Vietnam is a country renowned for its breathtaking beauty, boasting some of the most stunning cities in Southeast Asia. Its diverse and vibrant nature makes it a top choice for adventurous travelers. From the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to the pristine beaches of Nha Trang, Vietnam offers a plethora of awe-inspiring sights waiting to be explored.

To assist in identifying your ideal destination, DRIFT travel magazine presents a compilation of the five most captivating cities in Vietnam. Each city offers a distinct blend of culture, history, and breathtaking scenery that is sure to leave you enthralled.

Tourists to HCM City. Photo: VNA

1. Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City is renowned for its rich cultural history, vibrant markets, delectable traditional food, and architectural marvels. Visitors can immerse themselves in the national cuisine through cooking classes, discover the ancient streets of the Old Quarter on guided tours, or admire the plethora of stunning monuments scattered throughout the city.

For those interested in discovering the most elevated points in Top HCM City, there are various options available. One can partake in bike rides through the backstreets and nearby villages, embark on river cruises to enjoy the city skyline from the water, or opt for invigorating hikes up Lake Mountain to obtain panoramic views of the city.

HCM City offers a wide range of experiences to cater to every type of traveler. Whether you seek a tranquil getaway or an unforgettable stay, this vibrant city has much to offer.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) has emerged as the leading tourist destination in the current year. The city has attracted a remarkable influx of over 23 million visitors, including 2.1 million international tourists.

Da Lat is one of Vietnam’s biggest flower-growing regions, producing around three billion flowers every year. Photo: Vietnamplus

2. Da Lat

Da Lat city, located in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, is a highly recommended destination for travelers seeking an authentic Vietnamese experience. This delightful mountain town boasts picturesque green valleys, serene lakes, and a rich variety of wildlife. Its temperate climate and vibrant landscape have earned it the status of one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions.

Dubbed the “City of Thousands of Flowers,” Da Lat is famous for its diverse architectural styles. From classic French colonial to modern-day architecture, the city’s streets and cafés showcase a beautiful blend of designs. Da Lat’s vibrant markets and mouthwatering street food are known for offering some of Vietnam’s most delicious cuisines.

The city of Da Lat is located on a picturesque plateau, approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. It is known for its unique cool weather, which offers a refreshing escape from Vietnam’s typically tropical climate.

According to Booking.com, Da Lat resort city has been listed as one of the top ten destinations in the world to admire flowers, as chosen by global travelers.

“Street corners, people and colors on flower beds like this.” Photo: Đỗ Quý Quang

3. Hanoi

According to DRIFT travel magazine,”Hanoi is a bustling city in Vietnam that exudes energy and charm, with its vibrant alleyways and rich cultural heritage. It strikes a perfect balance between preserving traditional Vietnamese customs and embracing contemporary advancements.”

Hanoi’s Old Quarter presents a captivating glimpse into the rich and timeless life of the city, boasting meandering streets adorned with vibrant street vendors, ancient temples, and locally owned establishments. Notable attractions in Hanoi encompass the exquisite One Pillar Pagoda, an esteemed Buddhist sanctuary, the historical Hoa Lo Prison, transformed into a renowned tourist spot from its origins as a French prison, and the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, fondly referred to as Hanoi Lake.

If you’re looking to take a break from city life, Hanoi is conveniently located near Ha Long Bay. Here, you can enjoy activities such as kayaking and rock climbing.

According to the Department of Tourism in Hanoi, the capital city received a total of 18.7 million tourists in 2022, which is a four-fold increase from the previous year and represents 64.7% of the pre-pandemic visitor numbers in 2019.

The total number included 1.5 million foreign holidaymakers and 17.2 million domestic visitors, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), citing the department.

The city is recognized as a leading tourism destination and an important gateway for international visitors. It has consistently received high rankings from esteemed travel magazines and websites.

According to Tripadvisor readers, Hanoi has been recognized as one of the top 25 tourist destinations for food lovers worldwide. Additionally, travelbook.de, a German news site, has named Hanoi as one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, data from Google Destination Insights reveals that Hanoi is frequently searched for by international tourists.

Especially, Hanoi was recently honored as the World’s Leading City Break Destination 2022 by the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA).

With its long, white sand coast, Nha Trang has been listed one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The city, also known as “Pearl of the Far East”, has become an attractive tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

4. Nha Trang

Nha Trang city, located in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, is renowned as one of Vietnam’s most picturesque and sought-after resort destinations. It boasts extensive stretches of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and enchanting rainforests, all harmoniously blended with a vibrant local culture, as highlighted by DRIFT travel magazine.

The city of Nha Trang is a sought-after destination for adventurous travelers thanks to its crystal blue waters and pleasant climate. With so much to offer, visitors can embark on boat tours to discover nearby islands, explore ancient Cham temples, or simply unwind on one of Nha Trang’s picturesque beaches.

The beach city is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage, showcasing remnants of the ancient Champa civilization that thrived from the 4th to the 13th centuries AD. Renowned for its stunning beauty, it has earned a place among the world’s most exquisite beaches, alongside Ha Long Bay.

Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam boasts a kaleidoscope of features that offer visitors a nostalgic getaway.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An, an ancient town situated in Quang Nam province, is a remarkably picturesque city in the central part of Vietnam. Renowned for its captivating blend of Vietnamese and Chinese architectural styles, idyllic beaches, lively entertainment scene, and bustling traditional markets.

According to DRIFT travel magazine, Hoi An Old Town is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site situated by the river. With over 1,000 years of rich culture, this destination boasts several cultural attractions like wooden Chinese houses, traditional tea shops, and ancient pagodas.

Hoi An offers the perfect balance between city life and nature. During the day, you can explore the streets and immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant culture. At night, take in the beauty of Hoi An’s ancient temples, which are an abundance in this historic city.

Quang Nam is known for its two world cultural heritages – Hoi An Ancient town and My Son sanctuary, as well as the World Biosphere Reserve of Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An.

The province is also renowned for its intangible cultural heritage — Bai Choi singing. It serves as a gateway, linking with countries in the Mekong Sub-region and ASEAN, as well as being part of the East-West economic corridor axis.

Quang Nam has emerged as a prominent tourist destination in Vietnam, thanks to its efficient road, waterway, and airway connections with neighboring countries. This favorable geographical advantage has transformed Quang Nam into a thriving tourist hub in the region.