As a leading Vietnam travel agency, Threeland Travel is proud to share insights on the country’s top destinations. From vibrant cities to remote mountains, Vietnam offers amazing places to explore. We’ve curated a list of the 10 best places to visit in Vietnam, whether you seek culture, adventure or beaches.
Through local homestays, activities like mountain biking and iconic tours of Halong Bay, our goal is to provide authentic experiences beyond the ordinary. In this post, we outline highlights and hidden gems to uncover.
So whether you have 2 weeks or a month, let ThreeLand Travel guide you to the real Vietnam through our selection of the 10 best places to experience during your best tour of Vietnam.
1. Hanoi
As the capital city of Vietnam steeped in a thousand years of history, Hanoi is a top best places to visit in Vietnam. Wander through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets lined with shops, cafes and local life. Must-visit sights include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake.
Experience Hanoian culture through local dishes like pho, bun cha and com tam. Be sure to catch performances of water puppetry, a unique Vietnamese art form. Venture beyond the tourist areas to hidden gems like Cho Troi Market, Nam Dinh and Dong Xuan Market catering to locals.
ThreeLand Travel’s Hanoi Free & Easy tour offers a perfect introduction to this lively city, from iconic sights to cultural discoveries through our expert local guide.
2. Pu Luong
A scenic highlight near Hanoi is Pu Luong Nature Reserve, celebrated for its lush rice terraces and unspoiled natural beauty. Take a scenic hike among towering limestone peaks and winding valleys of emerald rice paddies, spots few international visitors reach.
Learn about the culture of local Thai ethnic minority groups through visits to traditional stilt houses or interactions with weavers. Experience rural life on a unique farmstay program where you can try activities like collecting honey or feeding livestock.
3. Ninh Binh
Nestled among limestone mountains, Ninh Binh province hosts stunning karst landscapes and unique attractions. Cruise through towering cliffs and valleys carved by centuries on a boat through the spectacular Tam Coc (Three Caves).
Hike easy trails taking in panoramic vistas from Bai Dinh Temple perched high above or Mua Cave, home to ethereal stalactites. Wander through Trang An Ecological Landscape, a vast outdoor museum of bizarre rock formations.
Enjoy serene scenery and local cuisine while staying in one of Ninh Binh’s countryside homestays. Ninh Binh itinerary provides a perfect sampling of its natural splendors and tranquil rural charm away from busy Hanoi.
4. Halong Bay
Rising from emerald waters lies one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural wonders – Halong Bay. Over 3,000 limestone islands and sea caves glow in this UNESCO site.
Sail among towering rock spires and beautiful beaches aboard a traditional junk boat. Kayak mysterious grottos hanging with stalactites. Or relax taking in constantly changing silhouettes as the sun sinks over the ocean.
Our guides share legends of the “descending dragons” between fresh seafood feasts. Opt to overnight on a best Halong Bay cruise and wake to an unforgettable sunrise illuminating the islands. Immerse yourself in Halong Bay’s magic.
5. Sapa Hill Tribe Villages
Nestled in the lush mountains near Vietnam’s northern border lies the town of Sapa, renowned for its scenic rice terraces and hill tribes. Explore nearby villages to encounter friendly Black H’Mong and Dzao people. Visit local homes to learn traditions like weaving, meet with a shaman, or trek between hillside hamlets. Indulge in homemade fondue before gazing over a sea of clouds flooding terraced fields.
6. Hue
Hue is the cultural heart of Vietnam, once home to emperors in the Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the immense walled Citadel, now partly reclaimed by nature. Wander through its atmospheric temples and residence of previous rulers.
Paddle down the fabled Perfume River where the royals were sent on their final float during extravagant funerals. See a ritual reenactment at the Terracotta Army and Royal Tombs scattered in forested hills nearby.
Soak up the past further at Thien Mu Pagoda, its seven-tiered tower emerging above treetops. ThreeLand Travel walks you through Hue’s mysteries, from the splendors of its past to its charming small-town present. Linger and Hue might just cast a spell on you too.
7. Hoi An
Once a prosperous trading port, Hoi An has succeeded in preserving its historic character like nowhere else. Wander cobblestone lanes passing ornate Chinese shophouses, Japanese bridges and dim sum restaurants.
Experience the creative culture through custom-made tailoring, learning traditional crafts or cooking local specialties. Day trips float you to nearby beaches and countryside.
By night, dine riverside as lanterns float by. Visit rehearsals of 1000-year-old lantern traditions or check out lively street food scenes. Stay at a restored heritage home ownedl to soak up the Old Town’s magic.
Hoi An offers a unique chance to peel back layers of Asian influences and imagine its past glory. Its well-preserved charms will stay in your heart long after.
8. Da Lat
Escape Vietnam’s heat in Dalat, a French-influenced hill town hidden among pine-covered peaks. Stroll elegant lakes and colorful flower gardens. Snap shots of surrounding valleys from perches like Golden Church or Flower Village. Taste homegrown strawberries then hike cooler climes. Ride bikes or try zip-lining over thick forests. Warm up beside crackling fires at night. Dalat offers rejuvenation through nature and cooler climates.
9. Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city thrums with contagious energy. Wander through French colonial landmarks and Chinese temples. Explore frenetic alleys tucked into crowded alleys bursting with street food. Bargain for handicrafts at vibrant markets carrying stories of craftspeople. Pay respects at sobering War Remnants Museum before drinks under ornate Notre Dame Cathedral. Ho Chi Minh City absorbs all who visit into its kinetic culture rich with history and living heritage.
10. Mekong Delta
Snake your way through the intricate maze of channels that is the fertile Mekong Delta. Board small boats to glimpse daily life on idyllic riverine settlements and tropical islands.
Stop at floating markets where vendors peddle fresh produce and specialty foods. Wander tranquil gardens and savor coconut candy samples.
Opt to cycle narrow dikes between vibrant green rice fields and fruit orchards. Overnight on a family-run homestay deep in the delta’s heart. This lush, little-visited region remains a highlight for explorers of Vietnam’s natural bounty.
Vietnam offers diverse landscapes from mountains to cities to tropics. Threeland Travel crafts active tours featuring cycling, walking, boating to its best places – specializing in small groups with local experts.
Contact us for your custom cycling,mountain bike tours or the best Halong Bay cruise. As the top Vietnam travel agency, Threeland designs the ideal trips for authentic experiences through our best Tour of Vietnam. Let our professionals show you why this Vietnam travel agency consistently ranks #1 for truly exploring this captivating country.
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