Cycling Tours in Vietnam

You can't go wrong with a visit to Cat Ba Island. The views are spectacular, and the nearby Lan Ha Bay is a brilliant Halong alternative - another breathtakingly beautiful bay, without the tourist masses.

Enjoy trekking through the pristine rainforest that makes up the vast national park. The Lookout Tower Trail is a popular and fairly easy hike. Walk upwards for around an hour, until you come out at a rusted shelter, from where you can appreciate just how untouched Cat Ba really is.

If you want more, venture up a little further to reach the stunning Ngu Lam Peak. It's worth the effort to look out over the jagged, green mountains that blur out into the distance.

For more of a challenge, book a guide and embark on the Cang Viet Hai Trail – an 18km, undulating trail that requires a good fitness level. Prepare to climb steep, slippery paths and scramble over thick knots of tree routes that block the path.

Quang Binh province is a wild region of barely penetrable jungle in Vietnam’s skinny middle, close to the border with Laos. The area is riddled with hundreds of deep caves, including one of the largest in the world – Hang Son Doong. It contains a cavern so tall that a skyscraper could fit inside it.

The small town of Phong Nha is the epicentre for the area’s caving adventures, its eponymous cave another UNESCO-listed wonder well worth exploring. Here, you can hire both the guides and the gear you’ll need to descend into the caves.

If going underground doesn’t appeal, the area is also famous for trekking. The surrounding jungle is peppered with stunning waterfalls and an active (and noisy) population of monkeys and flying foxes.

Buon Ma Thuot is the regional capital of the central highlands of Vietnam, a gorgeous area of thundering waterfalls and the traditional villages of the local Ede people. Look out for stilted structures reached by a ladder and marked by carved breasts. In this fiercely matriarchal area, they can only be used by the women of the house.

Buon Ma Thuot is also the heart of Vietnam’s thriving coffee industry. The Trung Nguyen coffee company is the big player here, and there’s not a corner of paddy field or industrial zone in the area that doesn’t bear their logo. 

In the city itself, there are plenty of coffee-related attractions. Visitors can learn about the country's and the world's coffee industries in the World Coffee Museum year-round. In March 2021 and March 2023, the city's various coffee venues will be offering freebies to celebrate the local produce, during the biennial Coffee Festival. 

You'll probably come across 'weasel' coffee during your visit, also known as kopi luwak or civet coffee, which aficionados claim is the best in the world. While many believe its unique taste is excellent, it's worth knowing that recent investigations have found unethical animal welfare practices on coffee farms across the region.

Top tip: "If you can’t visit the coffee heartland, be sure to taste a Vietnamese egg coffee while you’re in Hanoi," says Wanderlust's executive director Jackie Scully. "I loved the Note coffee house right by the main lake in the capital. Covered in uplifting post-its from travellers from across the world, it was more than just a caffeine boost."

Halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hue marked the divide between the north and the south during the Vietnam War. Set upon the pretty Perfume River, it has always played an important part in Vietnamese history and is dotted with important historical sites.

It is also a great place to cycle. Set off in the cool of the morning and head three kilometres out of town to the Tiger Fighting arena. It was Vietnam’s version of the Colosseum, a place where elephants and tigers would fight to honour the strength of the monarchy. Next, head to Tu Duc Tomb before reaching Vong Canh Hill – the best spot for panoramic views of the Perfume River.

From Vong Canh Hill, it’s downhill to one of Hue's most atmospheric pagodas, Tu Hieu, which is located in a tranquil and picturesque pine forest. Swing by the tomb of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, before heading back to town.

Upon reaching the walled fortress of the Imperial Citadel, you have two choices: take a leisurely cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam's version of the Forbidden City, or enjoy a relaxing drink next to the Perfume River.

Sound too much like hard work? You find any number of cyclo drivers nearby to do all the effort for you.

