365 Best Sights in Vietnam

With palms, powdery white sand that is regularly cleaned, and an ocean that seems to change colors throughout the day, this beach on the southeastern tip is what you'd expect from a tropical island. A few seafood restaurants offer loungers, and sometimes the grandiose JW Marriott Phu Quoc, occupying the southern end of the beach, allows outside guests to purchase day passes. There is also a difficult to traverse access road to the beach beside Phu Quoc Prison. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: walking; swimming; families.

Housed in a blocky concrete building across the road from Ang Pagoda, the Khmer Culture Museum has four exhibition rooms containing re-creations of various aspects of traditional Khmer life, as well as collections of musical instruments and farming tools. All signs are in Vietnamese and Khmer. It's not the most interesting museum, but worth dropping by if you're at Ang Pagoda and Ao Ba Om.

In a stucco French colonial-Khmer temple style building originally built in 1938 as a school to teach French, Khmer, and Vietnamese, the museum's small collection of cultural artifacts includes Khmer statues, clothing, antique pots, instruments, and two long, colorful racing boats.

Also referred to as the Bishop's House, this three-story French colonial wooden building was completed in 1934. The Catholic seminary is still operating and certain areas are off limits. Its small hilltribe museum was shut at the time of writing.

Located in Konklor village about 3 km (2 miles) from Kon Tum's center, the 292-meter bridge over the Dak Bla River was completed in 1994. There's nothing particularly special about the bridge, but in a town thin on sights, check it out, along with the impressive traditional rong house beside it.

Once known for its multitalented, multilingual artist, poet, and monk Thay Vien Thuc, known as the Mad Monk of Dalat, there was no sign of him on a visit in 2024. But the pagoda, a 10-minute walk from Bao Dai's Summer Palace 3, is an oasis of quiet and calm, so a wander through the pristine garden may be a welcome reset to all the busy sightseeing.

A convenient stopover on the trip from Hue to Danang, Lang Co is an idyllic hamlet on a peninsula jutting out into the East Sea. Lang Co Beach is a good place to have lunch and spend the day. For an additional couple of nights of beach indulgence, head toward Banyan Tree Lang Co or its budget-friendly little sister, Angsana Lang Co, which is about 20 km (12.4 miles) away from Lang Co Township. Take the turn off Highway 1 at the sign for the Lang Co Beach Resort; this will lead you to the long, sandy beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunsets; walks; swimming.

In 1983, city authorities created this park by clearing the Cimetière Européen, which had been established in 1859 by the French navy as the final resting place for soldiers and sailors who died in the city. Some superstitious locals won't go to the park because of its previous incarnation and the ghost stories that have been circulating ever since the cemetery was decommissioned. Ghosts aside, with its large shady trees, this is a great spot for people-watching early in the morning, with games of badminton, ballroom dancing, aerobics, jogging, and stretching going on. The park, which occasionally hosts book and agricultural fairs, is also a popular spot for Vietnamese couples to steal some privacy after dark.

Established in the memory of artist Le Ba Dang, who was born in nearby province Quang Tri and became successful in Paris, Lebadang Memory Space is one of the country’s best art museums. The main building of this private contemporary space, located on 4 acres near Thien An Hill, is modeled after one of the artist's paper works. The museum showcases Le Ba Dang's varied talents, from painting to sculpture to paper-cutting and printing.

After entering through Ong Chon Gate, the main entrance of the Marble Mountains, you'll see the Linh Ung Pagoda, a Buddhist shrine inside a cave, filled with a large collection of Buddha statues. Built in 1825, this sacred structure also features small lotus ponds, bonsai plants, and intricate tilework. It bears many of the same motifs found in the UNESCO-listed tombs in Hue.

Locals seem to prefer walking along Nguyen Van Cuu Street's sidewalk at dawn and dusk rather than on this long sandy beach, which is usually dotted with the round basket-boats the fishermen use to get to shore. Despite being right in town, Lo Voi Beach is usually deserted during the day. Fishing boats moored just offshore make this beautiful beach even more picturesque. The water is pretty shallow for a long way out (especially at low tide), making it not ideal for swimming. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunrise; sunset; walking.

This beach is about a 90-minute drive from Ho Chi Minh City and 15 km (9 miles) along the coast from Vung Tau, but it feels like it's worlds away. Opposite the Dinh Co Temple, there are sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, as well as food and drinks sold by street vendors including grilled seafood at very cheap prices. The beach is not patrolled but the water is calm with no surf and the golden sand stretches for miles. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunsets; swimming; walking.

