Vietnam offers a unique blend of contrasts, where bustling and lively cities coexist alongside serene oceans and towering limestone karsts.
You’re planning to visit Vietnam during your next trip and you want to know what to do in this beautiful country ? So let’s dive into the 13 best things to do in Vietnam:
Best Things to Do in Vietnam
- Visit Ha Long Bay
- Cruise in the Mekong Delta
- Explore Vietnam on Motorbike
- Cross the Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang
- Learn about Vietnam’s War in Ho Chi Minh City
- Explore the World’s Biggest Caves in Phong Nha
- Walk the Streets of Hoi An Ancient Town
- Discover The Ancient City Of Hue
- Explore the My Son Ruins
- Go Island Hopping and Scuba Diving
- Trek in Sapa
- Cruise in Tam Coc Rice Fields
- Be Amazed by Ban Gioc Waterfall
Visit Ha Long Bay
#1 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is by far one of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
With more than 1,000 limestone towers rising from its turquoise waters, this UNESCO World Heritage Site draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists as it’s on every visitor’s list.
Boat cruises are the best way to experience the natural scenery wonder of Ha Long Bay. There are many Halong Bay cruises to choose from, from basic to top-level luxury.
Make sure to save at least one day to go on a cruise down Ha Long Bay, it’s definitely worth the view!
Cruise in the Mekong Delta
#2 of the best things to do in Vietnam
The Mekong Delta is a large maze of swamps and rivers that stretches across southern Vietnam. This area is known for its lush greenery, floating markets, and traditional villages.
One of the best ways to experience the Mekong Delta is by taking a boat tour. You’ll be able to explore the narrow canals, visit local villages, and see the delta’s incredible biodiversity up close.
I recommend going there in January, as it’s the best time for river travels and cruises.
The Mekong Delta is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam and a unique and unforgettable destination that should be on every traveler’s itinerary.
Explore Vietnam on Motorbike
#3 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Most people in Vietnam moves on two wheels. At first, it can be scary to blend into the traffic, especially in big cities but traveling on motorbike offers a complete freedom to explore the country.
You’ll find many people riding motorbikes througout Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. It almost become a must-do thing among travelers.
Head to Northern Vietnam to see the most beautiful landscapes in the country or take the Hai Van Pass between Hoi An and Hue to enjoy epic ocean views.
One important thing to know is that international driving permits are becoming increasingly necessary. Your insurance may even require you to have a motorcycle license at home to be valid.
Cross the Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang
#4 of the best things to do in Vietnam
The Golden Bridge (or Golden Hands Bridge, or Giant Hands Bridge) in the Da Nang is one of the newest best things to do in Vietnam and one of a kind.
You can walk through the 150m long path, high above the beautiful greenery of Ba Na Hills, offering a great view over Da Nang.
The uniqueness of its design is stunning. The steel and fiberglass structure is held by two huge God-like stone hands giving the impression that it is suspended above the sky.
Learn about Vietnam’s War in Ho Chi Minh City
#5 of the best things to do in Vietnam
If you’re not familiar with what happened during the conflict, the first thing to know is that it opposed Vietnam and America until 1975, resulting in the devastation of the country.
The best place to learn about the Vietnam’s War is the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
The museum offers many exhibitions and explains the country’s bloody past.
There are rooms filled with stories and images of those affected by the war. From remains of bombs to photographs of horrific napalm burns, it tells a chilling story of events.
Ho Chi Minh City also hosts another great location to learn more about war: the Cu Chi Tunnels. They’re located about 40km from the city in the Cu Chi District.
The tunnels form part of a vast underground network used as hiding spots, hospitals, living quarters and supply routes by Viet Cong soldiers during the War.
Be careful though, they are incredibly narrow and tight. If you suffer from claustrophobia, then it’s not a place you should head to!
Explore the World’s Biggest Caves in Phong Nha
#6 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam for caving.
