Vietnam
In short
- Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa and Ha Giang are in the north, all reached by road from Hanoi.
- Da Lat sits in the Central Highlands; Nha Trang and Quy Nhon are beach cities on the south-central coast.
- Phu Quoc is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, reached by air from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
- Each hotel guide here lists hotels chosen from public, checkable data, with a price check link for every one.
This guide covers 8 places in Vietnam, and for many nationalities the official e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days. Vietnam is long and narrow, from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
Most first trips therefore pick one region: limestone bays and mountains in the north, highland towns and beaches in the centre, or Phu Quoc island in the far south.
Where to go in Vietnam
Where to go in Vietnam depends on the season you travel in and the trip you want: karst scenery, mountain trekking, a cool highland town or a beach. The table sets out the 8 places covered here.
| Place | Region | Best for | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Long Bay | north-east coast | limestone islands, overnight cruises | by road from Hanoi |
| Ninh Binh | Red River Delta | river boat trips through karst scenery | by road or train from Hanoi |
| Sapa | north-west mountains | rice terraces, trekking, Fansipan | by road from Hanoi, or train to Lao Cai |
| Ha Giang | far north, by the Chinese border | mountain passes, the Ha Giang Loop | by road from Hanoi |
| Da Lat | Central Highlands | a cool climate, pine forests, lakes | flight to Lien Khuong airport |
| Nha Trang | south-central coast | a city beach, island boat trips | flight to Cam Ranh, or train |
| Quy Nhon | south-central coast | quieter beaches, Cham towers | flight to Phu Cat, or train |
| Phu Quoc | Gulf of Thailand | island beaches, sunsets, snorkelling | flight to Phu Quoc airport |
The north: bays, rice terraces and mountain roads
The north holds four of the eight places, and Hanoi is the hub for all of them. Ha Long Bay, on the north-east coast, is known for its limestone islands; most visitors see it on a day cruise or stay one night on a boat.
Ninh Binh, south of Hanoi, has similar karst scenery inland, seen from small rowing boats at Trang An and Tam Coc. Sapa, in the north-west mountains, is the base for walks through rice terraces and for the cable car up Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina.
Ha Giang, further north on the border with China, is known for the Ha Giang Loop, a multi-day road trip over mountain passes and through the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Its roads are steep and winding, and many travellers ride with a local driver rather than alone.
The centre and south: highlands, beach cities and an island
The centre and south suit slower trips. Da Lat, in the Central Highlands, is a hill town of lakes, pine forests and flower farms, and its height keeps it cooler than the coast. It is a common stop between Ho Chi Minh City and the beaches.
Nha Trang is the larger beach city, with a long sandy beach in the centre and boat trips to nearby islands. Quy Nhon, further north on the same coast, is smaller and quieter, with Cham towers in the city and coves to the south.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, sits in the Gulf of Thailand close to the Cambodian coast, with beaches on both its east and west sides.
Getting into and around Vietnam
Getting into and around Vietnam is mostly by domestic flight between regions and by road or train within them.
- Visa: some nationalities can enter without a visa; for many others, the official e-visa site issues e-visas valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. The site lists a fee of USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry, not refunded if the visa is refused.
- E-visa holders must enter and leave through the international border gates the government designates; the e-visa site publishes the list.
- The Immigration Department recommends completing the online pre-arrival form before entering Vietnam.
- Hanoi’s Noi Bai, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat are the main international airports; Phu Quoc, Cam Ranh, Phu Cat and Lien Khuong have domestic flights.
- The north-south railway links Hanoi with the central coast, including Nha Trang and the station for Quy Nhon.
How the hotel guides are made
How the hotel guides are made matters, because we have not stayed at these hotels. Each list is chosen from public, checkable data: the hotel’s own website, its location, the facilities it lists and its guest score on booking sites, with the date checked.
We show a star category only where an official register lets us check it; otherwise the facilities and the guest score do that job. Every hotel has its own price check link, and no hotel pays to be listed. Read the editorial policy for the full method and the disclosure for how the site earns money.
When Vietnam is not the right trip
Vietnam is not the right trip for every plan. A week is too short to cover the north, the centre and Phu Quoc together; each region adds a flight or a long road day, so a short trip works better in one region.
Ha Giang and Sapa involve long mountain drives, which suit some travellers less than others. For an island trip with more choice of beaches, the Indonesia guide covers Bali and its neighbours; for Europe, start with Spain or Portugal. Read more about the site.
Hotel guides for Vietnam
Each list compares hotels by area, price level and guest score, and explains how they were chosen.
- Best Hotels in Da Lat
- Best Hotels in Ha Giang
- Best Hotels in Ha Long Bay
- Best Hotels in Nha Trang
- Best Hotels in Ninh Binh
- Best Hotels in Phu Quoc
- Best Hotels in Quy Nhon
- Best Hotels in Sapa
Common questions
Where should I go on a first trip to Vietnam?
On a first trip to Vietnam, choose one region. In the north, combine Hanoi with Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, and add Sapa or Ha Giang for mountains. For beaches, pick Nha Trang, Quy Nhon or Phu Quoc, and add Da Lat for the cooler highlands between the coast and Ho Chi Minh City.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on nationality. Some nationalities can enter without a visa, and many others apply online on the official e-visa site, which lists e-visas of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, for USD 25 or USD 50. Check the official site for your nationality before booking flights.
Is Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh better?
Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh show similar limestone scenery in different ways. Ha Long Bay is seen from the sea, usually on a cruise with a night on board. Ninh Binh is inland, seen from small rowing boats and by bicycle. Both are reached by road from Hanoi, so many trips include each.
How do you get to Phu Quoc?
Most visitors fly to Phu Quoc, which has its own airport with domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Ferries also cross from the mainland coast. Check the airline or ferry operator for current routes and timetables before booking a hotel on the island.