Top 10 Attractions, Food and Tips for Filipinos 🇻🇳

Planning your first trip to Vietnam? Get ready for a country filled with beautiful landscapes, historic cities, amazing food, coffee culture, beaches and some of the best value-for-money travel experiences in Southeast Asia.

For Filipino travelers, Vietnam is a great destination because you can combine culture, food, nature and city life without necessarily spending a fortune.

The country is long and geographically diverse, so don't try to see everything in one short trip. For a first visit, I recommend 7–10 days. If you only have 4–5 days, choose either Northern Vietnam or Southern/Central Vietnam.

Vietnam's official tourism site highlights Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc and other destinations across the country.

🇻🇳 Top 10 Attractions You Must Visit

1. Ha Long Bay ⭐

If there's one natural attraction you should prioritize, it's Ha Long Bay.

Imagine cruising through emerald-green water surrounded by thousands of limestone islands and dramatic rock formations. Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam's most famous attractions.

Best for: Cruises, nature, photography and couples

Tip: Consider an overnight cruise if your budget allows. Waking up surrounded by limestone karsts is an unforgettable experience.

2. Hanoi Old Quarter 🏮

Welcome to the cultural heart of Northern Vietnam.

The Old Quarter is filled with narrow streets, traditional shops, cafés, street-food stalls and historic architecture. Hanoi's Old Quarter dates back centuries and is one of the best places to simply walk around and experience local life.

Best time: Morning and evening

Tip: Don't just visit the famous attractions. Spend time wandering through the smaller streets.

3. Hoi An Ancient Town 🏮

One of the most beautiful towns in Vietnam, Hoi An is famous for its yellow historic buildings, lanterns, riverside atmosphere and preserved architecture.

The Old Town reflects influences from Chinese, Japanese and European traders who settled here between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Best time: Late afternoon to evening

Don't miss: The lantern-lit streets at night.

Tip: Rent a bicycle and explore beyond the Old Town.

4. Da Nang 🌊

If you want city + beach + mountains, Da Nang is a fantastic choice.

The city has long beaches, a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to Hoi An and other Central Vietnam attractions.

Don't miss:

• My Khe Beach
• Dragon Bridge
• Marble Mountains
• Son Tra Peninsula
• Ba Na Hills

Tip: Stay in Da Nang and use it as your base for Hoi An.

5. Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge 🌉

You've probably seen this on social media.

The famous Golden Bridge, supported by enormous stone-like hands, sits high in the Ba Na Hills near Da Nang.

It's one of Vietnam's most recognizable photo spots.

Best for: Photography, families and amusement-park experiences

Tip: Check the weather before going. The mountains can be cloudy even when Da Nang is sunny.

6. Ninh Binh 🏞️

Want dramatic landscapes without going all the way to Ha Long Bay?

Visit Ninh Binh.

Take a boat through rivers surrounded by towering limestone mountains, rice fields and caves.

It's one of Northern Vietnam's most scenic destinations and can be visited from Hanoi.

Best for: Nature, photography and boat rides

Tip: Start early to avoid crowds and the midday heat.

7. Ho Chi Minh City 🌆

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's energetic southern metropolis.

Explore historic buildings, markets, cafés, museums and vibrant streets filled with motorcycles.

Vietnam Tourism describes the city as a major southern urban hub, with the Mekong Delta nearby.

Don't miss:

• Ben Thanh Market
• Saigon Central Post Office
• Notre-Dame Cathedral area
• Independence Palace
• Nguyen Hue Walking Street

8. Cu Chi Tunnels 🪖

For history lovers, take a trip outside Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

The underground tunnel network played an important role during the Vietnam War and offers visitors an insight into the conditions and strategies used during the conflict.

Best for: History and educational experiences

Tip: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Some tunnel sections can be narrow.

9. Sapa & Fansipan 🏔️

For mountain scenery, head north to Sapa.

