Top 15 Things to Do in Vietnam

Vietnam, a nation with a rich culture, history, activities, and food, is a country in Southeast Asia that is situated in the east of the Indochina Peninsula. You will be enthralled by this nation, whether it is for its stunning natural scenery, its historic structures, or its kind people. Vietnam provides a range of landscapes and activities, from grand urban buildings to beautiful white-sand beaches, from expansive rice farms to lofty mountain summits.

Here are some must-do activities and sights that will enhance your Vietnam tour and make it even more unforgettable.

Go on a Boat Cruise in Halong Bay

One of the most well-liked tourist destinations in Vietnam is Ha Long Bay, which is situated in the Gulf of Tonkin in the province of Quang Ninh. Its more than 1,600 islands and islets combine to form stunning seascapes with limestone columns. A current tourist craze is taking a boat ride to Ha Long Bay. Choose a luxury cruise for a quick getaway from the hectic world and to experience a variety of coastline landscapes, including towering limestone pillars and a variety of limestone karst formations. Thien Cung Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Fighting Cocks Islets, and Bai Tu Long Bay are just a few of the well-known picturesque areas along the route that appear even more stunning against the glittering water. The journey will be even more remarkable if you glide through the water in a stunning kayak, which enables visitors to access small waters that yachts cannot.

Boat Cruise in Halong Bay

Visit the Beautiful Ancient Town of Hoi An

Hoi An, a historic town in central Vietnam, is included as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architecture of Hoi An is a fusion of styles from many eras, including Japanese-covered bridges, exquisite French buildings, wooden Chinese-style shops, and traditional Vietnamese tube dwellings. In addition to the local architecture, it is worthwhile to experience town life. My Quang, Hoi An's gastronomic haven, must have a distinct appeal for tourists. In addition, you may visit shopping centers where you can get anything from casual to well-tailored suits. Of course, you can also visit the gorgeous beaches and lively floating markets. Along the river, coffee shops and teahouses act as rest stops for weary people. Hoi An is a little town, yet it has interesting architecture and a charming atmosphere.

Ancient Town of Hoi An

Explore the My Son Ruins

My Son Ruins, which is situated in the province of Quang Nam, is the biggest temple in Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distinctive stone sculptures, temples, and towers of the ruins give them an important place even though they are not as stunning as Angkor Wat. The Champa Kingdom's My Son Ruins is a collection of different temples that dates back to the fourth century. More than 70 temple towers with sculptures representative of many eras make up the complex today. Sadly, the My Son Ruins were badly bombarded during the war, and the portion that contained the main temple was reduced to a heap of debris. However, despite being concealed in a dense forest, this architectural landmark still has incredible cultural significance and an outstanding aesthetic design that will astound every visitor.

My Son Ruins

Explore the Caves in Phong Nha

The province of Quang Binh's Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which shares a border with Laos, is home to a number of different types of caverns. Hang Son Cave's distinctive cave scenery was created as a result of the water eroding the limestone in the karst mountains. With a length of more than 8.7 kilometers, it is the largest cave in the entire world. The cave contains many different species of animals, vegetation, beaches, and rivers. The cave's unique environment and partial sunshine illumination enable it to produce breathtaking clouds. You can camp within the cave, explore it with rowboats, cross the subterranean river there, and be in awe of the stalactites and other magnificent natural caverns. In addition to Hang Son Cave, other caves such as Phong Nha Cave and Tu Lan Cave, are worth exploring.

Caves in Phong Nha

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Cruise Along the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam's most fascinating and culturally distinctive regions, and it is situated in the country's southernmost section. By boat is the finest way to see the Mekong Delta. Due to Vietnam's special geographical situation and abundant natural resources, there are many aquatic projects where locals fish, trade produce, and sell commodities in the delta. Many cruise ships travel the Mekong Delta, giving passengers the chance to explore Vietnam's distinctive, unspoiled terrain and take in the laid-back way of life. If you only have a few hours, take a cruise from Cai Be to Can Tho, where you can take in the local floating markets, appreciate the beautiful landscape along the coast, and go on awe-inspiring overnight boat tours. For a more thorough cruise experience, if you have more time, travel to Cambodia on a boat through the Mekong Delta.

Mekong Cruise

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum

One of the biggest museums in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh Museum. The majestic structure, which was constructed in 1885, is neoclassical in design. About 12,000 objects from Ho Chi Minh's life and work are kept there, which also documents different periods of his life in accordance with various themes. Ho Chi Minh made contributions to the cause of Vietnam's national liberation from 1890 until 1969, the year of his passing. The life of Ho Chi Minh, his revolutionary endeavors, and significant nation-building moments are also highlighted. Every visitor to the museum can gain a deeper understanding of history by viewing the usual challenges and significant successes of the Vietnam War on the second floor. Historic sites from Vietnam and around the world are displayed on the third level, and they have a significant influence on young people in the area.

Explore Cat Ba Island

The largest island in the Cat Ba archipelago, Cat Ba Island is situated outside of Halong Bay and is home to similarly amazing natural treasures. It includes a diversity of natural ecosystems, making it a well-liked vacation spot for hikers and cyclists. On the island, you can do just about anything you can imagine, although swimming is the most significant activity. Cat Ba Island is the ideal destination for a peaceful holiday due to its beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Kayaking, fishing, and sunbathing are some common water activities. If that isn't enough, check out the most special cave on the island-Trung Trang Cave. The island's distinctive flora and animals are also worth exploring. If you have the time, you might decide to stay on the island for one night so you can take in the stunning sunrises and sunsets as well as the relaxed pace of the harbor.

