24 Fun Things To Do In Vietnam for a Great Trip

Vietnam is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia to experience a variety of adventures! We’ve been living in Vietnam for over 3 years and always look for new places to visit.

Since we haven’t explored everywhere in this country, we asked our favorite travel bloggers to share their top recommendations on 24 adventurous and fun things to do in Vietnam. Whether it is eating water snails to cycling through the rice terrace or canyoning off a cliff, there is an activity for everyone to experience.

We hope you’re inspired to do these activities for a great trip and add them when visiting Vietnam!

Related: Tips To Spend 6 Days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

General Fun Things To Do in Vietnam

1. Travel Across Vietnam on a Motorbike

Recommended by Campbell from Stingy Nomads

Riding a motorbike across Vietnam is the craziest, fun way of experiencing this amazing country. Vietnam is a long, narrow country so when driving north to south you won’t miss any of the best sites. This famous motorcycle ‘pilgrimage’ is on the Ho Chi Minh City way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in either direction.

Millions of motorbikes on the road make finding a cheap motorcycle on the second-hand market easy and not a problem to sell again after your trip. The average price for a Chinese copy of a Honda motorcycle is between $200 and $300. The journey takes anything from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how much time is spent driving.

What an incredible adventure, driving the whole day surrounded by thousands of motorbikes is exciting; stopping on the way for some great scuba diving, hiking, and beautiful sites throughout Vietnam. It’s not the safest road trip to go on, crossing mountain passes, driving in a swarm of motorbikes, sometimes in rainstorms for hours.

Interesting people and scenes like motorbikes loaded with cages of chickens or even pigs, spectacular scenery, and beautiful culture create the ultimate South East Asia adventure.

Consider riding from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) on a motorbike. Photo credit: Stingy Nomads

Related: Different transportation ways to travel around Vietnam

2. Try Water Snails as a Snack

Recommended by Winnie from Million Dollar Winnie

Snails might not be common on most menus, but in Vietnam, they’re considered a great social snack you have along with a pint. Vietnamese people only eat water snails that live in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers, so they won’t look anything like the French variety.

Water snails are found at specialized vendors that open in the evening until late at night. You choose your snail variety, the cooking method, and the flavor you want. Then the chef cooks them fresh on the spot! You’ll receive a toothpick depending on which snail you choose, but my personal advice is to simply suck the chewy flesh out from the shell.

Don’t worry about getting your hands dirty while eating. This whole experience is about having fun and socializing with your friends, plus the tasty snails are a great bonus!

3. Eat a Bánh Mì

Recommended by James from This Travel Guide

Baguettes might not be something that you’d expect to find in South East Asia, but the bánh mì is actually one of Vietnam’s most famous traditional dishes. It combines colonial French culinary influences with traditional Vietnamese flavors to create one of the most unusual and delicious sandwiches that you’ll try on your travels.

The most obvious French influence is the baguette, but you’ll also find it includes other French ingredients like Laughing Cow cheese, pâté, and mayonnaise. Other ingredients inspired by Vietnamese influences include chả lụa (a type of pork sausage), coriander, cucumber, carrots, and daikon.

You’ll find bánh mì stalls throughout Vietnam. One of the best which rose to fame when it was recommended by the late Anthony Bourdain, is Bánh Mì Phượng in Hoi An. If you’re in the area, consider getting clothes made.

Bánh mì are delicious and easily available throughout Vietnam. Photo credit: This Travel Guide

Related: Take Cooking Classes in Vietnam

Fun Things to Do in North Vietnam

4. Ride Through Ha Giang on a Motorbike

Recommended by Bilyana from Owl Over The World

The Ha Giang Extreme Motorbike Loop was the absolute highlight of my trip to Vietnam. This is one of the best things to do in Vietnam, especially for those who seek a little bit more adventure off the beaten path.

Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northernmost province lining the Chinese border. The loop itself is pretty popular among Vietnamese people and its popularity among travelers is rising as well. The scenery on the way is incredible, which is why Ha Giang is often called the most beautiful place in the north of Vietnam. Ha Giang Motorbike Loop was one of my best travel experiences in general. I recommend everyone visiting Vietnam to do the loop; it’s so much fun!

Explore Ha Giang on a motorbike. Photo credit: Owl Over The World

5. Experience Street Food in Hanoi

Recommended by Gemma and Craig from Two Scots Abroad

Our first meal in Hanoi was one to remember – Craig sent the food back because we hadn’t ordered yet. Little did he know that each street restaurant only sells one type of meal (a slight variation may be offered on the menu) so you take what you’re given. This means if you fancy chicken, you need to know where the chicken corner is! We only worked this out when our expat friend explained the rules of dining out on street food.

Meals are made fast and in the open, so you can see where your fresh meal is coming from. Another unusual part of the dining experience is sitting on the tiny plastic chairs in the streets! All around cool experience to try in Vietnam.

Sit on the plastic stools and enjoy street food in Hanoi. Photo credit: Two Scots Abroad

6. Watch Street Performers in Hanoi

Recommended by Josh and Sarah from Veggie Vagabonds

Some capital cities are the kind you leave almost as soon as your plane wheels hit the ground. Hanoi is definitely not one of those capital cities. Hanoi is jam-packed full of culture and excitement you’re never short of incredible things to do.

After spending a year living in the captivating city, one of our favorite things to do was watch the free performances in and around some of the parks and lakes. These areas are rich with local culture and customs and taking a stroll along the likes of Hoan Kiem lake or the Lenin Memorial is sure to give you some impressive viewing.

From huge street dance performances, local groups of student bands, and street magicians we saw a crazy variety of acts and displays. The weekend is the best time to go, particularly around Hoan Kiem lake, and you can casually stroll around until you see something that takes your fancy. What is great is that it’s completely free and a great way to meet other locals or travelers who are also watching!

Check out the street performers in Hanoi. Photo credit: Veggie Vagabonds

7. Explore the Morning Markets in Hanoi

Recommended by Emily from Wander-Lush

If you’re looking for a local, authentic experience in Vietnam, one of the coolest things you can do is wake up before dawn for Hanoi’s morning markets.

Quang Ba Flower Market (Chợ Hoa Quảng Bá) is Hanoi’s biggest wholesale fresh-cut flower market. From 2am, dozens of stalls sell lotuses, sunflowers, roses, and other blooms, trucked in from rural Vietnam. (When you see the ladies on bicycles stacked with flowers around the Old Quarter, this is where they buy their stock.)

The nearby Long Bien Market (Chợ Long Biên) is Northern Vietnam’s biggest hub for fresh produce. Thousands of restaurateurs, street food vendors, and retailers converge on Long Bien before sunrise to buy their fruit and vegetables.

Both markets are grungy, gritty, and run at a frantic pace. It’s a wonderful window into everyday life in Hanoi. If you’re into street photography, you’ll be in heaven. Quang Ba and Long Bien are located north of the Old Quarter and are reached by taxi or Grab rideshare app.

Flowers are beautiful at the Quang Ba Flower Market in Hanoi. Photo credit: Wander-Lush

8. Relax at Happy Hour with Bia Hoi in Hanoi

Recommended by Natalie from Love and Road

If you find yourself in Hanoi and don’t go back to your hotel before 6pm, then you’ll miss the famous happy hour with Bia Hoi, which is one of the best things to do in Hanoi.

At the end of the day, the streets start to change, little tables and stools take over the sidewalks, and in minutes you have an open-air bar selling the best beers in the city. Bia Hoi is a fresh brewed local beer produced in Vietnam but seems that the happy hour with Bia Hoi is taken more seriously in Hanoi.

From 6pm, an ocean of people marches to the small streets of the old town to relax and enjoy a good beer. Our favorite bars are on the corner of Ta Hien Street with Luong Ngoc Quyen Street which is super busy but awesome.

If you don’t need to drive back to your hotel, spend the night there trying all the beers and local snacks. Vendors will come to serve you with traditional marinated chicken feet, sticky rice pancakes, and peanuts, which go well with a delicious Bia Hoi.

Take some time for Happy Hour with Bia Hanoi. Photo credit: Love and Road

9. Watch Trains Pass by on Hanoi Train Street

Recommended by Thomas from TripGourmets

Hanoi Train Street is one of the most unique attractions in Hanoi. It’s a narrow street within the Old Town of Vietnam’s capital. What differentiates it from any other normal street are the rails that run down the middle of this path. And a few times during the day, the rails are used by trains that go from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

It’s a fantastic experience to visit Hanoi Train Street when a train is going by. You have to press yourself close to the buildings so you’re not run over by the train. Don’t worry. There are a lot of spaces where it’s not so dangerous to stand because of the larger distance between tracks and buildings. Once the train passes by, life goes back to normal as if nothing happened.

Add Hanoi Train Street on your list of fun things to see in Vietnam! Photo credit: TripGourmets

10. Spend a Few Days at a Homestay in Sapa

Recommended by Andra from Our World to Wander

One of the best experiences you can try in Vietnam is doing a homestay in the Sapa district in the northern part of the city. It’s easy to get to Sapa from Hanoi. Sapa is a famous trekking base from where you can start various trails, such as Fansipan Mountain, combining lush mountains with rice terraces.

The minorities in Sapa are very friendly, so you should try and get to know their culture better by doing a homestay. You’ll be welcomed by a local family, perhaps help them prepare dinner, share stories, exchange cultural differences, and discover their way of living. After dinner, you’ll most likely be asked to share a glass of rice wine, which will relax everybody and that is when all the fun stories will start flowing.

It’s the best way to get to know the locals, understand them, and go beyond the texts in the guidebooks.  

Sapa is a lovely place for a homestay. Photo credit: Our World to Wander

Related: Ultimate Sapa Trekking Guide

11. Relax on a Junk Boat on Halong Bay

Recommended by Maire from Temples and Treehouses

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful natural sights and a must-see on every Vietnam itinerary. It’s a huge ocean bay, a few hours drive from Hanoi, with bright turquoise water and thousands of karst rock formations towering out of the sea.

You can sail on a junk boat between the peaks, kayak into ocean lagoons, and visit Cat Ba island (one of the best islands in Vietnam) – which has an incredible national park for hiking and bicycling. In this region, you’ll also pass by sea gypsy villages. The locals here live on the water, and if you kayak past their clusters of floating homes you’ll see shops and even pubs bobbing on the water.

Halong Bay is a stunning place to visit. Photo credit: Temples and Treehouses

12. Travel through Tam Coc on a Bicycle

Recommended by Ryan and Jen from Passions and Places

Towering limestone cliffs dot the landscape around Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, earning this region of northern Vietnam the nickname, “Halong Bay on Land.” While many visitors see its beauty from the row boats that ply the area’s rivers, there is nothing quite like having your own set of wheels for independent exploration.

Plus, there is no better way to escape the chaos in Vietnam than by renting a bicycle and peddling solo down uncongested dirt paths and through lush rice fields. Imposing mountain pagodas, venerable Chinese cemeteries, and manicured nature preserves are all within easy cycling distance of Tam Coc too. There is not much touristic experience here, just the chance to see farmers and fishermen going about their daily life.

Tam Coc is outside the city of Ninh Binh, only a two-hour train ride from Hanoi or a comfortable overnight journey from Da Nang, and you can rent bikes at many places around town.

Riding a bicycle is a great way to see Tam Coc area. Photo credit: Passions and Places

Fun Things To Do in Central Vietnam

13. Visit Cam Kim Island on a Bicycle

Recommended by Claudia from My Adventures Across The World

Vietnam can get crowded at times, and it’s hard to escape the crowd of tourists. One of the most fun things to do in Vietnam, near Hoi An, is renting bikes to visit Cam Kim. This is a small island where the local community lives – minutes from the city (one of the main tourist destinations in Vietnam) yet a thousand miles away in terms of atmosphere, for it is incredibly quiet, peaceful, and beautiful.

Cam Kim is connected to the city via a bridge and it’s lovely and rural. Picture rice fields with people working there, children at the door waving at passersby, locals smiling, and buffaloes everywhere.

It’s easy and safe to bike in the area, as contrary to the rest of the area there isn’t much traffic there. Make sure to go early in the morning, or even better in the late afternoon, to experience sunset on the rice fields and to escape the heat of the day.

Cam Kim Island is lovely to explore on a bicycle. Photo credit: My Adventures Across The World

14. Wander through Marble Mountains in Danang

Recommended by Jon from Jon Is Travelling

The Marble Mountains, located a short distance from both Hoi An and Danang, makes for a great day trip from either city. The small five limestone hills (mountains is a bit of an exaggeration) contain numerous caves, shrines, temples, statues, and viewpoints, and are named after the five elements. You can only really visit one of them but there are heaps to see and you can spend a few hours there. There is a bit of uphill hiking involved but it isn’t too difficult.

The Marble Mountains are easy to reach – catch a local bus from Danang or Hoi An, ride there on a scooter, or visit as part of a tour.

Lovely views of Marble Mountains in Danang. Photo credit: Jon Is Travelling

Related: 3 Days Itinerary in Danang

15. Engage the Family with a Farming and Fishing Tour In Hoi An

Recommended by Cerise from Enchanted Vagabond

One of the best things to do with kids when visiting Vietnam is to book a farming and fishing tour in Hoi An. This charming town in central Vietnam is very family-friendly with walkable streets and easy access to local culture and farmlands.

Our favorite activity in Hoi An was the day we booked a rice-planting, farming, and fishing tour with Jack Tran Eco-Tours. The kids loved the hands-on experience of using common farming tools and learning about sustainable and organic farming techniques. I liked the fishing part of the trip where we tried cast-net fishing just as a huge rainbow appeared. All of us loved riding in a traditional Vietnamese basket fishing boat with guides that had us laughing the entire time.

This tour is part education and part entertainment and is a perfect excursion for families with kids of all ages. Hoi An offers so much for families to explore the countryside of Vietnam and learn from local people how sustainable farming practices have developed in Vietnam.

Experience a farming and fishing tour in Hoi An. It’s great for the family. Photo credit: Enchanted Vagabond

16. Explore the Caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Recommended by Josh from The Lost Passport

The caves in Vietnam’s Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park are not only some of the best but the largest in the world. The most accessible cave here is Paradise Cave, only discovered in 2005! The cave is 31km (19.3 miles) long, but most people only explore the first 4km (2.5 miles) as it has a low entry fee of 250,000 VND ($11 USD). You can also opt to explore up to 7km (4.3 miles) into the cave at a higher fee.

The true adventurer can go further and explore the world’s largest cave Hang Son Doong. This cave is over 200 meters (656 feet) tall and 5km (3.2 miles) long. To get there you need to hike a full day from Phong Nha then spend a night camping at the entrance of the cave. 

Editor’s Tip: Another opportunity is to visit Hang En Cave, which is the third-largest cave in the world.  Learn more about what to expect with a Hang En Cave trip here. 

I made a 3 night stop at Phong Nha Ke Bang as part of my Vietnam Motorbike Route, which took me across the entire country for 3 months from Phu Quoc to Ha Giang.

A must do in Phong Nha Ke National Park is visit Paradise Cave. Photo credit: The Lost Passport

17. Embrace “Farm To Table” for Dinner in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Recommended by Eoin from DollysQuest

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is slowly growing as a major tourist destination in Vietnam. This is due to it being home to some of the largest caves in the world. The activity which I found the most unique in the area was the opportunity to kill your own chicken in a local restaurant. It isn’t for the faint-hearted and not something I would openly recommend, but to be able to kill and prepare your own meal is something quite unique.

The owners of the aptly named, “Pub with Cold Beer,” allow you to choose the chicken and then give you the option of killing the chicken yourself or they’ll do it for you. Following this is accompanied by peanut sauce, fried rice, and a large selection of salads. Everything is grown and prepared on the grounds of the bar/farm.

The pub is located on Bong Lai Valley and is reachable by walking (although, a very long walk), cycling, or by moped from the local town. The road can be quite bumpy. If you get lost, ask a local as he/she will know the location.

Check out “The Pub with Cold Beer” as a dining option in Phong Nha Ke National Park. Photo credit: DollysQuest

Fun Things to Do in South Vietnam

18. Navigate Through the “Crazy House” in Dalat

Recommended by Suzy from Suzy Stories

My favorite place to explore in the quirky city of Dalat is the Hang Nga Guest House and Art Gallery, otherwise known as the “Crazy House.” The unusual building is a short bike ride away from the center of town.

Non-guests are free to roam the labyrinth and tunnels winding their way to rooftop terraces, misdirected rooms, ladders, and so much more in this complex hotel. Feeling like a big kid exploring a secret world, you can even peek inside the various and unique guest rooms, each with its own bizarre themes such as giant kangaroos and bears!

As well as being fun to get lost and discover hidden rooms and passageways, when you eventually find the rooftop the views over Dalat are beautiful. You must see it for yourself to appreciate its eccentricity!

Get lost in the “Crazy House” in Da Lat. Photo credit: Suzy Stories

Related: 3 Days Dalat Itinerary

19. Spend the Day Canyoning in Dalat

Recommended by Lauren from Wanderluluu

Do you like hiking? How about cliff jumping, climbing, or rappelling? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then I found the adventure activity for you: canyoning (the sport of exploring a canyon by way of rappelling, and waterfall jumping)!

In the mountains of Dalat, you can join Dalat Canyoning Tours for a day full of adventure which includes rappelling down two waterfalls and cliff jumping with a 14-meter (46 feet) drop! If this sounds a little unnerving to you, don’t worry as the English-speaking guides do a great job teaching participants how to rappel safely down the waterfall by explaining and practicing on dry land first. But don’t get too comfortable because the guides will do their best to push you out of your comfort zone and get extreme during the tour!

The canyoning tour runs for about 6 hours and includes all safety equipment, water, a Vietnamese lunch of bánh mì and fruit, and round trip transportation from your hotel.

Canyoning experience in Dalat. Photo credit: Wanderluluu

20. Dine on Local Foods on a “Foodie” Motorbike Tour in Ho Chi Minh City

Recommended by Sarah and Nathan from Exploring Kiwis

Ho Chi Minh City is awash with energy; its motorbikes and foodie culture playing a significant role in the buzz that guests experience when visiting Vietnam’s most populous city. It makes sense that the best way to see it is on a foodie motorbike tour (and bonus points that it’s the first-ever all-women motorbike company)!

With one fabulous driver each, we raced through the varied neighborhoods of old Saigon sampling the incredible food that Vietnam is so well known for. We’ve been on many food tours in the past but we adored the personal touch of having our own driver and relished the chance to get to know each of them over the course of the evening. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, we’d consider an XO Tour to be an absolute must-do!

Experience local restaurants through a foodie motorbike tour in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo credit: Exploring Kiwis

Related: Visit Artinus 3D Art Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

21. Learn About the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City

Recommended by Shobha from Years of Therapy Ahead

The Cu Chi tunnels are a fascinating and fun way to learn about an important part of Vietnam’s history. You can take a tour from the city center of Ho Chi Minh City.

These tunnels are a vast underground network where the Viet Cong used to hide and conduct guerrilla warfare on the American troops during the Vietnam War which occurred during the mid-20th century. The Cu Chi tunnels were not just transport links but also provided other necessities for the Viet Cong like hospitals, ammunition depots, and living quarters. The Americans knew the tunnels existed but could never root them out. They were a prime reason that the Americans eventually gave up and left Vietnam to the Viet Cong.

Be forewarned that the tunnels are narrow so may not be suitable for everyone to enter.

Would you be able to survive in the Cu Chi Tunnels for months? Photo credit: Years Of Therapy Ahead

Related: Check out the Views from Saigon Skydeck

22. Tour the Cai Rang Floating Market on a Boat in the Mekong Delta

Recommended by Marcus from The Roaming Fork

The Mekong Delta is made up of hundreds of waterways crisscrossing their way across the southern Vietnamese countryside, and experiencing one of the floating markets that still exist here is an essential way of understanding the history and culture of this fertile region.

Floating markets were originally formed to cater to the trading needs of the local population. With no developed road network, the most efficient way for traders and customers to trade was to establish floating markets at major city centers.

The floating market at Cai Rang is an excellent example, with larger boats selling in-season fruits and vegetables direct from their farms to customers. On the day we visited there were pineapples, watermelons, and lots of dragonfruits for sale. There are also as many smaller boats selling coffee, breakfast dishes such as phở, bánh mì, cơm tấm, and hủ tiếu, and other snacks to everyone, including hungry tourists.

It’s an exciting experience to sit in a small boat that is being maneuvered among the throng of activity, and watching the skilled traders and customers transferring goods from boat-to-boat in the choppy waters. Although the floating market is open all day, the best way to make the most of the experience is to arrive early and avoid the hot Vietnamese sun.

Getting there: Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho City. The market is 6km (3.7 miles) from the center of Can Tho. Tours can be organized through hotels and homestays.

Explore Cai Rang Floating Market on a boat in the Mekong Delta. Photo credit: The Roaming Fork

Read More: Explore nature at Tan Lap Floating Village

23. Enjoy Family-Friendly Thrills at Vinpearl Island Resort in Nha Trang

Recommended by Sandra from The Smarter Writer

Vinpearl Island Resort (also referred to as VinWonders Nha Trang) is an amusement park with all the usual rides, massive water slides, a kids pool, a wave pool, an aquarium, an indoor play center, and a 4D movie our son loved. To get to Vinpearl, you have to take the stunning 3km (1.9 miles) cable car ride across the sea to the island.

We also enjoyed hanging out at the beach at Vinpearl Island, which was calmer and cleaner, and most of the time we had the whole beach to ourselves.

We stayed in Nha Trang for almost three months, so it made better economic sense for us to buy an annual pass. We visited the island at least once or twice each week. Rather than paying by age, you pay by height. Our little guy was allowed in for free because he was under 100cm (39 inches).

The cable car ride alone is worth the trip to Vinpearl, let alone all those fabulous rides and slides – great fun for all ages!

Family fun and smiles at the Vinpearl Island Resort in Nha Trang. Photo credit: The Smarter Writer

Related: Relax at Hon Tam Island in Nha Trang

24. Spend Quality Beach Time on Phu Quoc Island

Recommended by Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels

Located a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc is stunning. You can spend your days lying around for hours on stunning beaches, followed by a swim in the warm ocean, massages, and cocktails as well as watching spectacular sunsets and enjoy delicious dinners at restaurants on the beach.

The beaches have soft fine white sand and are fringed by coconut trees – yes, right out of a postcard. Some beaches have warm, crystal clear, and calm waters, while others have soft waves. Some beaches are so isolated that there is no one else there but you!

My favorite beaches by far are Long Beach and Ong Lang Beach. Both are very similar in that the ocean is calm here, resembling a warm swimming pool which is my kind of beach. The most famous beach on Phu Quoc Island is Bai Sao where the ocean has soft waves and various swings for your Instagram photos.

Other great activities include exploring local villages, visit the Dinh Cau night markets, take a boat trip to explore nearby islands, visit Dinh Cau Rock and Suoi Tranh Waterfall.

Relax on Long Beach in Phu Quoc Island. Photo credit: Thrifty Family Travels

Related: 2 Days Phu Quoc Itinerary

Wow! What a collection of fun things to do in Vietnam. We hope you add these activities to your travel bucket list on your future visit to Vietnam.

Need other ideas on how to plan your Vietnam trip? Check out our other posts:

• Why Visit Vietnam
• South Vietnam Itinerary
• Top Vietnam Travel Apps

Have you been to Vietnam? What were your favorite things to do in Vietnam? What activities would you want to do?

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