What to do in Hoi An? The best tips, hotspots and sights
March 28, 2025
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Want to tour Vietnam and see as much of the country as possible? With our ultimate travel itinerary through Vietnam, you will visit the most beautiful sights and experience a crazy adventure. Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country. It is a destination with an interesting history, extraordinary landscapes and a very friendly population. Want to get everything out of your round trip? You can do so with these tips for the ideal travel route through Vietnam!Â
Hanoi
When touring Vietnam, your trip will begin in the city of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Our trip starts in the second largest and also capital of the country, Hanoi. This huge city is incredibly busy and chaotic, but at the same time so atmospheric. It is the ideal place to get acquainted with Vietnamese culture and immerse yourself in the country's rich history. Hanoi is a city with history and you will find many impressive sights.
We can definitely recommend spending two to three nights in Hanoi, especially if you are in town on the weekend. That's when the city really comes alive. Curious about our tips? Then quickly check out this article with great tips for activities and hotspots in Hanoi.
Halong Bay
We leave the bustle and chaos of Hanoi behind and head into nature. Indeed, east of Hanoi lies the impressive Halong Bay. A bay consisting of some 2,000 uniquely shaped limestone rocks. The small fishing villages and islands in the bay make a beautiful picture. Taking a multi-day cruise through Halong Bay is the most famous activity to explore this place. Along the way, you moor at one of the islands and there is time to go kayaking in a clear lagoon.Â
We booked our multi-day boat trip through Friends Travel Vietnam. A fine tour company based in Hanoi and run by Sidney from Holland and his Vietnamese wife. The tour is very well arranged and fully equipped.
Sapa
From swimming in Halong Bay to hiking through rice fields. Welcome to Sapa, a small village in the Hoang Lien Mountains located close to the Chinese border. Sapa is known for its stunning rice fields and the beautiful hikes you can do there. To get the most out of your visit to this region, it is advisable to book a multi-day hike with a local guide. For example through Friends Travel Vietnam. Your nights at homestays are reserved in advance and you will learn a lot about the local culture along the way. During the hike you will enjoy the most stunning views, sunrises and sunsets!
Sapa is a year-round destination, but of course you come here for the perfect picture: mountains full of green rice terraces. The best travel time for this is from March to May or September to November. Harvest season in Sapa is in September and early October. It can be very hot in Sapa but also cool off quickly. After all, you are in the mountains here. So wear mostly layers, then you can dress for anything!
Ninh Binh
After several intensive days of hiking through the rice fields and mountains of Sapa, it is time to continue traveling towards the south of Vietnam. The next destination on the itinerary through Vietnam is Ninh Binh. A beautiful province in the north of the country where nature is spectacular. It is a destination to unwind and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Curious about what you can do there? These are the 5 most beautiful places in Ninh Binh!
Phong Nha
From Ninh Binh, you will travel by night bus to Phong Nha. The night buses from Ninh Binh leave at night, which means you will arrive in Phong Nh in the middle of the night.a. Keep this in mind when booking accommodation in Phong Nha. Eand fine place to stay in Phong Nha is Phong Nha Farmstay. There is not much to do in Phong Nha itself, but it is the ideal base for exploring the area.Â
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
The town of Phong Nha is located in the (almost) national park of the same name in Vietnam, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. A park known for its magnificent mountains, nature and caves. It is therefore not for nothing on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Did you know that there are as many as 300 caves in the national park? Of these, only a few are open for tourists to visit. The three most famous caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park are: Paradise Cave, Dark Cave and the So'n Doong Cave.Â
Paradise Cave is one of the largest and also the most beautiful cave you can visit in the park. Rent a scooter in the town of Phong Nha and drive here yourself. You will drive a beautiful route through the jungle and crisscross the hilly landscape. The cave is known for its immense hanging stalactites and standing stalagmites.Â
For the truly adventurous among us, a visit to the Dark Cave should not be missed. Why? Because here you can combine several cool water activities with a visit to a cave. These include ziplining (from inside the cave) and entering an unlit cave where you can also bathe in a mud pool.Â
The So'n Doong Cave is the largest cave in the world and discovered by chance in 2009 by a local farmer. By the way, you cannot just visit this cave. In fact, it is a very exclusive and pricey activity to enter the So'n Doong Cave. The price attached to the entrance ticket is about $3,000 and to get there you will be on the road for several days.
