10 things you can do only in Vietnam

1. Travel into the world of “Kong: Skull Island”

If you have ever watched the science fiction movie Kong: Skull Island, you must still be impressed with the wild and mysterious island paradise where Kong lived. Or if you are a person who is passionate about the majestic natural scenery in adventure movies and secretly wishes, "If only I could set foot in those magical worlds once," Ha Long Bay will help you turn your dream into reality.

With more than 1,900 mysteriously shaped hills and mountains, intertwined like a giant maze in the middle of the vast sky and water, Hạ Long Bay is a natural masterpiece that nature has bestowed upon humanity in general and Việt Nam in particular.

As one of the “World Natural Heritage” sites and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Việt Nam, Hạ Long Bay has been developed comprehensively with many attractive activities.

Ha Long Bay is one of the “World Natural Heritage” sites and the setting of Kong: Skull Island

Coming here, you can experience the feeling of a military pilot in Kong: Skull Island when viewing the natural scenery from above by helicopter and seaplane or transform into a scientist to explore every corner around this giant maze created by rocks, water, and sky by boat tours with many diverse segments.

In addition, visitors can also travel to dozens of natural caves and limestone islands, immerse themselves in the water with a kayak, and witness the daily life of the floating fishing village people on the sea.

There are 2 suitable times that tourists can choose to visit this place:

• From April to September, it’s summer in Vietnam, to enjoy the sunshine between the blue sky and blue water.
• From December to February of the following year, it’s winter in Vietnam, to admire the mysterious beauty in the fog.

2. Ride the wind and hunt clouds in Ha Giang

Does the world of Kong make you so fascinated that you can't bear to leave?

Surely the adventurous blood in you is rising strongly, right?

If so, Ha Giang will be the next place to help you continue your dream of adventure in the wilderness.

The beautiful mountain passes, winding and curling along the towering mountain slopes, will satisfy the passion for conquering nature that is boiling inside backpackers or tourists who love freedom and thrills.

You can ride a motorbike, gliding through the mist, crossing winding roads or zigzag slopes to go straight to the vast green forest vaguely hidden in the magical mist. You can also visit peaceful towns and traditional villages in the middle of the immense mountains and forests of the local people.

You will truly arrive at paradise, where the poetic Nho Que River embraces the entire forest, steep mountain peaks stretch to the horizon, and immense Hoang Su Phi terraced fields stretch along the mountainside. You will see with your own eyes the “Dong Van stone plateau,” the masterpiece of nature, and immerse yourself in the daily life of traditional villages.

Ha Giang has crossing winding roads, zigzag slopes, and picturesque landscapes

It depends on the time in Vietnam; Ha Giang has its beauty:

• From January to March: The end of winter to early spring in Vietnam is the festival season of local ethnic minorities. In this season, Ha Giang will be filled with the bright colors of yellow mustard flowers, plum flowers, peach flowers, etc.
• September - October: This is the season of ripe rice in Ha Giang, so the scenery here will be beautiful.
• October - November: This is the season of buckwheat flowers blooming, making it very suitable for traveling.

3. Explore the world's largest cave—Son Doong Cave

The next unique experience that you can only have in Vietnam is to become a true explorer to witness with your own eyes the wild beauty of the place where even the Assistant Secretary of State has to admit that “It took nature millions of years to sculpt it, one drop of water and one grain of sand at a time, etc.”

Watch out for Dinosaurs - the Doline 1 in Son Doong cave

The Garden of Edam which has been sleeping for millions of years underground was accidentally discovered and has been explored by geologists for many years. Now, adventure lovers can set foot in this mystical cave to explore the unique ecosystem that is preserved as pristinely as the first days of discovery.

In Son Doong Cave, you will experience the feeling of an expert explorer, who will trek through forests and streams for dozens of kilometers to reach the cave deep in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, walk through fossil corridors, climb giant stalagmites, and camp in the cave.

You can enjoy the fresh air, unique ecosystem, and primeval forest like a paradise underground, a place like a precious gem protected by the vast mountains and forests.

