Best Things to Do in Vietnam: Ultimate Traveler’s Guide

Vietnam captivates travelers with its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and mouthwatering cuisine. From the misty mountains of Sapa to the emerald waters of Halong Bay, the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An to the bustling energy of Ho Chi Minh City, this Southeast Asian gem offers unforgettable experiences at every turn. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or culinary delights, Vietnam delivers with warm hospitality and incredible value.

With nearly 30 million international visitors in 2025 and Vietnam now boasting 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the newest being the Yen Tu–Vinh Nghiem–Con Son–Kiep Bac complex), there has never been a better time to explore this fascinating country. Join us as we explore the very best things to do in Vietnam, with insider tips to help you craft your perfect 2026 journey.​

Best Things to Do in Northern Vietnam

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the beating heart of Vietnam’s capital, where centuries of history unfold along 36 ancient streets. Each narrow lane was traditionally dedicated to a specific trade, from silver crafting to bamboo products. Today, you’ll find yourself dodging motorbikes while soaking in the intoxicating blend of French colonial architecture, street food aromas, and local commerce.​

Must-Do Experiences:

• Wake early to join locals for a morning bowl of steaming phở bò (beef noodle soup) before wandering to Hoan Kiem Lake, where residents practice tai chi as the sun rises​

• Don’t miss the iconic red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple

• Sip egg coffee (cà phê trứng) at hidden cafés like Café Giang – a Hanoi specialty with whipped egg yolk creating a custard-like topping​

• Visit Train Street where tiny cafes line an active railway – a unique photo opportunity​

• Explore Dong Xuan Market for everything from fresh produce to souvenirs​

Pro Tips:

• Hoan Kiem Lake becomes pedestrian-only on weekend evenings – the best time for a relaxed stroll​

• Best times to visit: September-November or March-April when weather is cool and pleasant​

Cruise Halong Bay’s Emerald Waters

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best things to do in Vietnam, Halong Bay mesmerizes visitors with its otherworldly seascape of limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald waters. Over 1,600 islands and islets create a maze of natural wonders best explored on an overnight cruise.​

2025-2026 Cruise Route Updates:

Route 3 remains the top choice for 2025-2026, offering the least crowded experience with pristine landscapes and balanced activities including kayaking, cave exploration, and cultural visits.​

New Premium Cruise Options (2024-2025):

• Lyra Grandeur Cruise

• Bhaya Soul & Bhaya Legend

• The Au Co (Halong-Lan Ha Bay route)

• Ambassador Signature Cruise

Weather Advisory: Halong Bay cruises may be cancelled during storms, primarily during June-September. For 2025-2026, cruise operators have implemented advanced satellite imaging and AI-powered prediction models with 92% accuracy up to 72 hours in advance.​

Trek Through Sapa’s Terraced Rice Fields

In Vietnam’s northern highlands, Sapa offers some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The region’s cascading rice terraces, carved into steep mountainsides over centuries, create a living landscape that changes colors with the seasons.​

Best Time to Visit:

Top Trekking Routes:

Homestay Experience: Many families offer authentic homestay experiences where you’ll sleep in a traditional stilt house, share home-cooked meals with H’mong, Red Dao, and Tay ethnic minorities, and gain insight into cultures that have thrived in these mountains for generations.​

Getting There:

• Sleeper train from Hanoi (8 hours overnight) – most popular option

• Limousine bus from Hanoi (5-6 hours)

• Tour packages from Hanoi including transport, accommodation, and guided trekking (from $52)​

Discover “Halong Bay on Land” in Ninh Binh

Just 100km south of Hanoi lies Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land” for its spectacular limestone karsts that rise not from the sea but from vibrant rice paddies and winding rivers.​

Key Attractions:

• Tam Coc Boat Ride – A 1.5-2 hour sampan boat trip along the Ngo Dong River, passing through three caves while admiring limestone mountains and rice fields. Local rowers often paddle with their feet – a technique that fascinates visitors​

• Trang An Scenic Complex – UNESCO Heritage Site with longer boat routes (2-4 hours) through caves and temples​

• Hang Mua Viewpoint (Mua Caves) – Climb 500 steps for breathtaking panoramic views of the serpentine river cutting through rice fields​

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Vietnam’s 10th-11th century imperial capital

Best Time to Visit:

Tam Coc Boat Tour Prices (2025):

• Adult: 150,000 VND (~$6)

• Children under 3: Free

• Tours from Hanoi: $45-70 including transport, guide, lunch​

Best Things to Do in Central Vietnam

Wander Through Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An’s Ancient Town casts a spell on visitors with its perfectly preserved blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European architectural influences. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1999) transforms at sunset when hundreds of silk lanterns illuminate the pedestrian-only streets.​

