8 Best Places To Visit In Vietnam for the First Time

December 18, 2017

Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam stands as a traveler’s haven. Its vibrant metropolises, majestic mountains, verdant rice fields, idyllic islands, and rich cultural history collectively create a paradise on Earth.

Golden Bridge in Vietnam is among the world’s most iconic bridges

The country is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist hotspot, boasting a plethora of captivating destinations. Out of the many locations, here is a list of the top 8 best places in Vietnam for you to plan your next trip to Vietnam.

1. Hanoi 

Hanoi is the ancient capital, located in northern Vietnam. This city is where travelers can find many great architectures including well-preserved colonial buildings, thousand-year-old pagodas, and centuries-old monuments.

Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Dong Xuan Market are some of the must-see locations for any traveler visiting Hanoi

Our lovely guests at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi 

Hanoi, beyond its historical and scenic wonders, is a haven for food enthusiasts. The Old Quarter beckons those in search of an authentic culinary experience, offering a delightful array of local delicacies. 

Dive into the rich flavors of Grilled Pork & Noodles (Bun Cha), the unique taste of Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung), the satisfying Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich (Banh Mi), the comforting Traditional Noodle Soup (Pho), etc

Capturing the flavor of Hanoi in every sip of Egg Coffee 

2. Halong Bay 

Halong Bay is a magnificent artwork of nature, awarded the World Heritage Site for its aesthetic and geomorphological values. This site contains a multitude of stunning limestone pillars sitting on the emerald water, caves, and islands, which have a long history of human use. 

Halong Bay, nestled in the Gulf of Tonkin, stands out as a premier destination that caters to diverse preferences with a range of cruise options – from luxury and mid-range to private and budget cruises.

The magnificent scenery of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

This marvel seamlessly blends adventure and leisure, offering a plethora of engaging activities like kayaking, cave and floating village exploration, swimming, fishing, sunrise Tai Chi, and rock climbing.

3. Sapa 

Sapa is a quiet town, surrounded by marvelous mountains, beautiful rice terraces, and a lot of hill tribes. Pretty much everything including houses, woods, and mountains is covered in fog, which is why there’s a name of “Sapa – the City of Fog“.

This is also the top trekking destination in Vietnam with a range of trails and route options to the local villages such as Lao Chai Village, Ta Van Village, and Cat Cat Village.

Beautiful green rice fields at Cat Cat Village, Sapa District

Moreover, one of the most attractive things about Sapa is Fansipan Peak, a top choice for any adventurous tourist who wants to conquer this highest mountain in the Indochina peninsula.

4. Hoi An 

Hoi An has been rated the best place to visit in Vietnam. The spellbinding architectural sites such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, and Old House of Tan Ky, etc are parts of the reason why Hoi An was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

When the night falls, Hoi An is even more beautiful than anyone can ever imagine. All the streets are filled with illuminated lanterns and the Thu Bon River running through the town is also brightened up with lots of sparkling candles.

The glamour of busy Hoi An ancient town

Last but not least, Hoi An is also famous for many fun activities such as learning to cook the local specialties, exploring pristine beaches, and visiting local villages in the countryside.

5. Phu Quoc Island 

Luxury meets peace. Modern restaurants, vibrant nightclubs, and upscale resorts on the coast altogether make this place a true paradise to relax and purify your soul. Phu Quoc is also called the “Jade Island”, perhaps, due to the jade-like colour of the water surrounding it.

White sandy beach on Phu Quoc Island

If you do get bored of the beach bustle, take a trip to Duong Dong town where you can enjoy a lot of fresh fruits and local specialties such as fish sauce, pepper, and seafood. 

Another interesting tourist attraction is the Phu Quoc prison, which used to hold more than 32.000 prisoners during the Vietnam War. The island is divided into 3 main tourist areas including the North, the East, and the South.

6. Ho Chi Minh City 

Known as the most bustling cosmopolitan city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is full of surprises for visitors. You can spend a day strolling through the city’s highlights such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, etc, or go shopping for various unique souvenirs in Ben Thanh Market.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon 

When the sun goes down, the whole city will transform into the most dynamic playground ever for the expat community. You will find yourself getting blended in with the locals, backpackers, and many other travelers pretty easily. 

You can freely dance with your friends on the Nguyen Hue walking street, or venture off to one of the famous bars on Bui Vien Street. 

7. Cu Chi Tunnels 

During the Vietnam War, thousands of residents in Cu Chi, a Vietnamese province, lived in a complex system of underground tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnel system became legendary during the 1960s as a strategic military base and community life center.

Our customers are in Cu Chi Tunnels, the famous historical place in the Vietnam-US War

You will have a chance to discover this incredible underground maze including innumerable trap doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, and classrooms. Also, don’t forget to try some authentic shooting experience in the shooting area.

8. Mekong Delta 

The mighty Mekong River belongs to the far south of Vietnam. Known as “The Rice Bowl of Vietnam”, this region possesses a unique advantage over agricultural activities. 

Therefore, visitors will often find colorful floating markets, abundant fruit orchards, and green rice paddies along the Mekong River’s banks. Also, your trip will not be perfect without visiting the coconut and sleep mattress workshops located along the canal.

Cruise along the Mekong River to explore the idyllic local life

Conclusions

As one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia, Vietnam will bring you different emotions as well as unique experiences unlike anywhere else. From the peaceful rice fields to vigorous street corners, this land is filled with full of surprises. Hopefully, you find our travel guides useful. 

Don’t know where to start? We are here. Asia Vacation Group is a travel company offering a variety of tour packages as well as the intensive capability to customize your trip. Simply choose a Vietnam tour package that you like or contact us for any inquiry you may have. Start packing things up!
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