365 Best Sights in Vietnam

Anchored comfortably in the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Tonkin is the Co To Island District, the larger archipelago which homes Co To Island. Although it is the farthest inhabited island from the mainland in the Bai Tu Long archipelago, Co To is fast becoming the area's rising star. Good facilities including hotels and restaurants complement natural attractions that include sandy beaches and some impressive peaks.

Within walking distance of the Dien Bien Phu Museum, the command bunker has been remade with makeshift sandbags filled with concrete. Overhead is a reproduction of the corrugated roof from which a lone Viet Minh soldier waved a victory flag—the image, re-created several hours after the fact for a documentary film, became Vietnam's enduring symbol of victory over colonial oppression.

This vast and relatively modern museum has interesting and impressive exhibits that explore the themes (with signs in English and Vietnamese) of Con Dao's natural environment and people, the island's history as a prison island, and Con Dao today. The displays provide some insights into the island's history and its role in Vietnam's long struggle for independence.

Inexpensive one-day “Mekong Delta tours” from Ho Chi Minh City usually take visitors to one or two of My Tho’s four islands named after mythical beasts—Con Phung (Phoenix Island), Con Tan Long (or Con Rong, Dragon Island), Con Quy (Tortoise Island), and Con Thoi Son (or Con Lan, Unicorn Island). It’s a whirlwind of stops along the riverways at tourist pavilions demonstrating My Tho’s cottage industries, including coconut candy, local honey, and rice wine. These tours are cheap and perfunctory, and don’t leave much of an impression of the Mekong Delta; consider it only if time and budget are tight. If you only have a day, look for higher-end small group tours that go a bit further to Ben Tre, which is far less touristy.

On Con Phung are the remnants of a garish, eclectic complex built in the 1960s by a French-educated engineer-turned-monk named Nguyen Thanh Nam, nicknamed Ong Dao Dua (Coconut Monk) because he reputedly lived for some years on nothing but coconuts. The monk presided over a small community of followers, teaching an antiwar religion that combined elements of several religions including Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Despite his non-violent activities, he was imprisoned repeatedly, first by South Vietnam and later by the Communists for leading the religion; he died in 1990. All that is left of the monk's dreams for peace and coconuts are some dragons and gargoyles and columns with mythical creatures wrapped around them.

Can cu Con Tien was known as the Hill of Angels, or "Meat Grinder" to the United States Marine Corps stationed here during the fierce fighting and artillery strikes of 1967–68. Con Thien Firebase was the northwest anchor of the famed (and failed) McNamara Line, where over 500 million landmines and 20,000 listening devices were dropped along the south Vietnam border by the U.S., in an attempt to detect and prevent incursions by the North Vietnam army across the DMZ. Nothing much remains (it’s now a peaceful rubber plantation) except some big circular duck ponds to represent the thousands of troops from both sides who lost their lives here, but the hauntingly beautiful location and the expansive views from the top make it a worthwhile stop on a tour of the DMZ.

This 170-foot structure, Vietnam's tallest flagpole, is one of the symbols of Hue. It was originally built in 1807 and served as the Imperial Palace's central observation post. Like much of Hue, it has a history of being destroyed. The Flag Tower was toppled during a typhoon in 1904 and rebuilt, then destroyed again in 1947, and rebuilt anew in 1948. When the North Vietnamese occupied the city during the Tet Offensive of 1968, the National Liberation Front flag flew from the Flag Tower. Visit the first tier of the flag tower for a great view of the main gate, Ngo Mon, in the North as well as Phu Van Lau (the Imperial Announcement Pavilion), the Perfume River, and Mount Ngu Binh in the South. The higher tiers are not open to the public.

This psychedelic flight of architectural whimsy will probably be the wackiest thing you see in Vietnam, which is saying something, given the local penchant for kitsch. Free-form stairs and tunnels wend their way through multistory Dr. Seuss–like concrete trees that contain 10 hotel rooms, unexpected sitting areas, and concrete animals. Its owner and designer, Dr. Dang Viet Nga, who studied architecture in Russia, built the structure to remind people of the importance of nature and the environment.

Some of the staircases are very steep and the railings quite low. People who are unsteady on their feet or in charge of small children should be very careful.

Completed in 1933 after 30 years of construction, the 84-km (52-mile) Crémaillère Railway connected Dalat to Thap Cham on the coast and demonstrates France's colonial ambitions. The mountainous terrain required rack rails, five tunnels, and the expertise of Swiss engineers. Regular operations ceased in 1968 due to the war. Postwar, the track was used to repair the north--south Reunification train line. In the 1990s, the first 7 km (4 miles) was restored, and it’s possible to take a 30-minute train ride to the village of Trai Mat (home to Linh Phuoc Pagoda). There are at least two departures a day, but buying tickets can prove tricky, so ask your hotel to find out the latest process. Otherwise, the art deco--style train station built in 1938 is open to look at, and there's a steam train for photo ops.

