Vietnam · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Vietnam
These are the places worth your time in Vietnam, from Hanoi's temples and street food and the limestone bays of the north to imperial Hue, lantern lit Hoi An and the energy of Ho Chi Minh City. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Hanoi
Arts and Culture
- Temple of Literature (Dong Da)
Vietnam's first university, with quiet courtyards and stone turtles carrying the names of scholars. - Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem)
The heart of the city, with a red bridge to an island temple and tai chi at dawn. - Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (Cau Giay)
The best introduction to the country's many ethnic groups, with full size traditional houses in the garden. - Vietnamese Women's Museum (Hoan Kiem)
A small, moving museum on the role of women in family life, history and fashion. - Hoa Lo Prison Relic (Hoan Kiem)
The former colonial prison later known as the Hanoi Hilton, told with care and detail. - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Ba Dinh)
The solemn resting place of the founding leader, beside the One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace grounds. - Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (Ba Dinh)
A UNESCO site of excavated palace foundations and wartime command bunkers that few visitors explore. - Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (Hoan Kiem)
A uniquely Vietnamese art form, with puppets dancing on water to live traditional music. - Tran Quoc Pagoda (Tay Ho)
The city's oldest pagoda, on a little island in West Lake, beautiful at sunset.
Restaurants
- Bun Cha Huong Lien (Hai Ba Trung)
The simple bun cha shop made famous by a presidential visit, still serving smoky grilled pork with noodles. - Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan (Hoan Kiem)
A queue on the pavement for one of the city's classic bowls of beef pho. - Cha Ca Thang Long (Hoan Kiem)
Turmeric fish sizzled with dill at your table, Hanoi's signature dish. - Banh Mi 25 (Hoan Kiem)
A friendly Old Quarter stall serving crisp banh mi with a wide choice of fillings. - Cau Go Vietnamese Cuisine (Hoan Kiem)
Northern home cooking with a balcony view over Hoan Kiem Lake.
Cafés
- Cafe Giang (Hoan Kiem)
The family café credited with inventing egg coffee in the 1940s. - Cafe Dinh (Hoan Kiem)
A worn upstairs room with lake glimpses and a superb egg coffee, run by the same family as Cafe Giang. - Cong Caphe (Hoan Kiem)
Retro themed coffee chain known for coconut coffee smoothies.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bia hoi corner, Ta Hien street (Old Quarter)
Fresh draught beer on tiny stools in the busiest corner of the Old Quarter.
Shopping and Markets
- Hanoi Night Market, Hang Dao (Old Quarter)
A weekend night market from Hang Dao to Dong Xuan with clothes, souvenirs and snacks. - Dong Xuan Market (Old Quarter)
The biggest covered market in Hanoi, for fabrics, goods and a busy food court. - Bat Trang Ceramic Village (Gia Lam)
A centuries old pottery village where you can try the wheel yourself.
Things to Do
- Hoan Kiem walking street (Hoan Kiem)
Weekend evenings when the lake streets close to traffic and fill with games and music. - Long Bien Bridge walk (Long Bien)
Walk the old iron bridge over the Red River at sunset beside trains and scooters.
Stays
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Hoan Kiem)
The grand colonial hotel of 1901, with a wartime bunker tour for guests.
Places to Visit in Ninh Binh
Nature and Outdoors
- Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (Hoa Lu)
Rowing boats glide through limestone caves and rice fields in this UNESCO landscape. - Hang Mua viewpoint (Tam Coc)
Climb the dragon topped stairs for a sweeping view over Tam Coc's rice fields.
Places to Visit in Ha Long Bay
Nature and Outdoors
- Sung Sot Cave (Bo Hon Island)
The bay's largest cave, with huge chambers full of stalactites. - Ti Top Island (Ha Long Bay)
Climb to a panoramic viewpoint, then swim from the small beach. - Lan Ha Bay kayaking (Cat Ba)
Paddle through quiet lagoons and to sandy coves away from the busy routes. - Cat Ba National Park (Cat Ba Island)
Forest trails to a lookout tower over the island's green peaks. - Bai Tu Long Bay (Van Don)
The quietest of the bays, with wild islands and few boats. - Cat Co beaches (Cat Ba Island)
Three small sandy beaches linked by a cliffside path near Cat Ba town. - Vung Vieng fishing village (Bai Tu Long Bay)
A floating village where you can row among fishing rafts with local boatmen.
Arts and Culture
- Hospital Cave (Cat Ba Island)
A secret wartime hospital built inside a mountain. - Quang Ninh Museum (Ha Long City)
A striking black glass museum on the region's sea, mines and history.
Things to Do
- Sun World Ha Long cable car (Bai Chay)
A long cable car over the bay to a hilltop park and big wheel.
Restaurants
- Cat Ba seafood street (Cat Ba Town)
Harbour front restaurants where you pick your seafood from the tanks.
