20 Best Instagrammable Urban Destinations In Vietnam
1. HANOI’S OLD QUARTER
The Old Quarter has been the heart of Hanoi for more than 100 years, and is still the center of its residents' daily lives today. You can window shop at the shops on foot, or bargain for antiques to take home. This place is a suitable destination to see the uniqueness and beauty of old buildings in Vietnam. You can buy many souvenirs and antiques, unique, and of course interesting.
In the Old Quarter you will find many traditional market selling unique and antique items. The interesting part is you can bargain the prices. It also has a different vibe with most part in Hanoi. Here, you will find traditional transportation, traditional building, and many more. Its bustling and hustling area is a good place to get good pictures.
Old Quarter
2. PHONG NHA – KE BANG NATIONAL PARK
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a protected area in north central Vietnam. This place is one of the urban destinations that you can visit while in Quang Binh Province. Treats of natural attractions with green views and beautiful rivers will amaze you. In addition, you can explore tropical forests by boat and along the river. You can also see Son Doong cave and Phong Nha Cave which are historical areas and interesting to see.
It's great to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. With its karst mountains, underground rivers, vast caves and forests that have not been touched by many tourists. There are lots of activities to do in one of the most spectacular and attractive regions in Vietnam, whether you are hiking, cycling, rowing or relaxing.
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Headquarter
3. NHA TRANG
Nha Trang has a charm that is no less attractive than other cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi and Danang. Nha Trang itself is a city in Vietnam which is located in the eastern part of the country. Geographically, Nha Trang is on the east coast of Vietnam. Compared to other major cities in Vietnam, Nha Trang is not a very busy city.
The streets of Nha Trang are not as crowded as Hanoi or Danang. The city is also surrounded by beautiful mountains on three sides that do not border the sea. In addition, Nha Trang also has a large island called to the east of Nha Trang bay.
Nha Trang
4. DA KAO DISTRICT
Da Kao District is in Ho Chi Minh City and the district is one of the destinations that you should try to visit. Located in the northeast, Da Kao is a developing and modern district. Many interesting and cool things you can find here. Starting from modern restaurants with delicious menus, cafes with various coffee, and sparkling nightlife spots. If you like urban destinations in the corner of Ho Chi Minh, Da Kao can be one of your choices while in Vietnam.
In the Da Kao neighborhood of the city, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is one of the most important holy places in the city. Known in Vietnamese as the Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda and commonly as the Turtle Pagoda, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is an active place of worship for Daoists and Buddhists. Outside the pale pink pagoda lies a unique turtle pond.
Da Kao
5. NGUYEN THI MINH KHAI STREET
Nguyen Thi Mink Khai Street is a spot that is very popular with the existence of a very traditional water puppet show in Vietnam. You can visit this place while on vacation with your family and children. Lots of native Vietnamese folk tales that are shown to be quite interesting are highly recommended to visit in Saigon Ho Chi Minh City.
The visitors who come to this place will see how the puppets' acting on the water stage is accompanied by special instrument music so that the authenticity of Vietnamese culture is very thick. Besides the puppet show, you can also find numerous interesting things. You should take a walk and stroll around the street. Many food court and souvenir shops are available, where you can taste the Vietnamese dish and also buy souvenirs.
Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai
6. NGO MON GATE/ MERIDIAN GATE
Ngo Mon Gate or Meridian Gate is a historical landmark located in Hue City. This landmark is located along the banks of the beautiful Perfume River. This gate is a landmark that was built during the Vietnam imperial era and is currently an urban tourist destination in the city of Hue. If you like history and ancient architecture, this place could be your best destination.
This place is very photogenic for a photo object. If you love doing outside activities such as walking and strolling, Ngo Mon Gate can be one of your best destination. Its magnificent building and also beautiful architecture will give such amazing feeling to be there.
Ngo Mon Gate/ Meridian Gate
7. DIEN THO RESIDENCE
Dien Tho is one of the best and instagrammable urban destinations in the city of Hue, Vietnam. One of Vietnam's most historic cities, Hue is filled with relics from the reign of the 19th century Nguyen emperor. While you tour visit the gorgeous Ngo Mon Gate, Thailand's Hoa Palace with its finely lacquered interior details, the Dien Tho Residence where the Queen lives, and the Halls of Mandarin with its preserved ceiling mural. The Dien Tho Residence is a row of historical sites within the imperial walls in the city of Hue.
This residence is a must visit place where you can see the royal lives. The residence is quite large and you can explore the building inside. Bringing your camera is a must because you will get many beautiful objects. Dien Tho Residence is one of the best and instagrammable place to visit.
