Southern Vietnam: Top 6 Must-Visit Beautiful Places!

Southern Vietnam, or Nam Bo in Vietnamese, bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand, is a captivating region with many facets. A very fertile area blessed with sunshine, it is considered the rice bowl and the vegetable garden of Vietnam. Traveling in Southern Vietnam means discovering territories as fascinating as they are diverse, all inhabited by people known for their sincere hospitality. From the Highlands, a land of adventure where ancient peoples live in harmony, to the paradise islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc, passing through the metropolis of Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, which combines tradition and modernity, and the languorous Mekong Delta with its surprising aquatic universe, Southern Vietnam never ceases to amaze and enchant travelers.

Written by Nhu PHAM (local expert)Updated on 08-08-2024

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1. Ho Chi Minh City: The Vibrant Capital of the Southern

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, the economic capital of Vietnam, fascinates travelers with its dynamism and its unashamed blend of colonial nostalgia and modernity. Enjoy the urban pleasures and the energy of this bustling city for a few days before heading to the aquatic gardens of the Mekong Delta.

The bustling metropolis of Southern Vietnam is an essential stop during your trip to the former Cochinchina. The former Saigon will first charm you with its incredible colonial architectural heritage such as its Opera House, Cathedral, famous Central Post Office, City Hall, and legendary hotels like the Majestic or the Continental.

You will be surprised by its hustle and bustle, its very lively markets, its Chinese quarter of Cho Lon, and its numerous museums like the excellent War Remnants Museum. Around Ho Chi Minh City, don't miss the astonishing Cu Chi tunnels and the spectacular Cao Dai cathedral in Tay Ninh.

>>> Also read: Wonders of Ho Chi Minh City: An In-Depth Travel Guide

2. The Cu Chi Underground Tunnels

Cu Chi is a historical site located on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, about 1 hour and 40 minutes drive away. Cu Chi is a vast underground network entirely hand-dug by Vietnamese soldiers during both the French and American wars. You can visit these galleries by accessing a small hatch cleverly hidden on the ground.

You will discover an immense system of underground tunnels that served as hiding places during combat but also as communication routes, supply depots, food reserves, and hospitals for the wounded.

>>> Read more: Dien Bien Phu: The Battle That Shook the French Empire

3. Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh: The Holy Place of a Plural Religion

The Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh is the holy place of Caodaism, a unique syncretic religion inspired by Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Taoism, founded in the 1920s. The Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh, the seat of the religion, is an original religious building with flamboyant decorations and bright color combinations that will arouse your curiosity. Do not miss attending the daily masses where all the followers are dressed in white costumes.

4. The Mekong and its Delta: Enchanting Landscapes of Southern Vietnam

The greatest attraction of Southern Vietnam is undoubtedly the Mekong Delta. Along the arroyos, canals, and the majestic Mekong River, you can go from one door to another, from Ben Tre to Chau Doc, passing through the warm Vinh Long and An Binh, the spiritual Tra Vinh, and not forgetting the unmissable Can Tho and the romantic Sa Dec.

4.1 Ben Tre: The Kingdom of Coconut Trees

The gateway to the aquatic garden of the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre province is considered the land of coconut trees in Southern Vietnam. Here, coconut plantations stretch as far as the eye can see, creating some of the most languid landscapes of the delta and supporting a rich and varied craft industry. What a pleasure to walk, cycle, sampan, or cruise through the lush nature of the Mekong Delta, nestled in charming traditional villages.

>>>> Read more: Ben Tre, Vietnam: The Kingdom of Coconut Palms 

4.2 Vinh Long: The City of a Thousand Fruits

135 kilometers Southernwest of Ho Chi Minh City lies Vinh Long, a charming town. Bordered by a maze of narrow canals and verdant rice fields, it stands out for its uniqueness in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Visit Mang Thit and discover the fascinating "Red Kingdom" of brick kilns in Vinh Long. Observe the traditional methods used by local workers, passed down from generation to generation.

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4.3 Sa Dec: Following in the Footsteps of Marguerite Duras

This charming river town in the Mekong Delta is famous for hosting the French novelist Marguerite Duras, who lived there for a few years during her adolescence. She drew inspiration from this life in Cochinchina to write her novel "The Lover." During your visit to Sa Dec, don't miss visiting the "Lover's House," a national historical site since 2010, where the main building has been preserved, including the wooden altar of Chinese ancestors.

4.4 Can Tho: The Heart of the Mekong Delta

Capital of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho and its region are also considered the rice bowl of Southern Vietnam. The rice field landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see, alternating with numerous orchards where travelers are invited to taste delicious tropical fruits.

In Can Tho, you can appreciate the lively floating markets of the Mekong Delta. Every day, many boats offer the unique spectacle of water commerce, especially at the Cai Rang floating market, the most significant in the region.

>>>> Explore: Can Tho Vietnam

4.5 An Giang: Between Nature and Culture

An Giang is a peaceful and charming province with a tranquil pace of life. You will have all the time to soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the villages and admire the endless green rice fields in Ta Pa, Tri Ton district.

