What to do and see in Vietnam, Vietnam: The Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers

November 18, 2021 Weston Hennigan

Coordinates: 16°10′N 107°50′E / 16.167°N 107.833°E / 16.167; 107.833
Restaurants in Vietnam

1. Son Doong Cave

Phong Nha Town, Son Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Binh, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Vietnam
Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 144 reviews

Son Doong Cave

Son Doong Cave is in the heart of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province. This incredible cave was only explored in 2009/2010 by the British Cave Research Association. Situated in the deep jungle, the entrance to the cave was found by a local jungle man Mr Ho Khanh. Son Doong Cave is now the largest cave in the world and has understandably been the attention of many film companies such as the BBC, National Geographic, Japanese and Brazilian teams. It also featured in National Geographic Magazine in 2011. Son Doong cave is unlike any other caves on the planet. Inside this giant cave are two huge daylight windows which allows the light to enter many parts of the cave. At the base of these windows are large jungles which use the available light and so trees up to 30m tall are present. But Son Doong is not only about its immense size, the cave has amazing examples of some of the best speleothems in the world. Giant stalagmites up to 80m high and enormous rimstone pools are present throughout the cave. There are also excellent examples of giant cave pearls and a newly discovered side passage is full of large fossils over 300 million years old. As well as rare species of plants in the cave a number of new species of animals have recently been discovered. Monkeys, hornbills and flying foxes have all been seen in the jungle section of the caves.

Reviewed By SethaHiker

Everything we expected and more. The caves and jungle are out of this world. Every minute was an experience to remember, each day was unique and delightful on its own. This was a tour full of different challenges and beauty, I was able to take in and enjoy the four days my own way and my husband his own way. The feeling of safety was not a question, there are expert tour guides in front and at the back of you at all times. The guides were the best at what they are there for( your safety). They were extremely caring and professional. We felt honored to have Dr. Howard Limbert and Heiu on the tour. Don’t think there’s anything out there that will top this once in a life time experience, thank you Oxalis adventure.

2. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

Sa Phin, Ha Giang 310000 Vietnam
Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 212 reviews

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

Located in the northernmost part of Vietnam and covering an area of 2,345km2 of the entire four northern districts of Ha Giang Province (Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac), the Dong Van UNESCO Global Geopark has been recognized as the first Global UNESCO Geopark of Vietnam since 2010.

Reviewed By Edencondao - Con Dao Islands, Vietnam

Dong Van Rock Plateau (or Dong Van mountain plateau) is a rock plateau spread over four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac of Ha Giang Province, Vietnam. On October 3, 2010, the profile "Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark" was officially recognized by UNESCO's Global Geopark Network (GGN) Advisory Council as Global Geopark. . At the time, this was currently the only title in Vietnam and the second in Southeast Asia. The Dong Van rock plateau is located in the northernmost mountainous region of Vietnam, with an area of ​​2356.8 km² and an average elevation of about 1,400 - 1,600 m. The plateau has many limestone mountains close to the Tropic of Cancer, with a rather steep slope. The valleys, rivers and streams are very much divided. Cat king's palace viewed from above Many fossils of species were found to be 400 - 600 million years old. Dong Van Plateau is a rocky area of ​​different ages from the Devonian to Permian period, surrounded by earth mountains. It rains from April to September, but lacks water in the dry season (from October to October. At present, Dong Van rock plateau area is home to about 250,000 people of 17 different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Since April 2010, the Dong Van rock plateau profile has been submitted to UNESCO as a global geological park. This is also the first global geological park of Vietnam.

3. Tu Lan Caving Center

Tan Hoa Village, Minh Hoa District, Dong Hoi 45000 Vietnam +84 232 3677 678 [email protected]
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 138 reviews

Tu Lan Caving Center

Tu Lan caves system is located in Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh Province, this is the Karst center of 200ha next to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. The caves system has been discovered by local fishermen in 2009 and explored by British Cave Research Association (BCRA) in 2010, there were only 3 caves, Tu Lan, Hang Ken and Hang Tien have been explored in 2010 expedition, in 2012 the BCRA expedition came back and explored more caves include Hung Hon, Hang Uoi, Hang Chuot, Hang Son Oxalis and Hang Kim. There are few more caves have been found in 2013 in this area. Tu Lan caves system became popular when Carsten Peter (NatGeo photographer) took a photo in Hang Ken that won so many prizes on National Geographic Magazine in 2011. The caves system is now open for tourist and managed by Oxalis Company Limited, and special caving and jungle trekking company. The intent of Oxalis that to keep this caves system as natural, no construction and housing to be built in this area, the objective is making everybody feel like the first person in the area. There are several tour options from one day to 5 days and from very easy to very hard trek.

