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It said these locations stand out for combining natural scenery with experiences ranging from high-mountain exploration to cultural heritage.

Nine.com.au describes Ninh Binh as “Halong Bay on land” because of its giant limestone cliffs rising above quiet rivers and green rice fields.

Ninh Binh has earned global recognition, with spots like Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, and Bai Dinh Pagoda taking top honors in TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Ha Giang offers a different experience built around mountain adventure and high-altitude scenery.

Its famous landmark is the Ma Pi Leng Pass, where travelers look straight down into Tu San Canyon, one of the deepest river gorges in Southeast Asia.

According to Nine.com.au, foreign visitors come here for the “Ha Giang Loop,” a famous multi-day motorcycle journey through sheer cliffs and winding roads.

Along the way, the route takes travelers straight through high-mountain villages, offering an authentic look into the daily traditions of H’Mong and Tay communities.

Further south, Hoi An shifts the focus from wild nature to living urban history. UNESCO recognized this ancient trading port as a world cultural heritage site in 1999 because its historic wooden shop-houses, Japanese bridges, and Chinese assembly halls remained intact.

The local government keeps motor vehicles out of the old town during most of the day, creating a tranquil place suited for walking and cycling.

Beyond its historic architecture, Hoi An also boasts a celebrated food scene, which famous critics like Anthony Bourdain helped put on the world map with dishes like the thick noodles cao lau and banh mi.

By including three Vietnamese regions in its top 15 list, Nine.com.au places Vietnam alongside some of Southeast Asia’s most iconic travel spots.

The others include Cambodia’s ancient temple complex Angkor Wat, Indonesia’s marine paradise Raja Ampat, Thailand’s Chiang Rai, and Laos’s Kuang Si Falls.

Vietnam Travel magazine pointed to Vietnam’s variety in the list, saying while other countries made the ranking with one specific type of landscape, Vietnam’s three spots have three completely different settings.