What to see in Vietnam: the 15 must-sees
Updated 1 November 2026 · 6 min read
In short
Vietnam's must-sees are Ha Long Bay (or neighbouring Lan Ha), Hoi An old town, the landscapes of Ninh Binh, Hanoi's Old Quarter, the imperial city of Hue, the rice terraces of Sapa, the Ha Giang Loop, the Mekong Delta and the beaches of Phu Quoc. In two weeks you can see 7 or 8 of them without rushing.
Vietnam stretches more than 1,600 km from north to south: you cannot see everything in one trip. Here are the 15 places that come up most in itineraries, listed north to south, with the time to allow and the right moment to go.
The North
- Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay: hundreds of limestone karsts rising from the sea, a UNESCO site. An overnight cruise is the best way to see it. See the best cruises.
- Hanoi's Old Quarter: trading streets, Hoan Kiem Lake and street food on every corner. 2 to 3 nights.
- Ninh Binh: "Ha Long Bay on land", explored by rowing boat at Trang An or Tam Coc. Stay one night rather than a return trip.
- Sapa's rice terraces: trekking in the Muong Hoa Valley and a homestay night; Fansipan, Indochina's highest peak, is reached by cable car.
- The Ha Giang Loop: the most spectacular mountain road in the country, with the Ma Pi Leng Pass. 3 to 4 days, ideally with an easy rider.
- Ban Gioc Waterfall: one of the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia, on the Chinese border, about 6 to 8 hours by road from Hanoi: allow 2 days.
The Centre
- Hue's Imperial City: the former Nguyen capital and its royal tombs along the Perfume River.
- Hai Van Pass: the coastal road between Hue and Hoi An, one of the finest drives in the country.
- Hoi An old town: merchant houses, the Japanese bridge and lanterns at night. 3 nights to enjoy it at a calm pace.
- My Son Sanctuary: the ruins of Cham temples, about an hour from Hoi An.
- Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge: the bridge held up by two giant hands, above Da Nang.
- Phong Nha caves: one of the largest cave systems in the world, between Hue and Hanoi, with Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave.
The South
- Cu Chi Tunnels: the Vietnam War tunnel network, a half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
- Mekong Delta: floating markets at sunrise, canals and orchards. A night in Can Tho to see Cai Rang market.
- Phu Quoc's beaches: the easiest end-of-trip beach, from November to April.
How much time do you need?
| Length | What you see | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Sapa | Northern Vietnam in 1 week |
| 10 days | North + Hue and Hoi An | Vietnam in 10 days |
| 2 weeks | From the North to the Mekong Delta | Vietnam in 2 weeks |
| 3 weeks | Everything, with Sapa and Phu Quoc | Vietnam in 3 weeks |
Activities to book in Vietnam
Cruises, day trips and guided tours — free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most offers.
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