Travel to Vietnam embodies the vibrancy and contrast that Southeast Asia is known and loved for: It’s at once ancient and modern, profane and sacred, clamorous and contemplative. Feel the pulse of a modern metropolis such as Hanoi or trek to hill tribe villages serenaded by birdsong. Find serenity in a cathedral-like cave hidden in the jungle or in the quiet temples and palace hallways of a 19th-century feudal citadel. Savor the delicate balance of salt, sweet, and spice in traditional food, whether that’s dining on Michelin-star dishes or tucking into a steaming bowl of bún chả at a streetside stall.
Vietnam travel is marked by unexpected joys, artful traditions, wild landscapes, and the warmth of its people. We asked Extraordinary Journeys Southeast Asia destination experts to help you home in on where to focus your time by highlighting 14 of the best things to do in Vietnam. From motoring around Ho Chi Minh City on the back of a scooter and cruising down the Mekong River, to mountain treks and dreamy beach retreats, these experiences, both quirky and iconic, top our list.
Best Things to Do in Vietnam
1. Explore Vibrant Hanoi
Spending time in the capital city of Hanoi is a wonderful immersion in contemporary Vietnamese life. While the tsunami of motorbikes sputtering by and orchestra of street noise might be overwhelming at first, there’s a beauty to the chaos. Wander through the colorful, colonial-era streets, stopping for a fragrant bowl of bún chả and a local Bia Hoi beer on a streetside patio or ducking into one of the city’s many cafes for a rich Vietnamese egg coffee.
There are serene green spaces to take a pause in, too, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, a lake surrounded by forest in the heart of the city where people often gather to practice Tai Chi in the morning. Hanoi has a fascinating past, which you can discover with an art historian as your guide, learning about the essential role of artists during the resistance, revolution, and reconstruction periods of Vietnam, and visiting the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts and the Temple of Literature.
2. Sail Ha Long Bay On a Private Boat
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay is one of the most iconic images of Vietnam, with its emerald waters and dramatic karst formations rising up from tranquil bays. That also means it’s one of the country’s most popular destinations. But you can escape the crowds on an overnight sailing aboard a traditional, private charter junk, which makes for a romantic and secluded experience. You’ll also visit lesser-known spots, including neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay.
3. Trek Through Wild Northern Vietnam
Fall into the rhythm of rural life in the green mountains of Sapa in Vietnam’s northern reaches. Hike to your heart’s content here, winding through wildflower meadows and along forested trails and elegant rice terraces, stopping to visit remote hill tribe villages along the way. The chance to connect with the region’s ethnic minority hill tribes, such as the Red Dao, and learn about their artisan traditions is a highlight of a visit here.
You’re never far from nature at Topas Ecolodge, a refined hilltop retreat that feels like a world unto its own. Taste local cuisine served with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and relax sore muscles after a day of trekking with a dip in the infinity pool or a massage.
4. Learn the Art of Lantern Making
Hoi An is one of the most romantic cities in Vietnam and that’s partly in thanks to its atmospheric streets. Pastel colonial buildings hem cobblestone lanes decorated with colorful lanterns that drape overhead and illuminate shopfronts. Many visitors purchase lanterns as keepsakes but getting hands-on and learning about the craft of lantern making in a workshop with a local family gives more meaning to these beautiful souvenirs.
5. Cruise the Waterways of the Mekong Delta
Board a sampan, a traditional flat-bottomed wooden boat, and weave your way through the Mekong Delta’s technicolor floating markets. Discover the most famous of the markets, Cai Rang, tasting local fruit and delicacies and watching this unique tradition along the river play out. You can also opt for a longer experience on the Mekong River, boarding a beautiful boat in Ho Chi Minh City and journeying to Vinh Long. You’ll get to observe life along the Delta and local cottage industries along the way, and then check in to the Legacy Mekong, a stunning hideaway on an island in the middle of the river.
6. Zip Through Ho Chi Minh City On a Scooter
Do as the locals do and hop on the back of a scooter, motoring through this vibrant metropolis. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s major economic hub but also an epicenter of art and design. Weave through narrow streets past skyscrapers and neon street art, stopping to take in contemporary work at local galleries and discovering the city’s architectural highlights. End the tour with a drink at one of HCMC’s live music venues.
