Vietnam, with its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant culture, has long been an attractive destination for travelers. Beyond the conventional tourist destinations, this country offers many hidden gems that deserve to be discovered. In this article, we will explore the top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam, places that offer authentic experiences, unique landscapes, and cultural encounters that will immerse you in the true essence of this fascinating Southeast Asian nation. From picturesque mountain villages to secluded beaches and little-known historical sites, let's venture off the beaten path together and discover a Vietnam that few get the chance to experience.

#1 Lan Ha Bay Or Bai Tu Long Bay

If you want all of what Halong Bay has to offer, all while visiting top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam, Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long are the way to go! While Halong Bay gets all the attention, these two bays offer the same jaw-dropping karst landscapes but with way fewer tourists. You get all the beauty with less crowd, so it's much easier to find your peaceful paradise here.

Both bays are more pristine than their famous neighbor. Lan Ha Bay, in particular, has over 300 karst islands, many of which are untouched, offering you a front-row seat to nature's wonders without the distraction of over-tourism. Bai Tu Long Bay, stretching further to the northeast, feels like a secret slice of serenity, where you can really soak in the wilderness. Lan Ha Bay is known for its epic kayaking spots, especially around the smaller islands and hidden lagoons. Bai Tu Long Bay offers a similar adventure vibe, with caves to explore and lesser-known spots for trekking and diving.

Lan Ha Bay boasts some gorgeous hidden beaches that are perfect for swimming and kayaking. Since the area is less developed, you can often find yourself alone on these beaches, making it feel like your own private getaway. Bai Tu Long Bay also has secluded beaches like Ban Chan Beach, where you can escape the world for a while.

Both bays are home to floating fishing villages that are less commercialized compared to Halong Bay. You can interact with the local fishermen, learn about their daily lives, and even kayak around their floating homes. It’s a far more intimate and authentic cultural experience.

#2 Pu Luong

Pu Luong is the perfect top 15 off the beaten path place in Vietnam, offering adventure, culture, and stunning landscapes without the tourist crowds. While everyone’s flocking to Sapa or Mai Chau, Pu Luong stays quietly stunning with its terraced rice fields, rolling hills, and lush jungles. The area hasn’t been overrun by commercialization, so you get raw, unfiltered nature.

Pu Luong is home to traditional Thai and Muong ethnic communities. Staying in a homestay here isn’t just about sleeping in a wooden stilt house, you get to immerse in the local culture—sharing meals with the families, learning about their daily lives, and witnessing their centuries-old traditions. One of their incredible innovations is the iconic water wheel, which is still used to irrigate rice fields. They are both functional and photogenic.

The trekking routes in Pu Luong are legit. You can hike through rice terraces, bamboo forests, and hidden waterfalls, with every trail offering something a little different. Whether you're up for a day trek or a multi-day adventure, the scenery is jaw-dropping, and you'll likely have it all to yourself. Don't miss the Pu Luong Nature Reserve’s waterfalls like the gorgeous Hieu Waterfall, perfect for cooling off after a long trek.

Beyond trekking, Pu Luong offers some thrilling activities like rafting down the Cham River on traditional bamboo rafts or cycling through peaceful villages and endless rice paddies. It’s all about getting off the grid and soaking in nature's wonders in a way that feels real and untouched.

#3 Hoang Su Phi

If you want to visit one of the top 15 off the beaten path places in Northern Vietnam, check out Hoang Su Phi. It is the ultimate off-the-grid adventure, offering breathtaking landscapes, authentic cultural experiences, and epic trekking in one of Vietnam’s least explored regions. It is also every photographer's dream.

If you thought Sapa had the best rice terraces, think again. Located west of Ha Giang, Hoang Su Phi boasts some of the most stunning and untouched terraced rice fields in the country. The terraces here stretch endlessly across steep hillsides, with fewer tourists, so you can have those jaw-dropping panoramic views almost all to yourself. Visiting during harvest season (September to October) feels like walking through a golden dreamscape.

The trekking in Hoang Su Phi is next-level, offering everything from peaceful walks through villages to challenging hikes up steep mountain paths. You'll trek through forests, rice terraces, and misty hills, with each turn revealing more of the area’s rugged beauty. The higher you climb, the more you’ll feel like you’ve discovered an untouched piece of paradise.

Hoang Su Phi is hard to get to, and that’s part of its magic. The remote location means fewer travelers, fewer distractions, and an authentic connection with nature. If you decide to visit, consider staying at Hoang Su Phi Lodge. The ecolodge offers pickups from Hanoi or from Ha Giang City, saving you the hassle. You get not only gorgeous views from your room, but also the opportunity to get to know the local culture, from shared meals cooked over a fire, to loud but fun karaoke nights with your host.

