10 things you must do when in Vietnam

1. Drink egg coffee in Hanoi
2. Search for the best pho in Vietnam
3. Go on the Reunification Express
4. Go lantern shopping in Hoi An
5. Go beach hopping in Phu Quoc
6. Sleep in the world’s largest cave
7. Hike in Sapa
8. Drink coffee in Dalat
9. Visit the old capital city of Vietnam
10. Party in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam has become one of the most talked about destinations in the world, and each year there are more tourists who flock to see what this country has to offer. So if you’re one of those who are curious to see what all the fuss is about, don’t wait any longer and visit Vietnam as soon as you can! And while you’re at it, here are 10 things you must do when in Vietnam.

1. Drink egg coffee in Hanoi

If you’ve never heard of egg coffee, you’re about to! Believe it or not, it’s a delicious drink that consists of black coffee, whisked egg yolk and sweetened condensed milk. The reason why you must try it in Hanoi is because the drink originates from there. The history behind it is quite fascinating too. During the war, there was a shortage of fresh milk in Vietnam so the man behind the egg coffee, Tri Hoa Nguyen, decided to use whisked egg as a substitute instead. It took a while though to perfect this drink, as it takes a long time to hand-whisk it to get to the right consistency, but after a few tries, he had perfected it. It didn’t take long until the drink became really popular in the 1980s. Nowadays, you can find egg coffee in almost every coffee shop in Vietnam. But if you’re looking for the original one, you’ll find it in Hanoi, in a small coffee shop called ”Cafe Giang”.

2. Search for the best pho in Vietnam

If you haven’t figured it out yet, food is a huge passion for many Vietnamese and that’s why you’ll find some of the best cuisine here. Pho is a noodle soup that’s usually made with beef broth, although you can find different variations of it. It’s a staple dish in Vietnam and has become very popular all over the world. When traveling around in Vietnam, you’ll notice that the flavors vary depending on which region you’re in. The pho you’ll try in the north will therefore probably not taste the same in the south.  It’s up to you to decide where the best pho is though.

3. Go on the Reunification Express

Don’t fly when you’re in Vietnam, take the Reunification Express instead! The train goes from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about 35 hours. But you’ll most likely stop in many spots before arriving to your final destination. This is one of the most scenic routes you can take in Vietnam. It passes countless landmarks and landscapes that will surely take your breath away. There are also sleeper cabins on the trains if you’re up for a longer journey. So next time you’re thinking of hopping on the flight, think again and book the train instead! You’ll be so much more rewarded.

4. Go lantern shopping in Hoi An

Many people would say that Hoi An is one of the most mesmerizing destinations in Asia. And they’re probably not wrong! The influences from France, China and Japan can be seen in the architecture, giving Hoi An its special appearance. But perhaps this town is mostly famous for its bright and colorful lanterns that decorate the whole town. When in Vietnam, one of the best souvenirs you can buy is a lantern from Hoi An. So make sure you swing by this colorful city to grab one or why not a few lanterns to bring home.

5. Go beach hopping in Phu Quoc

There are many idyllic islands in Vietnam, but Phu Quoc is the biggest and most popular one. You can easily access it via flight or by ferry, which departs everyday. Once on the island, the main thing to do is to just relax and enjoy the landscapes. There’s several pristine beaches you can find on the island. The best thing is to rent a motorbike and go beach hopping.

6. Sleep in the world’s largest cave

The world’s largest cave was discovered not too long ago, when a Vietnamese local got lost and accidentally stumbled upon this cave. Nowadays, it’s possible to go hiking and even sleeping inside the world’s largest cave. But you need to go with a tour guide in order to enter the cave. The waiting list is long, but if you book in well in advance, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

7. Hike in Sapa

Head far up north in Vietnam to experience the rural life. It’s also here where you can meet the ethnic minorities of Vietnam. Some of them even offer hiking tours. This is a great way to give back to the community while also getting a unique experience. Hiking in Sapa is truly a wonderful adventure where you’ll walk along rice paddies, villages and mountains.

8. Drink coffee in Dalat

Vietnam is the second biggest exporters of coffee in the world and you can tell that there is a big coffee culture here. But if you want to visit the plantations, head to Dalat, a mountainous town just northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. You can go on a guided tour where you’ll learn all about the history of coffee in Vietnam, how it’s made and produced. The best thing is – you’ll also get to taste the coffee!

9. Visit the old capital city of Vietnam

Hue used to be the old capital city of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty. Nowadays, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments, a walled fortress that encloses royal tombs, countless pagodas and ancient temples. Life here moves a bit slower, which is especially great if you’ve just come from the big city. Go to Hue to experience the historical parts of Vietnam and learn more about the country’s past.

10. Party in Ho Chi Minh City

Bui Vien in Ho Chi Minh City is probably the biggest party street in Vietnam. During day time, you can find several restaurants and shops here, but it’s at night when the party starts. There’ll be blasting music from every bar and club, you’ll see thousands of people making their way up and down Bui Vien looking for the best place to grab a beer. If this scene isn’t for you, don’t worry, there’s everything in Ho Chi Minh City. The biggest city in Vietnam is full of opportunities. You have everything from dreamy rooftop bars to craft beer pubs and big clubs where you can party all night long.