26 Most Instagrammable Places in Vietnam

Check out the most Instagrammable places in Vietnam – we’ve got great photo spots in the whole country

Vietnam is a tragically underrated country in Southeast Asia. Overshadowed by most popular destinations like Thailand and Bali, Vietnam actually has a ton of natural beauty, culture, and delicious food in it’s own right!

If you’re visiting Vietnam and looking for the most instagrammable places in the country, you’re in luck! This post highlights many of those can’t miss spots that you can feast your eyes on, and then snap a beautiful photo to share with all your online friends and followers.

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26 Most Instagrammable Places in Vietnam

This list starts at the northern tip of Vietnam and heads south. There’s also a map at the end of the post that has all of these locations pinned for easy reference!

1. Ha Giang Loop

Fill your feed with jaw-dropping landscapes from Northern Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop. Best experienced by renting a motorbike and hitting the open road, this 3-4 day road trip cuts through towering mountains, quaint villages, and rice paddies that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Snap away around every winding turn; the photography opportunities on a Ha Giang Loop itinerary are endless. This region is on the northernmost border of Vietnam and China and features limestone cliffs, old pine forests, and the epic Ma Pi Leng Pass. Plus, the region is home to several ethnic minority groups with unique traditional dress and architecture.

By Catherine of Nomadicated

2. Rice Terraces, Sapa

Sapa is a hub for rice terraces in Vietnam, and many people come to Sapa to do a daylong or multi-day trek that goes right through all these terraces. Marvel as you hike through hills and valleys surrounded by tall mountain peaks, with steep terraces cut into the sides of the hills and mountains.

These famed rice terraces, surrounded by gorgeous mountainous landscapes, are one of the most Instagrammable places in Vietnam.

Pro Tip: This is the absolute best Sapa trekking expedition – you’ll be away from the crowds and in some of the most beautiful terraces in the countryside.

3. O Quy Ho Pass, Sapa

The O Quy Ho Pass near Sapa is a road that weaves its way through an absolutely gorgeous, mountainous region filled with great photo spots of the peaks and valleys.

Renting a motorbike in town and then heading out on your own is the best way to explore this area, which has multiple viewpoints, and two waterfalls (Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall) that are definitely worth a visit.

4. Train Street, Hanoi

Train Street is one of the most Instagrammable places in Hanoi, Vietnam, as it is just SO shocking – not only are the train tracks super close to the shops, cafes, and residences that are mere feet away from the tracks, train ACTUALLY still run on this line daily!

You can walk along the tracks for a great Instagrammable shot, or get a seat at one of the cafes before the train passes, and watch as the train goes mere inches from the sides of the buildings.

Note: Parts of Train Street are closed, and police guard the track and shoo people away from walking along it. However, the section close to the Hanoi Train Station is still open and unguarded.

5. Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi

Smack dab in the middle of Hanoi Old Quarter is the Hoan Kiem Lake, a large lake with an island temple. This scenic red bridge crosses the lake to the island, where you can explore the Ngoc Son Temple. This spot in the middle of the bridge – with the red railings on either side and the temple gate peeking up in the background, is a super cute photo spot in Hanoi.

6. Streets of Old Quarter, Hanoi

Beyond any sites in Hanoi, the city itself is very cute. Colonial style architecture is very common, the buildings are built tall and squished together, and while there are spots that are more utilitarian and run-down, there is also a ton of old world charm here, as well.

These spindly, unique trees are common throughout the Old Quarter, and the narrow, winding streets lined with shops and restaurants make for a great photo background.

7. St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi

St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi is one of those underrated photo spots in Vietnam. It is the oldest church in the capital and its impressive Gothic features are perfect for that unforgettable Instagram photo!

The cathedral is just a few streets from Hoan Kiem Lake, in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, so it’s not difficult to find.

It can get quite crowded, especially during the warmer months. Try to visit early in the morning before the other tourists start to arrive, and you should have the place to yourself.
It rained on the day we visited but (I think you’ll agree) this only added to the photo’s atmosphere.

