Where to stay in Vietnam: 14 Best places

Vietnam is one of the most popular places to visit in South East Asia. I am Vietnamese who travel around the country extensively, so I will help you to find the best places and where to stay in Vietnam for both first-time visitors and repeated travelers.

I’ll show you my hand-picked hotels and recommend cities to go for couples, families, beaches, and nightlife. Whether you are looking for budget-friendly backpacker hostels, romantic hotels, or kid-friendly beach resorts, Vietnam has it all.

Here are the main content in this article:

Vietnam for first-timers
Vietnam for family
Vietnam for nightlife
Vietnam for couples
Vietnam for beaches
14 Best places to stay in Vietnam

Where to stay in Vietnam for the first time?

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the top cities to stay in Vietnam for the first time. Other popular places to visit are Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the transport hubs of Vietnam. From each city, you can easily take day trips to popular destinations in its region. From Hanoi, you can go to Halong, Ninh Binh, Sapa easily. From Saigon, you can take trips to the Mekong delta, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc.

Top recommend Hotels in Vietnam are:

🏯The Rex Hanoi Hotel (Hanoi)
🏙️La Vela Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
🌉Vanda Hotel (Da Nang)
🏠Hoi An Historic Hotel (Hoi An)
🏝️Dusit Princess Moonrise Beach Resort (Phu Quoc)

Where to stay in Vietnam with kids?

Top cities to stay in Vietnam with kids are Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc. If your family wants to experience vibrant urban life, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are the best places to go. If you want beaches and beachfront resorts, Phu Quoc and Da Nang are top destinations.

Your family can take an overnight cruise on Halong Bay or explore the ancient town of Hoi An. Other destinations to consider for family vacation in Vietnam are Ninh Binh, Sapa, Nha Trang, and Dalat.

Some family-friendly hotels in Vietnam include:

Melia Hanoi (Hanoi)
Intercontinental Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villa (Hoi An)
InterContinental (Da Nang)
Seashells Phu Quoc Hotel & Spa (Phu Quoc)
Vinpearl resort and spa (Nha Trang)

Where to stay in Vietnam for nightlife?

The best places to go in Vietnam for nightlife, without a doubt, are Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Next in the line are Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, and Nha Trang.

Ho Chi Minh is overall the best destination for vibrant nightlife. You can go to backpacker-friendly bars and nightclubs on Bui Vien Walking street. Head to Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi area for many many trendy rooftop terraces, and bars. Check out the lively Saigon Japan town for the Japanese atmosphere.

Some top areas to stay in Vietnam for nightlife are:

Ta Hien Beer Street and t he Old Quarter (Hanoi)
Bui Vien, Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue street in District 1 ( Ho Chi Minh City)

Where to stay in Vietnam for couples?

In my opinion, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Sapa are some of the best places to stay in Vietnam for couples. If you want a romantic beach vacation in a luxury beach resort, I recommend Halong Bay, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

If you don’t mind being away from the beaches and enjoy stunning mountainous landscape and pleasant weather, I recommend Da Lat and Sapa. Da Lat is indeed one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam.

Best Hotels in Vietnam for couples are:

Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel (Da Lat)
New World Resort (Phu Quoc)
InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang)
Allegro Hoi An (Hoi An)

Where to stay in Vietnam for beaches?

The top places to go in Vietnam for beach holiday are Phu Quoc, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. Other lesser known destinations and small beach towns are Mui Ne, Quy Nhon, Cat Ba, and Con Dao.

Some of the beach beach resorts in Vietnam are:

The 14 Best places to stay in Vietnam

1. Ho Chi Minh City – Best city in Vietnam for nightlife

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best places to stay in Vietnam, especially for first-timers and those who want a vibrant nightlife. It is the main city and bustling metropolis in south Vietnam and often served as the gateway to explore southern Vietnam and the Mekong delta.

You can spend a couple of days in the city center exploring popular attractions, enjoy local food, and the lively nightlife. You can visit attractions like the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien Walking Street, and Independence Palace. I took a 4 hour jeep tour and was able to see most of the major attractions.

