365 Best Sights in Vietnam

It's hard to describe exactly what the Kiss of the Sea show is other than a grand spectacle involving stunning visual effects set to music. One of Southeast Asia's largest multimedia art displays, the 30-minute show projects 3D images onto a cascading curtain of water with fire, lights, dance and acrobatics (performed by 60 international artists) all culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. There is a loose storyline narrated in English but it takes a back seat to the incredible effects in this futuristic performance venue built over the sea

Rolling rice fields, natural streams, a beautiful beachfront, and impressive rock formations are just some of the features at the Sir Nick Faldo Signature golf course at Laguna Lang Co. The layout threads between trees, over rice paddies and streams, through rock features and alongside the pounding surf. Located 35 km (22 miles) north of Danang or 55 km (34 miles) south of Hue, the course is an easy commute for those not staying in the area, though for those in search of a golfing vacation, the Angsana and Banyan Tree resorts share the same beach cove.

Nongolfers might want to use Angsana and Banyan Tree resorts' spa, restaurants, kids' club, pools, and beach.

Although it is technically and geologically an extension of Halong Bay, the 300 or so karst islands of Lan Ha Bay feel somewhat removed from tourist traffic. Lying south and east of Cat Ba Town, they are too distant for most of the tour boats that leave from Halong City to reach. Therefore visitors here, mostly on itineraries arranged in Cat Ba Town, can enjoy the sense of peace and isolation that Halong Bay has arguably lost. Sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking are popular activities here. Lan Ha Bay also possesses several idyllic beaches such as Hai Pai Beach (also known as Tiger Beach), and day tours are cheap, starting at 743,000d.

The unique temple, completed in 1952, is magnificently covered in glass and ceramic mosaic. The ornate work is jaw-dropping, so allot enough time to take in all the details, including the 49-meter-long dragon made from 12,000 glass bottles, the bell tower, and basement "dungeon" depicting hell. Linh Phuoc is located in Trai Mat village, 7 km (4½ miles) east of Dalat. It's possible to get here on the tourist train. Standard temple dress applies (women should cover shoulders and knees).

Around 15 million tons of U.S. munition were dropped over Vietnam between 1965 and 1975 and at least 10% of those failed to detonate. Since 1975, this unexploded ordnance have been the cause of more than 100,000 injuries and fatalities, a large percentage of these victims were children. With the U.S. focus on defending the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separated the two countries, Quang Tri Province was the most heavily bombed—more than 72 million square meters of land have been mapped as hazardous. The Mine Action Visitor Center in Dong Ha is a joint venture between the international NGO–operated Project RENEW and the Department of Foreign Affairs, providing visitors with constantly updated information on the devastation caused, as well as heart-warming stories of recovery and survival. Unlike many of military sites along the DMZ, the center provides expert English speaking guides, which makes it an absolute must on any DMZ itinerary, especially if you have chosen to go without a guide.

One of nine mosques serving An Giang Province's Muslim population, Mubarak Mosque is a short ferry ride across the river from Chau Doc's passenger pier. First built in 1750, the mosque is the spiritual heart of the area's Cham community. Taking a ferry is a quintessential Mekong Delta experience, as is cycling the Mosque's surrounding streets to see the traditional Khmer-style wooden houses on stilts, which are slowly disappearing in favor of concrete.

This colonial-style theater was built by the French in 1899 as Saigon's opera house. Later it housed the National Assembly of South Vietnam, the congress of the South Vietnamese government. After 1975, when South Vietnam ceased to be, it became a theater again. There are no tours, so to see the ornate interior, purchase a ticket for one of the lovely music or dance performances put on by the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra or the A O acrobatics show. 

About 70 km (43 miles) southwest of Danang, or 45 km (28 miles) due west of Hoi An, are the My Son Cham ruins: former temples and towers dedicated to kings and deities, particularly Shiva, who was considered the founder of the Kingdom of Champa. Construction first began in the 4th century under the order of the Cham king Bhadresvara and continued until the 13th century. With more than 70 brick structures, of which some 20 remain in recognizable form today, My Son was the most important religious and architectural center of the Kingdom of Champa and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Although extensively damaged during World War II and the Vietnam War, extensive conservation work has ensured that the My Son complex still displays vestiges of its former glory. An interesting small museum and performance stage that hosts ad hoc Aspara dance and music performances is located at the entrance.

