Largely known as the safest destination to travel in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has been chosen & beloved among travelers doing trips to Vietnam.The country has many things to offer : from natural beauty of numerous sandy beaches, pristine off-shore islands, wonderful bays, magnificient mountainscapes… to its rich cultures, which will surely delight your travel passion.Planning trips to Vietnam, you would love to explore the best of Vietnam, right? Let’s read this ultimate article about top things to do & see in Vietnam,and go ahead to plan your trip of awesome travel experiences in Vietnam.
1. Cruise in Halong bay, a wonderful journey to admire the natural wonder of the world.
Twice recognized as UNESCO’s world natural heritage, Halong bay is a top travel destination can’t be missed in any travellers’ itinerary planning a trip to Vietnam.
With 1,600 limestone pillars rising from its turquoise waters, the area includes three adjacent bays : Halong bay, Bai Tu Long bay and Lan Ha bay, which share the same beautiful seascapes of limestone outcrops, karst grottos, and stunning beaches.
The best way to immense the bay’s beauty is boarding a day or overnight cruise, gliding along different islands, stopping to visit the caves, kayaking to the hidden corner of the bay or swimming on the pristine beaches.To explore the bay’s fullest beauty, we highly recommend you a 2 day/1 night Halong bay cruise, spend your ultimate night on a luxury cruise, taste mouth – watering dishes of local sea foods & feel the truly charm of the bay.
>>>>>>> You may need to know : 8 steps to select the best Halong bay cruise
Besides their common features, each bay possesses their own charming characteristics.While Halong bay is touristy, Lan Ha & Bai Tu Long bays are still untouched & pristinely natural. Read more about these bays, choose the right cruise for your great experiences in Halong bay.
2. Taste Pho ( rice noodle with beef or chicken), the iconic dish in Hanoi, Vietnam
Pho is one of famous dishes throughout Vietnam & regarded as Vietnam’s national dish.But the best place to taste this iconic dish is in Hanoi capital.It is surely an unmissable dish to any traveller travelling to Hanoi, Vietnam.
It is mouth-watering if you think of the ingredients to make it. Pho is typically made with four basic ingredients – a clear stock, rice noodles, thin-sliced meat (beef or chicken), and herbs.It is served hot and can be taken at any time of the day for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Travelling to Hanoi, you can find Pho restaurants virtually in any streets but it is highly recommended that you try the best Pho in Hanoi and have a truly taste of authentic Pho like a local in the following restaurants.
- Pho Ga Ta Linh Phung ( Free-ranged chicken rice noodle soup) – 7 Dinh Liet, Hanoi old quarter, Hanoi.
- Pho Ga Cham ( Cham chicken noolde) – 63 Yen Ninh street, Hanoi city
- Pho Ly Quoc Su (Rice noodle with beef) -10 Ly Quoc Su, Hanoi old quarter, Hanoi city
- Pho Gia Truyen Ban Dan (Rice noodle with beef) – 49 Bat Dan, Hanoi oldquarter, Hanoi city
- Pho Thìn ( rice noodle with beef) – 13 Lo Duc street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi city
>>>>>>> You can taste Pho in : Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour
3. Feel fascinated with picturesque rice terraces in Northern Vietnam
Vietnam is the nation of the biggest rice exportation in the world, therefore you can expect to see the rice fields anywhere while travelling around Vietnam.It is interesting to know how the rice is cultivated in Vietnam, right? The beauty of rice terraces is really appealling, especially during the harvest season, when the rice changes its green to fully golden colours making the scenery truly breathtaking.Many travellers doing trips with us try to make their vacation to Vietnam between the end of September and the beginning of October for their best shots of golden rice fields in Vietnam, they will join us special customized tours with a local guide along to take them to wonderful trekking routes of stunning rice fileds, share them more about the region as well as about the simple daily life of local ethnic minorities living there.
Ideal places for the most beautiful rice fields in Vietnam are Tam Coc, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Hoang Su Phi, Mai Chau, Bac Son, Pu Luong…..
>>>>>>> For more information, get the details in this blog : Top 9 places of stunning rice fileds in Vietnam
4. Mind-blowing with incredible heaven-on-earth beauty of Dong Van Geopark- Ha Giang
Ha Giang is top rated among travellers as the most beautiful place in Vietnam, a real heaven-on-earth of spectacular mountainscapes & deep valleys,and a hidden gem in Vietnam worth your coming adventure.Located at the northernmost point of Vietnam with China, Ha Giang is far to reach and challenges us with many winding & steep passes but worth our conqueration. The landscapes become more & more magnificient when we travel up to northern districts of Ha Giang – the core area of Dong Van UNESCO Geopark, we feel like stepping into “the heaven” when exposing ourselves down Ma Pi Leng Pass, viewing the deepest canyon of Tu San or boating along poetic Ngo Que river.