At this pagoda, climb the 150-some-odd steps to first reach a large reclining Buddha, then a giant 14-meter-tall white sitting Buddha where you can enjoy a great view of Nha Trang. This site is free to the public—watch out for scammers asking for fake fees, pushy vendors, and pickpockets.

This marks the site of the Battle of Long Tan, which took place on August 18, 1966, between a regiment comprising 105 Australians and three New Zealanders and a Vietcong force estimated at between 1,500 and 2,500. The fierce battle fought during a torrential downpour in a rubber plantation left 18 Australians and 245 Vietnamese dead and 21 Australians and many more Vietnamese wounded. August 18 is now Vietnam Veterans' Day in Australia and every year on this date, and on Anzac Day (April 25), a small ceremony is held at the Long Tan Cross. People who want to attend one of these ceremonies should register their interest well in advance with the Australian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. The Long Tan Cross is politically sensitive and is on private land and should not be visited without an official tour guide. Those wishing to visit the site must notify the Dat Do District People’s Committee in writing (in Vietnamese) by fax three days in advance of their visit, either individually or through a travel agent.

For a commanding view of the town and the surrounding area, climb the stone steps behind the Trade Union Hotel to the lookout tower known as Cot V3. The climb is steep and takes about 20 minutes, but the view is quite nice.

While Hanoi is famous for its ancient architecture, there are modern high-rises joining the scene as well. If you are looking for a way to take in all of Hanoi at once, head to the Lotte Center’s 64th floor at sunset. There are two glass skydecks; one comes with an official photographer that will snap photos of you for a fee, but feel free to take your own. Note that entry to the rooftop cocktail bar is free, while the observation deck costs 230,000d. Hanoi's beauty is in its details and views from here may border on dystopian, but the elevated view enables sightseers to see how Hanoi's neighborhoods are pieced together.

Sometimes referred to as the hill of tombs, this site is a garden cemetery containing the remains of Chinese-born General Mac Cuu (1655--1735) and his family. Mac Cuu is credited with establishing Ha Tien in 1670, when the region was part of Cambodia. The family mausoleum, with its traditional Chinese tombs decorated with dragons, phoenixes, tigers, and lions, was built in 1809. A small temple dedicated to the family sits at the base of the complex.

Legend has it that about 400 years ago, Khmer monks constructed this pagoda 3 km (2 miles) from Soc Trang to honor the flying foxes (a type of bat) that live in the surrounding fruit trees. In Buddhism, bats are considered sacred and lucky. Unfortunately, the grounds are not maintained and litter is a problem. Also, now these are few bats compared to years past; the best time to see any is at dawn or dusk. Keep an eye out for the graves of five-hoofed pigs behind the temple; these creatures are believed to be bad luck so are given to the temple to be cared for until their death.

Tourists come to these five historic mountains to see ancient pagodas, Buddhist sanctuaries, sacred caves, spectacular views of the eastern beaches, and villages where artisans carve marble sculptures. Each of the primarily limestone formations are named after the five elements—kim (metal), moc (wood), hoa (fire), thuy (water), and tho (earth). At Thuy Son Mountain, you can explore several 17th-century pagodas and caves by climbing 156 steps from the base—or take a glass elevator that eliminates a third of the steps in the initial climb, transporting you straight to the foot of Linh Ung Pagoda. Bring plenty of water and take your time, as the steps can be slippery after it rains. It is common to be hassled by locals in Non Nuoc Village who live solely on the production of their stone statues, jewelry, and artwork. Entrance to the Marble Mountains costs 40,000d plus the optional one-way elevator ride.

Vivid statues and colorful floral offerings at this Hindu temple create a microcosm of India in the streets of Saigon. Before the temple was returned to the Hindu community in the early 1990s, the government used it as a factory for making joss sticks (incense) and for processing dried fish. Today it serves a small congregation of Tamil Hindus, but some Vietnamese and Chinese locals also revere it as a holy space.

About 37 km (23 miles) or an hour from Can Tho, this photogenic wetland area is a great way to explore the delta's beautiful narrow, verdant waterways by wooden boat and watch magnificent birdlife such as herons, storks, and egrets nesting in the trees. As of 2024, it hasn't been overdeveloped with restaurants, souvenirs stands, kitschy animal statues, and rubbish like Tra Su Bird Sanctuary—for now. Can Tho River Tours offers guided tours to Mua Xuan.

