Vietnam's 10 top tourist attractions visitors can't miss

Phu Quoc, Hanoi and Hue are three destinations among the top 10 tourist attractions visitors can't miss in Vietnam as voted by Canadian travel site The Travel.

"Vietnam is an astonishingly favored country. And even the most experienced globetrotters (may) agree with this. The country’s jaw-dropping beauty, ranging from spectacular rice terraces carved into steep hillsides to limestone peaks protruding from the azure waters, shouldn’t be overlooked," it wrote.

"Besides Halong Bay, one of the world’s most dramatic places recommended in nearly all Vietnam articles, and the Golden Bridge, an iconic landmark, these other 10 attractions are unmissable."

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island off the southern province of Kien Giang, "is an archipelago with beautiful beaches that promise gratifying vacation experiences."

"The private Khem Beach lures jewelry enthusiasts with the local pearl cages, while Hon Thom Island welcomes adventurers escaping from the bustling city with its rural island life," The Travel described.

"Sao Beach is a relaxation paradise with lush jungle-covered mountains as the backdrop. Travelers sip on refreshing cocktails as they take in the stunning sights. Water sports lovers immerse themselves in the clear waters by swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking," it added.

In mid January, Phuc Quoc was ranked third in the list of 23 world's best destinations to travel in 2023 by New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

Phu Quoc, also known as “Pearl Island”, was named among the 17 best places in Asia by cable news network CNN in 2019. “The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia and the world's longest overseas cable car," it wrote.

“Besides resting on beautiful beaches like Sao beach, Long beach and Ong Lang, travelers can kayak through fishing villages, dine on fresh seafood aboard a floating platoon, go squid fishing and visit a pearl farm.”

Phu Quoc became well-known globally after the government allowed 30-day visa-free entry to the island in 2014. The island received five million visitors in pre-pandemic 2019, 541,600 of them foreigners, according to official data.

Hanoi

According to the Canadian travel site, Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city, famous for its diverse native cultures and delicious food scene. Food lovers treat their tastebuds to the mouthwatering banh mi sandwich, a perfect combination of French and local elements.

"History buffs learn about the history and native cultures of the Vietnamese ethnic groups at the Museum of Ethnology in the Trong Dong Building section. This section sheds light on the daily lives of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam with artifacts portraying the religious beliefs and costumes of the local people," it said.

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.

Hue

"Hue is a captivating ancient city with streets lined with pagodas and art deco mansions that lure history and architecture buffs, especially the impressive Imperial City," The Travel wrote.

It suggested: "One of the most peaceful pagodas in Hue is the Thien Mu Pagoda, which sits on the northern bank of the Perfume River. The pagoda’s architecture and romantic location draw tourists from around the world."

Mekong Delta

The Travel said that Mekong Delta sits on the southeastern side of the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where the Mekong River meets the sea after traversing six countries. The Mekong Delta is packed with amazing activities. Locals sell their produce on lovely floating markets like the Cai Rang floating market as photographers flock to snap Instagrammable pictures.

"In addition to its economic importance, the Mekong Delta has one of the largest ecological systems in the world. The delta hosts rare animal and plant species like the Laotian rock rat," it pushed.

In January, Mekong Delta has been named among the top 25 hottest destinations this year by leading Australian travel site Traveller.

"With Vietnam gaining rapidly in popularity, there's never been a better time than 2023 to see an area that remains relatively untouched," it wrote.

According to the Traveller, there are various ways you could choose to explore the Mekong Delta. Tourists could do it by river cruise, in the lap of luxury with a company such as Scenic or Emerald.

They could do it as a series of day trips from Ho Chi Minh City, dipping in and out with a base in the city. Guests could even travel here independently, on a proper adventure through rural Vietnam on a hired scooter.

Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park, often referred to as the Ba Be Lake, is situated in Bac Can province, about 240 km from Hanoi.

According to the Canadian travel site, the park is a nature lover’s haven worth booking a guided tour to admire its beauty. It’s home to a freshwater lake and a thick jungle with over 1,200 species of flora and fauna.

Surrounded by majestic karst peaks of Pia Booc Mountain Range, the lake has three parts, which travelers explore by kayaking. Apart from admiring the extraordinary scenery, wildlife lovers can look out for flying squirrels, Chinese pangolins, and macaques.

"The park has a collection of caves that appeal to keen adventurers. One of the most intriguing caves is the Puong Cave, with a magical maze of stalactites and stalagmites, home to thousands of bats."

Cu Chi Tunnels

The Travel commented "These are some of the must-visit underground tunnels for history buffs. Adventurers have an eye-opening experience as they crawl along the deep interconnected Cu Chi War Tunnels. The Viet Cong used these tunnels as hiding spots, communication headquarters, weapon hideaways, and essential supplies routes in 1968."

"Tourists access the underground underpasses via the Ben Duoc site with the original tunnel system or the reconstructed Ben Dinh site. Both sites feature displays of the inventive snares the Vietnamese soldiers used, and guides tell a detailed but horrifying story of how they worked," it added.

Cu Chi Tunnels are situated in Cu Chi district, the outskirts northwest of Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City

"Ho Chi Minh City is a beautiful city brimming with energy and discoveries from every corner. The city is a hotspot for history buffs with the presence of the War Remnants Museum. The museum has exhibits from the French colonial period, the First Indochina War, but mainly focuses on the atrocities of the brutal Vietnamese-American War," it wrote.

"Besides the historical landmarks, Ho Chi Minh has a unique blend of cultures and diverse religions. Some spiritual centers enlivening the city include the Mariamman Hindu Temple, the 1744 Giac Lam Pagoda, and the Notre Dame Cathedral."

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

Hoi An

According to The Travel, "Hoi An is a beautiful ancient city with a beguiling charm displayed through traditional festivities, historic buildings, and riverside restaurants despite the number of tourists it attracts. Adventurers enjoy strolling along the winding streets lined with Chinese-style shops and Japanese merchant houses."

"But the outstanding 17th-century Tan Ky House lures curious tourists with its intriguing architectural and decorative features," it noted.

It suggested that "If visiting during the full moon, visitors witness the city come to life with hundreds of multi-colored silk lanterns lighting the streets at night."

In March, Hoi An was one of the 10 most scenic towns in Vietnam voted 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," it wrote.

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

Trang An

"Trang An covers an area of over 2,000 ha with limestone mountains, natural caves, swamps, and rivers. Trang An also boasts magnificent temples and pagodas, like the nail-shaped Trinh Temple. The temple has an ancient bell with inscriptions and a stone tablet," The Travel wrote.

"Tourists explore Trang An by choosing one of the three main boat tour ride routes that take them to magnificent caves, shrines, and the movie Kong: Skull Island film location. The tranquil atmosphere makes adventurers feel like time has stopped as they quietly float away on the world-famous boat rides," it added.

My Son

My Son Temples is an important historical relic that represents the Cham kingdom's existence in central Vietnam.

"Tourists have a glimpse into the past when they visit the ancient My Son Temples, constructed by the Champa people as early as the 4th century. The Temples went through a period of being overtaken by the jungle, restoration, and a week of devastating bombings," the travel site noted.

"Fortunately, parts of the ruins survived, and travelers come here to see the ornate carvings of Hindu gods on the 20 temple structures that still stand firm. The surrounding mountains and green jungle add to the sanctuary's dramatic beauty," it gushed.