Vietnam Travel Guide: The 3 Glorious Regions

Vietnam Travel Guide: The 3 Glorious Regions

We’ve previously broken down all our tips and tricks to traveling to Vietnam – from VISA information to packing lists – but now we’d like to take a deeper dive into what makes Vietnam such a splendid country to visit.

To do that, we’d like to break down the 3 regions that make up the country – the North, Central, and South – and offer you the top attractions and cities to visit on your trip to Vietnam. Within each of these regions are small geographical regions and provinces, but will mainly focus on the larger 3. Each of these regions can be explored individually or as one packaged Vietnam holiday. So, let’s hop into Vietnam’s 3 great regions and the top things to do in each of them.

North

Comprising the upper half of Vietnam, the North is considered the cradle of Vietnamese culture, as the first Vietnamese settlers founded villages along the Red River Delta here over 2,000 years ago and begin expanding down all the way to the Mekong.

Hanoi

Capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stunning blended of tradition, culture, and modern metropolis. History buffs will love exploring the classical lanes of the Old Quarter and pagodas along Hoan Kiem Lake along the French and Chinese architecture. Compacted into a maze of scooter filled streets and loud street markets, Hanoi is a great place to immerse yourself in local culture, from delectable street food to stunning Water Puppet Shows. Those looking to relax can still enjoy the tranquility of Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, and Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Sapa

Perfect for exploring the Northwest, the township of Sapa is a hikers paradise and gateway to the picturesque rice paddie fields and hillside villages of the region. Most Vietnam tour packages to the North include at least two days to hike Sapa, meet local villagers in Ta Van, and learn about the ethnic minorities of the region.

Halong Bay

Probably the most famous attraction in Vietnam, Halong Bay is a world renowned World Heirtage site composed of karst islands, tranquil green waters, floating villages, and hidden caves. You can spend a week exploring its over 1,600 islands and 43,400 ha landscape and still not get tired of it. A Halong Bay cruise is a must for any visitor to Vietnam.

Ninh Binh

Though it is sometimes overlooked on Vietnam tours, Ninh Binh is one of the many hidden gems of Vietnam. Located in the Red River Delta, this province houses the birthplace of Vietnam, the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and Bai Dinh Temple, where the largest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia dwells. Alongside being an important historical site, Ninh Binh province is also home to Trang An Scenic Complex, a stunning array of rivers and mountains that was most recently featured in “Kong: Skull Island.”

Here you can discover Tam Coc, or “three caves,” an enchanting collection of natural caves that can explore by small boats. Tam Coc is also known as “Halong Bay on land.”

Central

Though not as well traveled as the North and South, Central Vietnam is just as majestic, historical, and stunning. From gorgeous beaches to ancient cities, towering mountain ranges to even an underground national park, Central Vietnam offers travelers a variety of attractions to explore.

Danang

One of the gateways to Vietnam, Danang is usually only known for its international airport and the easy transfer to Hoi An, and that’s a shame. Evolving just as fast as Dubai, Danang has transformed from a rural and traditional township to a stunning, modern city with a variety of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

This is most notably seen in the Dragon Bridge, which is best visit at night when it shines. You can enjoy its any gorgeous forests, take a day trip to the towering Marble Mountains, or hike the tropical Ba Na Hills, but do not dismiss the beauty of this great city.

Hoi An

Known as the ancient town, Hoi An rests on the northern bank of the Thu Bon River, with any of the waterways running through the city as picturesque canals. With fishing and agriculture as the chief industries, you can commonly see boats navigating the canals with fresh food for markets. Peaceful, Hoi An is one of the best places to immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture, with numerous cultural tours to learn from local farmers and fisherman firsthand.

You can also explore the local architecture and attractions, such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and the Ancient Town itself. It is also the closest major city to My Son, but we’ll get to that a little later.

Hue

Once the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty and Vietnam, Hue is just 3 hours from Hoi An and 2 hours from Danang. Resting on the Perfume River, Hue is similar to Hoi An in it’s rich historical heritage, housing Hue Citadel (site of the Imperial City), Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Minh Mang Tombs. Beyond the city, visitors can easily join a cruise along Perfume River to encounter the local craft villages in the region.

