Vietnam Travel Bucket List

Vietnam’s intriguing cultural heritage and complex history is worth investigating as part of your Vietnam bucket list and hopping between the country’s eight UNESCO World Heritage sites is a good place to start. Explore the ancient architecture of Hoi An Town, which has a mix of indigenous, Chinese, Japanese and European influences; tour the collection of abandoned Hindu temples at the My Son Sanctuary or discover the complex of imperial buildings within the Citadel of Thang Long, located in the heart of Hanoi. Bucket list items from the natural world include the towering karst limestone islands found in Halong Bay, each adorned with thick tangles of jungle vegetation, and the world’s largest cave in Phong Nha National Park, with its cavern tall enough to accommodate a skyscraper.

Less grand (yet still significant) moments also have their place within Vietnam bucket lists, such as the first glimpse of Ho Chi Minh City’s illuminated skyline or your first taste of steaming hot traditional pho. Subtle in flavour but overwhelming in its variety, Vietnamese cuisine alone could fill a bucket list. Visit the spirited markets of Da Nang for flavourful com chien (fried rice), bursting bánh mìs (Vietnamese baguettes) and creamy che bap (sweetcorn rice pudding). Once you’ve had your fill of city life, retreat to the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao for unspoilt beaches, or wander the mountain trails towards the tranquil town of Sapa which is ringed by emerald rice terraces.