Top 5 Things To Do In Vietnam

Tips for a perfect Vietnam Trip

Updated: April 4, 2019

Looking for the best things to do when visiting Vietnam? Have no fear in finalizing your must see in Vietnam list, the country is full of places that can make it to a Top things to do list. Vietnam has some of the best food in Asia mixed with fun budget friendly adventures. Prepare for a unique experience when visiting the top sites in Vietnam. Below is a diverse list with Top Things to Do In Vietnam.

Our locations are decided based upon our desire to kitesurf, our love of food and our passion for unique experiences. We found Vietnam to be very easy and safe to travel around; it is a destination fit for those who like to plan as well as travelers who like to wing it. Check out what we recommend doing in this amazing country!

Eat Local Food

Vietnamese Cuisine is renowned for its reliance on fresh ingredients and delicate balance of flavors. Throughout the country staple dishes such as phở and spring rolls experience their own local twists. These are foods that will make anyone’s Top Five Foods to eat in Vietnam list. Regions across Vietnam offer specialty dishes that are must tries for visitors. Excellent food can be found in Vietnam, from 5 star restaurants to street vendors. So no need to worry, anywhere you visit there will be a unique delicious local meal to choose from. If you find yourself passing somewhere busting at the seams with locals, chances are it is worth a stop.

Hanoi is a top choice in Vietnam for foodies. Home to deliciously funky egg coffee and traditional favorites such as Bun Cha, it is impossible to tire of eating in this city. We especially loved sampling the spring rolls of Vietnam. Typically spring rolls are offered fresh (Gỏi cuốn) or fried (Chả giò) with fillings varying. If you are visiting the islands or coast, plan on trying fresh seafood spring rolls for a special treat. Wherever you visit in Vietnam, plan on trying the local cuisine. It is a must do while in Vietnam!

Explore Phu Quy

Lesser known than vacation hot spot Phu Quoc, the small island of Phu Quy located 100 km off the coast of Vietnam makes for a unique addition to your itinerary. Accessible only by ferry through potentially rough seas, Phu Quy is not an easy place to get to! However, the rewards are worth the trouble. Picture crystal clear waters, incredible seafood and welcoming locals eager to wave “hello”. Looking for Vietnam off of the beaten path? Phu Quy is it. Tourists require special permission to visit the island, which needs to be arranged in Phan Thiết. We recommend contacting Binh Thuan Tourism Agency, based in Mui Ne. They were an excellent source of information and very helpful in arranging travel to the island as well as accommodation on Phu Quy. We traveled to Phu Quy to discover the kitesurfing on the island. The amazing water, strong winds and great waves made this one of our favorite kitesurfing spots in all of Asia!

Kitesurf Phan Rang

Ready to get your adrenaline pumping?! My Hoa is a small reef protected lagoon positioned twenty minutes north of Phan Rang, Vietnam. This remote area offers up some of the best kitesurfing in Vietnam. Moreover, the region boasts beautiful waters and amazing kiteboarding conditions. This is a great place for all levels of kitesurfers. The My Hoa lagoon poses excellent flat, shallow water conditions alongside a reef where breaking waves can be found. The steady wind direction aligns with the breaks well; when the wind is whipping here the waves can be large and offer a lot of fun for more advanced riders. The region is incredibly beautiful! On non-wind days hiking nearby Nui Chua National Park or exploring local vineyards is always a great option. Nonetheless, the amazing kitesurfing conditions and regional beauty make Phan Rang an original choice for an adventurous Vietnam travel destination.

Custom Tailor An Outfit

Though Hoi An is the most well known for custom clothing, great tailor shops can be found all over Vietnam. Ready to replicate that designer outfit you peeped in last month’s issue? Looking to step up your clothing game with a handmade suit? Vietnam offers knowledgeable tailors at prices far less than what you might expect to pay for similar quality back home. Large cities like Saigon and Hanoi will have numerous tailor shops, with plenty of selection to choose from! Keep in mind that good artistry takes time. Plan for about 4 or more days for your choice to be made; more time is ideal especially if further adjustments are needed. Heading to a tailor towards the beginning of your trip with an idea of what items you would like to have made will help to ensure you have enough time for quality clothing to be produced.

Cruise Ha long Bay

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is a place of indescribable beauty. You may not be surprised to discover its addition to our list as the region is immensely popular with tourists. While crowding is an issue in some parts of Ha Long Bay, it is still possible to find more intimate tours that are a great deal. Though commonly referred to as simply Ha Long Bay, the epic limestone karsts most envision are actually part of a 3 bay protected area: Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay. Natural beauty can be found in each, yet there are some key differences.

Bai Tu Long remains the most unspoiled in terms of crowding. This region of the park occupies the largest area and is home to the most limestone karsts in the area. Lan Ha Bay is a smaller region hugging the coast of Cat Ba Island with much to offer visitors. Waters are cleaner than in Ha Long Bay and the tourism here is still a bit quieter. Ha Long Bay features more infrastructure than its neighboring bays but can be crowded and quite polluted in parts. We recommend basing your tour from Cat Ba, an energetic island where many tour operators can be found. Numerous locals mentioned November as a great time to visit due to smaller crowds and cooler weather, though the Ha Long Bay area is a popular destination throughout the year. Trips range in length from full day excursions to multi day adventures. On many tours the overnight option is just slightly more than a day trip, and may be comparable to the cost of a day trip plus hotel. Consider an overnight cruise to experience the serenity of early morning on the water, and the chance to see bioluminescence at night.

Aloha, friends! We hope you enjoyed our article on Top 5 Things To Do In Vietnam. These were all only our opinions, however, we hope that our article brings exciting moments and good stories. May this information stoke your Vietnam adventures!

Feel free to contact us with any thoughts, questions, comments or concerns.