Wondering what the 10 best things to do in Vietnam?
As a solo traveler, couple, or family? Are you searching for famous things to do in Vietnam?
I traveled solo as a female traveler to Vietnam. These experiences I’ll be sharing helped me even more to get to know, appreciate, and enjoy my trip to Vietnam. I hope it will do the same for you.
This post will show what activities you can do in Vietnam, what to do in Vietnam for 10 days, and unique places to visit in Vietnam. Even if you’re staying in Vietnam longer or only for a short time, it is always a good idea to know what to expect and consider as you plan your trip to Vietnam.
Please note what I will share is based on my travel experiences in Halong Bay, Hanoi, Sapa, and Nihn Bihn.
I hope this list helps you find and experience the top things to see and do in Vietnam.
10 Best Things To Do in Vietnam
#1
Relax and admire Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise
Appreciate the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay on a cruise ~
One cannot go to Vietnam without going to Ha Long Bay. Why?
It’s one of the most beautiful Vietnam travel places with peaceful surroundings.
In addition, Halong Bay is worth seeing. It’s like being in a small paradise with a mystical yet relaxing atmosphere.
I enjoyed exploring and appreciating Halong Bay by cruise. The view is just incredible.
~ This is the view of Ha Long Bay from the top of Titop Island ~
My Ha Long Bay cruise trip included a stop on Titop Island. Consider climbing the top to see the breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay seen in this photo.
When you climb to the top, you’ll see the panoramic view. It can be tiring hiking up there, so be careful, but it’s worth it.
You can choose to swim along the beach on Titop Island, but I skipped it because it’s very crowded and maybe because I’ve been to other beautiful beaches that I wasn’t impressed when I saw the beach there.
I went on a Ha Long Bay cruise by myself. I thought it was safe, fun, and worth it based on my personal travel experience.
My Halong Bay cruise came with a schedule with an itinerary of activities that travelers could choose to participate in or not.
Even though I was the only solo traveler on the cruise, I never felt unsafe, bored, and lonely as I followed the set itinerary and joined group activities based on schedule. So, eventually, during those times, I made friends with other travelers. I also appreciated the cruise staff, who were very kind in taking care of me (including peeling off shrimps for me) and also offered to take my photos.
#2
Taste the delicious and affordable Vietnamese food, drinks, fruits, and snacks
A food trip in Hanoi is a must-do in Vietnam.
Vietnamese food is extra delicious because it’s so affordable.
The restaurants I tried and recommend in Hanoi are:
- Hanoi Food Culture
- Madam Tran Restaurant
- Ci Mam Bistro
I also ate at other places where locals typically eat, but I cannot remember or forgot to take pictures of the places.
You cannot visit Vietnam without trying their famous drinks!
Vietnamese drinks tasted extra delicious because they’re made fresh.
Cafe Trung in Hanoi is where I tried Vietnamese egg coffee and to my surprise, it was pretty good.
I cannot count how many fresh watermelon smoothies I had in Hanoi. I even asked one of the staff how they make it because it’s just so good. It’s one of the best I had.
Fresh drinks I tried and recommend:
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Mango
- Sugarcane
- Avocado
I tried a few of these drinks at the restaurants mentioned above and found cute cafes and drink stands while walking in the heart of the Hanoi city Old Quarter, where I was able to easily explore the city at my own pace.
***Please note drinks at Halong Bay Cruise are expensive***
My personal favorite fruits I tried in Vietnam are:
- Dragon fruit (red)
- Jackfruit
- Longan
- Guava
Vietnamese snacks to try:
- Jackfruit chips
- Mung bean cubes
#3
Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere on a boat tour in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is another of the most beautiful Vietnam travel places you can’t miss!
Admire the beauty of nature through the wonders of limestone mountains appearing from the paddies.
The boat trip is my personal favorite experience in Vietnam.
The Tam Coc boat tour along the river has a peaceful, clean, and magical atmosphere that I found very soothing and has such a calming effect on my soul. It’s a longer boat ride and has a closer sight of nature in the surroundings.
When you go, you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s hard to describe in words. It’s like being in a faraway and lost paradise.
The view is so refreshing and purely brings tranquility that it’s hard not to appreciate being here.
When you go, consider buying and wearing an iconic traditional Vietnamese hat for a complete Vietnam travel experience while enjoying a boat journey through Ninh Binh’s magical and stunning landscape.
#4
Explore the beauty of rice terraces in Sapa
If you want to see the best rice terraces, definitely the place to go is in Sapa, Vietnam.
I can honestly say that Sapa is for nature lovers and this is where I saw the most stunning rice terraces in all of Southeast Asia.
Look at all that green scenery, it’s breathtaking!
Sa Pa is a must-visit town in the northern part of Vietnam that is very picturesque. You can also visit Cat Cat Village in Sa Pa.
I recommend not missing a photo opportunity of the beautiful rice terraces when you visit!
I asked the hotel manager where to see the best view of rice terraces. He called a taxi driver for me who took me there.
Asking the locals for advice is always a good idea because look at this stunning view!
If you get easily dizzy, please consider taking motion sickness medicine before getting in the car to Sapa because of the long, curvy, and winding roads.