Visit Minority Villages Around Sapa

Sapa, in Vietnam's northwestern Lao Cai province, is a small town of dozens of colorful hill tribes. The town is known for its diverse tropical vegetation and emerald-green rice terraces. Some of Sapa's villages have been modernized to accommodate tourists' demands, but the surrounding scenery is still breathtaking. The most frequented settlements in Sapa are Cat Cat Village, Ta Phin Village, and Lao Chai Village. Cat Cat Village is surrounded by lush fields and mountains, which, together with the scattered dwellings in the highlands, create a scene bursting with the hues of nature. The Dao and H'Mong ethnic groups' respective settlements of Ta Phin and Lao Chai are situated in flat valleys surrounded by verdurous, tiered rice terraces. Sapa Love Market is another tourist destination. It serves as a meeting spot for couples now instead of a traditional market. Visitors to the area help to create a romantic ambiance for lovers.

Minority in Sapa

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Visit the Imperial Citadel Of Hue

One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Vietnam is Hue Imperial Citadel. It is a well-known World Cultural Heritage monument that may be found in Hue. It was started in 1805 and finished during King Minh Mang's reign. The Citadel and the Forbidden City make up Hue Imperial Citadel's two main sections. The former was utilized to safeguard the vital palace's interior, whereas the latter served as the emperor and the court's office and home. At the same time, one of the ways that tourists may learn about Vietnamese history is by seeing the countless monuments and ruins in the Imperial Citadel. All of the structures within the Imperial Citadel, including the majestic palaces, mausoleums, and museums, are very artistically significant. You will undoubtedly be in awe of Vietnam's traditional and classical architecture if you visit the Hue Imperial Citadel.

Visit the Terraced Rice Fields in Mu Cang Chai

A little mountain village with stunning terraced scenery, Mu Cang Chai is situated in western Yen Bai province, around 300 kilometers from Hanoi. Mu Cang Chai's economy is based on regional agriculture, which employs a unique farming technique called terrace farming. The town is always bathed in the bright sunshine and the wheat's golden hue as the rice ripens. The "golden sea" is viewable from the roadway for tourists. Visitors come here for the stunning mountains and ethnic residences with terraces. There are two excellent times of the year to visit Mu Cang Chai. The first is in the months of September and October, when the weather is favorable, and the rice is ripe and golden. May and June are other seasons when there is a lot of rain, allowing for breathtaking views of water spilling over terraces.

Take a Getaway to Con Dao Island

A short voyage from Ho Chi Minh City takes you to Con Dao, a little island off the southern coast of mainland Vietnam. Though it's sometimes overlooked, Con Dao Island is unquestionably a hidden tourist gem. One of the best spots to appreciate nature is Con Dao Island, the largest of the 15 islands in the archipelago, which is bordered by stunning beaches and partially covered in tropical forest. You can take a walking tour to discover the enigmatic world of the island. It is a wonderful location for hiking, sunbathing, fishing, and snorkeling, with a diversity of species and vibrant coral reefs adding to the splendor of the ocean floor. It is a must-do experience to visit Con Dao Island between March and September if you want to enjoy relaxing sea trips and reef adventures while also seeing sea turtles breeding and laying eggs on the shore.

Watching Culture Shows

Vietnam is a place with a rich culture in addition to stunning beaches and contemporary buildings. These traditional arts have enriched the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people, and these schools of art represent daily life. Such as the water puppet show, a well-known art display in Hanoi. It is a classic example of a Vietnamese play and is based on the lives of farmers in North Vietnam in the 11 century, with a focus on traditional folklore, fishing, and farming. You can observe the Vietnamese people's way of life and the exquisite puppeteers' talents from the puppet show. Other vibrant cultural performances in Vietnam besides the water puppets include the Tu Phu Show, Quintessence Tonkin, Hoi An Memories Show, and A O Show in Ho Chi Minh City, all of which let you experience real Vietnamese culture and art.

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnel

The Cu Chi Tunnel is a historic building that is situated 70 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels were further developed in 1960 during the Vietnam War to give cover and protection against American soldiers after being constructed with crude equipment or bare hands during the French occupation in 1940. The length of the tunnel as a whole, including meeting rooms, emergency rooms, kitchens, and other locations, exceeds 200 kilometers. It is divided into three levels, the deepest of which is up to 12 meters, which also made it possible for military operations and daily activities to continue as usual during the conflict. The Cu Chi Tunnel's cramped passageways enable you to visualize the horrific events in Vietnam's past and the awful experiences of each family and soldier when you visit.

Cu Chi Tunnel

Visit Buon Me Thuot's Coffee Plantations

The center of the cafe is Buon Me Thuot, a stunning location of the waterfall and traditional village of the locals in central Vietnam. Vietnam's strong coffee industry is centered around Buon Me Thuot, where dozens of different varieties of coffee are grown. Because of the basalt soil and high altitude in this area, the coffee's taste is rich and distinctive. You can sample "weasel" coffee, commonly referred to as civet coffee, during your visit. Coffee connoisseurs suggest it for its distinctive flavor.

Enjoy Vietnamese Cuisine

Trying diverse regional specialties is one of the most fascinating aspects of travel, and Vietnam is no exception. Visitors to Vietnam must sample the country's well-known cuisine and snacks. Due to its wholesome soup and soft noodles, pho is seen by travelers as one of the most rewarding foods to sample. Other regional specialties worth trying include the duck blood soup from North Vietnam, the monkey brain from Phong Nha for special occasions, and the squid roll from Ha Long Bay. There are further Vietnamese dishes and street foods for you to try.

You can always find a place to call home in Vietnam, whether you prefer stunning natural scenery or conventional historical museums and ruins. If you enjoy Vietnam, go there right now.