Hué
As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, you won't be surprised that this destination is rich in history. Hué is a city where you will learn about authentic Vietnamese culture. You can easily spend two days here visiting imperial tombs, among other things. Another highlight of visiting Hué is exploring the abandoned water park. How to get here? You can read that in our extensive article full tips for Hué.
Also read: This is what to do in Hué in Vietnam
We share all our personal tips for visiting Vietnam's imperial city.
Hoi An
A popular route to ride from Hué to Hoi An is via the Hai Van pass. You can travel this yourself by scooter or ride on the back of an Easy Rider if you don't want to drive yourself. Read more about this in our article on Hué.
Hoi An is our favorite city in Vietnam, and that's because there is no city as atmospheric as Hoi An. The old town center consists of streets full of colonial buildings, colorful lanterns and historical sights. Not to mention that you can do incredibly fun activities here. Are you up for a bike ride through the countryside? Or are you open to mastering traditional Vietnamese cooking? Hoi An is a place where you will undoubtedly linger longer than previously planned. Want to make the most of your visit to this crazy city? You'll find all our tips in our ultimate travel guide to Hoi An.
Mui Ne
The next destination on our itinerary through Vietnam is the popular surfing town of Mui Ne. Originally an authentic Vietnamese fishing town, Mui Ne has grown into more since the arrival of tourists. One of the fun activities in Mui Ne is to visit the port where local fishermen are still active today. Early in the morning they set sail to return with a load of fresh fish for sale at the market. For more tips read our article full tips for a fun time in Mui Ne.
Ho Chi Minh City
The final destination of our trip through Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City. The country's largest city that is home to as many as 10 million people. It is a city with authentic and international atmospheres, both in terms of sights and cuisine. But that's not all this city has to offer. The fierce history of the Vietnam War has left its mark. Obviously throughout the country, but especially in Ho Chi Minh City and its surroundings. Want to learn more about this? Then check out our article for the most impressive sights in Ho Chi Minh City.
Our favorite accommodations in Vietnam
During our tour of Vietnam, we spent longer in one place than the average traveler. Consequently, we spent several months touring Southeast Asia and had plenty of time to explore destinations in detail. We stayed in several hotels in one destination to provide you with the best tips. Hereby we would like to share our favorite accommodations in Vietnam:
- Hanoi: Hanoi Backpackers Hostel
- Ninh Binh: Nguyen Shack (temporarily closed)
- Hoi An: Mad Monkey
- Mui Ne: Mui Ne Hills Backpackers
- Ho Chi Minh City: The Hideout
Other great destinations in Vietnam
Some destinations we skipped in Vietnam but are definitely worth exploring are: Ha Giang, Dalat and Phu Quoc. The trip as written out above is ideal for a 3 to 4 week vacation. You are on the road a lot, but see a lot. Some destinations you can substitute for one of the places below, or if you have longer time, add to your itinerary through Vietnam.
Ha Giang
An incredibly adventurous destination in Vietnam is Ha Giang province. It is a region with a great diversity of local tribes and varied nature. You can discover the remote mountain areas of Ha Giang on an organized scooter tour or explore on your own. One thing is for sure, this region will impress you without fail!
Dalat
From Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City, you can travel on to the city of Dalat. A destination where you come for cool activities like canyoning, mountain biking and hiking. But also for the extraordinary architecture and grand surroundings.Â
Phu Quoc
There's nothing better than ending a vacation on a bounty island, right? Phu Qouc is an island in southern Vietnam. You will find crystal clear waters, tropical landscapes and fine sandy beaches. There are plenty of luxury hotels, cozy bars and cafes to be found on the island. In short, the best place in Vietnam to enjoy nothing but sun, sea and beach.
Also read: Practical tips for touring Vietnam
Vietnam lends itself to all kinds of vacations, but the majority of travelers opt for a (backpacking) tour. We share some practical tips for a worry-free trip to Vietnam.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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