Vietnam travel activities
Vietnam is ideal for long-distance back road cycling as there are many villages with fairly good village roads in the countryside from northern to southern Vietnam. The countryside scenery is just unbelievable. Caution is needed, however, especially on busier roads as traffic can be very undisciplined.
Mountain biking is possible for the adventurous travellers, especially the north western mountains and the Central Highlands. The reward is fresh natural scenery and exotic ethnic encounters. Bicycle hire is widely available.
Vietnam has very diverse terrains which range from flat plain to rugged mountains. The natural scenery is stunning and the local culture is untouched. Motorbiking lovers will find many opportunities in Vietnam.
Water sports
In total, Vietnam has 3260km (2021 miles) of coastline. The most popular destination for water sports is in Nha Trang where the clear turquoise water offers good snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkeling and diving equipments can be hired at most beach resorts in Nha Trang.
Kayaking in Ha Long Bay offers opportunities to discover the systems of limestone karst formations, caves, lagoons in the Gulf of Tonkin.
White-water rafting is challenging for the adventure travellers in the Central Highlands.
Beach vacationing can be found at Phan Thiet - Mui Ne (South of the Central Region coast, well-known for its large sand dunes); Phu Quoc Island; Con Dao Island; Vung Tau; Long Hai; Hoi An; Quang Binh and the magnificent Ha Long Bay, where some 3000 islands, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with beaches and grottoes, rise out of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Hiking/Trekking
There is good hiking and horse riding in the beautiful countryside around Da Lat. Guides are recommended and can be hired locally. Generally, the north west is the best region for hiking/trekking. Other good destinations include Bach Ma National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park (near Ha Noi) and Lang Biang Mountain (in Da Lat), where guides are compulsory.
In the north, Ba Be Lake National Park (which contains several lakes, waterfalls and caves) and Cat Ba National Park on Cat Ba Island also offer beautiful scenery.
Others
Boat trips are particularly popular in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s southernmost region, which consists of an intricate network of rice paddies, swamps and forests interlaced with canals and rivers.
River cruises also operate on the Saigon River (a good way to see Ho Chi Minh City) or the Perfume River (near Hue).
Junk cruise on Ha Long Bay with an overnight stay on board discovering the stunning karst formations of the bay is a must for the travellers to Vietnam.
Beach vacationing should definitely not be missed while traveling in Vietnam as the country has over 3200 km of coastline with pristine powdery white sand beaches. Resorts range from standard to luxury. Honeymooners will surely find haven for their love at some off-shore hidden beaches with 4-5 star luxurious resorts.
There are opportunities for the travellers to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trails, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes from the North to the South of Vietnam during the war. It ran from North Vietnam southward through the Truong Son Mountains and into western Laos and Cambodia. Besides, Vietnam was at war for thousands of years, there are various sites for learning about different wars in this country.
The legendary network of tunnels used by villagers and guerrillas during the war at Cu Chi tunnels (65km from Ho Chi Minh City) and Vinh Moc can also be visited on a one day tour from Ho Chi Minh City and from Hue.
Caving enthusiasts may head for the spectacular Phong Nha underground river caves, North-West of Dong Hoi.
Elephant riding is around Dak Lak Province in the Central Highland which offers spectacular views of the surrounding nature and exotic experience of untouched jungles.
Vietnam Travel Guides
- Activities
- Arts & Entertainment
- Bac Kan
- Bac Lieu
- Bac Ninh
- Battlefields
- Ben Tre
- Buon Ma Thuot
- Ca Mau
- Can Tho
- Cao Bang
- Cat Ba Island
- Chau Doc
- Climate
- Cu Chi Tunnel
- Da Lat
- Da Nang
- Dangers & Annoyances
- Economy
- Embassies & Consulates for Vietnam
- Embassies & Consulates of Vietnam
- Festivals & Events
- Food & Drinks
- Geography
- Gia Lai