2025-2026 Updates: Hoi An was ranked 6th among the Top 25 most beautiful cities in the world and continues to develop neighboring eco-destinations to protect the heritage site from over-tourism.​

Must-See Historical Landmarks:

• Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) – Built in the 17th century, Hoi An’s iconic symbol​

• Tan Ky Ancient House – A stunning 200-year-old merchant’s home showcasing 18th-century architecture​

• Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – Temple honoring the sea goddess Thien Hau​

• Cantonese Assembly Hall – Dragon mosaics and colorful courtyard

Old Town Ticket: 120,000 VND (~$5) includes access to 5 heritage sites; valid for multiple days​

Recommended Activities:

• Cooking class – Master Vietnamese classics like cao lầu (noodles unique to Hoi An) and bánh mì

• Tailoring – Have custom clothing made in as little as 24 hours from quality fabrics​

• Full Moon Lantern Festival – On the 14th day of each lunar month, the town turns off electric lights and releases lanterns onto the Thu Bon River​

• Hoi An Memories Show – Outdoor spectacle with 500 performers bringing Hoi An’s history alive​

Explore Hue’s Imperial Legacy

Once the imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945), Hue remains a treasure trove of historical wonders. The heart of the city is its massive Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from ornate throne rooms within 10-meter-thick walls.​

Key Attractions:

• Imperial Citadel (Đại Nội) – Covering 520 hectares with the Forbidden Purple City

• Royal Tombs – Tu Duc’s poetic garden, Minh Mang’s symmetrical complex, Khai Dinh’s European-influenced design

• Thien Mu Pagoda – Seven-story riverside temple founded in 1601

• Dong Ba Market – Vibrant commercial center since the early 19th century

Entrance Fees (2026):

• Imperial Citadel: 150,000 VND per adult

• Royal Tombs: 150,000 VND per tomb​

Must-Try Hue Cuisine:

• Bún bò Huế – Spicy beef noodle soup

• Bánh khoai– Hue-style savory pancakes

• Royal cuisine developed to please imperial palates

Relax on Da Nang’s Beaches and Visit the Golden Bridge

Da Nang has transformed from a transit hub to one of Vietnam’s most appealing coastal destinations. The city’s crown jewel is My Khe Beach, a 30km stretch of powdery white sand that Forbes once named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills – Vietnam’s Iconic Landmark:

The Golden Bridge (Cầu Vàng) at Ba Na Hills has become Vietnam’s most photographed attraction – a 150-meter golden walkway appearing to be held by giant moss-covered stone hands, 1,400 meters above sea level.​

Best Time to Visit Golden Bridge:

• Early morning (8-10 AM) or late afternoon (4-6 PM) for best lighting

• March-May and September-November for clearest weather

• Summer (June-August) warmest and most beautiful​

Awards: The Golden Bridge won the 2021 World Travel Award for “World’s Leading Iconic Tourist Bridge” and has been featured by BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and Time.​

Discover the Marble Mountains

Just south of Da Nang, the Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) are five marble and limestone hills, each named after an element: water, wood, fire, metal, and earth. These natural formations house caves, tunnels, and Buddhist sanctuaries that have been places of worship for centuries.​

Highlights:

• Thuy Son (Water Mountain) – Most visited, with steep steps leading to pagodas, caves, and viewpoints

• Huyen Khong Cave – Light streams through a natural ceiling opening, illuminating Buddha statues

• Non Nuoc Village – Famous stone carving village where artisans create everything from figurines to massive statues

Best Things to Do in Southern Vietnam

Experience Ho Chi Minh City’s Energy

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) pulses with unstoppable energy as Vietnam’s largest metropolis. In 2025, the city attracted over 6.58 million international visitors in the first 10 months, with tourism revenue reaching 208 trillion VND (~$8.3 billion).​

2025-2026 Updates:

• Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien Metro Line now operational, carrying 1.8 million passengers monthly​

• Ranked by Agoda as the top destination for short getaways in Vietnam​

• Expanded visa exemption policy has increased searches from Eastern European markets by 59%​

Must-Visit Attractions:

• War Remnants Museum – Powerful insights into the Vietnam War through photography and preserved military equipment

• Reunification Palace – Preserved exactly as it was during the Fall of Saigon in 1975

• Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office – Stunning French colonial landmarks

• Ben Thanh Market – The city’s most famous trading center

• Cu Chi Tunnels – 250km underground network used during the Vietnam War (70km northwest of the city)​

Recommended Districts:

• District 1 – Central landmarks, Nguyen Hue Walking Street

• Chinatown (Chợ Lớn) – Bình Tây Market, Thien Hau Pagoda​

• Thao Dien – Trendy cafes and expat neighborhood

Cruise the Mekong Delta

Known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl,” the Mekong Delta is a vast maze of rivers, swamps, and islands where life revolves entirely around water. This fertile region produces a third of the country’s agricultural output.​

Floating Markets:

Note: Infrastructure developments have affected traditional floating markets. Cai Rang, once hosting 500 boats in 2016, now sees about 200 boats operating regularly. However, these markets remain authentic cultural experiences worth visiting.​

Mekong Delta Experiences:

• Sample tropical fruits straight from orchards

• Visit coconut candy and rice paper cottage industries

• Cycle through villages along narrow paths between rice paddies

• Overnight homestay with local families

Relax on Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, boasts powder-white beaches, swaying palm trees, and waters so clear you can see fish darting around your feet.