The best tours incorporate a visit to the Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture. From Hoi An it's possible to take a boat tour to the ruins.

This museum is in two parts that straddle Trang Tien Street. The handsome Indochinese building on the south side of the road was opened in 1932 by the French and has served in its present capacity since 1958. The ground floor houses treasures from early history, particularly Vietnam's Bronze Age. Of special interest are the Dong Son bronze drums, vestiges of this period some 3,000 years ago that have become enduring national Vietnamese symbols. Tools from the Paleolithic Age are on display, as are ceramics from the Ly and Tran dynasties. Painstakingly elaborate but somewhat corny dioramas depict various Vietnamese victories over hostile invaders. Upstairs, exhibits focus on more recent Vietnamese history. Standouts include 18th- to 20th-century bronze bells and khanh gongs (crescent-shape, decorative gongs); Nguyen-dynasty lacquered thrones, altars, and "parallel sentence" boards (Chinese calligraphy on lacquered wood carved into shapes of cucumbers, melons, and banana leaves); and an entire wing devoted to 7th- to 13th-century Champa stone carvings.

The less striking building north of Trang Tien Street ( 261 Tran Quang Khai) was formerly the Museum of the Revolution, but is in the process of being absorbed by the history museum to create one comprehensive complex. This second part covers the history from the French invasion up until the today with a specific focus on events in Vietnam's arduous road to independence. The exhibits naturally land on the country's efforts against French colonialism, Japanese fascism, and American imperialism. The photographs and video footage from the 1945 August Revolution are particularly interesting. Displays across both buildings provide explanatory text in English, but it's also possible to arrange museum guides in advance. Note that the museum takes a long lunch break from noon to 1:30 pm and that you will need several hours to cover both parts.

On Jade Island in Hoan Kiem Lake, this quiet 18th-century shrine, whose name means "jade mountain," is one of Hanoi's most picturesque temples. This shrine is dedicated to 13th-century military hero Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Van Xuong, and to Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master who assumed responsibility for repairs made to the temple and the surrounding areas in 1864. He helped build both Pen Tower (Thap But), a 30-foot stone structure whose tip resembles a brush, and the nearby rock hollowed in the shape of a peach, known as the Writing Pad (Dai Nghien). To get to the temple, walk through Three-Passage Gate (Tam Quan) and across the Flood of Morning Sunlight Bridge (Cau The Huc). The island temple opens onto a small courtyard and in the pagoda's anteroom is a 6-foot-long stuffed tortoise that locals pulled from Hoan Kiem Lake in 1968.

One of the oldest and best-preserved private houses in Hoi An, this structure has remained largely unchanged since it was built in 1741. Seven generations of the Tan Ky family have lived here. The house incorporates Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese styles. Chinese poetry is engraved in mother-of-pearl on the walls, each character formed in the shape of birds in various stages of flight. Look up into the eaves and you will see symbols of dragons, fruit, crossed sabers, and silk intricately carved into the wooden framework. The back door was constructed to open onto the river so that waterborne goods could be easily transported into the house; look out for the marks etched in to the wall recording the height of the annual flood waters.

The must-see Paradise Cave is one of the most beautiful park caves you can visit on a day trip. Tours and transport can be arranged from the Tourism Center in the village. Or you can head out under your own steam. It's a long trek from the ticket booth to the cave entrance, but an electric golf cart is available to whisk you to the stairs (all 500 of them) or the ramp that leads up to the cave entrance. The mouth of Paradise Cave is small, hidden behind the cliffs and trees. From there, more stairs will lead you down into the cave's magnificent chambers, linked by a wooden walkway that winds around majestic rock formations deep into the belly of the cave. To get to Paradise Cave, follow the road through town past the Phong Nha ticket office. Continue on that road for 16 km (10 miles) until you reach the intersection; take a right at the huge billboard.

This beautiful shaded avenue leads past sprawling French villas and Chinese mandarin mansions (many occupied by long-serving party members) as well as a gracious cathedral (Nha Tho Cua Bac), at the corner of Phan Dinh Phung and Nguyen Bieu Streets. The large wheel of stained glass at the cathedral is reminiscent of Renaissance-era artwork in Europe and is enchanting from the inside; try the large front doors or ask around for a caretaker to let you in. Another option is to come on Sunday morning for mass. On the right side of the street stand the tall ramparts of the citadel, the military compound that once protected the Imperial Palace of Thang Long. In a surprising move, army officials in 1999 opened to the public Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, which runs straight through this once secretive space.

