Planning your first trip or returning for another adventure, Vietnam never fails to impress. This Vietnam travel guide highlights the top 10 must-dos, from breathtaking natural wonders to cultural treasures, so you’ll know exactly what to do in Vietnam. Whether you’re seeking authentic food, vibrant cities, or serene landscapes, this list of things to do in Vietnam ensures your journey is both memorable and complete.
Cruise Through the Majestic Ha Long Bay
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quảng Ninh province, east of Hanoi and within the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations and a must on any list of things to do in Vietnam. Over 3,000 limestone islets rise from emerald waters, creating a dramatic seascape shaped by centuries of wind and waves.
The best way to explore is by cruise, with options ranging from day trips to luxury multi-night tours departing from Hanoi. Kayak through Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba Island for a more intimate experience, or head to Bai Tu Long Bay for a quieter journey among jungle-clad islands.
Onboard, travelers can enjoy activities like hiking, cave visits, cycling, fishing, Tai Chi, cooking classes, and watching the sunrise. For a slower pace, relax on Cat Ba Island’s sandy beaches, stay in affordable accommodations, or visit pearl farms to discover how pearls are cultivated and browse unique jewelry. You can dive or snorkel to explore colorful coral reefs and marine life, or take a scenic seaplane flight to admire the limestone islands from above.
Step Back in Time at Hoi An Ancient Town
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An Ancient Town is a beautifully preserved trading port that feels like stepping into another era. For travelers wondering what to do in Vietnam, this stop is an essential highlight in any Vietnam travel guide. Its car-free historic center invites visitors to slow down with peaceful walks or bike rides through narrow streets lined with centuries-old architecture.
Highlights include the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, traditional wooden houses, and ornate temples. With a tourist ticket costing around $5 USD, travelers gain 10-day access to select historic houses, temples, and museums, offering an immersive cultural experience.
Hoi An is also famous for its tailoring shops, where you can have custom suits and clothing made at affordable prices with impressively fast turnaround. For food lovers, cooking classes often begin with visits to lively local markets before diving into hands-on lessons.
At night, the town transforms into a magical scene with bustling street food stalls, a vibrant night market, and colorful lantern festivals. Beyond the old town, a short trip to Cam Kim Island reveals a slower pace of life, with lush rice fields, quiet villages, and a chance to connect with the countryside charm of central Vietnam.
Taste the Flavors of Hanoi’s Street Food Scene
Vietnam’s capital city blends old-world charm with modern energy, and nowhere is this more alive than in its vibrant street food culture. Often listed among the best places to visit in Vietnam, Hanoi offers travelers a culinary experience that is both casual and unforgettable. Locals and visitors gather on tiny stools to enjoy flavorful dishes and cold beer at remarkably low prices.
Joining a walking or scooter street food tour is one of the top things to do in Hanoi, allowing you to uncover hidden eateries and sample authentic noodle soups like phở gà, hủ tiếu, or bún cá. Just as the locals do, you’ll brighten each bowl with fresh herbs, chili, and lime.
Hanoi is equally famous for its drinks. Sip on a glass of bia hơi, the city’s iconic draft beer, for a cheap and social evening, or immerse yourself in Vietnam’s coffee culture with a strong cà phê đá or sweet cà phê sữa.
For a unique twist, head to Train Street, where trains pass just meters from homes and cafés – the perfect spot to enjoy your coffee with a touch of excitement.
Conquer the Roof of Indochina at Fansipan Peak
Rising from the northern highlands, often called the “Tonkinese Alps,” Fansipan is the highest mountain in Indochina and a dream destination for adventure seekers. For anyone researching what to do in Vietnam, conquering Fansipan is often at the top of the list in any Vietnam travel guide. The region combines dramatic landscapes, vibrant hill tribe culture, and endless opportunities for exploration.
Many travelers choose to explore by motorbike, winding through mountain passes, remote villages, and homestays run by ethnic minorities. Sapa Valley, once a French hill station, serves as a gateway for treks across rice terraces and visits to Hmong and Dzao villages nestled among the peaks. Hiking trails reveal buffalo-dotted fields, traditional stilt houses, and encounters with locals in colorful attire.
For quieter alternatives, Bac Ha and Ha Giang offer equally breathtaking experiences. Bac Ha is famous for its vibrant Sunday market, where locals in traditional dress trade food, handicrafts, and livestock. In Ha Giang, the scenery reaches new heights with the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Karst Plateau and the jaw-dropping Mai Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular drives.
Journey into the Depths of Phong Nha-Ke Bang Caves
In north-central Vietnam, Phong Nha – Ke Bang is a UNESCO World Heritage site where dense jungle hides some of the world’s most remarkable caves. Often listed among the top things to do in Vietnam, this region is a paradise for explorers, offering both record-breaking wonders and accessible adventures.
The star attraction is Hang Son Doong, the largest cave on Earth - big enough to fit a Boeing 747 and home to its own rainforest ecosystem. Access is strictly limited to multi-day expeditions operated by Oxalis Adventure, making it one of the world’s most exclusive travel experiences. For something more accessible, Paradise Cave wows visitors with its immense chambers and glittering stalactites, reachable with just a modest entrance fee. Another highlight is Phong Nha Cave, reached by boat along a scenic river, where travelers can glide into illuminated caverns and stroll among surreal rock formations.
Adding to the experience, the journey to Phong Nha itself passes through some of Vietnam’s most untouched countryside, making the adventure as memorable as the destination.
