WHY is there a scorpion on my plate?
Not exactly the thought most people expect to have on holiday. Not saying you should have one or anything, but if culinary curiosity gets the better of you, Vietnam is more than happy to oblige.
Out of all the Asian destinations I’ve written about, there’s this wonderful, somewhat distinct feeling about Vietnam that I just cannot find anywhere else. Like many of its friends, it has incredible food, polite service, ancient culture, and views that put your camera roll on the run. But there’s always the smaller details that make it different.
Like watching scores of locals and travellers squeezed onto tiny plastic stools, drinking fresh beer (costs less than bottled water), pouring from giant decanters, grilling questionable meat (I really can’t say what), and always turning an ordinary street corner into a full-blown celebration.
So, if you are here today searching for unique things to do in Vietnam or simply want hidden things to try in Vietnam, this guide is for the days when you want to step away from the usual checklist. Here are 6 unique and fun things to do in Vietnam that deserve your attention.
Take On An Egg Coffee In Hanoi
Eggs and coffee do not belong TOGETHER! Like why would anyone ruin a perfectly normal, delicious cup of coffee? Exactly the first reaction I had too.
But before you knock it off too quickly, this is not an egg floating around in your morning coffee (which, yes, would be terrible). Vietnamese egg coffee sits somewhere between a decadent drink and a dessert. Created during milk shortages decades ago, it has now become one of Hanoi’s most iconic drinks. The whipped egg mixture creates a thick, velvety layer that makes it feel somewhere between coffee, tiramisu, and custard. And last I remember, that is not exactly a bad place for coffee to end up.
Still wondering what else deserves a spot on your plate? Explore our guide to 18 foods you should not leave Vietnam without trying!
Jump Off Ba Ho Waterfalls
At some point, you’ll find yourself standing on top of a rock, looking down at the water below while a guide nearby insists the jump is completely safe.
That is pretty much the Ba Ho Waterfalls experience. Natural pools, climbing sections, slippery rocks, and jumps that often look much taller from above than they actually are. The first leap usually comes with a bit of hesitation, and then the realisation that the drop was nowhere near as terrifying as expected.
Some visitors stay around the lower pools, while others continue further uphill for quieter spots or bigger jumps. Keep this in mind though, this is not the place for flip-flops. This easily makes the list of one of the hidden things to do in Vietnam for travellers who prefer a bit of adventure.
Give A Cyclo Driver A Ride
You heard that right! Some cyclo drivers are more than happy to let travellers try steering for a few minutes, which can result in laughter, confusion, and some photo opps. You will probably gain a new appreciation for how difficult the job actually is, so if you feel like doing it, don’t hesitate. ASK.
Still unsure what kind of experiences fit your travel style? Connect with the experts and build a trip around what you actually enjoy doing.
Eat Without A Clue
Stop translating menus. Point at your neighbour’s table and hope for the best. Trust busy stalls, plastic stools, and the fact that half the time, the places with the smallest menus serve the best food.
Sometimes you order something without knowing what it is until it arrives. Sometimes you still do not know after finishing it. Worst case? You discover a dish you cannot pronounce. Best case? You spend the rest of the trip trying to find it again. These are the moments that are exactly why non touristy things to do in Vietnam often become the most memorable.
Looking for experiences in Vietnam that feels a little more personal? Explore our tailor made tours for all occasions and build an itinerary around food, adventure, culture, or all three.
Try Pottery At Bat Trang
Just outside Hanoi is Bat Trang, a village that has been making ceramics for centuries. Pottery workshops here let visitors shape, paint, and create pieces while learning techniques passed down through generations. You also leave with something far more interesting than another fridge magnet.
Looking beyond Hanoi? Explore our guide to the best places to visit in Vietnam and see where else your route can take you.
How Does Grilled Scorpions Sound?
Vietnam is home to some of the world’s best food. Scorpions, though?
Around parts of Ho Chi Minh City, adventurous eaters can find skewered or fried scorpions sold alongside other unusual snacks. Whether you try one out of curiosity, peer pressure, or confidence, one thing is certain: you probably will not forget it.
Is it life-changing? Debatable. Is it a story you’ll tell everyone back home? Almost definitely.
If you are trying to bring together the classics with lesser-known experiences for your itinerary, explore this blog that goes deeper into the more popular things to do in Vietnam.
Join A Tofu-Making Class
Tofu making! Now isn’t that an epic skill to have in your arsenal?
Several local workshops take visitors through the full process of making tofu, and surprisingly, it is not too far from cheesemaking, just with soybeans instead. Everything begins with soaking soybeans to soften them and remove their skins before they are milled multiple times to separate the solids from the liquid, which eventually becomes soy milk. The leftover solids rarely go to waste either and are often reused as animal feed.
Then comes the fun part. The soy milk is boiled for around 15–20 minutes before salt or coagulants are added to help create tofu’s signature texture. Not the most glamorous description, admittedly, but watching simple ingredients slowly turn into blocks of fresh tofu is far more interesting than it sounds. Among the many hidden things to try in Vietnam, this is probably one of the few that leaves you with both a new skill and dinner-table bragging rights.
If these experiences sound like your picture of a holiday, explore our expertly planned Vietnam trip packages from India designed around different travel styles and durations.