Sơn Đoòng cave is an unmatched tour, built according to strict environmental protection criteria with the motto that future generations can forever admire this natural masterpiece. Therefore, the number of tourists coming here is limited, with only 10 tourists per tour and only 1000 people per year.

The Great Wall of Vietnam in Son Doong cave

January to August is the ideal period for you to explore the cave, in which:

• January - March: The weather is cold and often cloudy in the cave.
• April-May: the weather is warm, and the vegetation flourishes.
• June - August: The weather is sunnier, but the climate in the cave is still cool for exploration.

4. Visit the Vietnam Military History Museum

The museum is located in Hanoi Capital and operates from Monday to Friday. If you are a person passionate about culture and history, the Vietnam Military History Museum will surprise and delight you with its modernity, authenticity, and impressive scale. You will admire the more than 4000 years of history of Vietnam, recreated in an extremely realistic and detailed way by hundreds of thousands of artifacts and documents presented in both Vietnamese and English. Each artifact is the embodiment of a poignant and majestic story during the fierce war.

With vivid historical evidence, this museum will immerse you in the world of that fiery period, witnessing with your own eyes the terrible destruction of bombs and bullets, the devastation of a nation under occupation, and the fierce patriotism of the Vietnamese people, recreated extremely realistically by 3D mapping technology.

This place will tell you why a small country like Vietnam was able to defeat both French colonialism and the American Empire during its heyday.

5. Be a guerrilla in the Cu Chi tunnels

If you’re traveling in Southern Vietnam, Cu Chi Tunnels is a significant destination to explore the history of the Vietnamese guerillas' resistance.

Cu Chi Tunnels also regularly appear on the list of “where to visit in Vietnam for the first time” for international tourists.

You can feel the flow of history in one of the fiercest battlefields in the resistance war against the US by the Vietnamese people. You will be surprised to see statues of Vietnamese guerillas. This is the embodiment of the small, gentle, and simple people, who lived and worked like ordinary farmers, but when the invaders appeared, they transformed into brave and elite soldiers.

Statues of Vietnamese guerillas in Cu Chi Tunnels

You can also transform into those soldiers following bomb-scarred trails and crawl down the winding tunnels dug deep underground to explore the famous tunnel system that made many French and American soldiers afraid every time they mentioned it. You will bend down in a small, dark, humid, and stuffy space with just about 1 to 1.2 meters in height. When you see the sunlight, you may exclaim, "How could the guerrillas live and fight for decades inside there?".

Many people have asked this question.

French soldiers, American soldiers, mercenaries, and hundreds of millions of tourists have been here.

6. Experience Trang An boat tour

The Tràng An Boat Tour, nestled in the heart of Ninh Bình, Vietnam, offers visitors an unparalleled journey through nature, history, and culture. As the UNESCO World Heritage site, this place provides experiences you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

This tour takes you through a unique system of interconnected rivers, caves, and limestone karsts. These destinations, such as Tam Cốc - Bích Động, Địa Linh, and Sinh Dược, are sculpted by thousands of years. Besides, you can contemplate the ancient and majestic beauty of the historic monuments in Tràng An, such as Hoa Lư ancient capital, Bái Đính pagoda, Cao Sơn temple, Trần Temple, Phủ Khống, and so on.

The boat tour typically takes 2-3 hours and ranges from $8.00 to $10.00 per person, making it an ideal half-day activity. Each traditional rowing boat accommodates 4-6 passengers. If you prefer a private boat, the price ranges from $40 to $50.

Morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit, as the weather is cooler, and the lighting enhances the scenery.

Trang An boat tour is an unparalleled journey through nature, history, and culture

7. Be a farmer in the rice civilization

After exploring the scenic spots and historical sites, you can experience the simple life in the Vietnamese countryside.

You can also go back in time to transform into a traditional farmer and experience life in the cradle of rice civilization. In the peaceful countryside, you, a farmer, wake up at dawn and go to the fields to cultivate rice using crafted methods. You will hoe the land, plant rice, harvest rice, pound rice, etc. You will also grow vegetables and catch crabs or fish to prepare simple but delicious dishes.

