11 'most beautiful tourist destinations in Vietnam' featured in a British magazine.

Joshua Zukas first came to Vietnam nearly 20 years ago and has lived in Hanoi for over a decade. According to The Times travel expert , Vietnamese cities can sometimes overwhelm newcomers. Zukas introduces 11 places he considers representative of Vietnam's beauty, with Hue topping the list. The ancient capital impresses with its rare urban beauty, featuring wide, tree-lined avenues, a river with parks lining both banks, and lotus ponds blooming in the summer . Within the Hue Imperial Citadel, the palaces create a highlight in this historically rich space. Photo: Chau Sa.

Hanoi's Old Quarter is a labyrinth of interwoven narrow streets, formed by guilds centuries ago. Daily life is still present right on the sidewalks, from street food stalls to shops with doors facing the street. If you look closely, you can find many architectural details hidden among the closely packed buildings, from small temples with quiet courtyards to old French villas. Photo: Dinh Ha.

Joshua Zukas remarked that the cave system, with its "sanctuary-like" spaces, is a defining feature of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park ( Quang Tri province). Journeys deep into the national park take visitors through underground rivers and between giant stalactites. Among them, Son Doong Cave, with its chambers so vast they could contain entire city blocks, is considered by Zukas to be the most impressive experience in Phong Nha-Ke Bang. Photo: Linh Huynh.

Just minutes from Da Nang, the Son Tra Peninsula is covered in tropical forest, interspersed with small coves and bays. Winding roads ascend to high points, offering views down to the beach and the statue of the Goddess of Mercy. Son Tra is also one of the last remaining refuges of the brown-footed langur, an endangered primate species with striking coloration, expressive faces, and long limbs. This species is considered a symbol of conservation efforts in Vietnam. Photo: Andrew Sun/SCMP.

The first thing that impresses you in Sa Pa is the sheer scale of the mountains and forests, with continuous mountain ranges and slopes formed into incredibly steep terraced rice paddies. Visitors can participate in multi-day trekking trips, staying with families from different ethnic communities in the area. Each morning, visitors can wake up amidst cloud-covered valleys and see water buffalo grazing outside their windows. Photo: Quynh Trang.

Along the South Central Coast from Quy Nhon to Phan Rang, rocky peninsulas jut out into the East Sea, surrounding arc-shaped bays with fine sand beaches and clear blue waters. The coastal roads are also a worthwhile experience, winding through forested headlands, revealing secluded beaches, fishing villages, and expansive seascapes. Visitors can find resorts nestled amidst the natural landscape, designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding terrain. Some resorts, located on peninsulas and only accessible by boat, combine accommodation with nature conservation activities. Photo: Phuong Lam.

Hoang Su Phi , Tuyen Quang (formerly part of Ha Giang), is touted as a suitable choice for travelers wanting to avoid the crowds of the Ha Giang Loop. The terraced rice fields stretching across the mountain slopes create a characteristic highland landscape, while the roads are still relatively free of motorbike traffic. Hoang Su Phi can be included in multi-day itineraries in the northern mountainous region, combining trekking through terraced rice fields and traveling along scenic routes in Ha Giang. Photo: Yen Vi Vu .

Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai province) is an example of the resilience of ecosystems. It is one of the largest remaining lowland tropical rainforests in the South, with tall trees, intertwined vines, bamboo thickets, and massive root systems. Visitors can hear gibbons singing at dawn, see Siamese crocodiles basking in the sun at sunset, spot wild buffalo foraging in the open spaces after dark, or witness swarms of butterflies emerging from the low vegetation. Photo: @psicott.

Vietnam has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but according to Joshua Zukas, few places offer the same special feeling as Con Dao . On this remote archipelago, stretches of fine white sand descend to turquoise waters, backed by tropical forests that extend to the shoreline instead of high-rise resorts. The waters around the archipelago are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. From May to October, green sea turtles flock ashore to nest. Photo: Linh Huynh.

Cao Bang is notable for its limestone mountain terrain, river and stream system, and scenic spots such as Ban Gioc Waterfall and Thung Mountain (also known as the Eye of God Mountain). Tourists can rent self-drive cars or motorbikes to travel through the mountain passes, admire the waterfalls, and explore historical sites. Photo: Hoang Truong.