Things to Do in Vietnam: The Ultimate 2026 Activity Guide

Vietnam offers 10+ world-class activities in 2026 including exploring Son Doong (the world's largest cave with its own weather system), motorbiking the 3-4 day Ha Giang Loop through mountain scenery, multi-day Sapa treks with ethnic minority homestays, and diving with whale sharks in Nha Trang. After years of exploring this country from my base in Da Nang, I've compiled the activities that deliver the most memorable experiences beyond typical sightseeing.

Whether you're seeking adventure, cultural immersion, or simple relaxation, Vietnam has something that will stay with you long after you've returned home. For expats and digital nomads based in Da Nang, these experiences represent the best of what the country offers.

Adventure Activities

Cave Exploration in Phong Nha

From easy walks to multi-day expeditions, the caves here are genuinely world-class. Son Doong is the headline act - the world's largest cave, so big it has its own weather system and underground jungle. Permits are limited and expensive, but it's a bucket-list experience.

For more accessible options, Paradise Cave offers a stunning 31-kilometer underground system with easy walkways, while Phong Nha Cave requires a boat ride through darkness into a cathedral-like cavern. The multi-day Tu Lan expedition offers camping inside caves without Son Doong's price tag.

Motorbiking the Ha Giang Loop

The ultimate Vietnamese road trip takes you through dramatic mountain scenery and remote villages near the Chinese border. The three to four day loop from Ha Giang town winds through terraced rice paddies, past ethnic minority villages, and over mountain passes that will test your nerve. Hire an "easy rider" guide and driver if you're not confident on two wheels - the scenery is too spectacular to miss because you're worried about the road.

Trekking in Sapa

Multi-day treks through cascading rice terraces with homestays in ethnic minority villages offer cultural immersion and stunning scenery. The Hmong, Dao, and Tay people who live here maintain traditional ways of life, and spending nights in their homes provides perspective no hotel can offer. The trekking is moderate - fit beginners can manage - but the rewards are immense.

Diving in Nha Trang and Con Dao

Vietnam isn't famous for diving, but both Nha Trang and the remote Con Dao islands offer excellent underwater experiences. Visibility varies seasonally, but whale sharks visit Nha Trang waters, and Con Dao's protected marine areas teem with life. Certification courses are affordable, making this a great place to learn.

Cultural Experiences

Cooking Classes

Available in every major city, cooking classes teach you to recreate Vietnamese dishes at home. The best ones start with market tours where you learn to select ingredients like a local. Hoi An and Hanoi have particularly excellent options - Morning Glory in Hoi An and Hanoi Cooking Centre in the capital are both outstanding. You'll return home able to make proper pho, spring rolls, and regional specialties.

Lantern Making in Hoi An

Craft your own traditional silk lantern as a unique souvenir in this lantern-lit town. Several workshops in the old town offer this experience, guiding you through the bamboo frame construction and silk covering process. Sessions take two to three hours and you leave with something beautiful you made yourself.

Water Puppet Shows

This traditional Vietnamese art form originated in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta, where farmers performed puppet shows in flooded fields. The art is best experienced in Hanoi, where performances run daily at the Thang Long Theatre. The puppeteers stand waist-deep in water behind a bamboo screen, manipulating wooden puppets that dance across the water's surface. It's unlike anything you've seen elsewhere.

Relaxation

Beach Time

From Phu Quoc's long sandy stretches to Nha Trang's urban beach to Da Nang's My Khe Beach (which I wake up to every morning), Vietnam's coastline offers excellent options. An Bang Beach near Hoi An has a perfect mix of facilities and tranquility. The Con Dao islands offer the most pristine beaches for those willing to make the journey.

Spa Treatments

Affordable spa treatments are available throughout the country, from basic Vietnamese massage to elaborate resort experiences. Quality varies wildly, so stick to reputable establishments or hotel spas. A full body massage typically costs $15-30 at good local spas, making regular treatments an affordable luxury.

Food Experiences

Street Food Tours

Guided tours in Hanoi, Saigon, and Hoi An introduce you to dishes you might otherwise miss or feel too intimidated to try alone. Good guides explain the cultural context and ensure food safety. Hanoi's old quarter tours are particularly rewarding, weaving through narrow alleys to legendary vendors.

Coffee Culture

Vietnamese coffee is an experience in itself. Try ca phe trung (egg coffee) in Hanoi, where the creamy egg foam tops strong coffee. Sample coconut coffee in Hoi An and the strong, sweet ca phe sua da everywhere. Understanding Vietnamese coffee culture reveals much about the country itself - the importance of taking time, the blending of French and Asian influences, the pride in local produce.

For more Vietnam travel information and expat resources, explore our comprehensive guides to living and traveling throughout the country.