Top 20 Best Things To Do in Vietnam [Must-do]

1. Taste Vietnam Local Food

Vietnamese Foods are very famous over the world, I believe that all of you heard about "Pho", right? Come to Vietnam the first thing you should remember to do is join a street food tour. It is one of the best ways to explore the culture of a country. Throughout the country, Hanoi, Hoian, and Ho Chi Minh City are the three best cities to join the food tour. During the tour, you will have the chance to learn more about not only the Vietnamese cuisine but also local life by observing, and chatting with local people. The tour guide who is the local expert will bring you to the places which you can not find in any books.

You will be able to taste the best food like Pho noodle, unique egg coffee, local Bia in Hanoi; Banh mi sandwiches, Mot drink, Quang noodle in Hoian; Broken rice, Hu Tieu Nam Vang in Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnamese food is reasonable, and delicious, so do not miss your chance to taste it when you are here. The best place to join a food tour is in Hanoi. It is not only commercial, cultural, and political capital but also food capital.

Let's join Hanoi Street Food Tour with us now.

Hanoi street food

Happy client when tasting Vietnamese local food

2. Cruising & Overnight at Halong Bay

A visit to Vietnam is incomplete without taking a cruise in Halong Bay. Halong Bay is one of seven natural wonders in the world with 1,600 limestone towers rising from its turquoise waters. Every day, there are hundreds of boats offering cruise trips to Halong Bay.

By signing up for the Halong overnight cruise, you will be able not only to see the stunning landscape but also take part in a lot of indoor activities on the cruise like practising taichi, joining cooking class... or outdoor activities like swimming, kayaking, mountain climbing, exploring caves, visiting floating market, cycling to the local villages…The feeling when you wake up in the middle of the bay, watch the sunrise over the limestone karsts, inhale the fresh air in the tranquil area... is the feeling you hardly find elsewhere. Halong Bay cruise is suitable for everyone: couples for the honeymoon, families with children, and solo travelers.

Cruising in Halong Bay with Scarlet Pearl

3. Visit Cai Rang Floating Market in the Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is another world on the water in Vietnam. It is the “rice bowl” of Vietnam with an incredible number of waterways. Mekong Delta is home to floating houses, restaurants, markets float on the rivers, canals, and streams. Cai Rang floating market is one of the largest wholesale floating markets in this religion, which sells a variety of goods from fruits, vegetables, cosmetics, clothes, mobile cards, to gasoline...

Visiting this market in the early morning, you will not only be able to see colorful boats selling goods but also have a chance to taste a bunch of local fresh tropical fruits like green mangos, pineapples, dragon fruits, oranges, coconuts, durians… or enjoy the hot dishes on the sampans. A bowl of traditional Crap Noodles, BBQ pork noodles, or even Banh Mi has a very special taste of the Mekong river. Cai Rang Floating Market is open early in the morning, so it is best to sign up for 2 days 1-night Mekong Delta tour where you stay overnight in Can Tho province, then visit the market the next day.

Cai Rang floating market

Having Pho noodle on the sampan in Cai Rang floating market

4. Crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels

Cu Chi tunnel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City and also be one of the must-do things in Vietnam. It is a network of 120km connecting underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, schools, hospitals, and command centers. This tunnel network played a huge role in the victory of the Vietnam army in the war owing to their independence.

Cu Chi tunnel tour

Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, you have a chance to witness its unique architecture and structure as well as understand how important the tunnel is in Vietnam’s history. You also have a chance to taste the dishes that were previously used by Vietnamese soldiers, such as sesame and boiled cassava, or go a little down to the dark and boundless tunnels to see the struggles, resilience, and hardships of Vietnamese soldiers in the war. Something to note is that Cu Chi tunnel is not for people who are slightly claustrophobic or faint-hearted. You had better avoid crawling through a section of the tunnel if you have the above health problems.

You may be interested in Cu Chi Tunnels tours

Crawling through Cu Chi tunnel

5. Cycle in Hoian Ancient town

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Hoian ancient town. This UNESCO World Heritage city is closed to motorized vehicles, but cycling is acceptable. Hoian is a small and flat city, making it suitable for cycling. Everyone loves riding a cycle in this city from couples, to families with kids. Using a bike, you can visit wherever you want and explore the city at your own pace. Cycle to historical places like the Japanese Covered Bridge, and ancient houses to learn more about history and culture.

