Top 20 amazing experiences you can only have in Vietnam

In our globalized world, you can sample most cultures in any urban centre, but there are so many things you will miss if you don't get out and travel. Here are some experiences you can only have if you hop on a plane, train or boat and head to Vietnam.

1. Go to Cai Rang Floating Market

There are many floating markets throughout the Mekong Delta in Southwest Vietnam, but the Cai Rang Floating Market is the largest. It is located in Can Tho, the fourth largest city in Vietnam, which should be a stop on your Vietnam tour anyway.

>> Read more: What to do in Can Tho, charming city of the Mekong Delta?

2. Ride a motorcycle on Hai Van Pass

Fans of the TV series Top Gear will already know that it is a must-see in Vietnam. For those who haven't seen the episode, we reassure you that the Hai Van pass should definitely be on your itinerary.

3. Visit a Hmong family

As soon as you step off your bus in Sapa, Northern Vietnam, you will be greeted friendly by colourfully dressed Hmong women. If you're a seasoned traveller, your instinct might be to chase them away but don't. They offer immersive tours where they take you to their villages to show you their traditional ways of life. It's an intimate experience, and you'll be glad you didn't leave them.

>> Read more: What to do in Sapa in 2 or 3 days?

4. Have a Pho cocktail

Mojito Bar & Lounge Restaurant in Hanoi has taken the iconic noodle bowl and made it into a cocktail. This drink will probably mess with your head a little, but it's actually quite tasty.

>> Read more: Best things to do in Vietnam

5. Take a xe om tour

Throughout Vietnam, you will see these tough old men napping on their motorbikes, catching a few midday naps in the shade. They're motorcycle taxis, and there's no feeling that matches the adrenaline rush of cruising through crazy traffic on the back of a motorcycle. Be sure to negotiate the price first, though.

6. Take a boat trip on the Saigon River

It's surreal to see palm trees and tin huts receding to reveal the skyline of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. It's like going through a time rift. There are many companies offering river trips, and most of them can be booked through your hotel or hostel.

>> Read more: Top 4 favourite expat neighbourhoods to live in Saigon

7. Kayak in Halong Bay

The limestone islands of Halong Bay jutting offshore are a spectacular sight to behold. Lounging on a tour boat is a nice way to go, but a kayak is a more intimate experience.

>> Read more: Top 5 most beautiful destinations for kayaking in Vietnam

8. Visit Hoi An Ancient Town

This Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the most sought-after places for tourists in Vietnam – and for good reason. It's a special place and, although it's about as touristy as it gets, it doesn't hurt because the town has a sort of timeless charm.

>> Read more: Top 7 things to do in Hoi An

9. Eat seafood in sight of a turquoise fleet

You can find picturesque fishing villages along the entire length of the Vietnamese coastline. There's just something very humbling about eating seafood in a place where you can see the boats that are out before dawn to catch your meal.

>> Read more: Two must-see fishing villages on Cat Ba Island

10. Visit the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

It's a sobering experience, but one that captures the visceral pain of the tumultuous years when little Vietnam fought against the world's most powerful military.

>> Read more: The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

11. Ride a cyclo

You can find these resistance fighters from the French colonial era near most urban tourist sites, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Hanoi. They are a bit bumpy, but the drivers are excellent guides with detailed knowledge of your surroundings.

12. Discover Fansipan

Fansipan, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, dominates Sapa in Northern Vietnam. There are many options available for people who want a guided hike to the summit and, unless you are a seasoned hiker, you should try to spread it out over two or three days.

>> Read more: Famous hills, peaks and mountains of Vietnam

13. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels

These tunnels were the hideouts of forces loyal to Hanoi, fighting against the Americans and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam - the Army of South Vietnam. The tunnels are a stark reminder of how the war was to be fought, relying on tactics of subterfuge and guerrilla warfare.

>> Read more: Cu Chi Tunnels - Top most attractive underground works in the world

14. Discover Hanoi’s train street

It's amazing how the Vietnamese use space, and it's a perfect example of the pragmatism that seems to be in their DNA. Stay long enough and you'll see a train go by.

15. Go to the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve

This Unesco biosphere reserve is a short distance from Ho Chi Minh City and, after a while in the madness of Saigon, you'll love escaping to the mangroves, wetlands, salt pans, mudflats and herbaria.

>> Read more: Top 11 World Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam

16. Take the Reunification Express

If riding a motor cycle along the length of Vietnam sounds like your idea of hell, then perhaps a ride on the Reunification Express is more for you. Take the train and pass through countless picturesque scenes.

>> Read more: Travel by train in Vietnam, why not?

17. View from the Saigon Skydeck

The Bitexco Tower in downtown Ho Chi Minh City is an unmistakable landmark and also offers stunning views of the sprawling city.

>> Read more: Top 12+ best things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

18. Discover Bui Vien Street

For a taste of debauchery, you can't do better than the famous Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City's backpacker district. It's the epicentre of vice in Vietnam, and pretty much anything goes. Be careful with your belongings though. Petty criminals are always waiting for you to let your guard down.

19. Taste egg coffee

Egg coffee is a specialty in Vietnam. Few cafes serve it, but it's worth seeking out because of its texture and interesting taste.

>> Read more: Where to taste the best egg coffee in Hanoi?

20. Explore the largest cave in the world

Son Doong Cave, which is 150m wide and about 5km long, was only discovered in 1991 when a man heard hissing and rushing water. The entrance was impassable without climbing equipment, so locals never knew what was hidden from them.

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