Vietnam is a beautiful country located in Southeast Asia full of amazing cities to visit and natural sites to explore which also happens to be quite affordable. In this article, we will go through 5 of the must-visit cities in Vietnam. You may not be able to visit them all (at least not in your first trip). But, from the bustling streets of Saigon, to the Old District of Hanoi, to the beach town of Ha Long, home to the world famous Ha Long Bay there is sure to be a city in Vietnam which resonates with you.
The average temperature of Vietnam ranges from 68°F to 81°F. This is actually even reduced by some areas in the north which tend to get colder. In fact, Vietnam can be visited year-round as a number of coastal areas always remain a pleasant temperature.
Here are the cities that will be discussed, with a brief description. Feel free to jump ahead if any of them sound interesting, but don’t forget to read them all. Vietnam has no shortage of great cities to travel to.
Saigon – A city with bustling nightlife
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is one of the most famous destinations in Southeast Asia. In Saigon, there is a little something for everyone. Being the largest and most economically important city in Vietnam, it is a very vibrant city, with nightlife that is sure to satisfy.
However, the city’s history as the capital of South Vietnam during the period of partition also makes it a city with very rich history and cultural significance. In fact, the reasoning for the renaming of the city from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City was for the name of the leader whose forces were able to take Saigon.
If this history interests you, certainly take a tour through the Cu Chi tunnels, check out Reunification Palace, and visit one of the many war museums such as the War Remnants Museum.
So, whether you are into history, nightlife, or just want to experience Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has something for you!
Hanoi – The Capital of Vietnam
While Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam, Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam, and remains the capital of Vietnam today. Because of this, Hanoi is a city with lots of history. In fact, the Old Quarter is roughly 1,000 years old.
Another famous destination is the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built roughly 1,000 years ago and was used all the way until the 19th century. Unfortunately, much of cite was destroyed in the 1800s, but the Central Sector still remains and stands as a UNESCO world heritage cite, testimony to its historical significance.
Nha Trang – Visit Beautiful Beaches
Nha Trang is the first coastal town on this list, and it contains one of the world’s best bays, Nha Trang Bay. However, beyond this Nha Trang is home to a number of different cultural sites as well. Moreover, the temperature in Nha Trang stays between 75°F to 85°F year-round. So, regardless of the time of year, Nha Trang is a beautiful destination. You just need to watch out that you do not visit during the rainy season from September to December as this could put a damper in your beach-going plans.
Moreover, if you happen to have an interest in the oceans or marine wildlife, Nha Trang is a fantastic destination as it has the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute. Here you can go and see some of the ocean life which has been collected for scientific research.
Ha Long – Visit Ha Long Bay
Ha Long is home to the famous Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s greatest destinations and the second UNESCO heritage site on this list. The images of Ha Long Bay, such as the one above, really speak for themselves in terms of the beauty of this destination.
But, upon viewing this image what might not immediately be obvious is that there are an elaborate system of caves that can be visited by boat! Boat trips around Ha Long Bay start around $65 for a single day, which is a relative bargain when you consider the amount of beauty you will experience and the memories you will make!
Da Nang – A Clash of Sea and Mountains
Located in Central Vietnam, Da Nang, also known as the city of bridges, is another wonderful city to visit in Vietnam. While it is a coastal city, it also has the advantage of being right next to the Truong Son mountains. So instead of asking yourself whether you’d like to go to the beach or mountains, why not choose both and go to Da Nang?