You can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities in Vietnam because of the country’s natural beauty and cultural authenticity. There is so much to do in Vietnam’s beautiful outdoors, from traditional outdoor pursuits like hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and caving to more unusual experiences.
Your heart is racing, and you’re eager to find out what’s out there. Here are the “what, where, and how” of seven outdoor activities you must attempt across the nation.
NORTH VIETNAM
North Vietnam, which dates back thousands of years, has practically everything to offer for a wonderful outdoor adventure: it has a vibrant urban life in Hanoi, ethnic culture in Pu Luong and Sapa, and stunning landscapes in Ninh Binh. Here are the top 5 outdoor activities we recommend in North Vietnam:
1.Good morning Hanoi – Hanoi morning city tour
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is one of the greatest places to visit if you want to experience a wide range of activities. An early-morning city tour is among the most authentic and enjoyable things to do in Hanoi. You’ll be amazed to see a different side of Hanoi if you go then. Long Bien market and Quang Ba Flower market are two popular locations for a city tour in the early morning:
Long Bien Market
One of the most fascinating markets in Hanoi is Long Bien Market, a must-do experience when you visit the capital city. Hanoi shines brighter and brighter at night, thanks in part to the lights from the buildings and streets and in part to how quickly city life moves at that time of day.
The market is also regarded as Hanoi’s most affordable source for seasonal fruits and vegetables. In the summer, visitors may easily purchase fresh fruits at Long Bien market, including mango, watermelon, plum, guava, jackfruit, avocado, lychee, longan,… It is stocked with extremely inexpensive oranges, bananas, pomegranates, and other fruits during the winter.
Quang Ba Flower Market
The Quang Ba (Quang An) Flower Market, which is five kilometers from the city’s center, is a great spot to buy flowers and a good site to explore Hanoi at night.
Quang Ba Flower Market “wakes up” when most of Hanoi goes to sleep. Visitors to this unique flower market can not only take in the vivid and vibrant beauty of countless flowers, but they can also discover more about the daily lives of the flower vendors there.
Tourists frequently learn new things on their travels even before they get at Quang Ba night flower market. This is because Quang Ba market closes before daylight and is only open at night. Hence, visitors will unexpectedly encounter a new side of Hanoi on their way to this market at night, a Hanoi that is unusually calm and one of exceptional cultural beauty. Some find it difficult to believe that this is the nighttime scene of a capital city with a one thousand year old history and culture because of the laughter, the offers of the merchants, and the haggling of the buyers.
2. Explore Duong Lam Ancient Village
When Hoi An was acknowledged, Duong Lam hamlet in Son Tay Town, some 60 kilometers to the west of Hanoi’s capital, is the first historic village to be recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information. It is an ancient town, the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Duong Lam gained notoriety because two of Vietnam’s rulers, Phung Hung (761–802) and Ngo Quyen (896–944), were born there. Both individuals commanded resistance forces during wars of national independence against northern invasion. The locals erected temples in their honor following their deaths.
The majority of Duong Lam’s traditional homes are constructed of wood, while the fence walls are constructed of laterite. Tourists can visit and take pictures of some famous houses in Duong Lam to see how drastically different the Vietnamese way of life was in the past from how it is now and to appreciate even more the fact that these homes are not in some museum but are actual homes that are inhabited by real families.
3.Visit Conical Hat Making Chuong Village
We have all likely long had in mind the picture of a Vietnamese woman donning a long dress and conical hat. Everyone of us has a vivid subconscious memory of the charming and rural conical hat. You should once visit Ha Tay Chuong Village, one of the well-known conical hat-making craft communities here, if you want to learn more about Vietnamese culture while you’re here.
Chuong village is found in Phuong Trung commune, Thanh Oai district, about 30 kilometers from the city center of Hanoi. Thanh Oai Chuong Village, with its old features weathered by time, is visible in the center of Hanoi.
Little lanes and cottages with aging tile roofs all contribute to the familiar village’s serene attractiveness. As a traditional Vietnamese craft town, Chuong Village is home to several family businesses that have been passed down from generation to generation. Lovely hats that maintain the traditional beauty of the Vietnamese people have been crafted by the hands of many generations, from young to old.
4.Hiking in Pu Luong – discover the culture of ethnic minorities
One of the greatest locations for outdoor activities in Vietnam is Pu Luong. Pu Luong is a fantastic location for outdoor pursuits like hiking, biking, rafting, and trekking, but it is most well-known for its hiking to nearby communities, the most of which are Thai villages.
Due to its calm, serene atmosphere and welcoming locals, Kho Muong must be the most well-known village in Pu Luong to visitors from abroad. The terraced rice fields, which are deep in a valley and bordered by limestone hills and lush forests, are especially beautiful when the seasons are right because of their luscious colors. White Thais live in the village of Kho Muong, where daily living is rather straightforward. For your treks, Kho Muong makes a great starting place.
