Things to Do in Vietnam

This 200-year-old Chinese trading house is a historic structure where contemporary travelers can bear witness ancient Vietnamese crafts. On-site artisans construct silk lanterns, practice traditional embroidery, throw terra cotta pottery and weave fabric. Guides explain techniques and offer insight into these traditional crafts. Visitors will find the prices fair and variety vast. Traditional shows are performed daily and these 45-minute events, which include music, dance and song, are worth sticking around for.

Tourists flock both day and night to this small bridge at the center of Hoi An, known as the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), because of its picturesque beauty. As a result, attempting to cross the 12-meter structure will likely be faced with a labyrinth of kissing couples posing for photographs and backpackers loitering in its cool shade. Still detailed Japanese carvings, as well as monkey and dog statues—a nod to the years its construction began and finished—are worth the congestion and guaranteed headache of a trip to this Hoi An landmark.

History lovers flock to this 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Hindu, Arab and Chinese influences are reflected in breathtaking architecture, eclectic food and rich culture. 

Naturalists will appreciate the quiet beaches just a short bike ride from the city center, while wanderers will love the pedestrian-only streets of Ancient Town lined with quaint shops and bustling vendors.

Urban skyscrapers and big-city development have yet to touch this former shipping port, which means travelers can enjoy a taste of what Hoi An once was and what Vietnam used to be.

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a sophisticated city of more than seven million people, making it the largest city in Vietnam.  It is also a city of contrasts, with modern skyscrapers dotting the horizon and colonial-style buildings lining many of the streets.

How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City

Larger cruise ships will dock at Phu My, a port on the South China Sea, about 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Smaller and mid-size ships that are able to navigate the Saigon River dock much closer to the city. Many ships will provide shuttles from either port into the center of the city. If yours doesn’t, head outside of the dock gates to hail a taxi. From the port at Phu My, taking a hydrofoil is also an option; the ride takes about an hour.

One Day in Ho Chi Minh City

Kick off your day with a visit to Reunification Hall, once the presidential palace of South Vietnam. Take a tour of this somewhat eerie building that has been left mostly untouched since the 1960s. From there, move on to the War Remnants Museum, whose moving and sometimes disturbing exhibits share the story of the Vietnam War from a distinctly Communist perspective. Then, to get a fuller understanding of the country’s history and culture, make your way to the Vietnamese History Museum. Peruse exhibits covering Vietnamese culture from the Bronze Age to the modern day and then enjoy a performance at the museum’s water puppet theater.

Next, head to the Ben Thanh Market, a bustling market that dates back to 1914. Scan the stalls for paintings, porcelain and jewelry before grabbing a late lunch at one of the food stalls.

Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting one or more of the city’s pagodas: the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the sea goddess; the Quan Am Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city; and Phung Son Tu Pagoda, dedicated to the god of happiness and virtue. Or, escape from the heat to one of HCMC’s many water parks, such as the Dam Sen Water Park, closest to the city center.

If you still have time before returning to your ship, head up to the observation deck at the Bitexco Financial Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

Once used by French colonialists to house political prisoners—and later by North Vietnam to hold activists rallying for independence—what now remains of Hoa Lo Prison has become a popular destination for travelers visiting Hanoi.