A photograph of Vietnam

Country guide

Vietnam

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 R...

Photograph · Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0

20,056 Places
3Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Vietnamese
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+84
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Vietnamese đồng (VND)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and C · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Dragon River Bridge Dragon River Bridge
    07 45 min

    Dragon River Bridge

    Cầu Rồng

    Dragon Bridge, known locally as Cầu Rồng, is a steel bridge spanning the Hàn River in Da Nang, Vietnam.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  2. Independence Palace Independence Palace
    08 45 min

    Independence Palace

    Dinh Độc Lập

    Independence Palace, known locally as Dinh Độc Lập, stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most historically significant landmarks. The structure served as the residence and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War era.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  3. Golden Bridge Golden Bridge
    09 45 min

    Golden Bridge

    Cầu Vàng

    Golden Bridge is a mountain pedestrian landmark within Sun World Ba Na Hills, distinguished by a curved walkway held visually by two enormous stone-like hands.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  4. Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica
    10 45 min

    Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

    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.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  5. Ba Ðình Square Ba Ðình Square
    11 45 min

    Ba Ðình Square

    Quảng trường Ba Đình

    Ba Dinh Square is a large open square in central Hanoi, widely recognised as the political and historical heart of Vietnam.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi
  6. Saigon Central Post Office Saigon Central Post Office
    12 45 min

    Saigon Central Post Office

    Bưu điện Trung tâm Sài Gòn

    The Saigon Central Post Office is a prominent colonial-era landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  7. Hai Van Pass Hai Van Pass
    13 45 min

    Hai Van Pass

    Đèo Hải Vân

    Hai Van Pass is a dramatic mountain pass on the border of Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. The name translates to Ocean Cloud Pass, reflecting its mist-shrouded peaks and coastal vistas.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  8. Ngũ Hành Sơn Ngũ Hành Sơn
    14 45 min

    Ngũ Hành Sơn

    Marble Mountains, known locally as Ngũ Hành Sơn, is a cluster of five limestone and marble hills located south of Da Nang in central Vietnam.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  9. Son Tay Ancient Citadel Son Tay Ancient Citadel
    15 45 min

    Son Tay Ancient Citadel

    Thành cổ Sơn Tây

    Son Tay Ancient Citadel, or Thành cổ Sơn Tây, is a historic military fortress west of central Hanoi in the Son Tay area.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi
  10. Mong Bridge Mong Bridge
    16 45 min

    Mong Bridge

    Cầu Mống

    Mong Bridge is a historic bridge structure in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, crossing a waterway within the dense urban landscape. The bridge forms part of the city’s colonial-era infrastructure and remains a practical crossing for pedestrians and traffic.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  11. Co Loa Citadel Co Loa Citadel
    17 45 min

    Co Loa Citadel

    Co Loa Citadel is an ancient fortified settlement located north of central Hanoi. The site represents one of Vietnam's oldest defensive structures, with origins tracing to legendary and early historical periods of Vietnamese state formation.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi
  12. Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station
    18 45 min

    Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station

    Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station is a wildlife rescue facility located in the Cu Chi district near Ho Chi Minh City. The station serves as a rehabilitation centre for animals rescued from illegal wildlife trade, captivity, and habitat destruction.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  13. Đền Và
    19 45 min

    Đền Và

    Và Temple, known locally as Đền Và, is a Vietnamese religious site within Hanoi’s wider cultural landscape. It is a place for worship and contemplation rather than a conventional attraction arranged around exhibits.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi
  14. Hai Van Gate Hai Van Gate
    20 45 min

    Hai Van Gate

    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.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  15. Han River Bridge Han River Bridge
    21 45 min

    Han River Bridge

    Cầu Sông Hàn

    The Han River Bridge, known locally as Cầu Sông Hàn, is a swing bridge spanning the Han River in Da Nang, central Vietnam. It holds distinction as Vietnam's first swing bridge designed and constructed by Vietnamese engineers.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  16. Làng đá mỹ nghệ Non Nước
    22 45 min

    Làng đá mỹ nghệ Non Nước

    Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village is a traditional craft settlement at the foot of the Marble Mountains in Da Nang.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  17. Làng nước mắm Nam Ô
    23 45 min

    Làng nước mắm Nam Ô

    Nam O Fishing Village is a historic coastal settlement on the northwestern edge of Da Nang, Vietnam.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  18. Love Bridge Love Bridge
    24 45 min

    Love Bridge

    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.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Da Nang
  19. Nha Rong Port Historic Site Nha Rong Port Historic Site
    25 45 min

    Nha Rong Port Historic Site

    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.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  20. Old Quarter Old Quarter
    26 45 min

    Old Quarter

    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.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi
  21. Ta Hien Street Ta Hien Street
    27 45 min

    Ta Hien Street

    Phố Tạ Hiện

    Ta Hien Street, known locally as Phố Tạ Hiện, is a narrow thoroughfare in Hanoi's Old Quarter. The street has gained recognition among visitors for its concentration of casual drinking establishments and street food vendors.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Hanoi

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Vietnam be?

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.

What entry documents are needed for Vietnam?

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.

What is the best way to travel around Vietnam?

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.

When is a practical time to visit Vietnam?

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.”

What money and payment basics apply in Vietnam?

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.

What practical safety details should I save for Vietnam?

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.