Vietnam remains one of Southeast Asia's most exciting places to visit, with tropical beaches, forested mountains, ancient cities, floating villages, and colonial scars.
But with so many places to explore, from Ho Chi Minh City to staying in Hanoi and visiting the Son Mountains to Son Doong Cave, which Vietnam hidden gems should you visit?
Below is my list of 16 unique places to visit in Vietnam. There are historical sites, Buddhist temples, fishing villages, and pristine beaches, all offering a mix of magnificent landscapes and local life. There has never been a better time to visit Vietnam!
The 16 Most Unique Places to Visit in Vietnam
1. Golden Hand Bridge/Ba Na Hills
The Golden Hand Bridge is a majestic floating bridge that looks like it is being held up by two giant stone hands overlooking valleys of green trees. The golden bridge is one of the most famous attractions in Vietnam and is favoured by many photographers.
The golden bridge is only one of several stunning attractions located in Ba Na Hills, which is often dubbed Vietnam's Disneyland Paris. There is also a French-style village with a Disney castle, flower gardens, amusement park rides and a sculpture park. The Ba Na Hills is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam with family.
2. Hanoi Old Quarter
The Old Quarter is probably the most exciting corner of the Vietnamese capital and is considered by many the “real” Hanoi. The streets are lined with traditional markets, ancient shops, street food vendors selling Pho and Bun Cha, plus green spaces around Hoan Kiem Lake to sit and people watch. Hanoi truly has a vibe and there are plenty of hidden gems to be uncovered too!
The old town centers around 36 guild streets that were named for the 36 trades historically practiced in the area. You can still find stores selling traditional wares, such as silver, festival decorations, and silks.
3. My Son Temple Sanctuary
The My Son Temple Sanctuary, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a group of Hindu temples that formed the religious capital of the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 14th centuries.
Located in a forest valley, the temple complex was dedicated to the worship of Shiva, the god of destruction and recreation. The site once comprised 70 towers; today 20 remain standing to explore.
4. Halong Bay
Located in the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea, Halong Bay is a sea of calm jade-colored waters from which rise almost 2,000 small islands and stone karsts. Legend says that the bay was created by a dragon, and it is best enjoyed when staying at one of the islands in the bay or as an overnight cruise in combination with Cat Ba Island and Cat Ba National Park.
Kayak around the islands and enter secluded caves to meet colorful fish, laze around on sandy beaches, or trek around green interiors. The area is also famous for pearl farming and you can see how the pearls are harvested at Vung Vieng village.
5. Hang Son Doong Cave
Located on the border between Vietnam and Laos, Hang Son Doong is the largest cave in the world. Located in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the cave feels a little like an alien planet with a fast-flowing subterranean river feeding a unique ecosystem.
The largely unchartered cave was only explored by authorities in 2008 and is often used as proof that we know much less about the world we live in than many assume.
If you would like to visit the cave, tours have been offered exclusively by Oxalis Adventure Tours since 2013.
6. Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An, on the central coast, is one of the best-preserved trading ports in Southeast Asia. The charming town was built between the 15th and the 19th centuries. Its cobbled streets and yellow shop fronts mix Asian and European architectural styles in a way that reflects the history of the nation.
Hoi An is an amazing town to stay in for a few nights. It is well-known for its lantern festival, which is held every full moon. The lights across the city are dimmed to bring focus onto the colorful lanterns released into the sky alongside a wish!
7. Train Street, Hanoi
One of the most unique places to visit in Hanoi is Train Street. While it may seem like a normal narrow street lined with houses and shops, twice a day, a train passes through the middle of the street, missing the surrounding buildings by just inches!
The train line was constructed in the early 20th century when French colonial authorities decided to connect Hanoi with the coastal city of Haiphong. It is now considered a right of passage to witness the train while sipping a morning coffee or an evening cocktail.
8. Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge, Da Nang
If you stay in Da Nang, you must cross over the Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge, which opened in 2013 to mark the 38th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
The bridge is intersected by a giant iron dragon more than half a mile long. Its mouth is capable of breathing fire and spouting water. A daily light show at 9 pm brings the bridge to life.
9. Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Island is the largest island in Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Thailand. The island, and the smaller inlets that surround it, are sometimes called Pearl Island because of its white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters.
The entire area is listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and designated as a national park. It is a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also considered the home of fish sauce, which is a staple on the local menus of fresh seafood.
10. Sa Pa Rice Terraces
Rice is one of the staple crops of Southeast Asia, making rice fields both essential and a thing of natural beauty. The Sa Pa Rice Terraces are spread over steep terraces along high mountain ranges and there are several trekking routes to explore them.
Visit in September and October as the fields turn yellow and create a vivid gold landscape, or in May and June for the pouring season, when the fields are covered in water and the ground appears like a great mirror.
11. Hue Imperial City
The city of Hue served as the imperial capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1942. There the emperor Gia Long planned an impressive fortified citadel which remains one of the largest structures built in modern Vietnam.
