Looking for the best things to do in Vietnam? From jungle trekking to a motorbike tour along one of the most picturesque roads in the world – Vietnam has it all! I’ll even throw in an abandoned water park’s graffiti-covered dragon to top it all off! If you’re planning a Vietnam itinerary, read on to find out what you should definitely not miss out on while in this beautiful and diverse country!
Visit the Marble Mountains
Just 9km south of Da Nang in central Vietnam is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. These abrupt “mountains” are named after each of the five elements and surrounded by incredibly flat earth in all directions. They seemingly appear out of nowhere! Nestled within the caverns of these rounded peaks are Buddhist sanctuaries, leading to beautiful, dimly-lit views of a shrine of a shrine able to be appreciated with not a single other soul in sight.
These mountains also hold relatively recent historical relevance. During the Vietnam War, certain Marble Mountain caves were used as a hospital for wounded Vietcong soldiers. This was all right under the nose of U.S. troops, as an American airport was situated not too far away. Through narrow gaps in the mountain walls, Vietcong would spy on U.S. soldiers on the nearby sands of My Khe Beach. It was an interesting walk, imagining the covert operations held here.
Hiking to the Peak of Thuy Son Mountain, the only Marble Mountain open to the public, was fairly exhausting. It was very much worth it for the views alone though. I suggest getting there early in the morning before the busloads of tourists show up, until this point it’s almost as if you have the area all to yourself.
Trek Through the Jungle in Phong Nha
Phong Nha is a small town in the centre of Vietnam, mostly known for its lush jungle and historic section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. At the time of typing, Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park is home to the world’s largest known cave, Son Doong Cave. With sections reaching 200m high x 150m wide, this cave stretches for a whopping 5km!
Only one trekking company has permits to trek to Son Doong Cave, Oxalis, and charges $3,000 USD per person for the experience. Do not fret though, there are plenty of other amazing caving experiences to be had around Phong Nha.
Without the time, fitness or budget to complete the Son Doong Cave trek, I visited the “secret” entrance of the Dark Cave and had a refreshing swim in E-Cave. Both were incredibly cool to explore as we jungle trekked to gain access to each. There are also a variety of overnight stay/day treks to various caves in the area that you can explore depending on the company you choose to go with.
Other than a few of the major cave attractions that are easily accessible by motorbike from the town, hiking through the dense jungle of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park requires a guide. I say “requires” as Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) are major threats still lingering from the U.S. air raids of the Vietnam War, which were very heavy in this particular part of the country.
Phong Nha itself is a beautiful quiet town with plenty of unique points of interest. Hiring a pedal bike is easy at EasyTiger, or Shambala Hostel, as they allow guests to rent them for free. A self-guided bicycle tour is a great option to visit the rest of the small town of Phong Nha.
Preparing your own meal of chicken from scratch is possible in Phong Nha. Visiting Bomb Crater Bar for sunset (and a couple of drinks) was a beautiful way to end a long day’s bike ride! Be careful riding in the dark around here though – cows sleep on the road and are hard to see in the dark!
Phong Nha Farm Stay is another EasyTiger affiliated hostel, allowing you to drop bikes off here. Another beautiful spot to watch the sun go down over flat rice paddys. It’s also home to hundreds (maybe even thousands) of ducks crossing the field returning home for the night
Hue’s Abandoned Water Park – Ho Thuy Tien
Hue was the nation’s capital from 1802 – 1945 and is well known for stunning places like Dai Noi Citadel, which is intricate and a treat to walk around no doubt. The city’s chaotic streets have some charm about them as a constant rumble of motor vehicles drive by – especially at the giant and equally intimidating oval roundabout. After driving through that, and surviving, I felt I could tackle any two-wheeled situation thrown at me.
However, an unlikely Hue destination stole the limelight for me. Hue’s now-abandoned water park, Ho Thuy Tien was opened in 2004, but the ultimately incomplete family-fun park shut its doors soon after. Graffiti coats almost every surface, including the unlikely mascot for a water park – a ferocious dragon! Sitting perched at the end of a bridge on the central lake, atop a dome structure that once housed crocodiles, the beast is now littered with broken glass in the empty, eerie halls.
Derelict water slides lead into the green, algae-ridden and stagnant water. Paint peels from the amphitheatre walls as weeds left unchecked twist around the vacant stadium seats. Cows roam overgrown fields, definitely not short of a meal! Another uncharacteristic feature of this park is the minivan-sized space simulator device. Talk about all the stops.
Since this unlikely attraction has gained ground along the “Banana Pancake Trail”, an opportunistic local now stands guard and charges a tiny fee for visiting this abandoned Vietnamese attraction.
Ride the Hai Van Pass
Situated between Da Nang and Hue lies a 21km stretch of road known as the Hai Van Pass, or “Ocean Cloud Pass” upon translation. Full of stunning vistas, the road was described by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson as “a deserted ribbon of perfection – one of the best roads in the world”. And I can’t help but totally agree!
To shorten the driving length between these two cities, a 6.28km tunnel was completed in 2005, since then a lot of traffic bypasses this majestic road, making the pass much quieter and enjoyable to drive. Sweeping views of golden beaches, lush green jungle and the endless turquoise ocean render the Hai Van Pass still quite popular amongst scenic drivers, especially at the various stops of interest. The most notable being the U.S. Military Lookout. Perched at the highest peak along the highway, the view is outstanding. You can even climb onto the old fort’s roof for a better vantage point.