Places to Visit in Hue
Arts and Culture
- Imperial City of Hue (Citadel)
The walled palace of the Nguyen emperors, with gates, halls and gardens. - Tomb of Tu Duc (Thuy Xuan)
A peaceful lakeside tomb with pavilions the emperor used as a retreat. - Tomb of Khai Dinh (Thuy Bang)
A dramatic hillside tomb with dazzling glass and porcelain mosaics. - Tomb of Minh Mang (Huong Tho)
Grand symmetrical gardens and lakes beside the Perfume River. - Thien Mu Pagoda (Huong Long)
The seven storey tower on the river that is the symbol of Hue. - Thanh Toan Tile Roofed Bridge (Thuy Thanh)
A graceful eighteenth century covered bridge in quiet rice fields.
Restaurants
- Hang Me Me (Vo Thi Sau)
Tiny banh beo, banh nam and other Hue rice cakes at budget prices. - Les Jardins de la Carambole (Citadel)
French and Vietnamese cooking in a colonial villa near the citadel.
Shopping and Markets
- Dong Ba Market (Citadel)
The city's main market, good for conical hats and sesame candy.
Things to Do
- Dragon boat trip on the Perfume River (Riverside)
A slow boat ride to pagodas and tombs along the river.
Events
- Hue Festival (Citadel)
A cultural festival of royal music, theatre and lanterns held every two years.
Nature and Outdoors
- Bach Ma National Park (Phu Loc)
Cool forest trails and waterfalls high above the coast.
Stays
- Azerai La Residence Hue (Le Loi)
An art deco former governor's residence on the Perfume River. - Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort (Thuy Bieu)
A garden resort in the countryside near the tombs.
Places to Visit in Da Nang
Nature and Outdoors
- Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son)
Limestone hills with caves, pagodas and views over the coast. - My Khe Beach (Son Tra)
A long sandy city beach for swimming and sunrise walks. - Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda (Son Tra)
Forest roads, a giant white Lady Buddha and rare douc langurs. - Hai Van Pass (Lien Chieu)
One of the most beautiful coastal roads in Asia, with old forts at the top.
Arts and Culture
- Museum of Cham Sculpture (Hai Chau)
The world's finest collection of Champa sandstone carving.
Things to Do
- Dragon Bridge fire show (Han River)
The bridge breathes fire and water on weekend evenings. - Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge (Hoa Vang)
A cable car to a hilltop resort and the bridge held by giant stone hands.
Restaurants
- Mi Quang Ba Mua (Hai Chau)
A local chain serving Quang style turmeric noodles.
Shopping and Markets
- Han Market (Hai Chau)
A covered market for dried goods, coffee and clothing by the river. - Son Tra Night Market (Son Tra)
Street food and stalls near the Dragon Bridge.
Stays
- InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Son Tra)
A spectacular hillside resort on a private bay. - Pullman Danang Beach Resort (Ngu Hanh Son)
A family friendly beach resort on the long sands.
Events
- Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (Han River)
Teams from around the world light up the river in early summer.
Places to Visit in Hoi An
Arts and Culture
- Japanese Covered Bridge (Ancient Town)
The town's symbol, a small temple bridge from the early seventeenth century. - Fujian Assembly Hall (Ancient Town)
An ornate Chinese hall with dragons, incense coils and a fine gate. - Tan Ky Old House (Ancient Town)
A merchant family home still lived in after several generations. - My Son Sanctuary (Duy Xuyen)
Hindu brick temples of the Champa kingdom in a jungle valley.
Events
- Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (Ancient Town)
Each full moon the town dims its lights for lanterns and river candles.
Things to Do
- Basket boat ride in Cam Thanh (Cam Thanh)
Spin through the water coconut forest in a round bamboo boat. - Thanh Ha Pottery Village (Thanh Ha)
A riverside village of potters, easy by bicycle.
Nature and Outdoors
- Tra Que Vegetable Village (Cam Ha)
Organic herb gardens where you can farm and cook for a morning. - An Bang Beach (Cam An)
A relaxed beach with seafood shacks a short ride from town. - Cham Islands (Tan Hiep)
A marine park for snorkelling and village life off the coast.
Restaurants
- Banh Mi Phuong (Phan Chau Trinh)
One of Vietnam's most famous banh mi shops. - Madam Khanh The Banh Mi Queen (Tran Cao Van)
A tiny shop with a devoted following for its banh mi. - Morning Glory Restaurant (Ancient Town)
Hoi An street food classics such as cao lau and white rose dumplings. - Hoi An Central Market food hall (Ancient Town)
Rows of stalls serving cao lau, mi Quang and sweets.
Cafés
- Reaching Out Tea House (Ancient Town)
A silent tea house run by people with hearing impairments.
Shopping and Markets
- Hoi An Night Market (An Hoi)
Lantern stalls and snacks on the riverbank every evening. - Yaly Couture (Ancient Town)
A long established tailor for made to measure clothes and shoes.