The market town of Sapa, in Vietnam’s mountainous north, first became popular as a French hill station in the 1930s. Set on a 1,650m-high mountain ridge, the town boasts fabulous views of the Hoang Lien Mountains and a colourful market attended by hill tribes from the surrounding countryside every Saturday.

The town has become increasingly popular with tourists, but there are still old traditions hidden in its secret corners. One of those is the Love Market, where Dao (and H’mong) men and women come from miles around to sing songs of love to each other. It was originally held at the end of trading at the Saturday markets, but over-zealous visitors taking intrusive photos has driven the tradition underground.

The Love Market still exists, but now it takes place in secret locations in the dead of night, well away from the gaze of visitors. But if your interest is genuine and you can find a local willing to trust you, the romance can still be found.

Often called ‘Ha Long Bay on land,’ Tam Coc is best explored on a boat. With Ngo Dong River snaking through the lush rice fields, towering limestone karsts and caves, the surrounding scenery is jaw-dropping.

In recent years, alongside the stunning landscape, boats that the locals row with feet have become a major attraction in the area. The flourishing tourism industry in Vietnam brought large numbers of curious travellers to the mythical Tam Coc.

The development presented Vietnamese guides with a chance to earn a living from rowing boats along the river. But the daily rowing also led to painful backaches. That’s when the locals invented boat rowing with their feet, which is surprisingly more effective than the traditional rowing technique.

You can either take a day trip from Hanoi or stay in Tam Coc for a couple of days to explore, which we highly recommend. The best way to reach the village is by catching a taxi from Nim Binh.

Most of the boat tours include a trip to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, Tràng An and Mua caves which you can climb for fantastic panoramic views (on a clear day).

If you decide to stay in Tam Coc, you can catch a sampan boat at the picturesque Tam Coc lake where the local guides will row your boat with feet.

Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam is a wildlife lover's dream: a 720 sq km biosphere reserve, comprised of botanical gardens and lowland forest, offering an abundance of rare creatures and birdlife, all kept safe and sheltered in a number of sanctuaries and rescue centres.

Golden-cheeked gibbons, silvered langurs and native pygmy lorsies are among the rare primates to be spotted in Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre. Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary homes tens of sun bears.

Asian elephants and clouded leopards are also among the rare sightings wildlife watchers have recorded in Cat Tien. Birders will have their hands full, too, with Asian barred owlet, blue-rumped and bar-bellied pittas, and orange-necked partridge sightings - just to name a few - very possible. 

Some of the park's animal residents come alive when the sky goes dark, so if you're hoping for a unique wildlife encounter in Vietnam, consider staying the night in one of Cat Tien's homestays or hotel accommodation, and embark on a nighttime drive. 

An added bonus? Those on a day trip will be zipping back to Ho Chi Minh City by then, which is approximately three hours and 30 minutes away by car, so you'll have more of the park to yourself.

Ban Gioc is the name of not one, but two colliding waterfalls along the Quay Son River - an iconic way to mark the Vietnam-China border, in the Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang on Vietnam's side, and Daxin County, Guangxi on China's.

Here, you'll be taking in one of South-East Asia's most breathtaking natural sights. Its sheer size (70m tall, and 208m wide) is marvel-worthy in itself, but the way the falls cascade down its rocky, limestone face is most eyecatching. If you're up for a climb, it is possible to trek up to the 'falls high points, as long as you're equipped with the appropriate walking gear.

Once you've soaked up the immense views, there's plenty to see and do in the Cao Bang region, which sits high up in the mountainous north-east of the country. Caves to explore, local homestays to experience, and more majestic waterfalls beckon.

Off the coast of Cambodia lies the idyllic Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc: a haven for travellers hoping to get away from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's cities.

There's no shortage of things to see and do on Phu Quoc. Wildlife lovers can head to Vinpearl Safari Care and Conservation Park, to meet, elephants, white Bengal tigers, macaques and silver langurs, among others. Head out into nature, with a hike through the dense forests of Phu Quoc National Park, and admiring the gentle trickle of Suoi Tranh Waterfall.

