The 10 unusual and original activities to do in Vietnam

To make your trip to Vietnam unique and memorable, punctuate it with unusual and original activities. Here are 10 activities that can give your trip to Vietnam a very special flavour!

1. Take the glass bridge, the longest in the world

Named Bach Long, which means “White Dragon” in Vietnamese, this 632-meter-long glass bridge, located in the Moc Chau district about 200 km Northwest of Hanoi, is certified as the longest in the world by Guinness World Records. Taking it the guarantee of experiencing very strong sensations since, being transparent, you will have the impression of walking in the void 150 meters below a valley of great beauty.

>> Read more: What to visit in Moc Chau, Son La?

2. Sleep in a cave

To experience this particularly unusual and original activity, head to the Phong Nha Ke Bang Natural Park, classified as a UNESCO natural heritage site. Hikes of at least two days allow you to discover this exceptional natural site and to camp in one of the many caves of this geological park. It is home to a very large number of rock cavities and caves, each one as spectacular as the next, including the famous Son Doong cave which is 9 kilometres long and its uninterrupted gallery 200 meters high and 100 meters wide is considered the largest cave in the world!

>> Read more: 2-3 Days Phong Nha – Ke Bang Adventure Tour

3. Eat snake

This is a Vietnamese culinary curiosity to try for the most intrepid travellers. Snake meat is a fairly common dish throughout Vietnam. At the gates of Hanoi, Le Mat Village has made it the village’s speciality. Many restaurants allow you to choose your live snake. Gutted before your eyes, its blood, collected and mixed with rice alcohol, is offered to you to drink to give you strength and robustness. Then, the snake goes to the kitchen where it will be prepared for you in five different dishes.

4. Attend a buffalo race

Intended to invoke prosperity and happiness according to local legend, buffalo fighting is a cultural tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Go to Do Son, near Hai Phong, to witness the biggest buffalo fights in Vietnam. This traditional Vietnamese festival is held on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month each year. Before the fights, you will witness the procession of palanquins and sedan chairs to the sounds of eight instruments and accompanied by a dance with flags.

5. Discover the bustling Long Bien Night Market

During your stay in Hanoi, make the effort to stay up late and go to the Long Bien Night Market around midnight. It is the largest wholesale market in the capital and all of Vietnam. Every night, the “belly of Hanoi” sees dozens and dozens of trucks unloading their cargoes of fruits, vegetables, spices, aromatic herbs, fish, meats, etc. Stroll through this labyrinth overwhelmed with food, crowded with women carrying yokes and where an incredible merchant clamour resonates. It’s an unusual activity that will leave you with lasting memories of your trip to Hanoi!

>> Read more: Top 10 best night markets in Vietnam

6. Watch turtles lay their eggs in Con Dao

The Con Dao Archipelago, classified as a national park divided between land and sea, is a true nature sanctuary. From April to September, you can watch green turtles nesting on Bay Canh Island. Every night, around thirty privileged people can witness this spectacle of nature. Moving and unforgettable!

>> Read more: Best time to visit Con Dao – hell on earth and things to do

7. Take part in a tai chi class on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake

This is an original and free activity that you can do during your stay in Hanoi. Just go early in the morning to Hoan Kiem Lake located in the old quarter of the capital. Every morning at dawn, a large number of Vietnamese go to the banks of the lake to do their morning gymnastics. Join a group and take part in a friendly tai chi class to start the day smoothly.

>> Read more: Visit Hanoi in 1, 2 or 3 days - what to see and do?

8. Discover Halong Bay by seaplane

Take to the skies to discover one of the most spectacular natural sites on the planet. Accessing the magical Halong Bay by air is a dizzying spectacle that is forever etched in your memory. It is from the sky that we can fully appreciate the extraordinary beauty of the largest marine karst in the world. Combine a cruise with a night aboard a traditional junk to enjoy this UNESCO-listed site.

>> Read more: Visit Halong Bay, travel guide 2024

9. Participate in the rice harvest

During your trip to Vietnam, don't miss out on staying with locals to experience the legendary hospitality of the Vietnamese and immerse yourself in the local culture. If the season permits, ask your hosts to participate in the rice harvest. They will be happy to reveal their ancestral techniques to you.

>> Read more: Where and when to see the most beautiful rice fields in Northern Vietnam?

10. Sail on a bamboo basket boat

The basket boat or thuyen thung in Vietnamese is a type of boat typical of the Vietnamese coast. Take advantage of your stay on the Vietnamese coast to sail on this circular boat made of woven bamboo. You will see, as in the village of Cam Thanh near Hoi An, how agility is required to manoeuvre a basketboat. An unusual activity to discover one of the cultural specificities of Vietnamese fishermen.

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