22 Best Things to Do in Vietnam in 2025 – Essential Guide

Recommendation: Choose Hanoi’s Old Quarter at dawn; walked streets reveal textures, because vendors, coffee, and lantern light set your first impression. Inside them, you’ll sample pho, watch alleyways come alive, and then boek a fast boat toward Ha Long Bay for mineral cliffs and tunnels that emerge from emerald water.

In central Vietnam, plan a loop between Hue’s imperial relics and Da Nang’s modern skyline–where old temples meet a european skyline vibe that appeals to diverse tastes. Keep passport handy for quick checks if you extend routes along the coast, and choose daytime trips that balance comfort with adventure.

Throughout the year, celebrations color the streets–Tet in winter, local festivals along the coast–giving you a chance to join parades, taste bun cha, and photograph red lanterns by rivers. Where you find lively markets, you’ll discover crafts, music, and food stalls inviting you to linger.

Phong Nha–Ke Bang caves offer tunnels and river routes: inside the limestone halls, mineral formations glitter under guide-led paths. The trips are paced for safety, and you can combine the ride with a hill trek in nearby national parks.

Adventure seekers can ride a scooter along Hai Van Pass and stroll the coast for seafood, or take a night train to Sapa for a hill walk with misty views. Boek ahead for comfortable guides, and fill your days with a mix of cultural sites and natural scenery to satisfy different interests. Smaller towns are attracting travelers with authentic cuisine and quiet streets.

Tips to stay smooth: pack light, keep a charger handy, and use offline maps in areas with spotty signal. The 22-point plan helps you cover both bustling cities and quiet countryside throughout 2025.

22 Best Things to Do in Vietnam in 2025 – Tet Nguyen Dan Lunar New Year

Plan to be in saigon on january 29 to join the Nguyen Hue Flower Street celebrations and enjoy the lantern-lit walkways, a massive event attracting locals and visitors alike.

In hanoi and other northern cities, peach blossoms frame the streets and golden kumquat trees light the lakesides, creating scenes that honor the significance of Tet and invite closer looks at local traditions.

Taste Tet staples: banh chung, the square sticky rice cake, and banh tet, the cylindrical version. Learn to produce these with host families, pairing them with tangy pickles and herbs that capture the season’s flavors.

Competitions fill town squares and markets, from calligraphy and banner contests to those dances that echo royal court performances; princess-inspired costumes often appear on parades, adding a touch of magic to the city’s celebrations.

mekong delta experiences offer a Mekong contrast after the busiest days: a slow boat along the river, floating markets near Can Tho, and villages that stay awake to celebrate annually. The contrast between urban brightness and riverside life feels massive and memorable.

Safety comes first: book early, carry cash in small notes, stay hydrated, and respect local hours and offers; planning and knowledge help you navigate crowds and talk with locals, making your time smoother and more rewarding.

The significance of Tet is family-centered and community-focused, not just fireworks; many households invite guests, share good meals, and exchange blessings, a tradition that remains annually strong and gives new experiences to visitors of all ages.

Ready to plan? This period delivers an incredible mix of famous markets, saigon’s energy, and mekong’s waterways; by embracing the customs and talking with locals, you’ll leave with better understanding and golden memories that last long after january ends. You will return home ready to share what you learned with others.

Must-Plan Activities for Tet and Year-Round Travel in Vietnam

Start with a family-friendly Tet route that links Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc for a longer, relaxed break. Begin in Hanoi’s Tet markets at dawn, taste bánh chưng and bánh tét with a local family, and join a hands-on morning ritual. Then fly to Hue to see the former imperial capital’s royal tombs, ride a river path to Hoi An before sunset, and finish with a few days on quoc island for a calm, beach-focused finale.

During Tet, the streets fill with families and tourists, so hire an expert local team of guides for hands-on direction and smoother access to lantern markets. Sample activities include lion dances, bánh chưng making with seasoned cooks, and the exchange of lucky red envelopes. Such rituals connect travelers with local customs and create lasting memories. January mornings in Hanoi can be brisk; Phu Quoc offers warm sunshine later in the month.

