- 1. Mekong River (Cuu Long River) – the longest river in Vietnam
- 2. Red River – one of the famous Vietnam rivers
- 3. Perfume River Hue – a beautiful river in Vietnam
- 4. Thu Bon River – among the must-see destinations in Hoi An
- 5. Han River – an attractive place for a river cruise in Vietnam
- 6. Nho Que River – A tourism symbol of Ha Giang
- 7. Hoai River – the poetic Vietnam river in the ancient town of Hoi An
- 8. Ngo Dong River – a poetic landscape on both sides of the river
- 9. Lam River in Vietnam – a famous scenic spot in Nghe An
- 10. Vam Co Dong River
- 11. Serepok River – a Vietnam river features many majestic waterfalls and rapids
- 12. Son River – associated with countless legends
On your Vietnam travel, you will be amazed by the dense network of Vietnam rivers, with a total of 2,350 rivers and a length of 41,900 kilometers. To explore the unique cultural features of each region and admire the natural beauty of Vietnam, you cannot miss the river cruises. Let’s discover the 12 most beautiful rivers in Vietnam with diverse cultural colors for tourists in this article.
1. Mekong River (Cuu Long River) – the longest river in Vietnam
The Mekong River (also known as Cuu Long River) is the longest Vietnam river, providing fertile alluvial soil to the Mekong Delta region – the largest rice granary in the country, and is also famous for many unique fruits such as durian, coconut, star apples, mangosteens, etc.
The name of the river originates from the fact that it flows into the sea through nine distributaries, resembling nine dragons pouring into the ocean. The river is also an important source of fish and a crucial transportation network in the region.
When visiting the Mekong Delta, tourists cannot miss the vast rice fields, where the green of the rice stalks alternates with the golden yellow. Additionally, experiencing a true Vietnam river cruise, visiting floating markets, and stopping by orchards to enjoy tropical fruits, seafood, and coconut candy will surely leave a lasting impression.
2. Red River – one of the famous Vietnam rivers
The Red River Vietnam is one of the major rivers in Vietnam. It originates from Yunnan, China, and flows through Northern Vietnam with a total area of 510 kilometers. This river in Vietnam is important to the culture of Vietnamese rice farming. It not only provides a huge amount of sediment, making the fields on both banks fertile and rich, but it also creates an impressive landscape for the Northern Delta in general and Hanoi in particular.
Along the Red River in Vietnam, there are many historical and cultural relics and unique craft villages, such as Chem Temple (Bac Tu Liem District), Ghenh Temple (Long Bien District), Bat Trang Pottery Village, etc. In addition, there is the old Long Bien Bridge, which is over 100 years old, and the new iconic Nhat Tan Bridge. Nowadays, there are many coffee shops along the river banks for visitors to enjoy the cool breeze and beautiful scenery. It has become an ideal check-in and picnic spot for young groups of friends.
3. Perfume River Hue – a beautiful river in Vietnam
The Perfume River is an iconic Vietnam river and a long-standing source of pride for the people of Hue. This river is associated with a peaceful, poetic, and gentle beauty that is distinctly Hue. Stretching over 120 kilometers and originating in the Truong Son Mountain Range, the Perfume River flows through villages, fertile plains, historical temples and tombs, etc.
Embarking on a leisurely river boat ride along the Perfume River in Vietnam’s Hue, particularly in the late afternoon, provides visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the serene beauty of the Hon Chen Temple, the grand Minh Mang Tomb, the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, the lush greenery of the Vi Da Garden, traditional villages with distinctive cultural features, and the dreamy scenery enveloped in a brilliant sunset.
Additionally, experiencing a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River in Vietnam at night allows tourists to enjoy listening to the “Hue songs” – a musical genre recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, and admire the shimmering Trang Tien Bridge illuminated by colorful LED lights. The tranquil atmosphere carrying the aroma of tropical vegetation makes simply admiring the Perfume River enough to melt away all the tiredness and hustle and bustle of life.
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4. Thu Bon River – among the must-see destinations in Hoi An
The Thu Bon River is a famous Vietnam river in Hoi An, with a catchment area of 10.3 kilometers. It bears a long-standing cultural identity and historical images with distinct scenery that nature has bestowed upon Hoi An. Coming here, you must wander on the simple wooden boats, visit the fishing villages and riverside markets to discover the rustic life of the locals, and enjoy delicious specialties.
