Vietnam destinations: temples, caves, islands

This mountain village sits at 6500 feet (2000 meters) above sea level and presents rice terraces carved into steep hillsides. The H'mong people have cultivated these slopes for generations using traditional farming methods. Y Ty demonstrates highland agriculture in northern Vietnam, where farmers grow rice on narrow terraces built along the mountain contours. The area ranks among the highest inhabited and farmed regions in the country and provides insight into the daily life of ethnic minority communities.

This Buddhist complex covers more than 700 hectares in Ninh Binh Province and houses over 500 stone statues of Buddha, along with the largest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam measuring 33 feet (10 meters) tall. The grounds of Bai Dinh Temple combine traditional pagodas with modern religious structures and serve as a major pilgrimage destination. Visitors reach the temple area via a long stairway or electric carts that traverse the expansive grounds. The complex sits near the Trang An landscape and integrates into the karst topography of the region.

This cave extends for two kilometers and ranks among the largest accessible cave systems in Vietnam. A river flows through the limestone formations, creating multiple large chambers with heights reaching up to 400 feet (120 meters). Hang En Cave sits within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and serves as an access route to Son Doong Cave. Visitors can wade through the flowing water and camp on sand beaches inside the chambers. The geological structures include stalagmites, stalactites and natural light openings in the ceiling.

Thiên Mụ Pagoda sits on the northern bank of the Perfume River and ranks among the most important Buddhist temple complexes in Vietnam. This temple was founded in 1601 and houses a 21-meter (69-foot) octagonal tower that rises through seven levels. The compound functions as an active monastery and contains historic bells and religious artifacts. Visitors reach the pagoda from Hue via a riverside road or by boat.

This 1200-meter underground corridor presents clay figures depicting farming routines and traditional Vietnamese customs. The Dalat Clay Sculptures Tunnel documents rural life through handmade sculptures showing scenes from agricultural work, religious ceremonies and domestic activities. Located in the hills outside Dalat, the gallery offers visitors insight into the cultural practices of the region. The clay figures were created by local artisans and convey details about tools, clothing and social structures of traditional Vietnamese village communities.

This abandoned water park near Hue closed in 2004 and sits between the city and Thuy Tien Lake in central Vietnam. Visitors find a large dragon sculpture whose mouth once housed a viewing platform, empty swimming pools, rusted water slides and decaying buildings overtaken by tropical vegetation. Ho Thuy Tien was planned as a water park with entertainment facilities but never reached full operation. The grounds cover several acres and show concrete structures in various states of deterioration. Photographers visit this remote location for its unusual mix of man-made structures and jungle growth, though entry involves navigating unstable terrain and trespassing on private property.

This religious sanctuary from the 4th century sits in a tropical valley in Quang Nam Province and preserves the architectural remains of Champa culture. My Son Sanctuary contains multiple Hindu temples and towers built between the 4th and 14th centuries, dedicated to the worship of Shiva. The complex served as a spiritual and political center for the Champa Kingdom. Though many structures sustained damage during wartime, the surviving red brick buildings provide insight into the religious architecture and construction techniques of this civilization. The site lies approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Hoi An.

This volcanic island off the coast of Quảng Ngãi grows garlic in mineral-rich soil and contains beaches, craters and old pagodas. Ly Son Island covers 10 square kilometers (4 square miles) and formed through volcanic activity that left five extinct craters. Fishermen use the island as a base for harvesting seafood, while farmers cultivate the volcanic soils to produce the local garlic variety sold at mainland markets. Visitors reach the island by ferry from Sa Kỳ Port and find Buddhist pagodas dating to the 17th century, along with sand beaches along the coastline.

This fifteenth-century pagoda rises from a mountain slope in Ninh Binh Province, set among rice paddies and limestone formations. Visitors reach the compound via a stone staircase leading to three levels of structures built into natural caves within the rock face. The architectural layout integrates Buddhist ceremonial halls with the geological features of the site, offering views across surrounding fields and waterways of the region.

This cave extends for three miles and reaches heights of 490 feet (150 meters). Son Doong contains an underground river and its own ecosystem with jungle vegetation that developed through dolines, where collapsed ceiling sections allow sunlight to enter. The chamber ranks among the largest known cave passages in the world. Geological formations include massive stalagmites and terraced calcite pools. Access requires a multi-day guided expedition with technical sections, including climbing and river crossings. Exploration was completed in 2009.

These tunnels in Quang Tri comprise three levels that sheltered 60 families during the Vietnam War, including a school and medical station. The Vinh Moc Tunnels were dug into laterite soil between 1966 and 1967, reaching depths of up to 75 feet (23 meters). Unlike the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon, this system served primarily as a residential shelter rather than a military base, with families living here for up to two years. The tunnel network extends approximately 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) and includes 13 entrances, living chambers and assembly rooms. Visitors today can walk through preserved sections and observe the conditions under which civilians lived during the war. The site remains one of the most intact tunnel systems from the period and provides direct evidence of how communities adapted to sustained aerial bombardment.