Visit Sa Pa during the planting and harvesting seasons to see the most stunning terraced rice fields.
Even though the drive was long and windy going to Sapa, somehow, I found it worth it as I’ve seen the most beautiful rice terraces in the world.
#5
Visit Vietnam’s remarkable landmarks
***Please note dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, and pagodas***
The Hanoi city tour is a must-do if you want to discover and learn more about Vietnamese history and culture.
There are many landmarks to explore in Hanoi. I went on a Hanoi City tour that included a stop at these places:
- Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Ho Chi Minh Complex
- Vietnam Ethnology Museum
- Temple of Literature
- One Pillar Pagoda
- Hoa Lo Prison
- Hoan Kiem Lake (passed by only)
- Hanoi Train Street (we saw the train whizzing by, but we didn’t get down)
#6
Discover and experience the Vietnam mystic caves
Explore Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprise Cave. It is one of the biggest caves in Halong Bay, Vietnam.
A visit inside the cave is part of Halong Bay cruise itineraries.
The entrance of the cave is also where you can get a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Before going inside this cave, there’s a picturesque view overlooking the emerald waters and spectacular limestone islands, so you have to stop for a photo!
Going and walking inside the cave is not hard and not that dark because there are lighting and well-paved paths you can easily walk on.
Enjoy seeing various shapes and sizes of stalactites and stalagmites that your tour guide will point out and may let you guess which mythical creatures they resemble.
#7
Hike to the Mua Cave and Ngoa Long Mountain
Want an adventurous experience in Vietnam? Then, don’t miss this challenging but rewarding hike in Vietnam!
Climbing the 500 steps leading up to the summit of Ngoa Long Mountain can be exhausting, but once you see the panoramic views of Tam Coc River, you’ll be glad you did the hike.
It’s hard going up there, especially when it was raining when I went. However, the view from the top is amazingly incredible, which makes it all worth it.
Don’t worry there are resting spots along the way. So, don’t forget to enjoy the landscape when you stop and take a break.
#8
Explore Hanoi city by cyclos (traditional pedicabs) and go souvenir shopping
Explore the Hanoi city by cyclos, which are traditional pedicabs. You can ask the driver to make a stop if there are stores you want to quickly visit or buy something from.
You can skip doing this if you prefer walking. However, if you’d want to feel like you are in Vietnam or never experienced cyclos before, it couldn’t hurt to give it a try.
Be careful, as they may overcharge you, but you can always negotiate before getting on the pedicab. If converted, I paid/spent $10 even after negotiating. I thought that’s a bit much considering I’m in Vietnam, but I just let it be since I felt sorry for the driver. I was thinking to myself I’ll let it be just my way of helping him make a living.
There are many stores and shops you’ll see along the way.
We stopped a few times, especially when it got so hot that I just had to buy us cold sugarcane drinks.
Consider stopping at gift stores and make a photo stop at colorful shops as well.
#9
Try on traditional Vietnamese dress and get a massage and nails done
Golden Lotus Silk in Hanoi is where I tried Vietnamese traditional dress. It is located on the second floor.
You can also find and shop for jewelry, scarves, clothing, silk products, handbags, and hand embroidery pictures.
The store also sells Vietnamese specialties such as lotus tea, coffee, and chocolates located on the 5th floor.
I tried their signature lotus tea and bought two silk scarves since I found the quality very good and would use them for my future travels.
I had nothing planned on my first night in Hanoi so I decided to get my nails done and have a full body massage at the spa place right across from my hotel. Depending on where you stay in Hanoi, you can find many spa services. At least when I walked around, I would see signs almost everywhere.
#10
Go on a minibike tour while enjoying the view of rice fields and limestone mountains
Enjoy a bike experience in Vietnam as you cycle through the natural scenery of the green landscape around you!
I enjoyed this mini-bike tour even though it was very hot. Make sure you bring a hat!
Cycling through the rice fields with limestone mountain views was a fun and unique experience. I love how Vietnam has an awe-inspiring landscape for nature lovers. It’s peaceful and quiet with green surroundings that made me appreciate being in nature even more.
Bonus
If you have more time and you are traveling to Vietnam for much longer, consider traveling to these places:
- Lantern boat ride at Thu Bon River in Hoi An
- See the Ban Gioc Waterfall
- Visit Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang
- Explore Phu Quoc Island
Summary
10 Best Experiences To Try and See When In Vietnam
- Relax and admire Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise
- Taste the delicious and affordable Vietnamese food, drinks, fruits and snacks
- Enjoy a peaceful atmosphere on a boat tour in Ninh Binh
- Explore the beauty of rice terraces in Sapa
- Visit Vietnam’s remarkable landmarks
- Discover and experience the Vietnam mystic caves
- Hike to the Mua Cave and Ngoa Long Mountain
- Explore Hanoi city by cyclos (traditional pedicabs) and go souvenir shopping
- Try on traditional Vietnamese dress and get a massage and nails done
- Go on a minibike tour while enjoying the view of rice fields and limestone mountains
~Have a safe and happy trip to Vietnam ~
Are you solo traveling? Here are other vacation ideas that are fun to explore:
Leave a Reply