Photography enthusiasts cannot miss the opportunity to check in at the Tam Thanh Mural Village, where there are artistic paintings, or on both sides of the river in the brilliant sunset. For those who like to explore culture, traveling along the Thu Bon River in Vietnam and visiting traditional craft villages such as Nong Son Incense Village, Tam Tang Silk Village, and Thanh Ha Pottery Village, etc., will be a valuable experience in a cultural and traditional old town of Hoi An adorned by the gentle and poetic Thu Bon River.
5. Han River – an attractive place for a river cruise in Vietnam
When talking about Da Nang, one cannot forget about the Han River, a Vietnam river that stretches about 7.2 km and is adorned with a fresh and peaceful atmosphere, painting a poetic and serene picture amidst the lively and dynamic spirit of the city of Da Nang. Crossing the Han River are several bridges, among which four are extremely famous: Thuan Phuoc Bridge – the longest cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam; Han River Bridge – a symbol and pride of the people of Da Nang; Dragon Bridge – a bridge adorned with an impressive dragon; and Tran Thi Ly Bridge – a bridge with sails stretched out to the sea.
To explore the beauty of the Han River in Vietnam, you can choose to run along the riverbank, visit the impressive stone statues in Han River Park, or visit the Love Bridge – where couples come to exchange promises. You can also take a night cruise on the river to witness a shimmering and mystical Da Nang while enjoying the cool river breeze.
Additionally, a must-see experience for visitors to this Vietnam River is to watch the Dragon Bridge spout fire and water during a fascinating and grand performance on weekends and to admire the Han River Bridge rotating from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM every day – a unique feature of this bridge.
6. Nho Que River – A tourism symbol of Ha Giang
Mentioning Ha Giang, one of the most talked-about landmarks is the Nho Que River, a famous river in Vietnam at the foot of the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. For those who love adventure and seek thrills, embarking on a journey along the Nho Que River can be an exciting choice.
To fully explore the beauty of this Vietnam river, you can ride a motorbike along the local trails on the mountain slopes parallel to the river below. The two sides are towering mountain walls that create a narrow and deep mountain gap, coupled with the sound of the Nho Que River flowing beneath your feet, bringing an indescribable feeling of joy and immersion in the vast space of the mountain clouds and sky. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the majestic nature here and capture lifelong memories by taking a boat ride along the river or organizing a camping trip on its banks.
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7. Hoai River – the poetic Vietnam river in the ancient town of Hoi An
The Hoai River is a branch of the Thu Bon River in Vietnam that flows through Hoi An Ancient Town. For both locals and tourists, this river is an inseparable symbol of the ancient town. Moreover, this gentle, small river is closely associated with the livelihoods of the people of Hoi An. Their main profession is rowing boats to take tourists sightseeing. This allows visitors to experience the most ancient and simple aspects of this place.
Along the banks of the Hoai River are food stalls where you can enjoy all the specialties of Hoi An’s Ancient Town, from Cao Lau noodles and Quang noodles to Mot drinks and sweet soup desserts.
After that, when night falls in Hoi An, don’t miss the experience of sitting on a boat along this Vietnam river, releasing flower lanterns and making wishes, and admiring the bustling scenery on both sides of the river with the characteristic high-hanging lanterns of Hoi An. Not only can you admire the beautiful scenery of Hoi An, but tourists can also hear many interesting stories from the boatmen about daily life. With the sound of oars splashing in the water and the peaceful atmosphere, the impression of a peaceful ancient town fills each person.
8. Ngo Dong River – a poetic landscape on both sides of the river
The Ngo Dong River in Vietnam is a small river located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. It flows through the limestone mountain system of the Trang An World Heritage Site, meandering through mountain cliffs and rice paddies. It can be said that this Vietnam river is one of the rivers with the most poetic views of Tam Coc scenic area, Trang An Heritage Site, and Thai Vi temple – the famous tourist attractions of Ninh Binh located on this river.
Visitors often take a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River to admire the picturesque scenery. The landscape on both sides of the Ngo Dong River consists of ancient limestone cliffs, endless rows of rice paddies, flowers, and trees. The best time to enjoy the beauty of the Ngo Dong River is in April and May, when the rice paddies on both banks are ripe and turn golden yellow, creating a stunning view that mesmerizes all who come here.