Year-round, pair city sights with outdoor days: forested hills, coastal cliffs, and welcoming bays invite a nature-led rhythm. Photographer-friendly itineraries let you capture captivating sunrises along the coast and along forest trails. Try a sample loop through the southeast coast, starting in Nha Trang or Quy Nhon and ending in Da Nang, with a relaxed beach stop at a resort. Small groups keep pace comfortable for families and first-time travelers alike; a longer, slower tempo helps you truly see the sights.

Coordinate with guides, staff, and a local team to tailor activities to your group’s energy. Choose an expert who can adjust plans for rainy days or busier weekends, ensuring smooth transitions between towns. Bring a detailed gear list for beach days or forest walks. Being flexible, you can swap a museum stop for a market stroll if weather shifts.

Consider adding quoc island to a longer itinerary; January remains a solid window for dry weather on the south coast. London-trained guides plus local staff offer a well-rounded view of sights across the southeast. Tourists often appreciate a sample itinerary with flexible days.

End with a relaxed night market stroll, a hands-on cooking class, and a family-friendly spa at a resort. Track costs and pacing to avoid feeling rushed; a thoughtful plan yields richer memories and more opportunities to capture moments that stay with you long after you return home.

Tet 2025 Dates, Travel Windows, and Booking Tips

Book flights and hotels by January 20–25, 2025 to lock current prices and secure seats for Tet crowds. Tet 2025 begins around January 29, with celebrations spanning about a week; many services tighten or close during the peak days, so plan ahead. For best balance, mix north and island destinations to stretch your timing and enjoy both vibrant city life and quieter scenery today.

1. Key Tet dates and travel windows
   • Pre-Tet window (timing matters): January 15–28. Reserve a rustic town stay or a coastal resort on the island to secure better rates and avoid last-minute surcharges. Domestic flights to the north and to the port towns in the central coast sell out quickly.
   • Tet week (celebrated across provinces): January 29–February 4. Expect crowds at markets, parade routes, riverfronts, and races such as dragon boat events. If you want calmer photos, schedule watching moments in the early mornings and late afternoons when locals prepare offerings and lanterns.
   • Post-Tet wind-down: February 5–10. Traffic eases, but popular places like land and water attractions stay busy about three days longer as families visit relatives and friends.
2. Where to base your trip (three strong options)
   • North: Hanoi’s old town and nearby landscapes (rugged passes, waterfalls, and evergreen scenery) offer captivating daylight walks and nightlife adjacent to a port gateway.
   • Coastal island routes: Phu Quoc and Cat Ba provide island breaks with a mix of beach resorts and rustic bungalows, ideal for a slower pace between flagship events.
   • Central towns and riverside ports: Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An combine land heritage with water markets, giving you rich settings for photographer-friendly shots.
3. Booking tips by type of traveler
   • Direct bookings with operators and hotels often yield better cancellations and flexible dates during Tet. Compare options across destination hubs to find a price that fits your budget.
   • Use multi-city or open-jaw itineraries if you plan to loop from the north to the south or to an island and back, saving time and reducing backtracking.
   • Look for packages that include airport transfers and guided city walks with a local leader to simplify safety and scheduling in crowded spaces.
4. Experience ideas and practical tips
   • Captivating experiences: watch a lantern release by the river, explore rustic village markets, and stroll through old town streets between alleys lit with red banners.
   • Photography and style: hire a photographer for sunrise shoots at a waterfall or along the coast, capturing the land and sea textures in a few hours.
   • Safety and etiquette: stay with licensed guides, keep valuables secure in crowded venues, and plan extra transfer time between towns and ports during peak days.
   • Food and culture: try traditional festive dishes in three or four key places, savor asian street food at night markets, and respect local customs during family gatherings.
   • Reality check: avoid bantering about nangs or illegal options; stick to licensed venues and clearly labeled products to stay compliant and safe today and every day.
5. Logistics and types of travel to consider
   • Transit: domestic flights, trains, and private transfers between north, central, and south hubs; book early to lock seats on peak days.
   • Accommodations: consider a resort with flexible dining and activity schedules or a chain hotel for predictable safety standards.
   • Activity mix: include a day on land exploring historic sites and a day on the water near a harbor or port for a balanced itinerary.
   • Seasonal window: Tet is celebrated with family visits and public performances; plan downtime between events to enjoy calmer moments.

