Last updated on March 15th, 2024
Unsure of the best places to visit in Vietnam? We’re sharing the 12 best cities to visit in Vietnam, to help you choose the right destinations for you!
Vietnam spans 1,025 miles from North to South, covering a wide variety of scenery along the way. Across the country you can find large cities, mountains, beaches, small towns, caves, and so much more. There is truly something for everyone!
We were fortunate enough to spend six weeks in Vietnam and experience so much of what it has to offer. Our time in the country was filled with endless beautiful scenery, kind locals, bustling cities, and adventurous activities. It was easily one of the best trips we have ever been on!
But during the planning stages of our trip to Vietnam, we were overwhelmed by all of the places to visit. And if you’re feeling the same way, we’re here to help!
In this guide we’re sharing the 12 best cities to visit in Vietnam, plus the best things to do in each and how much time you should spend. While it is unlikely that you’ll be able to visit all of them in one trip, we hope it helps you narrow down your choices and choose the ones that interest you the most!
The 12 best cities to visit in Vietnam
Before we dive into the list of the 12 best cities to visit in Vietnam, a couple disclaimers. First, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all of the best cities to visit in Vietnam. We are instead focusing solely on cities that we really enjoyed or that are high on our list for our next visit. Also, this list is in order from south to north, not by preference.
Need help planning your trip to Vietnam? We’ve created 2 week and 3 week Vietnam itineraries!
1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, with 9 million residents. Located in the southern part of Vietnam, with the country’s largest airport, it is typically the starting or ending point for most travelers.
We kicked off our Vietnam trip in Ho Chi Minh City and weren’t sure what to expect, but we LOVED it. The mix of modern and historic French colonial architecture, plus markets, museums, street food, fine dining, parks, and nightlife, makes this such a fun city to explore!
Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City is split up into 24 districts, with District 1 (and 3) being home to the majority of the tourist sites. It is very easy to walk or take a quick Grab ride to get between them!
- Explore District 1. Top sites to see are the Notre Dame Cathedral, Book Street, Central Post Office, and the Opera House.
- Visit the Reunification Palace. This was home to one of the most famous scenes of the Vietnam War where North Vietnamese tanks rolled through the front gates symbolizing the end of the war. It’s now a museum that you can visit!
- Shop at the Ben Thanh Market. Brush up on your bargaining skills before heading here to pick up some fun souvenirs or street food.
- Catch the sunset from the Saigon Skydeck. One of the sleekest looking buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, the Bitexco Tower, has an awesome observation deck perfect for sunset!
- Go on a food tour with a local, to check out the city’s amazing food scene.
- Mix with the locals on a weekend night at the Nguyen Hue Walking street.
- Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the impact of the Vietnam War on the country.
- Go on a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels or Mekong Delta.
- Watch the sunset with a picnic beneath Landmark 81.
How much time should you spend in Ho Chi Minh City? (Saigon)
We suggest at least two days in Ho Chi Minh City, which will allow you to experience District 1 and go for a day trip. But if you want to visit a museum, temples, and try lots of local food, three days is perfect.
Learn more about Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
Check out our 3 day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary for even more things to do, places to visit, where to stay, and how to spend your time. You can also watch us experience Ho Chi Minh City, plus Vietnam, for the first time in this video!
2. Dalat
Dalat is located in the central highlands of Vietnam, about 6 hours northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s known for its quirky, fun, and adventurous attractions, set in a peaceful and lush landscape. While we did not have time to visit Dalat on our last trip to Vietnam, we will be going there next time!
Top things to do in Dalat
There are tons of things to do in Dalat, making it one of the best cities to visit in Vietnam. Here are just a handful!
- Visit and stay at the Crazy House. This ever evolving accommodation and attraction is a super unique and, as the name implies, crazy structure. Every room is different with bright colors, undulating surfaces, narrow bridges, and many other wild elements. The rooms are meant to mirror nature elements like mushrooms, caves, and spiderwebs.
- Ride the longest alpine slide in southeast Asia! This slide is over a MILE long and passes by several waterfalls including the Datanla waterfall. This looks like so much fun!
- Ride the cable car to Truc Lam Pagoda for panoramic views over Dalat and the surrounding area.
- Go canyoning! You’ll be climbing down massive waterfalls. It looks like a BLAST!
- Pay a visit to the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, which looks to be one of the most detailed and intricate temples we’ve ever seen!
- Go on an epic waterfalls tour to see Pongour, Elephant, and Datanla Falls!
- Wander around Clay Tunnel. This unique theme park is an art exhibition with tons of big sculptures made of clay.