Visit the tailor shop to have your clothes made in a different style with different colors and materials. Hoian is a fabric paradise! Go to the countryside like Tra Que village and learn more about farming and rural life. Or even cycle to the beaches for relaxing. Everywhere can be visited with only one bicycle. Most of the hotels in Hoian have bicycles free of charge to borrow or you can rent a bicycle at a shop. The fee is less than 2USD per day.

Cycling in Hoian

6. Ride motorbike through Hai Van Pass

There are a lot of beautiful routes in Vietnam for tourists who love motorbikes and adventure. If you do not have enough time to ride a motorbike the whole country, then pick up Hai Van Pass, the most beautiful pass and coolest things to do in Vietnam. The road has been called a “ribbon of perfection” and was dubbed one of the “best coastal roads in the world” by the UK program, Top Gear, in their Vietnam Special (2008).

Along a 20 km strip of road, you will see spectacular views of misty mountains rising high over the South China Sea, deserted sandy beaches, forests, and the twinkling lights of far-off cities. There are road curves back and forth, some slight bends, some hairpin turns on the pass. A lot of shops in both Hue and Hoian provide motorbike rental service, you can rent a bike in one city and return to the other. Alternatively, you can book a tour and do not have to worry about the vehicle or luggage.

You can join our 4 days Central Vietnam adventure including Hai Van Pass by motorbike.

Riding a bike in Hai Van Pass

7. Watch Vietnamese Culture Shows

To learn more about Vietnamese culture, you can visit the theater in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoian, and other big cities to watch a cultural show. The most popular show is the water puppet show, which is well known around the world. Performances of water puppet show mainly focus on the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), historical legends (Le Loi returns precious sword…), or old fairy tales about God. The ticket price of a Vietnam Water Puppet Show is less than USD 5. Besides, you can find a lot of other shows in the theater such as My Village, A O show, Palao, Teh Dar, or The Mist. The price for these shows can be a little bit higher than the Water puppet show, but it is worth seeing.

My village show

8. Explore the Imperial Citadel

Some people skip Hue during their holiday in Vietnam, which is a regret. Hue was once the capital of Vietnam and is now listed as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the best things to do in central Vietnam.

There are a lot of tourist attractions in Hue such as pagodas, tombs, and palaces. The most famous one is Hue Imperial Citadel, which used to be the “house” of the Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam. The citadel grounds are surrounded by an impressive moat filled with waterlilies. When inside the citadel, you will be able to walk around and admire different buildings in their original, restored, and damaged stages, carved gates, royal pavilions, the Flag Tower, and museums of Royal Antiquities. If you like Vietnamese costumes, there is a place for you to wear like a King and a Queen to take a picture, so do not skip that.

Hue Imperial Citadel

9. Take pictures at Golden Bridge in Danang

Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hill has unique architecture & be a unique thing to do in Vietnam, where you can see giant hands holding the bridge. The hands have a gray color while the bridge is yellow. This bridge is a harmonious blend of groundbreaking architecture and spectacular nature. The bridge appears in many world-known channels and newspapers such as CNN, BBC, The Guardian, Times... making it among the best tourist attractions in Vietnam.

Walking on the bridge, you will feel like a walk on the clouds across the hands of God Mountain. A lot of tourists especially couples or the youth come to visit this bridge for the best photos. The best time to take pictures on this bridge is before 9:00 and after 17:00 to avoid the crowd Besides Golden Bridge, you can also stop at Fantasy Park (an amusement park), French Village, flower gardens, Linh Ung pagoda in Ba Na Hill for more photos.

Taking photos at Golden Bridge

Golden Bridge

10. Take part in water activities in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc so-called Pearl Island is the largest island in Vietnam. The island is famous for pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, and a peaceful atmosphere. It is also an ideal place for people who love to join water sports fast or slow, above or below the surface because Phu Quoc is a haven for water sports of all kinds. Kayaking along the coast and up to the small rivers into the jungle is great for people who love a little adventure while Jet skiing in Sao Beach or Long Beach is a lot of fun for people who love speed.

Snorkeling and diving is the best way to explore underwater life. Parasailing, a fascinating game can bring to the height of 1000m, and you can fly like a bird, catch a bird’s eye view. For even more adventurous, try a flyboard, also known as a hoverboard.

