Vietnam is one of the most favourite tourist destinations all over the world for several reasons: rich history and culture; natural beauty; uniquely delicious food; and warm local people.  

Give yourself 20 days to explore from the South to the Northern part of the country and you will be able to discover and truly appreciate the inherent charm of Vietnam which makes it an increasingly famous vacation getaway through the years.

In the first 5 days, travel to the coastal cities of Saigon, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Phan Rang, Nha Trang and Tuy Hoa. Vung Tau is known for its Bai Truoc and Bai Sau beaches; Shakyamuni statue; God statue, Bach Dinh; and Niet Ban Tinh Xa. Phan Rang also boasts of its untouched beaches, ideal for adventurous people who dislike commercial beach spots. The Poklongarai Tower; Bau Truc pottery village; My Nghiep brocade village; grape-picking in Ba Moi Garden; and the coral reefs in Vinh Hy Bay should not be missed as well. In Phan Thiet, the Duc Thanh School; Van Thuy Tu whale temple; Rang beach; Mui Ne; and Lagi are must-visits. In Nha Trang, one must see the Dam Market; Oceanographic Institute; and Bao Dai Palace. Meanwhile, the Nhan Tower; Phu Yen Monument; and Chop Chai are famous tourist attractions in Tuy Hoa. Many hotels are available and the food is delicious so visitors won’t have difficulty finding themselves comfortable as soon as they arrive.

In the next five days, explore Tuy Hoa, Quy Nhon, Quang Ngai, Tam Ky and Da Nang. Quy Nhon and Da Nang are coastal cities as well taking pride in their beautiful beaches. In Quy Nhon, the Banh It Cham Tower is a must-see because it is one of the remnants of the history of Champa. The Thi Nai Lagoon Bridge is the longest sea-cross bridge in Vietnam connecting Quy Nhon City and Phuong Mai Peninsula. The Twin Towers and the grave of the famous poet Han Mac Tu are also visit-worthy.

Quang Ngai is another coastal city located in the South Central area and therefore also takes pride in its many lovely beaches and other charming sites. Da Nang is known for being the cleanest city in Vietnam. It is not commercialized but people purposely visit because of its unspoiled natural scenery and quiet environment, perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban cities. Tam Ky in Quang Nam Province should be top of the list, as well as the incredible bridges crossing the equally amazing rivers of Han, Thuan Phuoc, Dragon, and Tran Thi Ly.

Danang, Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh should be the itinerary in the following five days. Hue is an ideal destination for the history buffs because of its abundance of royal palaces, tombs and temples. The Hue Citadel for one, located at the bank of the Huong (Perfume) River, is something that history lovers should not miss. The Khe Sanh, Cua Rao, Quang Tri citadel, and the Truong Son Cemetery are popular tourist sites in Quang Tri. Dong Hoi City in Quang Binh Province is also rich in historical sites such as the Tam Toa Church, Nhat Le River, Nhat Le Sea, Quang Binh Quan, and Dong Hoi Citadel. The world-famous Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Son Doong Cave can also be found in Quang Binh Province. Ha Tinh on the other hand is home to many heroes and other great people of Vietnam.

In the last five days, discover the beauty of Ha Tinh, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh and Hanoi. Vinh City in Nghe An Province is often visited for its uniquely delicious food like eel porridge, pancake and orange. Popular tourist spots are Lam River, Phao Bridge, Hoang Son Communal House, Ben Thuy Bridge, Thanh Hoa, and the beaches of Sam Son and Hai Hoa. Ninh Binh is also famous for its one-of-a-kind delicacies like goat meat, Nho Quan wine and Lai Thanh liquor. It also has interesting places to visit such as the Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Hoa Lu ancient capital, Trang An and Bai Dinh Pagoda, a big temple compound containing important Asian records.

At Hoa Lu, tourists can visit Nam Dinh City, the second capital of the Tran Dynasty. The place is also teeming with temples such as the Tran Temple and King Dinh Temple. Visitors can swim at Thinh Long Beach while enjoying fresh seafood. Hanoi is world-class for its sites such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho’s stilt house, and Thang Long Royal Citadel. Its food is also something that visitors come back to, like its beef noodle, Ho Tay shrimp cake, Ngu Xa noodle roll, La Vong fried fish and Thanh Tri steamed rolls.

20 days of exploring Vietnam will definitely give you a good perspective of the country, from its naturally beautiful landscapes, untouched beaches and extraordinary food, proving why it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.