Things to do in Vietnam: Attractions and places to visit

1. Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi

No trip to Vietnam would be complete without a visit to the capital Hanoi. The megacity has symbolic sights, including Ba Dinh Square. Here Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945. The spacious square in the heart of the government quarter houses the most important sanctuary of the communist country: the Mausoleum Ho Chi Minhs. In this monumental granite columned building, visitors can see the embalmed remains of the revolutionary leader.

Only a few minutes away is the traditional pile house where “Uncle Ho” lived from 1958 to 1969. A much older landmark is the one-pillar pagoda, a wooden temple erected on a single tree trunk in the 11th century. Due to its unusual construction, the pagoda is unique in Vietnam.

2. Ninh Binh

Hardly any other province in the country combines such impressive scenic beauty with artistic temples as Ninh Binh in northern Vietnam. In addition to small sanctuaries erected in limestone caves or on high rocks, visitors will find the largest temple complex in the country. Millions of tourists and pilgrims visit this Shrine of superlatives every year. Here is an old temple, which guests reach via steep steps. However, most of Bai Dinh’s buildings were not completed until 2010.

From a hill in the interior to the riverbank, the temples stretch out, which impress with their sheer size and the golden Buddha statues inside. Visitors will also find huge Buddha statues and the highest stupa in the country. Those who want to visit this sight in its entirety should plan at least two hours for the visit.

3. Trang An

The province of Ninh Binh is known for its scenic beauty. No wonder films like “Indochine” and the latest “King Kong” movie were shot here. Nowhere else do visitors immerse themselves in the peaceful idyll of this landscape as on a river cruise in Trang An.

With a traditional rowing boat we go on the river Ngo Dong, which meanders sluggishly in the shade of the wooded limestone rocks. At a quiet hour the only inhabitants are goats that live on the steep slopes. The journey leads through dark caves and to richly decorated temples, which were built directly on the river bank. Here, guests can also fortify themselves for the continuation of the journey.

4. Paradise Cave

Only 20 years ago, Phong Nha on the border to Laos was an insignificant region without electricity and motorway access. This changed when geologists discovered caves of superlatives in the lush wooded hills. Paradise Cave is one of the most beautiful sights accessible to visitors and can be reached via steep steps.

Already the journey through the mountainous borderland with its wooded gorges is an experience. Arrived in the cave, guests are offered a grandiose sight. The harmonious lighting fully accentuates the dizzying dimensions of the cave and the stalactite formations impress with their sheer size, unusual colouring and bizarre shapes.

5. Old town of Hoi An

A highlight in Central Vietnam is Hoi An, which is only an hour away from the city of Da Nang. The coastal town was once an important hub of Southeast Asian maritime trade. The city lost its importance in the 18th century, but the historical fabric of the building was spared reconstruction measures and wars.

Today the old town of Hoi Ans is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage and testifies to the former splendour of the merchant class. Traditional houses, ceremonial buildings and temples are lined up in the narrow lanes decorated with lanterns. Visitors marvel at the golden decorations in the Hainan Assembly Hall and stroll across the filigree Japanese Bridge before immersing themselves in the original culture of Hoi Ans during a tea tasting and dance performance.

6. War Remnants Museum

Hardly any other event has shaped the country’s recent history as much as the Vietnam War from 1955 to 1975, and no other place bears such impressive witness to the cruelty of this conflict as the War Remnants Museum in the heart of Saigon. Outside, guests marvel at the remains of the American military machinery such as helicopters and tanks, and in a special exhibition, they learn everything important about the fate of the prisoners of war in Saigon’s camps.

Inside, thousands of exhibits and photographs tell of the struggle of the Vietnamese people, but also the role of the US-American anti-war movement is illuminated. Exhibitions such as the one about Agent Orange’s deployment bear witness in a moving way to the consequences of this war, which are still visible today.

7. Cu Chi Tunnel

Numerous museums keep the history of the Vietnam War in mind. But if you want to feel for yourself what the life of the foot soldiers in this conflict was like, you have to visit the Cu Chi Tunnel north of Saigon. The Vietkong played a deadly cat-and-mouse game with the US soldiers in the widely branched vaults. Visitors feel the claustrophobic narrowness as they squeeze their way through the tunnels and dive into camouflaged holes in the ground like the Vietcong fighters once did.

Replicas of spiked traps testify to the brutality of this war, but also to the ingenuity of the technologically inferior North Vietnamese. If you like, you can try out the arsenal of weapons on the shooting range yourself. Peace-loving contemporaries, on the other hand, watch the production of rice paper and try boiled manjok root, the main food of the tunnel fighters.

8. Citadel of Hue

Hardly any other landmark in Vietnam stands for two things in such an impressive way: the splendour of the Nguyen dynasty in Vietnam’s heyday on the one hand and the senseless destruction during the Vietnam War on the other. The citadel of Hue was almost completely destroyed during the Tet offensive of 1968. To this day, the Vietnamese government is busy rebuilding this important national symbol.

Already the thick walls give an idea of the dimensions of the citadel with its Forbidden City, modelled on the Chinese imperial court. Through the Noon Gate, visitors approach the Thai Hoa Palace, the interior of which impresses with its contrast between red wood and gold as well as the Chinese insignia. And also the numerous other buildings of the citadel are worth seeing.

9. marble mountains

In the middle of the modern megacity Da Nang there is a place that impressively combines scenic beauty with deep religiousness. The marble mountains are five elevations symbolizing the elements metal, water, fire, earth and wood.

The main mountain Thuy Son is home to temples with idyllic gardens and shrines from which visitors can see all the surrounding area of Da Nang. The highlight, however, is the main cave in the flank of the mountain. Especially early in the morning visitors feel the peaceful atmosphere in the interior, which is filled with candlelight, incense sticks and soft music, while a large stone Buddha watches over the pilgrims.

10. Sand dunes of Mui Ne

A unique landscape is located in Mui Ne in the south of Vietnam. 30 minutes from the city there are sand dunes in white and red colour. When they look at these dunes, which suddenly appear like a mirage, visitors almost forget that they are in tropical Vietnam.

Guests can explore the desert landscape by scooter or take a sporty quad bike ride over the dunes. In addition, many tours are offered – either early in the morning or in the afternoon. This allows guests to watch a spectacular sunrise or sunset. We also recommend a detour to the nearby Fisherman Village with its colourful fishing boats. In one of the restaurants hungry visitors can enjoy the catch of the day.

Best time to visit Vietnam

We recommend the following months as best time to travel for exploring the attractions and acivities of Vietnam:

January, February, March, April, October, November, and December

You can find more information about the weather, including all climate data, on our climate page for Vietnam.