Top Vietnam Destinations to Visit in 2025

Another reason why Vietnam should be on your travel list in 2025 is its continued affordability. Despite the tourism industry experiencing substantial growth over the last decade, Vietnam remains budget-friendly compared to many other destinations. With competitive travel deals available across various sectors— from hotels to adventure tours— travelers can enjoy enticing options. For example, while a decent vacation in Bali might cost around $150 per person per day in 2025, a delightful two-day cruise in Ha Long Bay is now approximately $120.

Below is a must-go list to kickstart your journey:

Hanoi

Hanoi is a fascinating city where seemingly contradictory elements coexist harmoniously. The people embrace a rich cultural heritage while also striving for modernity and wealth. Here, you can find thousand-year-old pagodas, colonial French-style architecture, and sleek skyscrapers all on the same street. It’s also a place where hip-hop dancers showcase their skills right in parks where elderly locals practice Tai Chi with calmness and grace.

When it comes to tourism, Hanoi offers limitless choices for thrilling and satisfying excursions. With over a millennium of rich history, you can explore various attractions that chronicle the ages. Some notable sites dating back to the 1000s C.E. include the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. The Old Quarter, a historical heart for many foreign tourists, features narrow streets that historically bustled with vendors selling a range of goods. Modern sights like high-rise buildings complete with shopping, dining, and entertainment options punctuate the cityscape.

Hanoi Train Street - Photo: @madebytaylor_

Bai Tu Long Bay & Cat Ba Island

Bai Tu Long Bay is one of Vietnam's most stunning coastal landscapes. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay captivates with its emerald waters and thousands of majestic islands and islets. Adjacent to Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long remains largely unspoiled due to limited commercialization. Here, you can explore Bai Tu Long National Park, a sanctuary that showcases diverse flora and fauna. This bay is home to around 30,000 residents who predominantly engage in fishing on Van Don, Quan Lan, Ban Sen, and Ngoc Vung Islands. A day tour of their fishing villages provides insight into their simple, nature-oriented lifestyle.

To the southwest lies the Cat Ba Archipelago, part of Hai Phong City. Known for its lush greenery and immense limestone formations, Cat Ba Island is the largest in the Gulf of Tonkin, covering 354 square kilometers and housing over 8,000 people. This island has developed into a resort town equipped with ample infrastructure, catering to both tourists and locals each summer. However, much of Cat Ba is conserved as a national park, preserving its rich ecosystems, dense forests, and impressive limestone caves.

Trang An Eco-complex

Trang An Complex - Photo: Shutterstock

Located approximately 100 km from Hanoi, Trang An Eco-complex is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a vast 2000-square-kilometer area with a range of attractions, from stunning natural scenery to historical architecture. Known as the Inland Ha Long Bay, Trang An is packed with limestone mountains, lush jungle, caves, and rivers. The most popular mode of transport here is small rowing boats. As you glide along the winding river with its sparkling emerald waters, you’ll feel immersed in a serene atmosphere and enchanted by the breathtaking views.

The boats will take you to nine limestone caves along the river, each with its unique shape and characteristics. Some caves are so expansive that darkness engulfs you inside, while others carry historical significance, like the Wine-Brewing Cave, linked to Dinh Tien Hoang, a king who unified Vietnam over a millennium ago. At times, the water is so clear you can witness fish swimming below.

Hue

Hue Imperial Palace

Hue bathes in a nostalgic, poetic atmosphere, felt in its quiet streets and the moss-covered walls of its towering citadel. Being Vietnam’s capital from 1802 to 1945, Hue is rich with an array of palaces, citadels, tombs, and temples. Renowned for its solemnity, the city embodies a historic ambiance tied to the last imperial capital of Vietnam, which endured tremendous suffering during the Vietnam War. Visitors often draw parallels between Hue and a lady harboring a poignant story that contributes to the city's ethereal charm.

The beauty of the Nguyen Dynasty’s Huong River is often depicted in poetry, particularly at sunset when it transforms into a living work of art. While Hue is not the capital anymore, it remains the culinary heart of Vietnam, with its exquisite cuisine reflecting the grandeur of its royal past.

Da Nang/My Khe Beach

Named the best city to live in Vietnam, Da Nang blends modernity with tranquility. Unlike the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang boasts spacious areas relative to its population, revamped infrastructure, contemporary buildings, enchanting bridges (especially illuminated at night), clean streets, and friendly locals, all contributing to its appeal.

Situated in a prime location for tourism, Da Nang has become a sought-after destination for both Vietnamese families and international visitors. Natural attractions range from shimmering white-sand beaches to tropical forests at Son Tra Peninsula, complemented by various manmade marvels such as the Ba Na Hills Mountain Resort and the Fantasy Park Indoor Entertainment Zone.

A maritime city, Da Nang is well-known for its beaches, with My Khe often named the most beautiful. This gently sloping stretch of pristine beach, lined with swaying palm trees, was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the world’s six most attractive beaches. Previously exclusive to U.S. military personnel, My Khe now has a plethora of hotels catering to diverse tourist demands.

