10 Places to Visit in Vietnam on Your First Trip

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long brings Hanoi’s royal history together through buildings and archaeological displays. Spend a morning here, then return to the old quarter for the streets and food. Two or three nights in Hanoi give the citadel and lakeside areas separate outings.

Ngoc Son Temple sits on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake, reached across the red Huc Bridge. The temple and a circuit of the lake make a compact first outing in Hanoi. Continue north into the old quarter afterwards.

Hoa Lu’s temples mark the site of Vietnam’s early capital. They add royal history to Ninh Binh’s limestone landscape and pair well with a Trang An boat trip. Two nights around Ninh Binh give the boat outing and historic sights a full day.

A boat from Phong Nha town follows the river into the cave. This is a sightseeing visit with the journey on the water as part of its appeal. Stay two nights if you also want Paradise Cave, which offers a different route on foot.

The Imperial City inside Hue’s citadel is the main historical visit, with gates, courtyards and restored buildings spread across a large area. Spend a morning here, then head to Dong Ba Market. Two nights in Hue also give you a day for the river and a royal tomb.

Thien Mu Pagoda’s seven-tiered tower stands above the Perfume River. It lies outside Hue’s citadel area, reached by road or a boat trip with a temple stop. Visit for the temple setting and river view on a separate outing from the Imperial City.

Khai Dinh’s tomb is known for elaborate decoration and a stepped approach. It is outside central Hue, making a focused road outing after a day at the Imperial City. Choose it for the architecture rather than trying to visit several royal tombs in one afternoon.

Caves, pagodas and viewpoints share the Marble Mountains south of Da Nang. The routes involve stairs, including within the visitor area served by a lift. Make this a morning outing from the city, with the coast as a different option for the afternoon.

Dragon Bridge crosses Da Nang’s Han River in the shape of a dragon. See it from the riverside on an evening walk after visiting the Cham sculpture museum.

My Khe gives Da Nang a long stretch of beach close to the city. A morning walk here makes a change from the river and museums. Choose Da Nang for a stay that combines urban sights with time on the coast.

Hoi An Ancient Town brings trading houses, side lanes and riverside streets into a compact walking area. Explore in daylight for the buildings, then return for the evening lanterns. Two or three nights leave room for the market and meals as well as the heritage sights.

Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge is a landmark of the old trading town. Its covered span and temple belong on a walk through the heritage streets. Visit alongside the old houses and riverside rather than making a separate outing.

Da Lat’s railway station is a heritage building and the departure point for the local tourist train towards Trai Mat. It has no connection to the main north–south railway. A train ride pairs with Linh Phuoc Pagoda; two nights in Da Lat suit this highland detour.

Crazy House is a visit for unusual architecture, with curved forms, narrow passages and winding stairways. It offers a different side of Da Lat from the railway station and colonial buildings. The compact site fits into a day around town.

Objects and photographs examine the wars in Vietnam and their consequences. This is a substantial history visit rather than a quick stop between city landmarks. Some photographs are graphic. Two or three nights in Ho Chi Minh City give the museums and central streets their own days.

The former presidential palace, also called Reunification Palace, tells part of Vietnam’s recent history through its rooms and setting. Visit alongside the nearby War Remnants Museum for two different perspectives. The central streets are a short walk away afterwards.

Saigon’s Central Post Office adds a short architectural stop to a walk through the city centre. Look at the main hall of this working public building, then continue through the surrounding streets. It fits between the larger palace and museum visits.

Food stalls and souvenir traders fill central Ben Thanh Market. Come for a browse and a meal between Ho Chi Minh City’s historical sights. It brings the street-level bustle of the city into a day of museums and monuments.