9. Lam River in Vietnam – a famous scenic spot in Nghe An
The Lam River is one of the two largest Vietnam rivers in North Central Vietnam, flowing through Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Along with the Hong Linh mountain range, the Lam River is considered the symbol of the Nghe region. The banks of the Lam River are home to cultural villages and traditional craft villages in Nghe An and Ha Tinh, creating a unique Lam Hong cultural region along with famous scenic spots such as Quyet Mountain, Hoang Muoi Temple, Nguyen Du Memorial Site, and picturesque Hong Lam island.
To fully appreciate the beauty of this area, you cannot miss some Vietnam river cruises along the banks of the Lam River to admire the daily life of people on both sides of the river, listen to the sweet traditional Nghe songs, take in the magnificent natural scenery, and visit the famous historical and spiritual landmarks of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
10. Vam Co Dong River
One famous river in Vietnam is the Vam Co Dong River, which stretches 180 kilometers through Vietnam and winds through many prosperous villages in Vietnam and Cambodia. This river is steeped in legends and folktales passed down through generations and is known for its natural beauty, harmoniously blending lush vegetation, the sky, and the waves.
From the source of this Vietnam River, visitors can visit Lo Go – Xa Mat National Park, where the surrounding forests are filled with the sounds of birds and monkeys, creating a picturesque and romantic scene. Sitting on a boat in the middle of the river, tourists can gaze upon the two banks of Vam Co, one belonging to Vietnam and the other to Cambodia.
Along the way, you can’t miss the historical and cultural landmarks that have been an integral part of Vietnam’s history. For example, the ancient Binh Thanh Tower and the Chot Mat Tower are historical relics from the Oc Eo culture that are still preserved along the banks of the Vam Co Dong River. Moreover, you should also take the time to explore the lush rice paddies, experience the simple life of the fishing village, visit ecotourism sites with coconut gardens and fish ponds, and savor the unforgettable river and seafood dishes.
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11. Serepok River – a Vietnam river features many majestic waterfalls and rapids
The Serepok River in Vietnam is a famous river in the Central Highlands region, with many majestic rapids that are still relatively wild, such as Trinh Nu Waterfall, Dray Sap Waterfall, Dray Nu Waterfall, Dray H’linh Waterfall, etc., which are attractive destinations for tourists.
After cycling to visit the village and experiencing the culture of the indigenous Ede people, tourists are led across a fossil rock area – a glittering, thousands-year-old rock area with bizarre and unique shapes.
Here, visitors can experience paddling a boat across this Vietnam river to admire the scenery of the various rock formations along the banks, and the magnificent waterfalls, and listen to the sounds of the rapids, the wind, and the birds, evoking a feeling of the vast wilderness. At the end of the 3-hour boat tour, tourists can rest on the rock banks of the Serepok River and enjoy the specialty dishes of the Central Highlands.
12. Son River – associated with countless legends
![Vietnam rivers Son River is associated with many legends about faithfulness in love and patriotism](https://static.vinwonders.com/production/vietnam-river-13.jpg)
Son River is associated with many legends about faithfulness in love and patriotism (Source: Collected)
The Son River in Quang Binh is a beautiful and poetic Vietnam river that flows from the entrance of the Phong Nha Cave, one of the world’s natural heritage sites and a popular destination for many tourists.
The dreamy Son River, with its turquoise green color, meanders around the limestone mountains of Ke Bang, adding a unique touch to the beauty of the Phong Nha Cave. In particular, the Son River in Vietnam is associated with many legends, especially those about faithfulness in love, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of visitors. When you come here, visit the Phong Nha Cave and explore the peaceful villages on both banks of the river to experience the tranquil and serene atmosphere and feel more peaceful and relaxed.
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Vietnam rivers offer not only breathtaking scenery and natural wonders but also opportunities for adventure, cultural exploration, and relaxation. From the majestic Mekong Delta River to the serene Perfume River, each river in Vietnam has its own unique charm and significance. Whether you want to go on a river cruise, explore local communities, or simply unwind, these rivers have something to offer. So, don’t miss out on the chance to discover the beauty and diversity of Vietnam rivers on your next trip to this fascinating country.
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