10 Things to Do in Vietnam: From Food to Adventure

10 things to do in Vietnam is just the start of the million things to do and see in the land of beautiful nature, amazing people, indescribable gastronomy and most importantly, ancient history. Let’s get started! And if you’re adventurous, take this blog post and create your Vietnam Bingo Card, to see how many sights and discoveries you can cross off when visiting the country. 

1. Lantern Making in Saigon 

📍 Saigon 

Lanterns in Vietnam hold great significance to local people as they symbolize good fortune and love. Seen around the city, they are not a luxurious or tedious craft to try, but you’ll be a part of a cultural significance used and loved by many. So take a lantern-making class and then see if you can let them go. If you are lucky, you can also plan to go to Vietnam during the Vietnamese New Year where you will see the country literally light up for its Lantern Festival. 

2. Take a Foodie Tour in Hoi An 

📍 Hoi An 

Take a foodie tour in Hoi An where you can stop along the way at different markets and try the local foods, whether it is street food or small mom-and-pop shops. The spontaneous food tastings you’ll get along the way will delight your senses and put you in touch with the favorite food of locals. The best part of this foodie tour is that it includes walking so you can burn off all the delicious food you’ve eaten and make space for me as well as a chance to really get acquainted with the ancient town of Hoi An. 

3. Learn The Secret of Sam Jelly

📍 Mekong 

The Mekong or Mekong River is a boundary between East Asia and Southeast Asia. When visiting this river, you can hop on a private boat and start exploring as well as meet local people along the way. The most interesting part of Mekong is the ancient communal houses and the chances to eat at a guest house. The beautiful nature paths also make for great cycling. Then, you can go to a farm and learn the secret of Sam Jelly, the cold treatment for a summer day where grass jelly is mixed with sugar and ice. The secret is the leaves…we won’t say more.

4. Take a Local Cooking Class  – One of the things to do in Ho Chi Minh is to connect with local people. 

📍 Ho Chi Minh 

When visiting Ho Chi Minh City, don’t forget to take a cooking class where you can indulge in the secrets of Southern Vietnamese cuisine. Most local classes include you first going on a tour, getting some knowledge about the local markets and then working to build the delicious recipes that are loved by Vietnamese people. And if you’re lucky enough, then definitely look into cooking classes that take into consideration the agriculture of the land as well as the surrounding villages. Some cooking classes even teach you the medicinal properties of food. 

5. See a Cave in Halong Bay – One of the most popular things to do in Vietnam 

📍 Halong Bay 

Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful naturescapes in Vietnam, simply for the fact that there are large limestone mountains that are paired with emerald waters beneath it. Legend says that these were formed almost thousands of years ago and there is evidence of that as well. Halong Bay also was added to the list as one of the world’s new seven wonders of nature. You can swim thanks to its calm waters, go explore the caves and most importantly just take a chance to sit back and relax.  This is a must-have thing to do in Vietnam. 

6. Go Cycling on BackRoads

📍 Multiple Locations

There are beautiful ways to explore Vietnam that don’t include going by foot or by car and that is cycling. Cycling is not just a tourist activity, but a local Vietnamese activity as almost everyone in the country owns a bike. You can take up to a 15-day cycling trip if you are interested in seeing the whole country and there are plenty of sites to see whether you’re going to the North or the South, which makes it all the better. 

7. See the Temple of Literature – One of the most wonderful things to do in Hanoi 

📍 Hanoi 

The Temple of Literature dates back to 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong and was dedicated to Confucious and honors some of the best architecture and most well-preserved architecture in the country. While still used as a site for people to go and worship, now the temple is a great place to walk around its grounds and get in touch with an important part of Vietnamese history.

8. Explore the World’s Biggest Cave

📍Phong Nha

Phong Nha is a destination that should be on your list when visiting Vietnam. The breathtaking site is so amazing that the Nha-Ke National Park was listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On top of its incredible history, you can explore Hang Son Doong, which is one of the world’s biggest caves and even camp at one of the world’s third-biggest caves. But one of the most enticing factors about going to Phong Nha is that you can explore from an hour to up to five days and still have many sites to see. 

9. Go See the Rice Paddies – One of the most beautiful things to do in Vietnam 

📍Multiple Locations

Vietnam rice fields should be on your bucket list, but just be aware that sometimes the beautiful green fields look different, depending on the time of the year. The rice fields can either be on top of mountains or sometimes low to the ground and sometimes they are just a hop skip and jump away from the city center. Rice fields are amazing because they can truly take you to how local people cultivate and take out the rice, which is such an important part of the culture. And then, check out our food blog to see how rice dishes get used in Vietnamese Traditional Food. The rice paddies created more rice production throughout the year. Also, don’t forget to try rice beer, straight from the keg to the glass. 

10. Enjoy The Valley of Love with Your Love

📍Da Lat

The Valley of Love or Da Lat in Vietnamese is a great place to spend time with your loved one. Beautiful gardens and water that surround the valley are just an amazing way to truly take a long walk on the…river. It is a popular destination for honeymooners or newly married couples. Take the opportunity to take pictures with your loved one under the heart arch and see the replicas of the 7 wonders of the world, your love being the 8th one!

Vietnam, is the land where you can also find your “first love” as stated by the late and respected Chef, Anthony Bourdain. In Vietnam, you can enjoy a variety of activities, from food to adventure and everything in between. And, of course, if you can, create this list of 10 things to do in Vietnam as your destination bingo card! Also, to get more information about the amazing food in Vietnam, don’t forget to check out our Vietnamese Traditional Food list.

P.P.S. – We have trips to Vietnam. Check them out here.