Once you're all walked out, ride in the incredibly long cable car to Hon Thom Nature Park, or sit back and relax on the pristine white sands of Sao Beach, Ong Lang or remote Khem Beach. Surrounded by palm trees and forest, you'll feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise.

Go beyond the tourist trail to the rural north-western province of Hòa Bình. Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Mai Chau Valley, enclosed in mountains and skirted by rice fields. A 'hidden gem', if we ever saw one.

To get a small sense of everyday life in this part of the country, stay with a local, White Tai family in a homestay. Your best bet is one of two villages: Lac or Poom Coong. Whichever you choose, you'll be waking up to the site of rice paddies and the unbelievably-green Vietnamese countryside each morning. The Vietnamese Tourist Board highly recommends choosing your homestay near Hieu, for its idyllic scenery.

Once you're settled, it's time to appreciate the White Tai community's way of life. Cycle through Mai Chau on a rented bike, or pop to the markets to purchase exquisitely-bright, locally-woven textiles. If you can take your eyes off your village's natural wonders, a day trip to the glistening, under-appreciated Hoa Binh Lake makes for an excellent trek.

Unless you have a severe phobia of being in tight spaces, visit Chu Chi Tunnels in HCMC. Used during the Viet Cong and the notorious Vietnam (American) war, it’s a 121km network of interconnecting tunnels.

As you crawl through the living spaces, kitchens, storages and hospitals, you’ll witness what it was like to live underground. The tunnels have since been increased in height to accommodate tourists.

Capital of the Hmong Hoa (Flower Hmong), one of Vietnam’s most vibrant ethnic groups, Bac Ha District in Lao Cai Province, Northern Vietnam is a treat for the senses. Bac Ha Market, which takes place once a week on Sunday morning, is one of the biggest and busiest in the region.

Women and men from Red and Black Dao, Nhung, Tay and Flower Hmong communities, all dressed in elaborate costume—their Sunday best, if you will—have been gathering here to trade for over a century. It’s a chance to stock up on fresh food, purchase clothing and textiles, and socialise and network with other members of the community. Many people travel long distances by foot or motorbike to attend.

The tourist appeal is a little different. Tourists flock to Bac Ha Market to catch a glimpse of the majestic costumes and buy authentic souvenirs. Visiting the market is in the bucket list of many tourists to Vietnam

Just south of Ho Chi Minh, essentially the part of Vietnam that sticks out like a curvy bottom, is the amazing Mekong Delta.

Unsurprisingly, given its name, this part of the country is dominated by the mighty Mekong River and it’s a vast lowland area of tributaries, floating markets and small local towns is a real feast for the senses.

Many people just take a day trip from Ho Chi Minh to the Mekong Delta, but you’ll certainly miss the best parts of this area then, as you can’t get into the depths of this region that way.

As such, I highly advise taking a 2 or 3 day trip into this area, which will allow you to stay overnight in a local homestay and make the best of your efforts to explore this area – it’s certainly one of the top things to do in Vietnam.

Head right up to the far north of the country, and about as close as China as you can get, care of the Ha Giang province, where most people come to make the epic multi-day motorbike loop.

Many adventure seekers rated it as the “best travel experience they have had anywhere, ever” and if that wasn’t enough to convince you, then the trekking day trips from the main access town of Dong Van, as well as the various markets and lookouts around here should!

Tucked into the far north-west corner of Vietnam, close to the border with China, you’ll find the picturesque alpine-style town of Sapa.

Set in a stunning mountainous region, the town sits at around 1500m above sea level with great viewpoints all around. Most visitors come here to trek amongst the rice terraces and along the winding valleys away from Sapa.

Trekking rice fields in Sapa is one of the most unique things to do in Vietnam that you don’t want to miss. This area is still home to many hill tribes and the ladies from the local villages can act as your personal trekking guides. This can often include a homestay at one of the nearby mountain villages such as Ta Van.

The easiest way to get to Sapa is to take a sleeper train from Hanoi. Here’s our detailed guide on how to travel from central Hanoi to Sapa via Lao Cai on a Vietnamese sleeper train and bus.

