Vietnam completely exceeded our expectations. Connor and I spent just over a month travelling from north to south through chaotic cities, misty mountains and lantern-filled streets. Our verdict: this is a country we could easily come back to again and again.
Not only were we continuously surprised at how loved coffee is here, but we also ate some really delicious food.
Now without further ado, here are our must-see and do places and activities throughout Vietnam.
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Hanoi
Hanoi quickly became our favourite food city in Vietnam. So we were off to a great start landing here first. Between steaming bowls of phở, chaotic scooter-filled streets and hidden coffee shops, the city feels energetic in the best possible way.
Don’t miss
Watching trains squeeze through Train Street.
Having some drinks on the busy but fun Beer Street.
Drinking an egg coffee – it originated in Hanoi.
Visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Worth knowing
We visited during Tết (Lunar New Year), which meant quieter streets and fewer open vendors. While this changed the atmosphere slightly, it also gave us a calmer glimpse into local life.
Our verdict
If it’s your first time in Vietnam, Hanoi feels like the perfect introduction to the country’s food and culture. If you prefer to have a guided hand for your visit, why not book a walking tour covering key landmarks and history.
Ha Giang
Many would say that a trip to Vietnam which does not include the famous Ha Giang Loop bike tour is a missed opportunity for adventure. We tend to agree with this. The Ha Giang Loop ended up being one of the biggest highlights of our Vietnam trip.
Don’t miss
Absorbing the breathtaking mountain viewpoints.
Riding through rural villages and stunning valleys.
Singing your heart out at each evening’s karaoke session.
Tasting local rice wine with the enthusiastic easyriders.
Worth knowing
Not all Ha Giang tours are created equal. We heard horror stories about overcrowded groups, poor accommodation and heavy drinking culture. So, we quickly learnt that finding a tour with good accommodation and which isn’t centred around partying can be tricky.
We hit the jackpot with Vic Tours. Our group was well-sized (10 people). We had social, karaoke filled evenings, but could also retreat to a nice private room at the end of it. Overall a great experience.
Our verdict
Even if you’re not usually an adventurous traveller, the Ha Giang Loop is worth considering. Just choose your tour carefully.
Sa Pa
Sa Pa trades Vietnam’s chaos for rolling rice terraces, mountain air and slower-paced living. We spent three nights here, and found it to be the perfect stay duration.
Don’t miss
Hiking (or riding a funicular) up Mount Fansipan.
Taking in the scenery of rice paddies and rolling fields.
Sipping on six different Vietnamese coffees in a dedicated workshop.
Venturing to nearby Lao Chải village.
Worth knowing
The weather can change quickly, so pack accordingly. We also found that Cat Cat Tourism Village was more geared towards Instagram photography than cultural immersion. We won’t even mention Moana Village.
Our verdict
Sa Pa’s laid-back living helped it to secure a place in our hearts. Not to mention we really enjoyed the coffee making workshop. If you’re a coffee lover too, we’d highly recommend booking the coffee workshop that we did. It was a lot of fun and you’ll soon learn the meaning of being ‘coffee drunk’.
Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay genuinely feels like a surreal place. With limestone towers rising out of the water you can well understand why King Kong was filmed here.
Don’t miss
Cruising between the iconic limestone islands.
Exploring huge caves by foot or by kayak.
Sunset views from the boat deck for those boating overnight.
Worth knowing
Expect a lot of other tourist boats. Also there isn’t much to do in the town itself, which sadly feels like a ghost town.
Our verdict
Absolutely worth doing, but the cruise is the main attraction here.
Ninh Binh
If we had to recommend one place for people to add to their Vietnam itinerary, it would be Ninh Binh. Dubbed as ‘Ha Long Bay on Land’, Ninh Binh is brimming with not only limestone towers, but also rice paddies, rivers and a lot of history.
Don’t miss
Cycling around local rice paddy fields near to Tam Cốc.
