, Hue
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The city of Hue, which is still the best part of Vietnam, used to be the imperial capital of Vietnam earlier and the historical landmark of Imperial City marks it. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Imperial City is basically a walled enclosure located inside a fortified area of Hue. The main features of the Imperial City are the Imperial City Gates, Outer Court, Purple Forbidden City Main Gates, Temples and Places of Worship, Inner Court, Pavilion, and Gardens. If you go inside, you can see the huge throne inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
7. Tun Châu
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Located to the south-west of Halong Bay, Tuan Chan is a schist island famous for sandy beaches, perfect sunshine, and great resorts. If you are a slow-paced traveler who likes to lay back and enjoy the cool atmosphere, Tuan Chau is the place for you. The island is home to some award-winning resorts. While you can stay in your hotel and enjoy the spectacular views of the Halong Bay, you can also go for an overnight cruise from the island for a unique experience.
8. Côn o
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If you are looking for exotic places in Vietnam, the archipelago of Con Dao can be a great destination. Known for a rich coral reef and marine life, Con Dao also provides a great spot for those who love to dive. The beaches of Con Dao are the breeding grounds for sea turtles and you will find them in abundance during the breeding season. On the eastern end of the Con Dao Island, Bay Canh Lighthouse is situated that shows the traces of the Colonial era.
9. Vinpearl
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Another great Vietnam point of interest, Vinpearl is a resort island in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Vinpearl is a symbol of luxury and comfort in the heart of natural beauty. Vinpearl features upscale condominiums and facilities like a golf course, swimming pools, spas, fitness center that more than assure you a perfect laid-back vacation. The resort also has a wonderful restaurant and bar, entertainment venues, and convention center.
10. Cúc Phng National Park
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Perched on the Red River Delta, Cuc Phuong National Park is the largest and also the most beautiful nature reserve in Vietnam. If you haven’t experienced Vietnam’s biodiversity yet and wondering where to visit in Vietnam, you should definitely head to Cuc Phuong National Park. You will find 97 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 36 reptiles, 17 amphibians, and also over 2,000 species of plants. The Cuc Phuong National Park is also said to house some of the most endangered species of Vietnam.
11. Ba B Lake
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Ba Be Lake is undoubtedly one of the gorgeous places to see in Vietnam. The largest natural lake in the country, Ba Be Lake is located in the northeast of Vietnam in Bac Can Province. According to the geographical facts, Ba Be Lake has formed naturally over 200 million years ago. The majestic cliffs that surround the lake, its interesting geological setting, and a wide variety of flora and fauna provide a great opportunity for the nature explorers here.
12. Phong Nha Caves
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Looking for an unusual escape to include in your Vietnam vacation ideas? Then you should explore its caves, and what place could be better than Phong Nha Cave to start with! With mysterious underground rivers, narrow opening, and rocks dating back to 400 million years, the caves of Phong Nha look like an unsolved riddle. Apart from the cave tours, many people come here for forest trekking, climbing, and mountain biking. The biggest cave of this entire system is 7,729 meters long with 14 grottoes.
13. Perfume Pagoda
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Known as Chua Huong among the locals, the Perfume Pagoda is one of the unique places to visit in Vietnam. The pagoda or temple has a lot of religious significance and draws a large number of pilgrims from different corners of Vietnam every year. This sacred site is a set of Buddhist temples lying on the foothills of Huong Tich. In addition to its religious importance, this temple also attracts throngs of tourists with its tropical setting and a fascinating 15th-century structure.
14. Phm Ng Lão Street
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Are you backpacking to Vietnam? Here comes the place which is a haven for backpackers. Pham Ngu Lao Street in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is where you will find countless bars, cafes, restaurants, guesthouses, and of course, a large number of shopping stores. One of the best places in Vietnam for backpackers, Pham Ngu Lao Street is the perfect destination for low budget travelers as you will find everything at really cheap prices here. Yes, with drought beer and delicious street food, it’s a paradise for food lovers too!
15. Bch Mã National Park
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Sprawling over an area of 200 square kilometers, Bach Ma National Park is one of the must-visit places in Vietnam for nature enthusiasts. The park is divided into 3 different zones, one of which is an area for administration, the reserved core area, and a buffer zone. Bach Ma National Park is surrounded by the cliffs of Annamite Mountains and has a rich biodiversity. You can see the Asian elephants, langur, gibbon and a wide variety of birds inside the park.
Have you ever been to these places? What did you like the best about them? Do share! I bet you’ll have something to say.