#4 Dong Van, Meo Vac

Dong Van and Meo Vac, nestled in the far north of Vietnam’s Ha Giang province, are remote gems where rugged beauty and cultural richness collide. Here’s why they’re among the top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam.

Dong Van and Meo Vac are part of the UNESCO Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, and are best explored by motorbike. Why is that? The landscape is mind-blowingly rugged—sharp, craggy mountains, winding rivers, and steep cliffs that drop into verdant valleys below. The road between Dong Van and Meo Vac is home to the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, often called one of Vietnam’s Four Great Passes. With hairpin turns hugging the mountainside and jaw-dropping views of the Nho Que River far below, this road is both thrilling and breathtaking. Dong Van and Meo Vac are both must-have spots on the Ha Giang Loop, riding or driving along this pass will have you constantly pulling over for photos, if not just to stare in awe.

Both Dong Van and Meo Vac are home to several ethnic minority groups, including the Hmong, Tay, and Lo Lo people. Their vibrant traditional clothing, bustling local markets, and stilt houses add a rich cultural layer to the already stunning natural scenery. The weekly markets, especially in Dong Van, are an explosion of color and energy, where locals gather to trade goods, animals, and stories.

Dong Van and Meo Vac are far from the tourist trail. Getting here is an adventure in itself, with winding roads, steep passes, and mountain paths. But the journey is worth every hairpin turn, offering authentic cultural experiences.

#5 Lung Cu

Lung Cu is Vietnam’s northernmost point, and it’s a place where rugged landscapes meet cultural depth. Lung Cu is home to the famous Lung Cu Flag Tower, perched on Dragon Mountain (Rồng Mountain), symbolizing Vietnam’s sovereignty. The climb up the 400+ steps to the tower rewards you with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it feel like you’re standing at the top of the world. The massive flag waving in the wind is a proud marker of Vietnam’s northernmost frontier.

Lo Lo Chai Village, right near Lung Cu Flag Tower, is a must-visit if you want to experience the authentic way of life of the Lo Lo people. The village has stilt houses made from wood and stone, and the locals are incredibly welcoming, often inviting visitors to share meals or learn about their daily activities.

Lung Cu is home to the Lo Lo and Hmong ethnic minorities, whose culture and traditions have been preserved for centuries. Visiting one of the Lo Lo villages is like stepping back in time. You can see traditional blacksmithing, weaving, and farming practices still in use. The Lo Lo people wear intricate traditional costumes that make the region feel like a living cultural museum.

Lung Cu is the epitome of top 15 off the beaten path place in Vietnam, offering stunning landscapes, rich ethnic culture, and a true sense of adventure.

#6 Non Nuoc (Cao Bang)

Non Nuoc Geological Park in Cao Bang Province, located in the northern region of Vietnam, about 300 km from Hanoi, covers an area of ​​over 3,275 square kilometers. Eight diverse ethnic groups coexist in this park, including the Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, San Chi, Lo Lo, Kinh and Hoa.

This park is a geological treasure that allows you to explore the history of the Earth over millions of years through fossils, layers of marine sediment, volcanic rocks, and limestone formations. These elements tell the evolutionary story of the planet. In addition to its geological significance, the park is home to cultural treasures, including revolutionary historical sites such as the Pac Bo Special National Monument, where Ho Chi Minh led the revolutionary movement after years abroad.

In addition, within the park, there are many famous attractions, such as the Phia Oac and Phia Den ecotourism areas, the Thang Hen lake community, Nguom Ngao cave and especially Ban Gioc waterfall, which has been selected by numerous international media as the most beautiful waterfall in the world. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Vietnam. With a water drop of 30 meters and a width of 300 meters, this waterfall creates a dazzling visual spectacle amidst an exceptional natural landscape.

#7 Tuyen Quang

Nestled in the northern region of Vietnam, Tuyen Quang Province emerges as an unusual destination that exudes a captivating blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Framed by picturesque mountains and valleys, this province displays breathtaking panoramas that intertwine with the exploration of its history.

Tuyen Quang has more than 300 historical and cultural sites as well as revolutionary sites. Among them is the famous Tan Trao historical site, the former capital of the resistance, located in Son Duong district. This place was the residence and workplace of leaders and authorities of the Communist Party and the Government of Vietnam during the years of struggle against the French occupation. In addition, the province is home to the Na Hang primeval forest, Mo waterfall, and My Lam mineral spring.

Tuyen Quang Province promises travelers one of top 15 off the beaten path experience, with its combination of natural beauty and cultural authenticity.

#8 Ba Be

Bac Kan province has been blessed by nature with a profusion of natural sceneries that seem straight out of a painting. From majestic virgin forests to countless lakes and rugged hills, they merge to compose a painting of breathtaking beauty. If you are a traveler who appreciates the grandeur and serenity of nature, one of the places that will leave you “unable to sit still” during your visit to Bac Kan is Ba Be National Park.