It took 24 years (from 1875 to 1898) to build Phat Diem Cathedral, a complex comprising a lake, a cathedral, a stone church, Phuong Dinh (bell house), and three artificial grottoes. The cathedral, a hulking edifice made of local stone and hardwood, was designed by a Vietnamese priest named Father Sau, who died the same year the cathedral was completed. He is now interred in the narrow courtyard behind the bell tower, which was immortalized by Graham Greene in a description of a battle that took place here between French and Vietnamese forces in The Quiet American. The third floor of this tower supports a two-ton bronze bell that purportedly can be heard from 10 km (6 miles) away. The cathedral is flanked on both sides by four small chapels, all built in the late 19th century and dedicated to various saints. The prayer hall is a wooden marvel; almost the entire interior is made of Vietnamese ironwood, with 48 massive pillars supporting arched ceiling beams in what is truly an artist's loving creation. The curved eaves are a nod to Sino-Vietnamese architecture, but the crosses and saints (all sitting in the lotus position) reflect the fervor of the 150,000-strong congregation. Many of Phat Diem's Catholics fled to the south in 1954 when Vietnam was divided. A great deal of restoration work has been done on the complex, which was bombed heavily by American B-52s in 1972.

Catholicism has experienced a comeback in these parts, and because a more liberal tone has been adopted toward religion by Hanoi, Sunday Mass is now extremely popular. Services are held at 5 and 9 am, and by 10 everyone's already out in the fields. On holidays such as Christmas and Easter, expect crowds of 10,000 or more.

This museum offers a wonderful look into the cultural identity of Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities. Each placard gives facts about the region, population, and traditions of several minority groups in English, French, and Vietnamese. The museum’s curator, Réhahn, is a professional French photographer who has been snapping portraits of these amazing individuals and collecting their stories and artifacts since 2013. The coffee shop inside sells K’ho coffee, harvested by the K’ho people in the central highlands.

A large black bronze statue of the Taoist god Tran Vu is housed here, protected on either side by wooden statues of civil and military mandarins. Built by King Ly Thai To in the 11th century, this much-made-over temple was once known as the Temple of the Grand Buddha; its present name translates into "Holy Mandarin Temple." An important collection of 17th-century poems can be seen in the shrine room. On the right side of this room is an altar dedicated to Trum Trong, the master bronze caster who oversaw the construction of Tran Vu's statue. Note the red, gold-stitched boots in the center of the shrine room; although such boots customarily appear in temples with figures of civil and military mandarins, Emperor Thanh Thai presented them in a vein of humor to Tran Vu's shoeless statue. Above the ornamented main gate is a 1677 replica of the bronze bell that supposedly lured the West Lake's legendary golden calf from China. Huge mango and longan trees drape over the courtyard, keeping the temple and its environs cool and somewhat dark, even at midday. Two mounted stone elephants, symbols of loyalty, flank the entrance here. Go in the morning to avoid the afternoon crowds.

This tiny commune is a wonderful example of history through architecture. French missionaries founded a leprosy hospital here in 1929, a time when the stigma around the disease was great. The unique buildings you see today are evidence of the colony that at one point had over 5,000 patients. Families were allowed to design their own home to their needs and tastes, resulting in mix of unconventional styles. Today, leprosy is under control in Vietnam. Former patients and their healthy descendants continue to live in the village and seem happy to see foreigners walking around. In the area is a statue park with more than 50 busts of famous scientists and figures in medicine, the home and memorial of poet Han Mac Tu, who died here of leprosy in 1940 when he was only 28, as well as Quy Hoa Beach and ICISE, a modern science and education center. It's possible to hike here along a trail leading up from Queen's Beach, at the southern edge of the city.

Stretching 5 km (3 miles), Quy Nhon could win the award for cleanest beach in Vietnam. The sand and promenade are religiously cleaned and vendors (who are a big factor in plastic pollution) are banned, making this place unique in a country plagued by coastal trash. The ambience in the late afternoon and sunset is magical, as it feels like the entire city comes out to swim, walk, jog, cycle, and play. Quy Nhon has made a concerted effort and investment in park space, trash cans, and manpower, and visitors should join the locals in relishing this beach, which is like no other in Vietnam. Amenities: none. Best for: walks; sunset; sunrise.

