Things to Do in Vietnam

Vietnam runs 1,600km from the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, and changes completely along the way: limestone karst bays, terraced mountains, imperial cities, lantern-lit trading ports and one of the world’s great street food cultures.

Our placements are based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, at either end of that journey.

The best things to do in Vietnam

1. Ha Long Bay

Nearly 2,000 limestone islands rising out of jade water, and the image everyone has of Vietnam. An overnight boat is the way to do it — kayaking into caves, swimming off the deck and waking up among the karsts. Neighbouring Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long bays are quieter with the same scenery.

2. Hanoi

The Old Quarter is 36 streets of shophouses, motorbikes and pavement kitchens, and learning to cross the road is a rite of passage. Add Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn when the city does tai chi, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and egg coffee in a hidden upstairs café.

3. Sapa and the northern mountains

Rice terraces cut into mountainsides near the Chinese border, and villages of Hmong and Dao communities. Trekking between villages with a local guide, staying in homestays, is far better than day-tripping. An overnight train or bus from Hanoi.

4. Ninh Binh

Often called Ha Long Bay on land: the same karst towers rising from flooded rice paddies, explored by rowing boat at Tam Coc or Trang An, with the Mua Cave viewpoint above it all. An easy day trip south of Hanoi.

5. Hoi An

A lantern-lit former trading port on the central coast, UNESCO-listed and beautifully preserved, famous for tailors, cooking classes and the monthly full-moon lantern festival. The beach is fifteen minutes away by bike.

6. The Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City

In the south, Saigon is fast, modern and layered with war history — the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi tunnels. Beyond it, the Mekong Delta’s floating markets and canal life are a slow, green contrast.

When to visit Vietnam

Vietnam is too long for a single season. In the north (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa) the best months are October-November and March-April; winter is cold and misty, summer hot and humid. Central Vietnam is driest February to May, with typhoon risk around September-November. The south is warm year-round with a wet season from May to October.

Getting around

Domestic flights make the country manageable — Hanoi to Da Nang or Saigon is under two hours. The reunification railway is slower but scenic, and sleeper trains save a night’s accommodation. In cities, use ride-hailing apps (Grab) for cars and motorbike taxis.

Seeing Vietnam as a volunteer

Hanoi placements put Ha Long, Ninh Binh and Sapa within a weekend. Our Vietnam placements are based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Vietnam for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Vietnam for costs, visas and safety.

Vietnam travel FAQs

Is Ha Long Bay worth an overnight cruise?

Yes — day trips spend most of the time in transit from Hanoi. An overnight gives you sunset and early morning on the water, when the day boats have gone and the bay is at its best.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

Most nationalities need an e-Visa obtained online before travel; some are exempt for short stays. We confirm the requirements for your nationality after you apply.

Is Vietnamese street food safe?

Yes, and it is the highlight for most visitors. Choose busy stalls with visible turnover, eat food cooked in front of you, and stick to bottled water.

How do you cross the road in Hanoi?

Walk slowly and predictably, and do not stop or run — the motorbikes flow around you. It feels alarming for a day and then becomes second nature.

Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)