Each major region of Vietnam has its must-see tourist sites, but above all, its own distinctive historical, cultural, geographical, and climatic features.
Just like in Northern Vietnam, the southern provinces are home to a large number of ethnic minorities, particularly in the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta. By visiting the destinations listed below, you will not only enjoy breathtaking landscapes but also meet the local communities that make Vietnam such a vibrant mosaic.
Here is our selection of the top 5 destinations to visit in Southern Vietnam.
And if you’d like to extend the experience, explore our Southern Vietnam tours, specially designed to offer a complete and well-balanced discovery of the region.
Buon Ma Thuot in the Central Highlands
Buon Ma Thuot is the capital of Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands.
This city was founded by the French in 1904 and grew into an important commercial crossroads. Vietnamese populations only settled in this region after reunification. Buon Ma Thuot and its surroundings are primarily inhabited by ethnic minorities, different from those living in the mountains of Northern Vietnam. Here, you can meet the Ede, M’Nong, Jarai, Rhade peoples, and more.
Beyond the opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, you’ll also be able to taste the very best coffee in Vietnam—truly! It was in this region that coffee was first introduced during the French colonial period (around 1870). Thanks to the particularly suitable soil, coffee cultivation flourished, and today Dak Lak’s robusta coffee is known worldwide. So be warned—you might just get addicted!
In the areas surrounding the city, you can visit:
- Dray Sap Waterfall: located about 30 km south of the city. The road leading to the largest waterfall in the Central Highlands is stunning. You’ll be fully immersed in the region’s natural beauty. Hiking is possible around the waterfall;
- Don Village: 40 km northwest of Buon Ma Thuot lies Don Village (Buon Don). The Ede people, the largest ethnic group in the region, venerate elephants. Here, you can visit the tomb of the Elephant King, Khun Yu Nop, a legendary elephant tamer. You can even ride an elephant if you wish.
You can fly directly to Buon Ma Thuot, as the small city has its own airport.
Ho Chi Minh City, the economic Heart
The city propelling Vietnam into the 21st century!
Several centuries ago, Ho Chi Minh City was nothing more than a small fishing village belonging to the Khmer Empire. It was in the 17th century that Vietnamese and Chinese populations settled here, and the city became known as Saigon, named after the river that flows through it.
Renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the country’s reunification in 1975, it is now the most populous city in Vietnam, with over 9 million inhabitants. Over time, the city steadily expanded, benefiting from its proximity to the Mekong Delta. Today, it drives the nation’s economic growth, and its leaders aim to transform it into a major Asian megacity, much like the city-state of Singapore.
Why is it worth stopping here? Precisely to feel and witness this vibrant energy in action, to reflect on the changes, and to compare the old with the new! Our guides will take you through the city’s different districts: Vietnamese, Chinese, and French. A few iconic landmarks you won’t want to miss include: Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, built in 1880; the Reunification Palace, built in 1868 and renovated in 1955; and Ben Thanh Market, dating back to 1860. These are just a few of the many fascinating sites to discover.
Ho Chi Minh City is also the gateway for trips to the Mekong Delta or excursions to the surrounding provinces, such as Cu Chi.
Vinh Long, the peaceful Mekong delta
Welcome to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s rice bowl! Vietnam is changing quickly, and the Mekong Delta especially… What once defined the charm of the region — the floating markets — is slowly disappearing…
It is therefore important to plan your trip through the delta carefully to avoid disappointment. The first destination we recommend is Vinh Long, whose main town is a small port on the Mekong River.
The rest of the province is almost entirely dedicated to rice cultivation: 90% of the arable land consists of rice fields! Alongside these, you’ll also find some bean and sweet potato crops. Fruit trees are also abundant: pineapple, jackfruit, bananas, oranges, lemons, and more.
Vinh Long invites you to slow down and enjoy a peaceful moment: you can cycle through the surrounding countryside or hop on a sampan to glide along the arroyos and explore nearby islands such as An Binh and Binh Hoa Phuoc. The area is also home to beautiful communal houses and pagodas (the population here is predominantly Kinh – Vietnamese).
Vinh Long is not very touristy, making it an ideal place to experience an authentic and tranquil Mekong Delta.
Chau Doc and life on the water
Chau Doc is a mid-sized city (around 150,000 inhabitants) in An Giang Province, located right on the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. The city has belonged to Vietnam since the 17th century and is home today to Vietnamese, as well as Khmer and Cham communities (members of ethnic minorities).
As everywhere in the Mekong Delta, you can choose between two main seasons when planning your visit: the dry season, from April to August, and the rainy season, which mainly runs from August to December. During the latter, rainfall can be heavy, but it’s also the best time to discover the delta when it is underwater. You’ll need to explore the area by boat — at this time of year, people navigate more than they walk in the Mekong Delta!
So what can you do in Chau Doc? Like every destination on this list, we recommend Chau Doc for its tranquility. Along with Vinh Long, it is one of the best places to experience the region’s authentic way of life… but that certainly doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do — quite the opposite!
Visiting Chau Doc and its surroundings will first give you the opportunity to discover Cham culture. The countryside is dotted with Cham villages, where you can explore the ancestral traditions and craftsmanship of this ethnic group. You can also visit the Chau Doc floating market, which is more authentic than those of Cai Rang and Phong Dien. Next, you can climb to the top of Sam Mountain, the highest peak in the Mekong Delta, reaching… 230 meters! While it won’t exactly be a trek, the summit offers magnificent views of the surrounding rice fields. Finally, about 20 km from Chau Doc lies the Tra Su cajuput forest. This forest has become a nature reserve crossed by a river. We recommend a sampan ride along this “green path,” so named because its surface is covered with water hyacinths. A wonderfully relaxing excursion!
>> Discover our full article on Chau Doc.
Con Dao, the Little Paradise Island
Let’s end this list with a truly heavenly destination… Con Dao Island, at the very southern tip of Vietnam. The island is actually an archipelago of 16 islands, but only one of them is inhabited: Con Son.
Now a paradise, the island once had a far darker past: renamed “Poulo-Condor Islands” by the French colonizers, it became one of Indochina’s main penal colonies starting in 1862. Political opponents were imprisoned here. You can visit the remains of several prisons, such as Phu Tuong Camp or Phu Hai Prison.
If you don’t believe in ghosts (many Vietnamese avoid the island out of fear of bad spirits…), you will fully enjoy your stay. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches: Lo Voi near the town center, Dam Trau in the north. Other beaches and coves are more difficult to access, such as Ong Dung and Dam Tre Bay.
Con Dao Island is home to a 20,000-hectare national park, where you can enjoy some beautiful hikes. The entrance fee to the park is 60,000 VND per person. At the park office, you can obtain a hiking map in English.
Finally, Con Dao is the perfect place for diving! The island is surrounded by stunning coral reefs, where you can spot colorful fish, turtles… and perhaps even dolphins!