This Buddhist monastery sits in a pine forest at 4300 feet (1300 meters) elevation above the city of Dalat and offers an overview of religious practice in the mountains of Vietnam. Truc Lam Monastery was established in the late 20th century and serves as a center for meditation and monastic life. The complex includes several buildings with meditation rooms, a garden containing native plants and a courtyard used for ceremonies. Visitors reach the monastery by cable car or on foot via a forest trail. The architecture combines traditional Vietnamese elements with functional spaces for the monastic community.

This section of the Ngo Dong River winds through a karst landscape with limestone formations rising up to 660 feet (200 meters). Tam Coc sits in Ninh Binh Province and offers boat trips through three natural caves while rice paddies line the banks. The area includes several Buddhist temples and pagodas from different dynasties. Visitors experience the traditional rowing technique of Vietnamese boat operators who row with their feet. The landscape combines agricultural use with geological formations and ranks among the remote natural areas of Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta forms an extensive network of waterways in southern Vietnam and represents one of the country's more remote regions accessible to travelers. This delta serves as the agricultural heartland of Vietnam, where rice farmers cultivate vast fields and fishermen conduct trade at floating markets that have operated for generations. The area covers thousands of square miles of fertile plains and channels created by sediment deposits from the Mekong River. Visitors to the Mekong Delta can explore traditional villages and witness daily life among communities that have depended on these waters for centuries.

These sand dunes in Binh Thuan extend for several miles along the coast and divide into two sections: the red dunes closer to Mui Ne town and the white dunes approximately 15 miles (25 kilometers) to the northeast. The red dunes rise up to 65 feet (20 meters) and offer views across the sea, while the whiter formations are larger and reach heights of 130 feet (40 meters). Visitors often rent plastic sleds to slide down the slopes or explore the area at sunrise or sunset.

This valley sits in the mountains near Sapa and contains terraced rice fields that extend across steep slopes. The area is inhabited by ethnic minority groups including Hmong and Dao communities who practice traditional farming methods. Visitors can walk along trails through the terraces and encounter stone relics and inscriptions dating back centuries. The valley provides access to remote villages where local handicrafts and textiles are available for purchase. The best time to visit is between May and September when the rice fields are green, or during the harvest season in September and October when they turn golden.

The Ban Gioc Detian Falls represent a cross-border natural feature between Vietnam and China, extending 300 meters in width and dropping 30 meters. These waterfalls belong to the remote natural areas of Vietnam and sit in Cao Bang Province, a mountainous region in the northern part of the country. The waters of the Quay Son River divide into several cascades that flow over limestone formations. The falls are surrounded by agricultural land and forested hills, and visitors reach the site after a several-hour drive from Hanoi.

This historic trading center preserves architecture from the 15th to 19th centuries with influences from China, Japan and Europe. The well-preserved buildings demonstrate trading structures and residential quarters from different cultural traditions. The town sits along the Thu Bon River and served for centuries as a major port for maritime commerce. Visitors find Chinese assembly halls, Japanese bridges and European merchant houses along the narrow streets of the center.

This Catholic church dates from 1892 and houses the first book printed in Vietnamese script from 1651. Located in Phu Yen Province, the structure was built during the French colonial period and represents one of the early Christian missions in central Vietnam. The church preserves a significant piece of linguistic history, as the 1651 volume marks the development of Quoc Ngu, the Romanized writing system that became the official script of Vietnam. This site offers visitors an opportunity to examine both religious architecture from the late 19th century and a document that changed how the Vietnamese language was recorded and taught.

This region extends across an expansive karst landscape roughly 56 miles (90 kilometers) south of Hanoi and ranks among the most significant natural and historical areas in northern Vietnam. Ninh Binh Region combines rice paddies between limestone formations, rivers flowing through cave systems and Buddhist temple complexes from various centuries. Visitors explore the area by boat on the Ngo Dong River or on foot through valleys between karst peaks. This region serves as a base for trips to Bai Dinh Pagoda, the Trang An complex and the temples of Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital in the 10th century.

This cave lies in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and forms a multi-kilometer complex with underground rivers. Tu Lan Cave connects nine separate caves through waterways and jungle trails, offering multi-day expeditions that involve swimming, climbing and camping in the chambers. The limestone formations reach heights of 80 feet (24 meters) in the larger sections. Guides lead visitors through the river passages and to campsites within the system.

