Cover Get to know top Vietnamese destinations to decide on your next getaway. Pictured above: Da Nang shoreline (Photo: Unsplash/Kiril Dobrev)
Get to know top Vietnamese destinations to decide on your next getaway. Pictured above: Da Nang shoreline (Photo: Unsplash/Kiril Dobrev)
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When time is of the essence, choosing the right city can define your entire experience—consider this your curated shortlist in Vietnam
One of the most common images we have come to associate with Vietnam is of lively, motorbike-dominated roads that showcase its delightful complexity as a nation—one that’s simultaneously ancient and fast-moving with a colourful map of sights to admire, tastes to savour and rhythms to get lost in. In contrast to this clamorous scene and the locals’ observable choice of transit, however, this is a country that needn’t be rushed.
Several destinations beyond the capital—from the misty trails of Sa Pa in the north, to the maze of rivers and floating villages that is the Mekong Delta in the south—seem to be on as many tourists’ hit lists than ever before. Each one is sure to reward visitors in a distinct, memorable way, and the only question for those Vietnam-bound is: what are you in the mood for?
For the traveller who wants to take their time and move with intention, here is a short guide to choosing your next Vietnamese getaway, and what to expect at these top destinations.
Hanoi
Above The famous train street in Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Elric Pxl)
The famous train street in Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Elric Pxl)
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If you’re in the mood for: heritage-laced wanderings and café culture
The capital of Vietnam is rich in character and culture. History lingers in the little details: the peeling shutters of a colonial villa, the weathered smile of a calligrapher by Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the faint echo of a war-era loudspeaker at dusk. The city is measured, contemplative and layered like silk—also, it’s quite the perfect stop for those who romanticise their coffee.
Hanoi is particularly notable for being the birthplace of cà phê trứng or egg coffee, a sweet concoction made with a fluffy egg yolk and condensed milk cream. This, set against charming views of the lake or the old quarter, makes for moments unforgettable.
Read more: 7 best cafés in Hanoi, Vietnam, for your coffee fix
Ha Long Bay
Above Ha Long Bay (Photo: Unsplash/Sushant Vohra)
Ha Long Bay (Photo: Unsplash/Sushant Vohra)
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If you’re in the mood for: a tropical holiday with dramatic nature and elevated comfort
A popular day trip from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay makes a case for itself easily. Its otherworldly limestone karsts deserve the acclaim, especially when explored from a private, design-led vessel. Think seascapes worthy of poetry, morning tai chi on deck and floating villages that whisper of a vanishing way of life.
If you’d rather skip the crowded main bay, opt for Lan Ha Bay and book a private suite aboard a luxury cruise like Heritage Line’s Ylang or The Ginger.
Sa Pa
Above The mountain train winds its way through a sea of clouds to reach the top of Fansipan in Sa Pa, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Vivu Vietnam)
The mountain train winds its way through a sea of clouds to reach the top of Fansipan in Sa Pa, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Vivu Vietnam)
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If you’re in the mood for: misty mountains and postcard-worthy landscapes
Set in Vietnam’s far north, Sa Pa feels like an entirely different world—lush terraces etched into hillsides, Hmong markets tucked into clouds and ethereal peaks that scrape the sky. Whether you’re going trekking, boarding a scenic train or strolling lakeside, expect moments of awe and quiet that feels centuries away from the city.
Visit between September and November for golden rice fields and clear skies.
Hoi An
Above A lantern-lit street in Hoi An, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash)
A lantern-lit street in Hoi An, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash)
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If you’re in the mood for: an unhurried seaside escape
Hội An has long captured the hearts of aesthetes. Lantern-lit and Unesco-protected, this once-sleepy trading port is beloved for its fusion of cultures, preserved architecture and quiet grace.
For experiences truly off the beaten path, delight in this walkable town’s host of crafty workshops and bespoke tailors who work magic in 48 hours—or less.
Read more: How to spend 48 hours in Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam
Da Nang
Above Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills resort of Da Nang, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Andreea Popa)
Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills resort of Da Nang, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/Andreea Popa)
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If you’re in the mood for: a balanced mix of beach, culture and cuisine
Da Nang quite simply has it all. The polished sibling between Hội An and Hue, this once-underrated coastal city boasts good coffee, cutting-edge architecture and a growing creative scene—plus easy access to both the mountains and sea.
You can count on a low-key energy that feels refreshing after Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. After you see all the “musts”, which include the famous bridges, beaches and museums, book a private food tour and savour what the Central Vietnam region has to offer in terms of cuisine. Among them: crispy, golden banh xeo.
Da Lat
Above A cool, sunny day in Da Lat, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/René DeAnda)
A cool, sunny day in Da Lat, Vietnam (Photo: Unsplash/René DeAnda)
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If you’re in the mood for: alpine ambience with fairytale-like charm
Steeped in the romance of French architecture, Da Lat is where Vietnamese creatives and honeymooners go to escape the heat and embrace the cool. Pine forests, art deco villas, hidden bakeries and rolling strawberry farms—it’s a Vietnam few tourists know.
Tucked in the Central Highlands but geographically closer to the south than the north, Da Lat offers easy day trips to nearby tea plantations, waterfalls like Pongour and Elephant Falls or even a scenic drive down to the coastal city of Nha Trang.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Above Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at night (Photo: Unsplash/jet dela cruz)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at night (Photo: Unsplash/jet dela cruz)
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If you’re in the mood for: a city that never sleeps, but has soul
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam at full throttle: confident, cosmopolitan and gleaming with ambition. Still known by its former name of Saigon, this southern powerhouse cultivates a relentless buzz, complete with cutting-edge dining, skyscrapers and a sense that the future is already here.
Beneath the glossy rooftop bars and global brands, however, this modern metropolis remains deepy Vietnamese—its energy tethered to street-side stalls, bustling markets, temple incense and French-colonial bones.
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Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
