# Things to do in Vietnam: best places to visit > Vietnam's essentials: Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the lanterns and Japanese Bridge of Hoi An, the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang, the cathedral and post office in Ho Chi Minh City, and beaches at Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Mui Ne. The country runs some 1,650 km north to south, so most trips use a domestic flight. Web page: https://yesgo.io/vietnam ## Cities - [Hanoi](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Ho Chi Minh City](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Nha Trang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Da Nang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Phu Quoc](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Hoi An](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hoi-an.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Da Lat](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-lat.md): 10 places with the YesGo score - [Phan Thiet](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet.md): 10 places with the YesGo score ## Itineraries across the country - [7 days in Vietnam: an itinerary by city](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/in-7-days.md): Hanoi and a Ha Long cruise, Da Nang's Dragon Bridge, Hoi An's lanterns and the My Son temples, French-era Saigon and the Mekong Delta — with flight times. ## Top places across the country - [Hanoi Train Street](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-train-street.md), Hanoi: YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free; drink at a café is paid. Hanoi Train Street is a set of residential lanes where trains pass within a metre of front doors and café stools, a 15–20 minute walk from… - [Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-notre-dame-cathedral.md), Ho Chi Minh City: YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free; inside only during Mass. Notre-Dame Cathedral is Ho Chi Minh City’s main Catholic church, built in 1877–1880 of red French brick, across the square from the… - [Tram Huong Tower](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang/tram-huong-tower.md), Nha Trang: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. Tram Huong Tower (Tháp Trầm Hương, the Agarwood Tower) is the lotus-bud landmark on 2/4 Square, right on Nha Trang's Tran Phu beachfront… - [Dragon Bridge](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang/dragon-bridge.md), Da Nang: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) is a 666-metre road bridge over the Han River in central Da Nang, topped by a yellow steel dragon. It's free and… - [Phan Thiet Water Tower](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet/phan-thiet-water-tower.md), Phan Thiet: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · free (outside only). The Water Tower (Tháp nước Phan Thiết) is Phan Thiet's symbol: an octagonal tower about 32 m tall with a three-tiered roof on the Ca Ty… - [Dinh Cau Shrine](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc/dinh-cau-shrine.md), Phu Quoc: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Dinh Cau (Dinh Cậu) is a small fishermen's shrine on a rock at the mouth of the Duong Dong river, Phu Quoc's emblem right in the centre of… - [Hoi An Night Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hoi-an/hoi-an-night-market.md), Hoi An: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry. Hoi An Night Market fills Nguyen Hoang Street on An Hoi islet, a short walk over the An Hoi bridge from the Old Town: silk lanterns… - [Xuan Huong Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-lat/xuan-huong-lake.md), Da Lat: YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Xuan Huong Lake is a man-made crescent lake right in the centre of Da Lat, beside Lam Vien Square and the market. The first dam on the… - [St Joseph's Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hanoi-cathedral.md), Hanoi: YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. St Joseph’s Cathedral is Hanoi’s main Catholic church, a neo-Gothic landmark from 1886 with twin towers modelled on Notre-Dame de Paris, a… - [Saigon Central Post Office](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-central-post-office.md), Ho Chi Minh City: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Saigon Central Post Office is a working post office built by the French in 1886–1891: a yellow facade with a clock and a vaulted… - [Nha Trang Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang/nha-trang-cathedral.md), Nha Trang: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Nha Trang Cathedral — Christ the King Cathedral, locally Nhà thờ Núi — is a Gothic Revival church built in 1928–1933 on a small hill by… - [Love Lock Bridge](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang/da-nang-love-bridge.md), Da Nang: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. Love Lock Bridge (Cầu tàu Tình Yêu) is a short pier on the Han River's east bank in Da Nang, hung with red heart lanterns and couples'… - [Duc Thanh School](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet/duc-thanh-school.md), Phan Thiet: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · free. Duc Thanh School (Trường Dục Thanh) is a private school from 1907 on the Ca Ty riverbank in central Phan Thiet, where the young Nguyen Tat… - [Ho Quoc Pagoda](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc/ho-quoc-pagoda.md), Phu Quoc: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Ho Quoc Pagoda is Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery, Phu Quoc's largest Buddhist complex, set on a hillside above the sea on the east coast… - [Hoi An Central Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hoi-an/hoi-an-central-market.md), Hoi An: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free entry. Hoi An Central Market (Chợ Hội An) is the town's everyday market on the eastern edge of the Old Town, by the river: fish and herbs at… - [Da Lat Railway Station](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-lat/da-lat-railway-station.md), Da Lat: YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · 50,000 VND; train extra. Da Lat Railway Station is an Art Deco building from 1932–1938 with three steep gables, a national heritage site 1.8 km from Lam Vien… - [Hoan Kiem Lake](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi/hoan-kiem-lake.md), Hanoi: YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free; Ngoc Son Temple 50,000 VND. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Lake of the Returned Sword, is the heart of Hanoi at the southern edge of the Old Quarter. A 1.7 km lakeside loop… - [Saigon Opera House](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/saigon-opera-house.md), Ho Chi Minh City: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free outside; inside with a show ticket. The Saigon Opera House (Nhà hát Thành phố) is a white French-era theatre from 1900 on Lam Son Square, central Ho Chi Minh City. The… - [Dam Market](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang/dam-market.md), Nha Trang: YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry. Dam Market (Chợ Đầm) is Nha Trang's oldest and biggest market, about 2 km north of the Tran Phu beachfront. Entry is free and it runs… - [Da Nang Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang/da-nang-cathedral.md), Da Nang: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free. Da Nang Cathedral, the ‘Pink Church’, is a working Catholic church from 1923 on Trần Phú street, 300 m from Han Market. Entry is free and… - [Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet/van-thuy-tu-temple.md), Phan Thiet: YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · ≈ 15,000 VND, children ≈ 5,000. Van Thuy Tu (Vạn Thủy Tú) is a fishermen's temple from 1762 in central Phan Thiet, dedicated to the whale as guardian of seafarers. It… - [Starfish Beach (Rach Vem)](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc/phu-quoc-starfish-beach.md), Phu Quoc: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; boat optional. Starfish Beach is the shallow bay by Rach Vem (Rạch Vẹm) fishing village on the north coast of Phu Quoc: in the dry season, red starfish… - [Japanese Covered Bridge](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hoi-an/japanese-covered-bridge.md), Hoi An: YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Old Town ticket: 80,000–120,000 VND. The Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) is a roofed timber bridge from around 1600 with a tiny shrine inside — Hoi An's emblem and the… - [Truc Lam Monastery](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-lat/truc-lam-monastery.md), Da Lat: YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; cable car 150,000 VND. Truc Lam is a Zen monastery in pine forest on Phung Hoang hill above Tuyen Lam Lake, 6 km south of central Da Lat, built in 1993–1994… ## Vietnam travel guide Before you go: north, centre and south, which beach to choose, visa and money, getting around, weather by region and the rainy seasons. ## Trip essentials - Visa: Depends on your passport — visa-free days or a 90-day e-visa - Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND); cash for street food - First trip: Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City in 2 weeks - Seasons: North, centre and south have different rainy seasons - Winter: Phu Quoc and Mui Ne are dry; Hanoi is cool - Summer: Da Nang and Nha Trang are dry with a warm sea - Taxis: Grab nationwide - SIM: Local SIM or eSIM — cheap, fast data - Long trips: Fly between regions; buses between neighbours - Time zone: UTC+7 all year ## Key facts - **≈ 3,260 km** — of coastline, from Ha Long Bay to the Gulf of Thailand (source: Wikipedia, “Vietnam”) - **9** — UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from Ha Long Bay to Hoi An (source: UNESCO World Heritage List) - **90 days** — the maximum e-visa stay, available to all nationalities since 2023 (source: Vietnam Immigration Department) - **3** — climate zones: a cool north, a rainy-autumn centre and a tropical south (source: Wikipedia, “Climate of Vietnam”) ## Best places to visit in Vietnam The best places to visit in Vietnam are Hanoi for the Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay, Hoi An for its lantern-lit old town, Da Nang for beaches and Ba Na Hills, and Ho Chi Minh City for city life and the Mekong Delta. For beaches pick by season: Phu Quoc and Mui Ne in winter, Da Nang and Nha Trang in summer. Da Lat offers cool hills. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above. | City | Why go | Best time | | --- | --- | --- | | [Hanoi](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hanoi) | Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay | Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr | | [Hoi An](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/hoi-an) | Old town, lanterns | Feb–Apr | | [Da Nang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-nang) | My Khe beach, Golden Bridge | Mar–Aug | | [Nha Trang](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/nha-trang) | Beach, islands, VinWonders | Feb–Aug | | [Phu Quoc](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phu-quoc) | White sand, sea cable car | Nov–Apr | | [Phan Thiet & Mui Ne](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/phan-thiet) | Dunes, kitesurfing | Dec–Apr | | [Da Lat](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/da-lat) | Hills, waterfalls, cool air | Dec–Mar | | [Ho Chi Minh