Hidden gems in Vietnam.

A beautiful spot for a drink at sunset 20 minutes outside Da Lat city center.

Twenty minutes outside Phong Nha town, sitting on the edge of vast rice fields that stretch as far as you can see. Not empty - it's a hotel - but completely isolated feeling. One of the best spots in Vietnam for a sunset.

Ha Long Bay's quieter, wilder sibling. Rent a kayak from the port, paddle between limestone karsts into coves with no names. Bring a snorkel. This is what Ha Long Bay was before everyone found it.

A hidden mountain hike outside Sapa that takes about 6 hours and rewards you with views that almost nobody sees. The author encountered five people on the entire ascent. Difficult sections keep it interesting.

About 1.5 hours from Sapa by motorbike down a smooth, scenic road. A quiet waterfall with a natural swimming pool and almost no tourists. The drive alone is worth it.

A beautiful island off the coast of Hoi An that's easy to explore fully in a day. Calm western beaches, dramatic rocky eastern coastline, and good snorkeling. Far more rewarding than staying in town.

Everyone goes to the Duck Stop in Bong Lai Valley. This is more fun. Bike across a narrow bamboo platform suspended over the river - you will almost certainly fall in. Bring a change of clothes.

Bike or motorbike out of Hoi An - about 15-20 minutes by motorbike - and the rice fields open up around you. Beautiful at any time of day but exceptional at golden hour. Great photo spot.

A short road 5-10 minutes outside Tam Coc town winding through limestone cliffs and rice fields. Stop by Buffalo Cave along the way to feed ducks and buffalos.

Da Nang's best feature. The coastal road out to and around the Son Tra Peninsula feels like escaping to a completely different place - dramatic, green, and empty compared to the city. Note that roads further into the peninsula are sometimes closed, but the drive is worth it either way.

A beautiful lake on the edge of Phong Nha with tree-covered hills rising around it on all sides. The scenery is incredible and the water is great for a swim. Almost no one comes here - everyone heads straight to the national park.