Stays
- Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai (Dien Duong)
A luxury beach resort of pool villas on Ha My beach. - Anantara Hoi An Resort (Ancient Town)
A riverside resort at the edge of the old town.
Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City
Arts and Culture
- War Remnants Museum (District 3)
A powerful and difficult museum on the American War. - Independence Palace (District 1)
The 1960s presidential palace preserved as it was in 1975. - Saigon Central Post Office (District 1)
A grand French era post office with vaulted ceilings and old maps. - Jade Emperor Pagoda (District 1)
A smoky Taoist temple full of carved figures. - Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts (District 1)
Vietnamese art in a beautiful colonial mansion. - Thien Hau Temple (Cholon)
A fragrant Chinese temple to the sea goddess in the old Chinatown.
Things to Do
- Cu Chi Tunnels at Ben Duoc (Cu Chi)
Crawl into the wartime tunnel network at the quieter of the two sites. - Nguyen Hue walking street (District 1)
A wide pedestrian boulevard full of families and lights in the evening.
Restaurants
- Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (District 1)
The famous banh mi stuffed with cold cuts and pate. - Com Tam Ba Ghien (Phu Nhuan)
Broken rice with a giant grilled pork chop. - Pho Hoa Pasteur (District 3)
A long running Saigon pho shop. - Banh Xeo 46A (District 1)
Huge crispy pancakes filled with shrimp and sprouts. - Cuc Gach Quan (District 1)
Countryside home cooking in an old house full of antiques. - Vinh Khanh snail street (District 4)
A night street of shellfish restaurants with plastic stools.
Cafés
- The Cafe Apartment, 42 Nguyen Hue (District 1)
An old apartment block filled with small cafés and shops.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bui Vien Walking Street (District 1)
The loud, neon backpacker street. - Pasteur Street Brewing Company (District 1)
Craft beer brewed with Vietnamese ingredients.
Shopping and Markets
- Ben Thanh Market (District 1)
The city's best known market for snacks and souvenirs. - Binh Tay Market (Cholon)
A wholesale market in a grand old building in Chinatown.
Nature and Outdoors
- Can Gio Mangrove Forest (Can Gio)
A biosphere reserve of mangroves and monkeys south of the city.
Stays
- Hotel Majestic Saigon (District 1)
A colonial riverside hotel from 1925. - Park Hyatt Saigon (District 1)
A refined hotel beside the Opera House.
Events
- Tet Flower Street (District 1)
Nguyen Hue fills with flowers and displays for the Lunar New Year.
Places to Visit in Mekong Delta
Things to Do
- Cai Rang Floating Market (Can Tho)
The delta's largest floating market, best at dawn. - Ben Tre coconut canals (Ben Tre)
Row through water palm canals and visit coconut candy workshops.
Nature and Outdoors
- Tra Su Cajuput Forest (Chau Doc)
Glide by boat through green duckweed in a flooded forest.
Arts and Culture
- Bat Pagoda (Soc Trang)
A Khmer pagoda where fruit bats hang in the trees.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi)
Soft steamed rice rolls with pork and mushroom, made fresh in front of you. - Home Hanoi Restaurant (Ba Dinh, Hanoi)
Refined Vietnamese dishes in a restored French villa. - Binh Minh Jazz Club (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi)
Live jazz near the Opera House, founded by saxophonist Quyen Van Minh. - Hanoi La Siesta Hotel and Spa (Old Quarter, Hanoi)
A well loved Old Quarter hotel with warm service and a central location. - Ha Long Market (Hon Gai, Ha Long Bay)
A busy local market for dried squid, seafood and everyday life. - Paradise Elegance Cruise (Ha Long Bay, Ha Long Bay)
Overnight cruising on a comfortable boat with kayaking and sunset decks. - Flamingo Cat Ba Beach Resort (Cat Ba Island, Ha Long Bay)
A modern resort above the beaches with sea views and a rooftop pool. - Abandoned Thuy Tien Lake water park (Thuy Bang, Hue)
A strange, crumbling dragon in a forest lake, popular with urban explorers. - Bun Bo Hue O Phuong (Hue, Hue)
A local stop for the city's famous spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup. - Lac Thien (Dinh Tien Hoang, Hue)
A family run spot known for crispy banh khoai pancakes. - Cafe Muoi salt coffee (Hue, Hue)
Try ca phe muoi, the creamy salted coffee that started in Hue. - Be Man Seafood (Son Tra, Da Nang)
A busy beachfront seafood hall where you choose from the tanks. - Sky36 (Hai Chau, Da Nang)
A rooftop bar high above the Han River. - Mango Mango (An Hoi, Hoi An)
Creative Vietnamese fusion with views over the river. - Saigon Waterbus (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
A river commuter boat that shows the city from the water. - Okkio Caffe (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
A local specialty coffee roaster. - Chill Skybar (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City)
A rooftop bar with views across the city.