By Jeff of Life of Y

8. Halong Bay/Bai Tu Long Bay

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay, and neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay, is one of the most incredible places in all of Vietnam. This bay has thousands of island mountains, or karsts, that tend to be small, have steep, sheer limestone cliffs, and are covered in vegetation. Halong Bay is a bucket list destination, FOR SURE, and one that is filled with great photo spots.

Almost everyone who visits does a cruise in the bay, but while you can do a half day cruise in Halong, I’d actually highly recommend doing a 2 day/1 night cruise that goes to neighboring, but virtually identical, Bai Tu Long Bay.

This will give you plenty of time to soak in the sites, take tons of pictures from the ship, go kayaking in the bay, go swimming from a small, secluded beach in the bay, and enjoy gourmet meals on board.

9. Poem Mountain, Halong Bay

While getting out into Halong Bay offers incredible views within the mountain karsts, if you want to see Halong Bay from above, Poem Mountain offers an unmatched viewpoint.

You can access this spot from the mainland, and it requires a 20 minute hike through an rather overgrown path to get to the top. It’s all worth it though – the way that you can see ridge after ridge after ridge of the karsts extending out into the bay makes Poem Mountain one of my top favorite Instagrammable spots in Vietnam.

An important note to make is that if you want to hike Poem Mountain, the “trailhead” actually starts in a backyard full of trash that belongs to a rather grumpy lady. You can get all the details on how to hike Poem Mountain here.

10. Cat Ba National Park, Halong Bay

One of the most Instagrammable places in Vietnam is without a doubt Cat Ba National Park. Cat Ba National Park is situated in the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and lies next to the incredibly famous Halong Bay.

While there are many places on Cat Ba island that are suitable to take beautiful Instagram shots, the most perfect spot is located inside the National Park on the top of Ngu Lam Peak. From Ngu Lam Peak, you have a wonderful view over spectacular limestone mountains that are covered in lush greenery.

The park entrance fee is 80.000 VND and the climb up to Ngu Lam Peak takes about 45 minutes.

By Annelies of Travelers & Dreamers

11. Hang Mua Caves, Ninh Binh

The Hang Mua Caves is one of the most beautiful, Instagrammable photo spots in Vietnam to take a perfect vacation photoshoot – although, as you can see from the picture, you’re not really visiting *caves*. While there are a couple of very small caves on site you can visit, the really draw is climbing the stairs to the top of the mountain to see the viewpoints over the mountains and waterways in the background.

From the top, you can easily see why Ninh Binh is called “Halong Bay on Land,” and during the day you can see the boat tours from Tam Coc meandering through the grass-lined waterways.

You can do a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh or spend a few days enjoying the laid back surroundings and visiting all the spectacular sites in the area including the next three items on this list.

12. Trang An Boat Tour, Ninh Binh

There are two places that offer boat rides that wind through the system of streams that run between the tall limestone cliffs of Ninh Binh. These two companies are Tam Coc and Trang An – we did the Trang An boat tour and it was phenomenal.

For 3 hours, you’ll go through some of the most unbelievable scenery, with tall cliffs towering over you as you float through a picturesque stream. All of the boat tours include stops at temples on the river, and they also all go through caves.

Try to sit in the front of the boat, if possible, to get the best shots of the mountains and water.

This was one of my favorite experiences in all of Vietnam, and is certainly worth at least a day trip from Hanoi.

13. Cycling in Ninh Binh

One of the best hidden gems in Asia is Ninh Binh, and the best way to explore the area is by bike. You can expect to see the beautifully green rice paddies, the dramatic limestone cliffs, and the peaceful surrounding villages. 

As with any bike ride, the best way to capture imagery is to either get off the bike for photo stops or use an action camera like a GoPro attached to your chest or helmet to capture video or still images as you ride.

The middle of the day can be quite harsh sunlight and incredibly hot, so the best time to ride around Ninh Binh is during sunrise or sunset when it is cooler, and the light is softer.

