Top activities to do in Vietnam

With a coastline of more than 3,000km in length as well as an abundance of islands, islets and waterways, diving in Vietnam is a must-try activity. While there are plenty of spots along Vietnam’s coastline to go diving, one of the best places to enjoy a diving holiday is Phu Quoc Island. Actually a collection of idyllic islands, Phu Quoc is known for its palm-tree lined white sandy beaches, tropical vegetation and warm turquoise waters. This is a great place to learn how to dive or put your skills into practice by exploring sea life and reefs at dive spots such as Trystan’s Trench or Turtle Island. Diving in Vietnam by day paves the way for fun evenings on Phu Quoc, with beach-side drinks and exploring the local night markets particularly popular pastimes.

As well as exploring the underwater world, Vietnam is also perfect for adventuring out on the water. Halong Bay is the ideal place to go on a cruise. Climb aboard a traditional junk cruise boat for a few days and enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the perfect vantage point. Cruising in Vietnam also opens up opportunities for a number of other activities, including kayaking, swimming in secluded bays and squid fishing. On-board, it’s also possible to book a massage, have a go at a traditional Vietnamese cookery class or practice Tai Chi on-deck at sunrise.

There’s nothing quite so satisfying as exploring under your own steam, so use some pedal power and get to know some of Vietnam’s towns and villages by bicycle. Hoi An is a wonderful ancient coastal town perfect for exploring by bicycle. Peppered with canals and an international array of architecture, temples and pagodas, Hoi An is also surrounded by lush fields and rice paddies. Explore the town by bicycle before cycling through the rice paddies to Tra Que village, where it’s possible to try your hand at a cooking class run by locals.