You shouldn’t skip Hieu village (Ban Hieu) when visiting Pu Luong. You’ll pass a lot of enormous bamboo water wheels along the creek on the route to this village. The waterfall at Ban Hieu is well known for its distinctive environment, which includes layers of limestone and tree roots that have been calcified on the streambed. This fall will see heavy water flow during the rainy season, resulting in beautiful natural scenery.
Between Thursday and Sunday, there is a market called Pho Don, which is a fascinating aspect of Thai culture. The origins of Pho Don may be traced to the time of the French colonists, when Thai, Muong, and Vietnamese traders flocked to the region. Since most of the merchants are farmers, you can anticipate the goods to be affordable, healthful, and not particularly attractive.
5.Discover the beauty of Van Long, Ninh Binh
There are far too few tourists who visit Ninh Binh, a captivating region that locals refer to as “Ha Long Bay on Land” because of its alluring riverine environment and steep limestone mountains that rise abruptly from the rice farms. The greatest ways to see this UNESCO-protected environment are to paddleboat along its glistening rivers and scale its legendary summits.
The most well-known activity in Van Long Natural Reserve is bird watching. A boat ride around the marsh is a beautiful experience that will bring you closer to nature because many bird species, including rare ones, may be sighted here. Delacour’s langurs, which are also found in Van Long but are endangered, are tougher to detect, but you can try your luck in the morning.
A boat trip in Van Long lasts up to two people per boat for about 90 minutes. A boat ticket costs 60,000VND, while an entrance ticket is priced at 20,000VND.
CENTRAL VIETNAM
Beautiful natural scenery may be found across central Vietnam, from the underground caverns of Phong Nha to the unspoiled islands and beaches of Nha Trang and Quy Nhon. Enjoying the outdoors and learning about the local culture are popular outdoor pursuits in Vietnam. The top five suggestions are as follows:
6.Caving in Phong Nha Ke Bang
One of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto system’s caves, Son Doong, in central Quang Binh Province, has been determined to be the world’s largest.
The cave system has a total length of roughly 126 km, and more of it has to be investigated. The Chay and Son rivers of Phong Nha-Ke Bang are thought to be part of the longest underground river system as well. Needless to add that this amazing park includes the abandoned Paradise and the Phong Nha Caves. One of the region’s pleasures is the variety and abundance of the animals and vegetation.
A Boeing 747 can fly through the largest channel of this cave due to its size. Only true adventurers should explore this cave, which is home to its own eco-system and offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The fact that there is now just one firm authorized to lead expeditions to the cave makes the whole experience much more distinctive.
7.Enjoy the natural beauty of Dam Mon Island, Nha Trang
Nha Trang is another great place for outdoor activities in Vietnam. You’re probably rolling your eyes, thinking ‘Nha Trang is too crowded’. Well, what if we can show you a place so pristine with fewer people where you can have all the glorious blue beaches, winds, and sandbanks to yourself?
Dam Mon, Nha Trang is extremely tranquil, untouched, and less crowded than nearby beaches. If you visit Dam Mon, you will have the opportunity to see: Xuan Dung town, home to an ethnic community and 20 neighboring islands and islets with an astonishing diversity of an ecosystem on land and underwater, Dam Mon village, Dam Mon Thuong with a high sand dune overlooking the sea.
Everyone who has gone to Dam Mon once will want to go back a second time, despite the fact that tourism has not been heavily exploited there. Do not skip Dam Mon while visiting Nha Trang; it is a fantastic location.
8.Discover the natural beauty of Ky Co – Eo Gio, Quy Nhon
Mother Nature has created a masterpiece in the windy and sunny area of Binh Dinh, known as Ky Co – Eo Gio. This is a really wild and beautiful region that Mother Nature has greatly blessed. Visitors to Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, however, cannot forget the area’s breathtaking scenery. Each route that leads to Ky Co – Eo Gio is breathtakingly lovely, like a foreign romance route.
Cross over the Thi Nai bridge to reach the other side then reach the furthest eastern land of the city, you will find Eo Gio The Cape of Wind. The breathtaking caves that swirl around the shore like a stretch of clouds do not make Ky Co – Eo Gio particularly beautiful. The poetic setting has touched the hearts of innumerable tourists. You will have a really fun time camping here.
9.Explore Dong Giang Village and Co Tu Ethnic Minority Village – Quang Nam
A total of 43,000 members of the Co Tu minority reside in the Dong Giang region near the Kon river. Bho Hoong, Ta Vac, and Dhroong villages make up the majority of the settlements in the Dong Giang area. Your journey to Vietnam will be enhanced by learning about the Co Tu minority’s distinctive way of life and culture.
More than 300 Co Tu people reside in the tranquil Bho Hoong village, which is located at the base of the Truong Son mountain range. Brocade fabric weaving, bamboo and rattan knitting, and other handcrafts provide a living for more than half of the population. Bho Hoong village is centered around a huge Guol house, with five Moong homes surrounding it to form a closed area that resembles an old Co Tu village.
Around 70 kilometers separate Dong Giang Region from Hoi An Town, and it would be a superb day excursion with worthwhile outdoor activities in Vietnam.