4. Ma Pi Leng Pass

Meo Vac, Ha Giang 310000 Vietnam
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 140 reviews

Ma Pi Leng Pass

Reviewed By MyL209 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Our second day during the Ha Giang loop was this amazing Ma Pi Leng pass, one of the most dangerous and beautiful pass of Vietnam, 3 nights and 4 days for the Loop was pretty good for us, just choose a good motorbike and let’s go ☺️

5. The Duck Stop

Bong Lai, Hung Trach, Hung Trach Vietnam +84 168 290 6262 [email protected] http://theduckstop.vn
Excellent
91%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 401 reviews

The Duck Stop

Our family would like to welcome you to our farm in Bong Lai Valley. Our farm is full of surprises and DUCKS! We will show you how to be Vietnamese Farmer and grow pepper, peanuts, rice, cassava, chilli and more. Come and be a duck leader and get a special duck massage! Our buffalo is looking forward to taking you for a short ride in the fields. Mum makes the best Vietnamese pancakes (Banh Xeo) that you will ever try. Call us on 0382906262

Reviewed By PJK7777 - London, United Kingdom

This is an absolute must if you’re in the Phong Nha region - completely unique and unlike anything I’ve done before, it was so much fun + all of the staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly :)

6. Hai Van Pass

Phu Tho Vietnam
Excellent
53%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 595 reviews

Hai Van Pass

The drive from Da Nang to Hue.

Reviewed By christinekT9467ZN

Amazing views on the drive around the hai van pass and spectacular views from the designated look out point by the brick tower but, be very careful here. Our guide told us to buy something from the woman who owns the toilet if you use her facilities. I bought a snack for 30000 Vietnam dong. As I was looking for cash in my wallet, she grabbed a 500000 dong note and said that was 50000 then gave me change for 50000. She did the same thing to someone else in our group. She is a very bad person so avoid her toilet and use the one further down the road.

7. Bach Ma National Park

Cau Hai Hòa Bắc, Huyện Phú Lộc, Hue Vietnam +84 88 524 58 86 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BachMaNationalPark/
Excellent
66%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 304 reviews

Bach Ma National Park

Reviewed By Jonsey2

Did a day tour from Hue with TNT Travel (booked through sinh tourist). Cost 499k dong, including a really decent packed lunch. This option for me was much more straightforward and better value than getting dropped off at the visitor centre and then getting car from there. It was a great day. Views from the summit Tower are excellent. We got to walk through a cave tunnel used by vietnamese soldiers (all the fruit bats in there added to the experience). There is an easy or challenging path down to the 5 lakes, we did the challenging path. It involves some climbing along rocks, using ropes to hold on to, ladders. Everyone in our group loved it. Moderate level of fitness required, it's not too tough you just need to be OK with a bit of clambering and climbing. Though if it's rainy I would say it's much more slippery/difficult. There were no real issues with leeches, it was a dry day until near the end. Spotted 3 small leeches on the ground and on one of our groups' shoe. More annoying were the wasps at the 3rd lake (very persistent) and ants on the trail from there (they bite).

8. Sun World Fansipan Legend

Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Sapa Vietnam +84 20 3818 888 [email protected] http://www.fansipanlegend.com.vn/
Excellent
64%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 912 reviews