Dien Tho Residence
8. THAI HOA PALACE
Thai Hoa Palace is a destination that you shouldn't pass while in the city of Hue. This palace is one of the most important buildings in Hue Imperial City. Here you can see various kinds of ancient buildings that hold a lot of history about the Hue Imperial. Apart from that, its unique shape and architecture will amaze you. You can make this place a really instagrammable photo spot. Hue city is a destination full of historical and interesting buildings to explore, one of which is the Thai Hoa Palace.
The Thai Hoa Palace is the most distinctive example of the Dynasty and Nguyen architectural styles. You will compete with large buildings with yellow tile roofs. The edge of the roof curves a dragon motif that curves upwards. Also, there were two lines of stone marks on the side of this Hue Imperial City palace. They play as royal officials.
Thái Hòa Palace
9. HộI AN
Hoi An is a city in Vietnam, with its historic architecture that has survived. The old town area is a fun place to explore, crammed with well-preserved merchant houses dating back to the trading center of Hoi An in the 15th century, when the town was a major meeting point for Japanese and Chinese merchants who gathered here for local silk. Many of the old merchant houses have been opened to the public, so you can feel the present moment. Best of all is the 17th century Tan Ky House, with interesting architectural and decorative elements.
Most of the area in the city of Hoi An is dominated by small alleys on the right and left of which there are ancient buildings with distinctive architecture from various countries such as China, Europe, Persia, India, and other countries. With a city rhythm that is not too busy and busy, enjoying every corner of Hoi An is perfect for cycling. Of course, there are already several designated bicycle rental places.
Hội An
10. ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE FUJIAN CHINESE CONGREGATION
This Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation was once an important meeting center for Chinese immigrants in the city of Hoi An. You can pay attention to art and architecture in its oriental style and learn about its amazing history. This place was built in the late 18th century by Chinese immigrants from the Guangdong and Canton areas. Parts of the hall were built separately in China, then brought to Hoi An to be combined. This landmark is one of the most important historical sites in Hoi An city, so you won't regret visiting it.
In the last room of this place, the central altar contained the seated figures of the heads of the six Fujian families. The smaller number below them represented their successors as clan leaders. Behind the altar on the right are three fairies and a smaller figure representing the 12 ba mu (midwife), each of which teaches a newborn a different skill necessary for the first year of life: smiling, sucking, and so on. It is an ideal place to stroll around.
Assembly Hall Of Fujian Chinese
11. VIETNAM MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a historical site in Vietnam that provides displays of ethnic diversity in Vietnam. This museum will take you to see Vietnamese life in the past. Here you can learn about the 54 ethnic Vietnamese who lived in the past. Several historical attractions that you can see in this place include traditional houses, clothes, furniture and much more. This one place is an interesting place in Hanoi for you to visit.
This museum is a good place to find out about the cultural side of Vietnam. You can find many artifacts and also ancient stuffs where you can see the historical and cultural of the country. The building of this place is quite large and will be good for photo object.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
12. VIETNAM FINE ART MUSEUM
Vietnam has many remnants of colonial times, including the Fine Arts Museum. This museum building is unique with its yellow color which is closely related to the colonial style. The Fine Arts Museum is said to have been built since 1929 and is the second largest and most famous art museum in Vietnam. The ticket price for the Fine Arts Museum is quite cheap, only VND 10,000 or around Rp. 6 thousand. The Fine Arts Museum houses various amazing collections such as Funan era sculptures to Cham art dating back to the 7th century.
There are also paintings, sculptures or wood carvings in the Hang Trong Dong Ho and Kim Hoang styles, as well as Vietnamese ceramics and collections of ancient Buddhist art. There are even archaeological remains from Champa and Oc Eo. It is an ideal place where you can get great photography objects.
Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
13. PO NAGAR CHAM TOWERS
Po Nagar or Ponagar Tower is a Cham temple that was built in the 781 before century and is located in Kauthara. Kauthara itself is a city with a thick middle century, and this temple is one of the historical packing relics. You can visit this place and see the unique and historic shape of the temple building. You can visit Ponagar Temple in Khan Hoa, which is close to Nha Trang in Vietnam.
These towers are the remaining building of the ancient imperial in Vietnam. Its location is quite in the village, yet it's worth visiting. If you love learning about the history, this place is highly recommended to visit. You can still see the original shape of the building.