By Roshni of The Wanderlust Within

14. Bich Dong Pagoda, Tam Coc

The Bich Dong Pagoda is a small temple area in Ninh Binh. The gate to the temple, pictured here, is set up against the mountain, with a small bridge that crosses over a pond to reach the entrance. This entrance is the most Instagrammable part of the Bich Dong Pagoda, and is definitely worthy of a photo op.

Once you go through this gate, you’ll reach the actual pagoda. Climb up the stairs at the left of the main pagoda to reach other pagodas built higher into the mountain, or head right to visit the valley behind.

15. Paradise Cave

The Paradise Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in the Phong Nha National Park, in central Vietnam. Visiting this cave is one of the best things to do in Phong Nha.

To get to the cave you have to either hire a moped or go on an organized tour. To reach the cave you have to climb a steep path, through the forest, so make sure to bring proper shoes.

Inside the cave the lightning is dim, which makes the flights illuminating the interior flicker. This provides a lovely background for the photos. The main chamber of the cave is where you can take the best photos, thanks to the spectacular rock formations inside.

By Joanna of The World in My Pocket

16. Thuy Tien Abandoned Waterpark, Hue

Thuy Tien Water Park is a picturesque lost place in Vietnam. The water park opened in 2004 but was quickly abandoned afterwards.

You can easily reach it from Hue by bicycle, scooter, or taxi. Although the park is supposed to be free, a man at the entrance asks you for “money for a coffee”. Give him 10000 VND and you should be able to enter.

The Aquarium and Dragon House, where visitors can climb into the dragon’s mouth for a panoramic view of the lake, are among the park’s main attractions as well as the best photo spots. Additionally, there are slides and a big abandoned music stadium with 2500 seats. Furthermore, you can get some great vantage points from across the lake.

By Carina of Bucket List 2 Life

17. Minh Mang Tomb, Hue

Vietnam is so incredibly rich with beautiful places that you don’t need to go off the beaten track to find your perfect Instagram spot.

The biggest issue in most of the places is to get the space to yourself for that couple of minutes that you need. When you visit the Minh Mang tomb however, you will not need to fight through the crowd.

Minh Mang Emperor’s tomb is part of the royal tombs situated just outside Hue. It is one of the biggest but farther away, so many people skip it in favor of the closer tombs therefore at times you can have it all for yourself.

The space is vast with many enchanting buildings, gates, and courtyards. You can easily spend 2 hours snapping away.

By Clotilde of A Princess Traveling with Twins

18. Hai Van Pass 

The Hai Van Pass is a scenic drive that winds through the mountains in Central Vietnam on the road between Danang and Hue and offers some amazing photo opportunities.

The coastal scenery is stunning, and the Hai Van Pass has some of the most dramatic ocean views on Vietnam’s east coast. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Hoi An and Hue, I recommend booking an Easy Rider motorbike tour to ride over the Hai van Pass. My local driver knew all the best places to stop, enjoy the spectacular scenery and take photos. 

By Linda of Muy Linda Travels

19. Sunrise at My Khe Beach, Da Nang

My Khe beach in Da Nang Vietnam, offers the most beautiful sunrise perfect for Instagram photos. The tranquil ambiance, soft waves, and warm light make it an ideal setting for capturing stunning shots.

Arriving early is crucial to get the perfect shot and staying in a hotel near My Khe beach is recommended. This way, you can easily walk a few minutes to the beach before sunrise.

Look for a serene spot where the sun rises over the ocean and play around with different angles and perspectives to create the ideal composition. The beach boasts plenty of palm trees, which make for a lovely frame in the foreground. You may also spot local fishermen wading through shallow waters, adding a charming touch to the background.

By Kaitlyn of Carry On Only

20. Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hills

The Golden Bridge, found in the Bà Nà Hills has rapidly become one of Vietnam’s most famous sights since its opening in 2008. Lying 1,400 meters above sea level, this gold-colored footbridge extends over 150 meters across eight sections.

