Clustered around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Hoi An’s Cua Dai harbor, Vietnam's eight Cham Islands are known as Cham Island or Cù Lao Chàm. They offer white-sand beaches, granite cliffs, and coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling. The islands’ rich marine life and ecosystems have earned them UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Part theme park, part resort, part historic and natural wonder, Ba Na Hills is difficult to categorize. But one thing is certain—this spot is popular. It’s where you can cross the famous Golden Bridge, feel the thrill of roller coasters, see the enormous Lady Buddha at Linh Ung Pagoda, tour a French Village, and ride one of Asia’s longest cable cars.
A tumbling mass of granite slabs and boulders, the Hon Chong promontory juts into Nha Trang Bay, a little north of downtown. A traditional wooden house (rebuilt for tourism purposes and an ocean-view café add character, and the coastal and island views from the end of the rocks are spectacular.
Used as an observation base in the American-Vietnam war, Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) overlooks Son Tra Peninsula near the city of Da Nang. Midway up the 2,790-foot (850-meter) peak, you find Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the Lady Buddha statue. Expect to encounter troops of monkeys dwelling in its jungle-covered cliffs.
The biggest lagoon in all of Southeast Asia, Tam Giang stretches for some 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Hue, Vietnam. Framed by mountains to the west and the lapping South China Sea to the east, it’s one of the richest sources of flora and fauna in the region. In other words, come here for great views, great nature, and, course, great seafood.
Arguably the most recognizable gate of the UNESCO-listed Hue Citadel (Da Noi,) Noon Gate (Cua Ngo Mon) is one of five entrances that were used only by emperors. Follow in the footsteps of Vietnamese royalty as you walk beneath the 17-foot (5-meter) arch and admire the yellow tiles that adorn the roof.
A former fishing village, the seaside town of Mui Ne has evolved into a boutique beach resort that provides a convenient escape from the metropolitan madness of Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to a golden-sand beach, Mui Ne boasts vivid red and white sand dunes and the otherworldly Fairy Stream.
Home to spectacular limestone panoramas and terraced rice paddies, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is the ideal choice for travelers looking to get off the beaten path. Although the reserve is a popular weekend getaway for Hanoi locals, Pu Luong sees few foreign visitors and has therefore managed to maintain an authentic feel and tranquil atmosphere.
It took nearly three years to build the 50 structures that make up the Tomb of Tu Duc (Lăng Tự Đức), devoted to the fourth emperor of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty. The pavilion—where the emperor once perched to compose poems and admire flowers—leads to the impressive tomb, on which a narrative written by the emperor himself is engraved.
The oldest market in Hue, Vietnam, is Dong Ba Market (Cho Dong Ba), which dates back to 1887. It is the perfect snapshot of life in this ancient city, with thousands heading to the massive two-story structure every day in search of handicrafts, fresh goods, clothes and fabrics, teas and candies, and more.
Stretching almost 2,000 meters (6,562 feet from the coastal town of Vinh Moc to a beach overlooking the South China Sea, the Vinh Moc Tunnels were dug in the late 1960s to serve as a live-in bomb shelter for more than 60 families. These families lived their lives underground, some on and off for up to six years.
The Perfume River (Song Huong River)—so-called due to the aroma released by blooming flowers in autumn—provides visitors with a wealth of activities. The river affords spectacular photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset, and it is flanked by cycle and walking paths that offer a cooling escape from the humidity of Hue.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park nestle beneath some of Asia's most spectacular karst rock formations. While some of the caves—such as Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave—are only available on expensive multi-day tours, others, such as Phong Nha, are easy to visit on a day trip.
Constructed between the 8th and 12th centuries, the Po Nagar Cham Towers sit at the mouth of the Cai River in central Vietnam, on the outskirts of the beach town of Nha Trang. The towers were built to honor the region’s Cham rulers and incorporate Buddhist temples and shrines to the Hindu gods Shiva and Ganesh.
Home to a colonial-era hill station, the monsoon forests of Bach Ma National Park center on Bach Ma, or White Horse Mountain, which rises 4,757 feet (1,450 meters). Waterfalls, crumbling villas, hiking trails, and a wealth of wildlife, including pheasants, langur monkeys, and muntjac deer, make a magnetic spot to spend a day—or longer.