In addition, trip to Ha Giang can open up your chances getting to know more about local ethnics’ daily life & their unique cultures.We highly appreciate Ha Giang’s raw beauty & its rich culture as the most off-the-beaten- track destination in Vietnam.
If you are the lovers of adventure & skilful at driving, it is great to conquer the challenging passes by driving your own motorbikes. Otherwise, you can go behind an experienced riders or on a customized Ha Giang adventure tour with private driver & tourguide along your Ha Giang journey.
>>>>>>>>>>>>You may love to know : when is the ideal time to visit Ha Giang?
5. Take part in healthy treks to admire untouched landcapes & explore rich cultures of local ethnics in Vietnam.
Are you an adventure seeker? Are you interested in trekking adventure? Vietnam will satisfy your adventure thirst & meet your demands with excellent trekking sites of remarkable sceneries. And, you may get an unforgettable trip with the images of soaring limestone mountains, tiers of rice fields and plunging highland valleys….etc.Those trekking sites are normally off the cities & in the mountainous areas where are home to some ethnic minorities – chances for your great insights of local life & their peaceful villages.
If trekking & local cultures are your interest in Vietnam vacation, those are awesome places you can consider for your coming adventure : Sapa, Hoang Su Phi, Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau valley, Pu Luong nature reserve, Ta Xua, Bac Son valley, Cuc Phuong national park, Cat Ba national park…
>>>>>>>>You may be interested in those packages :
4 day Hoang Su Phi Adventure with off-beaten-path treks & homestay
4 day Intensive Mu Cang Chai Trekking Tour
6. Enrich your knowledge of Vietnam’s wars & history
7. Leisure break & sunbathe on beautiful sandy beaches in Vietnam
Where is the best place to temporarily escape yourself from bustling city life? The answer is that nothing is more relaxing than the atmosphere of beaches.Vietnam has over 3000 km of coastline with the richness of countless stretches of sand, tropical islands, caves and lagoons. The weather is warm all year around – really ideal for your family beach break to sunbathe, relax & swim in Vietnam
Are you a beach lover? If yes, do not skip these suggested beaches in Vietnam, which are beautiful and swimming-friendly: My Khe beach ( Da Nang), Lang Co beach ( Hue), Nha Trang beach, Mui Ne beach, Quan Lan beach ( Bai Tu Long bay), Beaches in Phu Quoc islands, Beaches in Con Dao islands, Quy Nhon beach, Bao Ninh beach (Quang Binh), An Bang beach ( Hoi An)…..
8. Explore the authentic floating markets in Mekong Delta Vietnam
The most unique thing about Mekong Delta is its authentic floating markets where you can experience all the way of life,daily activities and culture of the people here. Floating markets are not a specialty that can only be found in Mekong Delta, Thailand also has many floating markets. Yet, Mekong Delta’s floating markets have their very own different charms. These markets has been existing just simply for local farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to the folks in the region.
Your trip to the land of Mekong would be incomplete without a visit to the floating markets, which are normally opens from the early morning till 9:00. There are six popular floating markets including Cho Gao, Phong Dien, Cai Be, Phung Hiep and Cai Rang floating markets, of which the Phung Hiep market is regarded as the biggest one because of its location at the intersection of 7 major canals. Cai Rang and Phong Dien are two other renowned floating markets in Mekong Delta.
>>>>>> Read more about Mekong Delta : 10+ Top Things to do & see in Mekong Delta Vietnam
9. Explore Son Doong grotto, the largest one on earth in Quang Binh- Vietnam
Known as the world’s largest natural cave, Son Doong is listed as a must-do thing among adventure lovers doing their trip to Vietnam.No words can describe the size of this UNESCO protected cave, which stretches for over five kilometers and reaches heights of 200 meters.The main cavern is large enough to house an entire New York City block.
Discovered locally in 1991, the cave remains relatively untouched until now when comparing it with well-developed caves all around the world. It’s beyond your average adventure underground. The largest cave in the world, Son Doong, leads you to a number of unique environments to explore : jungle trek, climb to conquer the height, swim to cross underground river…..That is why this adventure is not for everyone, you need to be extremely fit and patient, as there is a waiting list of about two years.The government only releases around 300–500 permits yearly, and it will take time to get yours. So you need to prepare carefully and register in advance for your trekking adventure of life-time experience in Vietnam
10. Treat yourselves as king or queen with a Royal Banquet Dinner in Hue
Would you love to enjoy a meal like a real king or a queen in Vietnam? Let’s come to Hue – the old capital of Vietnam – where offers you a special Royal Banquet Dinner – try dining like an emperor of Nguyen Dynasty.You’ll get dressed as Vietnamese royalty, eat what kings and queens ate while enjoying the traditional royal music played only for royal family. The royal dishes are a real feast not only for your stomach but also for your eyes. Each dish is decorated lavishly with bird-shaped fruits and all kinds of rare and precious food which were served for the king family in the past.
