Our most recommended things to do in Central Vietnam

From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

1. From Hanoi: Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip

Travel by air-conditioned bus from Hanoi to Tam Coc and ride a Sampan boat to impressive caves. Experience local life as you cycle through picturesque villages, explore ancient temples, and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch. Start your tour early with pickup at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter. Hop into the luxury van to visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam. Visit Dinh king Temple and Le king Temple from the 10th century, and hear about the heroic histories of the two Kings during the Chinese Wars. At midday, sit down for lunch with Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant. Continue to Tam Coc and take the sampan go (traditional river boat) along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc's three caves. Head back to Tam Coc wharf, take your bicycle, and cycle around traditional villages and Tam Coc town. Visit Mua cave, which attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps to see all the way to Tam Coc, and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river. In the evening, return Ha Noi.

Da Nang: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, and Am Phu Cave Tour

2. Da Nang: Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, and Am Phu Cave Tour

After pickup from your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An, visit the Son Tra Mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain, to gain insight into Vietnam's rich history of Buddhism and Hinduism. Then, visit the Lady Buddha statue, the tallest Buddhist statue in Vietnam, reaching a height of 220 feet (67 meters). Next, visit local stone factories and sculpture shops, before visiting Marble Mountain. Visit the Âm Phủ cave, to take a walk through a re-creation of Buddhist hell. At midday enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese dishes. You'll be transferred back to your hotel around 1:00 PM.

Hoi An: Vietnamese Foldable Lantern Making Class

3. Hoi An: Vietnamese Foldable Lantern Making Class

Immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture with a lantern-making class. Select from full and express options. In the full activity, make the lanterns completely from scratch. In the express activity, start with the bamboo structure of the lanterns already made and begin by choosing your lantern fabric. Begin your experience with some herbal tea and traditional music. Hear about the history of Hoi An bamboo silk lanterns from your host and how the local people believe that hanging lanterns in front of their house brings luck, happiness, and wealth. Create lanterns shaped like lotuses, triangles, garlic, UFOs, or diamonds and choose your own silk style and color with guidance from your instructor. This unique activity can be enjoyed by the entire family, even by kids as young as 3 years old. Once completed, these lanterns are easy to fold, carry, or put in your luggage, so you can take home an original, hand-made souvenir from your visit to Hoi An.

Vietnam: eSIM Data Plan

4. Vietnam: eSIM Data Plan

Make your trip to Vietnam hassle-free with your convenient eSIM. Stay connected on your travels with high-speed coverage in Vietnam and upgrade for coverage in 10 countries, or 8 countries, including, Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea. Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere, and choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and top up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration. Select 8 countries for coverage in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Select 10 countries for coverage in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. All iPhone models launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after installing this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): internet Local operator info: Vietnam: Viettel The rest of the countries is available in the voucher info on your GYG App after purchase

From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

5. From Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Trang An, Bai Dinh, and Mua Cave Trip

Uncover the cultural and natural heritage of the Ninh Binh province on a guided day trip from Hanoi. Pay a visit to the Bai Dinh Temple Complex, float through the tranquil rivers of Trang An, and climb to the top of Mua Caves for striking panoramic views of rocky hills. Get picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and depart toward Ninh Binh. Stop at Bai Dinh, the biggest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam, to gaze at the imposing pagoda. See 500 Arhat Statues made out of blue stones, a 36-ton bronze bell, and a 100-ton Buddha statue, rising up to 10 meters. Take a lunch break in a local restaurant, with a Vietnamese buffet of goat meat, fish, chicken, and fried rice, as well as vegetarian food options. Continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in the 2017 movie Kong: Skull Island. Hop on a wooden boat to navigate through its quiet rivers, discover mysterious caves, and admire towering limestone karsts covered with tropical plants. Finally, climb up 500 steps to the viewpoint of Mua Caves to marvel at panoramic views of Tam Coc before returning to Hanoi.

From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class

6. From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class

Spend time in Vietnam's countryside on a morning or afternoon guided tour from Hoi An. Browse a local market before floating through a dense coconut palm forest on a traditional bamboo basket boat. Learn how to prepare Vietnamese food and savor your work during a cooking class. Meet your guide at the Godiva coffee shop before heading to explore a morning or afternoon market in Hoi An. Marvel at the seasonal fruits, noodles, herbs, vegetables, meat, and fish on display. Interact with the vendors and get some tips on how to bargain.  Then, paddle through the water coconut palms aboard a bamboo basket boat for 40 minutes. Learn how to fish with a fishing net, listen to some folk songs and receive some handmade souvenirs made from coconut leaves. Learn how to cook Vietnamese food, such as Bánh cuốn (Vietnamese steamed rice rolls), Bánh Xèo (Hoian rice pancakes), Phở (pho noodles with beef), and Chè (sweet bean soup) as you prepare your own lunch or dinner.

