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  • 12 Best Cities & Towns In Vietnam: Beautiful Destinations for Every Type of Traveller

    Eunis Ong
    Eunis Ong
    Last updated 4 Dec 2023
    best cities in vietnam

    Next stop, Vietnam?

    vietnam best travel destination city
    If you think bustling cities with crazy traffic is all there is to Vietnam, think again. Every city and region in this diverse country has its own charm - sandy beaches, hearty street food, vibrant cities, quaint old towns, and chilly highlands, Vietnam has it all.
    Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a beach lover or foodie, we promise there's a city (or town!) in Vietnam for you. Still have doubts? We've compiled a list of our favourite travel destinations in Vietnam for you to add to your travel checklist! Ready to take your pick? 🇻🇳

    Best cities and towns in Vietnam (grouped by regions)

    Northern Vietnam

    1. Hanoi

    vietnam travel ha noi hanoi from malaysia
    vietnam travel ha noi hanoi from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: bustling cities, pho, old town vibes
    Vietnam's charming yet frenzy capital can be overwhelming for some, but it has a bustling charm that's easy to fall in love with after spending some time here. Take time to explore Hanoi's old town quarter lined with cosy cafes, ancient shops, and secluded pagodas, stroll along the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, and indulge in cheap, authentic Vietnamese food (please eat as much bún chả as you can!) while sitting on low stools by the street. For a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle, book a day tour to the famed Halong Bay, located just under 3 hours from Hanoi.

    2. Sa Pa

    vietnam travel sa pa sapa from malaysia
    vietnam travel sa pa sapa from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: hiking, nature, the chilly highlands
    Located a 5-hour bus or train ride away from Hanoi, Sa Pa is pretty close to the bustling capital city but feels worlds apart with its sprawling rice fields and majestic mountains. Sa Pa is the perfect destination for those who love trekking, nature, and cool weather - you'll even get to catch a glimpse of colourful flowers if you travel here in spring. For the best views, hike or catch a cable car to the top of Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam!
    Klook Tip: the best time to visit Sa Pa is from March to May, and September to November, when the weather is dry and sunny yet also cooling. Avoid the rainy months and winters if you're not a fan of the cold.
    Travel comfortably between Hanoi and Sapa in a cosy 9-seater limousine car! Sit back and relax with soft seats and VIP door-to-door service, bookable at 18% off on Klook.

    3. Ninh Binh

    best vietnam city travel ninh binh from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel ninh binh from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: nature, tranquil adventures
    Nestled in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, Ninh Binh town is an easy 1.5-hour journey away from Hanoi. The town is known for its breathtaking landscapes made up of scenic limestones hills and green rice paddies, and promises a breath of fresh air that's vastly different from hectic Hanoi. Besides spending time in Ninh Binh town, many tourists also plan stopovers at nearby scenic destinations such as Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, and Van Long. If Halong Bay is too touristy for you, Ninh Binh is the perfect alternative spot to soak up those #nature vibes. 🍃

    4. Ha Giang

    best vietnam city travel ha giang from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel ha giang from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: road trips, nature, mountains, hiking
    With close to 300km in between, Ha Giang can be reached from Hanoi via a 6-hour bus journey. If you love adventure, you'll get a taste of it in this highlands province filled with foggy villages (home to local ethnic minorities), rugged karst mountains landscapes, and some of the most impressive (yet super steep) mountain passes. Ha Giang is dotted with tons of hidden gems, many which are not easy to get to, but doable if you do your research. Some of our favourites include the stunning rice fields of Hoang Su Phi and the Lung Cu Flag Tower, the tallest flag tower in the country.

    Central Vietnam

    5. Da Nang

    best vietnam city travel da nang danang from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel da nang danang from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: beaches, laid-back vibes
    Prefer beaches over nature expeditions and bustling cities? We've got the perfect Vietnamese city for you! Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang is a developing coastal city blessed with sunny beaches as well as magnificent mountains and unique attractions. The city offers a plethora of fun activities for all types of travellers - whether you'd like to climb the majestic Marble Mountains, sunbathe by the beach, or spend a fun day at Ba Na Hills (most known for the 'Golden Hand Bridge'!), it's really up to you.

