6 Best Sights in Vietnam

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.

A symbol of contemporary Ho Chi Minh City, the 68-floor Bitexco Financial Tower is the city's second tallest building, and you can enjoy high-altitude views from the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor. This deck features interactive screens that provide information about a selection of streets and sights below.

A French-era fort that was also used during the defense of Haiphong during the war with the United States, this hilltop landmark is also notable for offering some of the best views on Cat Ba Island. A motorbike taxi can take you most of the way up the hill from Cat Ba Town and wait while you explore the area. You will find two cannons, two bunkers, a small photography and memorabilia shop, and several lookout points that offer views of the sweeping vista that captures the karst-studded landscape in all its glory. There is also a small café serving tea and juice where you can relax if you've made the journey on foot.

The rocky promontory provides good views of the coastline and the surrounding islands. Unsurprisingly, it has become an extremely popular spot for sunset photos. If you look northwest you can see Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien), said to resemble a reclining fairy. A stop at Hon Chong can be combined with Po Nagar Cham Towers, as they are both on the north side of the Cai River.

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.