Or, if you’re looking to escape to nature, head on over to Bach Ma National Park, which is home to thousands of rare fauna and flora.

My Son

Another famous site in Vietnam, My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of ancient Hindu temples built by the Champa kings. Set in a lush valley, the ruins are composed of roughly 20 structures of various architectural styles. A must see for any trip to Central Vietnam, a day trip from Hoi An can easily be arranged with a local guide to learn the historical and religious significance of the site.

Da Lat

Much further south is Da Lat, a inland city of cool weather, French-colonial architecture, and fruit farms. Concidered somewhat out of place compared to the more tropical and traditional regions of Vietnam, Da Lat is a popular vacation spot for domestic travelers, while being a perfect break for international tourists who are drained form the humidity.

You can also enjoy a visit to Pongour Waterfall, a stunning cascade, or, if you are looking for something out of place on your trip, visit Hang Nga guesthouse, aka the Crazy House, designed by ipressionist Dang Viet Nga.

Nha Trang

Now, Vietnam is not all just majestic landscapes, historical cities, and cultural encounters – it’s also a great spot to relax by the beach. If you’re looking for a beachside vacation, than Nha Trang is the place to be. Home to multiple lovely beach resorts, Nha Trang is a laidback city perfect for relaxing in the and partying in the night.

South

Alright, last but definitely not least, we have the South, site of the tragic Vietnam War which still has left scars on the country and region to this day, most notably chronicled at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels. In spite of these war, the region has flourished with the rise of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city by population.

Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City was named in honor of Ho Chi Minh, the late president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Like it’s Northern neighbor Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is rich in traditional architecture and culture, but also leans more towards a modern metropolis, with the growing residential districts.

Here you’ll encounter more Western-style buildings, such as the French-colonial Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Opera House, and Reunification Palace, all must see spots in the city. It is also the gateway to two other key attractions in Vietnam.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Formerly used by the Viet Cong forces during the Vietnam War, this network of underground tunnels stretch throughout the region and served as important military bases for the revolutionary forces. Today those tunnels have been preserved by the Vietna government to educate visitors about the war. On a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City you can enter a portion of the tunnels with expert guides and learn the military importance of the tunnels.

Mekong Delta

Further south you’ll discover the famous Mekong Delta, an expansive river delta centered around the extensive Mekong River. Either explore by bike or boat, the Mekong Delta is well worth the trip to Vietnam and is the perfect escape to the countryside, much like Sapa in the north. In contrast, you’ll be exploring lush tropical forests and explore floating markets like Cai Be. Relax as you cruise through the waterways and learn about local life on a Mekong Delta tour.

Phu Quoc

Lastly, we have Phu Quoc, a twin to Nha Trang at the very end of Vietnam. The largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc is the perfect end to your Vietnam trip, offering teh chance to relax at a lovely resort, kayak to secluded beaches, and enjoy a magical sunset.

If you are looking to visit Vietnam you can enjoy the beauty of the country with a variety of Vietnam tours or learn all the tips and tricks to planning your next vacation, please subscribe to our Tours4fun Newsletter below for exclusive deals.

John Gray

A poet by heart and an editor by trade, I have traveled across the world in pursuit of my studies and to criss-cross destinations off my bucket list. While a student at the University of Iowa, I traveled to Cuba, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, where I lived for 6 months. I am currently planning a return trip to see the Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia.

3 thoughts on “Vietnam Travel Guide: The 3 Glorious Regions

  1. Hey John! I like this article because it's very informative. Vietnam is one of the top destinations for tourists visiting Southeast Asia.
    One of my top destinations in the North is Hanoi. Due to my love for history, I love exploring the French and Chinese architecture by visiting the Old Quarter.

  2. Thanks, John Gray.
    I love this article.
    It attracts me from start to end.
    I am about to have a trip from South to North Vietnam. Should I add Mui Ne to upcoming journey?

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