Top 5 Things to Do in Vietnam

My husband and I spent 9 days traveling from North to South Vietnam over Christmas and New Years in 2022. We covered many cities, from Hanoi → Hạ Long Bay → Da Nang → Hội An → Ho Chi Minh City. Even though this was a longer trip compared to some of our other trips, there were so many delicious food to eat, cool sights to see and fun things to do in Vietnam that we’d love to go back and explore more. Here are our top 5 highlights from the trip:

1. Củ Chi tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon)

Why Visit:

An immense network of tunnels used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during the Vietnam War.

Highlights:

• Crawl through sections of the original tunnels. The tunnels get smaller and smaller, but there are emergency exits along the way. We bailed after the first section, but others on our tour were brave enough to crawl to the end.
• See displays of camouflaged booby traps, secret entrances, and everyday items used during wartime.

How to Go:

We visited as part of a dedicated tour. I highly recommend going with a tour guide who can explain the fascinating history behind each stop.

2. Hạ Long Bay (aka Halong Bay)

Why Visit:

Hạ Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its emerald waters and nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets.

Highlights:

• Sleep among the limestones on an overnight cruise.
• Kayak through caves into hidden lagoons.

How to Go:

We booked a one-night stay with Capella Cruise on Agoda and it was excellent. It included all meals and activities such as kayaking and squid fishing. We paid extra for pickup from our hotel in Hanoi and drop-off at Haiphong Airport, which was super convenient.

3. Hội An

Why Visit:

Hội An is a charming town (and a UNESCO site) known for its lantern-lit streets, preserved ancient town, and tailor shops.

Highlights:

• Watch the river light up with colorful lanterns at night.
• Get custom clothes made in 24 – 48 hours. My husband got a suit and a dress shirt, and I had two dresses tailored.
• Visit the bustling night market for local food and souvenirs.

How to Go:

We took a Grab from Da Nang to Hội An (~1 hour) and stayed overnight to enjoy the evening lanterns.

4. Explore Vietnamese Food

Why Visit:

Vietnamese cuisine varies from north to south, but everything is fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor. I recommend trying dishes from all three regions: the subtle balance of the North, the spiciness of Central Vietnam, and the sweetness of the South to experience the full range of the country’s food culture.

Highlights:

• Bún chả → a Hanoi specialty, grilled pork patties with rice noodles often served with spring rolls.
• Bánh mì → I used to dislike bánh mì because the baguettes in the U.S. are always so hard and dry, but I loved the ones in Vietnam. The bread there is soft and fluffy — I’m still thinking about the round bánh mì we tried in Da Nang.
• Bánh xèo → crispy, stuffed rice pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.

How to Go:

We did food tours in Hanoi and Danang, and got recommendations for Ho Chi Minh City from a local friend. The food tour in Danang was our favorite food tour we’ve ever done! Although the Viator listing we booked is no longer available, it looks like you can still book directly on their website.

5. Ba Na Hills (Da Nang)

Why Visit:

Ba Na Hills is a mountaintop theme park best known for the Instagram-famous Golden Bridge.

Highlights:

• Walk across the pedestrian bridge held up by a giant pair of hands. The bridge is smaller than I expected, but still really cool to see in person.
• Stroll through the beautiful flower gardens and French-style village.

How to Go:

We took a 45-minute Grab ride from our hotel in Da Nang and bought tickets there.