- Explore the Valley of Love. In this massive park you can hike the trails, ride a boat on the lake, and challenge yourself on “the Hard Road.” The Hard Road is a series of adventure games in the forest!
- Visit the Dalat Train Station, the oldest train station in Vietnam!
- Smell the hundreds of different flowers at the Dalat Flower Park.
- Check out the Dalat night market.
How much time should you spend in Dalat?
We think that three days in Dalat would be ideal! You can spend the first day on a canyoning tour, the second day exploring the city, and the third day in the surrounding area, including riding the cable car and alpine coaster.
3. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is one of the best coastal cities to visit in Vietnam. With beautiful beaches, coral reefs, cultural sights, and a mix of fun activities, it offers a lot for travelers who want a mix of relaxation and adventure.
Top things to do in Nha Trang
Compared to some areas of Vietnam, Nha Trang is a bit more developed, modern, and focused on tourism. Which means that you’ll find quite a bit of man made activities here. But don’t let that scare you away! There are also plenty of authentic, plus natural experiences to have.
- Visit the Po Nagar Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess of the country, Yan Po Nagar. The temple was built over 1,000 years ago and lies on a mountain top outside of town giving wonderful views over the area.
- Go scuba diving or snorkeling! This is one of the most popular things to do in Nha Trang.
- Lounge at the white sand Nha Trang Beach. For a less busy beach, check out Doc Let Beach or Bai Dai Beach instead!
- Visit the Ba Ho waterfall. We suggest taking a tour to get here!
- Relax and cover yourself in mud at Thap Ba mud baths!
- Visit Yang Bay Eco Park. Located about an hour west of Nha Trang, this eco park has three large waterfalls to admire, a thermal hot spring to soak in, and view a massive banyan tree known as the Tree of Wishes.
- Ride the Vinpearl Cable Car to VinWonders Amusement Park. The cable is one of, if not, the longest cable cars that travels over the sea. It connects Nha Trang to Hon Tre Island, where you can find the VinWonders Amusement Park. This amusement park is one of the largest in Vietnam.
How much time should you spend in Nha Trang?
We suggest spending three days in Nha Trang. Your first day could be spent checking out the Po Nagar Temple, visiting a mud bath, plus relaxing at a beach. For your second day, we’d suggest doing a snorkeling tour, while your third day could be spent either at the Ba Ho waterfall, Yang Bay Eco Park, or VinWonders.
4. Da Nang
Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang is the fifth most populated city in Vietnam. Often used as a gateway to Hoi An, the city itself has a lot to offer, including mountain views and surfable beaches. Plus many fun day trip options!
Top things to do in Da Nang
- Da Nang is known for its gorgeous beaches! My Khe Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Vietnam and all of southeast Asia, but you can also visit the less crowded Non Nuoc.
- While at the beach, take a surf lesson! Da Nang is known for being one of the best surf spots in the country.
- Check out Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic and famous mountain passes in Vietnam. This is a great tour to experience it in one day with a guide!
- Explore the Son Tra Peninsula which is home to the Son Tra Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is where you have the chance to see the extremely rare langur monkey.
- Visit the Lady Buddha, the largest Buddha in Vietnam.
- Hike the Marble Mountains. Only 15 minutes from the city is a collection of five mountains with pagodas perched on top. You can walk up the stone steps, explore caves, and see the ancient temples.
- Watch the Dragon Bridge breath fire! This happens every Saturday and Sunday night at 9 PM.
- Take a day trip to Sunworld Ba Na Hills Resort and walk on the Golden Hand Bridge. There is tons to see and do at Ba Na Hills, like a French village, a massive cable car, a winery, amusement rides, and more!
How much time should you spend in Da Nang?
We suggest spending at least two days in Da Nang. This will give you the chance to enjoy its beaches, visit the Son Tra Nature Reserve, and see Lady Buddha. Plus do a day trip to either Hai Van Pass, the Marble Mountains, or Ba Na Hills.
5. Hoi An
Hoi An is easily one of the best cities to visit in Vietnam. And in our opinion, is a must-visit!
The city is mostly known for its well preserved Ancient Town with its yellow, historic buildings and countless colorful lanterns. But it is so much more than that! Here you can go for a fun bike ride through rice fields to the beach, ride a circular boat through a coconut village, and try unique foods that can only be found in Hoi An.
We loved the smaller town, laid back feel here. While it’s very popular with tourists, it still retains a lot of its ancient charm.
Top things to do in Hoi An
- Explore the Ancient Town, which is what Hoi An is known for. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 15th century!
