Vietnam

Karst bays, lantern towns and great noodles.

US travel advisory: Level 1 · checked 2026-11-02

Photo: Taewangkorea · CC BY-SA 4.0

This is a first draft of the Vietnam list. The full region guide is being written, and tiers may still change.

The Short List

Must-See

Nature · UNESCO

Ha Long Bay

Thousands of limestone islands in emerald water, by overnight junk boat.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Cities · UNESCO

Hoi An

A lantern-lit old port with tailors, with My Son's ruins nearby.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Cities · Food

Hanoi

A motorcycle-filled Old Quarter, French villas and bowls of pho.

Guide Coming Soon

Must-See

Nature · UNESCO

Ninh Binh

Boats through caves, among rice fields called Ha Long on land.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Heritage · UNESCO

Hue

The Nguyen emperors' walled citadel and royal tombs.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Mountains · Rice terraces

Sapa

Rice terraces with minority villages in the northern hills.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Cities · War history

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon's energy, the War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Nature · UNESCO

Phong Nha

The world's largest cave, Son Doong, among vast limestone hills.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Nature · River life

Mekong Delta

Floating markets and canals.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Cities · Beaches

Da Nang and the Golden Bridge

A walkway held by giant stone hands, in the hills above a beach city.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Beaches · Beaches

Phu Quoc

Vietnam's beach island, with a very long cable car.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Beaches · Dunes

Da Lat and Mui Ne

A cool hill town, and sand dunes by the beach.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Mountains · Scenic Drives

Ha Giang Loop

A thrilling motorbike road through stone mountains.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Heritage · UNESCO

Mỹ Sơn

Ruined Cham temples in a jungle valley.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

Mountains · Hiking

Fansipan

Indochina's highest peak, by cable car from Sapa.

Guide Coming Soon

On the Map

Grey pins: guides still being written.