This mangrove forest and wetland, where rivers and waterways feed through Vietnam's southernmost point into the sea, was recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2009. The 371,506 hectare park features rich biodiversity, including rare and endangered birds, animals, and reptiles. At the time of writing, no organized tours enter the park, though there has been some talk of introducing community-based ecotourism. Tours bring you to a tourism area at the mainland's southern tip (where famously you can see sunrise and sunset in the same spot), 110 km (68 miles) from Ca Mau City. There's a seaside promenade, boardwalks, and boats that take you into some of the mangroves for bird-watching, and several large, very concrete landmarks, including a copy of the Hanoi flag tower; inside is a museum and its high position affords a panoramic view of the green forest.

With its pebble-strewn brown sand, Mui Nai, 6 km (4 miles) west of Ha Tien, pales in comparison to Phu Quoc's beaches, but the sea is calm and shallow so it's a pleasant enough place to take a dip. It's extremely popular on the weekends when people from all over the delta come to escape the heat and enjoy fresh seafood from one of the seafood shacks. There's sometimes an entrance/parking fee on busy days.

A cramped beach below Ha Long Street, Mulberry Beach isn't really a place you'd travel miles to see, and despite the poetic name, it's not ideal for swimming. Legend has it that the hillside near the beach, where the Virgin Mary statue is now, was once a mulberry field, hence the name. Amenities: none. Best for: sea views; walking.

Located in the city center, the largest and oldest Khmer temple in Can Tho was originally built in 1948 out of bamboo, then renovated in the subsequent decades. The gate, added in 1954, is adorned with what resembles the three towers of Angkor Wat. Access to the interior is limited, but it's possible to admire the golden exterior embellishments and perhaps spy a few novice monks doing chores on the grounds. The pagoda is emblematic of the continuation of Khmer religion and culture in the Mekong Delta.

This small museum—housed in just one large room—provides a small insight into Hoi An's history and culture. On display are ancient bowls, cups, and other ceramics, many of them archaeological artifacts dating back to the Cham. A collection of traditional Chinese objects includes pagoda bells and the "watchful eyes" placed above doorways for protection. Information is scant, so you are likely to leave underwhelmed and none the wiser, but the old black-and-white photos of 20th-century Hoi An make for an interesting comparison to the town today. The connecting door to the back of Quang Ong Temple provides a more interesting view.

The ancient Diep Dong Nguyen House has been converted into a small museum dedicated to the history of ceramics in Hoi An. The collection includes ancient wares, some of them recovered from shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, and a large assortment of household objects, such as bowls and vases. Possibly the most interesting thing you'll find here are the maps that date back as far as the 13th century, detailing the various marine trade routes. There are also detailed architectural drawings of the restored town houses, which provide helpful explanations of the different architectural influences throughout the Old Town.

This fascinatingly eclectic museum is in a beautiful colonial building inside the grounds of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with various galleries dedicated to different eras. Much of Vietnam's history, and consequently its identity today, has been influenced by outsiders. In ancient times the Khmer and Chinese empires occupied large portions of modern-day Vietnam, and in more recent times the country has been partially or completely occupied by French, Japanese, and American forces. The museum gives a Vietnamese perspective on these events.

About 15 km (9 miles) from Quang Ngai's center, just past Son My Memorial, is casuarina-lined My Khe beach, which shouldn't be confused with the famous My Khe beach of Danang. As the coastal getaway for the region, it is busier on weekends and summer holidays, quiet outside of these times. There's a glut of seafood shacks, but only a few basic homestays and subpar guesthouses so it's best to enjoy for a few hours before continuing north to Hoi An and Danang or south to Quy Nhon to sleep. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

As might be expected of a city whose name means "sea defense," much of Haiphong's more intriguing history is documented in the Navy Museum. Here you can see the Bach Dang stakes—the sharp wooden poles driven into the riverbed that impaled Kublai Khan's boats in 1288. A room dedicated to the Vietnam War houses a (presumably deactivated) MK-52 mine pulled from the waters of Haiphong Harbor in 1973, the lighthouse lantern that warned of impending bombing raids, and the antiaircraft gun that brought down a dozen American planes.