From crowded cities, beautiful beaches along the coastline, and the green mountainous regions in the north, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Vietnam. Vietnam was at the top of my list for bucket list destinations in Asia. I did not do all of the traditional things that most people would consider to be must do bucket list items in Vietnam. I wanted to have enough time to do balance between visiting the sites, eating my way through the country, and having some down time. So, here are my 15 bucket list things you should do to enjoy as much of the country as possible in 2 weeks.
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Visit Ho Chi Minh City
Even though Ho Chi Minh City was not officially on my Bucket List, there is no way I would have traveled to Vietnam without visiting the city. Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s most important cities and a popular tourist destination. Its large population, skyscrapers, and tons of traffic may be overwhelming to the senses and make it hard to fully relax. But, it is also full of rich history and beauty that are a must see.
I think it is good to spend at lease one day exploring the city on your own. I love to join tours, but many tour companies in Ho Chi Minh do not give you enough time to let you enter the sites. Instead, you end up standing outside and talking about it. So, it is worth doing a little research and then taking a motor taxi to get round the city on your own. It is very easy and inexpensive to get around the city
I highly recommend that you visit the War Remnants Museum, which focuses on the impact of the Vietnam War on the Vietnamese people as well as the protests around the world against the war. It is a very sobering museum and it made me reflect on what humans, in this case Americans, are willing to do to others.
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is also worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful and popular attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1909 to honor the supreme Jade Emperor Ngoc Hoang, the temple is in the heart of the city. But, as soon as you step through the main gate of the grounds, things slow down and a peace and calm overtakes you.
With all of that said, I still think it is worth doing a day or half day city tour with a guide. You will learn so much more about the city and discover some hidden gems.
- When to visit: It is best to go between December and March when it is slightly cooler around 80-90 degrees.
- Where to Stay: District 1 is close to all of the action. I stayed just across the Mong bridge in District 4, which is quieter and only a short walk away from District 1.
- Tour Company: I booked a half day walking tour of Ho Chi Minh with Tripadvisor.
Go to Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is a beautiful and peaceful region in the southern part of the country and should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is made up of rivers, swamps, and islands. The river starts in the Himalayans and passes through China, Thailand, and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam and dumping out into the ocean. You could easily spend several days to a couple of weeks exploring the floating markets, pagodas, orchards, and bio reserves. However, if you only have a limited amount of time, day tours from Ho Chi Minh City are easy. The day trips are a tad touristy, but they are still worth the experience. Even in one day, you can have several cultural adventures, such as boating on the Mekong River and riding bikes in the country side.
- When to visit: Any time of the year is good to go except for the rainy season from May to October.
- How to get there: If you are doing a day tour, then Getyourguide is a great option. If you plan to stay longer, here are several options on how to get there.
Do a food tour in HCMC
For me, food is such an important category on my bucket list. Not only because good food is amazing, but food tells you a lot about the country. I try to do a food tour in every new county I visit. They are special because you visit places you may have never otherwise found and try dishes you have never heard about. And, since Vietnam is a food powerhouse, I could not visit without doing one in Ho Chi Minh City. As a matter of fact, since the food varies from north to south, it is worth doing multiple tours throughout the country.
In Ho Chi Minh City, many of the food tour companies make a lot of stops that do not include tastings so you end up on a historical tour rather than a food tour. If that is what you are looking for, then that perfect. However, I really just wanted to eat! My research for the perfect tour paid off. I spent the night on the back of a motor scooter, zipping in and out of traffic, and eating a variety of some most delicious food in the city.
- Tour Company: I booked my tour with Get Your Guide. There are a lot of options, so just do a little bit of research if my recommendation does not appeal to you.
- When to go: It is never a bad time to do a food tour. But, doing it at the beginning of your trip is better so you time to revisit your favorite places.
Bánh Xèo (pancake)
Coconut Ice Cream
Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)
Visit Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An was one of my favorite cities in Vietnam. It is my bucket list goal is to visit at least 300 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, naturally, I had to visit Hoi An. Its status has made the city become very touristy and crowded in recent years. However, I traveled during the rise of the coronavirus. So, It was extremely quiet in the city, which allowed me to enjoy it in an unexpected way. Hoi An is very colorful with its yellow, timber houses and multicolored lanterns all over the city.
Its streets are full of shops and restaurants. An occasional unexpected temple, theater, or bridge will surprise you. If you really want to enjoy the city before the crowds arrive, wake up early and stroll around. Your only company will be an occasional runner and the morning market, which is a madhouse between 6-8am. Hoi An lights up at night as all of the boats covered in multicolored lit lanterns cruise up and down the Thu Bồn River . The night market is lively and full of souvenir stalls and street food.
- When to go: The best time of year to go is during dry season between February and April.
- Where to stay: An Airbnb is a great option. Stay just outside of the ancient city to stay away from the noisy night market.