Topped with a vast white Buddha seated on a lotus leaf, Long Son Pagoda (Chùa Long Sơn is one of Nha Trang’s signature sights. Stairs lead up the leafy hill past temples, a prayer hall, a Chinese-influenced mosaic dragon screen, and a reclining Buddha. It’s not unusual to hear monks and nuns chanting.
Cham sculpture is Indian-style sculpture that draws on religious and mythological themes, originating from the coast of central and south Vietnam between roughly 192 and 1697 C.E. At the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, housed in an attractive colonial-era building, visitors can learn about this art form and the civilization from which it stemmed.
A 10-minute boat ride from Hoi An, the village of Kim Bong—a traditional carpentry village on Cam Kim island—has been churning out artisan works since the 15th century. After taking the ferry across, you can ride bikes across the pastoral landscapes of the island, visit local shops, and witness woodwork being carved before your eyes.
Christ the King Cathedral, Nha Trang Cathedral, Stone Church—there are many names to describe this brick and stained-glass Catholic beauty. Competing with countless Hindu and Buddhist temples, this Gothic cathedral stands out with delicate arches, soaring windows, and a clock tower. When you’re here, use it as your compass; high atop a hill, it can be seen all across the city.
The largest of Hoi An’s five assembly halls—historic meeting places for the city’s Chinese merchants—Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall is an architectural feast and among the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town. A National Monument, it’s home to a temple, shrine, and a tree-lined courtyard.
Dating back to the early 20th century, Dam Market (Cho Dam is Nha Trang’s largest market and a hub for local life. Across three stories, eclectic stalls sell meat, fish, and souvenirs, while Vietnamese vendors create a lively atmosphere that lasts from the early morning until the evening.
The ornate, covered Thanh Toan Bridge—Cau Ngoi to locals—humbly crosses a canal in Thuy Thanh, a rural village about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Hue. If you love Hoi An’s famous Japanese covered bridge, you’ll love Thanh Toan: Built in the 18th century in both Japanese and Chinese styles, it’s got all of the pomp and circumstance of Hoi An’s, but without the crowds.
Hailed as the epitome of antique grandeur, the 200-year-old Tan Ky Old House pays homage to Hoi An’s rich architectural heritage. The beautifully preserved 18th-century house contains Chinese and Japanese artworks, dark-wood furniture, and watermarked walls that attest to the building’s ability to withstand Hoi An’s seasonal floods.
One of a cluster of islands that stud Nha Trang Bay, Hon Mun island is the epicenter of the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area. Spanning 30,000 acres (12,000 hectares) of protected ocean, the zone is home to colorful coral and marine life. Visit to snorkel one of Vietnam’s favorite underwater spots.
Nowhere sums up Nha Trang’s coastal allure like Nha Trang Beach, a golden stretch home to swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Depending on the vibe you’re after, the beach offers lively bars or uninterrupted swathes of sand; its also backed by a promenade that comes to life at night.
Housed in an old French colonial building outside Nha Trang’s city center, the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam charts the history, science, and technology associated with marine life, with exhibits focusing on things like algae and phytoplankton, the history of fishing in Vietnam, and natural disasters at sea and around the coast.
Just 20 minutes from Hoi An, the fishing village of Tra Nhieu offers a deeply peaceful look into Vietnam’s more rural side. An “ecological village”—meaning it preserves traditional ways of fishing, farming, and living—this little hamlet sits on the Thu Bon River, easily accessible for travelers to walk, bike, and tour for a glimpse of daily life.
Towering 37 meters (120 feet) over Hue’s UNESCO-listed Hue Citadel (Da Noi), Flag Tower (Kỳ Đài) claims to be the tallest flagpole in Vietnam. The tower comprises three stone platforms, with the third featuring eight canons and a sentry box at either end.
Even though it's just a short boat ride from the resort city of Nha Trang, Hon Mieu Island feels a million miles away. Along with its white-sand beaches and seafood restaurants, its biggest claim to fame is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique boat-shaped building that houses giant shrimp, sharks, and turtles.
Formerly used to host the receptions and ceremonies of Vientamese emperors, Thai Hoa Palace dates back to 1805 and is notable for its lacquered columns. Plus, due to the palace’s innovative design, if you stand at the exact center of the courtyard you can hear whispers from anywhere in the building.
