I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
Vietnam is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia that has many geographical, ethnic, historical and cultural elements to make it an interesting tourist destination. The country offers various experiences to tourists that help them get closer to the culture and fall in love a little more each day. In this article, we make a list of the top 15 Things to do in Vietnam for you to experience once you get to the country.
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- 1. Strolling in the Old Quarter
- 2. Cycling in the countryside
- 3. Travelling by boat
- 4. Visiting National Parks
- 5. Exploring Caves
- 6. Meeting the tribes
- 7. Kayaking on the sea
- 8. Cruising
- 9. Tasting the street food
- 10. Studying historical, religious, and cultural sites
- 11. Watching traditional art shows
- 12. Trying to make handicraft products
- 13. Trekking in the mountains
- 14. Participating in cooking classes
- 15. Letting go with the cyclo
1. Strolling in the Old Quarter
There are many neighborhoods in Vietnam that you can visit from the mountains to the modern cities, each one beautiful in its own way. Taking a walk through the old quarters makes you feel like stepping into the past and living in a very different way.
Some neighborhoods in Vietnam you can put on the list:
- Old Quarter in Dong Van (Ha Giang)
- Old Quarter and French Quarter (Hanoi)
- Old Quarter in Hoi An (Hoi An)
Hoi An Old Quater
2. Cycling in the countryside
Apart from visiting big cities such as Hanoi - Hue - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Vietnam is also famous for its rural beauty in the countryside. In the North, the villages are immersed in the peaceful beauty of rice fields with 3-pavilion houses, ancient banyan trees. In the centre, the peaceful beauty of garden houses marked will allure your soul, while in the South it is the beauty of colourful, lush orchards. Taking a bike ride is the best way to visit these villages.
Some areas you can leisurely cycle:
- Ninh Binh
- Mai Chau
- Hue
- Hoi An
- Mekong River Delta
Cycling in Mai Chau
>> See real time pricing: Easy Mai Chau - Ninh Binh Tour from Hanoi - 03 Days
3. Travelling by boat
On your route from North to South in Vietnam, you can see many rivers and lakes, the natural elements that favour the development of the wet rice civilization. The boat tours are especially well suited to penetrate into local life and learn more about the beauty of the country. Don't miss this experience!
Places you can take the boat experience:
- Tam Coc - Van Long - Trang An (Ninh Binh)
- Nho Que River (Ha Giang)
- Mai Hich (Mai Chau)
- Yen River (Hanoi)
- Perfume River (Hue)
- Bay Mau coconut forest (Hoi An)
- Mekong Delta
Visit Mekong Delta by boat
>> See more: Everything to know about Basket Boat Ride in Hoi An, Vietnam
4. Visiting National Parks
Mountains, hills and plateaus occupy three fourth of Vietnam's area, among which we also have a backbone which is the Truong Son mountain range from North Central to South Vietnam 1,100km long. Geology creates a vast area of primary forest from which many mysterious national parks with a diverse flora and fauna system are formed.
The most famous national parks:
Ba Be National Park (Bac Kan)
Cat Ba National Park (Hai Phong)
Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh)
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh)
Nui Chua National Park (Ninh Thuan)
Yok Don National Park (Dak Lak)
Nam Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai)
Con Dao National Park (Ba Ria- Vung Tau)
Phu Quoc National Park (Kien Giang)
Ba Be Lake in Ba Be National Park
5. Exploring Caves
With the geological features mentioned above, many limestone caves with uniquely shaped stalactites and stalagmites are formed in Vietnam. Hang En cave (Quang Binh) featured in the film 'Pan-2015' is a surreal fairy-tale scene.
The most beautiful caves in Vietnam are found in these attractions:
- Halong Bay
- Bai Tu Long Bay
- Lan Ha Bay
- Cao Bang - Bac Kan
- Hanoi (Perfume River)
- Ninh Binh
- Quang Binh
Cave in Halong Bay
>> See more: Son Doong Cave - The World's Largest Cave
6. Meeting the tribes
Vietnam is a country of 54 ethnic tribes of which the majority is ethnic Kinh - the dominant people of Vietnam. What is most beautiful is that each region retains different customs so the ethnic cultures in Vietnam are very colourful. Having direct contact with ethnic locals brings you very special experiences and allows you to connect more with remote cultures.
Recommended places:
- North-west Vietnam: Mai Chau, Mu Cang Chai, Lai Chau, Sapa, Bac Ha
- North-east Vietnam: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan
- Central Highlands: Kon Tum, Tay Nguyen, Dak Lak
- Mekong Delta: An Giang
Hre people in their daily life
See more:
>> The 7 Ethnic Minority Groups in Ha Giang
>> The Distinct Cultural Beauty of Ethnic Groups in Mu Cang Chai
7. Kayaking on the sea
To go kayaking, the sea requires calm waters with few waves. The Gulf of Tonkin, with its numerous rocks and islets, provides an ideal location for this activity. It's an unforgettable experience to enjoy the sport while admiring the natural beauty of the gulf. One of the bays within the Gulf of Tonkin, Halong Bay, has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is listed among the 7 Wonders of the World. You also can experience kayaking throughout the most beautiful places of Vietnam.
>> See more: Top 7 Places for Kayaking in Vietnam
8. Cruising
Cruising is one of the best ways to enjoy your trip at leisure on the river or sea and take advantage of excellent services. In Vietnam, many boat options allow you to do this, from iron cruise to wooden junk, from 3-star to 5-star, from 1 day to 10 days. It's good to know, isn't it?