The site covers ten kilometers and is surrounded by walls 6.6 meters tall and 21 meters thick at some points. It is lined with fortifications, cannons, and artillery, which inclose buildings of decadent grandeur, including the Thai Hoa Palace.
12. Cu Chi Tunnels
Not many people know that an immense network of underground tunnels underlies much of Vietnam. They were built during the Indochina War and became an essential weapon of the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War.
Viet Cong soldiers used the Cu Chi tunnels as hiding places and communication and supply routes, while the Americans called them the Black Echo because of the dark and dangerous conditions underground.
The tunnels are one of the most unique places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Combine with a trip to the War Remnants Museum.
13. The Marble Mountains, Da Nang
The Marble Mountains are just a few kilometers from downtown Da Nang and have drawn spiritual travellers for hundreds of years.
The five main limestone peaks that make up the range are named after the five natural elements – metal, water, wood, fire, and earth – and host networks of caves, tunnels, and towers built as religious sanctuaries by the Mahatma Buddhists in the 19th century.
14. Ban Gioc Fall
Ban Gioc Waterfall, located on the border between China and Vietnam in Ba Be National Park, is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. It is an immensely wide waterfall that cascades over multi-tiered terraced cliffs of luscious greenery.
Walking around the falls can be dangerous, but you can get close on a bamboo raft. On your way to or from Ban Gioc, stop at the impressive Nguom Ngao cave and enjoy the natural stalactite and stalagmite formations.
15. Cai Rang Floating Market, Mekong Delta
Southeast Asia is known for its unique floating markets, and the Cai Rang Floating Market, which serves the whole Mekong Delta, is the largest and most famous in Vietnam. It has been functioning for more than 100 years.
Between 300 and 500 local boats form the core of the market, and hundreds more bring visitors on a daily basis. While the market is open from dawn to dusk, go early to see the fresh tropical produce.
16. Mui Ne Sand Dunes
When staying Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a day trip to visit the Mui Ne Sand Dunes. Arriving at the dunes, it feels like they belong in arid Arabia, like Dubai, rather than tropical Southeast Asia.
While the dunes cover a large area, the most famous are the White Dunes, which are best visited for sunrise views, and the Red Dunes, which have the best sunsets. Don't miss the small lagoon covered in lotus flowers, which serves as a mini-oasis for Vietnam's tiny desert.
Book Your Trip To Vietnam
Book Your Flight
I recommend using Skyscanner as the easiest way to find and compare the best airfares to and within Vietnam.
Book Your Hotel
My top pick for finding the perfect accommodation is Booking.com, as they guarantee the best room rate available, plus you get free cancellation on most bookings.
Book Your Tours & Activities
I like finding and pre-booking tours with Get Your Guide and Viator. You will book with instant confirmation, great customer support, and free cancellation for many activities.
Access Money Overseas Without Hidden Fees
I highly recommend getting a Wise account to withdraw money in Vietnam, pay for meals on the Visa card, or shop in Vietnamese Dong. With Wise, you always pay the real exchange, so you never pay more than you need to.
Stay Connected Anywhere
Getting an eSIM card from Airalo eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, so you can easily switch between mobile networks in over 190 countries worldwide without expensive roaming fees.
Don't Go Without Travel Insurance
Travel with confidence, knowing that Hey Mondo, my preferred travel insurance provider, has your back. Don't let illness, accidents, theft, or cancellations ruin your trip. As a Breathing Travel reader, you also get 5% off any policy purchased!
The Most Unique Places to Visit in Vietnam – Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vietnam known for?
Vietnam is known for its stunning landscapes, which include both tropical beaches and jungle interiors, traditional floating fishing villages, impressive colonial constructions, and refreshing cuisine. There are also many monuments of the Vietnam War that had a far-reaching international significance.
What are the most interesting things to visit in Vietnam?
Take stunning photos on the floating Golden Hand Bridge in the Ba Na Hills. Discover the “real” Vietnam in the old quarter of Hanoi. Dive into ancient history at the millennia-old My Son Temple Sanctuary. Enjoy tropical waters at Halong Bay. Discover an alien world in the Hang Son Doong Cave.
How many days do I need in Vietnam?
Good transport links mean that you can visit many of the most beautiful places in Vietnam in just a few days. But if you want to truly discover the country, give yourself at least ten days to two weeks to visit all the most important places along its 1,650km length.
Is Vietnam or Cambodia better?
Vietnam and Cambodia are both beautiful countries with unique histories and both are worth visiting. However, in my eyes, Vietnam might have better beaches and slightly more appetizing street food, plus it can be a little easier for travellers to explore solo.
The Most Unique Places to Visit in Vietnam – Final Words
Many travelers want to know where to visit in Vietnam when traveling there for the first time.
We have put together a list of the very best places to see, and you can easily put together a list of the top 5 or 10 things to do in Vietnam if your time is limited.
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