From luxurious resorts and fine-dining venues in the beaches to spread out rice terraces on the hills, the country provides a lot of options to its tourists in terms of things to do, aside from enjoying the unique blend of the country’s cuisine that is known all over the world.

In this article, we take a look at the best things to do when you find yourself in Vietnam.

Go on a Tour

Vietnam is a country filled with cities containing historical monuments, religious sites, colonial buildings and war memorials. Taking a tour of one or more of these cities is an ideal option for you if you want to know more about the country, its history and its culture.

There are a lot of options to chose from when it comes to tours. You can head north for the beautiful scenery of Sapa Highlands or look out at the majestic Halong Bay. You can also check out the world heritage sites of Hoi An and Hue or find yourself walking in the charged streets of Ho Chi Ming! There is a variety of tours available in every city and some of them are also very unique and will show you Vietnam as you’ve never seen before.

You can also choose to go on a themed tour which is based on things like cycling, food or even the infamous Vietnam war.

Go Shopping in Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is known for its architecture and rich culture which has been influenced by many parts of the world. The Old Quarter of the city is famous for its streets that are dedicated to specific trades like the famous Silk Street and Silver Street.

The largest market in Hanoi is the Dong Xuan Market, which entices shoppers with a wide array of products available all over its four floors. The building is surrounded by stalls and merchant shops on all sides. Even though it is rare you’ll find anything other than souvenirs when you’re going through this place, it is still quite an experience.

If you’re looking for international fashion and lifestyle brands, the Lotte Center Hanoi is a good choice. Offering shopping, entertainment, and dining options, the 65 story building is certainly something you should visit once when you’re in Vietnam.

Experience the Nightlife

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has a lot to offer in terms of nightlife and provides its visitors with a lot of places to visit and experience a night out in the south-easy Asian country.

The Bia Hoi Junction in the center of the Old Quarter is one of the most famous spots for nightlife in the city of Hanoi. It is a great place to soak up the environment of the city and drink a few beers at the famous Beer Hoi spot in Vietnam which serves cheap but nice fresh beer. You can also find snacks like steamed peanuts, beef jerky served by the street vendors.

For people looking for live music, there is the Minh’s Jazz Club which often has international artists performing. There is also The Bank Hanoi for people who are more into the nightclub scene.

The Opera House in Hanoi is a fine building that is a spectacular example of colonial architecture and is a great option for those who are looking for a night of culture in the city of Hanoi.

Visiting the Ba Vi National Park

One of the most famous spots to visit in Vietnam, Ba Vi National Park offers a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the cities of Vietnam. The national park is filled with absolutely beautiful natural scenery and is centered around a three-peaked mountain that strikingly steeps out of the landscape.

The three mountain peaks are Dinh Vua, Tan Vien and Ngoc Hoa and they form a three-humped crest together. A lot of tourists and pilgrims make the walk to the peak of Tan Vien where an 11th-century shrine stands in the memory of the god of mountains.

It seems as if nature is at its finest here, with great tropical forest views and there are also several streams running through the park.

The park was originally a hill station during the French colonial era and the park provides a lot of walking and hiking opportunities. There is also a bird garden and an orchid garden.

Visiting the beaches of Vietnam

With over 3,000 km of soft sands and clear waters, Vietnam has a lot of beaches and almost no two beaches are the same for the tourists and the locals who keep flocking to these shores of paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Long Beach is a large coastal area on the Phu Quoc island, filled with great beachside resorts, restaurants, cafes and bars. Even though it is modernized and hosts a lot of tourist attractions, the beach is still great for sunbathing and swimming.

There are also other beaches to visit in the country like the Mui Ne Beach, famous for kitesurfing or Quy Nhon, which is one of the few beaches which attracts mostly locals and only seasoned travelers.

A day spent on the beaches of Vietnam is a good day and they are something you should definitely experience if you are in Vietnam.