5 Different Vietnam Holidays for Every Traveller
Why “waste” a public holiday when you can, with a few days of annual leave, turn it into an unforgettable trip instead?
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy new experiences, explore a different culture, and savour authentic traditional cuisine.
Today we shine the spotlight on our Asian neighbour Vietnam, and introduce you to five totally different types of vacations that you can experience, from relaxing to thrill-seeking. All of these trips promote must-do experiences in Vietnam that you can achieve even within a short 4-or-5-day stay, so keep Vietnam in mind if you ever need a last minute travel destination!
You can easily hop on a Singapore to Vietnam flight and arrive at Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi or Da Nang in under three hours. From there, fast and affordable private transport options are plenty to take you to where you want to go.
Are you ready to explore Vietnam? Let’s go!
(Oh yes, don’t forget to book your travel insurance first in advance!)
1. The Cruise Holiday
For many, the seascape of UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. And there is no better way to immerse yourself in this spectacular environment of rugged islands and distinctive karst limestone formations than to sail its emerald green waters. The months of April and May in particular offer sunshine and a refreshing breeze.
The Bay may provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday, but you get to choose the style you want to cruise it. Do you want a more modern catamaran-yacht style with a private balcony, jacuzzi and Michelin chef meals, or do you want the traditional ‘Indochine’ junk boat, whose sails evoke a sense of nostalgia and the charm of ‘olden days’ seafaring?
When choosing your perfect cruise holiday, consider also where the boat makes stops, especially if you would love the opportunity to explore beaches and caves on the route. Ideally, make sure the cruise package also includes kayaking in a tranquil lagoon, and squid fishing at night (Highly recommended, the kids will love this!).
One last thing to consider is Bai Tu Long Bay. Essentially this sister bay offers the same breathtaking views as Halong Bay, but without the hordes of tourists who only know of Halong Bay. It’s sort of the hidden secret and therefore a lot quieter and peaceful. So if you’re after a serene cruise and fewer boats in your pictures, opt for Bai Tu Long Bay instead.
2. The Beach Holiday
When you think of white sandy beaches and stunning turquoise waters, Vietnam might not be a destination that comes to mind. Let’s change that! Did you know that Vietnam actually boasts 3400 km of coastal landscape and beaches?
Looking to lounge on the beach, coconut or Mai Tai in hand? Check. After some swimming, snorkeling, or watersports? Check. Rather be sunbathing all day and then indulging in seafood at night? Check. Da Nang, Vietnam has it all for you.
My Khe Beach is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vietnam. Known for its soft white sand and clear blue waters, it was once ranked top 6 sexiest beaches on the planet by Forbes. It’s also the place to go jet skiing, parasailing and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding). Visit in the morning to catch locals doing tai chi on the beach, or in the evening for one of the best sunset spots, best enjoyed from a beachfront café.
If you’re looking for the slower-paced beach life, head to Non Nuoc Beach. It’s peaceful, lovely, unpolluted, less crowded, and has a myriad of accommodation options to choose from. This is where you’ll find powdery fine sand, and warm, shallow waters with gentle waves that make it safe for families with kids.
Meanwhile, Lang Co Beach is the place to go for a more cultural experience. Learn traditional fishing techniques from the local fishermen, enjoy a fresh catch for dinner, or go on a peaceful lagoon boat ride.
3. The Spa Holiday
With our ever-hectic lives and bustling city living, it can feel like we hardly ever get to come up for air, much less pamper ourselves. Well, many pampering experiences await you at a natural mineral-rich hot springs park just 30 minutes from Da Nang. At the Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park, opt for traditional Japanese onsen, hydrotherapy, or a variety of healing and relaxing baths in mud, milk, green tea, lemongrass herbs, coffee, and even wine (without getting drunk, of course)!
If you want to do more than dip, head north to the Alba Wellness Valley just outside of Hue, Vietnam. Besides enjoying the rustic hot springs stream, you can also enjoy meditative forest walks in the lush, green valley, healthy farm-to-table dining, and traditional Vietnamese massages and reflexology. For a little thrill, you can also challenge yourself to one of the longest ziplines in Vietnam, or their treetop obstacle course.
