What is the List of places to visit in Vietnam?

Introduction

There’s just something about Vietnam that sticks with you. Maybe it’s that smell of grilled lemongrass from a street stall somewhere or the nonstop buzz of scooters going past. Could be the people too, easygoing but always ready with a laugh. Or maybe it’s that soft, yellow light you see over the rice fields right before dark. Hard to say, but it stays with you. Now, if you’ve been searching for List of places to visit in Vietnam, you’ve probably seen a hundred versions online already. But here’s the thing — this one’s different.

At Travel Junky, we’ve been designing trips across Asia for years, crafting all types of packages, and we’ve learned that Vietnam isn’t just about the landmarks; it’s about the feeling. So if you’re sitting there, kinda unsure about where to even start, these must-visit places in Vietnam should make things clearer. Picture it like a note from travelers who’ve actually been out there wandering through the noisy cities, got lost in quiet little towns, watched the mountains fade into clouds and came back knowing which spots are honestly worth your time.

Northern Vietnam – Where History and Nature Collide

1. Hanoi – The City That Balances Chaos and Calm

Hanoi hits you the moment you arrive. The noise, the colors, that smell of food frying somewhere close to it all hits you at once. The streets buzz nonstop, scooters everywhere, darting and honking like there’s no real rule to it. You’d think it’d be chaos, but somehow, it just works. Then, out of nowhere, you find calm. Maybe it’s Hoan Kiem Lake, glowing in the early light, people doing slow tai chi moves like the world forgot to hurry. Old men play chess on stone tables, students sit under trees whispering, and for a second, the noise fades — almost like the city takes a breath. Wander through the Old Quarter, and yeah, you’ll probably get lost. That’s part of it. You’ll wander down some narrow lane that smells of garlic and smoke, look up, and see power lines knotted like spaghetti. A woman walks by, balancing fruit baskets like it’s the easiest thing in the world. It’s messy, loud and kind of wonderful. That’s Hanoi doing its thing.

If you’re into history, stop by the Temple of Literature. It’s quiet, shaded, and full of old stories. Or visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a serious place, but worth it. You feel the weight of everything that built this city. When night comes, skip the fancy restaurants. Just grab one of those tiny plastic stools by the street, get a cold beer, and sit. Watch the scooters blur past, people talking fast, neon lights blinking in the puddles. Somehow, it feels like home, even when it isn’t.

Best for: first-time travelers and families.

Travel Junky tip: our International packages include walking tours led by locals who actually live and breathe this rhythm every day — the perfect mix of chaos and calm.

2. Ha Long Bay – The Water That Tells Stories

It’s one of those places that looks exactly like the postcards, maybe even better. Ha Long Bay is a stretch of emerald water dotted with limestone cliffs that rise like sleeping giants. Take the cruise. Not the quick one to skip those. Do the overnight kind instead. That’s when Halong Bay gets under your skin a bit. The boat moves slowly, you hear the soft slap of water against it, and those lanterns? They glow just enough to make everything feel calm and unreal.

The stars show up too, bright and sharp like someone turned up the sky’s brightness for fun. During the day, no rush. Paddle into some quiet lagoon, maybe duck into a cave just to see what’s inside. Or do nothing, just stretch out on deck, drink in hand, watching the world float by. That’s kind of the point.

Best for: couples, photographers, dreamers.          

Travel Junky tip: Our cruise packages include local guides and smaller boats — fewer people, more peace.

3. Sapa – Mountains, Mist, and Warm Smiles

You know those photos where the rice terraces look like green steps carved by giants? Pictures don’t really show what it’s like. You have to stand there yourself. The mornings smell like wet grass and smoke from somewhere nearby, and the mist moves slowly almost like it’s got a mind of its own. You start walking down the trails, the ground a bit damp, buffalo wandering around like they own the place. Someone waves from a small wooden house, maybe Hmong, maybe Dao and before you know it, you’re sitting inside with tea you didn’t ask for but can’t say no to.

Stay the night if you can. The beds creak, the floor’s uneven, but the people? Kind in a way that sticks with you. Dinner’s whatever was just picked, cooked over fire, simple and perfect. Then come the stories some funny, some not. The kind that makes you forget to check your phone for once.

Best for: trekkers, culture seekers, and anyone needing quiet.

Travel Junky tip: Our adventure packages for Sapa include guided hikes and local homestays safe, real, and beautifully unplugged.

Central Vietnam – The Heartbeat of the Country

Travel south, and everything softens. The air gets warmer, the landscapes more colorful. Central Vietnam tourist attractions don’t shout; they hum. It’s the cultural center — old kings, new cafés, beaches, and lanterns.

4. Hue – The City That Remembers

Hue carries its past gently. It’s not trying to impress; it just is. Walk through the Imperial Citadel, where time seems to hang heavy in the air. The walls are cracked, the colors faded, but the stories still breathe. Then drift along the Perfume River, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, and later, eat like royalty. Try bun bo Hue, the spicy beef noodle soup that hits harder than any espresso.

Best for: history lovers, slow travelers.

Travel Junky tip: Hue fits nicely into our foreign packages, especially for travelers chasing a mix of history and comfort.

