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Vietnam is a country with a rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, offering travellers an abundance of unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a history buff, a passionate foodie, a nature lover or an adrenaline junkie, there are plenty of things to do in Vietnam when visiting its bustling cities and beautiful countryside.
Vietnam offers a wealth of experiences that will leave you captivated and eager to explore more. Whether you’re embarking on a solo journey, a romantic getaway, or a family trip, Vietnam promises memories that will last a lifetime.
20 Things to Do in Vietnam
Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a vibrant maze of narrow streets, rich with history and culture. Known for its bustling markets, ancient temples, and traditional crafts, it offers an authentic Vietnamese experience. Visitors can explore historic architecture, savour street food, and immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of this timeless district.
Cruise the Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Vietnam, is renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone karsts and islands. The bay’s breathtaking scenery includes hidden caves, floating fishing villages, and tranquil beaches, making it a popular destination for cruises and nature lovers seeking serenity.
Discover Vietnamese Coffee Culture
Vietnamese coffee culture is rich and unique, blending French influence with local flavours. Coffee is a daily ritual, enjoyed slowly in cafes or on street corners. Iced coffee with condensed milk and egg coffee are both iconic, reflecting the country’s inventive spirit. Traditional drip filters, phin, brew strong, aromatic coffee, often served with condensed milk. Social and leisurely, coffee culture in Vietnam is about community enjoying the moment.
Get lost in Hoi An’s Ancient Town
Hoi An’s Ancient Town is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site in central Vietnam, known for its enchanting blend of Japanese, Chinese, and European architecture. The town’s lantern-lit streets are lined with historic wooden houses, temples, and traditional shops. Once a bustling trading port, Hoi An retains its old-world charm with narrow alleys, vibrant markets, and scenic riverside views. The town comes alive at night with colourful lanterns, offering a magical atmosphere that transports visitors back in time.
Sample street food in Ho Chi Minh City
Street food in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is a vibrant and essential part of the city’s culture, offering a diverse range of flavors that reflect Vietnam’s culinary heritage. From bustling markets to roadside stalls, you can find iconic dishes like bánh mì (a French-Vietnamese baguette sandwich), phở (noodle soup), and bánh xèo (crispy pancakes). The food is fresh, full of flavour, and often enjoyed while sitting on tiny plastic stools, making it a true local experience.
Discover the Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi Tunnels, located outside Ho Chi Minh City, are a vast underground network stretching over 120 miles, used by Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. Built as a strategic advantage, the tunnels served as living quarters, storage facilities, and command centres, enabling the Viet Cong to launch surprise attacks and evade enemy forces. The tunnels are narrow, dark, and complex, with traps and hidden entrances. Today, visitors can explore sections of the tunnels, gaining insight into the resourcefulness and determination of those who lived and fought there.
Take a Vietnamese cooking class
A Vietnamese cooking class offers hands-on experience in preparing traditional dishes like pho, spring rolls, and banh xeo. Typically starting with a market tour to select fresh ingredients, the class teaches authentic techniques and flavours. Participants enjoy cooking and eating their creations, immersing in Vietnam’s rich culinary culture.
Go beach hopping in Nha Trang
Nha Trang’s beaches are stunning stretches of golden sand and turquoise waters, renowned for their beauty and clear, calm seas. With a lively waterfront and a backdrop of lush hills, they offer a perfect blend of relaxation and vibrant local activity, making Nha Trang a premier coastal destination in Vietnam.
Trek in Sapa
Trekking in Sapa reveals breathtaking landscapes of terraced rice fields, misty mountains, and traditional hill tribe villages. Trails vary from gentle walks to challenging hikes, offering stunning views and cultural immersion. Travellers experience the natural beauty of northern Vietnam while interacting with local communities, making it an unforgettable adventure.
Explore the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains, located near Da Nang, Vietnam, are a group of five limestone hills named after the elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Known for their stunning caves, pagodas, and panoramic views, the mountains are both a natural wonder and a spiritual site. Visitors explore intricate cave temples and climb rocky paths to enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape and the sea beyond.
Visit the War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City offers a poignant look at the Vietnam War through exhibits of photographs, military equipment, and personal stories. It provides a powerful, often harrowing perspective on the conflict’s impact, highlighting the war’s human cost and the enduring quest for peace.
Explore the Cuu Long Floating Market
The Cuu Long Floating Market, also known as the Mekong Delta Floating Market, is a vibrant hub of trade and culture in southern Vietnam. Located on the waterways of the Mekong Delta, this market is an essential experience for visitors seeking to understand local life and commerce.
Go on a motorbike adventure
Navigate scenic coastal road, winding mountain passes and the rural countryside by exploring Vietnam on two wheels, either alone or by hiring a driver to assist you travelling a variety of locations.
Explore the Imperial City of Hue
The Imperial City of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a historic citadel in central Vietnam. Enclosed by grand defensive walls and a moat, it served as the country’s capital from 1802 to 1945. The complex features stunning palaces, temples, and courtyards, such as the Forbidden Purple City. Visitors can explore intricate architecture, royal tombs, and tranquil gardens, gaining insight into Vietnam’s imperial past and cultural heritage.
Homestay in a Vietnamese Village
A homestay in a Vietnamese village offers an immersive cultural experience, allowing guests to live with local families in traditional homes. Visitors enjoy authentic Vietnamese hospitality, participate in daily activities like cooking and farming, and explore the surrounding countryside. Meals are often homemade and showcase regional specialties. This stay provides a unique opportunity to learn about local customs, traditions, and lifestyles while forging personal connections with the community, offering a deeper understanding of rural Vietnamese life.
Attend a water puppet show
Attending a water puppet show in Vietnam is a unique cultural experience showcasing traditional Vietnamese art. Originating in the Red River Delta, these performances feature intricately crafted wooden puppets that dance and enact stories on a water stage, accompanied by live music and narrations. The puppets are controlled by skilled puppeteers hidden behind a screen, bringing folklore to life through vivid scenes and playful humor. The shows, often held in theatres like Hanoi’s Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, offer a captivating glimpse into Vietnam’s rich artistic heritage
Visit the Perfume Pagoda
Visiting the Perfume Pagoda, located in the lush mountains of northern Vietnam, offers a serene and spiritually enriching experience. The pagoda complex is situated about 60 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, accessible via a scenic boat ride along the Yen River, followed by a hike or cable car ride through stunning landscapes.
Relax in the hot springs of Phong Nha
Relaxing in the hot springs of Phong Nha provides a soothing escape amidst stunning natural surroundings in central Vietnam. Nestled in the lush landscapes of Quang Binh Province, these natural springs offer a rejuvenating experience after exploring the region’s famous caves and karst formations.
Witness the sunrise over the Mui Ne Sand Dunes
Witnessing the sunrise over the Mui Ne Sand Dunes is a magical experience that highlights the natural beauty of southern Vietnam. Located near the coastal town of Mui Ne, these vast dunes offer breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere perfect for an early morning adventure.
Experience Tet Festival
Experiencing Tet Festival, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year, is a vibrant and deeply cultural celebration that marks the arrival of spring and the new lunar year. This festival, typically celebrated in late January or early February, is the most important holiday in Vietnam, blending rich traditions with festive cheer.
Have you visited Vietnam?
What were your favourite things to do in Vietnam?
Let me know in the comments.
