Vietnam isn’t just one destination—it’s a collection of vibrant cities, each with its own personality, pace, and charm. Whether you’re craving ancient temples, buzzing street food scenes, or calm riverside towns wrapped in lantern light, Vietnam’s cities offer something for every kind of traveler.
Why Vietnam?
Southeast Asia is full of incredible travel spots, but Vietnam stands out with its seamless blend of the old and new. One minute you’re sipping coffee in a sleek rooftop bar, the next you’re getting lost in alleys that haven’t changed in decades. Add in affordable prices, incredible food, welcoming locals, and jaw-dropping landscapes—and you’ve got a country that keeps pulling travelers back again and again.
Read more: 20 Irresistible Reasons Why Vietnam Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
1. Hanoi – The Soul of the Nation
If Vietnam were a song, Hanoi would be its nostalgic melody—gentle, poetic, and rich with stories. As the capital city, Hanoi is where tradition hums beneath the surface of modern life. You’ll find crumbling French-colonial buildings standing proudly beside sleek new cafes, while lakeside pagodas offer quiet moments amidst the scooter-filled buzz.
Start your day sipping egg coffee in the Old Quarter, where narrow alleys reveal hidden temples, antique shophouses, and the aroma of sizzling street food. Take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning and you’ll spot locals practicing “tai chi”, or just soaking up the peace before the city truly wakes up.
But Hanoi isn’t just calm and culture – it’s got edge too. At night, “bia hơi” corners come alive with laughter, cheap beer, and clinking glasses, while the train street sends shivers of excitement down every visitor’s spine as the locomotive rumbles past just inches away.
(Image: Ha Noi Old Quarter – Vietnam)
💡Must-visit: Hoan Kiem Lake, Train Street, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Long Bien Bridge
🍜 Must-try: Phở bò, bún chả, egg coffee, bia hơi (fresh local beer)
Read more: 11 Hanoi Experiences That Are Totally Worth Waking Up Early For
2. Sapa – Mountain Escapes and Ethnic Culture
Located in Vietnam’s far north, Sapa is a dreamy highland retreat famous for its cool climate, terraced rice fields, and colorful ethnic minority cultures. Set against a backdrop of misty mountains and valleys, this former French hill station is a top choice for travelers craving both nature and cultural immersion.
Whether you’re hiking through the postcard-perfect Muong Hoa Valley, chasing clouds at the top of Fansipan – the “Roof of Indochina”, or simply wandering the Sapa town markets, there’s no shortage of soul-stirring experiences here. The highlight? Meeting the warm-hearted Hmong, Dao, and Tay locals and maybe even joining a family homestay.
(Image: Sapa – Vietnam)
💡 Must-visit: Fansipan Cable Car, Cat Cat Village
🍜 Must-try: Thang Co – a traditional highland stew, grilled street food on chilly night
3. Ha Long – The Bay of Legends
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and global travel icon, Ha Long Bay lives up to the hype. This otherworldly seascape of emerald waters and limestone karsts feels like sailing through a painting.
The best way to experience it? Book an overnight cruise that weaves through hidden caves, floating villages, and quiet lagoons. Kayak, swim, or simply sip a cocktail on the sundeck – it’s all about soaking in the natural magic. Ha Long also connects easily to Cat Ba Island for those who prefer a quieter, more nature-centric escape.
(Image: Ha Long Bay – photo by Kelum Rubasin)
💡 Must-visit: Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Island, Cat Ba National Park
🍜 Must-try: Fresh seafood BBQ on the cruise
4. Hue – The Imperial Heart of Vietnam
If you’re craving a slower pace and stories etched in stone, Hue is your place. This former capital is Vietnam’s soul of royal history – a city that whispers secrets from the past while floating gently along the Perfume River.
The main star here? The sprawling Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with moss-covered gates, ancient palaces, and dragon-adorned temples that once housed emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. It feels like stepping into a Vietnamese Game of Thrones episode—minus the dragons (but keep an eye out for incense smoke!).
But don’t stop at the citadel. Rent a bike and explore further out to the royal tombs, tucked in forested hills and filled with surprising architectural beauty. Cruise the Perfume River at sunset, drop by the Thien Mu Pagoda, or just find a quiet cafe along the riverbanks and take it all in.
Hue also shines on the plate. It’s the birthplace of some of Vietnam’s most elegant cuisine – from tiny rice cakes topped with shrimp (bánh bèo) to spicy beef noodle soup (bún bò) that hits different in its hometown.
(Image: Hue Imperial City – Vietnam)
💡 Must-visit: Imperial City, Tomb of Khai Dinh, Tomb of Minh Mang, Thien Mu Pagoda, Perfume River
🍜 Must-try: Bún bò Huế, bánh bèo, bánh khoái, Hue-style herbal tea
Read more: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Hue
5. Da Nang – The Best of Beach Life and City Vibes
Da Nang is famously known as Vietnam’s most livable city – and once you visit, you’ll see why. – but it’s so much more than a layover. This coastal city has it all: stunning beaches, epic mountains, buzzing nightlife, and some of Vietnam’s most jaw-dropping bridges.
Start your day with a sunrise walk on My Khe Beach, where locals do tai chi by the waves. Then head up to Son Tra Peninsula to meet the giant Lady Buddha statue and enjoy panoramic views of the coast. If you’re feeling adventurous, zip up to Ba Na Hills and walk the iconic Golden Bridge held up by giant stone hands—it’s one of Vietnam’s most famous photo ops for a reason.
Da Nang also boasts a growing food scene, from fresh seafood to Central Vietnamese specialties like Mỳ Quảng. And when night falls? The city lights up with dragon bridge fire shows and lively riverside cafes.