Po Nagar Cham Towers
14. CU CHI TUNNELS
Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the iconic tourist attractions in Vietnam. These tunnels connect underground tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Cu Chi District with a much larger network of tunnels that underlie some of the surrounding areas. In the past, Chu Chi Tunnels were used for military campaigns during the upheaval of the Vietnam War. The tunnels were also used by Viet Cong soldiers to hide as well as being a means of communication and food storage during the war against America.
In this Cu Chi Tunnel you can try to feel how the Viet Cong soldiers are moving underground, suddenly appearing from a hole in the ground, shooting at the enemy, then going back into the hole, then suddenly appearing again in another place through the hole too. Even though it is only a few hundred meters that can be enjoyed by the public, the actual total length is around 200 km (info from the tour guide) but it will still make you amazed.
Cu Chi Tunnels
15. BA BE NATIONAL PARK
Ba Be National Park may not be as cheap as other destinations in Vietnam. However, this natural reservation in Bac Kan Province is worth visiting. A lake with fresh water and a beautiful surrounding view of the limestone surrounding and green forest. The location is about 240 kilometers from the capital Hanoi, and this place can be a place where you calm down. The natural beauty and fresh air will refresh your mind.
One of the best ways to experience Ba Be's extraordinary beauty was from water. You can explore the rivers, lakes and caves that make up the amazing beauty of this place. You can take a boat ride with one of the smaller boats to enjoy around Ba Be. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can take a kayak and explore the beautiful grounds.
Ba Be National Park
16. PO SHANU CHAM TOWERS
Po Shanu or Po Sah Inu Cham Towers is one of the historical relics in Vietnam. This temple is a Hindu religious heritage site and has one tower which is quite high called the Shiva tower. This temple has been around 1000 years ago and ornately carved. You can see the beauty, uniqueness and detail of the carving with the wall tiles. This place is located in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam.
Having the shape of a tower and detailing at sites such as Angkor Wat, the Po Shanu Cham tower consists of the ruins of three towers, looking like cultural ruins from another world. In its main part is the lingga and yoni monolith from the Hindu tradition, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other two towers are devoted to the fire god Agni and the buffalo god Nandi. This place could be the best Instagrammable spot in Vietnam.
Po Sah Inu Cham Towers
17. KHAI DINH TOMB
Khai Dinh Royal Tomb is a royal tomb area in Hue, Vietnam that offers a special view. Khai Dinh constructed his final resting place in a different way, where the rest of the royal tombs are large and invite respectful reflection. Local tour guides said that Khai Dinh's tomb was deliberately designed to be difficult to visit.
The tomb was built on the side of the mountain. Fortunately, transportation to the tomb ensures that visitors to Khai Dinh's tomb no longer have to suffer to visit it. The tombs are kind of something you can admire for its shape and old. You will be amazed by the stunning surroundings of this place.
Khai Dinh Tomb
18. SAIGON NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
The European style Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is indeed awe-inspiring. You can witness firsthand what the grandeur and beauty of the Notre Dame de Paris church at the eastern end of the Lle de La Cite are. This Catholic cathedral church is said to be the first structure in the world to use a floating or flying support.
In this church there are many small statues that serve as support for the pond and water spouts are placed on the outside. This famous cathedral was founded by Maurice de Sully, a bishop of Paris. The shape of the cathedral reflects the glorious era of the French in the old days. You can visit this iconic landmark in the city of Saigon.
Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral
19. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
Temple of Literature is the first university ever built in Hanoi. This building itself has existed since 1070 to honor and commemorate the famous philosopher of that time, namely Confucius. At the beginning of its establishment, this place was only intended for aristocrats and kings. Apart from seeing the university buildings, you can also see archaeological traces, beautiful lakes, green natural landscapes and others.
The building is thick with Chinese nuances. This is because Vietnam itself was part of China for thousands of years. His influence was seen from the style of buildings, literature, to the Confucian teachings that were propagated at Vietnam's first university. This temple can be one of the objects for your photos in Vietnam.
Temple of Literature
20. CAO DAI TEMPLE
Cao Dai Temple is one of the unique temples and attracts many tourists. Besides being able to witness the unique Caodiast rituals, here you can also capture every corner of the unique building. The building of Cao Dai Temple is a combination of Neo-Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs which is very attractively decorated including pillars wrapped around a dragon and a seven-headed cobra. You are free to take photos around the temple, but must still wear modest clothing and cover your knees.
Besides being able to watch the rituals of the Caodiast people, you can also capture every corner of this unique building. The majority of tourists really focus more on the activities of local residents who are busy reciting stanzas per verse of the holy words, complete with wearing long white robes and especially worship leaders wearing yellow, blue, or red robes.
Cao Dai Temple
