Top 15 Things to Do in Vietnam: A Bucket List for Every Traveler

1. Try Vietnam’s Most Iconic Dishes

No trip to Vietnam would be complete without trying its amazing food, and here I am sitting in front of a steaming bowl of pho – that’s the national dish made with fragrant broth and fresh herbs – and then smoky richness of bun cha in Hanoi, the spicily invigorating kick of bun bo Hue, or just crispy perfection in a banh mi baguette. Each region shapes its specialties with history, climate, and local ingredients.

Curious to go beyond the classics? Check out our full guide on What to eat in Vietnam for 20 must-try dishes and where to enjoy them from north to south.

2. Discover Vietnam’s Unique Coffee Culture

Coffee in Vietnam is not only strong but also inventive. Regular iced milk coffee can be found on every street corner, but so can quirky concoctions like egg coffee in Hanoi (sweet, creamy, and velvety), salt coffee in Hue (surprisingly smooth), and coconut coffee in the south. Having a few cups of local cafés makes for one of the most satisfying kinds of Vietnam travel experiences for both caffeine lovers and first-timers wanting to taste and try everything.

3. Learn About Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic Groups

Vietnam is populated by 54 ethnic groups, each preserving its own culture, language, and traditional customs. In the Northern mountains, one can find such groups as the Hmong, Dao, and Tay living in villages encircled by rice terraces and holding flamboyant markets in color and craft. In Mai Chau or Sapa, staying in a stilt-house homestay will present you with a glimpse of rural life: home-cooked meals and traditional weaving on the side. Community tourism around these destinations brings more cultural layers to your journey in Vietnam.

4. Explore Vietnam’s Long and Complex History

Vietnam’s history is indeed one of the longest, going back thousands of years, from the feudal times to French colonial rule to the wars of independence in modern times. You find ancient ruins at My Son Sanctuary; for royal history, proceed to the Imperial City of Hue; and, for wartime survival, marvel at the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City. What it is like today is just a crust covering layered temperatures of civilization and cultural invasions.

5. Visit the Iconic Hanoi Train Street

One of a kind attraction in Vietnam right in the middle of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. It goes only at certain timings in the day, sharing space through a skinny alley with locals sipping tea. To watch it rush past while you sit at a café is thrilling – but always stay on your toes and follow local guidance. Really a must if you are wondering what to do in Vietnam that’s both local and unforgettable.

6. Cruise or Kayak Vietnam’s Bays and Beaches

Vietnam’s Bays and Beaches Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers are world-famous, but equally spectacular and much more peaceful are Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Whether you cruise overnight or paddle into hidden caves by kayak, this is one of the most peaceful things to do in Vietnam. Phu Quoc and Con Dao in the south tack on white-sand beaches and water teeming with corals.

7. Admire Terraced Rice Fields in the Highlands

This is the season when the rice turns golden, and the best place to go to get a glimpse of these panoramic views is either Mu Cang Chai or Sapa from September to early October because it has such pretty terraced fields and there are so many untrodden trekking routes. They are not only appealing to your eyes but give a deep insight into how people relate with the land – perfect on any Vietnam bucket list.

8. Explore Vietnam’s Breathtaking Caves

If you are a nature lover you can not miss to visit caves of Vietnam. All credit goes to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park that hosts world’s biggest cave – Son Doong and other fantastic attractions like Paradise Cave, Surprise Cave, Dark Cave, etc. Trips with even short guides feel like the entrance into another planet.

9. Hunt Clouds in the Northern Highlands

Hunting for clouds is a popular activity in the mountains, notably during the time of sunrise. Go to Ta Xua, Y Ty, or Fansipan – cold mornings at this high altitude will create a luxurious sea of white fog. Step over the clouds, and you will just feel out of this world; surreal inclusion to your list of Vietnam travel experiences.

10. Conquer Mount Fansipan – The Roof of Indochina

Fansipan stands 3,143 meters above sea level, and with the help of a newly established cable car, up until today’s date most of the travelers can make their way to the top, but the trek is still “on the to-do list” for any serious hiker. At the top, visitors will find statues of Buddha as well as stone stairways, and views of the surrounding mountains including stretches into China and Laos.

11. Ride the Ha Giang Loop or O Quy Ho Pass

If you love open roads and jaw-dropping scenery, riding the Ha Giang Loop should be at the top of your list. It’s one of the most adventurous things to do in Vietnam - winding mountain roads, limestone cliffs, and tribal villages at every turn. The O Quy Ho Pass between Sapa and Lai Chau offers equally dramatic vistas on a shorter route.

12. Visit Vietnam’s Beautiful Waterfalls

Some of the most stunning waterfalls are found in Vietnam due to its varied terrain. Ban Gioc, which sits so close to the border of China, is the most massive and majestic of these. Dray Nur and Dray Sap in the Central Highlands roar across basalt canyons, Pongour near Da Lat tumbles weakly over a broad expanse of rock face – a welcome sight after several hours of twisting travel.

13. Travel Vietnam by Motorbike

Ride the motorbike like a local – no license required. Even if you are not a rider, you can take advantage of the opportunity to experience this exhilaration from the back of the experts on guided motorbike tours in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Giang, and the likes. It is perhaps the most complete and liberating manner in which one can go over Vietnam’s roads, mountain passes as well as unfrequented recesses, always sitting at the back of a trusted local driver.

14. Visit Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta

Life goes on water in Southern Vietnam. You can have a boat sell you pineapples or a hot bowl of noodle soup at the Cai Rang Floating Market near Can Tho. You wake up early, you get on a long-tail boat, you have breakfast and it’s very interesting to be done with locals- a colorful authentic view of river culture.

15. Take a Peaceful Boat Ride in Vietnam’s Countryside

Sometimes the very best things in Vietnam are the quietest: drifting through the limestone valleys of Trang An, rowing beneath caves in Tam Coc, or floating along the Perfume River in Hue. It's these boat rides that allow you to slow down and take in the rhythms of rural life-an ideal end to a packed itinerary.

Conclusion

From trekking misty mountain tops to devouring sizzling street food and paddling along historic waterways, here are the absolute best things to experience in Vietnam replete with culture, nature, history, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Be it a short escape or a month-long adventure to explore the whole of Vietnam, these are the travel experiences in Vietnam which embody the soul of the country- one place, one dish, and one smile at a time.