One of the most prominent destinations in Ba Be National Park is Ba Be Lake. It is an exceptional destination that captivates travelers with its untouched natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by hills covered in lush greenery and dotted with picturesque islands, Ba Be Lake offers a landscape worthy of a fairytale. This treasure is the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam, and its calm and serene surroundings make it a perfect escape for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Visitors can explore the rich biodiversity of Ba Be Lake via boat rides, where fish and various aquatic vegetation can be observed. In addition, local villages offer a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the life and culture of the Tay and Dao ethnic communities that inhabit the region. In addition to the wonders of the lake, Ba Be National Park complements the experience with its waterfalls, caves, and hiking trails, inviting adventurers to explore the region’s astonishing diversity. Highlights include the enigmatic Hua Ma Cave, the imposing Puong Cave, the serene An Ma Pagoda, and the captivating Dau Dang Waterfall, among others. This set of attractions makes the region a natural and cultural gem that should not be overlooked in Vietnam.

#9 Bac Ha

Unlike Sapa, Bac Ha has managed to stay relatively untouched by mass tourism. This gives it a much more authentic feel—you won’t find chain hotels or tourist traps here. Instead, you’ll experience rural Vietnamese life as it truly is, with friendly locals and a slower pace of life. It’s one of the top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam, perfect for those who want to see a more genuine side of the country.

Bac Ha may not have the towering mountains of Sapa, but its rolling hills, terraced fields, and peaceful valleys are no less stunning. The area is ideal for trekking, with trails leading through lush forests, scenic tea plantations, and remote villages. Just a short trek from Bac Ha town, Ban Pho Village is known for its traditional Hmong houses and production of corn wine. Make sure to try the famous Hmong corn wine—it’s a strong, traditional drink that packs a punch!

One of the must visit in Bac Ha is its market. Every Sunday, ethnic minority groups like the Flower Hmong, Tay, and Phu La descend upon Bac Ha town in their traditional, vividly embroidered clothing. This is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in the region, where locals trade everything from water buffaloes to handmade textiles and fresh produce. It’s not just a market; it’s a cultural experience where you can witness the daily life of these highland communities in full swing.

Bac Ha is a place where ancient traditions are still very much alive. Throughout the year, the region hosts various ethnic festivals, such as the “Horse Racing Festival,” where local men from different ethnic groups compete in races on their hardy mountain horses. It’s a lively and colorful event that showcases the unique traditions of the region.

#10 Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai is a hidden gem in northern Vietnam, offering some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes and authentic cultural experiences. Here’s why it’s one of the top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam. 

Mu Cang Chai is famous for its terraced rice fields, considered some of the most beautiful in the world. These terraces climb steep mountainsides, creating waves of golden fields that seem to go on forever.

Mu Cang Chai is home to ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people, whose culture is still vibrant and alive. Visiting local villages here means seeing traditional stilt houses, learning about ancient farming techniques, and watching locals in their beautifully embroidered traditional clothing. The markets, in particular, are a lively showcase of local life, with colorful textiles, handmade crafts, and delicious food.

For trekkers, Mu Cang Chai is a paradise. You can hike through the terraced fields, bamboo forests, and remote villages, often without seeing another soul. The trails are challenging but incredibly rewarding, offering panoramic views of the valleys below and peaks above. Every turn reveals new layers of beauty, making it a place where adventure and serenity go hand in hand.

The sunrises and sunsets in Mu Cang Chai are nothing short of magical. Watching the sun rise over the mist-covered terraces, or seeing the last light of day turn the fields golden, is an experience that will stay with you forever.

#11 Thuy Bieu And Bach Ma National Park

Thuy Bieu eco-village and Bach Ma National Park are top 15 off the beaten path destinations in central vietnam that provide travelers with an extraordinary experience amidst nature and cultural authenticity. Thuy Bieu, located in Hue City, emerges as a haven of tranquility amidst the urban bustle. This village has firmly maintained its roots and has established itself as a sought-after ecotourism destination thanks to its commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. Visitors can enjoy bike rides, participate in craft workshops, and immerse themselves in everyday village activities here.

On the other hand, Bach Ma National Park, located in Thua Thien-Hue province, is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers. This park is characterized by stunning scenery ranging from dense forests to mountainous peaks. Visitors can enjoy hiking and walking on the trails that crisscross the park, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding region. The summit of Mount Bach Ma is a highlight, offering a panoramic view of the coast and the city of Hue. Other highlights include Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Ngu Ho Lakes, and Do Quyen Waterfall, among others.

A combination of rural tranquility and natural majesty, these two destinations complement the diversity of experiences Vietnam has to offer. Thuy Bieu allows travelers to experience authentic country life, while Bach Ma National Park offers an exciting wilderness adventure. Together, these top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam provide visitors with a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with the beauty and authenticity of the region's culture and natural environment.

