Everyone knows Vietnam’s heavy hitters; Hanoi’s old quarters, Hoi An’s lanterns, the limestone spires of Halong Bay. But drift a little further and you’ll find another side of the country: one of mountain passes with no guardrails, valleys that hum with festival drums, and islands where your seafood lunch came off a boat ten minutes ago.

From the jade rivers of Cao Bang to the castaway calm of Nam Du, these under-the-radar spots deliver the same Vietnam magic — just with fewer crowds, slower moments, and a deeper sense of place.

Where is it? Northern Vietnam, near the China border

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi, then take a bus or private transfer for 5-6 hours

In Vietnam’s far northeast, Cao Bang is a land of jaw-dropping karst peaks, jade-green rivers, and timeworn traditions. Ban Gioc Waterfall is the big draw — a roaring, 30-metre wall of water that tumbles right across the border with China. But other moments are bound to stay with you, too. Wandering through Nguom Ngao Cave, where stalactites hang in precariously glittering formations. Watching smoke curl from kitchens in Tày and Nùng villages. Sitting on a stilt-house porch while someone shows you how to dye thread with indigo leaves. This isn’t a place for rushing. Sleep in a family guesthouse, eat sticky rice by the fire, and let the valley take its time.

Where is it? Northern Vietnam, near the China border

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi, then take a bus or private transfer for 4-5 hours

High up near the Chinese border, Ha Giang is Vietnam’s final frontier — all limestone peaks, looping passes and deep green valleys. The legendary Ha Giang Loop draws motorbike riders from around the world, with cliffside roads like the Ma Pi Leng Pass offering heart-thumping views of the Nho Que River winding far below. Villages here belong to ethnic groups such as the Hmong, Tay and Dao communities. You can stay in stilt-house homestays or visit colourful markets, where Hmong, Tay and Dao communities gather in embroidered dress to trade, gossip and eat, where locals gather in embroidered dress to trade, eat and share news. With little tourist infrastructure, Ha Giang is properly off the beaten track.

Where is it? Northern Vietnam, near the China border

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi, then take a bus or private transfer for 4-5 hours

In Vietnam’s north-east, Ba Be is the country’s largest and highest natural freshwater lake — yet somehow still a secret. Fed by three rivers and hemmed by jungle-cloaked limestone, its emerald surface mirrors orchids and towering hardwoods above. The biodiversity here is wild — literally - with langurs in the treetops, macaques on the move, and over 300 bird species calling from the canopy. Kayak through caves, hike quiet jungle trails, then sleep in a stilt-house homestay in a Tày village, where locals fish for giant carp and tend to their floating rice fields.

Where is it? Northern Vietnam, about 150km southwest of Hanoi

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi, then take a bus or private transfer for 4-5 hours

In Vietnam’s north-central highlands, Pu Luong offers a gentler kind of adventure. Just four hours southwest of Hanoi, it’s easier to reach than Ha Giang or Ba Be, but no less rich in natural beauty. The reserve is known for its sweeping rice terraces, bamboo forests and traditional stilt-house villages. Thai and Muong communities live side by side here — a rare cultural blend — farming the terraces, weaving textiles, and cooking over open hearths. Hike to limestone caves in Kho Muong, cool off in jungle waterfalls near Hieu, then sleep in a stilt-house homestay. Come evening, share mountain pork and wild bamboo shoots with your hosts, and wake to mist curling through the valley.

Where is it? Northern Vietnam, near the China border

How to get there: Fly into Hanoi, then take a bus or private transfer for 3-4 hours

From the summit of Na Lay Mountain in Vietnam’s northeast, Bac Son unfurls like a painted scroll. It’s a veritable patchwork of golden rice fields, sugarcane plots and banana groves, stitched between limestone peaks. The fields glow yellow twice a year before the reaping, and in spring, the Long Tong Festival means prayers for good harvests echo between the cliffs. Stay with locals in stilted wooden homes in villages like Quynh Son, with whom you can learn to dye and weave brocade using hand looms, and cook over open fires. If you fancy a day trip, trek to Dang Mo Waterfall, duck into karst caves with weathered formations. Good news for travellers: it is only 160 km from Hanoi, the valley is accessible but still largely overlooked

Where is it? Southern Vietnam, off the coast near Ho Chi Minh City

How to get there: Fly into Con Dao from Ho Chi Minh City, or take a ferry from the mainland.

Once a place of exile, now a place of quiet beauty, the Con Dao Islands sit far off Vietnam’s southern coast, wrapped in myths and marine life. Life here moves to its own slow rhythm — motorbikes roll down palm-lined roads, and the hum of cicadas fills the heat-heavy afternoons. Hike through Con Dao National Park, where forest trails twist past strangler figs and coastal cliffs before spilling onto empty beaches. Offshore, green sea turtles nest in the sand, and coral reefs brim with giant clams and parrotfish. You can kayak through hidden coves, eat grilled squid on the waterfront, and snorkel off Dam Trau Beach. Make time to visit the island’s sobering history at the old colonial prison — now a museum lined with faded photographs and rusting shackles.

Where is it? Central Vietnam, near Vinh

How to get there: Fly into Vinh, then travel by road for about three hours.

Son Doong Cave might be the headline act of Phong Nha, and yes, it’s bucket-list famous for a reason. But there’s more to this region than one record-breaking cavern. Set in central Vietnam’s Quang Binh province, the area is a tangle of limestone cliffs, underground rivers and lowland evergreen forest just waiting to be explored. Trek through ancient karst landscapes in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, where macaques rustle the canopy and the air smells like moss and fragrant river rock. Paddle a kayak along the Chay River, past water buffalo and fern-covered banks, or explore quieter caves like Hang Tien and Hang En — vast, echoing chambers where swifts nest in the high dark and waterfalls plunge into stone basins. Finish up with a hearty plate of grilled pork marinated in lemongrass and sticky rice steamed in bamboo tubes,

Where is it? Southern Vietnam, between the mainland and Phu Quoc

How to get there: Fly into Phu Quoc, then take a ferry over to Nam Du

Far off Vietnam’s southern coast, the Nam Du archipelago is a string of 21 islands scattered across the Gulf of Thailand — all coconut palms, coral shallows and unpaved roads. Imagine it as the rustic alternative to Phu Quoc Base, yourself on Hon Lon, the largest island, where you can rent a scooter and circle the coast past sea-view shrines, driftwood beaches and kids flying kites at sunset. Hike up to the old French-built lighthouse for sweeping views across the archipelago, or take a longtail boat to Hon Mau, with its snorkelling reefs and candy-coloured fishing boats. Life here is slow and seafood-rich. Get ready for grilled scallops with scallion oil, stir-fried squid, and hot bowls of sea urchin porridge, served at breezy waterfront stalls.

We can help you find flights from Australia to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, where you can then catch connections all over Vietnam by land, rail or plane. We’ve also got thousands of accommodation options that cater to all budgets. Looking for things to do when you get there? We’ve got those too! Check out some of the best things to do in Vietnam for the ultimate experience.