Vietnam has many tourist attractions thanks to its richness in culture, nature’s beauty, and biological diversity. Besides famous sites that travelers should not miss, like Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Saigon, there are still more places to discover. Let’s explore the top 07 new rising destinations in Vietnam with Handspan Travel Indochina!

Northeast area of Vietnam

Vietnam’s Northeast area has diverse terrain from mountains to midlands, limestones, hills, rivers, plateaus, waterfalls, etc. The site includes ten provinces: Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, and Quang Ninh. While Quang Ninh has been a popular spot for domestic and international tourists, Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, and Lang Son are becoming new rising destinations in Vietnam. Let’s explore each of the destinations and prepare for your trip to Vietnam!

Vietnam's Northern Area

Ha Giang

Ha Giang is famous for its magnificent scenery with rice terrace fields, forests, mountains, rivers, and a diverse ecosystem. Visiting Ha Giang, you will fall in love with majestic places like Ma Pi Leng Peak, Quan Ba Twin Mountain, and Tu San Gorge. Also, you should not miss many long-standing historical and cultural relics such as the Dong Van Stone Plateau and ethnic villages with unique indigenous cultures, etc. In addition, Dong Van also attracts tourists with different types of flowers blooming all year round, such as Canola flower, buckwheat flower, pluma, flower, etc. 

Ma Pi Leng Pass

Quan Ba Twin Mountain

Coming to Ha Giang, you can choose to stay in Quan Ba, Ha Giang city center, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, or Dong Van with various homestay choices. For example, Dao Lodge Homestay in Quan Ba, Eco Homestay in Yen Minh, Bui Homestay in Dong Van, etc., are some choices you can refer to. 

Dao Lodge Homestay

Need further information about Ha Giang? Let's take a look at our blog post here: Ha Giang Travel Guide. 

Bac Kan

With majestic scenery and a unique cultural identity from ethnic minorities, Bac Kan is also one of the new rising destinations in Vietnam you may want to travel to. Coming to Bac Kan, you should not miss visiting Ba Be Lake, Nang Tien Cave, Puong Cave, and Dau Dang Waterfall. These attractions have magnificent and stunning landscapes with limestone mountains, sparkling stalactites, stone columns, and stalagmites.

Ba Be Lake

Dau Dang Cave

Dau Dang Waterfall

Besides, Ba Be National Park, with many high mountains, caves, rivers, lakes, underground streams, and a rich flora and fauna system, is also an attraction you should note. Especially, let’s drop in the Pac Ngoi Village. This village is famous for doing community-based tourism in Bac Kan, home to the Tay people and where you can find many qualified homestays. 

Pac Ngoi Village

Cao Bang

Recently, Cao Bang has become popular with tourists thanks to its favorable weather and natural conditions, cultural and historical sites, and various ethnic minorities. Regarding natural landscapes, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Thang Hen Lake, Mat Than Mountain, etc., are some attractions you should visit. Pac Bo Relic with Le Nin Stream, Coc Bo Cave, Cac Mac Mountain, and other historical sites are especially worth visiting. Besides admiring the magnificent scenery with mountains, fields, and peaceful villages, coming to this historical site, you will have a look at the simple and rustic life of Ho Chi Minh President, the beloved leader of Vietnam. 

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Nguom Ngao Cave

Lenin Stream

Coming to Cao Bang, there are varieties of homestays for you to choose from. For example, Nguom Ngao Ban Gioc Homestay, Hoang Cong Homestay, SA’s Home, and Yen Nhi Homestay are highly recommended names. They all have unique designs and beautiful views of the mountain. 

For more things to know before you travel to Cao Bang, please refer to our blog post here: Cao Bang travel guide. 

Lang Son

Lang Son is also one of the new rising destinations in Vietnam. Besides famous attractions in the city center like the citadel of the Mac Dynasty, Tam Thanh Cave and Pagoda, Tien Pagoda, etc., Lang Son is also well-known for the Bac Son and Huu Lien area. 

Tam Thanh Cave

Bac Son, a district in the West of Lang Son Province, remains a beautiful place, inhabited by nice and friendly people and featuring some ancestral crafts (traditional roof tiles making, for example). Coming to Bac Son, you should not miss visiting the Na Lay Mountain, Quynh Son cultural tourist village, and Bac Son Flower Valley. Quynh Son cultural tourist village is a place where you can find many homestays at reasonable prices. 

Bac Son

Bac Son

With a diverse landscape of special-use forests, lakes, caves, rocky mountains,  and historical and cultural values, Huu Lien is indeed an attractive community ecotourism spot in Lang Son. Dong Lam Plateau, a large land surrounded by mountains, with winding rivers and green lawns, is one of the most attractive places in Huu Lien. Coming here, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the beautiful and majestic nature. Homestay Rung Xanh, Homestay Thang Lien, and Homestay Ngoc Bich are some choices of accommodation. 

Dong Lam Plateau

Dong Lam Plateau

Nam Cang

Normally when mentioning Sapa, many tourists will think of Sapa town, Muong Hoa Valley, Ta Van, Ta Phin Village, etc. However, Sapa also has another destination that few tourists know, which is Nam Cang. Thanks to the sceneries and developing tourism activities, Nam Cang is indeed one of the new rising destinations in Vietnam you should not miss. 

Driving about one hour from Sapa, you can reach Nam Cang. This destination impresses tourists with its rice terraces, the mountains, the villages, the people, etc. The primary inhabitants of Nam Cang are the Red Dao people, who are famous for herbal medicine. Their bathing herbs are indeed good for relaxation after a long tiring day.

Coming to Nam Cang, you will have a chance to walk around the village, visit the local house, and talk with a friendly host to learn about their culture and customs. Besides, Nam Cang offers different trekking routes for active people. You can trek through the forests from one day up to three days and admire picturesque sceneries. 

A part of the trekking route in Nam Cang

Being a new rising destination in Vietnam, there are a few accommodations in Nam Cang. The best accommodation here is Topas Riverside Lodge, entirely operated by Topas Explore Group. The lodge has 14 cozy, comfortable rooms infused with charm and family spirit, connected to Nam Cang Village by a wooden suspension bridge across a bustling river. Coming here, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the mountain and listen to the sound of nature.

Topas Riverside Nam Cang

Let's come to Nam Cang and experience your vacation with unforgettable memories! For more experiences in Nam Cang, you can refer to the article: Two-day experiences in Topas Riverside Nam Cang.

Nam Cang

Con Dao 

Con Dao Archipelago is about a one-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City. Being known as "The hell on Earth" during wartime, the island witnessed Vietnam's history of colonial times and the sacrifice of many heroes. Today, Con Dao is among the new rising destinations in Vietnam.

The island attracts many tourists interested in discovering the country’s history, enjoying the pristine beauty, and escaping from the daily bustle of life. Besides, this place has long and white sandy beaches, a beautiful ocean world with colorful coral reefs, and primary rain forests with rich flora and fauna.

Con Dao

The best time to visit Con Dao is between March and September, with mellow sea waves and beautiful sunshine. Snorkeling and watching coral, fishing, watching turtles laying eggs, and exploring deserted islands are some activities you must do when taking a foot on Con Dao during the time. From October to February the following year, due to the influence of Northeast wind, beaches in Con Son Bay often have big waves. However, as this is the dry season, there is always sunshine; therefore, you can travel to Con Dao this time.

Coming to Con Dao, you should not miss charming beaches here, such as Lo Voi, An Hai, or Suoi Nong. These beaches have a peaceful atmosphere, colorful coral reefs, crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling, and long and clean white sandy beaches.