- Try some delicious tea at Mót Hội An.
- Eat Cao Lau, a Hoi An specialty dish, at Nostalife. The authentic version of this food can only be found in Hoi An!
- Attend a lantern making class! Hoi An’s most recognizable symbol is the lantern. You can certainly purchase one, but why not make one yourself!
- Shop and eat at the Hoi An night market, which happens nightly.
- Go on a basket boat tour through the Cam Thanh Coconut Village
- Ride a bike around town. We suggest going to An Bang Beach and the Tra Que Vegetable Village. Make sure to grab drinks at Sounds of Silence Coffee Shop and lunch at Baby Mustard!
- Experience the Hoi An Lantern Festival. This festival happens on the 14th day of the lunar month. This is when the moon is at its fullest and brightest!
- Check out the My Son Sanctuary. This was the religious and political capital of the Champa people.
How much time should you spend in Hoi An?
We personally spent three days in Hoi An and it was perfect! We were able to accomplish most of the things to do listed above, at a more relaxed pace. However, we would’ve loved to have spent more time here, just biking around and enjoying the beach more.
Learn more about Hoi An, Vietnam:
Curious what else there is to do in Hoi An? Check out our guide with 13+ fun things to do. We also have a 3 day Hoi An Itinerary, to help you plan your time in the city!
6. Hue
Located about 100 km north of Da Nang, along the Perfume River, is the Imperial City of Hue. This city offers a mix of ancient architecture, delicious food, and yet another must see UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hue was the spiritual, cultural, and political capital of Vietnam in the 1800s, which is when the large citadel was built.
The city of Hue has gone through lots of periods of turmoil over the centuries, including during the Vietnam War when it was heavily damaged. Many people died and many historic structures were destroyed. Today, Hue is a great example of Vietnam’s resilience as evidenced by the extensive renovation of the city, making it one of the best cities to visit in Vietnam.
Top things to do in Hue
- Walk around the Imperial Citadel of Hue! To better understand its history, we suggest hiring a guide.
- Pop into the Royal Antiquities Museum to see over 300 artifacts.
- Try Bun Bo Hue, a dish that many claim is their favorite in Vietnam!
- Explore the royal tombs of past leaders of the area, like Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc.
- Not only can you experience the Hai Van Pass in Da Nang, but you also can in Hue!
- Explore the Dong Ba Market.
- Go on a Dragon Boat ride on the Perfume River.
- Check out the eerie Thuy Tien Lake abandoned water park. This water park is apparently slowly being demolished, so time will tell how long this will be around.
- Visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), which was the dividing line between North and South Vietnam during its years at war.
- Take a trip to the Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village
How much time should you spend in Hue?
You could see the majority of the top things to do in Hue in two days! The first day could be spent on a tour of the Citadel, while the second day could be spent doing a trip to the DMZ or Hai Van Pass.
7. Phong Nha
Phong Nha may not technically be a city, but we couldn’t leave it off this list of best cities to visit in Vietnam. This tiny town in Central Vietnam is an adventure lover’s paradise!
This region is known for its caves, including the world’s largest natural cave by volume, Hang Sơn Đoòng, at 38.5 million cubic meters. Here you can go on a wide variety of cave tours that include hiking in the jungle, waterfalls, swimming and floating through caves, camping, and so much more!
While this destination may not be on every visitor’s radar, our time in Phong Nha was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam.
Top things to do in Phong Nha
- Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. This park is home to mountains, lush jungle landscapes, rivers, and 450 caves. Two very popular caves to visit in the park are Phong Nha Cave and Paradise Cave. These are both accessible with a tour or on your own.
- Head to The Duck Stop! Here you can meet tons of ducks and even get to feed them. It is hilarious!
- Stop by Monkey Bridge Farm to enjoy a drink from a swing or hammock. There is also a fun monkey bridge challenge you can complete!
- Go on a cave tour with Oxalis Adventure. This is a MUST! They have a wide variety of tours for all timeframes, skill sets, and budgets. You can do a quick one day tour or go on a multi-day overnight tour. We went on their 4 day Wild Tu Lan Cave tour and it was not only one of the best things we did in Vietnam, but in all of our travels!
How much time should you spend in Phong Nha?
This depends on what type of tour you book. We spent 4 full days there for our tour, but there are some fun 2 day and 3 day tours as well! Phong Nha is a bit of a trek to get to, requiring a train or plane to Dong Hoi, plus a taxi ride, so we definitely suggest more than one day.
