Things to Do · Vietnam
Updated September 2026The Best Things to Do in Vietnam
Limestone islands, lantern-lit streets, rice terraces stacked up mountainsides and some of the best cheap food on earth — here are the 12 best things to do in Vietnam, from north to south.
The short answer
The best things to do in Vietnam are cruising Ha Long Bay, wandering the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An, taking a sampan through the limestone valleys of Ninh Binh, trekking the rice terraces around Sapa, and eating your way through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Vietnam is long — roughly 1,650 km end to end — so the honest advice is to pick two regions rather than rush all three. Book cruises and multi-day treks ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide; almost everything else can wait until you arrive.
Key takeaways
- Two weeks is the realistic minimum for north and centre, or centre and south. Three weeks does the whole country without rushing.
- There is no single best season. The north, centre and south have different climates, so the right time depends entirely on where you are going.
- Book the Ha Long Bay cruise and any Sapa trek ahead. Everything else — food tours, day trips, museums — is easy to arrange once you land.
- Vietnam is excellent value, but the gap between a cheap Ha Long cruise and a good one is the one place worth paying more.
- Domestic flights save days. Hanoi to Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City takes two hours by air against fifteen or more by train.
The highlights
12 best things to do in Vietnam
Roughly north to south, so you can read it as a route as well as a list.
Cruise Ha Long Bay
Nearly two thousand limestone islands rising out of green water, and a UNESCO site for good reason. An overnight cruise beats a day trip by a distance. Neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is quieter and just as beautiful if the crowds put you off.
Book a cruise on KlookEat through Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Bun cha on a plastic stool, banh mi from a cart, and egg coffee in a hidden upstairs café. The Old Quarter is the best eating in the country and a food tour on your first night pays for itself in everything you find afterwards.
Book a food tour on GetYourGuideNinh Binh and Trang An
Often called Ha Long Bay on land, and genuinely a rival to it. A rower takes you by sampan through flooded valleys and low cave tunnels between karst cliffs. Easy as a day trip from Hanoi, better as an overnight.
Book a Ninh Binh day trip on KlookTrek the rice terraces at Sapa
Terraced valleys in the far north, walked with a local guide and often slept in a homestay. Greenest from June, golden just before the September harvest. The overnight train or a sleeper bus from Hanoi gets you there.
Book a Sapa trek on KlookHanoi Train Street
A working railway that runs within touching distance of café tables. Access has been restricted on and off by the authorities, and cafés open and close accordingly — worth checking locally on the day rather than counting on it.
The caves at Phong Nha
A UNESCO national park hiding some of the largest caves on the planet. Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave are open to anyone; Son Doong, the biggest cave in the world, needs a permit, a lot of money and booking many months ahead.
Book a cave tour on GetYourGuideHue’s Imperial Citadel
The walled seat of the Nguyen emperors, plus a string of royal tombs scattered along the Perfume River. Part of a UNESCO-listed complex, and a proper half-day of history between the beaches and the bays.
Book a Hue tour on GetYourGuideHoi An old town by lantern light
A preserved trading port, UNESCO-listed, and the prettiest town in Vietnam after dark when the silk lanterns come on. Also the tailoring capital — clothes are made to measure in a day or two. Rent a bicycle for the beach.
Book Hoi An experiences on KlookThe Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills
The walkway held up by two giant stone hands, reached by one of the world’s longest cable cars above Da Nang. Unashamedly a tourist set piece, and busy — go at opening or late afternoon if you want the photo without the queue.
Book Ba Na Hills on KlookRide the Hai Van Pass
The coastal mountain road between Hue and Da Nang, and one of the great drives anywhere. Ride it yourself if you are licensed and confident, or take an easy-rider tour on the back with your bag sent ahead by van.
Book a Hai Van Pass tourCu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum
The two together make the most affecting day in Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnel network north of the city is claustrophobic and hard to forget; the museum is unflinching and worth the couple of hours it takes.
Book a Cu Chi tour on KlookThe Mekong Delta
Floating markets, coconut-candy workshops and narrow canals under palm cover. A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City works, but staying a night in Can Tho gets you to Cai Rang market at dawn, which is when it is actually worth seeing.
Book a Mekong Delta tour on KlookShaping the trip
North, centre or south?
Vietnam is long and thin. Trying to do all of it in two weeks means spending most of them in transit — so most people pick two of these three.
The north
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa. Culture, karst scenery and mountain trekking. Cool and misty from December to February, which is atmospheric rather than beach weather.
The centre
Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Phong Nha. History, the best beaches and the easiest stretch to travel — everything is within a few hours by road. February to August is driest.
The south
Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc. Hot all year, the food is sweeter, the pace is faster. December to April is the dry season and the time to go.
Before you go
Planning your visit
Book the big ones before you go
Ha Long Bay cruises and Sapa treks sell out in peak season, and the good boats go first. Everything else in Vietnam can wait until you are there.
FAQ
Things to do in Vietnam: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Vietnam?
Cruising Ha Long Bay, exploring the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An, taking a sampan through Ninh Binh’s limestone valleys, trekking the rice terraces near Sapa, and eating through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. In the south, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City are the two that stay with you, and the Mekong Delta is worth a night rather than a day.
How many days do you need in Vietnam?
Two weeks is the realistic minimum, and that covers two of the three regions comfortably. Three weeks lets you travel the full length without spending your holiday on buses. Ten days works only if you fly between stops and stick to one half of the country.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
There isn’t one nationwide, which catches a lot of people out. The country spans three climates: the north is best from October to April, the centre from February to August, and the south from December to April. Pick your months around the region you actually want to see rather than looking for a month that suits all three.
Is a Ha Long Bay cruise worth it?
Yes, and an overnight is worth far more than a day trip — you get the bay in the early morning before the day boats arrive. The quality gap between operators is wide, so read recent reviews of the specific boat rather than the company. If Ha Long feels too busy, neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is quieter with the same scenery.
Do you need to book tours in advance in Vietnam?
Only a few. Ha Long Bay cruises, multi-day Sapa treks and anything at Phong Nha are worth booking ahead, especially between October and April. Day trips, food tours, museums and city transport can all be arranged the day before once you are there, often for less.
Is Vietnam expensive to travel in?
No — it remains one of the best-value countries in Southeast Asia. Street food costs very little, domestic flights are cheap, and comfortable accommodation goes a long way. The two places worth spending more are a good Ha Long Bay cruise and a guided trek, where the difference in quality is real.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Most nationalities do, though Vietnam runs an online e-visa system and several countries have short visa-free allowances. Entry rules change more often here than in most of the region, so check the current requirement for your passport on an official source before you book flights, not after.
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