You can take day trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong delta. I took a half day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels and didn’t feel too rushed. Mekong delta is located far away from Ho Chi Minh, so better to take a one day trip to make the most of your visit.

The best neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City for first-time visitors are district 1 and district 3. These are the most central locations in the city for tourists, offering east access to major attractions and amenities.

Additionally, you can find a hotels in District 5 (Chinatown) for a more local atmosphere and District 2 for an international vibe. These areas are a bit further from the heart of the action, so I think it is best suited for those who have special needs and don’t mind traveling to get to the city center.

I stayed at several hotels and guest houses in Saigon, including La Vela (District 3), Orchid Saigon (District 3), Hoang Lan Hotel (District 3), Sky Gem Central (District 1), and Common Inn (District 1). I had good experiences with all of them.

If you are looking for reasonable luxury hotels in a quite central location that has a spacious rooftop area with a sky bar and pool, I recommend La Vela Saigon. It is located in district 3, only a short Grab ride from the international airport and major sights.

For a good mid-range 4-star hotel, the Orchid Saigon is a good choice. Just avoid staying in the rooms facing the lift. Orchid is located on a quiet location in the border of district 1 and 3. It is within walking distance from Ben Nghe street market, Ben Thanh market, Independence Palace, and the War Museum.

If you have a smaller budget, you can have a look at Hoang Lan Hotel in District 3. It was a cozy small hotel in a quiet back street with easy access to major sights. My room was clean with a balcony. The breakfast was nice with several choices. I didn’t like that they put apart perfume to make rooms fresh.

If you want to experience what it is like to stay in the international hub of Ho Chi Minh, you can consider staying in Thao Dien District 2 at the Common Inn. This hotel is situated on a very leafy street, a short walk from the night market and Xuan Thuy street where you can find many trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes.

If you want to stay close to the airport or want to have a shower before the flight, you can have a look at Prague and Bluesky Serviced Apartment. I stayed in both hotels and believe it is a good stop over.

2. Hanoi – Best place for culture, food, and sightseeing

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is a great base to explore the traditional side of the country. It is a gateway for day trips to many beautiful places in north Vietnam like Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, and Ha Giang.

Hanoi has an international airport located 30 km away from the city center. From the airport, you can get to the old quarter easily by taxi and Grab. Noi Bai airport is one of the largest airports in Vietnam, making it a popular place for first-time visitors to Vietnam.

Usually, 2 to 3 days is enough to see major sights of the city, enjoy the food and nightlife. But many tourists ended up staying there longer due to its interesting nightlife scene.

The best way to explore Hanoi is just wandering around the old quarter, observing local life, going shopping, and people watching.

Popular places of interest are Hoan Kiem Lake, Ta Hien beer street, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Hoa Lo prison, Thang Long Imperial Palace, Temple of Literature, Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, and West Lake.

Hanoi Old Quarter is the most popular place to stay in Hanoi for first-time visitors. This is the tourist heart of the city, where you’ll be surrounded with many restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. It offers an authentic local atmosphere and central locations.

You can consider staying around the west lake, in Tay Ho district. This area is the expat hub of Hanoi and has a quieter atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of the old town.

There are many hotels and guest houses in Hanoi for all budgets. The old quarter has lots of mid-range and budget options while the French Quarter has more luxury hotels.

The old quarter is quite small, so no matter where you choose to stay in this area, you can easily walk around and explore everything. Grab is plentiful if you tired of walking.

I stayed in a several hotels in Hanoi. I had both good and not good experiences about these places. I would stay again at the Rex Hotel, the west hotel & spa, and Little Charm hostel.

The Rex Hanoi Hotel is a good mid-range hotel located on Gia Ngu street,very close to Ta Hien beer street and Hoan Kiem Lake. It shares the street with other popular hotels like Hanoi Tirant and May De Ville. The Rex has a huge rooftop area with a sky bar and sweeping city views.

The West Hotel & Spa is a good choice in the old quarter, a step away from Hoan Kiem lake. My room is on the 5th floor, near a busy street but they have quite good soundproof doors, so it is quieter when closing the door. I recommend this hotel for those who want a safe central hotel in Hanoi for exploring and don’t need facilities like rooftop, sky bar, or swimming pool.