4. The Adventure Holiday
Vietnam may not sound like an adventure paradise, but boy, would you be surprised. Here are 5 thrilling activities you can do in Vietnam:
1. Sandboarding
There’s no need to travel all the way to Australia to try your hand at sandboarding! Mui Ne is a 3-to-4-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city, but it will be well worth it when you witness the gorgeous Red Sand Dunes, made more breathtaking at sunset. But it’s at the White Sand Dunes where you can rent a sandboard from the local vendors and hit up those slopes all day long (ideally out of the midday heat though). Further sand dune exploration is also possible via local jeep or ATV tours.
2. Fairy Stream Walk
Mui Ne is also where you can experience the famous Fairy Stream Walk, a 30-45 minute barefoot walk in a strange-looking red-orange stream that winds through sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations. Dress appropriately, because the waters can come up to your knees. Mui Ne beach is also said to be one of Asia’s best spots for kitesurfing (Oct-Apr has the best wind conditions).
3. Canyoning
Located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Dalat (55-min domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh) is surrounded by lush pine forests, rivers and waterfalls — a perfect natural playground for adventure sports. It’s one of the few places in Vietnam where canyoning is professionally organised, with trained guides and safety equipment.
Rappel down the 25-metre-high Datanla Falls, or experience natural water slides, swimming through gorges, or cliff jumping (11 metres, for the bravehearted only)! Go in the dry season (Nov-May) as it’s safer and less slippery.
4. Cave Exploration
The Elephant Rocks near Dalat offer a little bit of mystery, rugged charm and enough thrill to satisfy the adventurous soul. Scramble over mossy giant boulders that resemble elephants lying in a river (hence the name) to explore the mysterious cave hidden behind the waterfall curtain — made even more mystical by the thick mists, stone paths, and the echoes of the powerful waterfall. This is not for the fainthearted; it’s wet, muddy, slippery, steep, uneven, raw and off-the-beaten-path, so hire a guide if you’re unsure.
5. Cycling Through Rice Fields
If you like exploring on two wheels, then definitely head to Mai Chau (3-4 hours from Hanoi). The air is fresh, and the landscape breathtaking, flanked by lush green rice paddies, limestone mountains, and traditional stilt houses. Routes range from easy, flat trails to longer loops for more adventurous riders, and the best time to go is Mar-May (green rice fields) or Sep-Nov (golden rice fields). Round out this authentic cultural trip with a homestay to experience home-cooked meals, traditional dance performances, local markets, bamboo rafting, and the occasional late-night rice wine drinking session.
5. The Instagram Holiday
Vietnam is a photographer’s paradise. If your soul thrives on beautiful landscapes and capturing them to share with the rest of the world, then this country offers a canvas like no other. From the dreamy limestone cliffs in Halong Bay, to the windswept dunes of Mui Ne, we’ve already covered some gorgeous backdrops. But here are some other unmissable destinations that deserve a spot in your visual storytelling:
- The ancient town of Hoi An features a blend of eras and influences, from the Japanese Covered Bridge to colourful French colonial buildings, ornate wooden Chinese shophouses, and narrow Vietnamese tube houses. For the best shots, wake up early to explore the quiet streets before the town comes to life. In the evening, take a sunset river cruise along the Thu Bon River for magical lantern-lit riverbanks and stunning views of Hoi An’s old town from the water.
- Two must-visit photo op spots in Dalat:
1. The Stairways to Heaven look like long white staircases that disappear into the clouds, creating the illusion of walking into heaven, set perfectly against Dalat’s foggy mountain backdrop. It’s offered at many cafes, and some have swings, nests, or "floating" doorways as well.
2. The Crazy House, created by a Vietnamese architect, is a bizarre and liveable art piece that feels like walking through a surreal fairytale world. It’s a maze of twisting tree roots, bridges, winding staircases, themed rooms, and oddly shaped windows that are all quirky, unique, and imaginative.
- For atmospheric, historial shots, head to Hue’s Imperial City. This UNESCO World Heritage site was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, and is a stunning combination of royal palaces, tombs, pagodas, ceremonial halls, military barracks, defensive walls, and feng shui-designed temples, gardens, and gates — perfect for those who want to capture the grandeur of old Vietnam.
- Ba Na Hills near Da Nang features a cable car that holds a world record for the longest non-stop cable car ride. Here’s where you can get aerial shots of the dense forest canopy below and the majestic mountain peaks ahead. At the top you’ll find yourself immersed in a French-style village, with cobblestone streets, château-style architecture, and old-world charm. Ba Na Hills also boasts the beautifully landscaped high-altitude Alpine Garden, where you can capture scenic garden paths against towering peaks.
