Hanoi, Ha Giang, Pu Luong, and Da Lat are among the most impressive destinations in Vietnam, according to recommendations by a journalist from The Times of the United Kingdom.
According to British journalist Claire Boobbyer, Vietnam—with a population of around 99 million and more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline—offers an extraordinary range of experiences, from warm and welcoming people to a vibrant, living culture. Claire first visited Vietnam in 2004 and has returned many times since.
The 12 destinations she highlights are selected based on their strong local identity, rich cultural and natural experiences, and their ability to leave a lasting impression on travelers.
Hanoi Old Quarter
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Claire describes Hanoi as a “living museum of history,” where tradition and modern life exist side by side. The Old Quarter is the first place she mentions—a bustling maze of narrow streets packed with shops and food stalls, where motorbikes weave through alleys filled with the aromas of street food.
She suggests that visitors join a food tour, explore French colonial villas, and visit landmarks such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Each site brings travelers closer to cultural features that are unique to Hanoi.
Ha Giang
Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost region, is the next destination to receive high praise. Claire describes it as “spectacular and awe-inspiring,” where travelers can ride along dramatic limestone mountain passes, admire terraced rice fields hugging steep slopes, visit Dao and H’Mong ethnic villages, and immerse themselves in the rhythms of highland life. “The landscape feels like it belongs to another planet,” she says.
Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, known for thousands of towering limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Whether shrouded in morning mist or illuminated by clear blue skies, the bay’s scenery feels surreal and mesmerizing.
For a quieter and more immersive experience, Claire recommends extending the journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay, located east of Ha Long. She describes it as a little-known “limestone fortress” that remains peaceful and largely untouched. Two-night cruises allow visitors to venture deep into secluded bays, kayak past sheer rock formations, and stop at coastal fishing villages. Together, these bays offer a complete picture of northern Vietnam’s coastal beauty.
Pu Luong
Pu Luong lies in western Thanh Hoa Province near the Vietnam–Laos border, covering more than 17,000 hectares. Claire introduces it as an ideal retreat for travelers seeking tranquility. “Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi, you enter a completely different world of rice fields, fruit gardens, Muong ethnic villages, and slow-turning water wheels along mountain streams,” she says.
In Pu Luong, visitors can trek through forested hills, float on bamboo rafts, or stay at eco-lodges hidden within nature.
Hue
Hue was once the political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty. The royal tombs scattered throughout the area retain a solemn and mysterious beauty, reflecting a harmonious blend of classical architecture, Confucian philosophy, and feng shui principles. Arranged along the Perfume River, these sites weave through gardens, streams, stone statues, and burial grounds, forming a quiet landscape that tells the story of a royal past.
Claire considers Hue an essential stop. The city still preserves the essence of imperial cuisine, with thousands of dishes once prepared exclusively for the royal family. From Hue, travelers can also visit areas that marked the former division between North and South Vietnam under the Geneva Accords of 1954.
Da Nang
According to Claire, Da Nang blends historical depth with modern energy. The city offers long stretches of white-sand beaches and clear waters, along with luxury resorts such as Four Seasons and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, designed by architect Bill Bensley and set within the primeval forest of the Son Tra Peninsula.
Beyond its beaches, Da Nang is also rich in cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the Cham Sculpture Museum to see sandstone artworks linked to the ancient Champa Kingdom. At night, the Dragon Bridge becomes a highlight, staging fire- and water-breathing performances that symbolize the city’s youthful dynamism.
Hoi An
Claire notes that although Hoi An is a well-known tourist destination, it has managed to retain its peaceful and historic charm. Once a bustling trading port in the 17th century, the town still preserves temples, old houses, and traditional craft shops.
Rows of single-story yellow houses line narrow streets, glowing with lantern light at night along the Hoai River and creating a nostalgic, romantic atmosphere. Hoi An is also famous for its street food, including cao lau and Hoi An-style banh mi, as well as tailor-made clothing services completed in just a few days.
For a change of scenery, Claire suggests visiting An Bang Beach, only a few kilometers from the old town, for a quieter and more relaxed coastal experience.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a fast-paced metropolis of more than 9 million people and around 8 million motorbikes, creating an energetic atmosphere where modern life and tradition intersect.
The British journalist recommends riding pillion on a motorbike as the most authentic way to experience the city’s rhythm and traffic. Ho Chi Minh City is also a paradise for street food lovers, where visitors can easily enjoy pho, banh mi, grilled pork vermicelli, and a glass of iced milk coffee—an icon of southern Vietnam’s coffee culture.
Mekong Delta
According to the Times journalist, the Mekong Delta offers an authentic glimpse into life in Vietnam’s riverlands. The region is known for its lively floating markets, lush fruit orchards, ancient temples, and distinctive riverside lifestyles along the Mekong River.
Claire suggests that visitors take boat trips through narrow canals, enjoy fresh coconut, bananas, and mangoes straight from the garden, and experience the slow, simple, yet deeply engaging rhythm of life in southern Vietnam.
Da Lat
Claire recommends Da Lat as a unique and slightly eccentric destination that blends classical elegance with spontaneous creativity. Surrounded by pine forests, the highland city features a picturesque central lake and a cool, mild climate year-round. European-style villas built in the early 20th century are scattered throughout the city and have been converted into hotels, museums, and creative spaces.
She is particularly impressed by Da Lat Railway Station, a historic French-built station with strong European architectural influences. Da Lat is also known for its abundance of cafés, bars, and distinctive photo spots.
Con Dao
Claire introduces Con Dao as a destination with a complex past and a strikingly different present. Once a prison island, Con Dao is now a nesting site for sea turtles, while its surrounding waters are home to coral reefs, dugongs, and dolphins. Part of the archipelago has been designated a Ramsar site, the only marine Ramsar site in Vietnam.
Visitors to Con Dao can immerse themselves in unspoiled nature, with forests, beaches, and white sand shores. Activities include forest hikes, coral diving, and learning about history at sites such as the Con Dao Museum and Hang Duong Cemetery, where thousands of revolutionary soldiers are laid to rest.
Claire concludes that Vietnam is a country where each return visit reveals something new—whether a fresh perspective on its people and landscapes or simply a local dish never tried before.
“The hospitality, vibrant energy, and diversity of experiences here are what keep me from ever getting bored,” she says.