Top Things to Do in Vietnam: 15 Unmissable Experiences

Vietnam rewards the curious — it's a country of layered history, dramatic landscapes and some of the best food on Earth, all of it surprisingly affordable. Here are the experiences we'd genuinely tell a friend not to miss.

In the north

1. Cruise Ha Long Bay overnight

The karst-studded bay is the country's signature image, and an overnight cruise — kayaking, cave visits, sunset on deck — is the way to see it properly. Day trips barely scratch it.

2. Eat your way through Hanoi's Old Quarter

Pho at dawn, banh mi from a street stall, egg coffee in a hidden upstairs cafe. The food here is the attraction.

3. Trek the rice terraces of Sapa

For mountain air and green-as-green-can-be scenery, the northern highlands deliver. Even a one-day walk through the terraces is remarkable.

In the centre

4. Watch Hoi An light up at dusk

The lanterns come on, the river glows, and the whole ancient town turns golden. Take a lantern-boat ride and thank us later.

5. Take a cooking class

Market visit, then a kitchen session where you master fresh spring rolls and cao lau, Hoi An's own noodle dish.

6. Cycle the rice paddies

Flat, quiet lanes between the fields, water buffalo included. The calmest hour of the trip.

7. Visit My Son at sunrise

The Cham temple ruins are at their atmospheric best before the tour buses arrive.

In the south

8. Face the Cu Chi tunnels

A sobering, fascinating half-day. Go with a good guide who handles the history with nuance.

9. Boat through the Mekong Delta

Floating markets, coconut candy workshops, lunch by the water — a different Vietnam entirely.

10. Eat pho where it matters

Saigon claims the southern-style pho with more herbs and sweetness. Try both and pick a side.

The ones people skip (but shouldn't)

• Egg coffee — sounds odd, tastes like tiramisu. Hanoi speciality.
• A night market — Hoi An's is a spectacle.
• Banh mi from a real stall — the $1 sandwich that ruins all other sandwiches.
• A water-puppet show — traditional, weird and lovely.
• Train Street in Hanoi — coffee inches from a passing train.

Quick questions, answered

What's the one thing I shouldn't miss?

The Ha Long Bay overnight cruise — it's the defining Vietnam experience and worth every penny of the splurge.

Do I need to book tours in advance?

The cruise and the Cu Chi tunnels with a good guide, yes. Most food experiences and classes can be arranged a day or two ahead.

How much do these cost?

The Ha Long cruise is the big one at £120–£250 depending on the boat; most other experiences are £10–£40. Our Hanoi to Hoi An package covers most of the list. Call 020 7946 0958 to shape it around your must-dos.