The area is famous for rice terraces, mountains, ethnic minority communities and scenic trekking routes.

You can also visit Fansipan, Vietnam's highest mountain.

Best for: Nature, hiking and photography

Tip: Weather can be significantly cooler than Hanoi, so bring layers.

10. Mekong Delta 🚤

Experience a completely different side of Vietnam in the Mekong Delta.

Take a boat through waterways, visit villages, see local agriculture and experience life along the river.

The Mekong Delta is one of the major destinations in Southern Vietnam highlighted by the country's tourism authority.

Best for: Culture, nature and local experiences

Tip: A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City is convenient, but staying overnight gives you a more relaxed experience.

📸 Top 5 Photo Spots

1. Golden Bridge, Da Nang
The famous giant hands.

2. Hoi An Ancient Town
Yellow buildings and colourful lanterns.

3. Ha Long Bay
Limestone islands surrounded by emerald water.

4. Ninh Binh
Dramatic mountains and river landscapes.

5. Hanoi Old Quarter
Authentic Vietnamese street scenes.

🍜 Food You MUST Try in Vietnam

Vietnam is a food lover's paradise, and eating is one of the biggest reasons to visit.

🍜 Pho

You can't visit Vietnam without trying pho.

The combination of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat makes it one of Vietnam's most famous dishes.

🥖 Banh Mi

A Vietnamese baguette filled with meat, pâté, vegetables and sauces.

It's one of the best cheap and convenient meals when you're traveling.

🍚 Bun Cha

Especially famous in Hanoi, this dish combines grilled pork, noodles, herbs and dipping sauce.

🥞 Banh Xeo

A crispy Vietnamese savoury pancake filled with meat, shrimp and vegetables.

🥟 Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Try both fresh and fried versions.

🍜 Cao Lau

A specialty of Hoi An that you should definitely try while visiting the Old Town.

☕ Vietnamese Coffee

This is a MUST.

Try traditional Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, or egg coffee in Hanoi.

Vietnam's coffee culture is an experience by itself.

🍽️ Restaurants & Cafés to Consider

For your Vietnam trip, don't be afraid to eat at small local restaurants and street-food stalls.

In Hanoi, consider:

The Hanoi Cafe — A convenient stop in the Old Quarter.

Hidden Gem Cafe Hanoi — A popular café experience in the Old Quarter.

Bancông Cafe & Restaurant — A café and restaurant option around the Old Quarter.

The Note Coffee — A fun café stop near Hoan Kiem Lake.

For a more local experience, look for small restaurants serving pho, bun cha, banh mi and other regional specialties.

My tip: Don't judge Vietnamese food only by restaurants with fancy interiors. Some of the best meals are served from tiny shops with just a few tables.

💡 Vietnam Tips and Tricks for Filipinos

1. Plan by region

This is probably my number one Vietnam tip.

Don't try to do:

Hanoi → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh → Sapa → Phu Quoc

in just five days.

Vietnam is much larger than it looks on a map.

2. Choose North, Central or South

For a short trip:

North: Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Ninh Binh

Central: Da Nang + Hoi An + Hue

South: Ho Chi Minh City + Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta

This makes your itinerary much more relaxed.

3. Use Grab

Grab is extremely useful in Vietnam for getting around cities.

It's especially convenient when you don't want to negotiate fares with local taxis.

4. Download offline maps

Internet connectivity is generally good in tourist areas, but having offline maps is still useful for day trips and rural destinations.

5. Bring cash

Cards are widely accepted at hotels and larger establishments, but cash is still very useful for street food, markets, small restaurants and local shops.

6. Be careful crossing the road 🛵

This is important!

Vietnamese cities can have huge numbers of motorcycles.

When crossing busy roads, walk steadily and predictably rather than suddenly running.

7. Bring comfortable shoes

You'll do a lot of walking, particularly in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.

8. Carry small denominations

Small bills are useful for street food, drinks, small shops and tips.

