What to Experience in Vietnam: Our Highlights Guide
While Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue are popular destinations in Vietnam, the country also offers many smaller, rewarding experiences. For example, you can visit the Cai Rang floating market on the Mekong Delta in the morning or trek through the remote farming communities of Pu Luong, where life revolves around the rice harvest.
Additionally, with a little creativity, you can see these cities in new ways: explore Hanoi’s art scene with a local curator, take a sidecar tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historical sites, or visit the Imperial Citadel in Hue at sunrise for a breathtaking view.
My Idea: Emphasizing both the well-known cities and the lesser-known experiences in Vietnam allows travelers to enjoy a richer and more diverse journey through the country’s culture and landscapes.
Experience the Vibrant Art Scene in Hanoi
Hanoi’s art scene is expanding quickly, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers. Young artists are mixing traditional materials like silk and lacquer with contemporary styles such as installations and video art, creating a dynamic environment.
With Vietnam Private Tours, travelers can have a unique experience by meeting an art director who explores cultural and social themes throughout Vietnam and Asia. You can check out contemporary exhibitions in various galleries or visit a private gallery run by a curator who has been promoting Vietnamese art since the 1990s.
Technology is also becoming part of the art landscape, featuring virtual artworks available through smartphone apps and public art projects made from recycled materials, linking to the Red River and Long Bien Bridge.
Experience the Quiet Charm of Lan Ha Bay
Halong Bay attracts many travelers with its scenic beauty, featuring limestone karst islands rising up to 100 meters tall, best experienced on a traditional junk boat. However, just south of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the quieter and equally stunning Lan Ha Bay.
When you board a traditional Vietnamese junk at Haiphong, you’ll cruise through a serene emerald seascape filled with islets, sea caves, and arches. The peaceful surroundings enhance the experience, and you can also kayak through the islands to discover hidden beaches and caves or explore local island villages by bike.
Halong Bay is also popular for its easier logistics, with shorter land transfers from Hanoi (about two and a half hours less), and you can fly directly from Haiphong afterwards. For a unique perspective, consider taking a seaplane ride for breathtaking views of the bay.
Exploring Ho Chi Minh City: A Historical Sidecar Adventure
Ho Chi Minh City, once called the “Pearl of the Orient,” is rich in history, with remnants of its colonial past and revolutionary spirit visible along its streets. You’ll see French architecture and important sites related to the Vietnam War.
For an early morning adventure, consider exploring the city in a vintage sidecar. This unique tour allows you to experience the key sights as the city awakens. You’ll begin at Nha Rong Port, where President Ho Chi Minh boarded the ship Latouche Treville on June 5, 1911, in his quest for independence.
The tour includes stops at significant landmarks like the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Post Office, with a chance to dive into the lively atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market, known for its local handicrafts. The tour wraps up with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a nearby café, a popular spot for morning gatherings of the city’s bird lovers.
Pu Luong and Mai Chau: Nature’s Hidden Gems in Vietnam
Mai Chau Valley is known for its beautiful rice paddies and small villages, making it a popular spot to experience rural life in Vietnam. If you visit, consider spending a day or two in nearby Pu Luong for a guided hike.
With experienced guides, you’ll walk through picturesque rice paddies, see bamboo water wheels, and visit stilted villages while learning about the local Tai Dam people. On my hike, I reached a mountain pass that offered amazing views of the green landscape.
At the end of our trek, some local children, who had just finished school, came to say hello. They were excited to meet us and curious about my mobile phone.
Exploring Sapa: Discovering Authentic Markets
In Sapa, a northern hill town near Hanoi, you’ll find lively markets both in and around the area. While many tourists stick to the markets close to Sapa, I recommend traveling about an hour and a half away for a more authentic experience. In these markets, you’ll encounter locals wearing colorful, embroidered clothing as they trade fruits and tools. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the local culture and experience daily life in the region.
If you’re staying in Sapa, consider staying at Topas Ecolodge’s mountain bungalows, just 45 minutes away. These bungalows are at the foot of a mountain and offer beautiful views of the valley and Tonkinese Alps. It’s a great spot for hiking to remote villages.
My Idea: Visiting less crowded markets helps you connect with local culture, and staying in a pretty place makes your trip even better while giving you easy access to nature.
Hoi An: Where Custom Tailoring Meets Timeless Charm
Hoi An, you can’t walk down a street without seeing a tailor’s shop, a reminder of its history as a trading port on Vietnam’s central coast. The influence of Hoi An’s merchant past is still visible in its Chinese and French architecture.
The fabrics used by the tailors are top quality, and you can get suits and dresses made for a fraction of the usual price. The process is quick; you can have your first fitting within 24 hours and get your finished garment a day later.
The old areas of Hoi An are compact and easy to walk around. Most hotels offer bikes to help you explore. If you cycle down the narrow alleyways off the main roads, you might find yourself by the river, at a local market, or discovering a hidden café or restaurant.
Hue’s Citadel: Where Royal History Awaits
When you cross to the north bank of the Perfume River in Hue, you’ll arrive at the impressive moated Citadel, built by Emperor Gia Long in 1804. The Citadel includes the Forbidden Purple City, where the Emperor and his family lived, as well as various administrative buildings, temples, gardens, and parks.
It can get crowded, but Vietnam Private Tours offers a special sunrise tour with a local guide who shares the fascinating history of the royal household. This tour allows you to explore the fortified ramparts and take photos before other visitors arrive. You’ll end the experience with a cup of green tea and a snack in Co Ha Garden, a serene spot where kings and royals would unwind.
Phu Quoc: A Peaceful Island Escape
Phu Quoc is a tranquil island located off the southern coast of Vietnam, not far from Cambodia. Its serene beaches provide a relaxing escape compared to the busier beaches found in central Vietnam.
With the opening of a new airport, visiting Phu Quoc has become more convenient. The quietest beaches, lined with palm trees and soft white sand, are only a short 20-minute drive away. Many of these beaches host just one resort, so it’s common to have stunning views without many other hotels in sight.
You don’t need to venture deep into the crystal-clear waters to see colorful fish swimming around your feet.
Phu Quoc is also an active fishing island, where local fishermen bring in their catches each morning. One of the island’s culinary highlights is freshly barbecued seafood served right on the beach, providing a delicious dining experience.