    6. Hoi An

    vietnam travel hoi an from malaysia
    vietnam travel hoi an from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: culture, old buildings
    Hoi An is Vietnam's quiet, charming, ancient city. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An isn't loud and overwhelming, instead, it's filled with well-preserved heritage houses, colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, colourful lanterns, and pretty bridges. Looking to do something unique when in Hoi An? Pop by the Cam Thanh Village (located just 3km southeast of Hoi An old town) and explore the palm forest on a basket boat rowed by enthusiastic local boatmen!

    7. Hue

    vietnam travel hue from malaysia
    vietnam travel hue from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: culture, old architecture, art
    Often visited alongside Hoi An, Hue is a former Vietnamese capital that's home to the magnificent Imperial City, entertaining museums, and tombs built in honour of Hue's prominent emperors. If you love learning about history, Hue promises an insightful adventure that will take you back in time. For a refreshing change of scenery and to pamper your soul and body, head to the Alba Thanh Tan Hot Springs for a hot spring dip or some zipline fun!

    8. Nha Trang

    best vietnam city travel nha trang from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel nha trang from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: beaches, theme parks, seafood
    Here's another option for those who love the beach! Much like Da Nang, Nha Trang is a sunshine city with a 7km stretch of pristine sand and clear water, plus a bay with 19 islands. Besides beaches, Nha Trang is also home to the amazing Vinwonders amusement park, known as Vietnam's Disneyland. 🎡 Connected to the mainland by the world's longest cable car, Vinwonders theme park has an amazing water park, a giant ferris wheel, an aquarium, bumper cars, an alpine coaster, 880m-long zip line, and more. Stay till night fall to catch their musical water fountain show and castle light-up. ✨

    9. Da Lat

    best vietnam city travel da lat dalat from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel da lat dalat from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: flowers, chilly weather, cafes
    Want to venture a lil off the beaten path? Make your way to Da Lat, a charming scenic mountain town in the Central Highlands region, located a 4-hour winding bus ride from Nha Trang. Da Lat is popular amongst honeymooners due to its romantic vibes, and is known as Vietnam's city of flowers. Besides flower gardens, it's also filled with gorgeous lakes, lush forests, cosy cafes, majestic waterfalls, and tranquil villages. Get an adrenaline rush by hopping on the Datanla New Alpine Coaster and zip through the lush forest along a 2,400m coaster trail!

    10. Mui Ne

    best vietnam city travel mui ne from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel mui ne from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: beaches, sand dunes, fishing villages
    Located along the Eastern coast of Vietnam, Mui Ne is a 4-hour train ride away from Ho Chi Minh City. This quaint fishing village is known for its beautiful beaches as well as sand dunes which are affectionately known as the Sahara of Vietnam. You can slide down the dunes on a sled or even ride through them on a jeep! Want to check out the best spots of Mui Ne in a day? Book a Private Jeep Car Tour on Klook that includes stops at Mui Ne's highlight attractions including the sand dunes, lotus lake, fishing village, and fairy stream.

    Southern Vietnam

    11. Ho Chi Minh City

    best vietnam city travel ho chi minh city hcmc from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel ho chi minh city hcmc from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: bustling cities, street food, vibrant nightlife
    Also affectionately known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city of Vietnam, and one of the country's most popular travel destinations. Much like Hanoi, HCMC can be a lil chaotic and crazy, yet lots of fun to explore. Ho Chi Minh City is huge and has much to offer, from local markets to towering skyscrapers, charming French colonial-style landmarks and delicious food. A must-visit while you're here is none other than the Cu Chi Tunnels, a historical spot that served as a hiding place during the Vietnam War. For a romantic experience at night, hop aboard a luxury cruise ship and enjoy a 2-hour scenic ride across the Saigon River - a 5-course dinner included!

    12. Phu Quoc

    best vietnam city travel phu quoc from malaysia
    best vietnam city travel phu quoc from malaysia
    • Perfect if you like: beaches, seafood (it's also home to specialties like pepper and fish sauce!)
    Known as the pearl of Vietnam, Phu Quoc is a lil Vietnamese island nestled just off the coast of Cambodia. Home to close to 30 islands, Phu Quoc has plenty of beautiful swimming, snorkeling, and diving spots, as well as tons of sandy bays that you can just relax at. Make sure you take a ride on the world's longest over-sea cable car while you're here! Soar over the turquoise sea as you travel from mainland Phu Quoc to Hon Thom, also known as Pineapple Island. Get tickets to Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park on Klook for a fun time with your loved ones!

    More inspiration for a Southeast Asia adventure