This island in the Gulf of Thailand covers 574 square miles (1,487 square kilometers) and forms Vietnam's largest island territory. Phu Quoc Island preserves traditional fishing villages along the coastline, where local communities have depended on the sea for generations. Tropical forests blanket the interior, containing endemic plant species. The surrounding waters maintain temperatures around 82°F (28°C) and support coral reefs with diverse marine life. The island sits roughly 28 miles (45 kilometers) west of mainland Vietnam and serves as a base for exploring remote natural areas in this region.

The Hoang Su Phi Terraced Rice Fields spread across the mountain slopes of Ha Giang province, following natural contours at elevations around 3,300 feet (1,000 meters). These terraces were constructed by local farmers beginning in the 13th century and represent a working agricultural system maintained by ethnic minority communities using traditional methods. The terraces change appearance with the seasons: spring brings water to the fields, summer sees growing rice, and autumn turns the mature crops golden. Visitors reach the terraces from Ha Giang town and find a functional cultural landscape that continues farming practices from centuries past.

This national park lies east of the better known Ha Long Bay and protects a 37,000 acre (15,000 hectare) marine area of limestone formations, mangrove forests and coral reefs. Around 40 islands rise up to 330 feet (100 meters) above the water and provide habitat for numerous bird species. Visitors explore the bays by boat, watch seabirds on the forested cliffs and swim in protected lagoons between the rock formations.

This temple in Hanoi was established in 1070 as Vietnam's first university and consists of five successive courtyards. The compound blends Confucian educational traditions with architectural elements from the Ly Dynasty. Visitors see gardens containing ancient trees, wooden pavilions, and 82 stone steles mounted on turtle pedestals that document names and birthplaces of scholars who earned doctoral degrees between 1442 and 1779. The central Khue Van Pavilion with four circular symbols represents the temple in Vietnamese iconography. The architecture displays traditional elements including curved roofs and lacquered wooden structures. The grounds now serve as an important document of Vietnam's historical educational development and rank among Hanoi's most visited historical sites.

This excavation site in central Hanoi documents nearly one thousand years of Vietnamese history through military structures and cultural artifacts from four dynasties. The archaeological findings include ceramics, sculptures and palace foundations dating from the 11th to 18th centuries. Visitors can examine restored gates, defensive walls and a command tower from the French colonial period. The site holds UNESCO World Heritage status and occupies the grounds of the former royal citadel.

This cave system in northern Vietnam extends for three kilometers of walkable passages. The limestone formations of Nguom Ngao Cave developed through water flows that shaped the rock over thousands of years. Water continues moving through the cave today, contributing to ongoing geological processes. The site represents one of the remote natural locations in this region, where visitors encounter rice terraces, Buddhist pagodas and geological features. Illuminated pathways provide access to the main chambers of this underground landscape.

This cave in Quang Ninh displays intricate mineral formations and limestone structures highlighted by LED lighting throughout its chambers. Thien Cung sits within Ha Long Bay and provides visitors access to underground rooms featuring stalactites and stalagmites. The cave ranks among Vietnam's geological sites where natural erosion processes have shaped these structures over millions of years. Visitors can explore the various levels and passages made visible through artificial lighting systems.

This four-kilometer beach sits between mountains and lagoon, forming a natural sand barrier between the South China Sea and Lap An Lagoon. Lang Co Beach shows white sand and calm waters created by its sheltered geographic position. The beach runs along the coastal road between Hue and Da Nang, with views toward Hai Van Pass. Fishermen work the northern end in the morning, while the southern section allows for swimming. The combination of mountain backdrop and lagoon access makes this coastal stretch one of the remote locations in Vietnam that the collection documents.

These towers were built in the 8th century for the worship of Hindu deities. The complex displays detailed stone reliefs depicting mythological scenes and religious figures. Po Nagar Cham Towers stand on a hill above the Cai River and offer insight into the architecture of the Champa Kingdom, which controlled much of central Vietnam. The towers remain in use today for ceremonies where worshippers bring offerings. Visitors can explore the preserved structures and understand the historical significance of this religious site.

This temple, holding four daily prayer ceremonies open to visitors, embodies the syncretic Cao Dai religion established in southern Vietnam during the early 20th century. The architecture combines Buddhist pagoda elements with Christian cathedral motifs and Confucian design principles, while the interior features dragon columns, cloud colored ceilings and the Divine Eye above the altar. Monks and followers in white, blue, yellow and red robes gather for ceremonies at 6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and midnight. Visitors can observe prayers from the upper gallery. This temple sits about 62 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Ho Chi Minh City and represents a Vietnamese faith with several million adherents.

This tunnel system extends 155 miles (250 kilometers) underground and contains preserved kitchens, medical stations and weapons storage areas from the war years. The tunnels functioned as a supply network and defense system during the Vietnam War. Visitors can crawl through selected sections and experience the narrow passages that shaped the lives of those who lived and fought here. Historical displays show construction methods and daily conditions underground, while models and preserved rooms document both military and civilian uses of the network.