21 places to discover
Ban Co Peak is a scenic viewpoint atop Son Tra Mountain on the Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang, Vietnam, at an elevation of about 700 meters above sea level. It is known for its panoramic views over Da Nang City, the coastline, and the East Sea, and for a stone chessboard statue at the summit. The peak is a popular stop for sightseeing and photography along the peninsula's winding mountain road.
Cai Chien Island is a coastal island in Cai Chien Commune, Hai Ha District, Quang Ninh Province, northeastern Vietnam, about 15 km offshore in the Gulf of Tonkin. Covering around 2,500 hectares, it is known for long white-sand beaches, casuarina forests and a quiet fishing village atmosphere. The island features three main beaches — Cai Chien, Dau Rong and Vang Chau — and remains relatively undeveloped, offering a natural beach destination near Mong Cai and the Chinese border.
Co To Island is the largest island in the Co To Archipelago in Co To District, Quang Ninh Province, northeastern Vietnam, about 50 km from the mainland in the Gulf of Tonkin. Known for clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches, and relatively undeveloped landscapes, it features fishing villages, a historic lighthouse, and a Ho Chi Minh memorial. The island is a popular beach and nature destination accessible by high-speed boat from Cai Rong or Ao Tien ports.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark in northern Vietnam, covering about 2,356 sq km across Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac districts of Tuyen Quang Province (formerly Ha Giang). Notable for its extensive karst limestone landscape formed over 500 million years, it features deep canyons, towering peaks, fossil sites, and traditional villages of 17 ethnic minority groups, recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as Vietnam's first Global Geopark.
Du Gia Village is a rural settlement in Du Gia Commune, Yen Minh District, Tuyen Quang Province, in northern Vietnam. Located about 70 km from Ha Giang city along the Ha Giang Loop, it is known for its valley setting surrounded by limestone karst mountains, terraced rice fields and the nearby Du Gia Waterfall. Inhabited mainly by Tay ethnic people in traditional stilt houses, the village is noted for homestay tourism, scenic landscapes and cultural experiences.
The Ha Giang Loop is a renowned circular motorbike route of approximately 350 km through northern Vietnam, starting and ending in Ha Giang City, Tuyen Quang Province. It traverses the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, featuring limestone mountains, deep valleys, and terraced fields. Notable for dramatic passes, ethnic minority villages, and scenic river gorges, it is a major destination for adventure and landscape tourism.
Hai Van Pass is a 21-kilometre mountain pass at about 500 metres elevation on the border between Da Nang and Hue, traversing the Bach Ma mountain range. It connects Hoa Hiep Bac in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang, with Lang Co town in Hue. Notable for its winding road, Hai Van Gate and French-era fortifications, it offers panoramic views of Da Nang Bay, Lang Co Bay and the East Sea and is a popular scenic driving route.
Khardung La is a high mountain pass in the Ladakh Range north of Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. Situated at about 5,359 metres (17,582 feet) above sea level, it connects Leh with the Shyok and Nubra valleys. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, it is one of the world's highest motorable passes and a popular stop for travellers on the Leh–Nubra Valley route, known for its stark mountain scenery and prayer flags.
Khau Coc Cha Pass, also known as Me Pia Pass, is a mountain pass on National Highway 4A in Xuan Truong Commune, Bao Lac District, Cao Bang Province, northeastern Vietnam. Famous for its 14 sharp hairpin bends climbing a limestone mountainside, it connects Xuan Truong to Bao Lac town. The pass offers panoramic views of forested karst mountains and valleys and is a celebrated stop for motorbike tours and photographers visiting the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.
Khau Pha Pass is one of the Four Great Mountain Passes of northern Vietnam, located on National Highway 32 between Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai in Lao Cai Province. Stretching about 30 km at 1,200-1,500 meters elevation, it is the longest pass in the region. Renowned for its winding road, mist-covered peaks and panoramic views over Mu Cang Chai's terraced rice fields, it is a major scenic stop for motorbike tours and paragliding.
