Things to Do in Vietnam: What Is Worth Your Time

The things most worth your time in Vietnam are Hanoi's Old Quarter, a night on Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, Hoi An's lantern-lit old town, Hue's imperial city, and Ho Chi Minh City with a day in the Mekong Delta. With a week, choose north plus one other region, and fly between them.

Vietnam is long and narrow, so choosing regions matters as much as choosing sights. This guide groups 18 experiences by place and type and explains who each one suits, so you can build a balanced trip. Pair it with our 7-day Vietnam itinerary and Vietnam cost guide.

At a glance

Hanoi and the north

1. Hanoi's Old Quarter. Narrow streets named after their old trades, street food and the weekend night market. Best explored on foot in the evening.

2. Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature. A calm lake at the city's heart and Vietnam's first university, dating back about a thousand years.

3. A water puppet show. A traditional performance on water, with live music. Suits families and takes about an hour.

4. An overnight Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise. Limestone islands rising from the sea, with kayaking, caves and sunrise on deck. The highlight of most trips.

5. Ninh Binh. Rivers through rice fields and karst hills by rowing boat, often called Ha Long Bay on land. A good day trip from Hanoi.

6. Sapa. Terraced rice fields and hill villages in the far north, best with two or three nights.

Central Vietnam

7. Hoi An old town. Yellow merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and lanterns on the river at night. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge. A cable car to a hilltop resort with the famous bridge held by giant hands. Popular with families.

9. Hue's imperial city. The citadel and royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty along the Perfume River.

10. The Hai Van Pass. A scenic coastal road between Da Nang and Hue, by car or motorbike with a guide.

11. Da Nang's beaches and Marble Mountains. Long sandy beaches and limestone hills with caves and pagodas.

Ho Chi Minh City and the south

12. The War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. Sobering history in the city centre, best with a guide.

13. The Cu Chi tunnels. A network of wartime tunnels outside the city. Some passages are tight, so check before crawling in.

14. The Mekong Delta. Boats through canals, orchards and floating markets. Suits families and parents.

15. Phu Quoc. An island with beaches, cable car and sunsets, good for a relaxed end to the trip.

16. Ben Thanh Market and the night markets. Food stalls, souvenirs and coffee. Bargain politely.

17. Cao Dai Temple. A colourful temple of a unique Vietnamese faith, often combined with Cu Chi.

18. Saigon's coffee culture. Vietnamese iced coffee and egg coffee in historic cafés. A gentle way to spend an afternoon.

Food experiences

A street-food walk in Hanoi, a cooking class in Hoi An and a coffee tour in Ho Chi Minh City are highlights. Vegetarians can look for chay (Buddhist vegetarian) restaurants and ask for no fish sauce; Indian restaurants exist in all major cities. Jain travellers should plan meals ahead.

When to go

The north is best from October to April, the centre from February to August, and the south from December to April. Tet, the Lunar New Year, brings festivities but many closures.

On a rainy day

Hanoi's museums and water puppets, Hoi An's tailors and cooking classes, and Ho Chi Minh City's museums fill a wet day.

What you can safely skip

On a short trip, you do not need both Ha Long and Ninh Binh, or every Hue tomb. Choose a region and enjoy it.

Getting between the experiences

Domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City in one to two hours. App cars are cheap in cities. Overnight trains are an option for flexible travellers.

Tailoring in Hoi An

Hoi An's tailors make clothes to measure in a day or two. Agree prices and fittings clearly and leave time for adjustments.

Traffic and motorbikes

City traffic is dense with motorbikes. Cross the road slowly and steadily so riders can see you, and use app cars rather than riding yourself unless you are experienced and licensed.

Favourites with Indian travellers

Many Indian visitors enjoy the bay cruise, Ba Na Hills, Hoi An at night, Phu Quoc and shopping in Ben Thanh Market.

Free and low-cost experiences

Walking Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hoi An's lanes and lantern-lit riverside, and city markets cost little. Street food is excellent value.

For adventurous travellers

The Ha Giang loop in the far north, the caves of Phong Nha, and kayaking in Lan Ha Bay suit active travellers with extra days.

Festivals

Tet, the Lunar New Year in late January or February, brings decorations, flower markets and family celebrations, though many shops close for several days. Hoi An's monthly full-moon lantern festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival are colourful times to visit.

How to choose

With a week, choose Hanoi and the bay plus central or southern Vietnam. Our Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Ha Long and Ho Chi Minh City trips show the options.

For families and parents

Children enjoy cruises, cable cars and boats. Parents may prefer flights between regions and hotels with lifts.

For couples

Couples often favour a premium bay cruise, Hoi An and a Phu Quoc beach stay.

Entry

Indian travellers usually apply online for an e-visa; see our Vietnam visa guide and the official e-visa portal.

Practical tips

Carry some cash for markets, dress modestly at temples and agree prices before rides. Read our Vietnam trip guide from India for flights and money.

A BagPackerMe planner can choose and plan these experiences privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the one thing not to miss in Vietnam?

For most first-time visitors, an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, followed by an evening in Hoi An's old town when the lanterns are lit.

Which Vietnamese experiences suit families?

Children usually enjoy the bay cruise, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, the Hoi An lantern boats, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc's beaches.

Is a day trip to Ha Long Bay enough?

It works if time is short, but it involves a long drive each way. An overnight cruise gives you sunset, sunrise and calmer waters, and is worth it for most travellers.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Hanoi, the bay and either central or southern Vietnam. Ten to twelve days allows north, centre and south.