20 Of The Most Instagrammable Spots In Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that has a lot to offer travellers thanks to its historic past. Visitors are offered a unique perspective, an incredibly diverse landscape, and an abundance of delicious food and drinks that you’ll find nowhere else in the world.
If you’re travelling to Vietnam soon and looking for the best shots for your Instagram feed, here are 20 places where you can take some unique, scenic pictures.
Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. It has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside.
Hoan Kiem lake
Centrally located in the city, Hoan Kiem Lake serves as a massive home base, and provides endless people-watching and recreational opportunities on the edge of the Old Quarter (which also offers countless insta-worthy opportunities, so be sure to pay the Old Quarter a visit afterwards).
Ba Vi National Park
The Ba Vi National Park is one of Vietnam’sis centred around a three-peaked mountain jutting steeply out of the landscape. and offers a great escape from the city, with cool fresh mountain air in a mystical atmospheric backdrop of clouds, jungle and tropical rainforest.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Traditional legends and historical tales are among the enchanting puppet plays performed at the popular, world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. It has its roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th century, stemming from a time when rice paddy fields were flooded and villagers would make entertainment by standing in the waist-deep water with the puppets performing over the water.
Bun Cha Huong Lien
Bun Cha Huong Lien became an overnight sensation when US President Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain had dinner there – and their uncleared table has now been immortalised in the restaurant. Be sure to try the famous Obama Combo, which is basically a bowl of traditional Bun Cha paired with deep-fried Hanoi-style spring rolls and a bottle of Hanoi beer.
Sa Pa
The colourful and charming northwest market town of Sa Pa overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and is near the Phang Xi Pang peak, which is climbable via a steep, multiday guided walk. Dine on Vietnamese or European-inspired cuisine downtown, and don’t miss the Saturday night “love market.”
Fansipan Mountain
Fansipan is one of the most beautiful attractions in Sapa. It is the peak of Indochina with the elevation of 3,143m (10,311ft) and has earned the nickname “the Roof of Indochina.” It is accessible either via a two-day hike or 20-minute cable car ride.
Ta Phin village
The Ta Phin village, located about 17km (10.5mi) in the west of Sapa, is still a new name to travellers and is home to the Red Dao people who possess a rich culture that is largely untouched by modern life.
Muong Hoa Valley
The Muong Hoa Valley offers breathtaking scenery of the largest farmland for rice growing in Sa Pa. About 14km (8.5mi) from town, travellers can enjoy an easy walk along the Muong Hoa River through terraced fields, while passing some hamlets of the H’Mong people and watching the locals at work.
Natureview Restaurant
Located on Fansipans Sreet, visitors to Natureview can enjoy a great meal, excellent service, and a breathtaking view. Consider trying the sliced honey and ginger duck over fragrant fried rice cooked in the clay pot in the coals, the sizzling lemongrass tofu, and the grilled spring rolls.
Halong Bay
Situated in the Northeast of Vietnam, Ha?? Long Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets.
Sun World Ha Long Park
The Sun World Halong Park is a complex of multiple themed parks, offering abundant attractions in each park, great scenery for selfies and Instagram shots. Two main attractions include the Sun Wheel – one of the world’s tallest sightseeing Ferris wheels, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Halong Bay – and the Queen Cable car, which is the first reversible gondola system in Asia and has achieved two Guinness World Records.
Dau Go Cave
The ancient and unspoiled Dau Go Cave is one of the most famous attractions in Halong, with many stalagmites creating an impressive, unique display. The beauty of Dau Go Cave is so impressive that a 1983 French book Merveille de Monde (Wonders of the World) called the Cave as Grotte des Merveilles (Cave of Wonders).
Ti Top Island
If you’ve ever seen a picture of Halong Bay, probably it was taken from the top of Ti Top Island. It is a steep climb of a few hundred steps to the observation deck on the summit of Ti Top Moutain, but the panoramic view of Halong Bay is worth the effort. The beach on the island is one of the most organised in all of Halong Bay for tourists, with deck chairs, cool drinks, souvenirs, and fresh water showers available.