I also stayed in Little Charm Hanoi Hostel for a few nights. I think it is an excellent place to stay for backpacker and budget solo travelers. This is best suited for those who want a safe, clean, and quiet environment in the heart of Hanoi. It has storage luggage space, swimming pool, large lobby area, and many bathrooms.

3. Da Nang – Best city in central Vietnam for beaches

Da Nang is the main city in central Vietnam and is one of the best places to stay in Vietnam for beaches. It is also the most liveable city in Vietnam due to its affordable cost of living, stunning beaches, warm climates, and clean environment.

In addition to the long stretches of white sandy beaches, Da Nang has a beautiful Han River running through the heart of the city and offering lots of activities along its banks.

The best areas to stay in Da Nang are either Han riverfront in the city center or the My Khe beachfront area. In my opinion, Han riverside is the best location for first-time visitors because it offers more authentic experience and good priced restaurants and cafes compared to the beach area.

If you prefer being close to the beach more, you can book hotels along My Khe Beach. Vo Nguyen Giap street is across the beach and is lined with high rise hotels and apartments.

Beachfront cafes, restaurants, and bars can be very expensive, but there are also many options on the back of the main road on streets like Ha Bong.

An Thuong is also a good area for an international atmosphere where you can find lots of international restaurants. It is within walking distance to the beach and it is best suited for long term travelers. You can find lots of small apartments and hotels in this area.

You can also find a cluster of resorts along the beach stretching 10km from Premier Village to the Legend Danang Golf Resort. You can enjoy all-inclusive resort style accommodations but keep in mind that it is a bit far from the city center.

If you want to explore Da Nang itself, 2-3 days is enough to enjoy the beaches and visit major sights like Ba Na Hill, Dragon bridge, Marble mountain, Linh Ung pagoda, Han Market, and Son Tra night market.

If you use Da Nang as a base to explore central Vietnam, you can spend extra days doing day trips to Hoi An, Hue, Cham islands, Hai Van Pass, and My Son sanctuary.

I stayed in both the riverside and the beachfront area. In the city center, I stayed at Vanda Hotel right at the foot of Dragon Bridge. It is one of the skyscrapers of the city offering stunning views of the city and the rivers.

My room has a wide window with the view of the bridge and Han River. They have a nice rooftop area with a sky bar and swimming pool with views. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Breakfast buffet was a typical meal in this city. I wish they had a small openable window for some air in.

I think Vanda is a good base for a short stay in a central location with direct views to Dragon river. But with similar price and location, you also have many other options on Bach Dang street such as the Brilliant Hotel or Haian riverfront.

For a 5 star luxury experience in the city center, you can have a look at Novotel, Hilton, or Melia Vinpearl. Melia Vinpearl is on Tran Hung Dao street a bit further from the heart of the action but easily accessible and is right next to Vincom center which is a great place for shopping.

In the beach area, I stayed in the deluxe king room with partial ocean views at the Mandila Beach Hotel. It is located on Vo Nguyen Giap street with lots of beachfront restaurants nearby as well as other tourist facilities on the back on Ha Bong street. The hotel has a rooftop area with a pool, a bar, and a fitness center. Overall it is a good base for those looking for a seafront midrange hotel in Da Nang.

If you have a higher budget, you can stay at Popular Sala Hotel, DLG Hotel, or Grand Tourane Hotel. They are all within walking distance to the beach and a few minutes Grab ride to the downtown.

4. Hoi An – Best known for its ancient town

Hoi An is a popular tourist destination located only 40 km from Da Nang. Many visitors choose to base in Da Nang and take a visit to Hoi An, while others choose to base in Hoi An and make a day trip to Da Nang. You can also split your visit and stay in both places to experience both sides.

Hoi An is known for its Unesco heritage ancient town with many old yellow houses and shops, and a narrow cobblestone lantern lit street. It has a delicious food scene, vibrant nightlife, and a wonderful place for some custom-made clothing.