Also, you’ll need some warmer clothes for this experience as the valley can be misty, cold and rainy.

When planning your things to do in Vietnam itinerary, don’t miss the stunning Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set amongst the limestone karsts, it’s home to five amazing caves close by, including the world’s biggest cave (so they claim).

The latter, Thuy Cung Cave, will cost you $3000 for a 2-day trek, swim and camp in the cave. To book this specific caving expedition, contact the Tourism Centre in Phong Nha.

To explore the smaller caves, stay in the small town of Phong Nha. Some cave visits require booking in advance so read up before you go.

One of the most adventurous Chay River – Dark Cave, for example, can only be explored with a guide. The tour involves zip-lining, swimming in the mud, and exploration of the cave with headlamps and other special equipment.

Said to be one of the most beautiful caves in Phong Nha (some claim in the world), the Paradise Cave can be explored independently. It’s one of those places to see in Vietnam that’s easy to reach and doesn’t require any special equipment to explore.

Clinging to the coast and almost marking the midway point of Vietnam you’ll find the picture-perfect fishing village of Hoi An.

With its UNESCO status, the well preserved narrow streets of the old town area draw visitors here to experience a past vision of Vietnam. There’s much to see and do in Hoi An’s old colonial town so be sure to stick around for a couple of days if not more.

One of the best ways to experience Hoi An’s beauty is to explore it at sunrise when the streets are still free from tourists. Take a seat at one of the street stalls and join locals for breakfast or coffee.

When visiting Hoi An, take some time to visit a complex of Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva. Erected in the 4th-13th century, earlier than the Angkor temples, it’s a site that celebrates the unique Champa Kingdom that occupied coastal Vietnam at the time.

Built by the fire bricks and featuring Hinduism mythology, the temples showcase the spiritual and political life during an important chapter of the history of the Southeast Asian region.

Although the site suffered damages during WWII and the Indo China war, it has been especially badly damaged by the American troops during the Vietnam (American) war. Only a few of the remaining tower-temples survived the air raid and can be visited today.

Further south from Da Nang, on the coast of the South China Sea, Mui Ne is another beach destination that you’ll want to explore when visiting Vietnam. The white-sand beaches, clear waters and good wind conditions attract many water sports aficionados as well as sun-seekers.

Both Ganh and Suoi Nuoc beaches are studded with resorts and restaurants if you are looking to have some downtime on the coast.

But the most impressive part of the area is the giant white and red sand dunes. The white sand dunes are the most popular with plenty of activities such as quad bike rides available for adventurous travellers. The dunes are also the only place in Vietnam where you can have a hot air balloon experience.

bThe troubled Vietnam of the past is brought crashing into the modern age in the cauldron of sights, smells and sounds that is Ho Chi Minh City. Even the briefest of stays here and you’ll feel the energy of this lively metropolis embracing its bright new future.

We’d recommend heading out at night to soak up the city’s atmosphere and enjoy a cheeky beverage or two. There are two main ‘Walking Street’ areas with a real buzz to explore.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street – this is a wide plaza area in the middle of District 1, with the beautiful City Hall at one end, stretching down to the river at the other. It’s flanked on either side by some beautiful French colonial architecture and is a popular spot for locals to hang out in the evenings.

When we last visited at night time there were several folks whizzing around on flashy hover-boards or just sitting in groups and enjoying the vibe. Make sure you pop into the old tower block building at No.42. It’s now full of funky cafes which provide the perfect spot to people watch from several floors above the street.

Bui Vien Walking Street – is the Saigon’s equivalent to Bangkok’s Khao San Road, packed with rowdy bars, spots to eat and regular offers of massages. It’s a fun area to have a wander through even if loud music and cheap booze isn’t your thing, just stay alert to the usual tourist scams on offer.

If you’ve had your fill of noodle dishes then we’d recommend Baba’s Kitchen at No. 274 for some world-class curry dishes.

