Thinking of visiting Vietnam? Vietnam certainly offers numerous things to do. To help you work out your itinerary, here’s a list of 17 of the best things to do there.
1. Light lanterns in Hoi An
The best time to visit Hoi An is for Tết (Vietnamese New Year). The city becomes a virtual kaleidoscope of light and color as part of its lovely Lantern Festival. It’s a week-long celebration and the entire street from the Hoai River Square to Hoi An Bridge is lit with thousands of brightly-colored lanterns.
2. Visit Halong Bay and its neighbor
Halong Bay is highlighted by 1,600 limestone towers that rise from its clear, turquoise waters. Take a cruise then visit Bai Tu Long Bay. Here you’ll find more beautiful scenery but fewer tourists. Enjoy the crowd-free little beaches and mysterious caves as well. Finally, dine on some fresh local seafood.
3. Hike on Cat Ba Island
This is where you come to go hiking. Hike through the rainforest of the national park. The popular Lookout Tower is a relatively easy and popular hike. There’s also the adventurous hike to beautiful Ngu Lam Peak or the more challenging 18-kilometer Cang Viet Hai Trail. They’re all worth the effort.
4. Cruise the mighty Mekong Delta
Originating in the impressive Tibetan Himalayas, the Mekong slows down slightly once it reaches Vietnam. Take in the sights of the stilted villages, rice paddies, and islands from a cargo boat hauling fruit and rice. You could also sign on for a night cruise from Cai Be to Can Tho.
5. Explore the planet’s largest cave
Visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the wild, cave-riddled mountainous Quang Binh province. Here you will find the world’s largest cave, Hang Son Doong. It features a cavern that is so high a skyscraper would fit in it. You’ll also find waterfalls, monkeys and flying foxes in the surrounding jungle.
6. Visit Buon Ma Thuot
This is “the coffee-making heartland” of the nation. Visit the traditional villages of the Ede people. You’ll recognize them by the stilted homes and ladders marked with carved breasts. See the Trung Nguyen coffee company. Foodies will like the city’s coffee-related attractions. Visit in March and get freebies at the biennial Coffee Festival.
7. SampleVietnam’s best pho
Foodies must visit Hanoi. It is the pho capital of the country. Pho, of course, is a convenient tasty dish consisting of boiled beef, clear stock, green onions or herbs, and rice noodles. They serve it in upscale restaurants and on street corners too. Veteran visitors suggest dining at Pho Thin in Lo Duc.
8. Learn of Vietnam’s blood-stained past
History buffs will enjoy Ho Chi Minh City. Over 60 percent of the country’s population was born following the close of the Vietnam War back in 1975. They have moved on, but they haven’t forgotten. Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. See the grisly The War Remnants Museum as well.
9. Go to Vietnamese-style church
Stop in what some experts call the “most unlikely holy city” on Earth. In Tây Ninh amidst all the noisy traffic and hectic street stalls, you will discover the Cao Dai Temple, the official Holy See of the entire Cao Dai religion. It is essentially a hybrid faith founded here circa 1920.
10. Bicycle around Hue
Hue is between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Located on the Perfume River, it is a historic city and has numerous historical sites. It’s also a super place to go bicycling.
See the Tiger Fighting Arena, the Tu Duc Tomb, Vong Canh Hill, Tu Hieu, and the popular tomb of Minh Mang.
11. Find romance in Sapa’s love market
This popular market town is located in the country’s mountainous north. Every Saturday this market plays host to a variety of shoppers including the local hill tribe members. Visit the underground love market here where people come from miles around to sing love songs to each other. Ask a local.
12. Sail by the Tam Coc rice fields
The Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. The quaint village of Tam Cốc-Bích Động (or ‘Tam Coc’ for short) is part of this place. Take a scenic boat ride down the Ngo Dong River and see the famous rice paddies.
13. See rare primates in stunning Cat Tien National Park
Ensconced in southern Vietnam, this 720-square-kilometer biosphere reserve consists of lowland forest and botanical gardens. Here you can spot several different rare animals and birds. Don’t miss the Dao Tien Endangered primate Species Centre either. Look for golden-cheeked gibbons, native pygmy lorises, silvered langurs, and sun bears.
14. Take in the Ban Gioc Waterfall
Ban Gioc is actually the name of a pair of colliding waterfalls located on the Quay Son River. It marks the border between Vietnam and China. Some say it is one of the most breathtaking natural sights in all of South-East Asia. It’s 205 meters wide and 70 meters high.
15. Marvel at the Golden Hands Bridge
Also known as Giant Hands Bridge or the Golden Hands Bridge, the Golden Bridge is situated in the province of Da Nang. Walk across the pathway. It’s 150 meters long and rests high above the Ba Na Hills. This reality-stretching structure might make you feel like you’re in God’s hands.
16. Embrace inner peace on Phu Quoc Island
This idyllic isle is found just off Cambodia’s coast. It’s a great place to get away from the busy cities. Animal lovers can see elephants, macaques, white Bengal tigers, and more in the Vinpearl Safari Care and Conservation Park. Go hiking through Phu Quoc National Park and visit Suoi Tranh Waterfall.
17. Stay with the locals in Mai Chau
If you’re tired of the typical tourist trail then head to Hòa Bình. Visit the Mai Chau Valley. Stay in a homestay with a White Tai family. Excerpts suggest staying with the residents of either the Poom Coong or Lac villages. Learn how real folks live in Vietnam.