Top Beaches:

• Sao Beach (Bai Sao) – Talcum-powder sand and shallow turquoise waters

• Long Beach – Spectacular sunsets and developed resorts

• Ong Lang Beach – Happy medium between facilities and tranquility

Key Attractions:

• An Thoi Archipelago – Excellent snorkeling and diving

• Phu Quoc National Park – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering over half the island

• Hon Thom Cable Car – World’s longest over-sea cable car (8km journey)

• Fish sauce factories – Learn about the island’s famous export

Special Visa Benefit: Phu Quoc is the only place in Vietnam where tourists of any nationality can visit for up to 30 days visa-free, provided they enter directly from a foreign country and stay exclusively on the island.​

Must-Try Vietnamese Food Experiences

Master the Art of Pho

No culinary journey through Vietnam is complete without savoring a perfect bowl of phở (pronounced “fuh”). This aromatic noodle soup represents the soul of Vietnamese cuisine.​

Pro Tip: Join locals for pho at breakfast when the broth is freshest. The best pho often comes from humble street stalls where the same family has perfected their recipe for generations.

Discover Banh Mi’s Perfect Balance

The humble bánh mì sandwich perfectly encapsulates Vietnam’s culinary history – French baguette combined with Vietnamese ingredients.​

Classic Banh Mi Includes:

• Pâté and Vietnamese cold cuts

• Pickled daikon and carrot

• Cucumber, cilantro, chili

• Dash of Maggi sauce

Famous Vendors:

• Banh Mi Phuong (Hoi An) – Made famous by Anthony Bourdain

• Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (Ho Chi Minh City) – Always with lines of locals

Price: Just $1-2 for a flavor-packed meal!

Join a Street Food Tour

Vietnamese street food can be intimidating for first-time visitors. A guided tour solves these challenges while providing cultural context.

Top Street Food Tours 2025-2026:

Must-Try Street Foods:

• Bún chả – Grilled pork with noodles (Obama’s famous meal)

• Bánh cuốn – Steamed rice rolls

• Bánh xèo – Crispy savory pancakes

• Cà phê trứng– Egg coffee

Practical Travel Tips for Vietnam 2026

Best Time to Visit

Tet (Vietnamese New Year): Usually late January/early February – fascinating cultural experience but many businesses close and transport is crowded.

Visa Requirements 2026

December 2025 Update: Vietnam expanded e-visa entry points from 42 to 83 checkpoints.​

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6+ months beyond planned exit date

• At least 2 blank visa pages

Getting Around Vietnam

Money Management

• ATMs widely available (limits often VND 2-3 million per transaction)

• Credit cards accepted at hotels and larger establishments

• Cash essential for street food, markets, and rural areas

• Street meals: $1-3; mid-range restaurants: $5-15

Safety Tips

Vietnam is generally very safe for tourists with low rates of violent crime. Key considerations:

• Traffic: Walk slowly and steadily when crossing streets – don’t stop suddenly

• Petty theft: Keep valuables secure, especially in crowded areas and on motorbikes

• Scams: Agree on prices in advance; if told the Grand Palace is closed, ignore and proceed​

• Travel Insurance: Essential – ensure coverage includes medical evacuation

Recommended Vietnam Itineraries

1-Week Highlights Tour

2-Week Comprehensive Tour

3-Week In-Depth Experience

Embrace the Wonder of Vietnam

Vietnam captivates travelers with its extraordinary blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and world-class cuisine. From the misty mountains of the north to the sun-drenched beaches of the south, each region offers distinctive experiences that together create an unforgettable journey.

Whether you’re navigating Hanoi’s chaotic streets, sailing through the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, wandering Hoi An’s lantern-lit alleys, or exploring the vibrant Mekong Delta, Vietnam rewards visitors with authentic encounters and moments of wonder at every turn. The country’s remarkable value for money, warm hospitality, and incredible diversity make it an ideal destination for everyone from budget backpackers to luxury travelers.

As Vietnam continues to develop rapidly with new UNESCO recognitions and improved infrastructure, 2026 promises to be an excellent time to experience its timeless beauty and vibrant culture. The memories you create here – from that perfect bowl of pho to the sunrise over terraced rice fields – will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.