360 Best Sights in Vietnam

This elegantly designed house was built in 1802 by Tran Tu Nhuc, a 19th-century Mandarin and Chinese ambassador, as a place of worship for the Tran family's deceased ancestors. It's packed with interesting antiquities. In the morning, light floods down through a glass tile in the roof, illuminating the family altar that stands behind three sliding doors—the left for men and the right for women. The central door (designed for deceased ancestors to return home) is opened only at Tet and other festivals; it's an architectural touch common for older residential houses throughout the country.

The altar houses a box with pictures and names of dead relatives, a 250-year-old book that records the Tran family history, and a bowl of Chinese coins representing yin and yang—toss one for good luck. Tours are given in English by members of the Tran family.

Once called Rue Gambetta, Tran Hung Dao Street is now named after the revered Vietnamese warrior who repelled Kublai Khan's Mongol hordes three times between 1257 and 1288. This long, tree-lined boulevard is a marked example of the stateliness with which the French imbued these east–west streets. Several diplomatic missions line the boulevard; among them, fittingly, is the massive French embassy (No. 57), which takes up an entire city block. The regal Indian embassy building (No. 58-60) is also worth a look.

An important turtle nesting ground is here, and the jungle that covers the island is home to a variety of different species including some rare birds. Tours to the island, which can be booked at the national park headquarters, usually include snorkeling. Underwater highlights include giant clams as well as fish and coral.

Thousands of migratory sea birds nest on this island every year from May to September. It's also a nice spot for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring, lying 2 km (1 mile) off Ong Dung Beach. The national park office can organize a boat here.

This peaceful Zen Buddhist pagoda, about 5 km (3 miles) from central Dalat, sits on top of Phuong Hoang Hill, and the best way to get here is via the beautiful cable car ride, with views of farmlands, pine forests, mountains, and lakes (100,000d round-trip). Completed in 1994, the 24-hectare complex includes a working monastery in a section that's closed to the public, as well as a meditation center. The public areas include a ceremonial hall, bell tower, beautiful flower garden, cafe, and vegetarian buffet restaurant. The pagoda is next to Tuyen Lam Lake, and the 15-minute stroll down to shore is pleasant.

Day visits to the meditation center relatively easy to arrange, although are best done in person a day or two in advance, since every guest needs to be approved by the Grand Master. Longer stays are possible but require some complicated paperwork. The monks and nuns can explain the steps involved.

This tourist site, owned by the Trung Nguyen coffee behemoth, Vietnam's answer to Starbucks, is essentially a giant coffee shop with a beautiful replica "ancient house" at the front. There's a museum at the rear of the property, showcasing coffee paraphernalia from around the world. A gift shop at the front of the property sells a selection of coffees, including weasel coffee that goes for $50 per 225-gram box.

The golden sand of the generically named Long Beach (not to be confused with Bai Dai, which also translates to "Long Beach") stretches for nearly 20 km (12 miles) along Phu Quoc's western coast, from just south of Duong Dong Town. This is where many of the island's smaller resorts and restaurants are located, which means some parts of the beach can be quite crowded with sunbathers and swimmers. It's still possible, however, to find deserted stretches of this beach. Cassia Cottage Resort, Long Beach Resort, May House Resort, Paris Beach Resort, Salinda Premium Resort and Spa, and La Veranda all front Long Beach. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: sunsets; swimming; walking.

Stretching over 202 acres, 27 km (8 miles) northwest of Dong Ha, this somber memorial site marks the final resting place for over 10,000 Vietnamese soldiers and civilians who lost their lives defending and maintaining the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam War.

Each tomb is marked with the word "liet si" ("martyr"); some are adorned with pictures or sculptures of the deceased, and others lay empty, a mark of respect to one of the 300,000 soldiers that remain missing in action to this day. Along the way to Truong Son you'll pass Con Thien Firebase, an old French bunker located 1.5 km (1 mile) down a dirt track to the east of the road, barely visible through the rubber plantation that has taken over the area.

One of Hue's most beautiful and peaceful pagodas is accessed via a junglelike path off the road, past a half-moon-shape pool. Built in 1843, the temple houses a large Buddha and it is the root pagoda of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. It's a good place for quiet meditation. The monks live in simple rooms off to the side and hold services several times a day. At the far corner of the pagoda is a cemetery for the Nguyen Dynasty's eunuchs who made contribution to building and renovating the pagoda.

The vast U Minh Ha National Park, 35 km (22 miles) from Ca Mau, contains swaths of swampland and pearl-white cajeput trees, also known as melaleuca or paperbark trees, as well as 32 mammal species, including deer and wild boar, and 74 bird species, including the endangered painted stork. A boat trip through the forest is breathtaking and eerily quiet. There are several "ecotourism" ventures in the forest, primarily in the Vo Voi area, which cater to domestic tourists rather than international visitors. Nevertheless, a visit can be interesting, but it's best organized well before arriving in Ca Mau.