10 Asian Regions: eSIM Data Plan

7. 10 Asian Regions: eSIM Data Plan

Make your trip to Asia hassle-free with a convenient eSIM. Stay connected on your travels with high-speed coverage in 10 Asian regions: Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere, and choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and top up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): ctm-mobile Local operator info: China - CU Hong Kong - CSL Macau - CTM Taiwan - Chunghwa South Korea - SK Telecom Indonesia - Telkomsel Malaysia - Maxis Singapore - Singtel Thailand - AIS Vietnam - Mobifone

Ba Tran: Hoi An Basket Boat Ride in Water Coconut Forest

8. Ba Tran: Hoi An Basket Boat Ride in Water Coconut Forest

Spend 50 minutes on the bamboo basket boat through the magnificent water coconut forest ,navigate the small canals of the mangrove forest and coconut palms with a local and join some interesting activities in the mangrove palm jungle: boat spinning and dancing; singing karaoke; try throw the fishing nets with the locals; enjoy the traditional folk song performance and fishing crabs along the river.

Da Nang Airport - Hoi An: Private and Shuttle Transfers

9. Da Nang Airport - Hoi An: Private and Shuttle Transfers

Take the worry out of your arrival at Da Nang Airport and book the best transfer service to locations in Hoi An. Suffering from the effects of jet lag and culture shock, arriving at an unfamiliar destination can be disorientating. With Vietnam’s rapid expansion, even if you have been before, things may have changed dramatically. Pre-book a transfer by air-conditioned sedan, minibus, van or coach and you will get door-to-door service that is both relaxed and efficient. The driver will meet you with a meeting board at the pick-up time. For shared transfers by shuttle bus, the journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and buses leave on a fixed schedule. For private transfers, the journey takes 40-50 minutes. Choose the vehicle to suit your requirements. Vehicle Options: - 4 Seater Car (Toyota Vios or similar): Maximum 2 passengers - 7 Seater Car (Toyota Innova or similar): Maximum 3 passengers - 16 Seater Car(Ford Transit or similar): Maximum 8 passengers Luggage Information: Each passenger is allowed to have one 24 inch (22 inch x 11 inch x 9 inch) sized luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg and 1 small personal bag that is free of charge. Extra luggage can be denied or charged at an extra cost if there is no space in the vehicle to accommodate it Driver: Vietnamese speaking (other languages available upon request with surcharge) The customer service team (English speaking) is available on WhatsApp 24/7 Over time (per hour): 13/13/14 USD for 4/7/16 Seater Car (pay to transfer operator) Late/Early surcharge from 22:00 to 5:00: 7/8/10 USD for 4/7/16 Seater Car (pay to transfer operator)

Imperial City, Hue: Tour from Hoi An and Da Nang

10. Imperial City, Hue: Tour from Hoi An and Da Nang

Travel back to the Nguyen Dynasty on a multi-stop tour from Hoi An and Da Nang to Hue. See the Imperial City, the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Get a taste of Hue cuisine during lunch at a local restaurant. Following pickup in Hoi An, the journey to Hue begins by crossing one of the best coastal roads in the world, the Hai Van Pass. Take advantage of a 30-minute stop at the peak and 5 minutes to take photos at Lang Co Beach.  After a final round of pickup in Da Nang, visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a blend of Western and Eastern architecture constructed between 1920-1931. Then, enjoy lunch at a local specialty restaurant serving Hue-style dishes.  With a full stomach of local cuisine, continue to Hue’s main attraction, the Imperial Citadel. Once the home of the Nguyen Emperor, the citadel also contains the Forbidden Purple City. Explore Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s largest pagoda. Built in 1601, it is the subject of many local folk rhymes and is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue. Finish the day with drop-off back in Da Nang and Hoi An.

Add dates

Things to do in
Central Vietnam

Top activities

Top sights in Central Vietnam

All activities

818 activities found
Sort by:

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Central Vietnam

Explore all

Frequently asked questions about Central Vietnam

Other Sightseeing Options in Central Vietnam

Want to discover all there is to do in Central Vietnam? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Central Vietnam

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 20,034 reviews

A fantastic tour Enjoyed the whole tour Boat ride to island and back after cycling around A easy flat cycle through countryside Suitable for all ages Lots of stops for a breather and photos Even a basket boat experience with a local lady Which was great Beautiful lunch included Cauld the ask for a better guide I have already advices people to book this tour from my resort

so very friendly. Great value for money. friendly tour guide. so many wonderful stops. very well organised. I would highly reccomend this company and this tour. March 2023

we had an amazing tour, Thanh our driver was so helpful and made seeing all the sights in Hue so fun and easy. I would really recommend!

Brilliant day, great tour guide and an added bonus was the use of cycles through the rice fields

Absolutely Amazing experience. Our tour guide was a local and she was Great.