- Favorite restaurant: I loved Morning Glory. My favorite dish was the Cao lầu, which is a regional noodle dish. I also had the best Bahn Mi at Bánh Mì Phượng. Bahn Mi is a traditional sandwich that is normally eaten at breakfast.
- Tip: Visit one of the many yellow booths throughout the city to buy a pass to visit 5 of the 20 historical sites in the city.
Scooter Tour in Hoi An
If you want to get outside of Hoi An’s busy city center, then you can take a scooter tour of the countryside. It is a fantastic opportunity to see how locals live and experience the country’s authentic culture. This tour is a self drive tour. After about 5 minutes practice on the bike, you take off into the city’s traffic. Luckily, traffic is only a fraction of what it is in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Unfortunately, I never really mastered how to ride the scooter. While, I was able to manage the streets, for some reason making a sharp turns always landed me in a wall or rice paddy! If riding a scooter is not really your thing, then you can also ride bicycles in the countryside.
Visit My Son Sanctuary
If you have a few days in Hoi An, you should take a day trip to My Son Sanctuary. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, My Son Sanctuary is a cluster of ruined Hindu temples. The Kings of Champa and Cham people built them between the 4th and 14th centuries. There are 71 rediscovered structures that are grouped together over two kilometers. They are architecturally interesting and show a level of technological sophistication for the time. Considering that these structures have been around for centuries, it is an interesting note that they were not constructed with mortar. If you can manage to visit around sunrise before the crowds arrive, you will be able to take a moment and enjoy the site in peace.
- When to visit: It is best to go early in the morning around sunrise to avoid the crowds and hot temperatures. Early to late afternoon when the tourist have fled is also a great time.
- How to get there: I booked a tour through Viator. They picked us up from our hotel and the guide was fantastic.
Marble Mountain
Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills, named after the elements, not far from Da Nang city in Central Vietnam. The mountains were once a spiritual destination for Vietnamese aristocracy and Mahayana Buddhists. This site actually amazed me. I had zero expectations of Marble Mountain and stumbled upon it on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. There are lots surprises along the mountains, to include caves, tunnels and temples to explore. It is definitely one place that will make you wonder how did the Vietnamese created such a marvelous place without modern technology.
- When to go: It is best do go during dry season since marble will be quite slick during the rainy season. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and tourists. It could take you several hours to see everything without feeling rushed.
- Note: There are a lot of steps. Even if you decide to take the elevator to the top of the mountain instead of climbing, there are still a ton of steps at the top. Make sure to wear proper shoes.
Lap An Lagoon
Lap An Lagoon in Hue is definitely at the top of my list of favorite places in Vietnam. It was one of the most peaceful parts of my journey. I was there on a cloudy day, which made it even more mystical. I only discovered this place because it was listed as a place to stop on my drive from Hoi An to Hue. The water is crystal clear and you can enjoy a peek at sea life just below the surface. Sand dunes stretch from the bank out into the lagoon. You can stroll out to the water’s edge to take a look at some of nearby fishing boats.
The Vietnamese have definitely cater to tourist by setting up places to take photos, and I do not blame them. It is one of those scenes that I have only seen in beautiful paintings. Luckily, there were few people around and I was able to steal a few beautiful pictures. There is also a great seafood restaurant near by, and the option to buy affordable pearls.
- When to go: It is best to go between March and June when it is dry and warm.
- How to get there: It is easy to take a day tour from Hue or you can make a stop at the lagoon if you are driving from Hoi An to Hue.
Drive from Hoi An to Hue
I originally viewed hiring a car to get from Hoi An to Hue as a means to an end. Instead, it should have been included on my bucket list. A good way to see part of Vietnam in one day without having to take multiple trips is to drive from Hoi An to Hue (or vise versa) and make stops along the way. Better yet, you can do what I did and hire a driver. It is actually fairly inexpensive and a great way to see the country in a stress free way. There are many options, but I recommend stopping at Marble Mountain, Lap An Lagoon, Hai Van Pass, and see the An Bang Cemetery. It will take you a full day, about 8 hours to see everything at your leisure.
- Tour company: BNT Travel was a great company because we never felt rushed throughout our entire journey. The driver did not really speak a lick of English but that ended up not being a problem.
Lang Co beach
Spend time in Hue
When I added Hue to my bucket list, I was not expecting to find such an interesting city. There are so many beautiful and interesting things to see in Hue. The Imperial City, also known as the Citadel, is inside of the city center and is one of the main draws to the city. The Imperial City was home to the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. That makes sense, as that name is sprinkled all over Vietnam. These beautiful structures were once home to the country’s capital and the seat of bureaucracy. The complex is huge, so you should give yourself at least 2 hours to walk the grounds and take in all of the colors and structures.
If you only have one day in Hue, you can easily fit in a few more things. I recommend visiting the tombs of the Ancient Emperors, Tu Duc, Mihn Mang, and Khai Dinh. The tombs are like large, tranquil gardens. You should also squeeze in a visit to the Tu Hieu Pagoda. It is one of the most popular pagoda’s in the city and is beautiful.