There are so many agricultural places to visit in Việt Nam, including:

• Interraced field in Sa Pa: You can work alongside farmers to plant, water, and harvest rice on steep terraces. Guided by locals, this immersive experience showcases the ingenuity and effort behind farming in challenging terrain. Plowing with water buffalo, a centuries-old practice, is a highlight for those seeking authenticity. Moreover, you can stay in homestays with ethnic minorities like the H’Mong, Dao, or Tày. Here, they can learn traditional crafts such as embroidery, batik, or indigo dyeing, adding a cultural depth to the farming tour.

Interraced field in Sa Pa showcases the ingenuity and effort behind farming in challenging terrain

• Trà Quế Village in Hội An: You can learn time-honored agricultural techniques passed down through generations in the Central Vietnam countryside. From preparing soil with natural seaweed fertilizers to planting and harvesting herbs, you will actively participate in the farming processes, gaining a hands-on understanding of Vietnamese agricultural traditions. You also can take cooking classes to prepare traditional dishes such as bánh xèo, cao lầu, etc., and then enjoy them with Trà Quế’s signature herb gardens, such as fragrant basil, mint, and cilantro.
• Đà Lạt: with a cool climate and fertile soil, Đà Lạt is a haven for agricultural activities, particularly vegetables and flowers. You will participate in planting and harvesting fresh produce, such as crisp lettuce, sweet carrots, and juicy strawberries, grown in greenhouses and terraced fields. If you are a flower lover, you can wander through vibrant fields of roses, hydrangeas, and sunflowers.
• Mekong Delta: Tourists can engage in traditional rice farming activities in the Southern countryside of Việt Nam, from planting young seedlings to harvesting golden grains. Visitors can also pick tropical fruits like mangos, durians, and rambutans directly from trees and feed fish with traditional tools.

8. Enjoy Vietnamese Food

Việt Nam is a culinary haven that captivates visitors with its rich flavors, fresh ingredients, and significant food culture. From the North to the South, each place has its distinct culinary identity, contributing to the rich and unmistakable culinary background of Việt Nam.

The international press and media have mentioned Vietnamese cuisine with praise and appreciation. From the compliments of gourmet tourists to famous chefs, they all come to Việt Nam with curiosity and leave with passion and admiration.

The country has such a diverse and unique cuisine that even the world's top chefs, such as Anthony Bourdain, Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, etc. do not hesitate to praise it. The fire-breathing chef Gordon Ramsay said: "Việt Nam is an extraordinary melting pot of food. I fell in love, there’s just such a humble approach to eating food”. After his culinary journey from the South to the North, he has brought Vietnamese dishes to his culinary arenas.

You can start your food tour with the iconic street food scene in renowned cities to enjoy the top Vietnamese dishes, for example, Phở, Bánh Mì, Bánh Xèo, Xôi Xéo, etc. Enjoying these delights while sitting on tiny plastic stools amidst the chatter of daily life is a quintessential part of the Vietnamese experience.

Vietnamese cuisine stands out with its rich flavors and fresh ingredients

Here are some of the most famous food tours in Việt Nam’s leading culinary destinations:

• Hà Nội Street Food Tour: Explore the bustling streets of the Old Quarter with a local guide, sampling iconic dishes such as Phở, Bánh cuốn, Nem rán, Bún chả, Bún thang, Chè, Cafe trứng (egg coffee), and so on. This tour focuses on hidden gems in narrow alleys, where family-run eateries serve authentic and traditional meals. It is a great opportunity to interact with locals and learn about the history behind each dish.
• Hội An: Begin at the bustling Hội An Central Market, sampling Cao Lầu, mì Quảng, cháo Nghêu, bánh đập hến xào, white rose dumplings, etc. The tour often concludes with a visit to a riverside eatery for Hội An famous grilled skewers.
• Huế Food Walking Tour: The former imperial capital in Việt Nam is famous for its royal cuisine and refined dishes. This tour takes visitors to traditional restaurants and street vendors to try specialties like Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup), Bánh Bèo(steamed rice cakes), Cơm Hến (Hến rice), and Nem Lụi (grilled pork skewers). Participants also get insights into Huế culinary history.
• Hồ Chí Minh food tour: Experience the city’s vibrant night scene by motorbike, stopping at food stalls to savor dishes like Cơm Tấm (broken rice with grilled pork), Bánh Mì, Bò Lá Lốt, grilled seafood, chè, etc. In addition, you can visit the Chinatown Food and Culture Tour: Delve into the flavors of District 5’s Chinatown, where you can sample Chinese-Vietnamese dishes such as Dimsum, Dumpling, Mì Vịt Tiềm, etc.