The area is filled with hundreds of deep caves. The most famous one is Hang Son Doong, one of the world’s largest cave.
You can spend as much time as you want visiting these caves, anywhere from an hour day trip up to five days.
Walk the Streets of Hoi An Ancient Town
#7 of the best things to do in Vietnam
The old port town of Hoi An is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam and should definitely be a part of your Vietnam itinerary.
Walk down the old town streets lined with beautiful historic buildings and traditional wooden-fronted shops from the days when the town was a major meeting point for buying and selling the local silks.
Don’t miss the beautiful Japanese Bridge at the western end of Tran Phu Street which is a must-see in Hoi An.
Discover The Ancient City Of Hue
#8 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Vietnam is probably one of Asia’s countries with the richest and most interesting stories. Visiting the former imperial capital of Vietnam will teach you a huge part of its history.
The Citadel, once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, is the city’s most famous monument and houses grand palaces, ornate temples, walls, and gates that will take you back in time.
You can also take a stroll along the promenade, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, and explore the Tombs of the Emperors on the outskirts of the city.
Hue’s rich cultural heritage and unique cuisine make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture.
Explore the My Son Ruins
#9 of the best things to do in Vietnam
The My Son Sanctuary is a grouping of Hindu temples ruins surrounded by jungle and hills protecting the sacred Thu Bon river. It is located near the town of Hoi An.
Built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Hindu kingdom of the Cham, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was formerly a significant center of religious Hindu ceremonies.
You will be impressed by the beautiful temples constructed in fired brick with stone pillars and decorated with sandstone bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Go Island Hopping and Scuba Diving
#10 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Compared to other close Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, Vietnam is not known for being a diving paradise. But there are still some good spots to do it.
The best Vietnam tourist destinations for scuba diving include Nha Trang and Vinh Hy Bay.
Take the boat and head to the An Thoi Islands, and enjoy the best snorkeling in the area.
If you’re more a sun-seeker and beach enjoyer, you should probably head to Phu Quoc island.
Trek in Sapa
#11 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Vietnam and its countryside offers some amazing opportunities to go for a trek, and Sapa in Northwest of Vietnam is the best place for it.
Sapa is known for its rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley and the mountains towering all around. This mountain range includes Fan Si Pan which is the highest peak in the country.
You can literally spend weeks hiking in the area and there are treks for everyone’s fitness condition and time.
The weather is also perfect as it’s way cooler, due to altitude, than the incredible heat of coastal cities .
Cruise in Tam Coc Rice Fields
#12 of the best things to do in Vietnam
The Trang An Landscape Complex is located within Ninh Binh Province of North Vietnam near the southern margin of the Red River Delta.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers stunning views: huge limestone karsts, wide green valleys and boats cruising along the river.
Tam Coc (short version of Tam Coc-Bich Dong), a village located in this complex and its famous rice fields are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get on a boat, and ride along the Ngo Dong River to experience them the best way and enjoy the beautiful views.
Be Amazed by Ban Gioc Waterfall
#13 of the best things to do in Vietnam
Marking the border between Cao Bang (Vietnam) and Guanxi (China) provinces, the Ban Gioc Waterfalls offers one of South-East Asia’s most breathtaking natural sights.
Ban Gioc is the name of not one, but two colliding waterfalls which size around 208m wide and 70m tall.
Get on a bamboo raft to get to the base of the cascade and have a closer look.
FAQ
There are many things to do in Vietnam but the top 5 things Vietnam is known for are:
– Vietnam history and Vietnam War history
– The traditional cities of Hue and Hoi An.
– Vietnam karst bays in Halong Bay.
– Vietnamese food and particularly Pho.
– Vietnam traditional northern landscapes and rice terraces.
While Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest and more modern city in Vietnam, Hanoi will offer a much more authentic appreciation of the Vietnamese way of life. The choice between the two cities will depend on what you’re looking for in the end.
