Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam for First-Time Travelers

Vietnam is a country of captivating beauty, long history and delicious food The country is a great
place to go for a traveler. Regardless whether you prefer a chaos of big city, the calmness of country
sides or beaches, Vietnam has the option for you. This handy country guide is perfect to consult if
you’re looking to plan your first trip to this colorful land. Below is a list of the top ten things you
should not miss when you set your foot on Vietnamese land for the first time.

  1. Cruise Through Halong Bay
    What attracts so many tourists to Vietnam is what has become one of its biggest symbols- the Halong Bay. This world heritage site is the largest in the world and is a cluster of 1900 limestone islands &islets protruding from the gulf of Tonkin. While on a cruise on Halong Bay, tourists are provided with the chance to visit a number of (Caves and beautiful beaches, typical fishing floating villages. To be more creative, consider an overnight cruise, meaning that you will wake up to the awe of the bay views of the seascape at sunrise. Some of the other leisure activities that are sometimes also included are the cases of kayaking, swimming and squid fishing. Halong Bay is ideal for those who are seeking for the place of rest and who want to enjoy the marvelous views of natures.

2. Visit the Imperial City of Hue
For our imperialistic few, Vietnam boasts the city of Hue as the former imperial capital where the
Imperial City stands as an extensive enclave of rather impressive palaces, temples and tombs that
were to house the Vietnamese Emperor. The Citadel is also the biggest tourist attraction in Hue as it
stands proof of Vietnam’s ancient history as a royal kingdom. For example, tourists have an
opportunity to visit decorative gates and courtyards gamble in the Forbidden Purple City and look at
the extraordinary construction that raises the image of imperial Vietnam.
The tombs of the kings of emperors which are located at the outskirts of Hue city are also other
places of interest. These are well ornamented structures and they are situated in very magnificent
natural surroundings. Culinary place Hue has also got a rather active Tuesday evening with such
foods as Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) and Com Hen (rice with baby clams).

3. Relax on the Beaches of Da Nang
Da Nang occupying the third place among major cities of Vietnam boasts of cultural attractions,
sandy shoreline and rising food culture. Da Nang really does offer the kind of service to visitors who
are looking for leisure or those thrilling experiences. My Khe Beach is fine sand and calm water, good
for taking the sunbath or swimming or doing other water activities such as surfing, Jet Skiing etc.
If culture and nature are your interest than visit Marble Mountains, a cluster of five mountains
consisted of limestone and marble with caves, temples and spectacular view of Da Nang city. You
shouldn’t also fail to take a picture with the famous Golden Bridge suspended by two giant stone
hands placed in the Ba Na Hills resort within Danang.

4. Trek Through the Terraced Rice Fields in Sapa
Sapa, in the Vietnam northern highlands, is famous by the mountain of rice fields slanting terracing.
The places are very picturesque and beautiful here and walking through the fields is an
overwhelming pleasure. These include the H’mong, Tay and Zao which dominate the areas that you
are likely to be passing through when on the trek.
Sapa, in particular, can be a little chilly during certain times of the year, particularly winter season, so
do pack appropriately. The green rice terraces are especially beautiful during the harvest weather for
which generally takes place in September-October. It should also be said that there are facilities for
mountain biking and tourists can visit such famous waterfalls as Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall.

5. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City
Visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels is one of the must-do attractions for every tourist, who comes to Vietnam.
These subterranean tunnels, which are situated in the suburbs of the originally known to as Saigon
today is Ho Chi Minh City were used by what was then known as the Viet Cong during Vietnam War
for shelter, sleeping and storing provisions. The tunnels themselves are a symbol of the Vietnamese
population and the projects they undertook during the war.
Here you can take a guided tour, where it explains how the tunnels were built, the bedroom,
washroom and other spacious flowing tunnels entrenched in the ground and one can even crawl
through the tunnels like a real one. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an interesting and somewhat poignant
visit which offers the visitor a real grounding in the history of Vietnam.

6. Wander the Ancient Streets of Hoi An
Hoi An– a World Heritage site– is among the most picturesque and pleasantly sounding town in
Vietnam. It is a city famous for its ancient buildings and architecture in general as well as the famed
Há»™i An Ancient Town. See the covered Parsing for markets of traditional Hoi An lantern, visiting the
Japanese Bridge and then walking pass all the shops for which the city is renowned for as being able
to have clothes tailored for reasonable prices.
Well known for the well-preserved local architecture, the pedestrians and tourists can taste assorted
local dishes such as Cao Lau, a noodle dish made from pork and green vegetables, or the famous
White Rose Dumplings or Thanh Tra cakes. Besides, there are several beaches close to Hoi An, for
example, the Bang Beach perfect for a day of seaside.

7. Cruise the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta also known as the “Rice Bowl” in Vietnam is a complex of riverine landscapes
including the network of rivers, canals and islands throughout the Mekong River which is one of the
most productive and culturally diverse part of Vietnam. A tour through Mekong Delta; it is a great
chance to see people and their lifestyle, floating markets, visit the traditional villages. This place is
notorious for its boat markets in which farmers and vendors used boats to display and sell their
products.
During the island cruising one can also visit the small islands and the villages plus engage in the fruits of this region which is dominated by sub-tropical fruits. Some of such destinations include Can Tho that is the largest city in the delta or Ben Tre which is well known for coconut products.