This is one of the more potent symbols of the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, a North Vietnamese Army tank smashed through the main gate of what was then known as the Independence Palace, ending one of the bloodiest conflicts in living memory. The current boxy building replaced the elegant French colonial–style Norodom Palace, which was bombed by fighter jets in 1962 in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem. The jet, along with the tanks that ended the war, is on display on the grounds. Free guides are available inside the palace, which remains as it was on that fateful day in 1975, albeit slightly more worn. The time-capsule nature of the palace offers a fascinating insight into the high life of 1960s Saigon, when bigwigs would enjoy tea and movie screenings in plush rooms upstairs, while the war effort was directed from the spartan concrete warren in the basement. The gardens cover 44 acres of lush lawn and shady trees, and a large fountain in front of the palace redirects the bad luck that could flow into the palace from the broad boulevard of Le Duan Street, according to the principles of feng shui.

The symbol of the Central Highlands, rong houses are found at the center of Bahnar, Sedang, and Jarai ethnic villages. Traditionally made of wood and bamboo, the windowless longhouse is built on stilts and has a towering, steeply pitched thatch roof that can be up to 100 feet high, visible from great distances. The building is a community gathering place used for meetings, tribal court, and religious ceremonies. Though concrete and metal constructions have started to appear, it's easy to see the traditional buildings in and around Kon Tum. There's a large one beside the suspension bridge.

A former French hill station left abandoned until after the war, Ba Na is a local favorite, nicknamed "Da Lat in Danang." Accessible via the world's longest nonstop single-track cable car (5,801 meters or 3.6 miles), traversing above jungle and waterfalls, Ba Na presents remarkable panoramic views of the East Sea. At the top is a kitsch, fairground-theme park with a roller coaster, bumper cars, and a very entertaining wax museum—all popular with kids. Also nestled 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level is the Golden Bridge, an iconic architectural wonder that has made headlines since it opened in 2018. The bridge, which appears to be held by two giant concrete hands, spans nearly 150 meters (500 feet) and leads to the La Jardin D’Amour Gardens, another must-visit spot. When you’re done taking in the beauty from the top, take the smaller cable car down to the second, more spiritual level where you can either take a funicular or hike up the mountain to visit the temples and pagodas that line the route. If you have the energy, climb the 17-story tower inside the giant Buddha statue—the largest in the country at 67 by 35 meters (the equivalent of a 30-story building). The site to save until last is tucked away behind the Shakamuni Buddha statue: the Debay Wine Cellar, which was tunneled into the mountain in the 1920s by the former French residents. Inside is a large fully stocked bar and the chance to do a little wine tasting.

This huge park, a block behind the Reunification Palace, has a little something for everyone: walking paths for strolling or jogging; tall trees for shade; open areas where exercise classes are held in the morning and evening; a miniature Cham tower; a replica Hung King Temple; and an extensive children's playground. There's also a space across the street from the Cach Mang Thang Tam entrance where every morning bird fanciers bring their feathered friends here for singing practice. Feel free to order a coffee from the adjacent cafe and enjoy the scene of the bird owners fussing over their charges. The birds are usually taken home by 9 am—by motorbike, which is a spectacle in itself. Leading up to Tet, the lunar new year, a spring festival is held in the park, with live entertainment and food and handicrafts stalls.

The Temple of Literature, or Van Mieu, is a treasure trove of Vietnamese architecture and a monument to the importance of education and Confucianism to Vietnam's national identity. Loosely modeled on the temple at Confucius's hometown in China, the nearly 1,000-year-old compound features five manicured courtyards surrounded by the Lake of Literature. Highlights of the Temple of Literature include giant stone turtles, the Constellation of Literature pavilion (a symbol of modern Hanoi; you'll see it on the street signs), and the Imperial Academy—Vietnam's first university—which was founded in 1076. It is tradition for students to touch the stone turtles for luck, so don't be surprised to find this place packed with university students. The temple is in the process of implementing night tours, but the project hasn't quite taken off yet.

