Vietnam is a country located in Southeast Asia that has a population of close to 100 million people despite the fact that it’s only slightly larger than the state of New Mexico.
This Asian country has a long history, beautiful landscapes, and a rich culture that definitely draws in visitors. Even though Vietnam is a relatively small country, it’s packed with things to do when visiting.
From theme parks to delicious food and floating markets, Vietnam is full of so many fun and unique things to do. Whether you’re staying in a single city or you plan to explore the rest of the country too, every visitor is sure to be able to find something fun and exciting to do on their trip to Vietnam.
To see the best things to do while in Vietnam, keep reading!
VISIT CAT BA ISLAND
Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island is located in Halong Bay and is the largest island there. This island has become a really popular spot for tourists in more recent years with its many lakes and waterfalls really drawing in visitors who want to get away for awhile and visit this island destination.
Visitors can hike around Cat Ba National Park, go to the beach, or even visit the incredibly eerie Cat Ba Hospital Cave. In order to get around Cat Ba Island, visitors can rent a motorbike and make zipping around the island super easy.
VISIT HANOI’S OLD QUARTER
Old Quarter the name given to the historical urban center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi’s Old Quarter has a ton of different historic sites since this used to be the center of Hanoi back when it was first founded.
These days, Old Quarter is a really popular part of Hanoi for visitors to explore. If you’re looking to get a feel for Vietnamese culture, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a great place to start. There are a ton of things to do here like go shopping, try some street food, and take a look at the historical buildings that still make up the area.
TAKE A MOTORBIKE TOUR
When it comes to getting around Vietnam, one of the most popular methods of transportation is the motorbike. While some visitors that plan to have an extended stay in the country and want to be able to get around from city to city as they please can buy themselves one for around $200, other people prefer to just rent them.
If you want to get around Vietnam on a motorbike but you’re not interested in coughing up the cash to buy one and you don’t want to drive yourself around the city, look up motorbike tours in the city you’ll be visiting. Most cities in Vietnam offer guided tours that are given on motorbikes and show you around to all the best spots in the city.
GO ON A FOOD TASTING TOUR
Vietnamese food is now making its way in the international scene for its healthier take on different dishes. (Photo: wuestenigel/Flickr)
There’s no better place to experience the food of a certain country than right there in that country. When visiting Vietnam, it’s a great time to try everything that Vietnamese culture has to offer to you. From pho to bánh mì, there are so many different foods that are popular in Vietnam.
There are food tours in a lot of different cities in Vietnam. Ask the locals once you get there or do some research about walking food tours in the city that you’re planning to go to. There’s likely going to be a food tour that takes you through different street food vendors so you can really get a taste of Vietnam.
LIGHT A LANTERN IN HOI AN
If you’re visiting Vietnam at the right time, you may be able to take part in a really special festival that happens in Hoi An. The Hoi An Lantern Festival is an event that takes place in Hoi An once a month on the date of the full moon. Even if your trip doesn’t line up with the festival, vendors still sell lanterns and candles just about every night for visitors to set out on the water.
This tradition was started centuries ago. Visitors and locals alike take a paper lantern, set a lit candle into it, and set it into the water as an offering of respect to their ancestors who look after them from the afterlife. It’s a beautiful tradition and one that anyone who finds themselves in Hoi An should take part in.
VISIT GOLDEN BRIDGE
Golden Bridge, Da Nang, Vietnam
Golden Bridge is a long and unique bridge located near Da Nang, Vietnam in the Bà Nà Hills resort. It is the best-known landmark and tourist destination in the Da Nang area and is part of the Sunworld Bà Nà Hills theme park.
This bridge is almost 500 feet long and is notable because of the two large hands that make up the support structures that hold the bridge up. It’s hard to deny that this whimsical bridge is fun to look at and definitely one that visitors to Vietnam make it a point to walk across while they’re there.
VISIT CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho
There are quite a few different floating markets in Vietnam that many visitors definitely put on their bucket list when they visit this country. But there are none that are quite as popular as tourist destinations as Cai Rang Floating Market. This market starts at about 5:00 AM and ends at noon, meaning that visitors have to plan to get up early to make sure that they catch the market.
Unlike many other markets in Vietnam, this isn’t really a place for souvenirs. The many boats that are lined up at the harbor and filled with goodies are mostly filled with fresh produce. If you’re staying in an Airbnb and want some fresh fruits and veggies, this is perfect. Even if you’re not buying, it’s worth checking out!
BY LACEY WOMACK, This article was first post on The Travel