City](https://yesgo.io/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city) | City life, Mekong Delta | Dec–Apr | Ready trips across the country are above on this page. ## Best time to visit Vietnam by region The best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region: the south is dry from December to April, the centre (Da Nang, Hoi An) from March to August, Nha Trang from February to August, and the north (Hanoi, Ha Long) is best in autumn and spring. Autumn brings rain and typhoons to the centre. | Region | Dry and warm | Rainy | | --- | --- | --- | | **North: Hanoi, Ha Long** | Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr | Jun–Sep | | **Centre: Da Nang, Hoi An** | Mar–Aug | Sep–Dec | | **Nha Trang** | Feb–Aug | Oct–Dec | | **South: HCMC, Mui Ne** | Dec–Apr | May–Nov | | **Phu Quoc** | Nov–Apr | May–Oct | ## Vietnam visa and currency Vietnam visa rules depend on your passport: some nationalities get a set number of visa-free days, and everyone can apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days. The currency is the dong; cards work in hotels and chains, cash rules at markets and street stalls. - **ATMs** — in every town; fees vary by bank. - **Notes** — lots of zeros: check change, 10,000 and 100,000 look alike. - **Prices** — food and transport are cheap; tours and Vin parks cost more. - **Bargaining** — fine at markets, not in shops with price tags. ## Getting around Vietnam Vietnam stretches ≈ 1,650 km north to south, so most people fly between regions: Hanoi–Da Nang ≈ 1 h 20 min, Ho Chi Minh City–Phu Quoc ≈ 1 hour. Buses and limousine vans link nearby cities, and the Reunification Express train runs along the coast. - **Flights** — frequent between Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, HCMC, Phu Quoc and Da Lat. - **Buses and limousines** — Nha Trang–Da Lat, HCMC–Mui Ne, Da Nang–Hoi An. - **Train** — Hanoi to HCMC, with a scenic stretch over the Hai Van Pass. - **Grab** — cars and motorbike taxis in every big city. ## Vietnam weather by month Vietnam’s weather differs north, centre and south: the south is hot all year, the north is cool in winter, and the centre gets autumn rain. Below is Nha Trang: dry from February to August, with the sea at 25–29 °C. - **January in Nha Trang**: day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 21°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 7. Breezy; the south is dry. - **February in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 21°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 3. Dry; Tet. - **March in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 2. Dry — a great time. - **April in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 2. Dry, calm sea. - **May in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 5. Hot, warm sea. - **June in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 5. Hot; rain in the north. - **July in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 5. Dry in the centre. - **August in Nha Trang** (best time): day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 6. Dry, sea ≈ 29°. - **September in Nha Trang**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 9. Rains begin. - **October in Nha Trang**: day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 16. Rainy season in the centre. - **November in Nha Trang**: day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 23°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 18. Downpours; Phu Quoc is dry. - **December in Nha Trang**: day ≈ 27°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 14. Rain; the south’s season. Each city has its own weather: Hanoi is ≈ 17–20° in winter, Da Lat is cool all year, and Phu Quoc is dry in winter. ## Tips - Pick your beach by season: the south in winter, the centre in summer. - Riding a scooter takes local know-how — without experience, use Grab. - Carry small notes for street food and markets. ## Questions ### Do I need a visa for Vietnam? It depends on your passport: some nationalities are visa-free for a set number of days, and all can apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days. Check the official rules for your passport. ### What are the best places to visit in Vietnam? Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, plus Phu Quoc or Nha Trang for beaches. ### When is the best time to visit Vietnam? It depends on the region: the south December–April, the centre March–August, the north October–December and March–April. ### What is the weather like in Vietnam in December? Dry and ≈ 30 °C in the south and on Phu Quoc; rainy in Nha Trang and Da Nang; about 22 °C by day in Hanoi. ### What currency is used in Vietnam? The Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards work in hotels and chains; cash is needed for markets and street food. ### Is Vietnam safe for tourists? Generally yes; the main risks are traffic and bag snatching. Check your government’s travel advice before you go. ### How many days do you need in Vietnam? Two weeks covers Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City; add a week for a beach. ### How do I get around Vietnam? Fly between regions, take buses or limousine vans between nearby cities, and use Grab in town. ### Nha Trang or Phu Quoc? Phu Quoc in winter (dry season), Nha Trang from February to August. Phu Quoc has quieter sand; Nha Trang has a city and islands. ### Where to go in Vietnam with kids? Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Da Nang: VinWonders and Ba Na Hills, gentle beaches and resorts with pools. ## Sources - UNESCO World Heritage List — sites in Vietnam - Vietnam Immigration Department — e-visa portal - Wikipedia, “Vietnam”; “Climate of Vietnam”; Nha Trang climate (1991–2020 normals) Facts checked: 09.11.2026 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.