5. Hoi An – The Lantern Town Everyone Falls For

If you ever doubted that charm can be a place, Hoi An will change your mind. The Old Town is like a living museum — golden walls, wooden houses, soft music from riverside cafés. As night falls, lanterns appear everywhere. Red, gold, purple — the whole place glows. Days are slow: you wander, shop for handmade crafts, get a tailor-made dress, or just sip coffee by the river. Rent a bike, ride to An Bang Beach, and watch fishermen mend their nets as the sun dips low.

Best for: honeymooners, artists, and romantics.

Travel Junky tip: Our Honeymoon packages here come with quiet riverside stays and lantern workshops — all heart, zero rush.

6. Da Nang – Clean, Bright, and Breezy

Hoi An’s calm, but Da Nang's is different. Feels faster, newer. You see the tall buildings, clean roads, and that long beach at My Khe that just keeps going. Locals surf early, then by sunset, you’ve got families, kids, people flying kites all mixed. If you get time, head up the Marble Mountains. There are caves, pagodas, and views that kind of make you go quiet for a bit. And yeah, Ba Na Hills has that Golden Bridge everyone talks about. A bit touristy, not gonna lie, but still, it’s something to see once.

Best for: families, beach lovers.

Travel Junky tip: Our family packages here include seaside stays and day trips to Hoi An or Hue — easy, flexible, fun.

7. Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park – For the Wild at Heart

So, this one’s for the adventure types. Phong Nha–Ke Bang’s wild jungle everywhere, caves, rivers twisting through the rocks. You can check out Paradise Cave; it’s huge, kind of quiet in a strange way. And if you’re feeling brave, Son Doong’s the big one. World’s biggest cave, no joke. Takes some planning, a bit of fitness too, but once you’re in, it’s unreal.

Best for: explorers, hikers.

Travel Junky tip: our wildlife packages cover eco-guided tours that keep things sustainable and safe.

Southern Vietnam – Fast, Warm, and Alive

The South doesn’t tiptoe — it dances. It’s busier, louder, and warmer, with an energy that never really switches off.

8. Ho Chi Minh City – The City That Never Sleeps

Still called Saigon by many, this city is all motion. Streets roar with scooters, markets overflow with smells — grilled pork, sweet fruit, a hint of gasoline. Check out the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral, both left from French times. Then hit the War Remnants Museum — tough but important. Food? Forget fancy spots. Sit on a plastic stool, order banh mi or com tam, and just watch. The way locals eat, talk, live — it’s addictive. Nights are loud, bright, full of laughter and music.

Best for: city lovers, foodies.

Travel Junky tip: Our luxury packages here combine city exploration with premium stays — energy by day, comfort by night.

9. The Mekong Delta – A Different Kind of Motion

After the madness of Saigon, the Mekong Delta feels like you just let out a long breath. The noise fades, and suddenly it’s all water and green. Roads turn into rivers, and everything people, markets and kids going to school move by boat. You drift down narrow canals under low-hanging palms. There’s the smell of mud, fruit, maybe a bit of diesel from passing boats. Then you hit Cai Rang Market, a wild kind of order. Boats bump into each other, pineapples piled high, someone yelling prices you don’t understand. Kids laugh and wave like you’re old friends. You just float there, half-lost, half in love with how alive it all feels.

Best for: couples, families, slow travelers.

Travel Junky tip: our couple packages include homestays by the river, candlelit dinners on boats, just water and stars around you.          

10. Phu Quoc Island – Sun, Sand, and That Perfect Pause

Finally, you hit Phu Quoc, where everything slows again. Clear blue water, palm-lined beaches, and sunsets that make time stop. Spend a lazy day at Sao Beach, or go snorkeling among coral reefs. Rent a scooter, explore pepper farms, chase small cafés with ocean views. Phu Quoc still feels balanced — half wild, half luxe. A fisherman’s laugh on one side, a resort cocktail on the other.

Best for: honeymooners, beach seekers.

Travel Junky tip: our beach packages mix easy downtime with light adventure — one day out, one day in.

Hidden Corners That Surprise You

Vietnam has a habit of keeping its best secrets quiet.

• Ninh Binh: Like Ha Long Bay but inland — towering cliffs, slow rivers, endless rice paddies.
• Mui Ne: Red dunes, windsurfing, and lazy coastal evenings.
• Da Lat: Cool mountain air, pine forests, and cafés that smell like roasted dreams.

Each of these spots adds something — a story, a photo, a pause.

Conclusion

By now, you’ve seen that Vietnam isn’t one thing. It’s a rhythm — quiet one minute, wild the next. From Sapa’s foggy trails to Phu Quoc’s golden beaches, every corner offers something different. The best places to see in Vietnam only scratch the surface. There’s always one more alley, one more bite, one more sunset waiting. At Travel Junky, we’ve spent years crafting journeys that fit how people actually travel — whether it’s international packages or special family trips that bring everyone closer. We don’t do cookie-cutter things; we do stories worth retelling. So maybe it’s time to stop planning and start packing. Vietnam’s waiting — and trust us, it’s better than the photos.