When visiting HCMC, don’t miss the French-influenced Notre Dame Cathedral and the striking Post Office building. The latter, built by Gustave Eiffel, is still in operation at full capacity.

Sending a postcard to your friends or family could be one of the fun things to do in Vietnam. Although the postcards are a little overpriced, it’s not every day you get to send a message from Saigon.

Saigon’s Notre-Dame was built between 1863-1880 and is an unusual sight to see in Ho Chi Minh City. Mostly due to the fact that the materials to construct the cathedral were shipped all the way from France.

Your Vietnam holiday wouldn’t be complete without trying Bia Hoi, the fresh beer especially popular in northern Vietnam. Although we found it in Hoi An too.

Bia Hoi, also known as street beer is a weak draft beer that’s brewed daily by the locals. It has a refreshing crisp taste and should be consumed within 24 hours since it doesn’t contain any preservatives.

You’ll find it on every corner in northern Vietnam, especially Hanoi. Squat on one of the tiny plastic stools on the street and give it a go. At $0.13 – $0.30 per glass, it can be cheaper than water.

Carrying on the nature theme, have a refreshing day at the impressive Elephant Falls 30 km outside of Da Lat. Be sure to wear comfortable footwear and beware of the slippery rocks.

To reach the waterfall, join an organised tour, hire a motorbike or jump on a local bus going to Nam Ban village at the bus stop next to the central market in Da Lat. And remember to ask the driver to stop at Thac Voi (Elephant Falls).

Alternatively, if 30 km is too much of a stretch, you could cycle to the famous Datanla Falls just 5 km outside the city. Don on your swimwear before you go and have a revitalising day out in the natural surroundings.

Bich Dong Pagoda (Tam Cốc Bích động) is a three-tiered ancient pagoda nestled into a mountainside in Tam Coc, northern Vietnam. The cluster of cave temples is surrounded by a bed of water and impressive water lilies that will have you in awe when you arrive at the entrance of Bich Dong Pagoda.

Take your time to explore the pagoda and be prepared to climb a number of steps to reach the top. The temple is open all day and should be free to enter but you might get some cheeky locals asking for a small fee.

WHERE IS TAM COC BICH DONG & HOW TO GET THERE

Bich Dong Pagoda is located 2km west of Tam Coc town center in the Ninh Binh region.

Getting around Tam Coc is really simple as it’s very easy to rent a bicycle or a scooter from your choice of half a dozen rental shops in the center of Ninh Binh town.

It’s approximately a 5-minute ride on a scooter from the town center to reach Bich Dong Pagoda. Scooter rental costs around 100,000 VND per day and bicycle costs half the price.

BICH DONG PAGODA ENTRANCE FEE

There is no entrance fee to visit Bich Dong Pagoda, however, you may have to pay a small fee for parking at the jump-off point.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT BICH DONG PAGODA

The entrance to Bich Dong Pagoda is absolutely beautiful and the most photogenic spot at this location. You will see an arched concrete walkway that stretches over the water lilies and makes its way through an impressive temple gateway and into the mountains.

There are around 100 steps from the foot of Bich Dong Pagoda to reach the top. The trail cuts through a large cave in the mountain where looming statues and small bats appear behind the haze of incense.

When you reach the top of the stairs at Bich Dong Pagoda you will be welcomed with a stunning view out of the valley of the distant mountain peaks and vast rice fields.

BICH DONG PAGODA – THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda is early in the morning around 6 am before the crowds arrive or you can visit in the late afternoon as it’s a great location to watch the sunset over the valley.

Bich Dong Pagoda can be visited year-round though between the months of November to April it’s mostly dry and cool and when most travelers tend to visit.

May to October sees plenty of rainfall and hot humid days in Tam Coc. The rainy season, in my opinion, is the best time to visit Tam Coc and the Ninh Binh region as there are fewer tourists and the landscapes are vividly green!

This is one of those things to do in Vietnam that you can tackle in just about every town, and is something that will probably become part of your daily routine anyway.

