If you are a fan of the Marguerite Duras autobiographical novel “The Lover,” Sa Dec, the original setting of the story, is worth a visit. As a scenic town with a rich history, you will come across many French-era houses and buildings scattered around the Mekong Delta town.

Once dubbed “Indochina’s flower garden,” Sa Dec now has several tourist-friendly flower villages. Also check the free electric cars and free tour guides when you’re here.

Best time to visit: January and February.

What to try: Hu tieu, a southern noodle soup. 

While many people are crazy about Da Lat and Phan Thiet, Phan Rang could actually be a better jack-of-all-trades for tourists. There are just so many things to explore: from the centuries-old towers of the Champa kingdom, to the hidden bays dotted along the spectacular coast, to jungle-clad mountains.

For nature lovers, the town also stands out as it is perfectly located, right next to a green gem of the central region: the Nui Chua National Park.

Best time to visit: Just avoid the monsoon season if you want to enjoy the beaches and the forests.

What to try: Biking or cycling along the new coastal road that connects Nha Trang and Da Lat for out-of-this-world scenery.

Instead of heading east toward Ha Long Bay, venture west to Tam Dao, or “three islands” in Vietnamese. A two-hour ride from Hanoi offers a sea of clouds, merry meals and a maze of hidden spots.

Covered with a rich flora, Tam Dao is also a naturalists’ paradise, offering fresh air and cool weather, plus a varied supply of insects if you want to explore further.

Best time to visit: Literally anytime of the year

What to try: Trekking to explore the rocky mountains, which is known as one of the most challenging yet underrated treks in the north. Local youths use the path as a warm-up for the 3,143-meter high Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina.