Things to Do in Vietnam: Must-Visit Places & Top Attractions

Things to do in Vietnam range from exploring ancient towns and dramatic landscapes to enjoying world-famous street food and vibrant city life. Vietnam offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and modern experiences that suit first-time visitors and repeat travelers alike.

In one trip, you can cruise limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, wander lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, ride boats through floating markets, and relax on tropical beaches. This guide lists the top attractions with practical highlights to help you plan your Vietnam journey confidently.

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1. Explore Ha Long Bay – Quang Ninh

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Ha Long Bay is a vast seascape of towering limestone karsts and emerald waters in northern Vietnam, celebrated for its dramatic natural beauty and serene cruising experiences. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay features thousands of rocky islands, hidden caves, floating villages, and quiet lagoons best explored by boat. Overnight cruises are highly recommended, and booking is essential during peak travel seasons due to high demand.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.8/5
• Location:Quang Ninh Province, Northern Vietnam

• Timings: Day cruises and overnight cruises (schedule varies)
• Price: From VND 1,200,000 (~₹4,000), cruise-based pricing

2. Explore The Alhambra – Granada

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The Alhambra is a magnificent palace-and-fortress complex perched on the hills of Granada, celebrated for its intricate Moorish architecture, serene courtyards, and the lush Generalife gardens. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers sweeping views over the city and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Tickets often sell out quickly, so booking in advance is strongly recommended due to strict visitor limits and high demand.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.7/5
• Location:Calle Real de la Alhambra, Granada, Spain
• Timings: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM (seasonal)
• Price: From €18.00 (~₹1,900)

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3. Discover Hanoi Old Quarter

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Hanoi Old Quarter is the historic heart of Vietnam’s capital, known for its narrow streets, colonial-era buildings, and vibrant local life. Each street traditionally specialized in a single trade, creating a lively maze of shops, markets, cafés, and street food stalls. As you walk through the area, you experience authentic daily life, sample iconic dishes like pho and bun cha, and witness the blend of ancient traditions with modern city energy.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location:Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Timings: Open daily (best explored morning and evening)
• Price: Free entry

4. Visit Ho Chi Minh City

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Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic city, where modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic colonial landmarks. The city offers a powerful mix of history, culture, and contemporary life. You can explore museums that document Vietnam’s past, walk past French-era architecture, shop in bustling markets, and enjoy rooftop cafés overlooking the skyline. It’s an essential stop to understand Vietnam’s transformation from past to present.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location:Southern Vietnam
• Timings: Attractions open throughout the day (varies by site)
• Price: Free to explore; some attractions have entry fees

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5. Cruise the Mekong Delta

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The Mekong Delta is a vast network of rivers, canals, and fertile farmland in southern Vietnam, often called the country’s “rice bowl.” A boat cruise through the delta lets you experience rural life up close, passing stilt houses, lush orchards, and traditional villages. Early-morning visits to floating markets, where traders sell fruits and goods directly from their boats, offer one of Vietnam’s most authentic cultural experiences.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.7/5
• Location:Southern Vietnam
• Timings: Day tours (early morning recommended)
• Price: Paid tours (varies by route and duration)

6. Marvel at Sapa

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Sapa is a mountain town in northern Vietnam, famous for dramatic rice terraces carved into steep valleys by ethnic Hmong, Dao, and Tay communities over centuries. Located near the Chinese border, Sapa sits at 1,600 meters and offers cool weather year-round. You can trek through villages, stay in homestays, and enjoy panoramic views, especially during planting season (May–June) and harvest season (September), with guided trails suitable for beginners and hikers.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.8/5
• Location:Lao Cai Province, Northern Vietnam
• Timings: Daytime trekking (weather dependent)
• Price: Free to explore; guided treks priced separately

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7. Relax on Phu Quoc Island

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Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, and is known for white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and relaxed island life. Spanning 574 sq km, it is home to Phu Quoc National Park, which covers nearly 50% of the island. You can enjoy snorkeling, sunset cruises, night markets, and luxury resorts, making it ideal for beach-focused travelers and honeymooners.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.7/5
• Location:Kien Giang Province, Southern Vietnam
• Timings: Open all day
• Price: Free beach access; paid tours and activities available

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8. Explore the Hue Imperial City

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Hue Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Spread across nearly 520 hectares, the walled citadel contains palaces, royal residences, temples, and ceremonial gates reflecting Vietnam’s imperial past. Walking through the complex gives you insight into royal life, Confucian traditions, and centuries of Vietnamese history along the Perfume River.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location:Thua Thien Hue Province, Central Vietnam
• Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Price: Paid entry ticket required

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9. Visit Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is a scenic region in northern Vietnam, often called “Ha Long Bay on land” for its limestone karsts rising above rice fields and rivers. The area is home to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 6,000 hectares. You can take traditional sampan boat rides through caves, temples, and valleys, making it a peaceful alternative to busy coastal destinations.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.8/5
• Location:Ninh Binh Province, Northern Vietnam
• Timings: Daytime boat tours
• Price: Boat ride ticket required

10. Experience Da Nang & My Khe Beach

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Da Nang is a fast-growing coastal city in central Vietnam, strategically located between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is best known for My Khe Beach, a 20-mile stretch of clean white sand once listed by Forbes as one of the world’s most attractive beaches. Da Nang also serves as a gateway to Hoi An, Hue, and the Marble Mountains, combining beach relaxation with cultural sightseeing and modern infrastructure.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.7/5
• Location:Central Vietnam (South China Sea coast)
• Timings: Open all day
• Price: Free beach access; attractions priced separately

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11. Visit Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

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Ba Na Hills is a hilltop resort complex located about 25 km west of Da Nang at an elevation of roughly 1,487 meters. It is famous for the Golden Bridge, a 150-meter pedestrian bridge held by giant stone hands, opened in 2018 and quickly becoming one of Vietnam’s most photographed landmarks. You reach Ba Na Hills via one of the world’s longest non-stop cable car routes, spanning over 5.8 km.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.6/5
• Location:Hoa Ninh, Da Nang, Vietnam
• Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Price: Paid cable car ticket required

12. Tour the Cu Chi Tunnels

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive underground network stretching over 250 km, used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, the tunnels included living quarters, kitchens, hospitals, storage rooms, and escape routes. Visiting the site helps you understand wartime survival strategies, guerrilla tactics, and daily life underground through preserved sections and historical exhibits.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.5/5
• Location:Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• Timings: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Price: Entry ticket required

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13. Explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

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Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Vietnam, spanning over 123,000 hectares of karst mountains and tropical forest. It is home to more than 300 caves, including Son Doong, the world’s largest cave by volume, discovered in 2009. You can explore river caves by boat, trek jungle trails, and visit massive caverns like Phong Nha and Paradise Cave, making it a top destination for nature and adventure travelers.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.8/5
• Location:Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam
• Timings: Guided tours during daylight hours
• Price: Paid cave tours (varies by cave and activity)

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14. Visit My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Hindu temple complex built between the 4th and 13th centuries by the Cham civilization. Located in a lush valley of central Vietnam, it served as a religious and political center of the Champa Kingdom. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the red-brick temples reflect strong Indian influence and showcase sophisticated Cham architecture despite wartime damage.

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.5/5
• Location:Quang Nam Province, near Hoi An, Vietnam
• Timings: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Price: Entry ticket required

15. Experience Vietnam’s Street Food Culture

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Vietnam’s street food culture is one of the most celebrated in the world, recognized by global food guides and travel organizations for its variety, freshness, and affordability. With over 54,000 street food vendors in Hanoi alone (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), you can taste iconic dishes like pho, banh mi, bun cha, and fresh spring rolls, often prepared in front of you. 

Highlights

• Google Rating: 4.8/5 (average across food tours)
• Location: Nationwide (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Da Nang)
• Timings: Morning to late night (varies by dish and city)
• Price: Budget-friendly; street meals typically cost $1–$3 USD

FAQs

What are the best things to do in Vietnam for first-time visitors?

You should cruise Ha Long Bay, explore Hanoi Old Quarter, walk through lantern-lit Hoi An Ancient Town, visit Ho Chi Minh City, and experience the Mekong Delta. 

What should you not miss in Vietnam?

You shouldn’t miss a Ha Long Bay cruise, Hoi An at night, a boat ride in Ninh Binh (Trang An or Tam Coc), Vietnam’s street food scene, and at least one UNESCO site like Hue Imperial City or My Son Sanctuary.

What are the best things to do in Vietnam during the day?

During the day, you can cruise Ha Long Bay, trek to Sapa rice terraces, explore Hue’s Imperial Citadel, tour Cu Chi Tunnels, visit museums in Ho Chi Minh City, and take scenic boat rides in Ninh Binh or the Mekong Delta.

What are the best things to do in Vietnam at night?

At night, you can stroll Hoi An’s lantern streets, enjoy night markets in Hanoi and Phu Quoc, try street food tours, relax at rooftop cafés in Ho Chi Minh City, or walk along Da Nang’s My Khe Beach.

What are the most kid-friendly activities in Vietnam?

Yes. Vietnam offers kid-friendly activities like cable car rides at Ba Na Hills, beach time in Phu Quoc and Da Nang, easy boat rides in Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, interactive museums, and food experiences suitable for families.

What are the best cultural things to do in Vietnam?

You can explore Hue Imperial City, visit My Son Sanctuary, walk through historic old quarters, attend traditional water puppet shows, and interact with ethnic minority communities in Sapa for authentic cultural experiences.

What are the top food experiences in Vietnam?

Top food experiences include tasting pho, banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls, and regional specialties through street food tours in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Da Nang, with meals often costing just $1–$3.

What are the best shopping areas in Vietnam?

You can shop at Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City), Hanoi Night Market, Hoi An tailor shops, Dong Xuan Market, and Phu Quoc Night Market for souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, and local products.

What’s the best time of year to visit Vietnam for sightseeing?

The best time to visit Vietnam for sightseeing is March–April and September–November, when the weather is generally pleasant across regions and ideal for city tours, cruises, trekking, and beach activities.