Best Things To Do In Vietnam Guide
- Fletch
- 2 days ago
- 13 min read
🇻🇳 The Ultimate Must-Do List When You Visit Vibrant Vietnam
A City-by-City Guide to the Best Experiences We found Across the Country
From bustling cities and ancient towns to island escapes and mountain treks, Vietnam is one of our favourite countries to travel to and is packed with unforgettable experiences. A place you can never get bored of. It's so different to any other South east Asian Country. It's of it's own. Influenced by it's past, but very firmly knowing who it is and stoically not letting that go. What started out as a quick visa run for our Bali visa renewal turned into one of our favourite city breaks (Ho Chi Minh City Break - where to stay) in South East Asia and one where we're back at any opportunity. Cheap flights you say.... YES let's go to Vietnam!
Whether you're planning your first trip to Vibrant Vietnam or returning for more, here are THE must-do things in Vietnam, broken down by region for easy travel planning.
When starting writing a blog post like this, we kind of don't know where to start with a country like Vietnam. It's so diverse and completely different from location to location. So dazzling lights city bright built up (Ho Chi Minh), so green, a picture post card town (Hoi An) to the most insane hillside mountain views you've ever seen. The below places are the places we think you should try to see in a visit to Vietnam (depending on your itinerary length of course). I share on this blog A Things to Do for 24 hours in Vietnam | 3 Day Vietnam Itinerary | 5 Days in Vietnam | 2 weeks in Vietnam | or a slow month in Vietnam - all very different guides. Take what you need from the below to build your perfect trip and ask me anything in the comments. We are only in Bali and Vietnam is often a cheap flight away. And Vietnam IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA! So we are back often and add to this list as and when we find an absolute gem. Some places in Vietnam catch you by surprise too, like when we planned 3 days in Hoi An but completely fell in love and extended our stay to a whole month just exploring the streets of Hoi An and slow living with the kids. At every turn Vietnam surprises us and we hope tis list surprises you too! Some of these links are our affiliate links This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog!
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Ho Chi Minh City (Former Name Saigon)
1. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels Experience the underground world used during the Vietnam War. A guided tour like this one booked via GetYourGuide gives powerful insight into the country's history and combines the Cu Chi Tunnels with a a sampan boat ride on the Mekong Delta also.
2. Dive into a street food crawl in District 1 Sample southern Vietnamese flavours — think bánh mì, phá lấu, and sizzling bánh xèo from roadside vendors. Or take a walk and spot where's busy with locals and take a seat. Be prepared to have your knees up high as you perch on a little plastic stool and drink beer poured over ice (this is unique to Vietnam - all beer comes with ice, which I love, but Si doesn't). Beer is cheap, food is cheap and delicately balanced, fragrant, the perfect mix of everything. You can get freshly squeezed juices and sugar cane juices by the road side and this is all quite normal. Embrace it all, try it all and dig right in to Vietnams culinary delights. This food tour by bike is perfect if you are not with kids, jump on a bike with a local guide and go to literally the best spots and unseen parts of Saigon, quickly, saving those legs as HCMC is BIG! Book Now at Get Your Guide
3. Visit the War Remnants Museum A sobering yet essential stop to understand Vietnam’s modern history through photographs and preserved artifacts. We just bought tickets at the museum as we fancied taking the day at our own pace but if you prefer a guided tour. This tour combines a visit to the war museum and the Independence Palace as a walking tour.
4. Cruise the Mekong Delta Take this day trip to the Mekong for boat rides, coconut candy, and village life. Booked via Get Your Guide. Opt for a small-group tour for a more personal experience.
5. Visit The Apartment Cafes Spend time in the square outside or go inside these cafes and explore floor by floor. Grab an ice cream by the square and slurp away or actually go inside these amazing cool old apartments turned independent coffee houses, cafes and choose your favourite. You don't have to pay to go inside. Although if you want to take the lift inside, this is charged at the lift door. Just go and explore all floors for a fun cool activity. Check out our date night video here where we had a cocktail with a view at The Letter inside The Apartment Cafes (without the kids just us two), Can you spot it in the middle of the below picture? Also we have visited Apartment Cafes many times during the day for coffees, drinks and food with the kids. Please ask away if you have any q's about where to eat inside here. This is somewhere you must visit just purely for it's coolness and uniqueness. We Love it here!
6. From Vietnam with love - Visit The Iconic Post Office Building right in the centre and send a letter back home from this landmark (a fun activity with the kids). A magnificent building that awes and impresses. You can buy postcards inside and sit down to write your message home, then stamp with a Vietnam post stamp and send your love all the way back home either for you to keep as a memento of your time in Vietnam or to a loved one. TIP: It get's busy so expect queues but once done sit outside with cold mango bought from one of the street sellers.