The two main best areas to stay in Hoi An are the old town and the beach area. I personally think Hoi An Old Town is the best base for first-time visitors. This area offers a more authentic atmosphere and is at its best at night when all the lanterns are lit up. You don’t have to worry about taking transportation back to your accommodations at the beach at night.

Many visitors chose to stay in An Bang/ Cua Dai beach and take day trips to the old town. It is a 10 minute car drive away. You can rent a bicycle and explore the whole city if you are an active traveler. Just be mindful of the hot weather though, drink a lot of water and cover yourself well.

The best things to do in Hoi An old town is probably just strolling/cycling around, searching for some good restaurants for meals, finding good Tailors for custom made clothing, visiting ancient structures, taking nice photos, and getting lost.

You can spend one day or two exploring most parts of the town. I walked through different neighborhoods of Hoi An within a day including the old town, An Hoi, Cam Pho, Cam Nam, and Cam Chau.

In the beach area, I stayed at AIRA Boutique Hoi An Hotel & Villa, located right next to the white sandy An Bang Beach. The hotel has lots of bedchairs and sun loungers on its beach section. It also has a nice swimming pool with a garden setting.

My room at AIRA has garden views with a free mini bar stocked up with water, soft drinks, and beers. The beach town is quite small and is packed with lovely family-own restaurants, shops, and cafes. The nightlife vibe here is more relaxing compared to the busy old town.

In the old town, I stayed at the mid-range 4-star Hoi An Historic Hotel. It is set in the central location of Hoi An town, a short walk away from the ancient town. My room was spacious and clean with a window with outdoor views. They have a big swimming pool and a nice breakfast area under big shaded trees.

I didn’t feel very welcome when checking in. I probably checked in around 12 when everyone else was checking out. Overall I think it is a good place for a short time visitor and for easy access to the ancient town. There are many other hotels that have the same price and locations as Hoi An historic hotel.

If you have a lower budget, I recommend the family-run Square Villa on Dao Duy Tu street. I stayed here for a night and liked it. The owner and staff are very friendly and helpful. The room was quiet, clean, and had a nice balcony. Its location is on a quiet street and is within easy walking distance to the old town, the night market, and the river. There were several local restaurants nearby.

5. Phu Quoc – Best beach holiday in South Vietnam

Phu Quoc is a popular island located south of Vietnam, only one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh. It is a great destination for beach vacation with lots of 5-star luxury resorts.

Additionally, you can explore several cultural attractions, visit pearl farms, fish sauce factories, and take the ride on the world’s longest 3-wire cable car through the ocean.

In my opinion, Duong Dong and Long Beach are the best areas in Phu Quoc for first-time visitors, especially if you want to be in the central location, with easy access to many tourist amenities.

For a quieter atmosphere, Ong Lang beach is a great area. It is located just north of Duong Dong town. If you want to stay on the east coast in an all inclusive resort like New World Resort or JW Marriott.

Phu Quoc has an international airport, and is only a 45 minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Once on the island, you can get around by renting a motorbike, take a guided tour, or hire a private driver.

You can relax at the beach, enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or water sport activities. There are also many nice beach bars where you can enjoy the sunset and the nightlife.

During my visit, I took 2 days guided tours and 1 day exploring by myself. One Guided tour to explore the south of the island, visiting major points of interest like Pearl Farm, Ho Quoc Pagoda, Sao Beach, Phu Quoc prison, and Sunset Town.

One Guided tour to explore the north of Phu Quoc. The tour include activies such as kayaking along Can River, visiting Rach Vem Fishing Village, Starfish Beach, took a drive along Phu Quoc National park and Ganh Dau Beach.

I spent one day riding on the cable car from An Thoi station to Hon Thom island. I took a Grab bike from the city center to get to An Thoi cable car station. I bought a ticket onsite and skipped the Aquatopia Water Park and Kiss Bridge.

If you enjoy beach activities, you can take island hopping tours which take you to several islands where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Popular islands are Xuong island, Gam Ghi island, May Rut Trong island. You can combine it with the cable car ride.

I stayed in 3 different hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc. They all have a private beach area and swimming pool, but suitable for different budgets.