It was built to connect the cable car station with the terrace and provides an amazing overlook of the surrounding mountains. The bridge is supported by two massive hands that serve as a symbol of the hands of God. This striking design makes for great photo opportunities.

Visit in the early morning to get the best shots. Not only is the light better, but the crowds are smaller too. Along with your camera, be sure to carry some cash as the sight is also one of the best places to get souvenirs from Vietnam.

By Rai of A Rai of Light

21. Lantern Shops, Hoi An

The most Instagrammable spots in Hoi An are the lantern shops in the Old Town. They represent the vibe of the town and the fully lit colorful lanterns make for one of the most unique travel photo backgrounds. 

These shops are situated opposite the An Hoi Bridge, right outside the night market.  Each shop is beautifully decorated with different-sized lanterns.

Lanterns are one of the best things to buy in Vietnam, but if you don’t want to buy one and want to only visit these shops for an Instagrammable picture, be ready to pay a small fee of about VND 10,000-20,000 to the shopkeeper. 

By Vrushali of Couple of Journeys

22. Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Mui Ne sand dunes are a stunning Instagrammable spot in Vietnam, known for their natural beauty and unique photo opportunities. Located in Mui Ne, a small town 4 hours drive from Saigon, there are actually two sets of sand dunes – red and white – but the white sand dunes are the most Instagrammable! Visit at sunrise to get the best photos, when the light is soft and there’s a nice golden glow.

The white sand dunes are 45 minutes drive from Mui Ne so you’ll need to wake up early to catch the sunrise! You can get there by tour, taxi or by renting a motorbike.

By Catrina of 24 Hours Layover

23. Tan Dinh Church, Ho Chi Minh City

The Tan Dinh Church, also known as the “Pink House,” is an aesthetic and Instagrammable church in Ho Chi Minh City. Also of note, this is one of few Christian churches in the city.

Both the inside and outside of the church is painted a distinctive pink, making it a very unique church to visit anywhere in the world.

24. Chill Skybar, Ho Chi Minh City

If you want an Instagrammable shot that shows that Vietnam is so much more than temples and rice paddies, be sure to add a stop at Chill Skybar to your Ho Chi Minh itinerary.

This rooftop bar offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding Saigon skyline and, unlike some of the other rooftop bars, Chill Skybar is open air, with no glass barriers or obstructions between you and the buzzing city beyond.

Show up around sunset so you can get some photos while the bar is still on the quiet side and you can see the lights of the city twinkle to life as night falls.

By Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

25. Hang Pagoda, Sam Mountain, Chao Doc

Tucked away from the main tourist trail in Vietnam, within touching distance of the Cambodian border, the sleepy town of Chau Doc boasts a fusion of Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities, apparent in the temples, mosques and churches.

For a rare Instagrammable gem, head to the Western side of nearby Sam Mountain to explore the beautiful (and in parts wacky) Phước Điền Tự – Hang Pagoda. Follow the steps up to intricate temples, then keep following the signs to be led through long tunnels and caves in the mountains, each with its own story to tell.

This is a must visit on any South Vietnam itinerary. 

By Jenny of TraveLynn Family

26. Mekong Delta

The picturesque Mekong Delta is located right at the bottom of Vietnam, marking the point where the vital Mekong River connects with the ocean. As you would expect, the delta is made up of thousands of interconnecting rivers, whilst the locals live in between or even on, these rivers.

This is a somewhat remote location, however, its popularity as one of the best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City means it’s not too challenging to reach by car, bus or tour.  

Capturing the best photos here can be challenging due to its raw and natural environment. Getting out on the water is your best option. Capture a photo of yourself sitting at the end of a boat backdropped by the gorgeous river and jungle. 

Or attempt to photograph locals carrying out their daily tasks, such as vendors at the floating market or fishermen.

By Delilah of Our Travel Mix

Map of the Most Instagrammable Places in Vietnam

Final Thoughts on the Best Photo Spots in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country filled with Instagrammable places and incredible views. I hope this guide gives you some inspiration for visiting this gorgeous country!

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