If you have more time to enjoy Hue, then there is a lot more you can do. I highly recommend that you enjoy a stroll along the Perfume River or do a food tour of some of the best cuisine in the country. Also, the beach is far from the city center, but worth visiting.
- Where to stay: As my third stop in Vietnam and no beach time up to my arrival in Hue, I decided to stay outside of the city center at the beach at Ana Mandera Hue. The hotel room was absolutely beautiful. The food was slightly overpriced and not as good as food in town. However, I think that is generally expected at resorts.
- Tips: Make sure you bring sunscreen, a hat, and lots of water. There is very little refuge from the sun at many of the sites in Hue. The heat and humidity can be stifling.
Visit Hanoi
Just like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi does not have to be on your official bucket list for you to realize that it is worth visiting. If you plan to spend any significant time in Vietnam, then you should visit Hanoi. Even though it was my least favorite city in the country, it is still fascinating. Hanoi is overcrowded and seems to be slightly dirtier than other cities in Vietnam. It was slightly overwhelming, even though I was traveling during the coronavirus outbreak and Hanoi was much quieter than normal.
The easiest way to see the city is to book a tour. Most city tours include visiting the highlights, such as the Hanoi Opera House, Temple of Literature & National University, and One Pillar Pagoda. If you are lucky you will end the tour with traditional Vietnamese street food and coffee.
- When to go: The best time to go is between February – April and October – November to avoid the unforgiving summer heat and the rainy season respectively.
- Tour Company: Viator
- Where to stay: I chose an Airbnb outside of the old city to have a little peace and quiet. However, I had to walk at least a 25 minute to the old city everyday. You can also take Grab to get around. They are quick and inexpensive. If I had to do it over again, I would have stayed in the old city just for convenience.
Do a food tour in Hanoi
Food is so important to my bucket list travels and adventures. This is particularly true in Vietnam, where the food is so amazing and different depending on the region. So, doing a second food tour on this trip was a great decision. I was amazed that the food tour in Hanoi included several things I had never heard of, even after spending nearly two weeks traveling in Vietnam. I visit 8 restaurants and experienced 10 tastings. It was some of the best traditional food in the city.
- When to go: Food tours are great no matter the time of year. I recommend that you take the tour at the beginning of your trip so you can return to your favorite spots.
- Tour Company: Hanoi Street Food Tour
Egg Coffee
Bún Chả (Obama Noodles)
Nộm bò khô (dried beef salad)
Visit Hanoi’s Coffee Shops
I never considered putting coffee on my bucket list. It’s something most people drink everyday without much consideration. I heard that coffee was a thing in Vietnam, but I was surprised by how much. Many Vietnamese homes are small, which makes it difficult to host people. Therefore, there are hundreds of cafes sprinkled throughout the city to give people a place to relax and chat with friends while enjoying great coffee, coffee drinks, or tea. I really loved all of my coffee experiences from traditional Vietnamese coffee to coconut coffee. It was all so different and unique from what I’ve ever experienced before and simply delicious.
Favorite Cafes:
- Cafe Dinh: You will see very few tourists in this cafe and it is slightly hard to find. It is best known for it’s egg coffee.
- Loading T: This was my favorite cafe. It has an old French vibe that is further emphasized by the French music playing in the background. They roast their coffee beans with cinnamon sticks so the coffee has a unique flavor. The best thing to get is the regular coffee with condensed milk or the frozen coconut coffee. I had both!
- Hanoi Egg Coffee: Yes, this is the name of the coffee shop. I enjoyed my first egg coffee at my shop and was immediately hooked.
Egg Coffee from Cafe Dinh
Go to the Spa
Visiting the spa in Vietnam is not generally on most people’s bucket lists. However, it should be! You can visit the many spas through the entire country and will walk away relaxed and satisfied. After walking around for hours you should definitely take advantage of the many places to get a 30, 45, or 60 minute foot massage all for about $10 or less. Because there are so many, you should absolutely be picky. Most massage salons are open so you can peek in from the outside. Make sure the chairs are clean and the location has a spa environment, if that is what you are expecting. If you have more time, I highly recommend getting several spa treatments. They will be high quality and a fraction of the price you would pay in the West.
- Favorite Spa: Orient Spa Hanoi
Halong Bay
Halong Bay, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a must see item on my bucket list. It is one of the most sought out tourist destinations in Vietnam. Its beautiful emerald waters and tall limestones sprinkled throughout the bay are the draw. With more than 1,600 islands, there are several places to snorkel, kayak, hike, and visit secret lagoons.
- How to get there: The best way to enjoy Halong Bay is to take a boat tour. There is everything from day boat tours to several day cruises. There are many tour companies to fit various budgets.
- When to go: Usually between March and May and September to December.
