Top Vietnam destinations for scenery

Spending time in places of natural beauty has been proven to have a multitude of benefits for both body and mind, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and increasing positivity. Where better to put this theory to the test than Vietnam, the country with boundless dramatic landscapes and plenty of soul-stirring opportunities to experience them? As well as its natural beauty, Vietnam’s cultural sights are equally engaging, with intricate architecture, characterful towns and exuberantly colorful markets. With so many things to do in Vietnam, it can be hard to narrow them down, but here are our top Vietnam destinations for scenery.

Top Vietnam destinations for scenery

Mu Cang Chai district

In the far north-east of the country is a little-visited destination of steeply undulating hills and rural villages, which earns its place amongst our recommendations for its incredible rice terraces. Acres of corrugated hillsides dotted with farms sweep down to rushing streams, every angle revealing a new vista of mud-built ingenuity, each more incredible than the last. Marvel at the tenacity of the local population who have created these scenes of rare beauty using nothing but time-worn cultivation techniques and sheer strength of spirit.

Phu Quoc

Basking in the warm waters of the gulf of Thailand and closer to Cambodia than Vietnam, Phu Quoc island is a classic tropical hideaway destination. The beaches are bone-white, the inland hills are dense with jungle greenery, and when the skies are blue, the rich tropical colors alone are dazzling. Pack your camera – Phu Quoc is a photographer’s dream destination complete with swaying palms and temptingly clear water. Still an emerging stop on the tourist trail, you’ll find peace and relaxation in plentiful supply at one of Vietnam’s finest beach destinations.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Ha Long bay is the classic destination in northern Vietnam for visitors who want to experience the misty magic of the island-strewn waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, but because of its popularity, it can sometimes feel a little overrun. Make the effort to reach a glorious alternative destination at Bai Tu Long Bay, where limestone pinnacles also loom from the equally alluring deep green waters. Spend a couple of serene days aboard a junk ship, gliding around the impossibly beautiful karst islands, each sprouting a thatch of green forest and many sheltering pristine beaches or caves. Just as beautiful a destination, but without the crowds.

Mekong Delta

Paddling about among the many waterways of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is a joyful way to spend a few days. This region makes up less than 10% of Vietnam’s landmass, yet provides around a third of the country’s food crops. Several standout destinations dot the delta, and each one is worth a visit if you have the time. Explore the Ben Tre region, a fertile and scenic area known for its rice paddies, orchards and coconut plantations, or soak up Sa Dec’s scenic riverside location and flower crops, before finishing off your tour with an overwhelming array of sights and sounds at one of the floating markets near Can Tho.

Hmong markets

Hard up against the border with Laos in the mountainous north of Vietnam, is a pair of destinations gaining ground with visitors to the region for their vibrant weekend markets. Bac Ha market occurs on a Sunday, where the morning mist has barely settled before stalls are set up and wares displayed in glorious abundance. Get your fix of local color from the minority Flower Hmong people; witness their incredible outfits which glow beautifully even against the heaps of technicolor produce and handicrafts. Can Cau market is similar – if steeper and with fewer non-local visitors – but occurs on a Saturday. Both are a photographer’s dream.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Bordering a natural reserve in Laos, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is one of the most tucked-away places to visit in Vietnam. Ancient karst mountains are swathed in tropical forest and river networks flow underground, creating vast limestone cave networks sculpted over millennia. These caves were first explored relatively recently in the 1990s, and only a handful are currently open to the public via guided tours. Photographers will revel in capturing the play of light and water reflections on vaulted cathedral-like cave walls.

Ninh Binh’s Trang An and Tam Coc

Often referred to as ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, Ninh Binh is a province of Northern Vietnam. The striking Vietnamese scenery here consists of a large flat landscape punctuated by towering karst mountains. The small towns of Trang An and Tam Coc both make great bases. One of the best ways to explore is with a scenic boat ride along the tranquil river that flows through Trang An. The river snakes around towering limestone cliffs of verdant green. Cycling between Trang An and Tam Coc also puts you in the heart of one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam, and you can pause at will to get the best photographs.

Hoi An’s Ancient Town

Set along the central coast and interspersed with canals, the ancient port town of Hoi An is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Vietnam. Blissfully free of too much traffic and pollution, it’s a wonderful place for wandering. A melting-pot history has adorned its streets with architectural gems, from cheerfully painted Chinese shophouses in vibrant yellow to an intricate Japanese-style bridge. At night, lanterns glow along the streets and waterways or twinkle from passing boats. The monthly Lantern Festival (each full moon) is even more magical when colored candlelit lanterns are released with a wish onto the moonlit waters of the river.

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

In the far north of the country, close to the border with China, lies one of the most remote and beautiful places to visit in Vietnam. The Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark covers an expansive area and is made up of steep limestone karst mountains and deep river gorges and valleys. Roads and waterways wind their way between green-clad limestone pinnacles that rise and drop abruptly, and the whole region sits at around 1,000 -1,500m above sea level. Amongst this striking landscape live several unique ethnic groups with fascinating cultures to get to know.

Essential tips for travelers

Best time to visit Vietnam for ideal weather conditions

At over 1,000 miles long, Vietnam offers quite dramatically different climates from one end of the country to the other. In winter the mountains of the north can be dusted in snow, while the tropical southern lowlands luxuriate under warm sunshine. Choosing the best time to visit Vietnam depends on your travel plans.

The north is best visited in the spring or fall, avoiding the cool winter and the summer monsoons. For central Vietnam, the summer months are the best for beach weather. In the south, temperatures are warm year-round, peaking from around March to May before the rainy season starts to cool things down in June.

If you intend to explore the length of the country, then spring (March to April) is perhaps the best time to visit Vietnam. You’ll avoid the monsoons, but temperatures should be pleasant throughout.

Getting around in Vietnam: transport and safety advice

The best way to see Vietnam is to embrace overland modes of transport. Train and bus travel are reliable, plentiful and comfortable, not to mention wonderfully scenic and amiably sociable. Internal flights can be unreliable and by taking them you’ll be missing out on so much, plus adding to your carbon output. In cities, buses, taxis and rickshaws will zip you about, while country roads are best traversed by peddle power.

Make it happen

Our on-the-ground experts would love to talk you through your dream trip to Vietnam, filled with resplendent scenery. Reach out to our local experts today, to find out more about this destination and start planning your vacation.