The following landmarks in Vietnam are some of the most diverse and mind-blowing attractions you will ever come upon in your life. From man-made treasures to natural wonders of the world, you are bound to discover a landmark that will truly knock your socks off!
Vietnam is a magnificent place to travel considering the rich culture and history displayed uniquely throughout the entire country. Each city is one-of-a-kind and offers a different spin on life in Vietnam.
Nonetheless, travelling around Vietnam kind be rather overwhelming considering the array of fantastic landmarks. So, I’ve chosen some of my favourite places in the country to share with the world. Don’t forget to take note of some of my insider tips!
Where is Vietnam?
Vietnam is a South East Asian country that borders China, Laos, and Cambodia. Moreover, Vietnam is rich in history and offers a varying range of landscapes throughout the entire country.
Vietnam is quite a large country expanding over 331,210 km² of area. Not to mention, it’s a relatively easy country to travel around considering its long and narrow-like shape which makes it effortless to complete a single one-way trip.
This is one of the few countries travellers like to include on their South East Asian journey and it sure as heck packs an absolute punch!
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Vietnam?
Considering the weather is highly unpredictable, it’s difficult to choose an exact time of year to travel the country. Nonetheless, the springtime typically ranges from March to April making it the best time of year to travel.
Tip: Pack an oversized plastic poncho with you when you are out on day trips. You never know when a tropical storm will strike!
How Long Do I Need to Spend in Vietnam?
You could quite easily pass many weeks here in the land of Vietnam and barely notice the time flying by. However, not everyone has the luxury of spending lots of time travelling.
Therefore, I would recommend a bare minimum of three weeks to see the best landmarks in Vietnam. I managed to spend six weeks backpacking solo throughout Vietnam and felt like I could’ve seen so much more!
The 17 Best Landmarks in Vietnam
Starting from the North of Vietnam, we will slowly work our way South and include some of the best landmarks in Vietnam.
Please note that I have included some of these as my own favourite personal experiences and what I thoroughly recommend visiting.
- Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang Loop is an iconic scooter road trip right at the top of Northern Vietnam. It’s roughly a 4-5 day road trip that takes you along a 350km journey.
Cruise through villages, towns and enjoy breathtaking views over rice fields, limestone karsts, and rivers. This is also easily one of the best things to do while visiting Vietnam.
- Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of the most iconic travel destinations and one of the most well-known locations in Vietnam. This jaw-dropping archipelago of limestone formations is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam and must be experienced!
- Hanoi Old Quarter
Dive deep into the realm of Vietnam to experience the country’s culture in its most authentic state. Simply stroll around the streets, share smiles with friendly locals and munch down on a freshly made Banh Mi.
Tip: Visit the Hang Da Market for a locals shopping experience
Read more: 5 Best Hostels in Hanoi: 2022 Insiders Guide
- Hanoi Train Street
The Hanoi Train Street is easily one of the best landmarks in Vietnam and Hanoi. Besides, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a local beer while slurping on a Pho waiting for the train to come through.
Loads of travellers flock to this landmark hotspot in order to snap some pics and watch the large train squeeze through the tiny laneway. Right before the train comes through you will hear a local blowing a whistle and calling out for everyone to move off the tracks.
Therefore, steer very clear of the tracks and move inside one of the restaurants. I highly recommend sitting on the second level for the best view of the train. Plus, you’ll enjoy a great perspective over the train.
Tip: Check the train schedule online before heading to this location to ensure you don’t miss out. Allow at least 15 mins before the train arrives to order some food or a drink and then wait for the show to begin!
Read more: Hanoi Train Street: Everything You Need to Know
- Hang Mua Viewpoint
Travel a little further south to get out of the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and visit one of Vietnam’s most beautiful viewpoints, Hang Mua.
This is a stunning landmark in Vietnam with plenty of historical attributes worth reading through in my other post.
Read more: Mua Cave, Hang Mua: The Best Viewpoint in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
- Bai Dinh Pagoda
Another iconic landmark in Vietnam is the Bai Dinh Pagoda, also in Ninh Binh. Moreover, this space is a history lovers dream with a complex of unique and ancient temples. Not to mention, there is old mixed in with the new which paves the way for a truly sacred experience.
Step into the world of Buddhism and take in the awe of architecture and attention to detail within these beautiful buildings. Finally, these are some of my favourite temples in the country.
- Hang Son Doong
The Hang Son Doong is the worlds largest cave and is located in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. This is a fascinating environment as it offers its own worldly ecosystem. From squirrels and monkeys and rivers and plants, this place is truly unique.
However, to preserve this natural masterpiece, there is a maximum of 1000 visitors allowed per year. Therefore, you typically need to book this tour a couple of years in advance to ensure your position in exploring the cave.