This banquet is extremely fun and joyful if you’re enjoying with a large group of friends and family. The cost for one person isn’t too expensive and it offers a real cultural experience in Hue that you can’t forget.
Let’s enjoy Hue Royal Banquet Dinner in these suggested restaurants while you are in Hue, Vietnam.
- Royal Park Restaurant – 03 Nguyen Sinh Sac, Vy Da, Hue City
- Hoang Phu Restaurnat – Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Phu Hoi, Hue
>>>>>>>>> Get this package for your reference : 5 day Best of Central Vietnam
11.Admire Ban Gioc, the most impressive waterfall in Vietnam.
Ever wondered about finding an amazing masterpiece of nature in the north of Vietnam? For the duration of just 2 days, a tour to Ban Gioc Waterfall (Cao Bang Province) should be the first thing on your bucket list to get rid of the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of landscapes
Located in northeastern of Vietnam, on Vietnam – China border, Ban Gioc Waterfall boasts an impressive natural sight with multiple level and green jade water flowing down the huge lake below.The cascading water set against the back of the immense mountains is a uniquely captivating sight.Best time for fullest beauty of the fall is in late September & early October when the rice fields by the fall are turning golden colour, the climate is also pleasant with blue sky – nice time for wonderful photographs.
>>>>>>>You may be keen on this : 3 day Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall Exploration
12.Check in Da Nang Golden Bridge, the most viral place in Vietnam
Made the whole world amazed by its magnificent architecture, Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills Vietnam has become the new symbol of Da Nang city, a top-listed place to see for any travellers doing trips to Central Vietnam
Golden Bridge Da Nang has a rather striking appearance with two gigantic stone-made hands holding the 150-meter-long golden footbridge, showing exactly how creative architecture could be.
At the height of 1400 meters above the sea level, Golden Bridge Vietnam offers unrivaled aerial views to the city of Danang as well as the surrounding natural landscapes. Lavenders and Chrysanthemums have also been planted on the sides of the bridge‘s walkway, made it even more colorful.
Coming to Ba Na hills, besides Golden Bridge, tourists also enjoy the visit to Linh Ung Pagoda, Fantasy Park, Wax Museum, French Village Area, Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Garden, Cellar Debay, Linh Phong Bao Thap…
You can do a day trip but it will be best to enjoy the pleasant climate & complete beauty of Golden Bridge – Ba Na hills on a 2 day/1 night journey, spend your night on a luxury hotel atop of the hills.
>>>>>>>> You may find this experience suitable : 6 day Central Vietnam Highlight Tour
13.Get lost in Hoi An ancient town, the world UNESCO’s cultural heritage
Ever been a busy international seaport, Hoi An has its interesting blend of mixed cultural influences : French, Chinese, Japanese & Vietnamese, which are beautifully reflected in a number of yellow ancient houses, temples & pagodas.With its achitectural & cultural values, Hoi An ancient town was designated as the world UNESCO’s cultural heritage site in 1999 and has been listed as the top place can’t be missed among tourists planning their trip to Vietnam.
Coming here, you will get lost in its numerous exquisite yellow ancient houses, colorful lanterns in various shape &size, yummy street food dishes of Banhmi, Banhxeo, Cao Lau…
The best time for sightseeing in Hoi An ancient town is on the 14th of every lunar month, one night before the full moon when the town becomes even more festive than usual, active and marvellously decorated with colourful lights and lamps along every lane.
The most favorite thing to do for many travelers to Hoi An which you can experience in nowhere else in Vietnam is riding a boat on Thu Bon River and putting the flower lanterns down on the water.Let’s do it and don’t forget to make a wish after releasing the lanterns.
>>>>>>> Read more : 10+ Amazing Things to do & see in Hoi An
Vietnam Exploration with Golden Holiday Travel
Hopefully, you find our share of top 10+ best things to do & see in Vietnam helpful ! Are you thrilled to plan a trip to Vietnam? Why not let us arrange your perfect tailor-made trip to to visit top places in Vietnam Vietnam & things you can experience in this blog? Tell us your own ideas and requests by mailing to goldenholidaytravel.vn@gmail.com or by filling the form in Customize Tour, we are happy to support you…..
I write in my upcoming book of my Hanoi tour guide in 2009. I returned to Vietnam on a research project, as a returning military 1970-1971 veteran of the American War.
“My tour guide to Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh Center, Mr. Ban Vu Dinh, was the most articulate, interesting and politcally savvy person I met in Vietnam.”
Thank you, sir Darrell Mudd ! It was also the trip that gave me the information of the US insider ( Captain Darrell Mudd).
See you in Vietnam again as a traveller exploring Vietnam in the time to come ! hi hi