4 Magnificent Destinations to Visit in Vietnam
*Disclaimer* This post may contain affiliate links, if you purchase through one of these links I would receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Vietnam is a country rich in culture and home to the crazy manic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Min. These cities are fantastic destinations to visit in Vietnam, however, I found them to be a bit too overwhelming at times. And after spending around a month and a half in Vietnam back in 2019, the places I enjoyed exploring the most were outside of these cities.
So for those currently planning your Vietnam travel itineraries, here are 4 magnificent destinations to visit as well as some bonus Vietnam travel tips.
Hoi An
Hoi An, located in central Vietnam, was a stand-out place for me during my time travelling. With beautiful streets, shops, market stalls, art galleries, and intriguing architecture there is plenty to explore. Also, the Old Town of Hoi An is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage due to being a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port. I loved the energy of this city and I'm eager to go back one day!
Top Things to Do in Hoi An
Visit the infamous Japanese Bridge
Prepare for a little craziness and take a basket-boat ride
Enjoy a lantern-making class
Stroll by the river at night and witness the beauty of Hoi An's lanterns
Get some new tailor-made clothes at a local tailor shop
Check out the Hoi An night market
Hire bicycles/scooters and adventure down to the beach.
Take a food tour around Hoi An Central Market.
Japanese Bridge in Hoi An
How to Get to Hoi An
If you are flying in, the closest airport to Hoi An is Da Nang International Airport, around 40km from Hoi An. You can then hop in a taxi or save some money and opt for the bus to Hoi An.
Alternatively for those travelling throughout Vietnam whether you are coming from the south or the north you will be able to find a few options either by bus or train. The nearest train station is Da Nang which will mean you need to change, as will a few bus routes.
Where to Stay in Hoi An
Most first-time visitors to Hoi An choose to stay in the Old Town as it's the historical and cultural centre of the city. If you are on a budget the neighbourhood of Cam Pho may be for you, it's located to the northwest of the Old Town. On the opposite side of the river from Old Town, you will find An Hoi which is a more lively place to stay for those night owls.
Phong Nha
Phong Nha Botanical Gardens
I had zero expectations of visiting Phong Nha because I hadn't heard much chatter about it, but it quickly became one of my favourite stops in Vietnam. It's a fairly remote destination in Vietnam that is surrounded by striking mountains, jungles and caves and is perfect for those more adventurous travellers. You quickly realise the caves are the main draw here for tourists. But without a doubt exploring the botanical gardens here was a jungle experience I'm not forgetting any time soon.
Top Things to Do in Phong Nha
Walk around Paradise Cave in awe of the striking Stalagmites and Stalactites.
Take a boat ride into Phong Nha Cave
Zipline your way into Dark Cave
Hike through Phong Nha Botanical Gardens and cool off under the waterfalls.
Hire some bikes and explore alongside the river.
Visit the unusual Duck Stop
Phong Nha Botanical Gardens
How to Get to Phong Nha
The closest airport and train station are located in Dong Hoi around 45km west of Phong Nha, there are buses as well as private transfers available. You can also find buses running to Phong Nha from destinations such as Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Da Nang and Hue.
Getting Around Phong Nha
As mentioned previously it's a tiny place so getting around the actual one-street town is all walkable. But to visit the nearby sites you are going to need to either rent a scooter or join a group tour.
Where to Stay in Phong Nha
Most of the accommodations in Phong Nha are on the only street making the location part of the decision fairly easy, with a few outliers on the riverside. There is a mix of hostels, homestays and a few small hotels to suit your requirements.
Ninh Bính
Ning Bính is a small city just south of Hanoi, although it's more the province of Ninh Bính that is a must-visit not the city. It's sometimes referred to as "Ha Long Bay on land" thanks to its vast waterways with mighty rock formations. Although some people visit just on a day trip from Hanoi, I strongly urge you to stay a few nights here. As a peaceful travel destination in Vietnam, it's the perfect place to kick back after some busy travel days.
Top Things to Do in Ninh Bính
Hop on a Trang An or Tam Coc boat tour
Ride bicycles around Tam Coc and the surrounding countryside.
Visit Bich Dong Pagoda in Tam Coc
Climb to the Hang Múa viewpoint
Explore Thung Nham Bird Garden
How to Get to Ninh Bính
The nearest airport is Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport) and from here you will find buses running regularly to Ninh Bính City or you can take the train. You can find buses and trains from other destinations such as Dong Hoi (Phong Nha), Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue. On arrival to Ninh Bính city catch a taxi to the village of Tam Coc.
Where to Stay in Ninh Bính
Although slightly confusing the city of Ninh Bính isn't the place I would recommend you stay, instead stay in the nearby village of Tam Coc. Tam Coc has some incredible homestays which I would recommend to get the full experience of this destination.
Sapa
Sapa is a hiker's dream, with so many treks to explore this is the destination for those who want to get out hiking. I found it to be one of the most welcoming places in Vietnam, the locals I encountered here were by far the friendliest. It's located right in the north of Vietnam not far from the Chinese border and gets quite chilly so pack some extra layers.
Top Things to Do in Sapa
Head out on a locally guided hike around rice fields
Trek or take the cable car up Fansipan Mountain
Visit Silver Waterfall
Explore Cat Cat Village
Stay in a local homestay
Cafe Hop in Sapa town centre
Hike to Love Waterfall
Mount Fansipan
How to Get to Sapa
Due to its far north location, the nearest airport to Sapa is Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport). From Hanoi, the bus journey takes between 5-7 hours to get to Sapa. Your other option is to take the train from Hanoi to Láo Cai and a taxi or bus from there to Sapa, which takes around 50 minutes.
Where to Stay in Sapa
Homestays are very popular with travellers to Sapa as you stay with a local family and can experience the day-to-day life in Sapa this way, they can be budget-friendly and are my recommendation. These homestays are usually found outside of the town centre of Sapa. Alternatively, you will find some mid to luxury hotels in and around the town centre.
Vietnam Travel Tips
The currency is the Vietnamese Dong and cash is king in Vietnam. I recommend opening an account with, Monzo, Chase or Starling Bank as they all offer fee-free international transactions as well as fee-free cash withdrawals to a certain monthly limit.
I travelled to Vietnam solo for a month and a half and felt extremely safe. As standard practice, I recommend not flashing your valuables, but I would recommend this anywhere you travel.
In Vietnam, the plug sockets used are Type A, C, F G. This may sound confusing and honestly it is. Help yourself out and buy a worldwide plug adapter. Not only do they work everywhere you go they also allow you to charge more than one thing at once.
I recommend getting an E-SIM for your travels in Vietnam, having data always makes me feel a little safer. And with an E-SIM you don't have to faff with changing your sim card. I've used Airalo for the past year now and couldn't recommend it more.
As a British Citizen visiting Vietnam, you don't need a visa for tourism if you are staying less than 45 days. If you wish to stay longer you can apply for an E-Visa meaning you can stay up to 90 days. Always check your government's website for the latest details. UK Gov for Vietnam.
When planning how to get from destination A to destination B in Vietnam I recommend the website 12 Go which can compare all the different options for your travels in Vietnam.