Built in the 11th century atop a 7th-century Chinese fortress, the citadel is a large, rectangular compound that occupies a sizable chunk of central Hanoi. It's worth remembering that the original citadel was square, but virtually nothing of this outer wall remains. The grandest section is the Doan Mon, the main gate on the northern wall, which dates back to feudal times. The compound also holds the remains of a palace that was destroyed by the French, a pavilion for queens and concubines, the imposing southern gate, and a military bunker used during the war with the United States. There are also two air-conditioned exhibition areas: one for temporary exhibitions close to the entrance and another displaying artifacts organized by dynasty. English signage is generally good and informative. Across from one of the exits of the citadel (at  18 Hoang Dieu Street) is an oft-overlooked archaeological site with evidence of the 7th-century Chinese fortress.

An unbelievable concoction of glitzy Vietnamese and French colonial elements, the Tomb of Khai Dinh, completed in 1931, is a contender for Hue's most impressive mausoleum. Khai Dinh became emperor in 1916 at the age of 31 and died in 1925. The entrance is guarded by four rows of impressive stone royal officers, imperial soldiers, horses and elephants. A climb up a steep flights of steps, flanked by dragons, takes you to a surprisingly colorful tomb heavily decorated with tile mosaics. Scenes from the four seasons welcome you into the central compartment of the building. It's best to visit this tomb by car, since it's not directly on the river.

Climb to the top for some incredible views of the countryside and the Annamite Range.

The Tomb of Tu Duc, one of Hue's most visited tombs, has its own lake and pine forest, and is easily accessed by bike. Built in 1864–67 by thousands of laborers, the tomb was once the summer palace of Tu Duc, emperor from 1848 to 1883. Despite having more than 100 wives and concubines, he had no children. Tu Duc sometimes escaped here to relax and write poetry accompanied by his wives and royal officers. Further along is Hoa Khiem Temple where Tu Duc and the Empress Le Thien Anh were worshipped. Behind is an old theater, now home to a vast wardrobe of imperial dress and some interesting props for photo opportunities. One of Tu Duc's favorite spots was the Xung Khiem Pavilion on the pond filled with lotus blossoms and koi fish. If your schedule allows, stop by the Vong Canh Hill top to enjoy the stunning view of Huong River and the mountains at sunset.

Hanoi's oldest pagoda dates from the 6th century, when King Ly Nam De had a pagoda, named Khai Quoc, built on the bank of the Red River. More than a thousand years later excessive erosion of the riverbank caused King Le Kinh Tong to move the pagoda to Goldfish Islet (Dao Ca Vang) on West Lake and rename it Tran Quoc. This modest pagoda is noted for its stelae dating from 1639, which recount the history of the building and its move from the Red River. There are also lovely brick stupas adjacent to the main temple. Tran Quoc is an active place of worship where resident monks in brown robes hold daily services. Architecturally distinct from other Hanoi pagodas, Tran Quoc maintains a visitor's hall in front and various statues, including a gilded wooden depiction of Shakyamuni Buddha. In the main courtyard is a giant pink-and-green planter holding a bodhi tree, purportedly a cutting from the original bodhi tree beneath which the Buddha reached his enlightenment. The bodhi was a gift from former Indian president Razendia Prasat, who visited the pagoda in 1959.

Closer to Ninh Binh city than Tam Coc, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Trang An offers a very similar experience to its more famous near neighbor. Although it is very popular with Vietnamese tourists, most visitors find it less crowded and more hassle-free than Tam Coc. Boat trips leave from the garish main office and take around 2½ hours, although the ticket operators will ask if you would like the 2-hour "short" tour instead. Boats will depart when they have four passengers. The journey by rowboat takes you through nine caves, some of which are very low and twisting, and along beautiful waterways lined with limestone karst. The landscape is of high historic and archaeological importance. Several pagodas can be visited on the boat tours, while the highest altitude caves dotted around the area have archaeological traces of human activity dating back almost 30,000 years. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible for visitors to access these higher altitude caves. Your boat operator will ask if you would like to stop and view the pagodas, and you can opt-in or -out (but if you say yes, the rower's arms will get a break). There are bathrooms at these small stops. There has been increasing pressure put on these rowers to deliver good customer service, so don't be surprised when they hand you a survey to indicate your opinion of the tour. Tips are not mandated but still appreciated.

If you're already in Ninh Binh, there is no need to book a reservation for any of the boat trips. Just show up and hop on!

A large government-owned tourist park, Van Thanh is a lovely escape from Ho Chi Minh City's urban chaos, with its artificial lake, restaurants, swimming pool, and small children's playground. The food isn't brilliant but dining in a little hut over the lake is fun, and the grounds and buildings are picturesque "ancient Vietnam" style.