Sandy Bay Beach Bar & Restaurant
The Sandy Bay Beach Bar & Restaurant is situated on Tuan Chay Island and offers stunning views – especially when the sun goes down – great service, a relaxed atmosphere, and interestingly, an authentic Italian menu. Situated on the beach, diners can enjoy fresh seafood, traditional Italian pizza and pasta, as well as traditional Vietnamese dishes.
Cat Ba Islands
Cat Ba Island is the largest of the 367 islands that comprise the Cat Ba Archipelago. While it has some low-rise hotels, most of the island is still largely wild and untouched as it has been declared a National Park. Most of the coastline consists of rocky cliffs, but there are some sandy beaches and tiny fishing villages hidden away in small coves.
Cat Ba National Park
The impressive Cat Ba National Park is a World Heritage Site designated as a biosphere reserve in northern Vietnam. It is home to 32 types of mammal, including most of the world's 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world's most endangered primate. It also offers spectacular views.
Cannon Fort
Cannon Fort was originally was used as a fort in the wartime, and is home to two well-preserved gun emplacements. It also offers one of the best panoramic views in Vietnam of Cat Ba Island’s jungle-clad hills, the fishing boats in the harbour, and out to the beautiful sea beyond.
Monkey Island
Monkey Island is a very beautiful island in Catba beach town, with two gorgeous beaches for swimming, and a hike up the mountain offers great views of Lan Ha Bay with the thousands of islets around. There is also a beach bar where you can grab lunch.
Casa Bonita
Beautifully decorated with hanging plants and a gorgeous terrace, Casa Bonita is well-known for it’s great service and healthy, delicious food. It’s smoothie breakfast bowls are a firm favourite, but the restaurant also offers traditional Vietnamese favourites.
Ninh Binh
Ninh Bình is known for its gorgeous green valleys, impressive karst mountains, and conservation centres. It has hiking trails and caves and is home to many rare species, including langur monkeys and pangolins. In the northeast, its namesake capital city is a base for exploring nearby temples.
Hoa Lu
Hoa Lu, which is nestled in a flat valley between small but steep limestone mountains, was the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. It lies in Truong Yen Thuong village and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ninh Bình Province due to the beautiful 1,000-year-old temples, monuments, tombs, and shrines.
Hang Mua
Travellers willing to climb the 500 stone step0 – fashioned after the architecture of the Great Wall of China – to the top of Hang Mua are awarded spectacular views over Tam Coc and Ninh Binh’s stunning countryside, making it well worth the effort. For the best photos, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon.
Bich Dong Pagoda
The Bich Dong Pagoda is a charming cluster of Buddhist cave temples, each housing looming statues that peer from the haze of burning incense. The construction is considered one of the most beautiful spots in Ninh Binh province. Outside, you’ll also get incredible panoramic countryside views.
Tutu Coffee
Tutu Coffee is a quirky little coffee shop tucked away in Ninh Binh’s small city centre with friendly staff, delicious coffee and desserts, and an interesting atmosphere. Decorated with massive murals of classic locomotive motifs and glass tables propped up on tractor tires, there are plenty of photo opportunities. Try the uniquely delicious egg coffee – a rich, smooth blend of raw egg yolk and condensed milk.
Getting there
Various airlines offer daily flights from London to Vietnam, with evening flights from Heathrow to Hanoi Noibai offering the best prices on the route. SWISS, Air China, and Royal Brunei Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from London to Hanoi.
For a hassle-free trip to Vietnam, remember to pre-book a hoppa airport transfer to get you to your accommodation. Hoppa is the world’s top specialist in smooth, reliable rides, and every one of our partners stands by our promises – to be there when we say we will, to give you a safe driving experience, and to clearly confirm your pick up details.