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Touring islands around Vietnam

Best Things to Do in Vietnam

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Vietnam

For those whose impressions of Vietnam were formed in the wartime 1960's, a visit to this beautiful Southeast Asian country may yield some real surprises. With the vast majority of Vietnamese born after the war, it's largely ancient history here, and visitors (certainly including Americans) are warmly welcomed. There's much to explore, too, from stately Hanoi to bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), gorgeous Halong Bay, the Mekong River (best seen by river boat), deep green rice paddies, golden sandy beaches, and some of Asia's best cuisine. Once you come to Vietnam, your impressions of it will never be the same.

Top Vietnam Experiences

  • A sailing cruise in Ha  Long  Bay, also known as “Bay of Descending Dragons.”
  • Explore the underground Cu Chi Tunnels cave which was once used as a hiding spot by Viet Cong Guerillas.
  • Seeing the rich rice fields of the Mekong Delta.
  • If you are into kite and windsurfing activities then you do not want to miss Mui Ne; and a short distance from it leads to its famous sand dunes.
  • Relaxing in one of the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc.
  • Walking down the winding lanes of  beautiful old town Hoi An, sometimes also knows as the “Venice of Vietnam.”
  • Visit to the tallest pagoda in Vietnam, Thien Mu Pagoda, built during 1601. The pagoda also overlooks the Perfume River. 
  • Experiencing a water puppet performance at the Thang Long puppet theatre in Hanoi

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Things to do in Vietnam - Expert’s guide

1. Vietnam’s largest cities

River through Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam at dusk

Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are geographically opposite, but you’ll witness a lot of similarities between the two. First and foremost, the crazy motorcycles are characterized in both! Additionally, you’ll see several examples of French colonization through the architecture. However, the cities have their own unique charm. Hanoi, to the north, is more relaxed in comparison to its southern counterpart.

Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, which is the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Watch a show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, where you’ll see an ancient art form that dates back to the 11th century. Ho Chi Minh is the commercial hub of Vietnam. Shop around for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market, and marvel at the extraordinary colonial architecture of Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

2. Sapa

Countryside and mountains of Vietnam in Sapa

This destination will blow you away by the rolling mountain landscapes, and the spectacular rice terraces. At the northernmost tip of Vietnam, Sapa neighbors the Chinese border. Trek through the hills and rice paddies, and visit the hill tribes, like the Hmong and Dao.

In addition, several locals offer homestays, which will give you further insight on Sapa’s culture. If you have extra time, take the cable car to the top of Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. No matter where you are, you’ll be blown away by the incredible scenery and friendly people.

3. Ha Long Bay

Lone boat floating in Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Take a cruise through the Bay of Descending Dragons. Captivating views of limestone islets, emerald waters, hidden caves entrance 10 million visitors annually, and makes the destination worthy of being a World Heritage site. There are several cruises with different price ranges available, and most will offer opportunities to kayak, rock climb, swim, and explore caves.

4. My Son

This destination is Da Nang’s biggest attraction. My Son are the ancient architectural ruins of what was once the Champa Kingdom, which ruled the central and southern part of Vietnam for 16 centuries. The Hindu temples have crumbled from age, jungle, and most recently, bombs during the American War, but they still maintain their brilliance after centuries.

5. Phong Nha Cave

Phong Nha cave is home to one of the largest caves in the world. Glide through the turquoise waters in a wooden boat as you leave civilization behind you, and enter a world of limestone walls covered in a blanket of green. As you enter the immense caves, revel in the magnificence of the giant stalactite chandeliers. The serenity of this destination juxtaposes the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese cities.

6. Hue

Also known as “Vietnam’s Imperial City”, Hue was the national capital from 1802-1945. As you walk through the tranquil city that nestles upon Perfume River, you’ll see several relics that pay homage to the Nguyen emperors that reigned in the 19th century. Within the walls of the citadel, there are several temples, but you can also go on a boat ride down the Perfume River to explore other outlying attractions.

