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 R...
Photograph · Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0
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
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.
126 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
Cholon is Saigon's historic Chinatown, a sprawling commercial and residential district in Ho Chi Minh City. Established in the late eighteenth century, it developed as a separate city before merging with Saigon proper.
Long Bien Bridge is a historic cantilever bridge across the Red River in Hanoi, Vietnam. Constructed during the French colonial period, it was designed by Gustave Eiffel's company and completed in the early twentieth century.
Nguyen Van Binh Book Street is a pedestrian thoroughfare in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to books and reading culture. It stretches beside Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon in District 1.
Bui Vien Walking Street is the dominant backpacker nightlife street in Ho Chi Minh City and a nationally recognised visitor district. Located in District 1, it forms the western anchor of the city's backpacker quarter alongside Pham Ngu Lao Street.
Da Nang Downtown is the city's principal amusement complex, serving as a central hub for nightlife and entertainment in Da Nang, Vietnam. The area functions as a mixed-use destination combining commercial, recreational, and social functions.
Phung Hung Mural Street is a public art installation along Phung Hung Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
The Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural is a monumental public artwork in Vietnam's capital. Commissioned in 2007 for the Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi, it holds recognition as one of the world's largest ceramic mosaics.
Thac Gian Communal House is a Vietnamese đình, or traditional village communal house, located in central Da Nang. It stands as an independent national architectural heritage site, recognized for its historical and cultural significance to the region.
Dong Khoi Street is one of central Ho Chi Minh City's best-known urban corridors. In District 1, it links a lively commercial setting with the city's historic core.
Tran Thi Ly Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Han River in Da Nang, Vietnam. The structure serves as a vital transportation link connecting districts of the central Vietnamese city.
Thuan Phuoc Bridge is a cable-stayed crossing over the Han River in Da Nang, linking the city centre with the eastern side and the route toward Son Tra Peninsula.
Hoàng thành Thăng Long
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Hanoi, Vietnam.
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.
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.
Cầu Rồng
Dragon Bridge, known locally as Cầu Rồng, is a steel bridge spanning the Hàn River in Da Nang, Vietnam.
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.
Nhà tù Hỏa Lò
Hoa Lo Prison Relic, locally known as Di tích Nhà tù Hỏa Lò, is a historical museum in Hanoi. The site preserves a former colonial-era prison complex.
Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh
The War Remnants Museum, known locally as Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh, stands as a significant institution in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to documenting the Vietnam War and its enduring consequences.
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.
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.
Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật Việt Nam
The Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts is a state-run institution in Hanoi dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Vietnamese visual art. Housed in a colonial-era building, it serves as the country's principal repository for fine arts.
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.
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.
Bảo tàng Hồ Chí Minh
The Ho Chi Minh Museum is a major state museum in Hanoi dedicated to the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of modern Vietnam.
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.
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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