10.Discover Fresco Arts on Nha Lang Slopes – Da Lat
Da Lat is frequently praised for its stunning vistas, dreamlike ambiance, and elegant French architecture. Moreover, Da Lat is a location for outdoor activities. Visit Nha Lang Slopes in Da Lat, one of the city’s intriguing off-the-beaten-path attractions, for a 200m-long mural street adorned with vibrant fresco art.
You’ll feel as though you’re traveling through a fairytale realm as a result of the approximately 30 murals that cover 2,000 square meters of wall space in addition to window frames and boxes. The paintings depict Da Lat city’s beauty, tales, and images.
To make you fully enjoy this experience, we provide you the package to Fresco Arts on Nha Lang Slopes – Da Lat here.
SOUTH VIETNAM
Come to South Vietnam to see the distinctive lifestyle of those who live along the Mekong River, the Cham community, and fantastic culinary adventures. Check out the top 5 outdoor activities in southern Vietnam:
11.Food adventure at night in Ho Chi Minh city
Going to Ho Chi City without taking a nighttime street food tour would be a disappointment. The best Vietnamese delicacies, including Bun Bo Hue, Pho, spring rolls, Hu Tieu, and Com Tam, can be found in Ho Chi Minh, which is a center for Vietnamese cuisine in the south.
Riding a scooter is the greatest method to take a street food tour in Ho Chi Minh City at night. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the great energy of the city at night, moving with the traffic and taking in all the sights, sounds, and colors of Vietnam’s busiest, most vibrant metropolis.
Make a reservation for a half-day food tour with a local guide if you don’t have the time to organize a street food tour on your own. Simply enjoy the journey by saddling up in the back. The local guide will show you all the secret locations in neighborhood markets and alleyways that only locals are aware of.
12.Explore Bung Binh Thien Lake – An Giang
Binh Binh Thien, also known as the Calm Lake of Heaven, is a naturally created lake in the An Giang Province area. The lake sits still throughout the year, reflecting a group of clouds and luring onlookers to pause and take in the rustic appeal.
In the province of An Giang in the Mekong Delta, Bung Binh Thien is situated in the An Phu District, linking the communes of Khanh Binh, Nhon Hoi, and Quoc Thai as well as the Binh Di and Hau rivers. This lovely lake is being developed to become an eco-tourist destination.
Around Bung Binh Tien, there are 4 ethnic minority groups, with the Cham making up the majority of the population. The Cham community still maintains its traditional practices and still lives on stilts while adhering to a Vietnamese interpretation of Islam. Some of them will be walking down the street wearing traditional attire.
Come to Bung Binh Tien and you’ll get the chance to go on a boat ride on the lake, participate in daily activities like fishing and flower picking, and sample specialties made by the Cham people.
13.Visit Ta Pa Rice Field – An Giang
Ta Pa Rice Field, regarded as one of Vietnam’s most stunning rice fields, is an excellent choice for an outdoor excursion in the Mekong Delta. You may enjoy the spectacular sight of the field colored with rich green and gold, which is even more brilliant under the sunlight, during harvest season (between August and November).
The palmyra trees in Ta Pa Rice Field set it apart from other fields in North and Central Vietnam. The palmyra trees in the background of the green rice field make the sight even more bizarre as the sun sets on the field. Rice fields with palmyra trees are regarded as the Mekong Delta’s most recognizable scene.
Visit to Ta Pa Rice Field for a chance to take in the scenery, discover the Cham people’s cultivation tradition, assist villagers in gathering palmyra fruits, and discover Sdach Toth Pagoda.
14.Biking in Mekong Delta
Biking is one of the best outdoor activities in Vietnam because it’s easy to engage with locals, entertaining, affordable, and beneficial for your health.
The Mekong Delta is the ideal region in Vietnam for riding because of its peaceful backroads, breathtaking scenery, and welcoming locals. You may witness vast, verdant rice fields, mangroves, fruit plantations, palmyra and coconut trees along the Mekong River path. Life moves at a calm, serene pace across the congested waterway, helping us to forget all of our concerns.
The Mekong Delta offers the following riding routes for your consideration: My Tho to Tra Vinh is 65 kilometers away from Sai Gon, while Tra Vinh is 77 kilometers from Can Tho.
15.Enjoy a boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market
Mekong Delta has a unique way of life that is distinct from other parts of the nation and is closely linked to the powerful Mekong River. The most notable aspect of that culture is the floating market.
Maybe Cai Rang floating market is best renowned for being the biggest, oldest, and most fascinating in the area. The market is about 30 minutes away by boat from Ninh Kieu Wharf and is only 5 km from Can Tho city.
Every morning at the market’s opening, locals offer agricultural items including freshly picked fruits straight from orchards, breakfast foods like noodle soups and cold soups, coffee, snacks, and the like.
Conclusion
Regrettably, as with all good things, our incredible list of adventures in Vietnam must come to an end. There is just one thing left to do if you share our sadness: go out and complete them! With so many activities and sights to see, come on down and go on an adrenaline binge.