Vietnam Attractions

Recommended by Alex Robinson, our Vietnam specialist · Updated October 2026

Things to Do in Vietnam: Bays, Mountains, Old Towns and Street Food

Vietnam stretches more than 1,600 kilometres from the mountains of the north to the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, and every region feels different. In two or three weeks you can eat your way around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, cruise among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, row through the rice fields of Ninh Binh, explore the old imperial capital of Hue, walk the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and take a boat to a floating market in the Mekong Delta.

These are the experiences our Vietnam specialist Alex Robinson recommends most. Alex is an award-winning travel journalist who writes about and leads journeys in Indochina, and he has covered Vietnam by rail for Wanderlust. Every experience can be arranged privately, with your own guide and driver, as part of a tailor-made Vietnam holiday.

1. Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is a city of lakes, tree-lined boulevards and the busy lanes of the Old Quarter.

• Old Quarter street food tour: try pho, bun cha and egg coffee with a local guide, perched on tiny plastic stools on the pavement.
• Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake: Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070, and a peaceful lake in the heart of the city.
• Water puppets: a traditional show performed on water, with live music.

Where to stay: La Siesta Classic Hang Thung, Peridot Grand or May De Ville Lakeside Hotel & Spa.

2. Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Thousands of limestone islands rise from the emerald water of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a night on board a small cruise ship, kayak into hidden lagoons, visit caves and floating villages, and watch the sunrise from the deck. Neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is just as beautiful and much quieter.

Where to stay: on board the Heritage Line Ylang.

3. Ninh Binh

Often called “Ha Long Bay on land”, Ninh Binh has limestone peaks rising out of rice fields, about two hours south of Hanoi.

• Trang An or Tam Coc by rowing boat: local women row you along the river and through caves under the cliffs. Trang An is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Hang Mua viewpoint: climb around 500 steps for a view over the river and rice fields.
• Cycling: ride along quiet country lanes between villages and temples.

Where to stay: Tam Coc Oasis Resort & Spa.

4. Pu Luong, Sapa and the Northern Mountains

• Pu Luong Nature Reserve: rice terraces, bamboo forests and Thai minority villages with wooden stilt houses, a few hours from Hanoi and still quiet. Stay at Pu Luong Retreat.
• Sapa: trek through rice terraces to Hmong and Red Dao villages, or take the cable car up Fansipan, Indochina’s highest mountain.
• Ha Giang: the far north has some of Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain scenery, best explored by car with a driver.

5. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

This UNESCO-listed park is full of huge caves. Take a boat into Phong Nha Cave, walk through the giant chambers of Paradise Cave, or swim and zipline at Dark Cave. Experienced adventurers can join an expedition to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, which must be booked many months ahead.

6. Hue

Hue was the capital of Vietnam’s Nguyen emperors from 1802 to 1945.

• Imperial City: explore the citadel and palaces of the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments.
• Royal tombs and the Perfume River: visit the tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, and take a boat to Thien Mu Pagoda.
• Hai Van Pass: drive or take the train over the mountain pass between Hue and Da Nang, with views along the coast.

Where to stay: Azerai La Residence or The Moonlight Hotel Hue.

7. Hoi An and My Son

• Hoi An Ancient Town: a UNESCO-listed trading port of wooden shophouses, assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge, lit by silk lanterns in the evening.
• Cooking class and countryside cycling: shop at the market, cook with a local chef and cycle through rice fields and vegetable villages.
• Tailors: have clothes made to measure in a day or two.
• My Son Sanctuary: the ruins of Hindu temples built by the Cham kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, best visited early in the morning.

Where to stay: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa.

8. Ho Chi Minh City

• City sights: the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the old Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
• Street food by scooter: ride pillion with a local guide to the city’s best food stalls.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: see the tunnels used during the Vietnam War, a short drive from the city.

Where to stay: The Reverie Saigon, Caravelle Saigon, The Myst Dong Khoi or Mia Saigon.

9. The Mekong Delta and the Islands

• Cai Rang floating market: take a boat at dawn to the market near Can Tho, where traders sell fruit and vegetables from their boats.
• Ben Tre and the canals: cycle and take small boats through coconut groves, orchards and villages.
• Phu Quoc and Con Dao: end your trip on the beach. Con Dao is wilder and quieter, with turtles nesting from about April to October.

Vietnam Experiences at a Glance

Travelling Responsibly in Vietnam

We work with local guides and family-run businesses, from homestays in Pu Luong to cooking schools in Hoi An, so more of what you spend stays in the community. We choose small cruise ships for Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, avoid animal shows, and ask you to dress modestly at temples and pagodas. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

Vietnam has different weather in each region, so there is always somewhere good to go. The north, including Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, is best from March to May and September to November. The centre, including Hue and Hoi An, is best from February to August, and the south from December to April. Spring, from March to April, is a good time to see the whole country.

Should I cruise in Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay?

Both have the same dramatic limestone scenery. Ha Long Bay is the most famous and the busiest, while Lan Ha Bay, next door, has fewer boats, quiet beaches and good kayaking. We usually recommend a small ship that spends at least one night on the water and visits Lan Ha Bay.

How long do I need to see Vietnam?

We recommend two to three weeks to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City without rushing. In two weeks you can see Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. With more time, add Pu Luong or Sapa, Phong Nha’s caves or the Mekong Delta.

Can I travel through Vietnam by train?

Yes. The Reunification Express runs the length of the country, and the section between Hue and Da Nang, along the coast and over the Hai Van Pass, is one of the most scenic rail journeys in Asia. We often combine short train journeys with domestic flights and private cars to make the best use of your time.

Can I visit Son Doong Cave?

Yes, but only on a multi-day expedition run by a single licensed operator, with a limited number of places each year. You need to be fit and book many months in advance. For an easier cave experience, Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave can be visited in a day.

When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

Hoi An’s lantern evening takes place each month on the night of the full moon, when the Old Town switches off its electric lights and is lit by lanterns, and people float candles on the river. The lanterns light up the town every evening too, so it’s beautiful at any time.

Plan Your Vietnam Holiday

Many of these experiences feature in our 17-day Vietnam Highlights tour, from £4,770 per person, and our 15-day Discover Vietnam & Cambodia holiday, from £3,970 per person. Browse our Vietnam hotels, read our Vietnam travel guide, or see our guide to Vietnam’s regions. Vietnam combines well with Cambodia and Laos. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.