For a more extensive and enriching tour, we suggest some additional places:
Red River Delta of northern Vietnam – Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, about 93 km south of Hanoi, was selected as a primary shooting site for Kong: Skull Island – the famous Hollywood movie. Surrounded by stunning landscapes like Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Trang An tourism complex, Bai Dinh pagoda – the biggest pagoda in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park, Van Long Nature Reserve, Hoa Lu Ancient Temple…, Ninh Binh has so much to offer tourists.
The best way to get a sense of this UNESCO-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers, and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks.
The temperatures in Ninh Binh are ideal from March to May and September to November. For the finest views, go during harvest season in October.
Sapa
North-west of Hanoi and not too far from the border with neighboring China, Sapa is Vietnam’s premier destination for trekking and soft adventure. Best known for its diversity of hill tribes and minority villages, this remote outpost, a former French hill station, is located at an elevation of 1650 Sameters above sea level and accessible by train or a long road journey from Ha Noi and from any other direction.
Sapa has its own attraction points each season but Spring, which lasts from February to May, is the most suitable time to visit Sapa. Coming to Sapa this time, you will have a chance to admire blossom flowers at every corner of Sapa and you can join many unique festivals of ethnic minorities including the Hmong people’s “Gau Tao” festival, the Giay people’s Roong Pooc festival, etc.
Central Highland – Buon Ma Thuot
Located deep in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Buon Ma Thuot is well and truly off-the-beaten-track. Some 360km north of Ho Chi Minh City and accessible by both air and road, the region surrounding this medium-sized town is home to sweeping scenery, friendly minority villages (including those of the Rade and Jarai people) and a landscape that is riotous and fertile. This is coffee growing country and orderly plantations are evident throughout the province. Indeed, Buon Ma Thuot is known as the ‘Coffee Capital of Vietnam’ so where better place to experience Vietnamese style cafe-culture and enjoy a roadside cafe sua da, the delicious sweetened, iced coffee that is drunk with such zeal throughout the entire country?
With the relatively mild climate, the most ideal month to visit the area is December (the season of yellow wildflowers and local festivals) or February (the coffee flower season and the attraction elephant racing festival).
Central Highland – Da Lat
Gateway to the Central Highlands and a former French colonial hill station, the city of Da Lat retains a character different to any other in Vietnam. At an altitude of 1500 meters and known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. Da Lat’s elevation, combined with pine tree flanked lakes and a profusion of flower gardens, lends itself to an alpine resort atmosphere. Founded in the late 1800s, many reminders of its heritage remain and Da Lat has a plethora of colonial-style buildings, including Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, a marvelous art deco villa on the edge of town where the interior design has remained unchanged through the decades.
The most ideal time to visit Dalat is between December and March, as the weather conditions are ideal for outdoor adventure sports and exploring the countryside.
South Central Coast – Nha Trang
Located on the country’s south-central coast, 450km north of Ho Chi Minh City and approximately 1200km south of Ha Noi, Nha Trang – a pleasure-seeking town is the ideal location to break a north-to-south (or vice versa) Vietnam itinerary and indulge in some serious R&R. Nha Trang is blessed with 6km of glorious beach, a sweeping arc of golden sand that gives way to inviting turquoise waters that are speckled with tropical islands and some wondrous snorkeling opportunities.
The best time to visit Nha Trang is from the months of January to Mid-September when the days are sunny and pleasantly warm with minimal rainfall, making it perfect for beachside activities.
South Central Coast – Qui Nhon
Located approximately half way between Nha Trang and Da Nang, the work-a-day coastal city of Qui Nhon is one of south-central Vietnam’s best kept secrets. With ever-improving transportation options, including flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang as well as rail links to onward destinations both north and south, Qui Nhon is a worthy stopover for the inquisitive traveler looking for a destination away from the regular tourist-trail.
Qui Nhon’s city beach is connected via a well-maintained boardwalk that is lined with tropical palms. It’s ideal for a long walk or cycle ride, especially in the early morning or evening when the fishermen bring in their catch. Further afield, traditional villages and remote beaches are waiting to be discovered.
To enjoy the beautiful scenery, you should visit Qui Nhon in the dry season from March to September as the weather is relatively dry and not too hot, suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. During summer, you also have the opportunity to attend many exciting traditional festivals such as the festival of whale worship, traditional martial arts festival, or boat racing festival.