9. Visit the Mekong Delta floating market

Visiting the Mekong Delta floating markets is a unique and unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life in southern Vietnam. Once upon a time, due to the dense canal system and underdeveloped transport infrastructure, people in the Mekong Delta often had to travel and transport goods by boats, canoes, sampans, etc. Moreover, when the flood season comes every year, most of this area is deeply submerged in alluvial water, forming a unique floating market custom here. People live and work on boats, navigating the labyrinth of rivers and canals to buy, sell, and trade goods.

One of the most famous markets in the Mekong Delta is Cái Răng. As the sun rises over the horizon, the river comes alive with activity, and the air is filled with the sounds of paddles, engines, and merchants' chatter.

Cái Răng floating market in Mekong Delta with dozens of produce boats

When you come here, you will immerse yourself in the fresh air of the morning mist and see the city gradually fade. In front of your eyes are only the vast waves and the rumbling sound of engines. As you approach the market, you may be surprised due to the colorful scene of dozens of small to large boats. They brimmed with fresh produce, flowers, and local goods. These boats dock side by side, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere as vendors shout out prices and negotiate with buyers.

The goods sold at the floating market are diverse, from tropical fruits like mangos, pineapples, and dragon fruit to vegetables, seafood, and local delicacies. Many boats feature a tall pole at the front that hands what goods they sell to attract buyers. You can even sample fresh coconut or delicious Vietnamese dishes from floating restaurants. In addition to the floating market, you can visit craft villages, fruit gardens, and many other famous tourist attractions in the Southwest.

10. Be a Local

Experiencing the daily life of a local Vietnamese will be your next unforgettable memory. When you live like a local as well as enjoy life from a local perspective, can you understand why a developing country like Việt Nam has become one of the most livable countries in the world? There are numerous foreigners, from developed countries such as America, British, Germany, Australia, France, etc., who have come to Vietnam and spent the rest of their lives in this land.

You can try some typical Vietnamese activities, including:

• Sit-Down Coffee - A Daily Ritual: Vietnam’s coffee culture is a wonderful experience. You can head to a roadside café, sit on a tiny plastic stool, and enjoy a cup of coffee, white coffee, or egg coffee. The slow pace of coffee time in Vietnam is a cherished moment for locals to connect, chat, and people-watch.
• Walking Across the Street - A Thrilling Adventure: Crossing a busy street in Vietnam, especially in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, is a rite of passage. With motorbikes weaving through every direction, the trick is to walk confidently and steadily while vehicles flow around you. It’s a surprisingly exhilarating experience that leaves visitors feeling victorious.
• Riding a Motorbike: Hop on a motorbike, the lifeblood of Vietnamese transportation, and zip through the city. Whether you are navigating the chaotic streets of Saigon or cruising along the scenic Hai Van Pass, riding a motorbike offers an authentic and thrilling way to explore Vietnam.
• Eating Late at Night: A Culinary Adventure: Vietnamese cities come alive at night with street food stalls offering Phở, Bánh Tráng Nướng (Vietnamese pizza), Gỏi Cuốn, grilled seafood, and skewered meats. Join locals at a late-night food spot, savoring freshly cooked dishes under the glow of neon lights.

Hà Nội streets are busy with traffic at night

In this way, you will integrate into the lives of Vietnamese, chat with strangers for hours, and participate in local festivals and community events to feel the hospitality and sincerity of the people here.

Vietnam is a small country but has a history of more than 4000 years with a rich cultural identity. Coming here, you will admire the colorful beauty of luxurious urban areas, ancient capitals, peaceful villages, and majestic natural landscapes. Only planet Việt Nam can bring you such unique and unforgettable experiences.

Plan your Việt Nam vacation soon so you don't miss the beautiful periods.

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