15 Most Beautiful Places To Visit in Vietnam – Vietnam Travel. Traveling To Vietnam, The Best Vietnam travel, Vietnam the Best Tours

With some of the most incredible natural wonders on the planet, Vietnam is renowned for its astonishing beauty.

From the misty mountains, glistening rice fields and enchanting waterfalls of northern Vietnam, to the powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters of the southern beaches, Vietnam is a scenic paradise.

We’ve rounded up 15 of the most beautiful places to visit in Vietnam, plus the best times to visit each destination and how to get there.

Northern Vietnam

1. Sapa & The Tonkinese Alps

Hidden in the clouds among the soaring Tonkinese Alps, the small French hill station of Sapa offers a gateway to one of the most exquisite regions in southeast Asia.

As you break through the misty fog, you’ll discover the rolling green Hoàng Liên Son Mountains plunging into the Muong Hoa Valley, covered in a patchwork of glistening emerald rice terraces.

We recommend doing a 3-day trek between the villages to soak up the awe-inspiring scenery and catch a glimpse of traditional culture of the H’mong and Dao hill tribe villages. If trekking isn’t an option, you can still explore the most beautiful spots with day trips in a vehicle.

When to visit Sapa

Located in the remote northwest of Vietnam, Sapa’s climate is best from March to May and September to November, with sunny days and clear skies. At September and October are also the best months to see the rice terraces, as they bloom in a vibrant green after the rainy season.

How to visit Sapa

As there are no flights to Sapa, the best way to get there is with an overnight train from Hanoi. We recommend taking the Victoria Express, an eight-hour overnight train journey from Hanoi to Sapa, available only to guests of the luxurious Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa.

2. Ha Long Bay

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay is world-famous for its silky, emerald waters and towering limestone karsts cloaked in lush rainforest.

For many, an overnight cruise through Ha Long Bay on a traditional junk boat is the highlight of their Vietnam holiday. You’ll take in otherworldly scenery as you glide along the gentle waters, passing floating villages such as Cua Van, Vung Vieng and Cong Dam.

Take a dip in the calm, clear waters, or go kayaking through the breathtaking caves and karsts – it’s the ultimate way to explore one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam.

When to visit Ha Long Bay

The best time to visit Ha Long Bay is spring (March and April) and autumn (September and October), for optimal weather and pleasant temperatures.

How to visit Ha Long Bay

Located in northeastern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a four hour drive from Hanoi, and you can easily reach this destination with a private vehicle or a coach tour.

Traveling to Asia Vietnam

Spend a night or two on Cat Ba Island, a stunning island near Ha Long Bay. Half the island is covered in the dense jungle of Cat Ba National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, while the other half is strewn with ancient caves, historical sites and golden beaches, surrounded by craggy karsts. From the island, you can take a sailing or kayaking trip to explore Ha Long Bay.

Tumbling down three tiers, surrounded by enchanting karst peaks, the Detian Waterfall (Virtuous Heaven Waterfall) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on earth.

Also known as Ban Gioc Waterfall, meaning ‘half-way across’ in Vietnamese, the falls lie on the border between China and Vietnam, making it the second largest transnational waterfall in the world.

Measuring at over 200 metres wide, with a drop of more than 70 metres, the sight of the Detian Waterfall is truly awe-inspiring, and you can hear it’s thundering cascades before it even comes into view. You can take a bamboo raft around the base of the falls for an unforgettable close-up encounter.

When to visit Detian Waterfall

This incredible feat of nature changes throughout the seasons, with bright red blossoms in spring, and golden leaves in autumn. The best time to visit is between April and November, when the cascades flow in full force with the summer rains.

How to visit Detian Waterfall

You can reach the Vietnamese side of the falls with a 6-hour scenic drive along the highway between Hanoi and Cao Bang city. From Cao Bang, you’ll take a further 2-hour drive to reach this wondrous waterfall.