On the other hand, there are a number of other beautiful caves I recommend visiting if you don’t get a place in visiting the Hang Son Doong. Be sure to check out Paradise cave for an epic alternative!
- Hue Historic Citadel
The Hue Historic Citadel is a royal palace set within the forbidden city. The Imperial City is the perfect place to dive deep into the history of the Nguyen dynasty.
- Hai Van Pass
Another one of Vietnam’s iconic road trips is the Hai Van Pass slightly north of Da Nang. Moreover, this stunning drive takes you along the edge of the mountain and offers beautiful ocean views over Da Nang Bay.
It’s easily completed within a day and is definitely one of the best activities to do in Vietnam
Read more: Hai Van Pass, Vietnam: The Ultimate Vietnamese Road Trip
- The Marble Mountains
Explore a set of caves, mountains, viewpoints, and temples at this wonderful location just south of Da Nang. When the sun peeks through the cave it gives off an extremely holy and awe-worthy aura.
- Hoi An Ancient Town
The Hoi An Ancient town is likely one of the most beautiful little towns in all of Vietnam. Moreover, this gorgeous place is bursting with vibrant yellows, pinks, and oranges.
There are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy within this town and I highly recommend spending an afternoon strolling the streets of this charming little place.
- Maze Bar
Heading down to Da Lat, this beautiful city is rather unique to the rest of Vietnam and I think that the Maze Bar is the ultimate representation of this quirky little city. Head into Maze Bar for a drink and crawl your way through passages and climb stairs to reach the top of the bar.
Upon reaching the top, you will be greeted with stunning views over the city. Besides, this is the ultimate location for a drink at night as you enjoy views of the sparkling city in front of you.
Read more: 10 Best Things to Do in Da Lat, Vietnam
- Red Sand Dunes
Hang on a second, where in the world are we? Were you really expecting to come upon an array of red sand dunes in Vietnam? Yeah, me neither.
To visit the sand dunes, you will need to head to the coast of Mui Ne to explore this bizarre and fascinating location. And, this is the ultimate sunset location in Mui Ne. So, park yourself up with a couple of beers and enjoy the serenity.
- Ben Thanh Market
The Ben Thanh Market is a fantastic place to pick up a few new goodies including jewellery, clothing, shoes, bags, snacks, etc.
There are lots of locals willing to barter with you while you try to snap up the best deal possible. Have fun doing this and share plenty of smiles.
- Bui Vien Walking Street
Head out for a night of chaos on Bui Vien. Moreover, this is a great place to watch locals party to techno-pop, soak up a few beers, and experience overstimulation from a million flashing lights.
I highly recommend this spot as a starting location for your night out. Then, if you want to go a little fancier, check out some of the rooftop bars in the area. Some of my favourites include the Lighthouse, Broma Not A Bar, Banana Mama, and The Observatory.
- Cu Chi Tunnels
Delve deep into the underground world of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Firstly, these tunnels are a significant aspect of how Vietnamese soldiers lived during the Vietnam war. Therefore making it one of the most iconic landmarks in Vietnam and a crucial part of history.
Crawl through the tiny tunnels, discover some of the traps used in the war and if you’re up to it, try shooting a gun at a target. I highly recommend this location to all travellers as it was one of my favourite experiences in Vietnam.
- War Remnants Museum
Last, but certainly not least is the war remnants museum. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into prior to visiting this museum and it is easily the most shocking and eye-opening exhibition I’ve ever seen.
Discover machinery, helicopters, and weapons used in the Vietnam war and then make your way through the levels of the museum to see the stories and life of Vietnamese through the 20-year-long war.
Not to mention, this is the appropriate time to pay your respects to those who lost their lives in this worldly-changing event. Finally, this is one of the most vital landmarks in Vietnam as it displays a significant part of the history of the country.
Tip: Go into the museum with an open mind and take it easy when going through some of the levels higher up. There is some extremely graphic imagery used in this museum and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children.
Discover more about the war remnants museum here.
Wrapping up the Best Landmarks in Vietnam
In conclusion, Vietnam is a magnificently diverse place full of rich culture. No matter which street you turn down or which cave you explore, you are bound to discover a new and unique part of the country.
Therefore, these are some of the best landmarks in Vietnam, however not limited to the only landmarks.
Finally, add at least a handful of these to your Vietnam itinerary and enjoy the ride! You are bound to love these places like the many thousands of tourists that visit these landmarks every year. Safe travels!
If you would like to discover more from my travels in Vietnam, I recommend checking out this section of my blog here to read about all my incredible findings. And, I keep it updated, with plenty of fresh content incoming weekly!
