Language · 11 published
Country guide
Vietnam covers 331,344.82 km² and its 2025 population estimate is 102,300,000, held mostly in two river deltas at opposite ends of a long, narrow country: the Red River in the north around Hanoi, the Mekong in the south below Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi is the capital and Ho Chi Minh City the largest city, and the ground between the two is the trip — a coast measured in days rather than hours, usually broken into three or four stops instead of run in one go. Which end a traveller starts from decides the order of everything after it.
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Clay Gilliland · CC BY-SA 2.0
Photograph · NKSTTSSHNVN · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photograph · Cuong Tran · Public domain
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
13 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
Địa Đạo Bến Đình Củ Chi
The Cu Chi Tunnels comprise an extensive underground network located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Constructed during the mid-20th century conflict period, these passages served as hiding spots, supply routes, hospitals, and living quarters.
Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn
The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a prominent Catholic cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Constructed by French colonists in the late nineteenth century, it stands as one of the city's most recognizable architectural landmarks.
Nhà thờ Lớn
St Joseph's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Constructed in the late nineteenth century during the French colonial period, it serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi.
Chùa Giác Lâm
Giac Lam Pagoda is the oldest major Buddhist pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City and ranks among the most significant temple complexes in southern Vietnam.
Linh Ung Pagoda at Bai But is a prominent Buddhist temple complex situated on the Son Tra Peninsula coastline in Da Nang.
Hải Vân Quan
Hai Van Quan is a historic military gate situated at the summit of Hai Van Pass, which forms the natural boundary between Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue provinces in central Vietnam.
Ba Thien Hau Temple is a Chinese temple in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown district.
Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village is a traditional craft settlement at the foot of the Marble Mountains in Da Nang.
Nam O Fishing Village is a historic coastal settlement on the northwestern edge of Da Nang, Vietnam.
Love Lock Bridge is a heavily visited riverfront landmark in Da Nang, Vietnam. It stands beside the famous Dragon Bridge and has developed a distinct identity as a romantic destination.
Khu Di tích Bến Nhà Rồng
The Ho Chi Minh Museum at Dragon Wharf occupies the historic Nha Rong Wharf, a major site in Ho Chi Minh's biography.
Hanoi's Old Quarter is the historic commercial core north of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, commonly associated with 36 guild streets. Vietnam Tourism describes it as a walkable neighbourhood of Vietnamese architecture, old shops, green spaces and street food.
Nhà thờ Tân Định
Tan Dinh Church is a Roman Catholic church in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Locally known as Tan Dinh Church, it stands as one of central Saigon's most recognisable religious landmarks.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
A north-to-south first trip needs about two weeks; with ten days, choose two regions such as Hanoi and the centre or Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight trains and domestic flights shorten distance but still consume transfer time.
Apply through Vietnam’s official electronic-visa portal if the passport and trip qualify. Confirm the approved entry point, validity dates and permitted stay before finalising the route, because an authorisation tied to one crossing should not be assumed valid for another.
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang are the key gateways for common itineraries. Domestic flights, the north-south railway and coaches connect regions; local systems vary, so use licensed taxis or recognised booking channels and verify the correct station or terminal.
Vietnam’s north, central coast and south have different wet and dry periods. Choose travel dates around the most weather-sensitive region: central beach conditions, northern mountain visibility and southern rainfall cannot be summarised by one nationwide “best month.”
The Vietnamese đồng is the recorded currency, and the high denomination numbers deserve a deliberate check before payment. Cash remains useful for small vendors and local transport; use reputable ATMs or banks and verify each zero on quoted VND prices.
Police, fire and ambulance are recorded as 113, 114 and 115; common power is Type A and C at 220 V. Tap-water advice is Not recorded here, so ask locally and keep transport-provider details available for long rail or coach journeys.
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