Central Vietnam attractions

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park nestle beneath some of Asia's most spectacular karst rock formations. While some of the caves—such as Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave—are only available on expensive multi-day tours, others, such as Phong Nha, are easy to visit on a day trip.

Khai Dinh Tomb is in Chau Chu village, south of Hue. It took 11 years to build—longer than Khai Dinh himself reigned. An elaborate, Gothic structure, with blackened concrete exteriors and flamboyantly gaudy interiors, it fuses French, Vietnamese, and Chinese architectural styles.

A former fishing village, the seaside town of Mui Ne has evolved into a boutique beach resort that provides a convenient escape from the metropolitan madness of Ho Chi Minh City. In addition to a golden-sand beach, Mui Ne boasts vivid red and white sand dunes and the otherworldly Fairy Stream.

Nowhere sums up Nha Trang’s coastal allure like Nha Trang Beach, a golden stretch home to swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Depending on the vibe you’re after, the beach offers lively bars or uninterrupted swathes of sand; its also backed by a promenade that comes to life at night.

One of the longest bridges in Vietnam, the 2,185-foot (666-meter Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong carries six lanes of traffic across the back of an undulating dragon. After sunset, the bridge is illuminated with hundreds of LED lights while on the weekend, fire and water spurt from the dragon’s mouth.

Stretching almost 2,000 meters (6,562 feet from the coastal town of Vinh Moc to a beach overlooking the South China Sea, the Vinh Moc Tunnels were dug in the late 1960s to serve as a live-in bomb shelter for more than 60 families. These families lived their lives underground, some on and off for up to six years.

The biggest lagoon in all of Southeast Asia, Tam Giang stretches for some 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Hue, Vietnam. Framed by mountains to the west and the lapping South China Sea to the east, it’s one of the richest sources of flora and fauna in the region. In other words, come here for great views, great nature, and, course, great seafood.

Millions of travelers flock to the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) in Hoi An every year. Built in the 18th century, the bridge features intricate carvings and statues of dogs and monkeys and provides great views of the Thu Bon River. Put aside extra time to cross the frequently crowded bridge—it’s the most popular spot in the Old Town.

Set amid the tropical greenery of Hon Tre Island, Vinpearl Land Nha Trang (sometimes called Vinpearl Amusement Park) transforms the beach resort of Nha Trang into a destination perfect for families and thrill seekers. The excitement begins before you even reach the entrance of the park, as you ride a record-breaking 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) cable car suspended above the South China Sea.

Minh Mang Tombhttps://www.viator.com/Hue-attractions/Tomb-of-Minh-Mang/d5219-a10496Contributing to Hue's imperial heritage is the Minh Mang Tomb, a 19th-century mausoleum set amid the lush landscapes of central Vietnam. The tomb, located 7 miles (12 kilometers) outside of Hue on the west bank of the Perfume River (Song Huong River), attracts visitors with more than 20 structures and its flower-lined walkways.

Located between Hoi An Ancient Town and An Bang Beach, Tra QueVegetable Village is an agricultural district that still uses traditional techniques to produce Vietnamese crops. The fertile farmland, which provides a welcome break from the crowds of Hoi An Ancient Town, is awash with fragrant herbs and home to numerous independent workshops.

Even though it's just a short boat ride from the resort city of Nha Trang, Hon Mieu Island feels a million miles away. Along with its white-sand beaches and seafood restaurants, its biggest claim to fame is Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a unique boat-shaped building that houses giant shrimp, sharks, and turtles.

As the capital of the province, My Tho serves as the gateway to the coffee-colored canals and floating markets of the Mekong Delta. One of the market town’s main attractions is the Vinh Trang Pagoda, where three huge Buddhas sit among tropical gardens.

Clustered around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Hoi An’s Cua Dai harbor, Vietnam's eight Cham Islands are known as Cham Island or Cù Lao Chàm. They offer white-sand beaches, granite cliffs, and coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling. The islands’ rich marine life and ecosystems have earned them UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.

The Perfume River (Song Huong River)—so-called due to the aroma released by blooming flowers in autumn—provides visitors with a wealth of activities. The river affords spectacular photo opportunities at sunrise and sunset, and it is flanked by cycle and walking paths that offer a cooling escape from the humidity of Hue.

