Vietnam Towns & Provinces

Vietnam is a long country north to south with a variety of towns, cities, and provinces. It boasts both beautiful coastal beaches and rolling forests and mountains. From the capital in the north, Hanoi, to Vietnam’s largest city in the south, Ho Chi Minh City, there are a lot of wonderful places to visit and people to meet!

Towns and Cities in Vietnam

With a fast-growing population, Vietnam has nearly 100 million people. These locals are spread across the country in a myriad of towns and cities. They range from busy world-class cities to backwood country villages.

Provinces in Vietnam

Vietnam’s cities and towns are located within a myriad of larger provinces. There are 63 provinces in the country, including 5 large cities that govern themselves: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Islands in Vietnam

While there are plenty of beaches to visit in Vietnam, some of the best are found on the country’s islands. With gorgeous sand, welcoming locals, and plenty of activities to keep you busy throughout the day, make sure you have enough time to stop by one of these locations.

Popular Neighborhoods in Vietnam

Nestled within Vietnam’s most famous cities, there are numerous neighborhoods that have become more and more popular with tourists. Often considered historic, these neighborhoods make visitors feel as if they are being transported to a different place or time.

Featured Destinations

Guide to Towns and Provinces in Vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Its many historic cities will captivate you on your visit.

The South China Sea and mountains mark Vietnam’s picturesque western border. The Red River deltas cap the north end, while the Mekong deltas are to the south. From gorgeous beaches and vibrant forests to inviting cities and alluring rice paddies.

Largest Cities

With an estimated population of 98 million in 2021, Vietnam has lot of people. Its largest cities are Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, respectively, each with nearly 9 million residents. Each offer a wide array of tourist attractions and local culture to appreciate.

1. Ho Chi Minh City – Formerly Saigon, this is Vietnam’s largest city, located in the south, with an estimated 8.993 million residents in 2019. Ho Chi Minh City is a fascinating city that never sleeps.

2. Hanoi – Vietnam’s capital city, located in the north has the second-highest number of people, at 8.054 million in 2019. Hanoi is full of historic tourist attractions and makes a great basecamp for exploring the north.

3. Hai Phong – It’s the third-largest city in terms of urban population located in the northern part of Vietnam. Hai Phong is known as “The City of Flame Flowers”.

4. Can Tho – The riverside city of Can Tho is famed for its floating markets and canals. It’s located a 4-hour drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the 4th largest city in VN.

5. Bien Hoa – The 5th largest city by population in Vietnam lies just 30 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Although overshadowed by HCMC, Bien Hoa has its fair share of tourist attractions.

6. Da Nang – The largest city in Central Vietnam at 1.231 million is a favorite of tourists and natives alike. Da Nang is the 6th biggest city by population, and close in proximity to Hoi An and Hue.

7. Buôn Ma Thuột – Located in Central Vietnam, Buon Ma Thuot is the country’s 8th largest city by population. It’s known as the “capital of coffee”. And is also the provincial capital of Dak Lak province.

8. Vinh – Nghe An’s largest city, Vinh sits on the coast in northern Vietnam. Thanks to the province’s natural beauty, tourism is growing steadily in town.

Beach Towns

After spending a few days in the bustling streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, tourists are probably eager to get away from the bustle. Head to the oceanside for some fresh air and beautiful sights. These costal cities are all popular tourists hotspots.

Da Nang – The fourth-largest city in Vietnam,  Da Nang is located in the central coast region. Hue lies north and Hoi An just south, combining to make a trifecta of travel.

Ha Long – Two hours east of Hanoi (or four by bus) lies the mysterious Halong Bay (Ha Long Bay). Its unique limestone islands captivate visitors, as do its caves, beaches, and water sports. It’s best to spend at least one overnight on a boat cruise. Halong City offers a few five star hotels and various on-land amenities to go with the overnight river cruises.

Hoi An – Less than an hour south of Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most sought after tourist destinations. It’s growing rapidly, as evidenced by the staggering number of luxury hotels and condominiums rising on the coast between Hoi An and Da Nang. Explore ancient ruins such as My Son Sanctuary.