Hoi An

The everyday of Hoi An

Hoi An, a historic town in Quang Nam Province, is blessed with a mild climate and prime location. Once a bustling port in Asia, it welcomed trading ships from China, Japan, and Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. It flourished not just in trade but also in culture, enriched with diverse artifacts and architecture. However, during the 19th-century colonization by the French, Hoi An gradually lost its status to the developing Da Nang and remained untouched by the major wars and urbanization challenges faced by many cities.

Today, Hoi An retains its atmospheric charm and provides a peaceful escape from modern chaos. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it showcases a blend of Asian architectural influences, with significant sites such as the Japanese Pagoda Bridge and Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. Hoi An’s renowned craftsmanship and tailorship make it a showcase of Oriental artistry.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang's famous white sand beach

Known as the Pearl of the East Sea (South China Sea), Nha Trang is a tropical paradise known for its warm climate and stunning golden beaches. Spanning approximately 507 square kilometers, the Gulf of Nha Trang comprises 19 islands, each offering unique attractions— from secluded beaches to remarkable ecosystems, including caves that are home to salangane birds. Nha Trang is recognized as one of Vietnam’s main hubs for snorkeling and scuba diving due to its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

In addition to its scenic beauty, Nha Trang has transformed into one of Vietnam's most vibrant tourism centers. Hon Tre Island, the largest in the gulf, has been developed into a top-notch resort destination, featuring Vinpearl Land, a luxurious hotel and amusement park connected to the mainland by one of the world’s longest cable-car systems. Nearby, the Ponagar Holy Temple represents a historical link to the ancient Champa Kingdom, built in the 8th century. If you prefer a taste of authentic rural life, consider joining biking tours that guide you through the picturesque countryside of Khanh Hoa Province.

Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon's Boom

One of Vietnam's two major cities, Ho Chi Minh City—formerly known as Saigon—vibrates with energy and relentless growth. Established in the 17th century following a migration surge during the Nguyen Dynasty, it became the capital of the Indochinese Federation during French colonial rule. Adorned with nicknames like the Paris of the Orient and the Pearl of the Far East, its historical significance is one to behold.

Similar to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City showcases a blend of old and new, traditional and contemporary. However, unlike its millennia-old counterpart, this city, founded three centuries ago, embodies a more modern aesthetic. As Vietnam's most populous city, vibrancy flows from its crowded streets filled with street vendors and bustling markets to ostentatious shopping districts with towering skyscrapers. The city houses important historical and cultural sites such as the Independence Palace, the Museum of Vietnamese History, and the historic Cho Lon, providing insight into its rich tapestry. For romantic experiences, consider a dinner cruise on the Saigon River, revealing the stunning night skyline adorned with city lights.

Mekong Delta

Bustling Mekong floating market

The Mekong Delta's vibrant colors are simply beyond description. It’s characterized by lush greenery, extensive waterways, and the lively lives of its inhabitants—vendors negotiating at floating markets and Buddhist monks peacefully walking through village streets. Known as Vietnam’s "rice bowl," the delta consists of 12 provinces, each offering unique experiences. My Tho and Vinh Long are famous for picturesque boat trips and floating markets, while Sa Dec is noted for its stunning riverside scenery and lush flower gardens, and Ca Mau showcases its mesmerizing mangroves.

As of 2024, the Mekong Delta has been recognized as one of the world’s best-value destinations, providing priceless experiences without straining your budget. Exceptional yet affordable accommodation can be found in Can Tho, the capital of the region. The extensive waterway and road network allows for convenient and inexpensive exploration by motorbikes or boats.

If the allure of the Mekong Delta doesn’t quench your thirst for adventure, its strategic position offers convenient travel options to the nearby Phu Quoc Island or even into Cambodia.

Phu Quoc

The emerald water of Phu Quoc

Rising like a pearl in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, covering an area of 590 square kilometers, similar in size to Singapore in the 1960s.

The island is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, serene rivers, captivating waterfalls, and lush tropical forests. These natural treasures, combined with its laid-back atmosphere, make Phu Quoc an increasingly popular tourism hotspot. Whether you wish to engage in beach sports or simply relax under the tropical sun, the island’s exceptional beaches offer the perfect setting. For adventurous spirits, the dense rainforests and majestic waterfalls present thrilling opportunities for trekking.

Additionally, you can explore nearby islands, such as the Hon Thom archipelago, providing diverse activities including snorkeling among coral reefs or observing the pearl cultivation process. After exploring, take a moment to unwind and enjoy a stunning sunset at Dinh Cau Cape.

As visitation to Phu Quoc grows, accessing the island has become more straightforward. From the mainland, travel options include flights, high-speed ferries, and traditional boats. Vietnam Airlines offers multiple flights connecting from major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho to this tropical paradise.