If you are on a budget, Sea Star is a good option. It is located on the busy section of Tran Hung Dao street, which is the main road on the island, packed with restaurants and shops. You can walk or take a short Grab ride all the way to King Kong mart. This resort has a central location, a beautiful garden and a private beach with lots of shaded trees and sunbeds.

I stayed in a room with a garden view that has basic amenities and a nice patio with bed chairs and a table. As a budget-friendly accommodation, you will have basic beds and amenities in the room. You can choose to stay in beachfront bungalows. I didn’t like their buffet breakfast, but there are a lot of restaurants outside of the hotel on Tran Hung Dao Street.

Overall Sea Star Hotel is a good budget resort for those who want a central location and to spend most of their time on the beach. Their private beach is a popular place to watch the sunset.

If you have a higher budget and want to be in a central location, Dusit and Seashells are good places. I stayed in both hotels and had good experiences with them.

Dusit is located a bit further south from the island’s main town but still in the busy areas of Tran Hung Dao street. You’ll be within walking distance to many restaurants, bars, and shops. You will be close to several popular beach bars such as OnSen bar and sunset Sanato.

Dusit also has a nice private beach and a big swimming pool area. I liked their bed and pillows, and quality amenities. My room has a balcony with views of the garden and swimming pool.

Seashells are located in the town center, a very convenient base for easy walking to the night market and Dinh Cau rock. Seashells also has a private beach. They kept their beach clean by collecting rubbish on the beach but the public beach nearby was not so clean. But you can swim in their swimming pool.

Seashells has a nice on-site restaurant serving seafood and local dishes. I ate at their restaurant during sunset time and they had live music, which was quite nice.

6. Hue – Best city in central Vietnam for history buffs

Hue is a must-see city in central Vietnam for history buffs. It is the ancient capital of Vietnam, known for its old imperial palace, royal tombs, and proximity to popular attractions such as Hai Van Pass, Hoi An, Phong Nha, and Bach Ma National park.

You can take a day trip to Hue from Hoi An or Da Nang. But you can also stay a night in Hue, and spend a day exploring its attractions in the city center. You can use Hue for exploring Bach Ma National Park, DMZ, and Phong Nha caves.

You can take guided city tours to have a deeper understanding of the history but all major sights are easily explored by yourself. The imperial palace is located in the city center and can be visited by walking across Trang Tien Bridge from the city center. It is a huge complex, you can spend a few hours exploring this area.

You can buy separate tickets or combo tickets that include entry to the royal palaces and several other tombs. I bought a combo ticket for the other 3 tombs (Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc). I used a Grab bike to get to attractions.

It was easy to get a Grab bike from the city center, but was difficult to find one near the tombs area, especially Minh Mang tombs because it is located far away from the city center. You can have some taxis there when they drop off other visitors.

Hue city center, especially Phu Hoi ward, is the best area to stay in Hue for first-timers and tourists. This area is the tourist hub of the city where you can find walking streets, lots of restaurants, bars, and shops. You can find clusters of hotels and homestays along Nguyen Cong Tru street and its small alleyways.

I stayed in several hotels in Hue, both good and bad experiences. I stayed in White Lotus Hotel for a couple of nights and I think it is a good place for those looking for good mid-range hotel. My room was compact but clean and had stunning views of the city and the mountain. I liked their beds and pillows which were high quality.

White Lotus has an outdoor swimming pool on the 5th floor. Their buffet Breakfast has plenty of western and local dishes.I would stay in this hotel again.

I also stayed in Jade Scene Hotel, which is a good mid-range hotel in central Hue. It is located in a small alley on Nguyen Cong Tru street which is one of the main roads in the city. The staff here are very friendly and welcoming. I arrived early in the morning and they let me check in early.

My room was on the 2nd floor. It was clean and spacious with a nice balcony. Jade Scene has a lovely rooftop area with stunning views of the city.

For budget travelers looking for a safe place to sleep, I recommend Hue Four Seasons Hotel. It is located at the end of a small alley in the center of Phu Hoi ward. I had a deluxe double room with a balcony and views of the river. The breakfast was simple but lovely!