#12 Buon Ma Thuot

Known for being a region with the distinctive colors of the Western Highlands, tourism in Buon Ma Thuot offers captivating experiences of discovery. In this context, the majestic and mysterious natural landscapes of forests, towering waterfalls, and lush, fruit-laden coffee fields cannot be overlooked. Unlike any other tourist destination today, the pristine and simple beauty has created an outstanding focus on the landscape, top 15 off the beaten path in Vietnam.

Located in Dak Lak province and with a formative history of over 4,000 years, Buon Ma Thuot is a region that is home to a diversity of ethnic groups in today's Western Highlands region. It is precisely because of this that the cultural palette of this land is varied and possesses a distinctive and unique appeal. Its attractions include the historic Buon Ma Thuot Prison, the Coffee Museum offering sensory experiences, the relaxing Ko Tam area with its lush greenery and water bodies, and the beautiful Ea Kao Lake, all of which highlight the rich identity and appeal of this unique region.

#13 Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh, a hidden cultural gem in the Mekong Delta known for its unique blend of Khmer, Chinese, and Vietnamese influences, is one of Southern Vietnam's off the beaten path destinations.

Tra Vinh is home to more than 140 Khmer temples, making it a key spiritual hub for the Khmer ethnic community in Vietnam. Wat Khmer Pagodas like Ang Pagoda (Chùa Âng) and Vam Ray Pagoda showcase beautiful Khmer architecture, with vibrant colors, intricate carvings, and serene Buddha statues. 

Tra Vinh’s rural charm is in its peaceful countryside, where endless rice paddies, coconut groves, and small villages stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s perfect for cycling or taking leisurely motorbike rides through quiet backroads, passing by locals working the fields, kids playing along the riverbanks, and the occasional water buffalo. It’s an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A must-see in Tra Vinh is Ba Om Pond, a serene, lotus-filled lake surrounded by ancient trees with sprawling roots. The area has an almost mystical feel to it, and it’s a favorite spot for locals to relax. There’s also a Khmer cultural museum nearby, where you can learn more about the history and customs of the Khmer people in the region.

#14 Soc Trang

Soc Trang is a coastal province in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam. It is located at the southern mouth of the Hau River, about 231 km from Ho Chi Minh City and 62 km from Can Tho. Nature has endowed Soc Trang province with many natural beauties, unique temples, and various cultures of ethnic groups, especially the Kinh, Hoa, Chăm, and Khmer. Therefore, tourism in Soc Trang has become an ideal and popular destination for travel to the west of the country.

Travelers visiting Soc Trang can immerse themselves in the refreshing river nature, enjoy lush orchards of fruit trees, and explore vast mangrove and reed forests in the lower Hau River region, which provide a sense of affection and comfort. In addition, this province is home to unique and iconic temples that reflect the rich culture of the different ethnic groups present in the region.

Notable tourist destinations in Soc Trang include the colorful Nga Nam Floating Market, located at the center of five river tributaries; the impressive Sêrâytêchô-Mahatup Temple, which is a National Historical Monument for its cultural and religious significance, famous for thousands of bats inside the temple; the picturesque Kh'leang Pagoda, another National Historical Monument known for its unique architecture; the captivating Tan Long - Thanh Tri Cormorant Garden, a natural haven for diverse birds; and the enchanting Cồn Mỹ Phước Landscape, which offers a serene rural experience and unforgettable photos.

In addition to these highlights, Soc Trang also features other points of interest such as the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Temple, the base of the Provincial Communist Party Committee, Soc Trang Freshwater Lake, and Binh An Tourist Area. These places enrich the tourist experience by offering a glimpse of the province's history, architecture and cultural diversity. Soc Trang is definitely one of the top 15 off the beaten path places to visit in Vietnam.

#15 Con Dao

Con Dao, an out-of-the-ordinary paradise in Vietnam, is an archipelago located in the South China Sea, about 180 km southeast of Vung Tau City. Consisting of 16 islands, this destination offers an idyllic getaway of pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and unspoiled natural beauty. Unlike other more crowded tourist spots, Con Dao provides a serene and secluded experience, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking tranquility. 

The scenery on Con Dao Island is breathtaking, with jungle-covered mountains plunging into the turquoise blue sea. The soft white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun. In addition, Con Dao is known for its diverse marine life, making it a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The archipelago also offers opportunities to explore its rich history, with historical sites related to the French colonial period and the Con Dao Prison, which depicts the dark chapters of Vietnam's history.

If you’re interested in exploring these top 15 off the beaten path places in Vietnam, Vietnam Original Travel is your ideal ally to organize an unforgettable trip that highlights the essence of these breathtaking landscapes. As a leading local agency, Vietnam Original Travel specializes in creating tailor-made tours, offering you the flexibility to customize your itinerary to suit your tastes. 

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