7. Visit Ben Thanh Markets Meander through the busy stalls selling everything from local sweets, old remnants from the war to electronics. Busy, touristy but worth a visit. Don't forget to haggle! Bartering is expected in Vietnam — especially in markets, small shops, and with street vendors. It's part of the culture, but there are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind. Check out our bartering / haggling tips inside our Vietnam Ultimate Guide here
8. Visit Notre Dam Cathedral
9. Take the Hop on / Hop Off City Bus Tour to get a feel for the city zones and districts. Free transport for the day too as you can get all around the city to explore. OR take it easy and just sit watching the streets of HCMC whizz by below. Personally a big hit with the kids who we'd walked their legs off (again) in this hot crazy city. So a very welcome break from all that walking, but still seeing the amazing sights.
10. Take The Overnight Sleeper Train from HCMC to Hoi An (pulls in to Da Nang actually, but a taxi can be taken cheaply and easily to Hoi An) An experience you won't forget. Saves money over flying and the views on the journey give you a taste of the real Vietnam. You will see locals exercising on the roadside, going about their daily business, men with their tops up over the bellies to cool down, 100's of bikes waiting at the train stop for your train to stop and stern train cabin crew asking you if you want a boiled egg or a sausage in a cup as a snack. All confusing and part of the Vietnam trip! We took the overnight sleeper train from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang with kids check out our vid of that experience here. Booked via 12Go.
Do a Cooking class in the heart of Saigon with a local chef learn how to create 4 courses of amazing Vietnamese food, combined with a visit to the iconic Wet Market Cho Ben Thanh. Book here via GetYourGuide
Learn how to make Vietnamese Coffee - Drink as many egg coffees as you can when in Vietnam. They are the creamiest, most delicious things in the world. And to think I put this delight off because egg + coffee sounded disgusting. Just try it! No scrap that Do this Egg Coffee making course then you won't have to cry when you get home because of egg coffee withdrawals. You can thank us later!
Hoi An
The prettiest town In Vietnam (maybe the world). Right out of a movie. Yellow buildings, crackled plaster, branches with pink flowers, lanterns and lanes that get seem endless. Oh a rooftops as far as the eye can see. Actually Hoi An is now a Protected Heritage Site. We ended up staying a month in this beautiful place and got to know the streets like the back of our hand. Although at first granted, you will get lost, the streets do move and you'll uncover something new even after 1 month. We will share a very detailed Hoi An guide here soon, but for now these are our highlights. Hoi An (our fave place in Vietnam). But even if you can just squeeze 24 hours in Hoi An (do!) and I include a 24hr itinerary on this blog of what to do in just 1 day of Hoi An. And from then you'll be re-booking that trip!
13. Wander the lantern-lit Ancient Town By day, explore temples and tailor shops; by night, the old town transforms into a magical lantern-lit wonderland. Hire a bike and pedal the streets. Watch out for the bikes too when walking. They won't stop for you and you must get out of their way! Short on time? Take a Hoi An Ancient Town Guided Walking Tour where you'll see the highlights or potter and amble yourself. But expect to get lost!
14. Take a Vietnamese Hoi An cooking class Join a class that includes a market tour and a bamboo boat ride before making classic dishes like cao lầu, spring rolls and Hoi An Dumplings (white rose dumplings).
15. Take a lantern making class With the kids this is a must do. You can release the lantern in the river or take it home.
16. Take a night time boat trip with all the lanterns (a must with kids)
Relax at An Bang Beach Just minutes from town, this mellow beach is perfect for swimming, sipping cocktails, or enjoying fresh seafood by the shore. Next to An Bang is the much quieter beach where the Best Restaurant in Hoi An Serves The best Rose Dumplings. A dish that you must try when in Hoi An.
18. Grab a famous herbal drink MOT And feel pretty drinking it. Especially with pink hair. Pink hair optional.
19. Just potter the streets of Hoi An. No plans, just ramble through. The prettiest streets ever. Grab a cocktail on this rooftop terrace.
20. Get some perfectly fitting shoes made Visit one of the many leather stores to get some shoes specially made that fit like a glove. Choose from coloured leathers, fabrics and designs. You will be spoilt for choice. Or get a suit or dress made for a special occasion. I ended u buying 2 pairs of leather sandals that are now part of my 4 pairs of shoes that I won and travel with. Each costing £15 each and are blooming beautiful and the comfiest sandals I've ever had.
21. Take a ride in a Coconut Forest Basket Boat down the river and span round like crazy - or not - you can choose if you want to get span around.
Overall it's a fun day, cheap as anything and you'll ride in a traditional boat through the most stunning rivers. And maybe get to see water buffalo. BOOK NOW AT GETYOURGUIDE
22. Visit Cham Islands by speedboat to snorkel on this snorkelling trip and explore the very beautiful Cham
23. Try the Best Banh Mi from Madam Khans. In the Old Town, but it get's busy, but even better, you can order from Grab for delivery. These are the best you'll have. Please trust us on this one! And just try.
24. Hoi An food is of it's own and these are your MUST tries. White Rose Dumplings, Cau Loa. Or take an Old Town Food Tour and try everything (make sure you are hungry as you really do eat all of Hoi An)!
25. If you Didn't do it in HCMC Learn how to make Egg Coffees in the home of Egg Coffees at this Hoi An Coffee Making Class where you'll learn how to make the famous egg coffee, salt coffee and coconut coffee. We die! Coffees that make you gain weight but are an absolute treaty must to try and a not to be missed workshop if you have time.
