What to see, what to do Vietnam?
The 10 good reasons to go Vietnam
Memorable treks
Hiking on the mountainside with overnight stays with local people in high-altitude hamlets.
A still preserved country
A booming economy but a country that remains true to its traditions.
A mosaic of identities
A land of encounter where 54 ethnic groups have preserved their cultural identity.
A tasty cuisine
Gastronomy in Vietnam is an everyday art that every household is committed to cultivating.
A diverse and spectacular nature
From north to south, Vietnam offers a wide variety of sumptuous landscapes.
Farniente under the sun
On the coast, heavenly beaches invite you to take long siestas facing the sea.
A rich cultural heritage
Architectural wonders bequeathed by a history shaped by multiple legacies.
An ancestral craft
Lacquers, basket makers, the encounter with these old trades alone justifies the trip.
A motorcycle ride
In the mountains of the North, set off on adventure trails in the land of 2 wheels.
Quality hotels
Affordable prices and splendid hotels where everything is luxury, calm and pleasure.
What to visit Vietnam?
Good to know to visit Vietnam
Timetable
The opening hours of the sites vary greatly. Museums are generally open between 8am and 5pm, some close at lunch time. Many sites (pagodas, temples...) are not strictly speaking tourist attractions. They welcome visitors, but have their own life which must be respected.
To be booked
In Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it is preferable to reserve seats for certain shows or concerts. The reception of the hotels will gladly take care of it.
Budget & Tips
The entrance fee to sites and museums is usually very modest (the equivalent of less than 2 €). It is common to leave a small fee when visiting pagodas.
Main events
Vietnam organizes a handful of festivals that have acquired international renown. These include the Hué festival and the martial arts festival in the town of Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh province), which take place every two years. Traditional festivals, linked to the solar-lunar calendar, can be an opportunity to discover Vietnamese culture, but it's important to bear in mind that they are not intended for tourism, even if, as elsewhere in the world, folklorization and commercialization tend to make certain events lose their original meaning.
Guided tours
Incoming agencies offer many guided tours. At first glance, the formula may seem unappealing to those who are fond of autonomy and independence, but within the framework of a short stay, the guided tour allows the accompaniment of a professional guide, often French-speaking, to save time, to free oneself from logistical problems and to make some savings (carpooling for the transport to certain remote sites). The most advanced agencies offer thematic workshops (cooking classes, lacquerware training, photography...) that allow you to discover the country from a particular angle.
Smokers
Smoking is not permitted in the museums. The rules of tact and courtesy also apply.
Tourist traps
When visiting certain sites, it is not uncommon to require the presence of an improvised guide. At the end of the visit, the guide will demand payment for his or her work. To avoid any misunderstanding, it is preferable to make things clear from the beginning and to oppose a clear refusal if one considers this presence as unwelcome. While knowing that the remuneration is often modest (the equivalent of 1 or 2 €) and that in certain cases, the indications and the advice of the guide can be judicious...