Ko Phayam is a small island in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Ranong Province in southern Thailand, within Mueang Ranong District. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, long sandy beaches, cashew nut plantations and absence of cars, it offers a quiet alternative to more developed islands. Accessible only by boat from Ranong, it is noted for beaches such as Ao Yai and Ao Khao Kwai (Buffalo Bay) and for cycling, beach stays and nature.
Ma Phuc Pass is a famous mountain pass on National Route 3 in Quoc Toan Commune, Quang Hoa District, Cao Bang Province, about 22 km from Cao Bang City. Known for its seven winding levels through limestone karst mountains, it is one of the most scenic passes in northeast Vietnam and a key geosite of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.
Ma Pi Leng Pass is a 20-kilometre mountain pass on National Highway 4C between Dong Van and Meo Vac in Tuyen Quang Province (formerly Ha Giang). At about 1,500 metres elevation, it is one of Vietnam's four great mountain passes. It overlooks the Nho Que River and Tu San Canyon and lies within the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, renowned for dramatic limestone peaks and deep valleys.
O Quy Ho Pass is one of Vietnam's four great mountain passes, located on National Road 4D straddling Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces within the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. At nearly 2,000 meters elevation, it connects Tam Duong District in Lai Chau with Sa Pa. Notable for its winding length of about 50 kilometers, dramatic cloud-covered peaks, and panoramic views of valleys and Fansipan, it is a major scenic driving route and viewpoint in northwest Vietnam.
Pha Din Pass is a 32 km mountain pass on National Highway 6 between Tuan Giao District, Dien Bien Province and Thuan Chau District, Son La Province, with a summit around 1,648 meters above sea level. Recognized as one of Vietnam's Four Great Mountain Passes, it is noted for its winding road, panoramic highland scenery, and historic role as a supply route during the 1954 Dien Bien Phu Campaign, now marked by a memorial relic site at the summit.
Photi La is a high mountain pass in the Changthang region of Ladakh, located on the Hanle to Umling La road near Hanle village in Leh district. Situated at an elevation of approximately 5,524 metres (18,124 feet), it is among the highest motorable passes in India. The pass offers expansive views of the cold desert plateau, surrounding snow-capped peaks and is marked by prayer flags.
Shinku La, also known as Shingo La, is a high Himalayan mountain pass at about 5,091 metres on the border of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Zanskar Valley via Kargyak with the Lahaul Valley at Darcha and lies on the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road. Notable for its stark alpine landscape, snow-covered slopes and prayer flags, it serves as a vital seasonal link and scenic transit point for trekkers and motorists.
Tham Ma Pass is a mountain pass on National Highway 4C in Yen Minh District, Tuyen Quang Province (formerly Ha Giang Province), within the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark. Known for nine sharp bends forming an S-shape on a steep slope, it connects Yen Minh town to Pho Cao and Dong Van. The pass offers panoramic views of limestone karst mountains, valleys and terraced fields and is a popular stop on the Ha Giang Loop for sightseeing and photography.
Umling La is a high mountain pass near Hanle in Leh District, Ladakh, India, recognized as the world's highest motorable road at approximately 19,024 feet (5,798 metres) above sea level. Constructed by the Border Roads Organisation under Project Himank, it connects Chisumle and Demchok villages. The pass offers stark Himalayan landscapes and is notable for its engineering achievement and extreme high-altitude driving experience.
Wari La is a high mountain pass at approximately 5,312 metres (17,427 ft) on the Sakti approach in Ladakh, connecting the Indus Valley near Sakti village to the Nubra Valley via Agham-Shyok. Built and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, it is one of India's highest motorable passes. Notable for its remote, rugged landscape, prayer flags at the summit, and panoramic views of the Ladakh and Karakoram ranges.
Zanskar Valley is a remote high-altitude valley in the Zanskar Range of the Himalayas, centered around the town of Padum in Ladakh, India. Situated at elevations around 3,500 to 7,000 meters along the Zanskar River, it is known for its stark mountain landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and isolated villages. The valley remains cut off in winter and is accessible by road in summer, attracting visitors for trekking, scenery and cultural exploration.