Hue – The city of Hue itself doesn’t have any beaches, but it’s nearby some excellent resort beaches, which tend to be clean and quiet. Plan about 45 minutes from Hue to hit a good beach. The city itself is full of history, centered around the Imperial City.

La Gi – An off-the-radar coastal town in southern Vietnam, La Gi has a few good beaches on offer. South of it you can hit the famed Co Co Beach Resort and stay and play the night away.

Nha Trang – One of the top beach destinations in the country is Nha Trang. It boasts more than 535,000 residents, white sandy beaches, and a happening nightlife scene.

Phan Thiet – It’s dubbed as the “resort capital” of Vietnam because of Mui Ne beach. The city has several luxury hotels, resorts, and restaurants and has often been one of the top picks of foreign travelers.

Phu Quoc – Island off the coast of southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc is a paradise. Put this destination on your bucket list if you’d rather escape the busier beach spots Nha Trang or Hoi An.

Vung Tau – Probably the closest beach city to Saigon at around 3 hours, Vung Tau boasts a year-round population of over 527,000 residents. It has a few spots to enjoy the beaches and is an especially popular weekend spot from the biggest city in Vietnam.

Qui Nhon – Located in Binh Dinh Province, this coastal city in Central Vietnam has around 650,000 residents, with a lot of fishing and farming as its primary economy. Because of its lovely beaches, it’s shifting more towards tourism as well.

Rach Gia – With little more than 200,000 people, Rach Gia is a small rice processing town located on the southeast coast. While there aren’t notable beaches here, it’s used as a transfer point to nearby Phu Quoc Island and its beautiful beaches.

Mountain Towns

It’s not big cities and sandy beaches, Vietnam has its highlands too. Escape to mountain towns like Sapa and Da Lat to beat the heat of the lower lands. The northern portion of the country contains the highest mountains, which reaches 10,325.7 ft (3,147.3 m) in elevation.

Da Lat – More than 400,000 locals call the mountain town of Da Lat home. It’s located at 1500 meters (4,921 feet) with beautiful views, fresh air, and charming residents.

Sapa – Exactly like Da Lat, Sapa sits at 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). Except the views are even more mountainous as Sapa sits in the shadows of Fansipan. This is Vietnam’s largest peak at over 10,000 feet.

Islands

Island life in Vietnam is possible. For those looking for a “busier” island experience, consider the clear coastal waters that surround Phu Quoc Island. This large paradise has a slew of accommodations, hotels and adventures to find. Small island getaways include Con Dao and the Cham Islands.

Cham Islands – Just off the coast from Hoi An is the popular tourist spot. Escape the crowds of the Old Town with a day trip or overnight stay on Cham Island.

Phu Quoc Island – Tucked away off the southwest coast of the country, Phu Quoc Island is surrounded by the Gulf of Thailand. It has some of the best beaches in Vietnam and some international visitors can even fly directly into Phu Quoc International Airport and not needing a visa like they would the mainland.

Con Dao Island – Before Côn Đảo became the sought-after destination, it used to be called “Con Son“, a prison complex in the 1800s, created by French colonizers. The island was also involved in the Vietnam-American war in the 1960s. When you tour the region, you’ll see an intersection of old, colonial structures inspired by French and American architecture.

Since the Côn Đảo islands stand in the region of the South China Sea, it also became a key pier during those centuries. However, despite its not-so-pleasant past, the region has made its name as one of the most breathtaking gateways in Vietnam.

Weather by Town and Month

The climate in Vietnam varies by geography and season. As a sub-tropical country you can expect to find hot, humid weather in most of the country. Although thanks to its higher elevation mountains, you can certainly escape the heat if you want to. The highest point in Vietnam is more than 10,000 feet/3,000 meters.

Wherever and whenever you come to Vietnam you’ll have a terrific time no matter the weather. These exciting destinations are a worthy addition to any itinerary. Have fun exploring Vietnam’s welcoming towns, cities and provinces.