South Central Coast – Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
One of Vietnam’s pre-eminent beach resorts, Mui Ne features sweeping stretches of sandy beaches backed by palm trees and spectacular sand dunes. A steady breeze usually prevails and Mui Ne is a popular spot for kite surfing and other waterborne activities. Mui Ne’s wind-sculpted sand dunes are an attraction in their own right with the oceanic winds casting the sands into glorious Saharaesque formations.
A short distance from Mui Ne, Phan Thiet offers an attractive beach with bustling seafood restaurants lining the waterfront and, on a hill overlooking the town, the Po Shanu Cham towers provide sweeping views of both Phan Thiet and Mui Ne.
Mui Ne – Phan Thiet is usually windy and sunny, less stormy, and almost no fog. The average temperature of Phan Thiet ranges from 26 to 27 degrees Celsius, so this place is very popular with tourists in all four seasons.
Gulf of Thailand – Phu Quoc island
Phu Quoc is the largest and most beautiful island in Vietnam, also known as the Pearl Island. Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large parts of the island swathed in dense jungle, the tropical paradise of Phu Quoc sits majestically in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodian coast. National Park designation and a protected marine environment ensure Phu Quoc retains its pristine natural beauty. The crystal waters offer excellent diving and snorkeling and underwater explorers will not be disappointed by the abundant marine life. On dry land, those looking to do more than relax on the picture-postcard beaches can visit fishing villages and learn about local trades on the island.
Phu Quoc’s weather changes throughout the year. The temperature here is an average of 28°C warm all year round thanks to its tropical monsoon climate so it is an ideal place for a wide range of outdoor activities. The dry season is between Nov to Apr next year, the temperature is cool, less rain, and calm waves, very suitable for beach relaxing and other sightseeing activities.
South China Sea – Con Dao island
The breathtaking Con Dao archipelago sits pretty in the South China Sea, 230 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Consisting of fifteen islands, the largest, Con Son, is the perfect base from which to enjoy palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and hidden inlets. A designated National Park, Con Dao is swathed in lush vegetation, almond trees and tropical fruit plantations. Behind its pristine environment, Con Dao has a somber history as it was used by the French to incarcerate political prisoners. Marine life abounds and the Con Dao archipelago offers some of Vietnam’s most spectacular diving and snorkeling opportunities. Offshore it’s not unusual to see dolphins jumping through the waves and at certain times of the year, it may be possible to witness green turtles in their natural environment, nesting and hatching on the shore.
If you want to go when the sea is calmest, March to June would be the best as these are the driest months to visit Con Dao.
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is known locally as Cuu Long or the ‘River of Nine Dragons’, and this rich fertile region of farmland interlaced with countless waterways and of the mighty Mekong River presents one of Vietnam’s most enchanting scenes. Take time to explore the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam and you will be rewarded with colorful floating markets, lively towns and a labyrinth of waterways that buzzes with activity.
Mekong Delta – Cai Be town
Only 120 km south-west of Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be is one of the gateways to the Mekong Delta and provides the perfect opportunity for a taste of life on the mighty Mekong. With colorful floating markets, local handicrafts, orchards filled with tropical fruit and expansive rice paddies, life in Cai Be feels like a world away from Ho Chi Minh, and not less than three hours’ drive.
Cai Be welcomes you in any season all year round, each of that will certainly offer you specifically different types of pleasure and satisfaction. However, the best time is the floating season from September to December.
Mekong Delta – Can Tho city
As the capital of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is the largest town in the delta and is perfectly positioned to explore the Delta’s vibrant floating markets and explore the myriad waterways. In addition to several pagodas Can Tho has an attractive cathedral, pleasant promenade and bustling night market.
The most perfect time to visit Can Tho is the beginning of the rainy season which mean April, May and June when you observe the city as its most fertile and experience the lively scenes of nature.
Mekong Delta – Chau Doc town
The riverine setting of Chau Doc, with its pastel colored wooden stilted houses, is one of the most picturesque in the Mekong Delta. With the Bassac River flowing through its heart, surrounded by flooded plains, and overlooked by the spiritual Sam Mountain, Chau Doc temptingly nudges the Cambodian border.
Generally, the weather is quite pleasant all year round for travelers to visit Chau Doc because average temperatures vary very little. During August to November, there is a lot of rain which often leads to extensive floods then you can experience the life of locals in Chau Doc when traveling by small boats up the river.