Today’s best move is to map a three- to five-day segment in the pre-Tet window, add a mid-Tet city stop, and finish with a tranquil island stay to balance energy and capture a memorable Tet experience.

Best Cities to Experience Tet Traditions and Community Feasts

Start in Hanoi with a flight into Noi Bai landing near the Old Quarter district, where Tet festivities fill the streets. If you’re after a true Tet pulse, you’re at the right place: peach blossoms bloom, offerings appear on family altars, and neighbors share banh chung around communal tables. The surroundings mix bustling markets with temple courtyards, and the setting carries an incredible energy that makes you feel special.

From Hanoi, head south to Ho Chi Minh City, where Tet blends tradition with modern cravings. A few days in District 1 let you sample iconic dishes among lively streets, then hop a flight to Can Tho on the Mekong. Here the floating markets hum with friendly chatter and riverside gatherings feel rustic yet welcoming. In Vincom Center and other venues, offerings and performances add a luxurious layer to the season, while faqs at temple gates help first-timers, and amusement-filled evenings keep all ages entertained; whereas quieter neighborhoods offer a calmer counterpoint.

Across the central coast, Hue and Hoi An present a different Tet rhythm. In Hue, the setting around the Imperial City adds ceremonial gravity as families visit the Quoc Tu temple for prayers and share rustic meals along the river. In Hoi An, the quieter lanes glow with lanterns and the energy shifts to fantastic, intimate dinners in riverside spots. Da Nang bridges tradition with modern flavors through lively markets and fantastic seafood, adding color to festive nights.

On the Mekong frontier, Can Tho and nearby villages join the celebrations with dawn boat markets and riverside feasts that feel incredibly welcoming. The Mekong surroundings bring parts of rural life to the surface, where you can sample grilled fish, fresh fruit, and sticky rice while local guides share stories that illuminate Tet customs in a vivid, real way.

Where to Eat Tet Dishes: Markets, Streets, and Family Tables

Go to the markets at dawn to taste banh chung and banh tet as they go from steam to table; the mix of herbs, pork, and mung bean fills the air and sets the tone for Tet feasting. Timing matters: arriving early gives you the freshest cakes, while watching cooks fold leaves and press rice in a handful of minutes.

Markets across Hanoi, Hue, and Saigon offer an alternative to formal restaurants, highlighting how Tet dishes combine sweet, salty, and smoky notes created by generations. A flight of street bites travels from benches to carts, with natural ingredients and aromatic herbs building a menu that attracts american travelers as well. In river valleys around Hue, aromas rise from markets, merging with cycling routes and the hum of vendors. The overwhelming variety can feel daunting, so group by market and dish to pace your tasting.

On the streets, you’ll see vendors along the motorbike line, sizzling skewers and crisp pickles. Amusement spills out of temple gates as you watch crowds form a queue and share a laugh. For a touch of regal warmth, ask for a private family table inside a relative’s home; it feels like a princess’s table and turns the meal into a spiritual, communal ritual. If you’re visiting, e-visa processing and booking ahead save time, and choose a private arrangement to enjoy Tet without pressure.

Family tables during Tet invite you to slow down and savor the moment. The host sets a spread of banh tet, thit kho, boiled chicken, and seasonal greens, with stories about ancestors attached to each dish. This is where flavor becomes memory, and you won’t miss a nuance if you linger over sauces and rice wrapped in banana leaves, sharing tea as the evening settles.