Vietnam has amazing local produce, and staring at the huge array of fruits and vegetables is sure to leave you not only feeling hungry, but also curious about all the different kinds!

Visiting a local produce market is a great way to see how everyday life works in Vietnam. Go for a wander, check out all the different fruits, savouries and other creations, and chat away to the locals.

The best way to really explore a produce market is with a local guide. They will explain how the market is set up, they can translate for you if you have questions for the sellers and farmers and they can explain the weird and wacky foods.

Once you get your head around them, make sure you always have a pocketful of Dong with you whenever you’re out and about to stock up on fresh fruit for the day!

No matter how short your stay is, make sure to visit a local market – it’s a Vietnam must see!

You go on holidays to see the new place but also to meet people. Don’t be shy to chat with locals. Practice your Vietnamese and they can practise their English.

It is amazing who you can meet by putting your guard down sometimes. It can be hard to have a real, authentic experience with locals when you travel, so do everything you can to be open to genuine invitations.

If you are interested there are local university students in the bigger cities that have groups where you can contact them for a time and day.

They love chatting with foreigners, just buy them coffee or lunch. Check out Saigon Hotpot in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi Kids in Hanoi.

One of the most interesting parts of travelling is trying all the different food available, and Vietnam isn’t any different.

Every country has their own styles and twists on cuisine, so be adventurous and give them a try. Vietnamese food, in general, is very delicious, but it can also be pretty unusual.

We had duck blood soup when we were in Northern Vietnam and surprisingly it was not too bad. We tried monkey brains in Phong Nha, which was a local delicacy served for very special occasions.

If you are invited over to a locals house for a meal, give all the food a try, even if it’s something you’d never normally try.

If you want to learn more about the local cuisine, take a food tour in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang or Hoi An.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both very busy cities, and one of the best places to admire the hustle and bustle is from above on a rooftop.

We found a lot of great bars and cafes near busy intersections or roundabouts, and watched day turn into night with the thousands (and thousands) of scooters zipping around below.

It was crazy watching all the traffic take on the large roundabout and the occasional scooter bumps which causes some quick arguing, looking and then they move on.

Check out the EON51 Restaurant and Lounge on level 50 of the Bitexco Financial Tower in Ho Chi Minh City. This has a great view, but you do play for with the prices of the drinks and food.

The rooftop views are some of our favorite things to see in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s third-biggest city is quite awesome, so don’t be surprised if you end up spending more time here than you expected.

Da Nang is in the centre of the country and has a wonderful cultural vibe about it. The food is amazing, the people are cool, and there’s so much to see and do!

If you love beaches, then Da Nang has you covered. There are long stretches of sand perfect for swimming, surfing or sunbathing, and you can find lots of cheap hotels and resorts along them.
The peninsula is a great spot to spend the day, with lots of cool little hikes and coves to check out.

But one of our favourite places in Da Nang is the Marble Mountains, a collection of hills that have been mined for marble over the years and are now left rising out of the flat city landscape.

You can climb them to visit some temples and get gorgeous views over Da Nang. Definitely worth visiting!

Don’t forget to include this highlight on your list of what to see in Vietnam!

You can do this all over Vietnam. From the Mekong Delta in the south to Sapa in the north, there are homestays in a lot of rural areas.

A homestay is where you stay with locals in their home (not a hotel or bed & breakfast) and you share incredible experiences with them, such as eating together as a family.

You can help the family cook their meals or be involved in daily chores just by showing an interest is why the locals do this.

The Vietnamese people love showing visitors how they live, and are happy to teach you more about their culture.

If you want to get out of the city and be in nature check out Bach Ma National Park. With amazing hiking and biking, these scenic trails will amaze you.

You can organise tours out of Hue or hire a scooter, explore the park for the day or more, and enjoy the trails that are offered from easy to difficult levels with various lengths.

There are fresh ponds to take a dip, hike to waterfalls and great view spots to take a break and take it all in. Be prepared for wet conditions and make sure you have some good shoes.