It took nearly three years to build the 50 structures that make up the Tomb of Tu Duc (Lăng Tự Đức), devoted to the fourth emperor of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty. The pavilion—where the emperor once perched to compose poems and admire flowers—leads to the impressive tomb, on which a narrative written by the emperor himself is engraved.

The oldest market in Hue, Vietnam, is Dong Ba Market (Cho Dong Ba), which dates back to 1887. It is the perfect snapshot of life in this ancient city, with thousands heading to the massive two-story structure every day in search of handicrafts, fresh goods, clothes and fabrics, teas and candies, and more.

Winding over a mountainous stretch of highway just north of Da Nang, the Hai Van Pass (Đèo Hải Vân—literally “Sea Cloud Pass”) is one of Vietnam’s most scenic coast roads. It twists and turns over a spur of the Truong Son mountain range, delivering epic sea views from as high as 1,627 feet (495 meters).

Central Vietnam’s My Khe Beach, near the city of Da Nang, is often considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches. With a wide sweep of white sand, calm and clear waters, coconut palms, and warm weather throughout much of the year, My Khe Beach is an ideal place to take a break from urban Vietnam.

Used as an observation base in the American-Vietnam war, Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) overlooks Son Tra Peninsula near the city of Da Nang. Midway up the 2,790-foot (850-meter) peak, you find Linh Ung Pagoda, home to the Lady Buddha statue. Expect to encounter troops of monkeys dwelling in its jungle-covered cliffs.

Towering 37 meters (120 feet) over Hue’s UNESCO-listed Hue Citadel (Da Noi), Flag Tower (Kỳ Đài) claims to be the tallest flagpole in Vietnam. The tower comprises three stone platforms, with the third featuring eight canons and a sentry box at either end.

While the grand Linh Ung Pagoda complex might look traditional at first glance, it in fact opened in 2010. The sprawling grounds atop a hill near Da Nang and Hoi An contain a dazzling white, 219-foot (67-meter high Lady Buddha, other white stone statues, a large main hall with a Sakyamuni Buddha statue, and other features.

A 10-minute boat ride from Hoi An, the village of Kim Bong—a traditional carpentry village on Cam Kim island—has been churning out artisan works since the 15th century. After taking the ferry across, you can ride bikes across the pastoral landscapes of the island, visit local shops, and witness woodwork being carved before your eyes.

Home to spectacular limestone panoramas and terraced rice paddies, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is the ideal choice for travelers looking to get off the beaten path. Although the reserve is a popular weekend getaway for Hanoi locals, Pu Luong sees few foreign visitors and has therefore managed to maintain an authentic feel and tranquil atmosphere.

Formerly used to host the receptions and ceremonies of Vientamese emperors, Thai Hoa Palace dates back to 1805 and is notable for its lacquered columns. Plus, due to the palace’s innovative design, if you stand at the exact center of the courtyard you can hear whispers from anywhere in the building.

The ornate, covered Thanh Toan Bridge—Cau Ngoi to locals—humbly crosses a canal in Thuy Thanh, a rural village about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Hue. If you love Hoi An’s famous Japanese covered bridge, you’ll love Thanh Toan: Built in the 18th century in both Japanese and Chinese styles, it’s got all of the pomp and circumstance of Hoi An’s, but without the crowds.

Cham sculpture is Indian-style sculpture that draws on religious and mythological themes, originating from the coast of central and south Vietnam between roughly 192 and 1697 C.E. At the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, housed in an attractive colonial-era building, visitors can learn about this art form and the civilization from which it stemmed.

The largest of Hoi An’s five assembly halls—historic meeting places for the city’s Chinese merchants—Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Fujian Assembly Hall is an architectural feast and among the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town. A National Monument, it’s home to a temple, shrine, and a tree-lined courtyard.

Hailed as the epitome of antique grandeur, the 200-year-old Tan Ky Old House pays homage to Hoi An’s rich architectural heritage. The beautifully preserved 18th-century house contains Chinese and Japanese artworks, dark-wood furniture, and watermarked walls that attest to the building’s ability to withstand Hoi An’s seasonal floods.

Just 20 minutes from Hoi An, the fishing village of Tra Nhieu offers a deeply peaceful look into Vietnam’s more rural side. An “ecological village”—meaning it preserves traditional ways of fishing, farming, and living—this little hamlet sits on the Thu Bon River, easily accessible for travelers to walk, bike, and tour for a glimpse of daily life.