The Vinh Trang Temple near My Tho in the Mekong Delta is quite different from many other temples found in Vietnam. The building was inspired by European architecture, and is a blend of East Asian and European styles. It’s one of the most important Buddhist temples in southern Vietnam, and well worth a visit when in the Mekong Delta area.
The Saigon River (Sông Sài Gòn), the fast-flowing main artery of Ho Chi Minh City, is flanked by both modern skyscrapers and rural villages that give insight into old Vietnamese traditions. Used by locals to escape the urban bustle, the riverbanks are dotted with picnic benches and greenery, making for a pleasant refuge from the metropolitan mania of Saigon.
Learn about Vietnam’s 54 different ethnic groups at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (VME), one of Hanoi’s most interesting museums. Featuring a range of exhibits, from replicas of homes and everyday objects to priceless antiques and multimedia displays, the museum offers valuable insight into the culture and heritage of the country’s many groups.
A UNESCO Global Geopark, the Dong Van Karst Plateau (Cao Nguyên đá Đồng Văn) protects jagged limestone cliffs, towering mountains, and lush valleys—looping roads hug the land’s wild curves for added effect. Home to 17 ethnic groups that give this nature scape a distinct cultural feel, adventures here in Vietnam’s far north are easy to find…and impossible to replicate elsewhere.
A high-speed elevator inside the Bitexco Financial Center zips travelers up 49 floors to a glass observation deck ribbed with neon lights. Visitors say views from Saigon Skydeck are some of the best in Ho Chi Minh, offering a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Ben Thanh Market and Notre Dame Cathedral, among other city icons.
One of Vietnam’s tallest buildings, the Bitexco Financial Tower dominates Ho Chi Minh City’s skyline—its unusual tapering structure pierced by a circular observation deck and helipad. Designed by the American architect Carlos Zapata, the 68-floor building offers sweeping views across the city.
Central Vietnam’s My Khe Beach, near the city of Da Nang, is often considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches. With a wide sweep of white sand, calm and clear waters, coconut palms, and warm weather throughout much of the year, My Khe Beach is an ideal place to take a break from urban Vietnam.
Winding over a mountainous stretch of highway just north of Da Nang, the Hai Van Pass (Đèo Hải Vân—literally “Sea Cloud Pass”) is one of Vietnam’s most scenic coast roads. It twists and turns over a spur of the Truong Son mountain range, delivering epic sea views from as high as 1,627 feet (495 meters).
While the grand Linh Ung Pagoda complex might look traditional at first glance, it in fact opened in 2010. The sprawling grounds atop a hill near Da Nang and Hoi An contain a dazzling white, 219-foot (67-meter high Lady Buddha, other white stone statues, a large main hall with a Sakyamuni Buddha statue, and other features.
Hanoi’s largest indoor market, Don Xuan Market is jam-packed with stalls selling everything from clothing and cosmetics to household goods, pets, and plants. Although geared more toward local Vietnamese and wholesalers, it’s a great place to get a pulse on local life, and there’s also a lively food court and weekend night market.
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.
Contributing to Hue's imperial heritage is the Minh Mang Tomb, a 19th-century mausoleum set amid the lush landscapes of central Vietnam. The tomb, located 7 miles (12 kilometers) outside of Hue on the west bank of the Perfume River (Song Huong River), attracts visitors with more than 20 structures and its flower-lined walkways.
Dong Khoi Street (Đường Đồng Khởi), with its elite boutiques, French architecture, and trendy cafés, is the premier commercial center of the city andthe place to see and be seen. Stores range from high-quality silk sellers to high-end luxury brands. City highlights such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office are both within easy walking distance.
Located in Hoan Kiem district, the neo-Gothic St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Hanoi and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. Modeled after Notre Dame in Paris, St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the most famous and striking landmarks in Hanoi from the colonial era.
Nestled among the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, Cái Bè is a riverfront village that is most famous for its floating market. All week long, vendors crowd into the harbor to sell fruit and vegetables from ramshackle boats. Visiting the market offers travelers a glimpse into local life in southern Vietnam.
Characterized by emerald rice terraces and endless mountain vistas, the region of Mai Chau offers respite from the hustle of Hanoi. The small town serves as the gateway to the wider region, where you can glimpse local life in village homestays and explore a rewarding network of hiking trails.
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.
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.
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.
West Lake (Ho Tay), the largest freshwater lake in Hanoi, provides a tranquil escape from the chaos of Vietnam’s capital. Lakeside cafés offer gorgeous views; historic attractions such as the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple provide insight into Vietnam’s past; and 5-star hotels offer fine dining and luxury accommodation.
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.
Hon Ga Choi Island is usually translated into English as Fighting Cocks Island or Cock and Hen Island, as the two adjacent rock formations that comprise the island resemble these birds from some angles, and in a certain light. Located in Northern Vietnam’s picturesque Halong Bay, the jagged rocks are a popular landmark and photo subject.
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.
Near Tay Ninh town, in Long Hoa village, this temple is considered the greatest of all Vietnam’s Cao Dai temples. Founded in 1926, the Cao Dai Temple (Tòa Thánh Tây Ninh) complex functions as a Holy See for the Cao Dai religion (Caodaism), Vietnam’s third most popular belief system after Buddhism and Catholicism. Visitors are welcome at prayer sessions in the Great Temple.
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.
Established in 1992 as Vietnam’s eighth national park, Ba Be National Park protects nearly 39 square miles (100 square kilometers of rainforest, lakes, limestone peaks, caves, waterfalls, and ethnic minority villages. The park also boasts diverse natural biodiversity—it's home to 550 plant species and 65 different types of mammals.
Set on its own island on Hoan Kiem Lake, it’s easy to see why picturesque Temple of the Jade Mountain (Ngoc Son Temple) is one of the most visited places of worship in Hanoi. Full of history and scenic beauty, this fascinating 19th-century temple offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.
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.
