Top 12 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Enchanting and evocative, a Vietnam tour is an adventurer’s paradise. From cruising around the vast Mekong Delta to exploring the underwater world of the Cham Islands, Vietnam has an extraordinary experience that suits all tastes! Venture into Cat Tien National Park and hike through tropical rainforests. Discover Can Tho and Tien Giang's colorful floating markets and meet the Mekong Delta locals. Explore Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bai Dinh Pagoda on an exhilarating cycling tour. From outdoor adventures to feasting on some of the world’s best cuisine, the choice of incredible things to do in Vietnam will have you return for more!

Whether it’s cycling through the pancake-flat sprawl of the Mekong Delta, the cultural echoes of Hoi An’s colonial French beauty, mountain biking in the Cat Tien National Park, or the bustling daily life of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a bike seat guarantees the best views of Vietnam! Vietnam loves their two-wheeled pedal power, and there is no better way to explore this country. Cycling in Vietnam brings you up close and personal with the locals allowing you to glimpse their culture in a way that simply isn't possible with more impatient means of transportation.

Sapa, a mist-shrouded town in Lào Cai province, is one of Vietnam’s most astonishing destinations. Resting at the foot of the country’s highest mountain, the town overlooks a vast green valley covered in maze-like rice terraces. Trekking and hiking here are popular activities, and the landscape is crisscrossed by a network of trails. A highlight of any Sapa tour is encountering local people who inhabit nearby villages.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are two vibrant metropolises at opposite ends of Vietnam, each possessing unique charm and characteristics. Hanoi, the capital city, offers a rich tapestry of history and culture. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart, with attractions like Cu Chi Tunnel, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market. Traveling between these two iconic cities on your Vietnam trip promises an adventure filled with diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. This guide on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City trip explores the various transportation options, travel times, costs, and tips to ensure a seamless journey.

A trip to Vietnam is an experience of fascinating culture, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, striking landscapes, and dynamic cities. This Southeast Asian country displays a heavy cultural influence of the countries nearby; southern parts of the country display Indian and Hindu culture in the temples of Chan and the spicy regional cuisine, while there is a strong Chinese influence in the north. In terms of landscapes, the blue-streaked coastline stretches inland towards lush rice terraces, emerald-green mountains, and picturesque valleys dotted with traditional villages and colonial towns. When in Central Vietnam, sightsee the historic old port of Hoi An and the magnificent royal pagodas and tombs. In Northern Vietnam, discover tribal villages near Sapa Valley, and in Southern Vietnam, admire Ho Chi Minh City. Deciding where to go in Vietnam can be confusing when presented with many diverse options. Let’s look at some of the best places to visit in Vietnam that our travel experts recommend.

Stretching for 1,600 kilometers from north to south, Vietnam’s weather differs from one region to the next. While Northern Vietnam enjoys four distinct seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), Central and Southern Vietnam only have dry and rainy seasons. These varying weather patterns make Vietnam a year-round destination. However, March to April is widely considered the best time to visit Vietnam, as during this period, the North avoids bitter winter conditions, while the Central and Southern regions evade the worst of the rainy season downpours and typhoons. So whether you plan to explore top destinations like Hanoi in the North, Hoi An in Central Vietnam, or Ho Chi Minh City in the South, March to April offers mild temperatures and lower rainfall. This makes it the best time to experience the diversity of attractions across all regions during your Vietnam trip. Note: The weather chart above is based on the capital City, Hanoi, which falls in Northern Vietnam.

Vietnam has been blessed with over 3,000km of coastline, pristine forests, mountain ranges, and some of the planet’s most impressive limestone pinnacles and plateaus. Combine all this and you have the best nature tourism location in Southeast Asia. There’s no shortage of ways to explore all of Vietnam’s natural habitats. From national parks, to protected reserves, to pristine islands and archipelagos — Vietnam has every aspect of nature covered. Check out our top destinations in Vietnam for nature and wildlife tourism in 2021!

Beautiful landscapes and colorful culture come to life during winter in Vietnam. The winter season runs from December to April, offering visitors comfortable temperatures and unique experiences. Embark on thrilling trekking and hiking expeditions, and discover the enchanting beauty of snow-capped mountains, misty valleys, and serene lakes. Slurp on a bowl of pho or a steaming Vietnamese coffee, scourge floating markets for handmade souvenirs, or explore the Khmer temples in the Mekong Delta, a trip to Vietnam in winter is bound to be a magical experience.

Despite the bad rap it got in the international press in the mid-20th century, Vietnam has made tremendous progress as a tourist destination — and for the right reasons. This slender country boasts the terraced highlands of Sa Pa, pristine tropical islands with idyllic beaches like Phu Quoc and numerous tranquil bays along the Gulf of Tonkin (Ha Long Bay being the most popular). For a more wholesome experience, add the stunning architecture of Hoi An and the lush greenery of the Mekong Delta to your Vietnam itinerary.

Boasting more than its fair share of beautiful coastal panoramas, Vietnam is as diverse as its landscapes, as any Vietnam tour will testify. From traditional villages like Hoi An, virtually unchanged since colonial times, to cities like Ho Chi Minh City, which are a living, breathing entity of shopping malls and street food stalls, there are a multitude of destinations to choose from. But if you have limited time, you can make the most of your short trip to Vietnam with our recommended itineraries. Let’s say you are spending 5 days in Vietnam, whether you prefer to focus on one incredible location or see as much of the country as possible, here is how you can go about it. Read on to discover what your 5-day tour to Vietnam can look like.

It’s late spring in Vietnam in April, with warm and pleasant weather in most parts of the country. From the lush countryside of the north to the sun-drenched beaches of south and central Vietnam, there is a wide range of destinations you can choose from. See the iconic rice terraces of Sapa Valley, indulge in beach activities in Nha Trang, or explore the historic sites in Ho Chi Minh City. No destination is off-limits. Read on to find out more about planning a trip to Vietnam in April.

If you are taking a trip to Vietnam in August, know this is one of the rainiest months in the country. While the north and south take most of the monsoon beating, Central Vietnam is largely dry and sees plenty of sunny days. Beach resorts like Da Nang and Nha Trang attract lots of visitors during this time of year. Northern Vietnam is wet, hot, and humid in August. While you can tour villages like Sapa and Cat Cat, hiking trails are not in their best condition. If you are traveling to Southern Vietnam, be prepared for monsoon downpours, and plan your outings when the skies are clear. You can visit Bai Xep Beach or head to the Con Dao Islands to witness the turtle-hatching season.