Hanoi (VNA) - A leading American media outlet has mapped out the ultimate 10-stop “backbone” for an unforgettable cross-country itinerary across Vietnam in 2026. Spanning an exhilarating route of over 1,650 kilometres, globetrotters can effortlessly switch scenes from buzzing cityscapes to world natural wonders, and from mist-shrouded peaks to ancient heritage sites – all before wrapping up in the turquoise paradise of Phu Quoc.
In its updated list published on August 19, American business and lifestyle outlet Quartz highlighted Hanoi, Ha Long, Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc as the top bucket-list spots for a 2026 getaway to Vietnam.
What turns heads isn't just the 10 destinations themselves, but how seamlessly they link into one epic, cohesive journey. Stretching over 1,650 kilometres along a slender North-to-South layout, Vietnam’s geography naturally crafts a smooth, continuous ribbon of adventure, allowing travellers to experience vastly diverse worlds without backtracking. Quartz describes these hand-picked spots as the foundational “backbone” of a well-crafted Vietnamese voyage.
On a single trip, you can wake up to the morning hum of ancient alleys, stand among swirling clouds at over 3,000 metres just a few days later, wander through royal citadels and seaside hubs, and conclude your escape on a lush tropical island.
Every stop reveals a whole new Vietnam
Hanoi takes centre stage as the starting line. Far from relying on a single landmark, the capital’s charm unfolds in misty mornings by the lake, the symphony of scooters weaving through the Old Quarter, steaming sidewalk eateries, and layers of vintage-meets-modern architecture that demand you slow down and soak it all in.
Just a few hours outside the capital, the scenery transforms dramatically. Ha Long dazzles with nearly 2,000 towering limestone karsts emerging from emerald waters, a natural spectacle Quartz notes is practically unmatched in the region. Rather than a quick day trip, staying overnight is highly recommended to catch sunrise and sunset, the two most magical moments over the heritage bay.
Today’s Ha Long delivers even more reasons to extend your stay. From cruising the bay, your itinerary can soar up high aboard the Queen Cable Car for panoramic aerial vistas, dive into thrilling rides at Sun World Ha Long, and switch into total relaxation with a serene mineral hot spring retreat amidst the lush hills at Hilton Onsen Quang Hanh.
Shifting gears from sea to summit, Sa Pa opens up a dreamscape of cascading rice terraces, ethnic villages, and scenic highland treks. Right from town, the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car sweeps you above a sea of clouds to the 3,143-metre summit of the "Roof of Indochina," blending epic alpine conquests with vibrant ethnic cultures and tranquil spiritual sanctuaries high in the Hoang Lien Son range.
![2.jpg](https://mediaen.vietnamplus.vn/images/bojrREm00npIqr_UNj_EjQA-nKmKerSspS5rj_QKOYk/2.jpg.avif "Gliding straight through the sea of clouds, travellers easily reach the majestic "Roof of Indochina" nestled in the Hoang Lien Son mountains. (Photo: Sun Group)")
Heading south into Ninh Binh, the canvas shifts again as wooden sampans glide through limestone waterways, golden rice paddies, and the river labyrinths of Trang An and Tam Coc. In Hue, the pace gently eases amidst the Imperial Citadel, the poetic Perfume River, Nguyen Dynasty architecture, and the distinctive flavors of royal cuisine.
Cross the iconic Hai Van Pass, and Da Nang greets you with an entirely fresh, high-energy vibe.
This dynamic coastal city is praised as an ideal hub, blending sandy beaches and sleek urban infrastructure with easy connectivity to Hue and Hoi An. Instead of treating Da Nang as a mere transit stop, travellers can head from the coast straight up to 1,487 metres at Sun World Ba Na Hills to hunt for clouds and snap the iconic Golden Bridge, or retreat into Son Tra's untouched nature at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Every summer, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) sparks an electric festival season lasting several weeks.
Just next door, Hoi An offers a serene, lantern-lit pause along tranquil waterways, yet another atmospheric transition in this ever-evolving north-to-south expedition.
Phu Quoc: The ultimate grand finale
After sweeping through the infectious energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta, the journey bypasses the urban bustle to head straight out to sea. Phu Quoc proudly claims the final spot on the 10-destination roster.
It makes for a show-stopping finale. After city strolls, limestone marvels, high peaks, ancient citadels, and delta rivers, the backdrop transitions entirely into tropical ocean bliss.
Boasting roughly 150 kilometers of coastline, the Pearl Island is spotlighted by Quartz as the ultimate coastal resort experience of the entire itinerary. Excellent direct flight connections with major regional hubs make Phu Quoc equally brilliant as the grand finale of a cross-country tour or as a standalone island getaway.
While the final leg invites you to unwind, modern-day Phu Quoc has no shortage of energy for those wanting to keep the excitement rolling.
In the island's south, mornings kick off aboard the world's longest 3-wire cable car crossing the sea to Hon Thom, followed by adrenaline rushes at Aquatopia Water Park. By late afternoon, stroll back through Sunset Town just as golden hour touches the ocean and take a sunset walk on the Kiss Bridge. Come nightfall, multimedia spectacles like Symphony of the Sea and Kiss of the Sea, paired with dazzling fireworks, keep the night young.
World-class resorts like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay and Premier Village Phu Quoc elevate island living into a destination of its own, making your time by the water one of the most memorable chapters of the trip.
Looking at the 10 destinations chosen by the US outlet, the true magic of a cross-Vietnam journey is that you never have to pick between mountains or oceans, cultural heritage or modern thrills, urban buzz or peaceful nature.
Over 1,650 kilometres from North to South, you get to have it all. And after a whirlwind of breathtaking scene changes, Phu Quoc delivers the perfect grand finale: a sanctuary to slow down by the ocean, with adventures that never have to end./.