A superb example of how Dalat won its reputation as a kitschy destination, the Valley of Love is a pseudo theme park popular with honeymooning Vietnamese couples for photographs with "cute" man-made backdrops. Set in a valley that leads down to a lake, the park can keep younger kids entertained for quite a while, with fairground rides, a miniature train, swan-shaped pedal boats, and carriages drawn by very skinny horses. Older kids might enjoy paintball and jeep rides. The main attraction for adults is not the views but the opportunity to observe local life.

The largest island in the Bai Tu Long archipelago is also its most populated and developed. Linked to the mainland by a series of bridges, the island mainly serves as a jumping-off point for the smaller, more idyllic destinations in the area. Cai Rong, the main town, is a bustling port with some acceptable accommodations options. There's not much else to see on Van Don, but the outlook to the offshore karst formations from Bai Dai (long beach) on the southern side of the island is stunning. The Vietnamese government has big plans for Van Don, with a special Economic Zone with an international airport in the pipeline.

Van Long offers shorter boat rides than both Tam Coc and Trang An (they only take an hour or so), but they're far more secluded and serene. This wetland reserve has 32 grottoes and 39 animal species, including rare monkeys and birds. In the dry season, Van Long is the wintering place of migratory birds from the north, making this a great spot to bring those binoculars. 

The name translates as Cloudy Hill Palace, and it's a picturesque place to visit, not so much for the temple—even though it is quite beautiful—but for the panoramic view it offers of Con Dao Town, An Hai Lake, and Con Son Bay below. The temple was built in 1964 for the prison officers and government officials stationed on Con Dao and is now considered a memorial to the martyrs who died during Vietnam's fight for independence.

About 5 km (3 miles) from the Vinh Long Market, this large Chinese Confucian temple was built in the mid-19th century. It's decorated with multicolor dragons and statues of Confucius, which is odd because the monks here practice Buddhism. Added to the original structure is a different style of hall built in honor of a local fighter against colonialism, Phan Tanh Gian, who committed suicide in the 1930s rather than submit to French rule. Often the locals refer to the temple by his name rather than its official title. Although the temple has opening hours posted on the gate, it's often inexplicably closed.

The main attraction at this small temple, built in 1762, is the 22-meter-long whale skeleton. The temple honors the deity Nam Hai (the whale), who is believed to protect fishermen. There are two sections to the temple, a large room that houses the complete skeleton and a small temple with an interesting and colorful miniature ship and glass-fronted cabinets containing assorted whalebones.

Located in the center of Buon Ma Thuot's biggest roundabout, this monument honors the day the town was "liberated" by the North Vietnamese army (the losing side would say that Buon Ma Thuot "fell") on March 10, 1975. The provincial administrative center was the first domino to fall as the northern army pushed south towards Ho Chi Minh City, which was liberated only a few weeks later, on April 30, marking the end of the Vietnam-American War. The monument features a replica tank and fighters with suitably victorious raised arms and guns. There's no need to make a special trip to the monument---you'll probably pass it as you enter the town.

Although not as provocative as its Ho Chi Minh City counterpart, the army museum is nonetheless an intriguing example of Vietnam's continuing dedication to publicizing its past military exploits. At the southern edge of what was once the Thang Long citadel, which housed the imperial city, the museum buildings were once used as French military barracks. In the courtyard of the museum, Chinese- and Soviet-made weaponry—including MiG fighters, antiaircraft guns, and what is said to be the tank that smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace in Saigon on April 30, 1975—surround the wreckage of an American B-52 and F-4 fighter jet shot down over Hanoi. Other far-less-arresting displays include depictions of the Trung sisters' revolt against Chinese overlords in AD 40, sound-and-light shows highlighting battles and troop movements during the wars against the French and Americans, bicycles known as steel horses that were used on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, captured French and American firearms and uniforms, field maps and tables of major attacks, and the dreaded pungee sticks.

Adjacent to the museum is the Hanoi Flag Pillar, a 100-foot tapered hexagonal guard tower atop a three-tier square base. Built in 1812, the pillar escaped destruction by the French when they leveled much of the citadel; instead they used the tower as an observation and communication station—much like the Vietnamese military before them. The intricate fan- and flower-shape holes allow light into the tower, which has a crisp red-and-yellow Vietnamese flag fluttering from its flagpole.

Founded in 1987, this informative and modern museum focuses on the cultural and historical aspects of Vietnamese women across 54 ethnic community groups. The three main exhibits highlight the themes of fashion, war, and family life, and the female gender role as it pertains to customs and tradition. History is told through videos, photographs, and well-presented displays of Vietnamese women in times of peace and war. The museum also covers areas of marriage, customs, and birth. There is an interesting section honoring the modern plight of the street vendor. Signage is in English, French, and Vietnamese.