8. Learn About Vietnam’s History at the War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh is a great and a often rather shocking insight into the
Vietnam War and its repercussions. There are several exhibits in the museum concerning the war
and its impacts on Vietnam and the people; the struggle for independence. Through photographs,
tanks and passion, the museum offers an insight into the war from a Vietnamese perspective, as it
should.
It is dramatic but it shouldn’t be missed; it is an essential part of Vietnam’s history and therefore is a
must visit for any first timer. This is because it is a War Museum where visitors learn some of the sad stories of the Vietnam people during the war.

9. Experience Vietnamese Cuisine
Food is always an important issue when a person travels to a certain country and Vietnam is famous for it Vietnamese cuisine is internationally famous and therefore it is impossible to visit Vietnam
without trying Vietnamese foods or drinks. From soups, which are the Pho to the Vietnamese
pancakes known as Banh Xeo, Goi Cuon, fresh spring rolls are also an option to consider.
Food vendors have a significant influence in the consumption patterns of the nation. Take your meals to the local markets, stalls or street shops where many foods are extremely cheap and full of spices.
Finally, do not miss a taste of the Vietnamese renowned Cà Phê Trứng served here in Hanoi, a
sweetened coffee served with thick and creamy milk whirl Topped sweet Ruthy egg mixture.

10. Explore the Bustling Streets of Hanoi Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and it even gives a traveler an opportunity to see both historical and very energetic contemporary atmosphere. If it is your first time visiting, the best part of Hanoi you should consider wandering around include: the Old Quarter with huge structures, colonial-styled buildings and congested with markets & culinary stalls. Vietnamese national capital, Hanoi is also known for its culture and history with intuition of Lakes such as Hoan Kiem Lake or Temples, for instance, the Temple of Literature and Quang Trung Software Technology Institute and mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, another sight seeing. A tour is incomplete without trying out the specialties of this city and Pho, a noodle soup with additions of herbs and either beef or chicken is a must enjoy. Make sure to experience the same at any of the many street-side food joints, common among the locals, as they eat. I like to consider Hanoi to be a city that has this time-warping effect which makes you think that everything could quite literally be from a different era, yet in other ways, everything is right up to date.

Conclusion
Vietnam is a country full of uniqueness and unusual affairs ideal for any first-time traveler. Vietnam boasts both its urban areas and historic landmarks, unique nature, and tasty food that will be interesting for every traveler. This means regardless to whether you have a preference for history, wildlife or food, you are sure to have an unforgettable trip to Vietnam. Here are listed the top 10 things that will help ensure you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable and fulfilling time as and when you engage in the exploration of the various things that the beautiful country holds.

FAQ(Frequently asked questions)

1. Is it safe for first-time travelers to visit Vietnam?
Absolutely, Vietnam is safe for tourists. However, as with every country it is advisable to be cautious
while moving around and adhere to the cultural values and various safety measures in the country.

2. What should I wear in Vietnam but most importantly what should I not
wear?

Due to the structure of climate of the country, it is advised to take lightweight clothes for the hot
zones, and warm clothes, especially for zones like Sapa. Street shoes may be needed to visit cities as
well as countryside.

3. What is the currency used in Vietnam?
Currently, the currency that is used in Vietnam until date is Dong. The legal tender for Vietnam is
Vietnamese Dong (VND). One should always ensure that he or she has some amount of cash with
him or her, especially when going to Areas such as the remote areas, Credit card companies may not
transact with the inhabitants of those areas.

4. Which Vietnamese foods should you not miss out on?
For the Food lovers don’t miss out on Pho (noodle soup) Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) Goi
Cuon (fresh spring rolls) and Cà Phê Trừng (egg coffee). People experience real and tasty meals
being sold from street stalls.

5. What is the best way of transportation in Vietnam?
In cities, there is the use of taxi and motorbikes and the use of the apps such as Grab. For
traveling between cities, one can travel by train, by bus or through domestic flight. Hiring a
motorbike or scooter is a wonderful idea for travelling.

6. How popular is English in Vietnam?
While most people in large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh speak English and most signages
are in English, Vietnamese is most certainly appreciated and useful especially in small towns.

7. How many days is recommended for a first-time traveler in Vietnam?
It is recommended to spend 7-10 days visiting the great sites such as: Hanoi, Halong bay, Hue,
Da Nang, Sapa, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh city. Still, you can set the duration depending on the
level of interest followed by the time available to devote to the forums.

8. Main Cultural Customs/Taboos that Every traveler should know in
Vietnam?

Family values and rituals have to be honored and esteemed. People should not enter homes or
places of worship with shoes on and it is quite acceptable to greet with a bow or hand shake. Negotiations in markets are typical.

9. How can I get to enjoy natural scenery in Vietnam?
If admire the natural beauty, Halong Bay for the cruise, Sapa’s terraced rice paddies for a hike or
for a lie down on the sand in Da Nang. The cruise in Mekong Delta is a great chance to have a
closer look at the rural way of life.

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