7. Adventure Through the Largest Caves in the World
If you’re looking for adventure on your trip to Vietnam, head to Phong Nha. The largest cave in the world, Son Doong, was discovered here in the 1990s, bringing attention to this once sleepy frontier town. Phong Nha still retains much of its small town, countryside feel, though, and embarking on a guided adventure through the cave system is a spectacular and unforgettable experience. You can opt for day hikes to Paradise and Dark Cave, or head out on multi-day treks to reach Hang En or Son Doong.
8. Indulge in a Barefoot Luxury Beach Escape
While Vietnam might not be best known for its beaches, there are some beautiful spots along the coast worthy of a few days under the sun. A short flight from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City will bring you to Quy Nhon, on the central coast, where you can snorkel through calm waters or cruise around by catamaran. If you’re looking for a secluded and refined retreat, check into a villa at Amanoi in Vinh Hy Bay or go island hopping in the southern Con Dao archipelago, based at Six Senses Con Dao.
9. Get the Royal Treatment in Hue
Hue was the capital of the 19th-century Nguyen Dynasty, and visiting its UNESCO-designated Imperial Citadel is an enchanting trip back in time to the country’s last feudal kingdom. Wander through exquisite palaces, pagodas, theaters, and ancient tombs, led by an expert guide.
Music and history lovers can enjoy a special evening in the presence of a princess from the House of Nguyen, where you’ll savor a traditional dinner and learn about family heirlooms and regional music. You’ll end the evening by listening to the elegant notes of instruments from the royal era, played by the princess and one of her colleagues.
10. Hike the Hills of Mai Chau
If you want a dose of health and wellness during your Vietnam travel, head to Mai Chau. Ground yourself in the green forests and beautiful rice terraces at Avana Retreat, your home base here. You can set out on easy-going nature walks through a bamboo forest, visit local villages, or amp up your activity on more rigorous hikes. You’ll encounter very few tourists, with just the sound of water buffalo bells and birdsong punctuating the silence. Visit during harvesting season in September and October to see the local Hmong and Thai communities at work, harvesting rice.
11. Get Up Close With Baby Sea Turtles
Six Senses Con Dao is a contemporary beach hideaway within a national and marine park on Con Dao Island. You can kick back at your private villa—complete with its own pool—and snorkel to hidden bays with a beach picnic in tow. But the real highlight of a stay here is the property’s partnership with Con Dao National Park on a sea turtle conservation project. As part of the initiative, you’ll get the opportunity to participate in an ethical baby turtle release. Watching the hatchlings make their brave journey to the sea is a magical and moving experience.
12. Visit “Ha Long Bay On Land”
Ha Long Bay is a popular stop on Vietnam travel itineraries. But not too far away is less-traveled Ninh Binh, where rivers are flanked by sheer limestone cliffs reminiscent of the famous bay’s iconic karst formations, earning it the moniker “Ha Long Bay On Land”. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a wonderful mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Paddle down the river in a kayak or embark on a paddleboat tour, flanked by green rice paddies and charming villages, then visit historic sites such as the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and Truong Yen village.
13. Visit a Bird Cafe in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is full of unusual sights and sounds, and one of the city’s most unique spots is its bird cafe. Every morning, retired men from across the city load up multiple bird cages on the back of their scooter, motoring to a local cafe. Over coffee, they show off and tend to their pets, and take the opportunity to converse with one another, all the while accompanied by the song of nightingales, robins, and canaries. Observing this social tradition is a lively way to enjoy a cup of that dangerously strong Vietnamese coffee.
14. Spot Wildlife in Vietnam’s Oldest Nature Reserve
Just southwest of Ninh Binh lies the first nature reserve in the country. Cuc Phuong National Park is a lush, biodiverse haven marked by tropical forests, ancient caves, green rice terraces, traditional stilt villages, and an incredible array of flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the 336 bird species and 135 different mammal species that call the park home, including the clouded leopard, Delacour’s langur, Owston’s civet, and Asian black bear. You can also visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of endemic species, including the gibbon, langur, and loris.
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