(Image: Da Nang – Vietnam)
💡 Must-visit: My Khe Beach, Marble Mountains, Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula
🍜 Must-try: Mỳ Quảng, seafood hotpot, avocado ice cream, Bánh xèo
Read more: 10 Reasons Why Da Nang Should Be Your Next Adventure
6. Hoi An – Where Time Slows Down
Hoi An is that kind of place you dream about long after you’ve left. Cobblestone streets, golden-yellow shophouses, glowing lanterns swaying in the breeze – this ancient town looks like it was designed for wanderers and romantics.
Once a bustling port city, Hoi An now offers peaceful walks through UNESCO-listed Old Town, where no cars are allowed, and every corner feels like a postcard. Whether you’re snapping photos of the Japanese Covered Bridge, admiring the preserved Chinese assembly halls, or shopping for tailor-made clothes, it’s all wrapped in charm.
At night, the town transforms into a twinkling wonderland as thousands of lanterns light up the streets. But even better? You can launch your own candlelit lantern into the river while making a wish.
Just a short bike ride away, you’ll find rice paddies, water buffaloes, and local life in full swing. Or head to An Bang Beach to sip a coconut with your feet in the sand.
💡 Must-visit: Hoi An Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, An Bang Beach, Tra Que Vegetable Village
🍜 Must-try: Cao lầu, bánh mì Phượng, white rose dumplings, fresh herbal teas
(Image: Hoi An – Vietnam)
Read more: Why Everyone Falls for Hoi An – 10 Things to Do When You’re There
7. Da Lat – Vietnam’s Romantic Mountain Retreat
Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring”, Da Lat offers a refreshing escape from the heat and hustle of Vietnam’s bigger cities. With pine-covered hills, misty lakes, and flower-filled valleys, Da Lat feels like a dreamy highland town that belongs in a fairytale.
Originally built as a French hill station, the city still wears its colonial charm with European-style villas and quirky architecture. You’ll find cafés tucked into the hills, colorful local markets, and a cool climate perfect for cozy sweater weather all year round.
For nature lovers and adventurers, Da Lat is a dream. Think canyoning down waterfalls, paddling on serene lakes, or sipping coffee at a cliffside café with panoramic mountain views.
(Image: Da Lat – Vietnam)
💡 Must-visit: Xuan Huong Lake, Crazy House, Datanla Waterfall, Valley of Love
🍜 Must-try: Strawberry jam, avocado ice cream, bánh tráng nướng
8. Ho Chi Minh City – Where Energy Never Sleeps
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest metropolis and the pulse of the country’s modern identity. While Hanoi is the historical and cultural capital, Saigon is the economic and creative powerhouse, where skyscrapers rise beside colonial-era buildings and street food stalls sit just steps away from rooftop cocktail bars.
There’s always something happening here. Whether you’re wandering through Ben Thanh Market, exploring the French architecture of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, or delving underground into the Cu Chi Tunnels, the city is a mix of grit, glam, and unfiltered energy. It’s loud, chaotic, dynamic, and endlessly fascinating.
(Image: Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam)
💡 Must-visit: War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Nguyen Hue Walking Street
🍜 Must-try: Cơm tấm, bánh mì, cà phê sữa đá
Read more: 9 Reasons Ho Chi Minh City Will Steal Your Heart
9. Phu Quoc – Paradise Island in the South
Tucked away in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island and a tropical dream come true. With white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and some of the clearest waters in the country, it’s the go-to spot for sun-seekers and honeymooners alike.
But it’s more than just beach vibes. The island has grown into a full-fledged resort destination with luxury hotels, water parks, night markets, and even the world’s longest over-sea cable car to Hon Thom Island. You can snorkel in coral reefs, visit a traditional fish sauce factory, or hike through Phu Quoc National Park.
💡 Must-visit: Sao Beach, Hon Thom Cable Car, Phu Quoc Night Market
🍜 Must-try: Phu Quoc fish sauce, grilled sea urchin, coconut ice cream
(Image: Phu Quoc Island – Vietnam)
10. Can Tho – Floating Markets and River Life
As the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho offers a front-row seat to Vietnam’s waterway culture. Life here flows with the rivers, and exploring by boat is the best way to witness it.
Wake up before dawn to catch the iconic Cai Rang Floating Market, where locals trade fruits and vegetables from boat to boat. Then glide through quiet canals, visit lush fruit orchards, and stop by riverside villages for a taste of delta hospitality. It’s a slower, more soulful side of Vietnam that many travelers miss—but shouldn’t.
💡 Must-visit: Cai Rang Floating Market, Binh Thuy Ancient House, local boat tours
🍜 Must-try: Bánh xèo (crispy rice pancakes), hủ tiếu (southern noodle soup)
(Image: Cai Rang Floating Market – Can Tho – Vietnam)
Ready to Explore Vietnam from North to South?
From the cool mountains of Sapa to the vibrant riverways of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam is a country that unfolds in layers. Each city – whether it’s steeped in history like Hue, glowing with charm like Hoi An, or buzzing with modern life like Ho Chi Minh City, offers its own unique vibe, flavors, and memories.
Traveling from north to south not only shows you Vietnam’s incredible geographic diversity but also its rich cultural and regional differences. You’ll go from sipping egg coffee in Hanoi to lounging on Phu Quoc’s beaches – all in one unforgettable trip.
So pack your bags, charge your camera, and bring your appetite – Vietnam is waiting.
Read more: North, Central or South Vietnam Where should you go
✨ Contact us for personalized itinerary ideas, travel tips, or guided tours – our Vietnam Lovely Travel team is here to help you make the most of your Vietnam adventure!