Feeding koi fish and exploring Tuyệt Tịnh Cốc‘s cave temple.
Summiting Mua Mountain at Hang Mua.
Exploring Vietnam’s 10th century capital city – Hoa Lu.
Worth knowing
There is so much to do and see in Ninh Binh, so to fit it all in make sure you book enough days.
Our verdict
A top tier place to visit, trumping Ha Long Bay for us. If you want to learn more about the region in depth it may well be worth booking a dedicated tour.
Huế
A laid back city with a rich history and royal cuisine. The colonial architecture will leave you in awe.
Don’t miss
Discovering the grounds of Huế’s Imperial Citadel.
Browsing the many stalls of busy Dong Ba market.
Visiting Hồ Thuỷ Tiên, an abandoned water park.
Worth knowing
From September to January, Huế experiences heavy monsoons and high humidity. We visited during its rainy season, and boy did it rain a lot!
Our verdict
While Huế wasn’t our standout stop in Vietnam, it’s still worth visiting for anyone interested in Vietnamese history and imperial architecture.
Hội An
Lantern-lit and endlessly charming, Hội An somehow manages to feel both lively and relaxed at the same time. It certainly deserves its spot on any Vietnam sightseeing list.
Don’t miss
Walking the market streets and releasing a lantern at night on the river.
Getting crafty making your own silver ring in a dedicated workshop.
Feeding ducks at a local duck farm.
Being spun in a coconut basket boat.
Worth knowing
Whilst many sites can be seen by foot, hiring a bicycle for the day can help you to expand your discovery of this fine city.
Our verdict
Connor visited Hội An 10+ years ago and mentioned this was his favourite. Safe to say, Hội An still held onto Connor’s top spot.
Buôn Ma Thuột
Not the most well known city in Vietnam, so a trip to Buôn Ma Thuột will bring you a quieter, more local experience. Here you should expect coffee to be front and centre, being the coffee capital of the country.
Don’t miss
Learning more about Vietnam’s coffee history at the World Coffee Museum.
Exploring a local coffee farm such as Aeroco Speciality Farm.
Worth knowing
Activities here are scattered, so staying in the city isn’t a must. We stayed quite remotely at a farmstay. This was a great experience.
Our verdict
A nice way to break away from the tourist bustle in other cities. If you want to learn more about our time in Buôn Ma Thuột, read our other blog – Visiting Buôn Ma Thuột: Coffee farm, museum, and village.
Da Lat
Da Lat feels unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. It’s cooler in climate, quirkier and packed with strange attractions
Don’t miss
Getting lost in the Maze Bar.
Racing Mario Karts downhill in a thrilling race at Cao Nguyen Hoa Dalat.
Snooping around the weird and wonderful Crazy House.
Picking fruit at Ichigo Strawberry Farm.
Worth knowing
Some of the more exciting activities sit quite far out of the city. So make sure you either have transport or have downloaded any of the ride-hailing apps. We used Grab.
Our verdict
For anyone looking for adventure, Da Lat is well worth the journey.
Ho Chi Minh City
A busy and well organised city, Ho Chi Minh will bring all visitors a share of education and modernity, and a dab of crazy nightlife.
Don’t miss
Touring around Cu Chi Tunnels.
Learning more about Vietnam’s tragic and recent history at War Remnants Museum.
Having a drink on Bar Street.
Browsing boutique stores and coffee shops at the Coffee Apartments Building.
Worth knowing
Ho Chi Minh City felt far more modern and fast-paced than Hanoi, with huge roads, rooftop bars and endless coffee shops. However, we didn’t think crossing a road was a big deal, like other travellers suggest. But perhaps that’s because we’ve been to Delhi..
Our verdict
Whilst Hanoi won us over culturally, Ho Chi Minh City felt more polished, modern and energetic. If you enjoy nightlife, coffee culture and bigger city vibes, you’ll probably love it here.
