We travelled in Vietnam for just over two weeks, skipping the beach destinations to focus on the mountains, culture, and countryside. We travel as a couple and like to stay active during our trips, avoid big crowds, and learn about the countries we visit. So this list of highlights reflects our preferences – yours might be different!
We genuinely enjoyed every place we visited and would recommend them all, but some places stood out more than others, and a few were a little below our expectations. The numbers correspond to the number on the map at the end of the article.
Our top 5 highlights
1. Don Village, Pu Luong Nature Reserve
This village in the Pu Luong region, and our accommodation there (Pu Luong Boutique Garden*), was an absolute standout. There isn’t much to “do” there, and that’s exactly why we loved it. After the buzz of Hanoi and the tourist crowds in Ninh Binh, it felt like a peaceful haven. We slowed down, soaked up the stunning views of the lush green rice fields with the mountains in the background, and just breathed. It’s a great place to relax for a day or two in between more active stops.
Good to know: There are no ATMs nearby. You can often pay by card, but there’s a surcharge (~3.5%) so you may prefer to bring cash!
2. Bai Tu Long Bay
We’re very glad we picked Bai Tu Long instead of Halong Bay. They say it’s just as beautiful and feels much quieter. There were only a handful of boats around. The cruise is quite structured, so don’t expect freedom: meals are at set times, and all the activities are guided. But honestly, the landscapes are so spectacular, we didn’t mind following the strict schedule. The kayaking and beach stop were peaceful and scenic, and we never felt rushed.
Good to know: Bring a jacket as it can get breezy on the deck, especially during the early morning or evening, and you may not be able to increase the air con temperature in your room.
3. Hue
We didn’t know much about Hue before visiting, but it really impressed us. The historic sites are well-preserved and interesting, and the city felt lively without being overwhelming. We also found the local food specialties in Hue particularly delicious and definitely worth exploring.
Good to know: If we had more time (and no knee injury), we would have added a day tour to Phong Nha Cave* from Hue – it looks spectacular.
4. Trang An, Ninh Binh
This one is a popular tourist spot, and you’ll likely be in a long line of boats. But it’s stunning. The boat ride through caves and between limestone peaks was unique and rather peaceful, despite the number of visitors. If you go with the mindset that it’s a big tourist attraction, you should find it impressive without being too bothered by the crowd.
Good to know: It’s less busy early in the morning. Option 1 has the fewest caves, but it’s the shortest route if you’re short on time.
5. Hoa Lu ancient town, Ninh Binh
While the Ancient Capital’s temples weren’t as interesting as we expected (probably due to our guide not being very engaging), the nearby re-creation of the ancient town, opened in 2022, was a surprise hit. We visited in the evening, and it was calm and enchanting on one side and lively with many restaurants along the river on the other.
Good to know: Stairs lead to Ky Lan Pagoda, perched on top of Ky Lan Mountain (50m high), for panoramic views.
Places that matched or exceeded our expectations
6. Ta Van village, Sapa region
I was worried about visiting Sapa after hearing it was overcrowded, built for tourists, unauthentic and full of traffic. So we skipped Sapa town and the most famous attractions like Fansipan*. Instead, we stayed in the village of Ta Van, which felt quiet with beautiful countryside views. The treks we did were scenic and not too hard. We met a few groups of tourists in the morning (none in the afternoon!), but it was far from being crowded. However, the number of souvenir sellers, especially in Lao Chai, felt excessive. Still, it’s a beautiful area worth visiting if you avoid the busiest spots.
Good to know: Try a set menu from an ethnic minority group; we had one from the Dzay people and it was delicious.
7. Ha Giang Loop
This is a proper adventure. It’s exhausting and not for everyone: you’ll likely feel sore and tired, and maybe anxious. Still, we loved it. The landscapes are jaw-dropping and we learnt a lot about the country. The small group connection made a big difference too; sharing this special experience with others, including our local guide and drivers, created some great memories.
Good to know: Choose your tour wisely to avoid big groups, as they are often made of young Europeans who enjoy loud music and partying, which isn’t ideal if you’re after a nature experience. Our tour was organised by OHG Travel – Ha Giang Open Tour*.
Have you thought about travel insurance?
We never go overseas without it, especially to cover medical expenses. In Vietnam, motorbike travel is common (for example, for the Ha Giang Loop or on city tours in Ho Chi Minh City), so we made sure our policy covered that. It’s something worth checking, as it’s not always included. Some providers, like Cover-More*, offer options to easily include motorbike coverage if that’s relevant to your trip.
