Top 10 best places to visit in Vietnam: Lonely Planet

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc are three of the 10 destinations honored as best places to visit in Vietnam by world's leading travel guide Lonely Planet.

Hanoi

Hanoi won the "Best for city slickers" title.

"Every trip has to start somewhere, and the ideal point of arrival for first timers is Vietnam’s historic capital," it wrote.

The travel guide suggested "give yourself time to graze through Vietnam’s catalog of street food treats, and pause to soak up the atmosphere in cozy cafes in the Old Quarter as well as rush around the sights."

In early March, Hanoi had been ranked fourth on a list of 12 best destinations for solo female tourists by Southeast Asia's leading travel magazine Tripzilla. "Violent crimes against tourists are rare and most locals are friendly," it wrote.

The magazine suggested that "Hanoi has a wealth of cultural attractions, so take your time to delve into them. The city’s Old Quarter exudes an eccentric charm with its narrow alleys, quaint shophouses, and medieval architecture. The late Gothic St. Joseph Cathedral is also found here. The church is dedicated to Vietnam’s patron saint and resembles Notre Dame in Paris."

"To understand Vietnam’s pre-colonial past, visit the Temple of Literature, an 11th-century Confucian temple dedicated to the nation’s scholars, and the Ngoc Son Temple at the center of Hoan Kiem Lake, which honours three important figures in Vietnamese history. Afterwards, stop by one of the best cafes in the city to relax and enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee," it added.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City received the "Best for a sense of the past" title.

Cosmopolitan HCMC is the southern counterweight to Hanoi in the north, taking its cultural cues from the Mekong Delta and neighboring Cambodia.

"It’s fast-paced, frenetic and fun, particularly after dark, when the pavements transform into a mobile buffet of street food stalls and roadside bars," Lonely Planet commented.

According to the travel guide, "a little of the frontier feel of the war years lives on in HCMC, and you’ll get a humbling introduction to this troubled time at sites such as the War Remnants Museum. The ghosts of French Indochina linger too – set aside some time to wander past the city’s colonial-era landmarks, then settle into a coffee shop with a drip-brewed ca phe and consider how far Vietnam has come since the end of French rule."

In mid February, HCMC was ranked second in the list of Asia's 10 best cities for street food lovers by leading Australian travel site Traveller.

"A misconception about Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon's street vendors is that they come from a place of poverty and depend on selling food out of mobile carts for sustenance. On the contrary, street food is a way of life in Vietnam," it wrote.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc scored the "Best for beach lovers" title.

"About as far south as you can get from Hanoi without splashing into the Gulf of Thailand, the island of Phu Quoc is where beach worshippers come to pray," it wrote.

Lonely Planet commented: "Lapped by jewel-blue waters and edged by fine sandy beaches, this is a place to slip into low gear, reaching for a cocktail as the ember-colored sun dips into the bay. But it’s far from undiscovered – local tourists come in droves for theme park thrills at VinWonders and giddying views over the sea from the world’s longest over-sea cable car."

In mid January, Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island off the southern province of Kien Giang, ranked third in the list of 23 world's best destinations to travel in 2023 by New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure. The island is also labelled as "one of the new stars of Vietnam tourism".

Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay

Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay were awarded the "Best for iconic photos" title.

Lan Ha Bay in Hai Phong city, adjacent to Ha Long Bay, is shaped like an arc adorned by 400 different large and small islands and 139 fine white sand beaches at the foot of mountains. It was singled out for its beauty by the Association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World in 2020.

"While trips to Halong Bay are highly commercialized, with motorized luxury junks blowing diesel fumes around the eroded karst islands, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are a bit more laid-back, and you won’t have quite so many cruise ships in your photos," Lonely Planet said.

"Try kayaking between the outcrops, explore the tropical trails on Cat Ba Island – gateway to Lan Ha Bay – or kick back on the sand on Bai Tu Long’s idyllic Co To Island," it commented.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park received the "Best for unique experiences" title.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2003. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena while harboring a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species.

Phong Nha is home to Son Doong, the biggest natural cave on the planet, as well as the third largest Hang En. The Blue Diamond camping site is near the historical Khe Gat field military airport, now part of the Ho Chi Minh trail.

"The good news is that surrounding Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is pockmarked with caverns that you can clamber, crawl, boat or zipline through for a fraction of the cost. Trips to the Tu Lan, Phong Nha and Paradise caves are possible on a shoestring budget; more cash will buy access to Hang En, where trekkers set up tents on a subterranean beach, illuminated by shafts of natural light," Lonely Planet described.

In mid February, the park had been named among the eight most thrilling zip line destinations in Asia with "the natural wonder and zip line combination" by South China Morning Post.

"Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations, diverse array of wildlife and Son Doong, the largest cave in the world," the Hong Kong-based daily wrote.

"But for adrenaline junkies, Hang Toi, aka Dark Cave, is the hole to head for. At 400 metres, Vietnam’s longest zip line transports visitors above the turquoise Chay River to the entrance of the cave," it added.