9. Check the weather by destination

Vietnam has different climates across the country.

The weather in Hanoi can be very different from Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang.

10. Check visa requirements before booking

Vietnam offers visa exemptions to certain nationalities and also provides e-visas for travelers from all nationalities under its current policy. Requirements can change, so check the latest official immigration rules before your trip.

🇵🇭 Sample 7-Day Vietnam Itinerary

Day 1 – Hanoi

Old Quarter → Hoan Kiem Lake → St. Joseph's Cathedral → street food → Vietnamese coffee

Day 2 – Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area → One Pillar Pagoda → Temple of Literature → Old Quarter

Vietnam Tourism also recommends the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh-related sites among Hanoi's major attractions.

Day 3 – Ha Long Bay

Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → cruise → sunset → overnight cruise

Day 4 – Ha Long Bay → Da Nang

Morning cruise → return to Hanoi → flight to Da Nang

Day 5 – Da Nang + Hoi An

My Khe Beach → Marble Mountains → Hoi An Ancient Town → lantern-lit streets

Day 6 – Hoi An / Ba Na Hills

Choose:

Ba Na Hills + Golden Bridge

OR

Hoi An countryside + cafés + Old Town

Day 7 – Ho Chi Minh City

Independence Palace → Central Post Office → Nguyen Hue → Ben Thanh Market → local food

This is similar to the official tourism board's own multi-city Vietnam highlights route, which combines Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

🇻🇳 If You Have 10 Days

A better itinerary would be:

Days 1–2

Hanoi

Day 3

Ninh Binh

Day 4

Ha Long Bay

Day 5

Travel to Da Nang

Days 6–7

Da Nang + Hoi An

Day 8

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 9

Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 10

Mekong Delta

This gives you a much better taste of North + Central + South Vietnam without trying to cram too much into every day.

💰 Is Vietnam Expensive for Filipinos?

Vietnam can be very budget-friendly.

You can save money by:

• Eating local food
• Using Grab
• Staying near major attractions
• Using domestic flights between distant regions
• Taking trains or buses for shorter journeys
• Booking tours with reputable operators
• Staying in locally owned hotels
• Exploring free attractions

And one of Vietnam's biggest advantages is food.

You can often have a delicious local meal without spending much.

🆓 Best FREE or Low-Cost Experiences

Some of Vietnam's best experiences are inexpensive or free:

Hanoi Old Quarter
Walk through the historic streets.

Hoan Kiem Lake
A beautiful place for a morning or evening walk.

Hoi An Old Town
Explore the streets and architecture.

Da Nang beaches
Relax along the coastline.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street
Enjoy Ho Chi Minh City's city centre.

Local markets
Great for food, shopping and people-watching.

Vietnamese cafés
One of the cheapest ways to experience local culture.

❤️ Is Vietnam Worth Visiting for Filipinos?

Absolutely!

Vietnam gives you an incredible combination of:

🇻🇳 Rich culture
🏯 Historic cities
🏔️ Mountains
🌊 Beaches
🚤 River adventures
🏮 Lantern-lit towns
🍜 Amazing food
☕ Incredible coffee
🛵 Exciting city life
💰 Great value for money

And that's what makes Vietnam such a good destination for Filipino travelers.

🇻🇳 My biggest Vietnam tip:

Don't try to see the whole country in one trip.

Choose a region and enjoy it.

If it's your first time and you have around a week, I would choose:

Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An

If you have 10 days or more:

Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City

That gives you an amazing combination of culture + nature + food + history + beaches + city life.

And whatever you do...

Don't leave Vietnam without eating pho, trying banh mi and drinking Vietnamese coffee. 🇻🇳❤️

Attraction hours, transport schedules, weather, cruise operations and entry requirements can change. Check official Vietnam tourism and immigration sources before your trip, especially for Ha Long Bay, mountain destinations and visa requirements.