What are the Top Activities in Vietnam?
Vietnam's top activities appeal to history buffs, adventurers, and fun-loving sightseers. Make sure to budget enough time for tours and activities in your chosen destinations.
One of the top highlights of a trip to Vietnam is a cruise around UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay. Take a more traditional boating tour in a long boat along the Mekong Delta.
Trek the mountains of northern Vietnam and connect with local people in the remote villages of Sapa and Mai Chau. Get to know Vietnam’s many minorities while you experience the country’s most incredible scenery.
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the top destinations for historical and architecture tours. See French colonial buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, and then visit museums and the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the horrors of the Vietnam War. Hanoi has some of the country’s oldest temples and centers for learning.
Cooking classes are one of the best ways to sample a variety of dishes. Learn to cook delicious Vietnamese food in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Related Questions
- Where is the Best Fishing in Vietnam?
- When Is The Best Time To Go To Vietnam?
- Is Vietnam Family Friendly?
- Where are Vietnam's Nicest Beaches?
- What Are the Top Destinations in Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh City
There’s no better place to get a feel for urban Vietnam than the energetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City. This is Vietnam's largest city and one of the country's most free-spirited destinations. Still referred to as ‘Saigon’ by locals, it is known for hordes of motorbikes, mouthwatering food, and hip coffee shops.
Hanoi
Hanoi is one of those cities with a personality so rich and multi-layered, it seems more like a person than a place. Founded in 1010, Vietnam’s capital city has more than a thousand years of history. Inevitably, it’s the birthplace of heroes, artists, kings, and legends. Travelers will find themselves easily taken in by Hanoi’s treasures, and there’s so much to see.
Hue
For every Vietnamese city that races headlong into the future, there’s one that’s just as firmly rooted in past. Hue is a historical destination and a fantastic stop for travelers who want to plunge into Vietnamese culture. This city isn’t completely frozen in time — Apple stores, large hotels, and sleek pubs have begun pop up just beyond historic district — but Hue is still largely a city where life drifts along with the leisurely current of the Perfume River.
Sapa
Sapa is a must-see on a trip to northern Vietnam. The hotels and cafes offer incredible views of the mountains and valleys.
Mai Chau
A few hours southwest of Hanoi, through picturesque farming towns and over epic mountain passes, is the verdant valley of Mai Chau. Home to the ethnic White and Black Thai people, who arrived in Vietnam from southern China as early as the 13th century, the area is rich in culture and one of the best places to experience Vietnamese hospitality. Book yourself into a homestay in a traditional stilt house, enjoy home-cooked feasts of fresh, local produce and be utterly charmed by this beautiful rural area.
Ha Long Bay
The name Ha Long means “descending dragon” – a fitting title for a bay steeped in mystical legends and boasting scenery to match. There are countless tales of how and why the name came about. One of the most well-known tells of a dragon that came down from the sky, spitting thousands of pearls from its fiery mouth, which became the islets and karsts that now dot the bay.
It's more than just having a good time or visiting beautiful places (although that's absolutely a part of it!), it's about being part of a unique experience that stays with you.