Learn more about Phong Nha, Vietnam:
To see our experience on the Wild Tu Lan Cave Tour check out this video. It was one heck of an adventure, as we swam in caves, squeezed in small spaces, camped in the jungle, and so much more.
8. Ninh Binh
While Ha Long Bay is considered by most to be a must-visit in Vietnam, we think you should visit Ninh Binh instead! With towering limestone karst peaks and beautiful valleys, it is nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on land.” Here you can ride a boat through stunning rock formations, cycle through rice fields, visit temples, climb up to viewpoints, and so much more. It is paradise and while becoming more popular, is less busy than Ha Long Bay!
Top things to do in Ninh Binh
- Climb to the top of the Hang Mua Caves viewpoint, which has the best views in the area!
- Cruise through the area’s famous limestone peaks and caves on the Trang An boat tour.
- Wander through the Bich Dong Pagoda. This three part temple is built into the mountainside!
- Pop into Brick Coffee Shop and get a coffee, plus their banana or carrot cakes. This was our favorite coffee shop in Vietnam!
- Try the local foods! You can’t visit Ninh Binh without trying goat meat. We enjoyed trying it at Thao Béo Restaurant.
- Visit the largest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam at the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex.
- Check out the views from Tuyet Tinh Coc and explore what’s left of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.
- Rent a bike and simply wander around the town and rice fields.
- Stay at a relaxing bungalow. We loved our time at Trang An Lamia!
How much time should you spend in Ninh Binh?
We spent two full days in Ninh Binh and it was perfect! This gave us time to check out some of the best things to do, plus relax at our bungalow. You can do a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, but we really think you should spend at least one night there.
Learn more about Ninh Binh, Vietnam:
Check out our guide to the top things to do in Ninh Binh. This guide covers the best things to do, where to stay, and scams you should look out for. Plus it includes a ready to go itinerary! We also have detailed guides to visiting the Mua Caves Viewpoint and riding the Trang An boat tour.
9. Hanoi
No trip to Vietnam is complete without a stop in Hanoi! As the second largest city and capital of Vietnam, there are TONS of things to do, like the charming and chaotic Old Quarter, street food, and the iconic Train Street. It is easily one of the best cities to visit in Vietnam!
For many visitors, Hanoi is either their starting or ending point in Vietnam. We ended our time in Hanoi and highly recommend you do the same, as we think the Northern part of the country is the most beautiful. And who wouldn’t want to save the best for last?
Top things to do in Hanoi
- Hanoi is known for its amazing street food scene. So going on a delicious Hanoi street food tour is a must!
- Explore the historic sites of the Old Quarter. Some top sites are the St. Joseph Cathedral, Opera House, and the Ngoc Son Temple.
- Feel the ground rumble beneath your feet as a train rumbles right past you at Hanoi Train Street.
- Attend the Water Puppet Theater, an art form that originated over 1,000 years ago in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta.
- Visit as many cozy coffee shops as you can. Hanoi is full of them!
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi is known as the city of lakes and this lake is very important to the people of Hanoi. Visit on the weekend and you’ll find a fun, lively atmosphere!
- Experience some of Hanoi and Vietnam’s history at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
- Wander around the Temple of Literature.
- Visit the Hoa Lo Prison Relic. This was once a prison to hold rebelling Vietnamese under French rule, before becoming a US prisoner of war prison.
- Walk around West Lake and visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
How much time should you spend in Hanoi?
You can experience Hanoi’s Old Quarter in one jam-packed day, but we suggest 2-3 days if you want to visit some museums and go on a food tour.
Learn more about Hanoi, Vietnam:
We have tons of Hanoi content to help you plan your trip! Our 3 days in Hanoi itinerary covers everything you need to know to visit Hanoi. Including the top sights, plus where to stay! We also have a guide with how to visit Hanoi Train Street, the 13 best coffee shops in Hanoi, and the best food in Hanoi.
10. Sapa
Sapa is located in Northern Vietnam’s Hoang Lien Son range and is known for its rice terraces, mountain scenery, and large communities of Ethnic Minorities. It is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam if you want to experience the country’s mountains and culture.
We originally planned to visit Sapa, but due to a lack of time, we had to make the tough choice between going here and Ha Giang. While we heard great things about Sapa, many people said they preferred Ha Giang, as it’s less touristy. So that’s what we did instead! But in the future, we would love to explore Sapa.
Top things to do in Sapa
- The top thing to do in Sapa is to go on a trekking tour. These can be anywhere from one day to multiple days and will take you through different rice paddies and small villages. It’s a great way to see the area and connect with the locals!
