Try out some of the street food while you are there. Bánh áp chao is a popular street food in Cao Bằng made of rice flour batter and filled with duck meat. If you are feeling adventurous, try out the Bánh trứng kiến, a kind of ant-egg cake.
1. Hanoi
2. Ho Chi Minh
That’s my guide to the best cities in Vietnam. Got any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments below.
3. Hội An
Vietnam is an incredible country and a popular tourist destination for a reason. The rich culture, good food, and lush nature are perfect for any traveler. Each city in Vietnam is unique, with different sights to see and food to taste. It might be hard to decide where to go. Here are ten must-visit cities in Vietnam that I recommend.
4. Huế
Tây Ninh city is in the southeastern region of Vietnam. The city and province are well-known for Cao Đài, an indigenous Vietnamese religion. I highly recommend visiting the Holy See Temple when you visit the city. It’s the main Cadaoist church with gorgeous architecture. One of the great things about traveling is experiencing the local culture, and learning more about the Cao Dai is a great way to do it in Vietnam.
5. Cao Bằng
Da Lat is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. French colonial architecture is prominent in the city. One of the many works of architecture to see is the Da Lat Railway Station. It was built in 1938 by Moncet and Reveron, two French architects that added traditional designs of Cao Nguyen buildings in Vietnam. If you want to experience some nature near the temperate city, the Pongour Falls and Datanla Falls are there for you. Da Lat is also well-known for its flower festivals.
Vietnam is an incredible country to backpack through, filled with rich culture and nature. No matter where you go, I am sure you will come out satisfied. Each city is a new adventure, and hopefully, this guide helps you decide where to go.
6. Tây Ninh
You can’t go wrong with visiting Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City. The city is sprawling with culture and life. Make sure you eat a bowl of pho before adventuring to the many city landmarks. There are numerous museums dedicated to preserving the history of Vietnam. The Golden Dragon Water Puppet theater is a great place to enjoy the ancient art of water puppetry. When you get hungry again, the Bến Thành Market is the place to go if you’re looking for fresh fruits and vegetables.
7. Da Lat
Mũi Né is a coastal fishing town known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, sand dunes, and fresh seafood. I can’t emphasize seafood enough. Those who love seafood should visit. Many restaurants will cook fresh seafood straight from the sea to your plate. The fishing village is perhaps the perfect place if you are a fishing enthusiast and would want to be inspired by the enthusiasm of locals in hauling large catches of fish.
8. Buôn Ma Thuột
9. Da Nang
10. Cần Thơ
Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, and definitely a place that I recommend every tourist to visit. Just like Ho Chi Minh City (below), ordering at least one bowl of pho is a must. Once you’re set, there’s no limit to the number of sights to see. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Perfume Pagoda is also another incredible work of architecture believed to be built back in the 15th century.
11. Bến Tre
12. Cà Mau
Cà Mau is the southernmost city of mainland Vietnam. The hustle and bustle of tourist areas can make one weary, and Cà Mau is a great place to unwind and recover. There are a few beaches near the city that do not get so crowded. One of the main tourist attractions here is the Ngoc Hien bird sanctuary. The 130-hectare park contains many different birds and vegetation in the mangroves. From August to November, the bird sanctuary gets flooded. You will experience touring the lush greenery and wildlife on a boat.
13. Điện Biên Phủ
Cao Bằng is a city in the northeastern region of Vietnam. It may seem like a city with not much for tourists, but it has temperate weather with lush, mountainous greenery all around. An easy way to experience local culture is by visiting some of the quieter cities in a country. It is a great starting point to explore the beautiful waterfalls, caves, and villages of the Cao Bằng province.
14. Mũi Né
15. Kon Tum
Bến Tre is another city in the Mekong Delta. It is famous for being the coconut capital of Vietnam, with the Bến Tre Province having over 44% of the coconut area in the country. Those with a sweet tooth would want to visit the coconut candy factories in town. The Bến Tre floating restaurant, a massive three-story dragon boat restaurant, is quite an experience in this city. Bến Tre is also a great starting city to explore the Mekong Delta.
Kon Tum is a city near the borders of Laos and Cambodia. It’s a perfect highland city to unwind and relax in after a tiring journey across Vietnam. It’s not a popular tourist destination, so the rush of more popular cities fades to a quieter local culture. The wooden church is an interesting sight to see. In the Kon Tum province, the main religion is Roman Catholic. It’s also a great place to grab some signature Vietnamese coffee.