Top 6 Places You Should Have on Your Vietnam Bucket List
Of course one of the most important things to know before traveling to Vietnam is where to go. Out of everywhere, I’ve visited in Vietnam, I have narrowed it down to the top 6 places you should visit.
To get the most out of your time in Vietnam I would recommend exploring destinations in North, Central and Southern Vietnam. Each region offers unique experiences, different scenery and also historical sites.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting more detailed guides & itineraries on multiple destinations in Vietnam. So if you wanted even more info on the things to know before traveling to Vietnam, please click here to sign up for my mailing list!
Hanoi
The crazy motobike-filled streets of Qld Quarter are a great way to be thrown into the deep end of Vietnamese city life.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and was the first big city I visited during my trip. It’s so easy to spend all day exploring the streets of the old quarter, where footpaths are nonexistent, restaurant tables & chairs are only knee height and just crossing the road can be an adventure.
It is possible to escape the hectic streets by walking around Hoan Kiem Lake or visiting the Imperial Citadel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlight: Train Street (although this closed recently and it’s unclear if it’ll open in the future) or secondly Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre.
Minimum Days: four
Halong Bay
Tourist trap, busy, water is full of rubbish! These are a few of the things people had told me about Halong Bay before I visited myself and I’m so glad I didn’t listen.
Halong Bay is absolutely beautiful, this unique scenery, teaming with wildlife is worth every cent.
Yes, this is a very touristy thing to do in Vietnam, only a registered tour company can take you to Halong Bay and most of the boats do stop at the same places. But it’s still so worth going.
Enjoying free time on the boat to watch the limestone cliffs go by, kayaking in caves, hiking to the viewpoint on Titop island & watching Hornbills fly above.
Although there was plenty of other boats around I never felt like everyone was crammed in and thankfully I didn’t see much rubbish in the water.
Highlight: Kayaking in Luon cave
Minimum Days: two
Ninh Binh
Vietnam’s natural beauty at its finest. People say that Ninh Binh is the inland Halong bay and I think you’d be crazy to leave this province out of your Vietnam itinerary.
Ninh Binh offers so many incredible sites, each as jaw-dropping as the next, and is the perfect location for lovers of the outdoors (especially if you’re comfortable riding a scooter).
A few days in Ninh Binh will be perfect to escape the world’s noise and appreciate how beautiful it is. On your own schedule we road around the small towns of Tam Coc & Trang An and visited places like Am Tien Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, Van Long Nature Reserve and Mua Caves.
Highlight: Van Long Nature Reserve Bamboo Paddle Boat Ride
Minimum Days: two
Hue
This city is an awesome mix of new and old, making it the perfect place for visitors who want a mix of history and fun nightlife.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 – 1945 under the Nguyen Dynasty. On one side of the Perfume River is the Imperial City where visitors can explore the palaces, gardens, and homes of the Nguyễn dynasty within the walled fortress. And, then on the other side is a vibrant city filled with modern cafes, bars and local markets.
Also, 12km from the city is a quiet coastline and an abundance of seafood restaurants.
Highlight: Imperial City of Hue & the Abandoned Water Park.
Minimum Days: three
Hoi An
Rarely overlooked by visitors to central Vietnam, Hoi An is a melting pot of Chinese, French, Japanese & Vietnamese cultures. The ancient town is an extremely well-preserved part of history and was once a trading port that dates back to the 15th century.
Today Hoi An is a colourful town filled with awesome restaurants, bars & shops beautifully decorated with traditional brightly colors lanterns.
When the intense heat of the day cooled down the streets of Hoi An completely filled up with tourists or locals trying to sell us all something. It was so stunning to see the town all brightly lit up at night but at times the cramped streets did get a bit intolerable.
Thankfully close to the city, there’s also An Bang Beach and Cam Thanh Coconut Village, which are both good escapes from the busy streets of Old Town and offered the opportunity to spend time in nature.
Highlight: The Ancient Town of Hoi An.
Minimum Days: four
Ho Chi Minh
Although Ho Chi Minh is one of the most densely populated cities in Vietnam, it doesn’t feel too overpowering. This is because the city is divided into 24 districts so by exploring one district at a time it never felt too overwhelming.
District 1 is the perfect place for first-time visitors, this area puts you in the centre and close to Bui Vien walking street, Saigon Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
The best way to get around the city is by local bus or the popular ride-share app Grab.
Highlight: by night, Bui Vien Street and by day, War Remnants Museum (and remember here it’s called the American War).
Minimum Days: three