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Best Places to Visit in Vietnam (2026): A Region-by-Region Guide
Vietnam packs an astonishing amount into one long, S-shaped country: misty rice terraces in the north, UNESCO-listed old towns and beaches in the centre, and a buzzing metropolis and river life in the south. For Indian travellers it's one of Southeast Asia's best-value trips — a convenient e-visa, short connecting flights, and plenty of vegetarian and Indian food along the way.
Here are the best places to visit in Vietnam, roughly north to south, plus how to string them into one trip.
How to plan a Vietnam trip
Think of Vietnam in three parts:
- The North — Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa. Culture, karst scenery and mountains.
- The Centre — Hoi An, Da Nang and Phong Nha. Old towns, beaches and giant caves.
- The South — Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Da Lat and the island of Phu Quoc. City energy, river life and highlands.
Most travellers go north to south (Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City) or the reverse, hopping between regions with cheap domestic flights.
Best time to visit Vietnam
Because the country is so long, the weather varies by region, but broadly:
- North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long): best from October to April; cool and clear.
- Centre (Hoi An, Da Nang): best February to August; avoid the October–November rains.
- South (Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc): dry season November to April.
For a single trip covering the whole country, February to April gives you the best all-round weather.
How many days do you need?
A classic end-to-end Vietnam trip takes 10 to 14 days. With a week you can comfortably do either the north (Hanoi + Ha Long + Ninh Binh) or the centre-plus-south (Hoi An/Da Nang + Saigon).
The best places to visit in Vietnam
From Ha Long Bay's karst seascape to Hoi An's lantern-lit streets and the caves of Phong Nha, these are the destinations worth building your route around. Want it organised end-to-end? See our Vietnam group tour covering Ba Na, Ha Long and Sa Pa. (Live ratings below are pulled from our places library.)
A suggested 2-week route
- Days 1–3: Hanoi and a day trip to Ninh Binh (Trang An).
- Days 4–5: Overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.
- Days 6–7: Fly to Da Nang; the Golden Bridge and beaches.
- Days 8–9: Hoi An's old town and lantern nights.
- Days 10–11: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City; Cu Chi Tunnels and city sights.
- Days 12–13: Mekong Delta day trip, or fly to Phu Quoc for the beach.
- Day 14: Fly home.
Practical tips for Indian travellers
- Visa: Indians need a Vietnam e-visa (applied online, valid up to 90 days). The island of Phu Quoc has a separate 30-day visa exemption if you arrive directly there — see our step-by-step Vietnam e-visa guide.
- Food: vegetarian Vietnamese food ("an chay") is easy to find, and major cities have Indian restaurants.
- Getting around: book cheap domestic flights (Vietjet, Bamboo, Vietnam Airlines) between regions and use the Grab app in cities.
- Money: the Vietnamese Dong (VND); carry some cash, cards work in cities.
Related reading
Things to Do
1Hanoi
Vietnam's thousand-year-old capital — the buzzing Old Quarter, lakeside cafes, egg coffee, street food and French-colonial boulevards. Most northern trips start here.
Planning a trip to Vietnam?
We've already done all of this for you. Our Cable Cars & Coastlines: Phu Quoc Unplugged includes a curated food plan — every restaurant on this page pre-vetted, dietary needs communicated in the local language.
WhatsApp UsFrequently Asked Questions
What are the best places to visit in Vietnam?
The highlights are Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa in the north; Hoi An, Da Nang and Phong Nha in the centre; and Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Da Lat and Phu Quoc island in the south.
How many days do you need to visit Vietnam?
A classic north-to-south trip covering the main highlights takes 10 to 14 days. With about a week you can do either the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh) or the centre and south (Hoi An/Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City).
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
It varies by region because the country is so long. The north is best October–April, the centre February–August, and the south November–April. For one trip covering the whole country, February to April offers the best all-round weather.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes — Indian citizens need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online and valid for up to 90 days. The island of Phu Quoc has a separate 30-day visa exemption if you fly in directly and stay on the island.
Should I travel Vietnam north to south or south to north?
Either works. Most people go Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang/Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City (north to south) or the reverse, hopping between regions on cheap domestic flights.
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