There are leeches so check your body for these suckers. We highly recommend spending a few days in the park and even getting a guide so you get the best out of the area.

For nature enthusiasts this is one of the more popular Vietnam attractions.

• Location: Lộc Điền, Phú Lộc, Thua Thien Hue
• Opening hours: 24h/7
• Price: 40,000 VND

We bet you didn’t know Vietnam had its own version of Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway! Well, now you do, and it’s definitely one of the most unique things to do in Vietnam.

Ganh Da Dia in the south is a spectacular rock formation that juts out from the coast and into the sea.

Thousands of hexagonal basalt columns come out of the earth in mesmerising ways, often with not even a millimetre of space between them.

It’s pretty off-the-beaten-path, so chances are you’ll have this entire site to yourself.

Most tourists skip the cool town of Kon Tum near the border of Laos, and it’s a real shame because those that do make it out here are always blown away!

The city of Kon Tum itself is quite a standard city, with lots of traffic and little parks along the river you can get away from the noise, but the true highlights are when you escape the downtown area.

Rent a bicycle or motorbike and head out into the hill tribe villages and farmlands, where you will come across some of the coolest ethnic structures in Vietnam!

The hill tribes around Kon Tum are known for their huge Long Houses, steep-pitched wooden shelters that act as community halls.

If you’re really lucky you might come across a traditional ceremony as well. Kon Tum is well worth a visit if you’re looking to get off the beaten path in Vietnam.

There are so many beautiful and iconic pagodas to visit throughout Vietnam. These pagodas are full of traditions, beliefs and interesting architecture, with the stunning decorations.

Some of the most famous pagodas to visit are Perfume Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, One Pillar Pagoda near HCMC, Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Linh An Pagoda and Van Hanh Pagoda in Dalat.

When visiting the pagodas please be mindful to respect the culture. Walk into the pagodas on the right and exit on the left, take off your shoes when entering, be respectful of people praying, don’t point your feet at the alter or statues and dress conservatively, so no hats, no exposed shoulders and no shorts.

The best time to visit a pagoda is in the morning before the crazy crowds come in.

Buy a bike, rent a bike or hire a driver. Either way, seeing part of Vietnam on motorbike is the way to go.

There is something about having the wind in your face and taking travel slower than usual, and riding a motorbike is the best way to do it in this country.

It’s almost become a rite of passage for a lot of travellers, and you’ll find hundreds of people riding motorbikes the length of the country from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, but those in the know head up to Northern Vietnam to see the most striking scenery in the country.

Another popular trip is the Hai Van Pass between Hoi An and Hue, which will give you epic ocean views and a dose of war history too.

If you are not a confident rider head to the beautiful town of Dalat and sign up with a company called Easy Riders. They offer trips (from one day to one week) as a passenger on one of their large bikes with an experienced rider.

When you are booking in town just make sure it is the legit company, not a fake one, as there are plenty of them around Dalat. 

No trip to Vietnam would be complete without spending a decent amount of time learning about the local culture.

A fascinating mix of beliefs and customs has resulted in Vietnamese culture developing a fascinating mix of spiritual elements, and all it takes is spending a bit of time in the temples or with people in their homes to discover how beautiful it really is.

Do yourself a favour and spend some time immersing yourself into the local culture, and you will gain a much deeper understanding of the Vietnamese people.

The best way to do this is to do a homestay, visit different temples and try to head out to some ethnic minority villages. The north is particularly good for this.

This one is for history lovers. The Vietnamese Demilitarised Zone was an area where a dividing line between North and South Vietnam was drawn as a result of the First Indochina War.

You can visit the DMZ Area include Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge, Hamburger Hill, Khe Sanh Combat Base, Truong Son National Cemetery and learn about what happened in the area by visiting a small museum.

You will visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels and see how people lived underground during the war. You will learn all about the Vietnam/American War that had a big significant impact in the area also.

You can get a tour out of Hue or Phong Nha.