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07
45 min
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Hoàng thành Thăng Long
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Hanoi
Country guide
Up to 1 hour in Vietnam — page 2
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.
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Ho Chi Minh City
Photograph · Clay Gilliland · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ho Chi Minh City 10,496 places -
Hanoi
Photograph · NKSTTSSHNVN · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hanoi 5,813 places -
Da Nang
Photograph · Cuong Tran · Public domain
Da Nang 3,747 places
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.
Filter the list
94 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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08 45 minHo Chi Minh Mausoleum
Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, known locally as Lăng Chủ tịch Hồ Chí Minh, stands as a monumental memorial in central Hanoi.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Hanoi
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09 45 minCủ Chi tunnels
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.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Ho Chi Minh City
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10 45 minDragon 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
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11 45 minIndependence 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
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12 45 minGolden 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
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13 45 minSaigon 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
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14 30 minTemple of Literature
Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám
The Temple of Literature, known locally as Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám, stands as Vietnam's first national university. Founded in 1070 during the Lý dynasty, it originally served as a Confucian temple before expanding into an imperial academy.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Hanoi
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15 45 minBa 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
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16 1 hourHoàn 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
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17 45 minSaigon 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
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18 45 minHai 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
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19 45 minNgũ 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
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20 1 hourSaigon 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
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21 1 hourWest 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
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22 1 hourHanoi Opera House
Nhà hát Lớn
The Hanoi Opera House is a performing arts venue in central Hanoi, constructed during the French colonial period. The building exemplifies French neoclassical architecture with Italianate influences, featuring a grand facade, columns, and ornate interior details.
- High
- Art and culture venue
- Hanoi
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23 1 hourSaigon Opera House
Nhà hát Thành phố
The Saigon Opera House, known locally as Nhà hát Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, stands as a prominent performing arts venue in central Ho Chi Minh City.
- High
- Art and culture venue
- Ho Chi Minh City
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24 1 hourSeptember 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
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25 1 hourThống 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
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26 1 hourTrúc 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
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27 1 hourMy 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
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28 1 hourPresidential 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
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29 30 minOne Pillar Pagoda
Chùa Một Cột
The One Pillar Pagoda, known locally as Chùa Một Cột, is a historic Buddhist temple in Hanoi.
- High
- Place of worship
- Hanoi
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30 1 hourTao 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
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31 45 minSon 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
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.