Skyboard in Phu Quoc

11. See Sand Dunes in Mui Ne, Vietnam

If you are looking for a taste of the desert, do not miss Mui Ne as it is home to sand dunes. There are several sand dunes scattered throughout Mui Ne, but the two most impressive are the White and Red sand dunes. White sand dunes are the most popular attraction in Mui Ne, where you will feel like standing in a vast expanse of pristine, barren land. Here you will be able to hire a quad bike to get around or go on a hot air balloon tour over the dunes.

Quad bike rent in Mui Ne is 40USD for 20 mins with a maximum of 2-3 people while an air balloon tour is about 150USD per person for 60 minutes flight. Red sand dunes are smaller than the white sand dunes. These sand dunes have a rusty red, brown color and are absolutely beautiful at the sunset. It is incredible watching the beautiful sunset over the rolling red hills at these sand dunes.

Sand dunes in Mui Ne

12. Ride a Bamboo boat to Tam Coc rice fields

Tam Coc is a part of the Trang An Landscape Complex UNESCO World Heritage site. It is considered as Halong Bay on land or "Nam Thiên Đệ Nhị Động" (the second most beautiful cave in VietNam) and is one of the best things to do in North Vietnam.

Tam Coc means three caves. It is actually a flooded cave system that consists of 3 natural caves Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba; and Bich Dong. Sailing in Tam Coc, you will have an opportunity to row across the river, discover mysterious caves, and observe the rice fields. It is about 2 hours Sailing on the boat along the Ngo Dong river. The best time to visit Tam Coc is from mid-April to early June, when is the harvest season and you will be able to see the breathtaking yellow rice paddies. Something to note when choosing a boat: do not choose a boat with boxes as the rower will haggle you endlessly until you have purchased something from them.

You may be interested in Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Full day Deluxe Small Group

Hoa Lu Tam Coc

13. Explore Son Doong Cave Vietnam, the world’s largest cave

Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, is located right in the heart of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It is one of the most adventurous things to do in Vietnam and travelers have to meet many requirements for heath before registering to visit here.

It stretches for over three miles (five kilometers), and it reaches heights of 650 feet (200 meters). The cave has its own weather system and creates its own clouds. There are jungles and rivers inside the cave. One expedition in the cave often lasts for five days and you sleep in the cave. The cost of one tour is quite expensive, about 3000USD and you need to wait for about 2 years. You need to trek 2 days through the Ban Doong ethnic minority village to reach the entrance of the cave. When inside the cave, you will have to abseil, climb, crawl, and swim through underground rivers to complete your journey. If you are on a budget, and not be able to join the adventure in Son Doong cave, you can visit Dark and Phong Nha cave in Phong Nha- Ke Bang National park.

Son Doong cave

14. Trekking to Hill Tribe villages in Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is in the mountainous area of Northern Vietnam, it is home to many hill tribe villages such as Ta Van village, Cat Cat village, Ta Phin village, Lao Chai village, Sin Chai village, Y Linh Ho village, Ho village... Each village has a unique life with varied cultures. Different villages belong to different groups of ethnic people. Cat Cat village is the village where H’Mong ethnic group lives, Ta Phin Village is the home of Red Dao people, while Ho Village, Nam Sai Village, and Thanh Phu Village are the places where Tay people live. Trekking to those villages, you will be able to see beautiful landscapes including green fields, mountains and waterfalls… and even more beautiful people who have a simple life, but a warm heart and smile. The best time to trek in Sapa to see the amazingly beautiful mountainous landscape in those villages is in late September and early October when rice in all terraced fields is ripe and turns yellow color.

You may be interested in Sapa trekking tours

Trekking in Sapa

15. Explore My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collection of Champa ruins located amongst the mountains. The vestige includes more than 70 temples and epitaphs. It is often compared to the Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia. A visit to this sanctuary will help you learn more about the history of the Champa Kingdom. Besides, tourists are attracted by the architectural style of the sanctuary.

The best time to explore My Son Holy Land is early in the morning when the temperature is not too high, the air is fresh and you can see the beautiful sunrise over the temples. If you want to explore this sanctuary by yourself, just hire a bike and ride there. The road is in a quite good condition. I would recommend booking a tour of My Son Sanctuary. The tour guide has a lot of stories about this unique sacred and mysterious beauty to share with you.