Ten minutes from the Old Town is Hoi An's main public beach, where clear water and warm surf beckon tourists and locals alike. This 3-km (2-mile) stretch of white, powdery sand makes for a perfect place to bask under the sunshine. Though the area has been developed and resorts have been built along the shores, there are still a few quieter stretches.

The public beach area to the north has retained much of its sand and the beach is clean. It's the perfect spot to escape the sweltering humidity of Old Town during the hottest months. Walking beach vendors can be a problem, heckling people to buy fresh fruit and crafts, but most are easily rebuffed with a firm "no, thank you." Food shacks sell fresh fish, squid, and shellfish, and offer amenities. Bikes can be rented for about 20,000d per day; Jet Skis start at 1,200,000d for half an hour. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; showers; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking. If Cua Dai Beach is crowded, walk or bike 3 km (2 miles) north to An Bang beach.

First opened in 2008, Dai Nam is a massive entertainment complex that includes Dai Nam Wonderland theme park, a sumptuous golden temple, a zoo, an artificial beach, 60-hectare racecourse, and a hotel. You'll probably need to rent a bicycle or golf cart to get around this sprawling complex, which has a recurring Buddhist theme, both peaceful and frightening. An example of the over-the-top-ness of Dai Nam: the racecourse has a 2,200-meter track for motorcycle and go-kart racing, a 1,600-meter track for greyhounds and horses, and a pool for Jet Ski performances. Dai Nam is about 40 km (25 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City, about 1 hour by car or 1½ hours by local bus 616 from Ben Thanh Market.

Next door to Dam Sen Water Park, this attraction has an amusement park as well as its cultural aspects, which makes it a good choice for a family outing. You can enjoy traditional Vietnamese handicrafts, games, and folk song performances and then view a range of cultural reproductions, which include an ancient Roman square and a Japanese teahouse and peach blossom garden. If the kids get restless, head for the roller coaster, bumper cars, Ferris wheel, and other rides. Tamer activities include swan boats to pedal, an extensive aquarium, animal enclosures, a bowling alley, and a movie theater. There are food and drink outlets throughout the park.

Trying to visit both the cultural and the water park in one day is not recommended.

For a rollicking day out for kids of all ages, this park has a variety of slides and pools (one with a wave machine), a zipline, and a lazy river ride. Compared to water parks in more developed countries, Dam Sen is a little rough around the edges, but that doesn't prevent it from being an exhilarating day out. Children have to be taller than 4 feet 6 inches to go on the larger slides, but there's a range of medium slides for smaller kids and a toddler play area.

On weekdays there are usually no lines for the rides.

Lockers are available (15,000d) and you're given a small waterproof tube to hold your money, valuables, and the locker key. There are also several food kiosks within the park. It can take up to an hour to get here from District 1 when traffic is heavy, or about 40 minutes in light traffic.

A few short years ago this was a pristine deserted wonderland of clear water and soft golden sand. It's still a pretty beach, but the rutted dirt track leading to it has been paved over and there are tables and chairs along the treeline where a kiosk sells snacks and drinks. There's also a small playground for kids. Down on the sand, hammocks and sun loungers are available for reasonably priced rentals. It's a nice spot to watch the sunset and take photos of low-flying airplanes as they approach the nearby airport. Amenities: snacks and drinks. Best for: sunsets; swimming; solitude.

The biggest waterfall in Lam Dong Province, the thundering Dambri Falls are 130 km (80 miles) southwest of Dalat and 19 km (12 miles) from the village of Bao Loc, near Cat Tien National Park. If traveling by motorbike or car, it can be a detour en route between Dalat and Cat Tien. Like many of the falls in the region, tasteless touristy trinket shops and a mini alpine coaster have been added. The 70-meter-high falls can be viewed from paths in front, or from behind. According to local legend, the waterfalls are the tears of a girl called Bri who cried as she waited for her love to return from the forest. The boy, Kdam, never did, and when Bri died, her body turned to stone but her tears kept flowing.

Avoid Dambri Falls on weekends and public holidays when it's very crowded.

This 30-km (18½-mile) stretch starts at My Khe beach, which runs from the foot of the Hai Van Pass to the north, and ends at Non Nuoc beach near the Marble Mountains to the south. In the middle, south of the Furama Resort, lies Bac My An, the R&R resort spot for U.S. soldiers during the war. Five-star resorts now line the pristine and quiet sandy stretches south of My Khe, leaving only a handful of beaches accessible to the public.

