Roavina

Country guide

Vietnam

A photograph of Vietnam
Photograph · Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0

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.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

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

Filter the list

22 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 28 Museums 18 Places of worship 30 Nature sites 22 Viewpoints 2 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 9 Entertainment 3 Nightlife 1 Family attractions 1 Art and culture 7 Activities 5

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 21 Half a day or more 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 3 Sea and beach 3 Viewpoints 0
  1. Son Tra Peninsula Son Tra Peninsula
    01 3 hours

    Son Tra Peninsula

    Son Tra Peninsula is Da Nang's forested headland projecting into the East Sea about ten kilometres northeast of the city centre.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Da Nang
  2. Hoàn Kiếm Lake Hoàn Kiếm Lake
    02 1 hour

    Hoàn Kiếm Lake

    Hồ Hoàn Kiếm

    Hoan Kiem Lake, locally Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, sits at Hanoi's historic core. The name translates to Lake of the Returned Sword, referencing a legend about Emperor Le Loi receiving a divine blade from a turtle deity.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  3. Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
    03 1 hour

    Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens

    Thảo Cầm Viên Sài Gòn

    Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a historic green space in Ho Chi Minh City, combining zoological exhibits with botanical collections. Established during the French colonial period, it represents one of the oldest continuously operating zoos in the region.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  4. West Lake West Lake
    04 1 hour

    West Lake

    Hồ Tây

    West Lake, known locally as Hồ Tây, is the largest freshwater lake in Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. This expansive urban water body occupies a significant portion of the city's northwestern district and has historically shaped settlement patterns around its perimeter.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  5. September 23 Park September 23 Park
    05 1 hour

    September 23 Park

    Công viên 23 tháng 9

    September 23 Park is a central Ho Chi Minh City green space in District 1, close to the Pham Ngu Lao area. Its position makes it useful for travellers who want a short outdoor pause while exploring the downtown core.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  6. Thống Nhất Park Thống Nhất Park
    06 1 hour

    Thống Nhất Park

    Công viên Thống Nhất

    Thong Nhat Park, known locally as Công viên Thống Nhất, stands as one of Hanoi's significant urban green spaces.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  7. Trúc Bạch Lake Trúc Bạch Lake
    07 1 hour

    Trúc Bạch Lake

    Hồ Trúc Bạch

    Truc Bach Lake is a freshwater lake situated in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi, Vietnam. It lies immediately northwest of the larger and more celebrated West Lake, separated by Thanh Nien Road.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  8. My Khe Beach My Khe Beach
    08 1 hour

    My Khe Beach

    Bãi biển Mỹ Khê

    My Khe Beach, known locally as Bãi biển Mỹ Khê, is a prominent coastal stretch in Da Nang, Vietnam. It extends along the eastern edge of the city, facing the South China Sea.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Da Nang
  9. Presidential Palace Historical Site Presidential Palace Historical Site
    09 1 hour

    Presidential Palace Historical Site

    Khu Di tích Phủ Chủ tịch

    The Presidential Palace Historical Site is a significant heritage complex in Hanoi, serving as the official residence and workplace of the President of Vietnam. The site encompasses French colonial architecture alongside Vietnamese elements, reflecting the nation's layered political history.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  10. Tao Dan Park Tao Dan Park
    10 1 hour

    Tao Dan Park

    Công viên Tao Đàn

    Tao Dan Park is a substantial public green space in central Ho Chi Minh City. It gives residents and travellers room to walk, sit, exercise, and watch everyday city life within a dense metropolitan setting.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  11. Lenin Park Lenin Park
    11 1 hour

    Lenin Park

    Công viên Lê-nin

    Lenin Park, locally known as Công viên Lê Nin, is a public green space in Hanoi named after the Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  12. Le Van Tam Park Le Van Tam Park
    12 1 hour

    Le Van Tam Park

    Công viên Lê Văn Tám

    Le Van Tam Park is a public green space in Ho Chi Minh City, named after Le Van Tam, a Vietnamese historical figure. Its main appeal is the contrast between shaded parkland and the dense metropolitan streets around it.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  13. Chí Linh Park Chí Linh Park
    13 1 hour

    Chí Linh Park

    Vườn hoa Lý Thái Tổ

    Ly Thai To Park, locally known as Vườn hoa Lý Thái Tổ, is a public park in central Hanoi situated near Hoan Kiem Lake.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  14. Ba Vi National Park Ba Vi National Park
    14 1 hour

    Ba Vi National Park

    Vườn quốc gia Ba Vì

    Ba Vi National Park is a mountainous protected landscape west of Hanoi, rising above the Red River Delta. It is a strong choice when you want forest, cooler mountain air, and open countryside instead of another urban attraction.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  15. Book Street
    15 1 hour

    Book Street

    Phố Sách Hà Nội

    Hanoi Book Street, known locally as Phố Sách Hà Nội, is a pedestrian-oriented cultural space dedicated to literature and reading. Located in the heart of Vietnam's capital, this street transforms a section of urban thoroughfare into a book-focused destination.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  16. Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
    16 1 hour

    Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve

    Khu dự trữ sinh quyển rừng ngập mặn Cần Giờ

    Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve is Ho Chi Minh City's UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, recognized for its protected mangrove forest ecosystem. The reserve represents the municipality's most significant nature-based excursion destination.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Ho Chi Minh City
  17. Cau Giay Park Cau Giay Park
    17 1 hour

    Cau Giay Park

    Công viên Cầu Giấy

    Cau Giay Park, known locally as Công viên Cầu Giấy, is a public green space located in the Cau Giay District of Hanoi, Vietnam. The park serves as a recreational area for residents and visitors to the city.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  18. Công Viên APEC
    18 1 hour

    Công Viên APEC

    APEC Sculpture Park is Da Nang's leading contemporary public-art park and a major landmark along the Han River. The park displays sculptures created by artists from APEC member economies, commemorating the APEC summit hosted in Vietnam.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Da Nang
  19. Diên Hồng Park Diên Hồng Park
    19 1 hour

    Diên Hồng Park

    Vườn hoa Diên Hồng

    Dien Hong Park, known locally as Vườn hoa Diên Hồng, is a green space in Hanoi, Vietnam. The park contributes to the city's network of public recreational areas, offering residents and visitors an outdoor environment within the urban fabric.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  20. Indira Gandhi Park Indira Gandhi Park
    20 1 hour

    Indira Gandhi Park

    Công viên Indira Gandhi

    Indira Gandhi Park, known locally as Công viên Indira Gandhi, is a public green space in Hanoi named after the former Prime Minister of India.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Hanoi
  21. Non Nuoc Beach Non Nuoc Beach
    21 1 hour

    Non Nuoc Beach

    Non Nuoc Beach is a coastal stretch in Da Nang, Vietnam, located on the eastern edge of the city along the South China Sea.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Da Nang
  22. Than Tai Mountain Hot Spring Park
    22 1 hour

    Than Tai Mountain Hot Spring Park

    Than Tai Mountain Hot Spring Park, Da Nang

    Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park is Da Nang's principal hot-spring attraction and a major non-coastal family destination. The park centers on natural thermal waters drawn from underground sources in the Ba Na Hills foothills.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Da Nang

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.