During the flood season between September and November, a boat ride through the Tra Su cajeput forest in Tinh Bien district is a real feast for the eyes.

An Giang province is inhabited by four communities: Kinh, Hoa, Cham, and Khmer, forming a unique cultural mosaic with Buddhist pagodas, Islamic mosques, and Khmer temples. The Ba Chua Xu Temple (Holy Mother of the Kingdom), located on Mount Sam in Chau Doc district, is a sacred spiritual center where the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta practice the worship of the Holy Mother of the Kingdom to pray for health, success, and fertility.

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Chau Doc is also a must-see with cultural and popular festivals such as the Ba Chua Xu Temple festival in the lunar month of April or the Bay Nui (Seven Mountains) bull racing festival in the lunar month of September. Moreover, it is the land route to take to Cambodia on a combined trip.

5. The Highlands in the West

Continue the journey in the Southern by detouring to the Highlands in the west, near Cambodia and Laos, to discover Lak Lake, the highest and largest in the region, the coffee plantations of Buon Ma Thuot, and Dalat, "the city of eternal spring."

5.1 Lak Lake: A Natural Jewel of the Central Highlands

Lak Lake, the second-largest natural lake in Vietnam, is surrounded by wooded hills and volcanic mountains. Explore it by boat to discover its serene beauty and meet the ethnic minorities, such as the Mnong, who live in charming stilt houses and use traditional fishing techniques.

5.2 Buon Ma Thuot: Land of Coffee

Known for its rice farming, travelers are less aware that Vietnam is the world's second-largest producer of robusta coffee. The Highlands is the largest coffee-producing region, and Buon Ma Thuot is its capital. Discover this off-the-beaten-path region and visit one of the many coffee plantations to observe the entire process of transforming this black gold.

Enjoy your stay in Buon Ma Thuot to discover tea, pepper, and rubber plantations, Yok Don National Park, one of the largest nature reserves in Vietnam, and some of the country's most beautiful waterfalls, such as Dray Nur, Gia Long, Trinh Nu, and Dray Sap. Entering this region, you enter the "gong culture space," recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2008.

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5.3 Da Lat: The City of Spring

Dalat, a former colonial-era climate station perched at an altitude of 1500 meters, is the most atypical destination in Southern Vietnam. Located on the Lang Biang Plateau in the Southern of the Central Highlands, Da Lat enjoys a temperate climate and an exceptional natural setting between mountains covered with vegetation, vast pine forests, graceful lakes, meadows, flower valleys, and spectacular waterfalls.

From its colonial past, Da Lat has a superb architectural heritage, such as the Pasteur Institute, the Convent of the Birds, the former French Yersin High School, the cathedral, or the emperor Bao Dai's villa. Da Lat is considered one of the vegetable gardens of Southern Vietnam, and its surroundings boast some of the most beautiful horticultural gardens in the country.

Sports enthusiasts can explore the surrounding nature on foot or by bike, discover spectacular waterfalls like Pongour, and indulge in canyoning. End your stay in Da Lat by visiting the peaceful Tuyen Lam Lake, nestled at an altitude of 1000 meters in a valley surrounded by verdant forests, offering a romantic setting.

6. The Best Beaches in Southern Vietnam

Phu Quoc's beaches are undoubtedly the must-visit destination for lovers of relaxation, sunshine, and paradise beaches. Perfectly located in the far Southern of the country in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island embodies the island paradise with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush and generous nature, including a national park that covers much of the island.

Explore the island to find the beach that matches your mood and discover all its little treasures: pepper plantations, pearl oyster farms, fish sauce factories (the famous Vietnamese nuoc mam sauce), timeless fishing villages, and more. Numerous water activities will make you want to extend your stay on this wonderful island: canoeing, kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, diving, boat trips, and more.

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The sumptuous Con Dao archipelago is another top destination for a seaside stay. Wild and preserved, the Con Dao archipelago is a highly sought-after destination for nature lovers. Considered a national park, both terrestrial and marine, the archipelago is home to exceptional fauna and flora, including turtles, manta rays, and even sharks.

Mui Ne, a seaside resort about 200 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, is popular with kitesurfing and other water sports enthusiasts. It also boasts stunning landscapes, like those created by the red and white dunes that have made it famous.

Nha Trang region is one of the most beautiful regions appreciated for its paradise beaches and its magnificent bays dotted with virgin islands, such as Van Phong Bay and Ninh Van Bay, considered one of the 20 most beautiful bays in the world.

Visiting Southern Vietnam: When to Go?

Unlike the Central and Northern regions, which experience four distinct seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter - the Southern only has two seasons: the rainy season from May to November, peaking in July and August, and the dry season that dominates the rest of the year. It is recommended to visit during the dry season to fully enjoy all the beauties of the region.

Final Words,

Its peaceful towns, picturesque beaches, and vast historical heritage will charm you during your vacation in Southern Vietnam. Want to discover its enchanting landscapes? Check out our itinerary ideas for an exceptional trip to Southern Vietnam.

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