I also stay at the Hue Nino Hotel but I don’t recommend this. I booked a standard double room with an outdoor view but they put me in a basic room with no window. When I questioned them, they didn’t say sorry, they just put me in another room. I woke up, stepped down off the bed, and the floor flooded with water. I didn’t feel comfortable and left early. The address they put on the booking site is a bit confusing too, even local Grab drivers had difficulty finding it.

7. Da Lat – Best city in highland center of Vietnam

Da Lat is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam. It is located in the highland center of Vietnam, offering cool climate, impressive waterfalls, and peaceful atmosphere.

Dalat has an airport so you can reach the city from major cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi by airplanes. It also has bus connections from Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne, and Nha Trang. I took a 5 hour sleeper bus ride from Mui Ne to Da Lat. My homestay booked it for me.

To see major attractions in Da Lat, you can spend 2-3 full days in the city. I spent one day exploring the city center attractions and strolling around. On the second day, I took a guided waterfall tour to visit Datanla Waterfall, Pongour Waterfall, and Elephant waterfall. This tour also includes a visit to a coffee plantation, silk factory, Van Thanh flower village, and Linh An pagoda.

You can explore the Grab to Dalat cable car to take a ride to Truc Lam monastery and Tuyen Lam lake. I also took Grab to the beautiful Linh Phuoc pagoda. It was difficult to get the Grab bike back to the city center as it is a bit in the countryside but I was lucky to get one after a few attempts.

I'm at Elephant Waterfall — Elephant Waterfall

You can take the old train from Dalat old train station to Linh Phuoc pagoda. The train only runs several times a day.

Other major attractions in Da Lat are the Xuan Huong Lake, Crazy House, Dao Dai Palace, Lam Vien Square, and the Diocese Cathedral. These are all walking distance from each other and great for walking if you’re an active walker. Otherwise there are plenty of Grab bikes to order a ride if you are tired.

You can enjoy delicious food at many restaurants, check out nice stylish cafes, get lost among narrow slopes, and enjoy the nightlife at many bars and at the Dalat night market.

I had a good stay at Felix Dalat Homestay. It is on a quiet slope, only a short walk away from the night market as well as a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars. The room was clean with all basic facilities. I stayed in different rooms, one with a balcony and one without a balcony/window. The shower is designed near the toilet, a bit weird but overall a good base in Dalat for budget travelers.

If you want a luxury stay in central Da Lat, Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel is a good choice. It is located near Ho Xuan Huong lake and east access to tourist facilities. For families with kids and groups of friends, you can consider La Fleur Apartment. La Fleur has good reviews from guests.

8. Nha Trang – Popular Beach city in South Vietnam

Nha Trang is a popular beach destination in south Vietnam. It is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, healing mud baths, and luxury beachfront resorts.

After traveling to many parts of Vietnam, I think Nha Trang has cheaper accommodations compared to other cities. With the same amount of money for a regular homestay in Da Lat, you can stay at a good 4-star hotel in Nha Trang.

Nha Trang city center, particularly The area around Tran Phu beach, is the best place to stay in Nha Trang for the first time. This is because it offers easy access to the beach and tourist facilities such as restaurants, bars, shops, and several cultural attractions.

You can find a cluster of hotels and apartments along Tran Phu street, as well as streets close to it such as Hung Vuong, Biet Thu, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai streets.

There are several luxury beachfront resorts on Pham Van Dong streets, which is an extension of Tran Phu street. This area is good for families and couples who are looking for a luxury relaxing holiday. Be mindful that it is a bit further from the city center and you’ll need a taxi to get to the city center.

Hon Tre island is also a popular place to stay in Nha Trang for families and couples. (I stayed there as a solo traveler though). This island is connected with the mainland by cable car or speed boat. It is home to two major resorts Vinpearl and Mariot. They provide all-inclusive packages where you can enjoy all meals at their restaurants and play at Vin Wonder amusement and waterpark.

In my opinion, 2-3 days is enough time to explore major sights of Nha Trang. Of course you can always spend more time relaxing and exploring at a slower pace.

You can spend a day sightseeing and exploring cultural attractions such as Nha Trang Cathedral, Dam Market, Po Nagar Cham tower, and Long Son Pagoda.

