Five Cannons of Nine Holy Cannons
Hue
Located just inside the Citadel ramparts, near the gates to either side of the Flag Tower, are the Nine Holy Cannons (1804). These five cannons next to…
Must-see attractions in Vietnam
Ninh Binh Province
A Gothic counterpoint to Phat Diem's is this cathedral at Ton Dao, along Rte 10 about 5km from Phat Diem. At the rear, a statue of the Virgin Mary keeps…
Con Dao Islands
On the north side of Con Son Town, Bai Loi Voi is a broad sand-and-shingle beach with lots of seashells and shade-providing coastal trees. At low tide…
Mekong Delta
Traditionally Ca Mau life was lived facing the water, and while the floating market has disappeared in recent years, the main market still sprawls along…
My Son
My Son's impressive museum has many statues from the site, as well as information about the carvings, statues and architecture, and how the temples were…
Quy Nhon
Located 25km north of Quy Nhon, the biggest seated Buddha in Southeast Asia enjoys a commanding hillside location with sweeping sea views. Access is via a…
Ho Chi Minh City
Skyview is a viewing platform atop the tallest structure in Southeast Asia, a 461m behemoth located 4km north of the centre. There are certainly…
Cat Ba Island
Cat Co 3 is the closest beach to Cat Ba Town but its blink-and-you-miss-it sliver of sand isn't really worth stopping for. Head here just to take the…
Dien Bien Phu
The epic hilltop Victory Monument, commemorating the 1954 battles, presides heroically over Dien Bien Phu's main road. Road access leads around the back…
South-Central Vietnam
A modest museum that documents the history of the Quang Tri province, with a focus on its ethnic minorities. The most interesting attractions for…
Hue
The only royal tomb not enclosed by a wall, the monument of Thieu Tri (built 1848) has a similar floor plan to his father Minh Mang’s tomb, but is…
Haiphong
Haiphong’s elegant Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the 19th century and comprehensively restored in 2010. The building’s grey towers are a local…
Hanoi
Across the Song Hong (Red River), in Long Bien, this sprawling riverfront food street is popular with locals and heavy on seafood. There are excellent…
Ninh Binh Province
Dong Huong Pagoda is the area's largest Buddhist pagoda, and many of its congregation are minority Muong people. Turn right at the canal at the north of…
Hoi An Museum of History & Culture
Hoi An
Housed in the Quan Am Pagoda, this museum provides a sampling of pre-Cham, Cham and port-era artefacts, with some huge bells, historic photos, old scales…
Cat Ba Island
Cat Co 1 has a decent stretch of beach but is dominated by a rather ugly resort. Don't expect much peace and quiet here during the summer months as it's…
Demilitarised Zone
Visible from Hwy 9, this 230m-high karst outcrop once had a US Marine Corps lookout on top and a base for American long-range artillery nearby. The…
Southwest Highlands
A bridge on the HCMC–Dalat road (Hwy 20) spans this reservoir, which is home to many floating houses. The families who live here fish farm, with the fish…
Kon Tum
Northeast of Kon Tum, this village has a small rong and you can observe tranquil riverside activities. It's a poor place, even by local standards, so not…
Hoi An
This museum presents an overview of the history of terracotta in different countries and cultures around the world. Often there are local craftspeople in…
Museum of Sa Huynh Culture & Museum of the Revolution
Hoi An
This two-floor museum has a collection of stone, bronze, gold, glass and agate jewellery, assorted ceramic fragments and burial jars dating from the early…
Four Cannons of Nine Holy Cannons
Hue
Located just inside the Citadel ramparts, near the gates to either side of the Flag Tower, are the Nine Holy Cannons (1804). These four cannons near Ngan…
Demilitarised Zone
Crossing the Dakrong River 13km east of the Khe Sanh bus station, this bridge was rebuilt in 2001 and bears a marker hailing its importance as a conduit…
Nha Trang
Do Dien Khanh is a welcoming host and very talented photographer of Vietnamese landscapes and life – his portraits of minority people are captivating…
Northwest Vietnam
For an overview of Son La, follow the stone steps to the left of the Trade Union (Cong Doan) Hotel in the north of town. It's a 20-minute uphill walk to…
Mekong Delta
Like all Cao Dai places of worship, this temple (built in 1966) is a riot of colour and ornamentation, though there are more impressive ones elsewhere in…
Con Dao Islands
Small museum dedicated to the life of teenager martyr and national heroine Vo Thi Sau.
Hoi An
The exhibits at this 150-year-old Chinese trading house give some idea of local customs and culture. The view of the river from upstairs is very…
Hue
An island on Tang Tau Lake, which is northeast of Tinh Tam Lake, was once the site of a royal library. It is now occupied by the small Ngoc Huong Pagoda.
Dien Bien Phu
The unsigned French War Memorial, erected on the 30th anniversary of the 1954 battle, commemorates the 3000 French troops buried under the rice paddies.
Halong City
This wide and sandy beach offers good sunset strolls and views of the cruise ships and lighthouse. It's accessible behind the massive Sunworld complex.
Con Dao Islands
This islet, west of Con Son Island, has a couple of tiny, pristine, empty cove beaches. Talk to boat captains in Con Dao about setting up a trip here.
Tuy Hoa
This striking white war memorial in the south of town has been designed with overlapping sails that are vaguely reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House.
Tam Coc
Near the entrance to Tam Coc, Van Lan is famous for its embroidery. Local artisans make napkins, tablecloths, pillowcases and T-shirts. Bargain hard.
Hue
This nightly market is mainly focused on local arts and crafts, but there are also simple cafes and bars perfect for a riverside snack and a drink.
Sapa
Sapa's small stone church was built by the French and is still a central landmark. It opens for Mass on Sunday and on certain evenings for prayers.
Con Dao Islands
On the south side of Con Son town, this appealing beach has a green mountain backdrop, but there are a good number of fishing boats moored nearby.
Cat Ba Island
The market at the northern end of Cat Ba Town's harbour is a scruffy local affair with twitching crabs, jumbo shrimp and pyramids of fresh fruit.
Northwest Vietnam
You’ll find woven shoulder bags, scarves, silver buttons and necklaces and other hill-tribe crafts at this market in the north of town.
Khmer Minority People’s Museum
Tra Vinh
This nicely presented Khmer Minority People’s Museum displays photos, costumes and other artefacts of traditional Khmer culture.