My Son sanctuary

16. Stay in the house on stilt in Mai Chau

Mai Chau is an untouched area where you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery with mountains, rice fields, waterfalls, and experience with friendly local people. One of the best things to do in Mai Chau is to stay at a homestay with the Thai minority. Houses on stilt can be found in most of the villages in Mai Chau such as Lac Village, Pom Coong Village, Van Village…

These houses still preserve traditional features from ancient times to make the cultural quintessence, which is a predominant characteristic of an attractive communal community. Staying on houses on stilt, you will have a chance to communicate with local people, explore the daily life of the locals. It is simple, honest, but full of love and a smile. At night, you can enjoy traditional dance shows and taste Ruou Can, a local rice wine.

Cycling in Mai Chau

17. Work like a farmer in Tra Que village

Tra Que village is a small but well-known village in Hoian. It is a quiet, tranquil, and lush green farming area, a far cry from the busy streets in Hoian. Thanks to the blessed condition of rich soil and water, the village produces the best vegetables such as lettuce, salad, basil, houttuynia, flagrant knotweed, coriander vegetables, etc. Tra Que vegetables increase the delicious natural flavors of typical dishes in Quang Nam like Quang noodles, Cao Lau.

Most of Tra Que villagers are farmers who work hard to earn money. Joining a tour to Tra Que, you will be able to experience farming work like raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, picking greens, and many more gardening activities. Besides farming, you can join other activities in this village such as cooking class, riding bikes…

Tra Que village

18. Visit War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh city

War Remnants Museum is the place where you can learn more about the history of Vietnam. The museum displays materials, artifacts, and images to emphasize the consequences of wars for the Vietnamese people. They are US armored vehicles, bombs, weapons, and notorious prisons of French and South Vietnamese, collections of posters and photographs supporting the antiwar movement globally, pictures about the influence of Agent Orange on Vietnamese life and people.

You may be shocked when visiting this museum, seeing pieces of equipment in the displays, photos, documentaries about war, but they are necessary to remind how important peace is. War Remnants Museum is open daily from 07:30 to 12:00 & from 13:30 to 17:00 with an entrance fee of about 2USD per person.

Let's join our Ho Chi Minh City Tour which included a visit to the War Museum.

War Remnants Museum

19. Wander at the night market

In the tourist areas in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoian, or Hue, there are always night markets at weekends. Shopping at one of these markets is a great thing to do in Vietnam. There is a variety of things for you to buy in the market from clothes, foods, to souvenirs… Most of them are at a reasonable price, however, do not forget to ask for a discount. Try to learn some Vietnamese words and have fun with bargaining when shopping at the night market.

The best night market in Vietnam is the Hanoi Old Quarter night market. It is open from 19:00 starting from Hang Dao Street and running north to the edge of Dong Xuan Market every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Hanoi Weekend Night Market showcases cultural performances, where locals in traditional costumes play traditional Vietnamese music or some traditional games. Join these games and have fun. Something to note is that the night market can be very crowded, you can be stolen so be aware of your belongings

You may be interested in the Top 5 things to do in Hanoi walking street

20. Relax on Nha Trang beach

Some people need a holiday after a holiday as they travel a lot. Therefore, at the end of the holiday, you may need some time relaxing, relaxing on the beaches in Nha Trang is one of the best options. Nha Trang is a picturesque coastal city with a white sandy beach and fresh clear blue water. Nha Trang beach, Bai Dai Beach are the two most beautiful beaches in Nha Trang. Nha Trang beach is home to many luxury hotels and resorts where you can build up some pretty sandcastles or lie on the pristine beach, watch the magnificent sunset, enjoy the soft sound of the waves with a coconut drink.

Bai Dai Beach is one of the most beautiful white sandy Nha Trang beaches. It is a long smooth sandy beach and coconut lines swaying in the wind, where you can fully relax in pristine and stunning beauty, watch activities like tug of war, beach volleyball, or soccer.

Relaxing on the beach in Nha Trang

There are many things in Vietnam for you to explore. How long do you have for your vacation? If you are short on time or want to do more than 20 Vietnam things to do above, you can contact one of our travel consultants to ask for help. We are more than happy to help, so do not hesitate to let us know.

You also can have look at our Best Vietnam tours page which included different tour types and also included the best things to do in Vietnam.