7. Hoi An

Floating markets and villages of Hoi An Vietnam

A step in the well-preserved historic town will whisk you away to another time. Houses, temples, and tea houses hark back from when Hoi An was the meeting point for Japanese and Chinese merchants. Walk under the silk lanterns and ride a traditional sampan boat at sunset in this charming town. The ancient buildings and picturesque canals make Hoi An a favorite destination for many

8. Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a perfect day trip from Ho Chi Minh. Above ground, this destination doesn’t seem fascinating. However, as you descend into the tunnels, you’ll witness the resilience of the Cu Chi people whose ingenuity helped them survive decades of war.

The honeycomb system of tunnels go several stories deep, and purposes include booby traps, living quarters, supply routes, weapon factories, and hospitals.

There are two sites at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The most popular site is Ben Dinh, where the tunnels have been renovated and expanded for the comfort of tourists. Ben Duoc is slightly further away from Ho Chi Minh, but provides a more authentic experience, as its less crowded, and parts of the original tunnels remain.

9. Mui Ne

Mui Ne Beach in Vietnam

Only a 4 hour train ride away from Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne offers several activities for adventurers. As it is the driest region in Southeast Asia, the white sand dunes are perfect for quad biking.

Additionally, the strong winds make the destination popular for water activities, like windsurfing and kitesurfing. Fancy something more relaxed? No worries, Mui Ne’s beaches are also perfect for lounging. The best time to visit Mui Ne is during the dry season, between the months of December and April.  

10. Mekong Delta

Woman on traditional boat in floating market on the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

The Mekong Delta lies just outside of Ho Chi Minh. Here, life moves to a different pace compared to the city — everything moves to the steady rhythm of the interweaving waterways. As the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, this destination boasts the richest farmland in the country. You can see the diverse local produce at Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta.

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Vietnam Tours Reviews & Ratings

Write a review
Excellent
1,784
Great
339
Average
44
Disappointing
17
Terrible
21
Helen
·
2024-03-17
Written on
Cycle Vietnam by Explore!
Cycle Vietnam
Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-17
Written on
Simply Vietnam by Explore!
Simply Vietnam
Most of the trip was amazing, a few hiccups in regards to transportation and diet requirements, but thats' all.
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Jacqueline
·
2024-03-17
Written on
A Taste of Vietnam - Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta
The tour was really well organized. I felt like we got to see and do a lot of things that we wouldn't have experienced if we'd planned the trip on our own. Our guide Bac was so professional, patient, organized, personable. He went above and beyond to accommodate my dietary preferences.

Overall, the pacing was nice and we crammed in a lot to make the most of our time. I liked the variety of activities and the mixture of different areas we got to see. The accomodations were always very comfortable. Rafting in Ninh Binh was incredible and I loved seeing the rural areas that clearly weren't designed for tourists. The cooking classes were hit or miss. Some were legit cooking and others felt more like food prep. I preferred the ones where we really learned how to cook, so I can take the methods and recipes home with me to do on my own.

Overall, fantastic and nutritious food, with such a variety of fresh meals! There were a few meals that weren't included, but that we had to enjoy together (cuz there were no other options), so I'd recommend Explore just include them up front. There were also a few stops at really touristy restaurants (buses of people getting off) that were disappointing, especially for a food tour. However, they were the exceptions.

The beginning of the tour was a lot of time on a bus & a lot of scheduled activities with no real down time for reflection. As we went on, we had more time to walk around, cycle, explore on our own, etc. It felt like at times they just had to have something planned every hour, but really I'd recommend finding a way to include more down time in the beginning and/or breaking up some of the driving in the front end if possible (even with longer stops to explore and not just pitstops).

All my recommendations are minor. We had a great time with fun people and got to see and do so much. I loved learning about the cultures and meeting local families. The homestays were the best! I'd definitely do another Explore tour and recommend to others.
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Sarah
·
2024-03-16
Written on
Simply Vietnam by Explore!
Simply Vietnam
Hoi an and sailing trip at Cat Ba
Philip
·
2024-03-16
Written on
A Taste of Vietnam - Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta
The tour was busy but thoughtfully designed and great fun with a top drawer tour leader. Well done Explore
Show more
Alison
·
2024-03-13
Written on
A Taste of Vietnam - Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta
Fantastic food(and drink) trip, highly recommended for its mix of food and culture

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