- Visit Fansipan, which is not only the tallest mountain in Vietnam, but the entire Indochinese Peninsula! To get here, you can either take a cable car to the top or hike!
- Hike to Love Waterfall! It’s a bit of a trek from town, so you will either need to drive out there or hire a guide.
- Ride a motorbike on Tram Ton Pass, a scenic mountain pass with amazing views of the area!
How much time should you spend in Sapa?
Sapa can be explored in 3-4 days. This gives you enough time to do a multi day trek, go to the top of Fansipan, and explore the area’s waterfalls, or just wander around and see what you discover!
11. Ha Giang
While the city of Ha Giang isn’t a destination in itself, it’s the gateway to one of the most epic motorbike trips in all of southeast Asia, the Ha Giang Loop!
Many travelers to Vietnam, including ourselves, agree that this is the BEST thing to do in Vietnam. We spent a couple days on the Ha Giang Loop, plus ventured even further east to Cao Bang, and it was easily one of our favorite experiences of all time.
Top things to do in Ha Giang
The Ha Giang Loop is a roughly 350 km (217 mile) multi-day motorbike loop through some of the most epic scenery Vietnam has to offer. We’re talking endless views of towering, jagged limestone peaks, the deepest canyon in southeast Asia, waterfalls, small villages, and so much more!
While the scenery itself is insane, what makes the experience even more special is that you get the chance to see a much more remote side of Vietnam, immerse yourself in the culture, and connect with locals. It was such an impactful experience for us, unlike anything we have ever done!
While this motorbike trip can be done on your own, we highly suggest going with a tour. We loved our guides from Ha Giang Road Trip! They truly felt like our family by the time the tour was over.
How much time should you spend in Ha Giang?
Most people will spend 3-4 days on the Ha Giang Loop, but if you have more time to spend we highly recommend adding an additional 3-4 days to go towards Cao Bang, which we will cover next!
Learn more about Ha Giang, Vietnam:
We share much more detail about the Ha Giang Loop, including logistics, itineraries, and more in our ultimate guide to the Ha Giang Loop. You can also see the Ha Giang Loop in the first part of our motorbike trip!
12. Cao Bang
Cao Bang is a gorgeous province in Northern Vietnam, known for its mountains, rice fields, and for being home to the tallest waterfall in the country. Not only is Cao Bang the name of the province, but it’s also the name of its largest city.
We loved this region! It was just as beautiful as the Ha Giang Loop, but felt even more remote and less busy. While its major attractions will have lots of people, we rode through many small villages where we were the only foreigners. It was really meaningful to experience such an untouched and less touristy part of Vietnam!
Top things to do in Cao Bang
- Visit the epic Ban Gioc waterfall, right on the Vietnam and China border. This is the tallest waterfall in Vietnam at more than 300 meters wide (800 feet) and 30 meters tall (98 feet). Here you can admire multiple different falls, plus go on a boat ride!
- Climb up to the Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda to get a sweeping view of the area and see the Ban Gioc waterfall from high above.
- Check out the nearby Nguom Ngao Cave, also known as Tiger Cave.
- Get your eyes on Angel Eye Mountain, a huge mountain peak with a hole straight through it!
- Hang out with the locals at the weekend night market in Cao Bang. We had SO much fun here!
- Admire the beauty of Pac Bo, a lush, green valley, with the vibrant turquoise Le Nin River rushing through. You can also see the cave that Ho Chi Minh lived in before he became the leader of Vietnam!
- Stay at a homestay. We loved our time at Yen Nhi Homestay! They have a cave (that you eat your meals in), plus we got to enjoy traditional music and dancing.
How much time should you spend in Cao Bang?
Similar to Ha Giang, Cao Bang is less about the city itself and more about the adventures closeby. We spent a total of two days in Cao Bang, which were a part of a larger, six day motorbike tour we did with the Ha Giang Loop.
Learn more about Cao Bang, Vietnam:
Watch this video about our motorbike trip around Cao Bang to see many of the spots above! And to learn more about visiting the Ban Gioc Waterfall, we have a full guide here.
Looking for more Vietnam inspiration?
- eBook: The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Vietnam
- 2 week Vietnam Itinerary
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- Vietnam packing list
- 3 Days in Hanoi, Vietnam Itinerary
- 9+ AMAZING things to do in Ninh Binh! (+ 2 day itinerary)
- The ULTIMATE 3 day Hoi An Itinerary
- 13+ FUN things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam
- The ULTIMATE guide to planning a trip to Vietnam
- 20+ Vietnam tips: things to know before you go!
- Watch all of our Vietnam videos
- Read all of our Vietnam guides
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