Ly Son Island, around 30 kilometers off the coast of Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam, topped the list based on Agoda’s accommodation searches from Jan. 1 to April 30, for stays between June 1 to July 31.
The island, covering around 10 square kilometers, is one of a few volcanic islands in Vietnam. Ly Son consists of three islands, Dao Lon (Big Island), also known as Cu Lao Re, Dao Be (Small Island) or An Binh Island, and the uninhabited Mu Cu Islet.
The island can only be reached by boat from Sa Ky Port, a remote setting that has helped preserve its unspoiled charm.
April to August is an ideal time to visit Ly Son, when there is little rain and lots of sunshine.
Ly Son is the vestige of volcano eruptions millions of years ago. The island boasts volcanic craters, pagodas in caves, is famous for its garlic and home to the Hoang Sa Flotilla.
Photo by Bui Thanh Trung
Ninh Binh, around two hours from Hanoi, ranked second in the Agoda list, compared with the same period in 2025.
May-July is the rice harvest season in Tam Coc, when the cave and mountain site is dyed in golden yellow by ripened rice paddies stretching along both sides of the Ngo Dong River, making it ideal for a two-hour boat tour.
Visitors are advised to carry water, hats and umbrellas to protect from the bright sun.
In Tam Coc, a place that should not be missed is Hang Mua (Dancing Cave), dubbed Vietnam’s miniature Great Wall of China.
Photo by Giang Huy
Mai Chau, three hours from Hanoi, ranked third.
The town is famed for its small ethnic minority villages, golden rice terraces and green mountains.
Between May and June is the best time of the year for a trip to Mai Chau in Hoa Binh Province, as the terraced rice fields turn golden.
Many foreign tourists shared that cycling through rice fields during harvest season is a great experience.
The valley where Mai Chau is located is very flat and there is almost no traffic along the small roads between villages.
Don’t forget to try local cuisine such as com lam (bamboo-tube rice). The dish is simply sticky rice cooked with some other ingredients, then put in a bamboo tube and grilled on a fire.
In addition, grilled chicken, pork skewers and stir-fried greens are some favorite dishes in Mai Chau.
Photo courtesy of Avana Retreat Resort
Nestled amid the sunny and breezy landscapes of Kon Tum, Mang Den in Vietnam’s Central Highlands came in fourth.
At an altitude of 1,200 m, Mang Den of Kon Tum Province is dubbed the “second Da Lat” for its vast valleys and pine forests.
Thanks to its cool climate year-round, Mang Den has become an ideal escape from the summer heat, especially as many parts of Vietnam endure temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius this year.
Another must-visit spot is Khanh Lam Pagoda built on a primitive hill at an altitude of 1,200 meters. From the foot of the hill, visitors can reach the pagoda via 200 stone steps.
Ga nuong com lam (grilled chicken with bamboo tube-rice) is a famous specialty of the region.
Photo by Huynh Do
Tay Ninh Province in southeast Vietnam finished the list.
It offers an abundance of natural wonders, alongside the manmade intricacies of traditional handicrafts and spiritual blessings.
Ba Den Mountain, at a height of 986 meters, is the highest in southern Vietnam and a “national tourism site” as recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Ba Den is a famous spiritual tourist draw. Traveling by cable car, visitors can take in historical sites and old pagodas like Linh Son Tien Thach Tu, Hang, and Dien Ba while listening to the tales of Linh Son Goddess, the deity of Ba Den Mountain.
Every year thousands of pilgrims from across Vietnam flock there to pray for prosperity and good luck.
Photo by SG