You can book these excursions at these locations:
- North Vietnam: Halong Bay Cruises, Bai Tu Long Bay Cruises, Lan Ha Bay Cruises
- Central Vietnam: Nha Trang
- South Vietnam: Mekong River Delta Cruises
Cruises in Halong Bay
9. Tasting the street food
The cuisine of Vietnam is very rich, combining popular ingredients you can find in local markets with quintessential processing. For this reason, you don't know that street food in Vietnam is fast food or slow food because it is very different with various types of tastes.
Some dishes you must try in Vietnam.
- Rice vermicelli with broth: Pho, Bun Bo, Hu Tieu
- Traditional cakes: Banh Cuon, Banh Goi, Banh Bo, Banh Ram It, Banh Khoai, Banh Xeo
- The various types of rice: sticky rice inside bamboo, five-coloured sticky rice, Hoi An chicken rice.
- The sweet soup is made from beans, and lotus seeds.
>> See more: Top 10 Delicious Vietnamese Dishes You Should Know
10. Studying historical, religious, and cultural sites
Vietnam's special position at the entrance from the Indian Ocean to Asia creates as many opportunities as challenges for the country. Over time, there is an interaction between many customs, religions, so the culture of Vietnam is partly influenced by India, Thailand, China,... Location is also one of the reasons why Vietnam has a long history of war with China, France, America,... For all that, you can see many historical, cultural, and religious monuments everywhere in Vietnam.
>> See more: Vinh Moc Tunnels vs Cu Chi Tunnels: the Two Famous Historic Relic
A Cu Chi Tunnels' charmber
11. Watching traditional art shows
Because of the richness and diversity of the culture, there are so many things to discover once you arrive in Vietnam, one of the best ways is to enjoy traditional art shows. Usually, in these shows, people tell their stories and ways of life, then enjoy them with traditional music. You will be fully immersed in the cultural environment through each show.
Some recommended shows:
- Mua roi nuoc - Water Puppets show in Hanoi, HCMC
- Mua Thai - Thai traditional dance in Mai Chau
- Don ca tai tu Nam Bo - Folk songs in the Mekong Delta
- Ca Tru - Elegant songs in Hanoi
- Mua khen - Dance with the traditional trumpet of the H’mong in Sapa
>> See more: 10 Must-see Cultural and Traditional Vietnamese Performances
Water puppet show in Hanoi
12. Trying to make handicraft products
Are you curious about handicraft products in Vietnam? Among the interesting things to do in Vietnam, is learn how to make a handicraft product. There are many classes you can take to make a product as a souvenir. Learning about new things is really nice, you can contact the locals directly or book these lessons with a local agency.
Some how-to lessons you can do:
- Embroidery making in Van Long - Ninh Binh
- Lantern making in Hoi An
- Making pottery at Bat Trang village, Thanh Ha village
- Making To He at Xuan La village
- Making kite in Hue
- Making paper flowers at Thanh Tien village
Pratise making pottery in Bat Trang
13. Trekking in the mountains
For those who love to walk and immerse themselves in nature, a pleasant trek in the middle of the rice fields, among the mountains to admire the natural majesty will be very fascinating. In the northern mountainous area, there are many beautiful trekking routes for explorers who wish to discover the hidden beauty of the tribes. You should book a local guide so that you don't get lost in the mountains and be supported when needed. Local guide definitely suggests some more unique things to do in Vietnam.
Recommended route can be found in:
- Mu Cang Chai
- Sapa
- Ha Giang
- Cao Bang
>> See more: A Guide to The Best Trekking in Sapa Vietnam
14. Participating in cooking classes
Once you arrive in Vietnam, you will be in love with at least one Vietnamese dish. If finding a Vietnamese restaurant in your country is too difficult, then a cooking class is also the right activity to experience Vietnamese cuisine.
Where you can find cooking classes:
- Hanoi
- Hue
- Hoi An
- Sai Gon
Cooking Class
15. Letting go with the cyclo
The cyclo is known as a means of transporting passengers and goods in Vietnam that is improved by the rickshaw. The cyclist will ride in the back for passengers and pedal to move forward. Today, even though it is not used as much, the cyclo remains very unique in Vietnam that foreign tourists enjoy. Crossing streets and alleys with the cyclo to visit tourist attractions, simply breathe in the fresh air and take photos to leave an unforgettable impression in the hearts of foreign tourists.
Suitable places for a cyclo experience:
- Hanoi
- Hue
- Hoi An
- Sai Gon
Things to do in Vietnam are uncountable, so above we suggest 15 experiences worth trying at least once during travelers’ stay in Vietnam. Wish you have a nice trip and don't forget to share with us your memories after visiting Vietnam.
See more about how to create a Vietnam itinerary including these captivating destinations:
>> A Comprehensive 14-day Vietnam Itinerary from South to North
>> 1 Week in Vietnam: Your Perfect Travel Plan
>> 10 Days in Vietnam - Interesting Itinerary Ideas
>>How to Plan the Best North Vietnam Itinerary?
>> Exploring the Best of Central Vietnam Itinerary
>> Best Mekong Delta Itinerary Travel Guide
>> The Best South Vietnam Trip Itinerary Ideas For First-Time Visitors