Sun World Fansipan Legend

Reviewed By Khli - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fansipan summit “the Roof of Indocina” is at 3143m ASL on the Hong Lien Son Mountain at the border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau. Before the cable car system develop by Sun World Group which they name it cable car to FASIPAN LEGEND, it used to take minimum two hiking days to reach the summit. Now with the cable car you can reach the peak in 30 minute and complete the site seeing in half day return. It is designed by European operator Doppelmayr. It run every day from 07:30am – 05:30pm. The breath taking changing view every second with the swirling floating clouds and the mountain range meeting the sky. Fansipan Legend is one of the highlight for travellers to Sa Pa and worth visiting. This is my third trip to Sa Pa and the first trip to Fansipan summit. I record my experience to Fansipan Legend summit from Sa Pa for those in planning. First you will look for the ticketing office/station at Sun Plaza complex which house the Hotel, Restaurant, Shopping centre an funicular station. During my visit in October 2019 there was a promotion Vietnamese at 50% discount on ticket to Fansipan Legend. Effective 1st September – 31 December 2019. Foreign travellers paid full fare of VND700K from the Sa Pa Station by funicular rail to Fansipan cable car station (Fansipan Legend complex) and return. Not inclusive the funicular station from Do Quyen to Truc May station just below the summit. First you will board the Muong Hoa Funiculars train at Sa Pa Station (1) to Muong Hoa Funiculars Station (2) at Muong Hoa Valley, about 2 km. The train can ferry around 200 passengers at any one time. On arrival Muong Hoa Funicular station there is a park accessible only for guest who bought the buffet lunch if not mistaken is VND150k (Oct 2019). Option to proceed to switch to Hoang Lien Cable Car Station (3).This cable car quite big and each cabin able to hold 35 passengers. All around with clear transparent glass which you can enjoyed the view below while floating with the cloud. Upon exit the arrival station, Fansipan Station (4) you are now at the Fansipan Legend Complex. Greeting by the cool breeze and floating cloud and the beautiful majestic Hoang Lien Son Mountain range around. You can start to explore the complex as there are steps trails leading to the Fansipan summit. Along the way there were a lot of thing to explore. The first welcoming structure such as Three Arched Gate, Mau Temple, Ha Temple, Bich Van Thien Tu , In front rise from the cliff independently is the 32m Bich Van Thien Tu tower and the Dai Hong Cung – a 32m 5 storey tower cliff of which 4 storeys were built front granite stone and top floor is the traditional square wooden double roof pavilion of Tang Dynasty. Each floor of the tower house a bronze bell which will ringed at fixed times. Further up the stairs toward the left is the Do Quyen Funicular rail station and another ticketing office (additional charge) to Truc May Station Funicular station (just below the summit) if you choose not to walk the stair step up. I would suggest you take the slow walk up if you can so that you can see all the every inches of views as you walk. Some will take the way up and walk the steps stairs down so that they can still visit the other attraction site. Behind the funicular station is another steps trail up but it was not accessible during my visit. But the view towards the left is a better choice as you have more to explore such as the Nine Floor 30m cascaded waterfall and the pillars has the sacred Buddhism scripture. The two 150 steps granite stairs flank on both leading to next level where a 3 storeys monument with a 21m Amitabha Buddha Statue seated on the top floor base of lotus. The Four Celestial Heavenly Kings guarding the four cardinal directions. Guarding the North is the Chief of the four Duo Wen Tien Wang (Da Van Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon are pagoda on the left and umbrella on the right hand and is the the ruler of Rain. At the South is the Zeng Zhang Tien Wang (Tang Truong Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon is the sword on his right hand and is the ruler of the wind. Guardian of the East is the King of music Chi Kou Tien Wang (Tri Quoc Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon is the traditional Chinese musical instrument pipa in his hand. Lastly the guardian of the west Guang Mu Tien Wang (Quang Muc Thien Vuong) with his symbolic weapon, a serpent in his hand. The guarded 2nd floor is the sacred preaching room (no flash photography inside). Finally the ground floor is the tea room. Behind this monument. The 800m stone steps trail (The Ta Vu) with the bronze statue of the original follower of Gautama Buddha, the Eighteen Arhats guide you to 12m Bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin) weighing 18 tons standing at peak looking eastward and The Spirit Temple at the end of the mountain range and up another level is the Kim Son Bao Thang Tu temple complex at 3091m. The 11 storey Thuong Pagoda standing with the casted bronze lotus at shinning at the tip, at the centre is the Dai Hung Bau Thien temple, inside the temple house many golden colour deities statue accompany by the meditation mantra chanting fill the tranquil atmosphere. Behind is the Ancestral Hall, along the two side line the Eighteen Arhats. After exploring here you are going up to the next level, walking towards the left after the cinnamon tea kiosks on the steep steps take you to the Truc May Station complex (the funicular arrival station from Do Quyen station), you can skip this for the way down. Another few stair steps is the final platform where the symbolic pyramid of 3142m was place to mark the FANSIPAN summit. The 25m flag pole platform for photography, the highest Flag Tower of Indochina. The base was built from the green granite stone of Thanh Hoa with sculptures carving of the Vietnamses history and cultures around the base. You can hang around here to enjoy the fresh cool breeze and to snap photos of the every minutes changing scenery of Hong Lien Son Mountain range with the cloud floats by. To complete the visit of Fansipan Legend, go down the staircase to Truc May station, beside there is a boutique café serving fruit juice, tea, coffee and pastries and light foods. It has all glass window for you to enjoy the view and the washroom is at the basement excess from outside. While enjoying the coffee you than decide to walk down or to experience the funicular train.

9. Fansipan Mountain

Sapa 330000 Vietnam
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,298 reviews

Fansipan Mountain

Fansipan is one of the most beautiful attractions in Sapa, It is the peak of Indochina with the elevation of 3143m

Reviewed By chelyny

Simply amazing. Don’t miss out. Weather in town will not determine weather at the top. It was cloudy the day I went and opened up to blue skies at the summit. Also went solo. Very easy to do. Take taxi or walk to sun plaza Buy train + cable car tickets Take train Take cable car Climb the stairs or take more trains I suggest climbing as you can see all the different views and see and enter temples along the way. There’s a cafe with stunning views at the top to enjoy drinks, rest, use restroom, WiFi.

10. Cu Chi Tunnels

Phu Hiep TL15 Phu Hiep, Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25,445 reviews

Cu Chi Tunnels

Reviewed By Hellojo17

Our fantastic guide Tom, from Buffalo Tours (who I cannot recommend highly enough) collected us in a lovely air conditioned car at 8.30am and we drove to the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels Tom was a wealth of knowledge and explained all about the tunnels and how the Viet Cong lived during the war. As we were leaving the buses and smaller coaches were arriving. We were so lucky to be able to wander quietly almost by ourselves. Worth getting up a bit early on our first day !!

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