Top 15 Things To Do in Vietnam

Spend a Night on Ha Long Bay

Cruise through thousands of limestone islands

If you only do one thing in northern Vietnam, make it an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay.

Cruising between thousands of limestone islands is one of Vietnam’s most iconic experiences, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the bay after the day boats have returned to the mainland. As the crowds disappear, the atmosphere changes completely. Watching the sunset from the deck with nothing but towering karsts around you feels like a completely different place.

Most cruises include kayaking through hidden lagoons, exploring limestone caves and enjoying freshly prepared seafood on board, but it’s often the quieter moments that stay with you. Waking early to see the mist drifting between the islands, coffee in hand as the bay slowly comes to life, is an experience that’s difficult to recreate anywhere else in Vietnam.

There are plenty of cruises to choose from, ranging from traditional wooden junks to luxury boutique vessels. Whichever you choose, we’d always recommend spending at least one night on the water. It’s one of Vietnam’s most iconic experiences for a reason.

Visit the Hill Tribe Villages of Sapa

Walk through Vietnam's most spectacular rice terraces

The views around Sapa are every bit as impressive as the photographs suggest, but it’s walking through the valleys that makes the experience so memorable.

The trails weave through working rice terraces, across streams and into villages where Hmong, Dao and Giay communities continue traditions that have shaped these mountains for generations. It’s a chance to experience a quieter side of Vietnam, where daily life revolves around farming, family and the changing seasons.

Visit in spring and the terraces glow bright green. By late summer and early autumn they’re transformed into shades of gold before harvest. Even misty mornings add to the experience, with the mountains slowly revealing themselves as the cloud begins to lift.

Rather than trying to squeeze Sapa into a day trip, stay for at least one night. You’ll enjoy longer walks, quieter trails and a completely different pace from Hanoi, making it one of our favourite additions to a northern Vietnam itinerary and a fantastic choice for family holidays in Vietnam with older children who enjoy being outdoors.

Walk Through the Rice Paddies of Pu Luong

Slow down in Vietnam's hidden countryside

The best way to experience Pu Luong is on foot.

Walking trails wind through emerald-green rice paddies, across bamboo bridges and between traditional stilt villages where farming is still part of everyday life. You’ll pass giant bamboo water wheels lifting water into the terraces, spot water buffalo grazing in the fields and meet local people tending their crops as they have for generations.

Unlike Sapa, the walks here are gentler and the valleys far quieter, making it easy to slow down and appreciate the landscape. The scenery changes with the seasons too, from vibrant green rice fields after planting to golden terraces ready for harvest.

Allow plenty of time to stop along the way. Some of the best moments come from sitting beside the rice fields with a cup of Vietnamese coffee or chatting with your guide about life in the valley.

Ride the Hai Van Pass

Take Vietnam's most spectacular coastal road

The Hai Van Pass is proof that getting from one place to another can be one of the highlights of your holiday.

This spectacular mountain road links Hue with Da Nang, climbing above the coastline before winding through lush hills with uninterrupted views across the South China Sea. Around every corner you’ll find another viewpoint that’s worth stopping for.

Travelling by private car gives you the flexibility to pause along the route, while riding pillion with an experienced local driver offers an even greater sense of the changing landscape. Either way, don’t rush it.

If you’re travelling through central Vietnam between February and August, you’ll usually enjoy the clearest conditions, making this one of the best times to visit Vietnam’s coastline. As you descend towards Da Nang, you’ll also catch your first glimpse of some of the best beaches in Vietnam stretching along the coast below.

Discover the Ancient Temples of My Son

Explore the forgotten capital of the Champa Kingdom

My Son is one of those places that’s often overshadowed by nearby Hoi An, but it’s well worth making time for.

Hidden in a peaceful jungle valley, these UNESCO-listed temples were once the spiritual centre of the Champa Kingdom, which ruled much of central Vietnam for centuries. Today, weathered brick towers, intricate carvings and ancient shrines offer a fascinating glimpse into a civilisation many people know very little about.

Walking through the site with a guide brings the temples to life. You’ll learn why the bricks have survived for over a thousand years, how the temples were constructed without visible mortar and the role My Son played long before Vietnam existed as we know it today.

Arrive early if you can. The cooler temperatures, softer morning light and quieter pathways make the experience far more enjoyable before the larger tour groups arrive.

Take a Vespa Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City

Taste the city like a local

One of the most memorable evenings you’ll have in Vietnam starts on the back of a vintage Vespa.

A Vintage Vespa Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City takes you beyond the main tourist areas to neighbourhoods where locals gather to eat. You’ll stop at family-run restaurants, lively street food stalls and hidden cafés, tasting everything from crispy bánh xèo and perfectly grilled seafood to Vietnamese barbecue and local desserts.

The food is only part of the experience. Riding through the city’s buzzing streets, crossing busy intersections and exploring districts you wouldn’t normally visit gives you a completely different perspective of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s energetic, authentic and great fun from start to finish.

Come hungry and don’t be afraid to try something new. It’s one of the best ways to experience Vietnam’s incredible food culture and an evening you’ll be talking about long after your holiday has ended.

Cruise the Mekong Delta by Boat

Experience life on the river

The Mekong Delta is best explored from the water.

Board a traditional wooden boat and you’ll leave the busy roads behind, gliding through a maze of rivers, narrow canals and coconut-lined waterways where boats are still an everyday way of life. Along the route you’ll pass floating homes, family workshops, fruit orchards and villages that have grown up around the river for generations.

Rather than rushing between attractions, the experience is about slowing down and enjoying a side of Vietnam that feels remarkably different from its cities. Stop to taste tropical fruit straight from the orchard, watch local artisans making coconut sweets or visit riverside markets where much of daily life still revolves around the water.

The Mekong Delta is a wonderful addition to family holidays in Vietnam, offering a slower pace and plenty of opportunities to experience local life in a way that’s both engaging and memorable.

Discover Vietnam's tropical island

Phu Quoc is home to some of the best beaches in Vietnam, making it the perfect place to swap sightseeing for soft white sand and warm turquoise water.

Long Beach is ideal for sunset walks and beachfront restaurants, while Sao Beach and Khem Beach are known for their powder-soft sand and calm, crystal-clear water that’s perfect for swimming. If you’d rather stay active, head out on an island-hopping boat trip through the An Thoi Archipelago, snorkel over colourful coral reefs or explore quieter stretches of coastline away from the main beaches.

Fresh seafood is another highlight. As evening arrives, waterfront restaurants and the island’s lively night market serve everything from grilled fish and king prawns to local specialities caught earlier that day.

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back beach escape or a little more adventure on the water, Phu Quoc offers both. It’s also home to some of our favourite boutique hotels in Vietnam, with everything from intimate beachfront hideaways to luxury resorts overlooking the sea.