Local villagers built the 2-km-long (1½-mile-long) Vinh Moc Tunnels during the early 1960s to escape American bombing. The tunnels were later used by the North Vietnamese army to transport goods to Con Co Island. Less claustrophobic than the ones at Cu Chi near Ho Chi Minh City, these tunnels are a testament to the determination and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people under extreme circumstances. Guides are available at the small museum on-site; we suggest grabbing one to get the most out of your visit.

If you have time, head down to the beautiful beach that runs along the eastern perimeter of the tunnels.

Delightfully fanciful, this pagoda built in 1849 features European and Asian design elements and is set within lovely ornamental gardens with bonsai and lotus ponds. Take some time to soak up the tranquil atmosphere of the pagoda, which was built in the shape of the Chinese character for nation, then tour the grounds to see the giant Buddha statues, including a very happy laughing Buddha.

This 17-hectare amusement park in Phu Quoc's north has rides, a water park, an aquarium, and a 5-D cinema. There are food and drinks available throughout the park, and ATMs out in front. Free shuttle buses run regularly between Vinpearl Land and Duong Dong Town, stopping at several resorts along the way.

This amusement park on Hon Tre Island can be seen from almost anywhere along the Nha Trang coastline, due in large part to the huge Hollywood-style sign on the island's hillside. The park is accessed by cable cars which offer up striking views back over Nha Trang. Allow a full day to explore the amusement park, and take your swimsuit, because the complex is vast and includes a water park, rides, an electronic games arcade, dolphin and seal shows, an aquarium, and many shopping and dining options (the most varied food options are close to the water park). This is an excellent value for money and a truly fun day out for all ages.

Depart the island well in advance of closing time, as the vast crowds lead to very long waiting times for the cable car.

Built by the French during colonial times to guide ships into the Saigon port, the still-operational 59-foot-high lighthouse sits at the top of Small Mountain, at the end of a steep and winding road, still protected by four old French cannons. If you take a taxi to the lighthouse, ask the driver to wait for you because there are not going to be any passing taxis to hail and it's a very long walk back down the mountain. The views on the way up are sensational, and there are a few cafés along the way for refreshment.

This is a grueling museum focused on the horrors of the Vietnam War, known as the American War in Vietnam, with indoor exhibitions featuring graphic photographs of dismembered bodies and dead children and infants. Outside the machines of war (fighter planes, tanks, howitzers, bombs) are displayed and there's a re-creation of the infamous tiger cages of Con Dao prison island. If you go, take Kleenex and a stoic demeanor. Expect to see the war from a different perspective than you might see in the United States.

Like many seaside villages in Vietnam, Vung Tau has a temple dedicated to Ca Ong, Mr. Whale, the guardian angel of the seas. This humble place of worship, with its small collection of whalebones, is an interesting place to visit, although there is no information in English to explain the beliefs and rituals of the temple.

Built in 1898, the White Palace has variously served as the French governor's residence, a retreat of Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, and the president of South Vietnam's summer house. The villa is now a slightly worn museum with a ground-floor exhibition of late-17th- and early-18th-century Chinese artifacts recovered from a shipwreck near the Con Dao Islands. On the upper floors there's the now-shopworn living quarters of the last resident. Despite its tired air, the White Palace is worth visiting for the views of the East Sea and the lush tropical grounds.

These stunning, desert-like, white sand dunes are best seen at sunrise (before the noisy quad bikes start operating). If the lotus flowers are in bloom, take a photo as you approach the dunes of the adjacent blue lake. The pink flowers there, all backed by the white dunes, are especially striking. If you're more of a thrill-seeker, the quad bikes are a fun way to blow off some steam in the sand. However, the vendors who rent out the quads can be very pushy; beware of the "guides" who jump on the back of your quad who will demand a hefty tip at the end of the trip. The dunes are about an hour's drive from Mui Ne's main tourist area.

Also known as the Cathedral of Kon Tum, this church (completed in 1918) combines Roman and Bahnar architectural styles in a unique and beautiful building with wide verandas. The church is usually open, so you can go inside and admire the stained-glass windows that light up the airy interior. There's an orphanage behind the church that welcomes visitors and some interesting workshops in the grounds. Masses are held at the church daily at 5 am and 5:30 pm and on Sunday, at 5 am, 7:30 am, and 4 pm.

Circumscribed by a walking path, Xuan Huong Lake is a hub of leisurely activity, including swan-shape paddleboats. Although there's traffic nearby, the lake provides a pleasant place to walk and bike. The dam-generated lake takes its name from a 17th-century Vietnamese poet known for her daring attacks on the hypocrisy of social conventions and the foibles of scholars, monks, mandarins, feudal lords, and kings.