There are a lot of water sports you can try, and some of the region's freshest seafood to devour at the small restaurants that line the beach road. It's best to come between April and August, when the water is placid. Waves can be very large at other times—in fact, this is the preferred spot in Central Vietnam for surfing competitions. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking. Best for: swimming; surfing; walking.

For all the skyscrapers and modern architectural landmarks that now grace the city skyline, it's the bridges that have become the pride of Danang. As the sun sets, crowds gather along riverside Bach Dang Street to watch the spectacle as the four bridges are illuminated by thousands of LED lights that flow through the color spectrum. Farthest north is the colorful Thuan Phuoc Bridge that connects the district of Son Tra to the city, the largest suspension bridge in Vietnam. Next to that is the Han Song Bridge, which holds the title of Vietnam's first swing bridge; every morning between 1 am and 4 am the bridge is closed to traffic as it swings on its axis to allow large ships to pass along the Han River. At the heart is the most impressive of them all, the Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong) a national symbol of power, nobility, and good fortune, highlighting the city's growth. Every weekend at 9 pm the six-lane highway connecting the city to the beach resorts on the east side of Danang closes to traffic and huge crowds take their place to watch the dragon spout plumes of fire and water. Further south, the Tran Thi Ly Bridge, has a 145-meter-high central mast that holds a striking sail, which, when illuminated, can be seen from the beaches of Hoi An.

On display at Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture, founded by the French in 1919, are artifacts from the Kingdom of Champa, which ruled this region for more than 1,000 years. The highly sensual, innovative, and expressive works from Tra Kieu's reign (7th century) and that of My Son (8th–9th centuries), and the abundant sandstone carvings of the god Shiva, testify to the prosperity of the Kingdom of Champa in its glory days. The Cham adopted many elements of Indian art and Sanskrit as their sacred language. Note the Cham Buddha depicted on a throne in an imperial pose, with his feet flat on the ground, in contrast to the traditional image of Buddha seated in the lotus position. The symbol of fertility, Uroja (meaning "woman's breast"), which you will also see throughout the museum, reveals the esteem afforded women in Cham culture.

The central Tra Kieu Altar in the Tra Kieu Room—in the middle gallery, opposite the entrance and across the courtyard—illustrates in relief-sculpture part of the Hindu Ramayana epic story. This is the museum's best-preserved relief. The galleries are arranged into a cohesive itinerary, and a performance and education space is on the second floor. Performances are listed on the website. English-speaking guides can lead you on tours of the museum.

Just 5 km (3 miles) south of the city, Datanla Falls has touristy attractions such as ziplining, a high rope adventure course, and an alpine coaster to the falls (plus a giant gorilla statue), saving you from the 15-minute walk down and the climb back out. What tourists see here is just a small portion of the falls. A canyoning adventure at Datanla has you navigating a long series of cascades and pools. For canyoning and any adventure activity in Dalat, only use authorized, reputable companies: In 2016, three British tourists died at Datanla while climbing the falls with an unauthorized guide. There have been other accidents since on other adventure tours.

This 11th-century pagoda from the Ly dynasty houses Vietnam's two most famous mummies. In 1639 the Buddhist monks Vu Khac Minh and Vu Khac Truong locked themselves in a private room to meditate, instructing their disciples not to disturb them for 100 days. On the 100th day, their disciples entered the room to find both monks seated in a lotus position, perfectly preserved in death. The monks' bodies were covered in a thin but durable red lacquer. What makes these mummies unique is that they still have all their bones and organs.

Dau Pagoda contains several other noteworthy artifacts, including a giant bronze bell built in 1801, a bronze book detailing the pagoda's construction, several stone stelae dating to the 17th century, and six altars for the worship of 18 arhats (enlightened monks). The pagoda, which was partially destroyed by French forces in 1947, consists of five halls, an accessible (just barely) bell tower, and a small walking garden full of jackfruit and longan trees, birds of paradise, and a temple dedicated to local deities. Rice fields and ponds surround the pagoda, and you'll pass duck farmers and lotus vendors near the grove-shaded road that leads to the entrance.

This pagoda is easily confused with the Dau Pagoda of Bac Ninh Province, which is west of Hanoi. Be sure that you head south and stay within the city limits.

This eye-poppingly vibrant Vietnamese temple was built more than 200 years ago by a Chinese family called Ngo. A descendant, Ngo Kim Tong, who died in 1970, spent 42 years fashioning the pagoda's brightly colored statues, dragons, and gargoyles. Inside are candles about 40 feet high—each  so big and so broad that two people extending their arms around it can barely reach each other—that have been burning continuously for more than 40 years.

