Vietnam is a land of numerous enchantments. Too many to resist in fact, which is why it’s so difficult to decide what you want to do and see on your Vietnam holiday because, really, the list would have one thing on it… everything! In situations like this, it’s easy to just visit a couple of big-name places – such as Hanoi, Halong Bay and Saigon – and bypass all the great stuff in-between. So, we’re here to guide you, to tell you all about those other sights so you don’t miss out on any of the best things to do in Vietnam. Whether it’s culture you crave, natural wonders or spectacular landscapes that you love, it’s history that gets your heart racing, or food that you’re most fond of – we’ve got you covered!
An all year round destination it may be, but we thought we’d include a section on the best time to visit Vietnam too, to help you get the very best out of your holiday – you’ll find that at the end of this article.
Best of Nature – Mekong Delta
A must on any Vietnam holiday, two hours west of Saigon you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Mekong Delta, a particularly bountiful area where rice, fruits and vegetables are grown. On arrival you’ll hop into a small boat and cast off into the maze of palm-lined canals that criss-cross a landscape of paddy fields, orchards, flower farms and lush meadows. Life in this riverine world is dictated by the rhythms of the Mekong and everything takes place on the water – markets feature boats piled high with fresh fruits like dragon fruits and mangos, houses stand high on stilts or bob gentle at the river’s edge, farmers work along the bountiful banks with teams of buffalo and small crafts flit across the water carrying locals to and fro – a truly fascinating sight.
Best of Food – Tra Que Village
At Tra Que, an organic farming village just outside of the utterly charming town of Hoi An (itself always high on lists of the best things to do in Vietnam), you have to ‘work’ for your supper. And by work we mean try your hand at a series of traditional farming techniques like watering, tiling, trenching, and tending herb gardens with the locals as your guides. Once you’ve worked up an appetite among the vegetables, you can head to the kitchen where the produce you just saw in the ground is ready and waiting to become something delicious. There are opportunities to get involved in the cooking process or to sit back and watch your chef teacher in action, picking up tips on one of the world’s healthiest and most flavourful cuisines. Tucking into that meal of just-out-of-the-ground vegetables and herbs will be an absolute game changer.
Best of History – Tomb of Minh Mang
The city of Hue was the seat of emperors from 1802 until 1945. The best place on your Vietnam holiday to discover the country’s imperial history, it is full of treasures, like the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City. The tombs of bygone rulers scatter the banks of the Perfume River outside of the city. Minh Mang’s, in its forest setting, is the most impressive of the lot. The second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, Minh Mang’s mausoleum is a complex complete with courtyards, pavilions, lakes, staircases, and stone bridges, featuring bright colours and elaborate ornamentation. Although significantly damaged in the Vietnam War a series of conservation and rebuilding projects have returned the tomb to its former glory.
Best of Culture – Quintessence of Tonkin
Culture can be easily experienced throughout your time exploring the country, but none of the top things to do in Vietnam showcases it in quite such spectacular fashion as Hanoi’s Quintessence of Tonkin. The show invites the audience to look at northern Vietnam’s past from a contemporary perspective while focussing on different aspects of the region’s culture including poetry, music, art and festivals. On a huge set at the foot of Thay Pagoda Mountain, everything about the staging is magnificent, from its setting to the huge number of performers to the folktales, music, and culture essence highlighted. It is a must see!
Best of Landscapes – Halong Bay
Always the number one thing to do in Vietnam for good reason, Halong Bay is the nation’s showstopper sight, a seascape unlike any other with a fascinating mythology to match its beauty. Formed over centuries from the easily erodible limestone karst rock, the turquoise waters of this secluded corner of the Bay of Tonkin are strewn with sheer, jaggedly sculpted towers and islets, many perfectly crowned with a scattering of green foliage. Legend tells that the bay was created by ancient dragons who descended from the heavens to help the Vietnamese people protect their homeland from foreign invaders, a story that suits its mystical aura. Naturally, the best way to explore this picturesque panorama is by boat, drifting tranquilly through the formations, watching the comings and goings of junk boats, exploring caves, and seeing life on the islands and floating villages.
Best of Southeast Asia – Temples of Angkor
Ok, this one is a little cheeky, but we strongly suggest, because it is so easy, tacking a little side trip into Cambodia and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Temples of Angkor onto your Vietnam holiday. Spread across a landscape of jungle, lakes and plain, just outside the city of Siem Reap (easily reachable from Vietnam by road or plane), Angkor is home to 72 major temples and 100s of minor ones. The seat of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries, many of the structures have been left to the elements, leaving behind atmospheric ruins entwined with nature. At the heart of it all is Angkor Wat; in constant use as a temple since its construction in around 1145AD, and the world’s largest religious monument, it is Cambodia’s national treasure.
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam stretches 1,600 kilometres from north to south and encompasses coast, mountains, river delta and so on, so the weather can vary considerably as you travel from one end to the other. For the entire country, the best time to visit Vietnam is in March and April, when temperatures are just right, and rainfall is at its lowest.
In the north of Vietnam, around Hanoi and Halong Bay, it can be surprisingly cold in the winter (December to February), while in the summer months (May to August) you’ll find it is hot and humid. For perfect sunny and warm weather, consider March and April or September to November.
As you travel south, things start to get more tropical so the very best time to explore Central Vietnam, incorporating places like Hue and Hoi An, is between February and August, when it is warm to hot and sunny. Outside of this time is considered rainy season, but with the rain brings wonderfully lush countryside to admire.
In the south of Vietnam, any time is the best time to travel there, as it is warm and pleasant year-round. A typical tropical climate, there is a dry season between December and May and a rainy season from June to November, when rain comes in short bursts. Bear in mind though, that from March to May, temperatures can be very hot.
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Temples of Angkor - Saigon Past and Present - Halong Bay Cruise
