9 Essential Things to Do in Vietnam this 2023

With its abundance of natural wonders, such as its rugged mountains and pristine white-sand beaches, paired with its rich history and culture, you’ll be spoilt for choice on things to do in Vietnam during your visit. Whether you’re feasting on the delicious local specialties, exploring the crowded allies for a memorable souvenir, or just relaxing by the beach, you can easily lose track of time as you set off on your adventures!

You’ve probably heard of Vietnam’s most famous attractions, such as Halong Bay and its picturesque limestone islands, the expansive Cu Chi Tunnels that played a crucial role in the Vietnam War, and the always-vibrant Ho Chi Minh City — and you’ve also likely visited these places if you’ve already been to Vietnam before. But aside from the old favorites, some new attractions have also popped up all over the country in recent years, which are well worth a spot in your Vietnam itinerary. Ranging from thrilling amusement parks to cable cars with stellar views, you’ll be able to experience a new side of Vietnam by trying them out!

To help you plan your Vietnam itinerary, check out our list of 9 things to do in Vietnam, which features a balanced mix of old and new. Read on below:

Famous for its heritage sites and beaches with powdery sand, Da Nang has been a popular tourist destination for many years. But if you think you’ve already seen all that Da Nang has to offer, then think again — Sun World Ba Na Hills is sure to catch your eye! 

The most popular attraction in Sun World Ba Na Hills is the Golden Bridge, which looks as if it’s being held up by the two giant stone hands beneath it. You’ll likely have to queue for the best photo spots at the Golden Bridge, but it’s definitely worth the wait — your friends and family will be impressed by the photos!

Other attractions in Sun World Ba Na Hills include the gorgeous French village, where the restaurants can be found, Fantasy Park, the indoor amusement park with rides and arcade games, and an entire area with temples, pagodas, and even a giant Buddha statue! During the holidays, you’ll also find a Christmas tree here, which makes for a great holiday background.

Located on the highest mountain peak in Vietnam, Sun World Fansipan Legend is easily-accessible with the cable car service that opened in 2016. Instead of needing to hike for 2 days (like they did before to reach the peak), you can now reach Sun World Fansipan Legend in just 15 minutes! How cool is that?

During the cable car ride, you’ll see the rice terraces, forests, and the mountain’s jagged cliffs through the huge windows, which make for a perfect background for souvenir photos. Once you alight, walk around the garden complex to explore several gardens and pagodas before you make your way to the largest Buddha statue in the entire country. 

To reach the summit, you can either take the stairs or ride the monorail, where you’ll be rewarded with uninterrupted views of the surrounding peaks, typically covered by clouds that change shape every few seconds.

Ever wanted to sharpen your cooking skills? Well, now’s your chance! If you’re in Vietnam and are curious about the local cuisine, then this cooking class is for you. Visit a busy market with a local guide to shop for ingredients, before you step into the kitchen to make four Vietnamese dishes — though the exact menu changes daily, you can expect to make some of the more famous ones such as Bún Chả (BBQ Pork with noodles and fish sauce,) Nem (fried spring rolls,) and Vietnamese egg coffee. It’s guaranteed to be a fun and educational experience no matter what you cook, and is definitely one of our favorite things to do in Vietnam!

You’ll also try various drinks and snacks during the session, and you’ll even get to share the food you cooked with the rest of the class. Feel free to ask the instructor any questions you might have about cooking and maybe even haggling at the market — they’ll be more than happy to answer.

Home to the longest cable car system in the world, the Hon Thom Cable Car Station is a sight to behold: with its water fountains, gladiator statues, and Mediterranean-style architecture, the station looks like it came straight out of the Roman Empire. Once you enter the station itself, feel free to explore the station’s facilities (spend a few minutes at the viewing deck if you can spare the time), before you step inside the cable car. During the 20-minute ride, you’ll get fantastic views of the neighboring islands, the blue-green waters, and the colorful fishing boats.

And while the view from the cable car and the picturesque views from it are impressive by themselves, there’s even more to discover when you reach Sun World Phu Quoc! Once you alight, you can either spend the day exploring the island or enter Aquatopia Waterpark, which has over 20 different attractions that range from tall slides for thrillseekers to lazy rivers if you just want to relax. Lockers and towels are also available to rent at an extra cost.

Littered with multiple temples, pagodas, and even caves used by monks for worship, the Nui Ba Complex is the ideal destination for travelers who wish to learn more about Vietnam’s religious practices. Though it is actually comprised of three separate mountains, Sun World Ba Den Mountain is the most popular one due to its association with the famous myth about Ly Thi Thien Huong, who became known for her loyalty to her husband Le Sy Triet even after he fell in battle.

And while it was once extremely difficult to reach, anyone can now go up with ease using the Sun World Ba Den Mountain Cable Car. Here you will find the ornate temples as you explore the area — try to spot the statue of the Black Virgin lady, Ly Thi Thien Huong, while you’re there. It’s one of the most popular sections in the temple complex, so it’s hard to miss (but feel free to ask around in case you need help!)

Considered the green lung of Hoi An thanks to its large collection of coconut trees, the fresh breeze here at Cam Thanh Coconut Forest is a welcome reprieve from the usual heat and crowds in Vietnam’s busy streets. To visit the forest, you’ll ride circular basket boats instead of the usual boats, which makes for a totally unique experience. You’ll also get to watch a boat show care of the locals residing in the area, so it will be an experience to remember!

There are also some other notable experiences in the area you should check out if you have the time, such as a visit to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where you can learn about and even experience their unique pottery-making process that requires two people at once: one who kneads the clay while kicking the turning wheel to spin it, and the other shaping the kneaded clay into various shapes.

Both a theme park and water park, Sun World Ha Long is perfect for thrill-seekers. With plenty of heart-stopping rides inside such as Dragon’s Run, Rhino Sling, and Monster Spin, you’re sure to get your fill of thrill here! But don’t fret if you’re traveling with kids or just prefer a relaxing day — you can instead head to Typhoon Water Park, home to various kid-friendly attractions.

You can also hop aboard the Queen Cable Car, a double-deck cable car where you’ll experience unparalleled views as you travel to another island that hosts attractions such as the Museum of Wax Figures, Zen Garden, Koi Bridge, and more.

With 10 different zones, each named and designed after an Asian country, Sun World Asia Park is a must for theme park aficionados. The park features cuisine and architectural elements from Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Vietnam, so it will be a truly immersive experience. Each zone has a different set of attractions that range from adventurous to laid-back — luckily for you, tickets to Sun World Asia Park include unlimited entry to all attractions in the park, so you’ll have your pick of rides to choose from!

We’re sure that you’re having a blast with all the exploration you’ve been doing in Vietnam, but don’t forget to take some time to rest and recharge! At Herbal Spa, you’ll experience various natural treatments with healing properties from one of Korea's top bio cosmetics brands, The Face Shop. Choose from massage treatments such as full-body therapy or a simple foot massage, all of which are guaranteed to rejuvenate your body and spirit.

Now that you’ve gotten ideas for your Vietnam itinerary, it’s time to start planning and booking. For more ideas on things to do in Vietnam, check out the Klook Vietnam page or any of the suggested articles and products below. Happy travels!