Turtle laying eggs in Con Dao

Watching turtles laying eggs is an exciting activity you should do when you are in Con Dao. Hon Bay Island is the most suitable island to watch. Besides, if you are interested in learning more about Vietnamese history, you can visit Con Dao Prison, Chua Dao Palace, and Con Dao’s Museum. Visiting these three attractions, you will have an overview of the colonial crime and empire regime as well as the patriotism and unyielding of Vietnamese soldiers.

Con Dao Prison

Besides the majestic landscape, Con Dao also becomes one of the new rising destinations in Vietnam thanks to its accommodations. You can find many hotels and resorts for your stay, suitable for transferring to tourist sites. Let's find out some hotels and resorts you can refer to.

• Six Senses Con Dao 

Six Senses Con Dao resort is about 9 kilometers from Con Son Airport. It brings a cozy atmosphere between modern and traditional styles. All of the building materials of the resort are taken from nature, such as bamboo or wood. Couples or families always prefer to choose this place as their accommodation for relaxation in Con Dao.

Six Senses Con Dao

• Marina Bay Con Dao 

Marina Bay Con Dao Hotel is located in the center of Con Son and is convenient for traveling to some tourist attractions in Con Dao. The rooftop outdoor swimming pool is a particular architectural highlight of this hotel, with a beautiful sea view.

• Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & Spa

Poulo Condor Boutique Resort & spa is a favorite hideaway resort on Vong Beach under Chua Mountain. With the classical style design and the lush green garden around, the resort has created a unique, attractive beauty. The resort is also a choice for families and couples’ vacations in Con Dao due to its quietness and fresh space.

Poulo Condor Con Dao

For more guides about Con Dao, you can refer to the article: Everything you should know before visiting Con Dao Island.

Ly Son Island

Ly Son Island is also among the new rising destinations in Vietnam. The island is in Quang Ngai province and is famous for its friendliness, long beautiful beaches, and being “the kingdom of garlic.” The remains of 5 craters make the island a beautiful landscape with rich basalt soil for plantations and reefs for marine creatures.

Ly Son Island

Getting to Ly Son Island, you should not miss the following attractions.

• To Vo archway

To Vo is the most beautiful archway formed by natural lava in Vietnam. It views an affluent fishing village. Enjoying the sunrise or sunset at the To Vo archway will be an unforgettable experience.

To Vo Archway

• Thoi Loi peak

Thoi Loi Peak on Thoi Loi Mountain is ideal for admiring a panoramic view of Ly Son Island. There is also a freshwater pond on the top, which provides water to Ly Son Island inhabitants. A flag tower is also placed on the highest point of the island to confirm sovereignty.

• The Small island

Also known as An Binh Island, the Small island is home to about 100 residents doing fishing and garlic farming. It is approachable from the Big Island by canoes or local boats. Visitors like to enjoy the beautiful white sand beach here or take pictures of garlic fields. Another activity is snorkeling - amazing coral reefs under the crystal clear water are waiting.

Beach on the Small Island

There are varieties of accommodations for travelers, from 4-star hotels to homestays on Ly Son Island. You can refer to these hotels below.

• Ly Son Pearl Island Hotel and Resort

Ly Son Pearl Island Hotel and Resort is the first 4-star resort on Ly Son Island. The 85-room resort lies in an ideal location with a 155m-long beach and a big “endless” swimming pool view of the East Sea.

• Muong Thanh Holiday Ly Son

Muong Thanh Holiday Ly Son is a 4-star hotel with a harmonious blend of natural and modern design. Just a few walks, you can reach a beautiful beach for relaxation.

• Ly Tri motel

Ly Tri Motel is a mini-hotel that stands in the center of Ly Son island. From here, one can easily travel to famous tourist sites such as To Vo Gate, Hang Pagoda, and Thoi Loi Peak.

For more information about Ly Son Island, you can refer here. 

Besides, there are several guest houses and homestays for visitors to select.
The above places are attracting more and more tourists to visit. They have become new rising destinations in Vietnam for each traveler to consider when planning a vacation to the beautiful country. So let’s pack up and share your own experience with Handspan Travel Indochina!