Tour groups flock to the DMZ to walk across the old French bridge, Hien Luong, and wander around the small museum on the north side of the bridge. They also take photos of the flag tower and an odd-looking reunification sculpture, which symbolizes the communication that developed between families divided by the river. Unable to communicate verbally (witness the loudspeakers pocked with bullet holes on display in the museum), they improvised with signals—a white scarf around the head meant someone had been killed and hands crossed behind the back announced that someone had been arrested.

Across the street from the Dien Bien Phu Museum, this spotless cemetery (also called the A1 National Martyrs Cemetery) is the final resting place for many unknown Viet Minh soldiers. Here in bas-reliefs are scenes of the battle depicted in larger-than-life-size socialist realism. One of the most emotional aspects of Dien Bien Phu is here: the names of all the Viet Minh casualties from the historic battle at Dien Bien Phu are carved on the back of the front wall of the cemetery.

This museum has been built on the site of the battle with the French, and although there is a section dedicated to the region's ethnic-minority communities, French ignominy and Vietnamese glory are the principal topics here. The main hall recounts the events of the siege and the battle itself, with blinking maps and legends synchronized with a recorded loop outlining the battle's chronology. Outside is a collection of weapons used in and around the garrison: the Vietnamese tanks and guns look as if they were polished yesterday afternoon, the rusting French jeeps are riddled with bullet holes, and the remains of a French plane lie in a twisted heap. The museum is designed to resemble a Vietnamese soldier's helmet.

Often a stop on motorcycle tours, Dinh An or Lang Ga ("chicken village") is Dalat's best known K'Ho ethnic village, famous for its giant concrete chicken. The K'Ho are indigenous to Lam Dong Province, have animist beliefs, and are a matriarchal society. Without a guide you won't glean much walking around the rural village, which may feel like a model village when a tour bus arrives, but there are welcoming local weavers selling textiles and other handicrafts. Dinh An Village is 9 km (5½ miles) from the airport and can be visited en route to Dalat rather than by making the 18 km (11 mile) trip from Dalat.

Part lighthouse, part religious building, Dinh Cau Temple is worth visiting while exploring Duong Dong town, its marina, and the night market. Occupying a rocky outcrop, the temple was constructed in the 1930's to honor the goddess of the sea, who could protect sailors and fishermen.

About 45 km (25 miles) north of Nha Trang is Doc Let Beach, a beautiful 10-km (6-mile) stretch of palm- and casuarina-lined fine white sand and azure water that hasn't been taken over by megaresorts—yet. The few resorts here are small and low-key, and are usually glad to welcome day guests for a very small fee (in front of the resorts is where the beach will be the cleanest). Doc Let is great for a laid-back beach day trip from Nha Trang, or to spend a few nights, especially on a full moon. There's bioluminescent plankton in the summer months. Paradise Resort can arrange a day out on a wooden fishing boat. Doc Let is one hour from Nha Trang by taxi and costs around 800,000d for the day, roundtrip. The local bus (No. 3) costs around 25,000d. Amenities: food and drink; water sports Best for: walking; swimming; sunsets.

In 2019, the Doc Nha Lang public art project transformed an alley (locally known as Nguyen Bieu Street) into a canvas for murals that celebrate Dalat. Covering the exteriors of private homes, the cheerful, optimistic scenes are of flowers and nature, steering clear of anything controversial, but the project itself is remarkable for a country where public creative expression is somewhat rare.

The narrow Doi Duong Beach, at the end of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, is not the prettiest in the country (the concrete embankment is an eyesore), but it is loved by the locals and usually cleaned. Crowds descend in the early morning and before sunset, when the weather is not so hot. Couples stroll along the paved walkway, families picnic in the adjacent park, and everyone eats snacks from the many food vendors. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: walking.

There are several ancient houses (private homes built by wealthy families in the mid- to late 19th century) throughout Dong Hoa Hiep, the most notable being Mr Kiet's Ancient House (1838) and Ba Duc Ancient House (1850), both of which have been restored, are open to the public, and have restaurants; others have been abandoned or fallen into disrepair. It's most efficient to visit on a tour since the more interesting houses are scattered, though it is possible to try to seek them out on your own as there are some signs on the road.

Once conveniently accessible by riverboat, this market, the oldest in the city, has seen trade with the whole of Southeast Asia. The huge structure was destroyed by a massive fire in 1994. The fire displaced 3,000 workers, caused millions of dollars in damage and losses, and took five human lives, not to mention the lives of thousands of endangered animals. The market reopened in December 1996 and today looks more like a concrete shopping mall, but continues to sell all manner of local and foreign goods. In truth, the standard of what's on offer is variable. Clothes and other miscellanea are of poor quality. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is buzzing and very much local, making this an authentic market experience.