Da Nang
Visit the Marble Mountains Explore marble-carved caves and pagodas with panoramic views over the coastline. You can do a trip that fits in Marble mountains, Lady Buddha and Am Phu Cave if you are short on time and want to fit as much as possible in.
Walk the Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills) Famous for the giant hands holding a golden walkway, this mountaintop park is a photographer’s dream. Take this Ba Na Hills Day Trip to ride the cable cars there, walk this hand bridge and spend time at the Fantasy Amusement Park
See the Dragon Bridge by Day If you're in town on a weekend, catch the yellow dragon-shaped bridge shoot flames and water — a quirky highlight of Da Nang.
See the Dragon Bridge by Night Breath Fire If you're in town on a weekend, catch the yellow dragon-shaped bridge shoot flames and water — a quirky highlight of Da Nang. Plus a nigh time walk by the river always seems to bring fireworks somewhere in the skies of DaNang. A walk with the kids to get a nightime coffee at one of the many coffee shops of an ice cold kem is a nice low key evening. There is a very nice wide sandy beach in the city too so good for walking
See Lady Buddha Pergoda with this trip which also takes you to marble mountain and Am Phu Caves
Phu Quoc Island
Go island hopping in the An Thoi Archipelago Snorkel in crystal-clear waters, lounge on remote beaches, and visit colourful coral reefs.
Watch sunset at Long Beach Phu Quoc’s west-facing coast serves up some of the most breathtaking sunsets in Vietnam.
Visit Grand World Theme Park for a surreal and strange day
Hanoi
Visit Train Street and sip coffee at one of the trackside cafes and watch how close the trains get. It's an experience.
Or get a beer, then get the bottle top flattened on the tracks to make a souvenir to take home
Eat bun cha where Obama did Try Hanoi’s smoky grilled pork and noodles at the same local spot Obama and Bourdain dined — Bún Chả Hương Liên.
36. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake Start your day with locals doing tai chi or end with a walk around the illuminated lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
37. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex Learn about Vietnam’s iconic leader and explore his stilt house and the surrounding museums and gardens.
38. Watch a traditional water puppet show This uniquely Vietnamese performance blends folklore, music, and puppetry — best seen at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
39. Potter around Hanoi's Old Quarter Soaking in the atmosphere
Sapa
Trek through rice terraces and ethnic minority villages Hike to remote villages like Ta Van or Lao Chai, home to Hmong and Dao communities. A local guide adds depth to the experience.
Spend a night in a hill tribe homestay Enjoy home-cooked meals, warm hospitality, and quiet evenings surrounded by mountains and mist.
Visit Love Waterfall or take the cable car to Fansipan See stunning natural waterfalls or ride up Vietnam’s highest peak for views that stretch into China on clear days.
Visit Cat cat village
Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay
Cruise through limestone karsts and floating villages Do a Ha Long Bay overnight cruise is a must — kayak into caves, swim in emerald waters, and sleep aboard a boat under the stars.
Ha Long 2 Day Cruise
Visit Titop Island
Vist Luon Cave
Other areas that we haven't covered here but are also very beautiful to visit in Vietnam include: Phong Nha, Hue, Da Lat, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Ninh Binh.
Take a look at the map to understand the geography of Vietnam better and see all the things to do in these areas too.
Vietnam is more than just a checklist — it’s about the flavours, faces, and feelings you carry with you. These must-do experiences offer a perfect balance of adventure, culture, food, and nature for travelers looking to truly connect with the country. And let me know if you would like a 3 day, 5 day itinerary for your next trip to Vietnam.
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I hope you found this post of everything that's good to do when visiting Vietnam helpful. Let me know in the comments when you next go to Vietnam and if i've missed anything off this list that you think is an absolute gem. Also, Don't forget to keep up with our daily updates of our full time travel life below and use our handy travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more:
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💡HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR VIETNAM TRIP WITH KIDS 💡
✈️ - FLIGHTS WITH KIDS - We use this flight checker to search the best flight tickets fall or our Vietnam flights. We used this flight checker to get flights from Bali to Ho Chi Minh and then internally from Ho Chi Minh (formally Saigon) to Danang. Then again from Da Nang to Phu Quoc with the best prices at the time. Overall we love Skyscanner and cam't fault it for offering the cheapest options.
🚌🚆🚇 - TRAVEL WITH KIDS - We took the overnight sleeper train from HCMC to Da Nang check out our vid of that experience here. Booked via 12Go.
🏨 - ACCOMMODATION WITH KIDS - We Love to Stay at this hotel when in HCMC but we also use this hotels checker to search hotels and accommodation for our Vietnam trip. Use to check dates and costs to hotels and hostels in Vietnam now or go to our Accommodation Planning Page for more
🧭🗺️👣 - VIETNAM TOURS & GUIDES WITH KIDS - We use Get Your Guide for all of the trips in Vietnam. But we also love Klook too. TIP: Use both to compare offerings as trips will be different.
Trips in Ho Chi Minh
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