Practical Cultural Experiences: Temples, Performances, and Handicrafts

Begin with a morning ritual at Tran Quoc Pagoda on Hanoi’s West Lake, where the quiet courtyards meet the water. From here locals walked guests through nearby temples and markets for historical context, including famous landmark temples, with daily routines that have shaped the country for generations. If your visit falls in august, catch a temple festival and a dragon dance that fills the streets with color and rhythm. In the late afternoon, stroll along the hoan banks where markets glow with lantern light and the city softens into golden calm. In the north, mornings can be cold, so pack a light scarf as part of your plan to explore this circuit.

For performances, reserve seats at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater in Hanoi or Hue’s royal court programs, one show that combines drama with music and another with instrumental ensembles. Evening cruises along the Perfume River offer tranquil views, including sunsets over the water as you glide past lantern-lit banks. Lovers of traditional arts will appreciate the newest stage pieces, often premiered in june and part of famous regional traditions, that bring folklore to life. There’s plenty to explore on the program, from choral sections to instrumental solos, and a full table of options, so plan a second show if you can.

Handicrafts provide a tactile link to Vietnam’s craft traditions. Bat Trang pottery sessions in Hanoi let you shape a bowl and glaze it under the guidance of an official instructor. In Hoi An, lantern makers reveal how silk, paper, and bamboo blend into glowing souvenirs for the riverfront. In binh, artisans practice bamboo and lacquerware crafts, adding a local flavor to every piece. Sit on a deck with a cup of coffee as you watch the craftspeople at work and choose a keepsake that captures a region’s identity. For an active option, you can kayak for a morning along tranquil river valleys near Ninh Binh, a memorable complement to a culture-filled trip. These destinations showcase a country where hands stay busy, from hill villages to tranquil valleys along the coast.

7-Day Tet Itinerary: Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam

Book ahead for Tet; securing flights, transfers, and a Ha Long Bay cruise will save you from crowded spots and last‑minute price spikes.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi and base yourself in the Old Quarter for a laid-back start. Walk the narrow lanes, sip egg coffee, and sample banh mi near a lively market. The skyline view from a skyview deck offers a quick orientation before the evening Tet glow settles over the city.

Day 2: Drive to Ha Long Bay for an overnight on a traditional junk, with floating fishing villages visible between towering limestone karsts. Kayak around quiet coves, nap on deck as the boat drifts down the coast, and savor seafood that the crew shops for at local markets each morning.

Day 3: Return to Hanoi and catch a morning flight to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An. In the lantern-lit ancient town, browse tailor shops and local boutiques, and dine on Cao Lau before checking into a home base along the Thu Bon River for the night.

Day 4: Explore Hoi An’s riverside lanes, then ride the short stretch to Da Nang for a quick skyview of the city on a hilltop cafe. Return to Hoi An to wander markets, villagers’ stalls, or a relaxed bike ride through rice paddies to a lush countryside village, where you can meet minority communities and learn about local crafts.

Day 5: Drive to Hue, pausing at viewpoints on the Hai Van Pass and along the coast. In Hue, design your day around the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda, with a straightforward transfer to your hotel after temples, tombs, and a riverside dinner. Tet offers a quieter pace here, ideal for a deeper look into royal history without crowds.

Day 6: Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City and dive into its buzzing markets and museums. Check into a hotel near Ben Thanh Market, then visit the War Remnants Museum and the city’s old quarter. In the evening, book a transfers service to a Mekong Delta base for a downstream glimpse of floating markets and village life that sits between river branches and lush orchards.

Day 7: Mekong Delta day trip from HCMC: cruise through Cai Be or Cai Rang markets, watch boats glide past stilt homes, and stop at rice‑paddy islands where locals grow fruit and vegetables. This down‑tempo voyage gives you a perfect close to the trip, with time to shop for souvenirs, enjoy a home‑style lunch, and reflect on what Vietnam’s regions offer. Return to the city for a late flight, and take with you a lasting memory of Tet’s warmth and hospitality, from metropolitan energy to quiet rural beauty.