Instead of hiring a motorbike and driving it myself (many companies offer bike hire for one way trips), I took a motorbike tour through EasyRider.vn and loved it! I was able to sit on the back and relax, as well as take a million photographs! Most tour routes are from Hoi An to Hue, or vice versa, and stop at a few different points of interest along the way. Since its one passenger to a bike, these tours can be tailored to your needs giving the tour even more value.
Trekking Around SaPa
This northern Vietnam travel destination is a well-known gem and with the beauty and culture to back it up. Hiking is SaPa’s main draw as the surrounding mountains and cascading rice paddies are incredibly picturesque. This tiny town and its surroundings are home to several ethnic minority groups, including Hmong, Dao (Yao), and Tay. Getting out of the city limits is the best way to learn the culture and traditions of these peoples.
I think I need to make one point clear before we go any further. Don’t expect to visit just the town of SaPa and get incredible views of rice terraces. You can visit Cat Cat village on a half-day hike, but the whole area seems catered to tourists. Lots of shopping,. Actually inside SaPa is, at the time of writing, majorly under construction and busy. My point is, if you want to hike, you need to leave the town.
Overnight trekking is my favourite way to be immersed in the local way of life and history of the area. Our trek’s itinerary included a homestay, where your bed and meals are prepared by a local family. Apart from eating the absolute best spring rolls of my life, and the locally brewed “happy water” alcoholic beverage, talking to my host family was a great insight into the lives of people in the region.
These overnight hikes can be incredibly exhausting. Hiking for multiple days back to back will do that! However, the rewards are worth the tired feet. Beautiful mountain views and never-ending rice terraces are abundant and I couldn’t get enough – rivers and the occasional waterfall awaits you as well.
For overnight treks or day hikes, I recommend SaPa O’Chau. Highly. Not only are they professional and friendly, my tour guide was incredibly informational and welcoming as I stayed in her residence overnight. SaPa O’Chau is a great company that gives back to everyone within the local community.
Another great company would be Sapa Sisters. At the time I visited, both Sapa Sisters and SaPa O’Chau were the only two companies owned and operated by the local ethnic minority groups.
Adventure in Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha Bay is a stunning alternative to Ha Long Bay. If you want a quieter and less polluted option, but still need to see them stunning limestone karsts, look no further than Lan Ha Bay. 75% of Cat Ba’s population lives on floating villages, and you can’t miss them once you get out into the bay. Easily reached via a bus from Hanoi and then a ferry to Cat Ba Island – even though it is quite a long journey, it is easily organized through many of the local companies offering transport around Hanoi.
Cat Ba Island has great sights like Fort Cannon Lookout, which gives a beautiful view of Lan Ha Bay, but for the best view, getting out into the waters of Lan Ha Bay is unbeatable.
If you have a few nights to spend in the area, I suggest Asia Outdoors 3 day – 2-night adventure. Between rock climbing, kayaking, hiking and swimming with luminescent plankton, you really get immersed in the stunning natural surroundings of Lan Ha Bay. This also includes fauna. On top of red jungle crabs (yes, you read that right!) there’s also the chance to see the critically endangered langur monkeys. Not all animals here are so friendly, a centipede-like creature will turn a whole limb blue for weeks (so I was told) and Vietnamese jellyfish hurt – I can speak from personal experience!
For an unforgettable experience, that is much more laid back (and cheaper) than Ha Long Bay, without giving up the spectacular views, Lan Ha Bay is what you’ve been searching for!
Best Things To Do In Vietnam – Tips and Information
Vietnam’s currency is Dong. For $1 Australian Dollar (AUD), this equals around 17,000 Dong (VND).
Crossing the street in major Vietnamese cities and smaller towns can be quite intimidating. Through other traveller advice and personal experience, I think it is best to walk at a smooth pace. Don’t rush to get to the other side of the road. This way, local motorists can predict your intentions and act accordingly. If you rush or look unsure, they may get spooked and make a mistake.
The sun can reflect off the surface of the water, making sunburn incredibly possible. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately and keep hydrated!
If you’re hiking into the jungle of Cat Ba, make sure you watch the placement of your hands. There’s a centipede type creature sounds incredibly painful! Bugspray also wouldn’t hurt! A lot of the trek is sharp and jagged rocks, taking your time on the challenging hike is advised. For more information on Cat Ba hikes, many of the companies offer treks through the dense jungle of Cat Ba.
If you decide to rent a motorbike in Vietnam, taking your time on the chaotic roads is a must. Even if you’re a great rider, the rules (or lack of them) is quite intimidating. Use of your horn is a great tip, as it’s the main form of communication on the roads.
Best Things To Do In Vietnam – Highlights
Experiencing the culture and cuisine anywhere throughout Vietnam is truly amazing
Vietnam is full of gorgeous hikes, I mentioned Phong Nha, SaPa and Cat Ba Island hikes here, but getting out into the Vietnamese jungle is great anywhere!
Make sure you interact with the locals as much as you can, they help bring any destination to life!
Best Things To Do In Vietnam – Conclusion
Choosing six of the best things to do in Vietnam was, as you can imagine, incredibly difficult. There is just SO much to do in this Southeast Asian destination. While I think these are must-do Vietnamese activities, this list is ultimately subjective. I’d love to hear about your opinions of this, and what would have topped your list instead. What makes your “must-see” list of Vietnam?
Drop me a comment below! As always, questions are more than welcome!
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