8. Hoi An
Hoi An is fascinating with its rich history influenced by many cultures. We enjoyed visiting the heritage buildings and learning about the local crafts. But it gets very busy at night, especially along the river with the lanterns and boat rides. We much preferred wandering around during the day. While many visitors find it fun, if you’re not into touristy attractions but more interested in authentic experiences, you should skip the basket boat ride*; it felt fake and not for us.
Good to know: Take time to cycle through the rice fields between Hoi An and Tra Que (we did a tour with Spring Onion Family Tour*); it’s beautiful before the rice harvest season!
9. Hanoi Old Quarter
We didn’t spend as much time there as we should have, but really enjoyed our brief stay. The walking streets on the weekend were lively, and the food was excellent. Yes, crossing the road is a bit of a challenge at first, but we felt comfortable walking around the Old Quarter.
Good to know: Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning to see another facet of Hanoi: it’s calm, and you’ll see locals practising tai chi and dancing.
10. Ho Chi Minh City
It’s so different to Hanoi: more modern and the traffic was next-level intense. We found it interesting to learn about the Vietnam War, especially the Cu Chi Tunnels and the story of Thich Quang Duc. The food in Ho Chi Minh was fantastic, and we found some great walking areas to explore the city without the traffic chaos.
Good to know: A street food scooter tour* was a great way to discover different spots and see the city by night.
11. Bat Cave (Doi Cave), Pu Luong
I still cannot believe we were the only ones visiting that cave. It felt like we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. The cave is massive and you can explore freely without barriers or crowds. The natural rock formations inside were stunning with layers of limestone with beautiful textures, colours and contrasts, especially where light could get in.
Good to know: Wear good shoes as it can be steep and slippery. Also, cars don’t go down to the cave, but you can pay a local for a ride to the village (and back up) to save time and energy.
Have you been to Vietnam? What were your highlights? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where we were a bit disappointed (but still glad we went)
12. Mua Cave, Ninh Binh
The views from the top are amazing, but it was very crowded at the end of the afternoon. Plus, we were told the walk up wouldn’t be too hard, but the steps were uneven, steep, and slippery, which was a bit stressful as I was still recovering from a knee surgery.
Good to know: Come early morning to avoid the crowds, plus it gets hot and humid later in the day.
13. Ben Tre day trip, Mekong Delta
We had a pleasant day, but it didn’t wow us like other parts of Vietnam. The landscapes weren’t as impressive, and the visit to the brick factory felt underwhelming – maybe because no one was working when we were there. I also wonder if the development of motorways and bridges has changed the character of the Mekong Delta, making river life less visible on a short day trip. Or maybe we had bad timing. It was still interesting and we’re glad we went, but it wasn’t a highlight.
Good to know: Try a 2-day tour if you want a deeper experience. One day didn’t feel like enough to really connect with the region.
Where are these places in Vietnam?
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Vietnam is so high up on my travel list! This is such a useful guide, especially on Hoi An. Bai Tu Long seems like a good alternative – love the views!! Saving this post to read later for planning my trip.
what a vibrant place! such rich history and colorful sites to visit..thanks for the inspiration
Thank you for such a detailed post. Makes planning a trip to a new destination so helpful.
I found myself clicking all your awesome tour links – what a great variety to experience in Vietnam. I love trying different food in new places, but do you ever worry about getting sick eating street food? I also liked your honest take of perhaps skipping the basket boat ride in Hoi An as a tourist trap – it’s been on TV so much, I’ve always wondered about it.
Hi Tanya! It’s true there’s always a risk of getting sick from street food but to be honest, it can happen in restaurants too. We usually ask locals for advice (a big perk of having guides), go for busy stalls with fresh food cooked to order, and stick to well-cooked meat or vegetarian options. We also bring medication just in case… though we’ve never had to use it!
As for the basket boat ride, some people clearly loved it, but it’s definitely not for everyone. I think the boat spinning option had more chance of making me sick than street food 😉
Vietnam is so high on my want to visit list! Saving this for when I plan my trip!
Love your pictures. I didn’t have any idea of how beautiful it was there. Don Village pics blew me away. Thanks for sharing, this was inspirational to see and read. I need to plan a trip.
Great article! I love how you organized the different areas based on your take/expectations. The pictures you have included are wonderful and really give me such a better idea of what it is like!