Hoi An

The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam won the "Best for history" title.

"A stay in harmonious Hoi An is a journey into Vietnam’s lavish, layered past," it wrote.

According to the world's leading travel guide, this was once one of the most important ports in Asia, and traders from as far afield as Japan, Spain and North America filled the pockets of its merchants with gold. Locals used their money wisely, packing the Old Town with teetering shophouses, tea warehouses, fanciful covered bridges, elaborate Chinese guildhalls, and colorful Confucian and Buddhist pagodas.

In mid August, Hoi An had been named on a list of world's nine best city destinations with beaches by the South China Morning Post.

Flights connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Danang (both one and a half hours). From there, Hoi An is a 45-minute taxi ride away.

"Criss-crossed by canals, Hoi An is a photogenic city on Vietnam’s central coast. An architectural medley of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, ornate temples and the Japanese Covered Bridge helped the Old Town gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999," it wrote.

In March, Hoi An was named one of the 10 most scenic towns in Vietnam by The Travel.

"The ancient town of Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites, praised by UNESCO for being an “exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port," the Canadian travel site wrote.

It suggested "Walking along this picturesque town is like literally stepping back in time. The city is one big playground for Instagram savvies as its colorful structures, and charming architecture offer endless snap opportunities. One of the top attractions is the Japanese Bridge, and museums await history buffs."

"Tourists can also rent bikes to get the most out of Hoi An, a place straight out of a picture book," it added.

In January, Hoi An ranked second on TripAdvisor's list of the world's 25 most trending destinations in 2023.

The Central Beaches

The Central Beaches were honored the "Best for sun-seekers" title.

"Sandy bays stud Vietnam’s central coastline, but the mood varies widely from beach to beach," it commented.

Lonely Planet said that "Package tourists flock to high-rise Danang and Nha Trang – famed as military R&R stops during the American War – but we rate the calmer beaches along the coast, where a little of Vietnam’s old seaside charm still endures."

"To the south of Nha Trang, Mui Ne is a lively kitesurfing hub following a string of sandy coves, while Doc Let Beach to the north serves up 18km (11 miles) of sand, surf and seafood. For a quieter experience, hit the coast between Hue and Danang – Thuan An is the gateway to a string of serene and sandy beaches flanking a lagoon-backed barrier island," it added.

Mui Ne, a cape in the city of Phan Thiet, known for beautiful beaches, is one of the top tourist attractions in Vietnam.

Hue

The Imperial Citadel of Hue, a UNESCO heritage site, received the "Best for imperial history" title.

"The former capital of the Nguyen dynasty – which ruled over large parts of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in the 19th and 20th centuries – drips with imperial history, despite the ravages of US bombers during the American War," it wrote.

According to the travel guide, "much was lost in Hue, but the grandeur of dynastic Vietnam lives on in the Citadel and Imperial Enclosure, housing the emperor’s residence, temples, palaces and court. Just outside town are the tombs of Vietnam’s greatest emperors, resting serenely in green compounds beside the Perfume River. Another relic of royal rule is Hue’s imperial cuisine – arguably the finest in the country – try a spicy bowl of bun bo Hue (vermicelli noodle soup) or a crispy banh khoai pancake and you’ll see what we mean."

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park in the northern province of Bac Kan scored the "Best for lake and forest scenery" title.

"Ba Be was given the designation of National Park in 1992 in an effort to protect this stunning area of rich biodiversity and unique landscapes. As well as this, it also features as an ASEAN Heritage Park. The park itself stretches over 10,048 ha and has many different ecosystems within its borders," according to its website.

Lonely Planet said that "Vietnam has more than 30 national parks, taking in everything from coastal swamps to mountain jungles, but some are firmly on the tourist trail and the crowds can be an impediment to spotting wildlife."

"That’s less of a problem in lovely Ba Be National Park, where trails weave between the limestone peaks to H'mong, Tay and Dzao villages, and boat and kayak trips cross serene lakes hemmed in by forested ridges, creating scenes worthy of a medieval woodcut," it commented.

"The park is a haven for everything from macaques and langur monkeys to rare black bears, scaly pangolins and the spectacular crested serpent eagle," it added.

Ha Giang

Ha Giang province received the "Best for mountain views" title.

The northern province is one of the most adventurous destinations in the country. Filled with beautiful karst mountains, steep mountain passes, winding roads and foggy villages. Ha Giang is home to a wide variety of local ethnic minorities who still preserve their traditional culture and lifestyle.

According to Lonely Planet, "Trekking to the minority villages in the hills around Sapa is one of Vietnam’s top draws, but the country’s trekking capital feels rather commercialized these days."

"Staying in simple village homestays, you can hike out to minority villages and rice terraces tucked between the soaring limestone peaks, and motor (or pedal) over some of Vietnam’s most spectacular passes. You'll want to take plenty of photos on the winding mountain road between Ha Giang town, Dong Van and Meo Vac," it described.