Explore Vietnam
20 places · 20 dishes · 6 festivals · 20 things to buy — ranked from real traveler data.
Traditional food
See all 20 dishes →The dishes this country is known for — what they are and when to order them.

The quintessential Vietnamese beef noodle soup, often eaten for breakfast, with a clear, fragrant broth simmered with spices and served with fresh herbs.

A Hanoi lunch staple, it consists of grilled pork patties and slices served in a sweet-sour dipping broth with vermicelli noodles and a generous plate of fresh herbs.

Fresh, uncooked spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrappers filled with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, pork, and an abundance of fresh herbs, typically served with a peanut dipping sauce.
Places to visit
See all 20 places →The landmarks and experiences travelers rate highest.
Bà Nà Hill Station, Bà Nà Hills or Sun World Ba Na Hills is a hill station and resort located in the Trường Sơn Mountains, Hòa Vang district, west of the city of Da Nang, in South Central Coast of Vietnam.
Bái Đính Pagoda or Bái Đính Pagoda Spiritual and Cultural Complex is a complex of Buddhist temples on Bái Đính Mountain in Gia Viễn District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. The compound consists of the original old temple and a newly created larger temple.
The Independence Palace, also publicly and officially known as the Reunification Convention Hall or simply Reunification Hall, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam.
Festivals
See all 6 festivals →What’s celebrated and when — dates always spelled out.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year with family gatherings, fireworks, and flower markets.
Lunar 10th day of 3rd month — UNESCO-listed commemoration of Vietnam's legendary founders at Hung Temple in Phu Tho province. Processions, xoi (sticky rice) offerings, and traditional folk games.
Children's festival with colorful lantern processions through old quarters, lion dances, and mooncake sharing. Hanoi's Old Quarter is magical.
What to buy
See all 20 items →Local goods and souvenirs with typical prices.
High-altitude beans from surrounding plantations deliver the bold, chocolatey notes of authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Intricate layers of resin and inlaid eggshell create a durable, glossy finished surface.

These delicate, hand-painted sets reflect the slow pace of local afternoon tea service.