You can consider taking a trip to Ba Ho Waterfall. It is quite far from the city center, so it is best to have your own motorbike. You can take a grab from the downtown to the waterfall but it might be difficult to get one back to the city center.

You can take island hopping tours which often include swimming, Snorkeling, Mud Bath, and Seafood Lunch. There are options for jet skiing, glass bottom boat, scuba diving but you need to pay extra for it.

Hon Tre island is a popular island with an amusement park, waterpark, and Harbor shopping area. You spend a day exploring Vinwonder complex or stay at luxury resorts.

I had experience staying at three different accommodations in Nha Trang. I would recommend Liberty Central Hotel and Vinpearl resort & spa. The Azura Gold is good for a budget travelers who are looking for a hotel with a central location, good rooftop area, free massage chair to use, spacious rooms.

I think Liberty Central is a good mid-range hotel in a central location, a short walking distance to the beach, night market, restaurants, shops, and bars. The bed and amenities were quality and clean. My room had a partial sea view. Their breakfast had a wide selection of food, fruits, and drinks.

For an all-inclusive luxury resort feel, you can stay at Vinpearl resort and spa on Hon Tre island. Vinpearl has a nice private beach area and multiple swimming pools with lots of sun loungers and bed chairs. You and your family can enjoy your time at its amusement park. The cable car ride to get to the island is a must when staying at Hon Tre island.

9. Mui Ne – small beach town, famous for its sand dunes

Mui Ne is a popular place to visit in Vietnam for beaches, sand dunes, and warm weather. It is located only 3-4 hours by bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City. You can choose to get to Mui Ne from Saigon by sleeper bus if you are on budget or 9-seat limousine bus for more comfortable options.

Mui Ne is a small town. You can easily explore most attractions in a full day, but you can spend more days in Mui Ne if you want to explore it at a slower pace, enjoy more time on the beach, or take day trips to Ta Cu Mountain.

You can spend a half day for the sand dunes tour to explore the white sand dunes, the red sand dunes, Mui Ne fishing village, and the Fairy Stream. The best time to take these tours are sunrise and sunset.

You can spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach, sitting at one one many beach bars watching the sunset. Or you can visit Po Shanu Cham Towers and Ta Cu mountain.

Ta Cu mountain is 1 hour drive from Mui Ne. You can hike/ take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain, visit different Buddha statues and enjoy stunning views of the city. You can book guided tours but they only run it when having enough people.

Otherwise, you can rent a motorbike, have a private driver or grab to get to the destination (discuss with your driver to wait for you as it’s difficult to find a Grab driver on the way back to Mui Ne).

Mui Ne has a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. Most hotels and resorts are concentrated along Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Huynh Thuc Khang streets in the Ham Tien area.

I had a small budget in Mui Ne, so I stayed at May Bungalow. It is a bit far from the center of tourist strips, but still easily accessible. The tour agent picked me up from my accommodation. And it is walking distance to several local restaurants, cafes, and beach bars. The Dong Vui food court right next to the hotel is a good and reasonably priced place to enjoy the meal.

If you want to spend your time in Mui Ne relaxing at the five star luxury beachfront resorts, you can have a look at The Anam Mui Ne or Anantara Resort. They are all located in central locations in Ham Tien ward, which is the main tourist area of Mui Ne. Both have good private beach areas, multiple swimming pools, and good breakfast.

The Cliff Resort & Residences and Sailing Club Resort are good choices for families and couples who are looking for good mid-range accommodations in central Mui Ne.

10. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, known for its towering limestone karsts rising dramatically from the ocean. It is located only 3 to 4 hours drive by car from Hanoi. The best way to explore Halong is taking an overnight cruise.

There are options for the one night and two night cruise. If your time is limited, the one night cruise is enough to experience the bay, enjoy the sunrise, sun set, caves, and water activities such as swimming and kayaking.

Lot of accommodations in Hanoi are affiliated with cruise companies. You can ask your hotel for tour consultation. Most of them will include pick up and drop off from the old quarter. Or you can self book a cruise from a booking site like booking.com.

11. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a popular destination in North Vietnam, conveniently located only 2 hours drive from Hanoi old quarter. Known as Halong on land, Ninh Binh is famous for its limestone karts but on land instead of on the sea like Halong Bay.

If you take a day trip to Ninh Binh, but, the best way to explore it is to spend at least one night here. You can take a boat ride on either Trang An or Tam Coc ( Trang An is the more famous one!). Other popular places to visit are Hang Mua Caves, Bai Dinh pagoda, Hoa Lu ancient town.

You can rent a bicycle or motorbike to explore the countryside and the rice field. At night, you can enjoy the nightlife at many bars on the main road of Tam Coc, try local food, and have a good massage.

Tam Coc is the most popular place to stay in Ninh Binh. This area is packed with tourist facilities, restaurants, super markets, tour agencies, and massage shops. You can stay in hotels, homestay, and guest houses. Many of them are family and eco-friendly.

12. Sapa

Sapa is a famous mountainous area in north vietnam, located 5-6 hours from Hanoi. It is well-connected by trains and sleeper buses. Sapsa has cool weather, stunning rice terraces, waterfalls, and a rich diversity of ethnic groups.

Sapa, in my experience, is a great destination for a retreat and for enjoying outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking. You can check out hill tribe villages, Fansipan mountain, and many local markets.

The most popular area to stay in Sapa is the town center. You’ll be close to everything here, including restaurants, main square, markets, and shops.

13. Quy Nhon – lesser known beach city, off the beaten track

Quy Nhon is a lesser-known destination for foreign tourists, but a popular beach holiday for local people. It is a good stop between Nha Trang and Da Nang/Hoi An.

I took the train from Nha Trang Station to Dieu Tri Station, which is the closest station from Quy Nhon city center (30 minutes ride away). From Dieu Tri Station, I took a taxi to get to my hotel in the city center.

The best thing to do in Quy Nhon is probably the beaches. You can enjoy swimming, and water activities such as snorkeling and diving. You can visit several cultural attractions such as Linh Phong – Ong Nui Temple and Thap Doi Cham tower.

You can visit Eo Gio, which is a good spot for instagrammable photos. It is located in Nhon Ly, where you can walk to a nice fishing village and a pagoda.

Ky Co Beach is a very nice beach in Quy Nhon. It has fine white sand and clean water. You can take a speed boat to the beach or drive motorbikes/cars to the beach.

Most of the popular attractions are located outside of the city center and it is best to have a motorbike rental, private driver, or guided tour. Unlike major cities in Vietnam, ut can be difficult to find Grab outside of Quy Nhon city center.

I stayed at the 4-star L’amor Boutique Hotel. It was a good hotel in the city center of Quy Nhon, within walking distance to the beach. My room was on a high floor and had stunning views of the city, the mountain, and the beach.

The hotel has a nice rooftop area with an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa. Breakfast buffet was nice with a good range of dishes. Lots of restaurants were within walking distance from L’amore hotel. I would stay at this place again.

14. Ha Giang Loop – breathtaking views and scenic drives

Ha Giang is a must-see destination in North Vietnam for nature lovers and adventurers. It is a beautiful mountainous area, located near the border with China and is 7 hours drive from Hanoi. I did a 4 days 3 nights Ha Giang loop with an easy rider and absolutely loved it.

Accommodations here are in the form of small hotels, guest houses, homestays, and hostels. You can find city areas such as Ha Giang city center, Du Gia, Dong Van, and Quan Ba.

See more:

You can watch my youtube video about best cities in Vietnam here:

There are so many other places to stay and visit in Vietnam. My favorite cities in Vietnam include Ha Giang, Da Lat, Da Nang, and Hoi An. Ha Giang has breathtaking landscapes, Dalat has beautiful weather, impressive waterfalls, and delicious food. Da Nang and Hoi An are great locations for beaches and cultural attractions. Big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are those who enjoy city life and a vibrant nightlife scene.

I hope you find some helpful tips on my personal guide of where to stay in Vietnam for both first time and returning visitors. Feel free to comment down below if you have any questions, I’m happy to help.