Drift Along the Waterways of the Mekong Delta
In southern Vietnam, just below Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta spreads out like a vast web of rivers and canals, earning its title as the nation’s “rice bowl.” Life here is inseparable from the water: stilt houses line the banks, boats serve as kitchens and shops, and endless rice paddies stretch to the horizon. While main towns such as Can Tho hum with activity, the smaller backwaters remain peaceful and deeply rural.
Exploring the delta by boat is the best way to experience its rhythms. Travelers can join overnight cruises near Can Tho or embark on longer journeys that extend into Cambodia. For something quieter, day trips in Ben Tre’s maze of waterways or hiring a boat directly from locals offer a more personal touch. A highlight is Cai Rang Floating Market, best visited at dawn, where traders sell everything from tropical fruits to steaming bowls of noodles straight from their boats.
Beyond the rivers, the delta invites visitors to stay in family-run homestays, savor fruit fresh from the orchard, or cycle through sleepy villages. Stops at coconut candy workshops, rice paper makers, and encounters with the region’s Muslim community add depth to this rich cultural landscape.
Unwind on the Tropical Shores of Phu Quoc Island
Off Vietnam’s southern coast, Phu Quoc is a tropical escape known for its pearl-white beaches, clear waters, and lively resort scene. For travelers wondering what to do in Vietnam beyond the big cities, Phu Quoc is the perfect place to leave the bustle behind and trade it for tranquil stretches of sand, fresh seafood, and the laid-back rhythm of island life.
Days here are often spent relaxing on the beach, exploring hidden coves, or savoring the catch of the day at seaside restaurants. If you’re curious about what to do in Phu Quoc, highlights include taking a short boat ride from Nam Nghi Resort to Rock Island for magical sunsets, or simply enjoying a cocktail at a beach bar along Ông Lang Beach.
Timing your trip matters: the best season to visit is from December to April, when the skies are clear, the sea is calm, and the island shows off its most inviting side. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or vibrant nightlife, Phu Quoc’s tropical charm makes it an essential stop on any Vietnam journey.
Discover the Timeless Beauty of Trang An Scenic Landscape
In Ninh Binh province, just a short trip south of Hanoi, Trang An reveals a dreamlike world where history and nature blend seamlessly. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this region is often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” with winding rivers, rice paddies, and limestone cliffs rising dramatically from the water.
The highlight of any visit is a traditional paddleboat ride, lasting around two hours, that drifts through caves, lotus-covered waterways, and beneath towering karst formations. Along the way, the scenery feels almost frozen in time, offering moments of stillness broken only by the sound of oars in the water. Nearby Tam Coc offers a similar charm, where golden rice fields stretch at the foot of jagged peaks.
Beyond the landscapes, the area is steeped in cultural and spiritual heritage, with ancient temples and pagodas tucked into the cliffs and valleys. Together, these elements make Trang An a journey not just into nature, but into the timeless soul of Vietnam itself.
Embark on the Legendary Ha Giang Loop
Tucked away in Vietnam’s far north, near the border with China, the Ha Giang Loop is a journey through some of the country’s rawest and most spectacular mountain scenery. This multi-day adventure has become a rite of passage for travelers seeking both freedom and authenticity.
Most visitors choose to rent a motorbike in Hanoi or Ha Giang town, then set off along winding roads that reveal sweeping valleys, jagged limestone peaks, and remote villages seemingly untouched by time. The loop’s crown jewel is the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Karst Plateau, where endless cliffs and canyons create some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking views.
The route from Yen Minh to Dong Van, crossing the majestic Mai Pi Leng Pass on the way to Meo Vac, is often described as the most scenic drive in the country. Beyond the landscapes, the Ha Giang Loop offers cultural richness, with homestays hosted by Hmong, Tay, and other ethnic minorities, where travelers can share meals, stories, and warm hospitality.
Adventurous, challenging, and deeply rewarding, the Ha Giang Loop captures the untamed spirit of northern Vietnam like nowhere else.
Step Underground at the Cu Chi Tunnels
Just an hour from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels offer one of Vietnam’s most powerful encounters with its wartime past. This underground network once stretched for hundreds of kilometers, serving as hideouts, supply routes, and living quarters for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.
Today, the tunnels provide a vivid window into history, showing how locals survived and resisted under extreme conditions. Guided tours bring the stories to life, offering context that transforms the experience from a simple visit into a lesson in resilience.
For those seeking a physical challenge, visitors can even crawl through sections of the narrow tunnels - an unforgettable, if slightly claustrophobic, way to imagine life underground. Beyond the physical experience, the site gives travelers rare insight into the realities of war from a distinctly Vietnamese perspective.
For a deeper adventure, visitors can also join a thrilling night tour, exploring Cu Chi’s illuminated tunnels for a more immersive and atmospheric wartime experience.
Vietnam is a country that rewards curiosity at every turn. From the limestone peaks of Ha Long Bay and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An to the rugged passes of Ha Giang and the tranquil waterways of the Mekong Delta, each region reveals its own charm and story.
Whether you’re savoring street food in Hanoi, exploring ancient caves in Phong Nha, or simply relaxing on Phu Quoc’s beaches, these experiences highlight the diversity that makes Vietnam unforgettable. For travelers planning their journey and searching for what to do in Vietnam, this Vietnam travel guide ensures you’ll know exactly where to go and what to experience, creating memories that last long after the journey ends.
