Unusual Things To Do In Vietnam: Fulfill Your Journey With One-Of-A-Kind Experiences
Doing unique activities in the captivating country of Vietnam can make your journey through Southeast Asia more thrilling than ever.
Traveling to Vietnam, you are often recommended to try banh mi, pho, and egg coffee, to visit beaches and islands, to participate in bicycle tours, to go around the night markets, and more. But that’s not all about Vietnam’s beauty. The country has a lot that you have never seen or done before.
If you have already experienced all the usual must-try things in Vietnam, find some unpopular activities in this guide. Are you ready to become one of the weirdest tourists here? Scroll down to see more details.
Unusual things to do in Vietnam
Watch the water puppet show
The first unusual thing to do in Vietnam suggested by Visit Vietnam Tours is the water puppet show (or “mua roi nuoc”). This traditional show is interesting for both outbound and domestic tourists.
Here, puppeteers will stand in the water and use the small waterproof puppets to tell a story. They recreate the simple daily life of Northern Vietnam’s villages such as rice planting, boat rowing, duck herding, etc., or some Vietnamese folklore.
The lacquer puppets are made of buoyant fig wood with bamboo sticks and strings attached. To become a master water puppeteer may take dozens of years.
If you are interested in learning more about Vietnamese water puppetry, you are encouraged to visit Dao Thuc Village, which upholds a 300-year-old tradition in Hanoi. For those interested in experiencing water puppet shows, various theaters in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City offer this cultural performance.
Get an excellent customized outfit in Hoi An
In this famous ancient town, you are usually advised to wander around by bicycle, release lanterns, or visit the night market. But have you ever heard of buying custom-made garments?
The tailors in Hoi An are renowned for their amazing craftsmanship, high-quality production, and quick delivery. The prices are reasonable for bespoke clothes. Depending on your requirements, it can take one to a few days for them to finish the outfit.
If you are planning some days here, this may be unusual but worth doing in Vietnam. Believe us! You will look fabulous as the garment will fit you well.
Cu Chi District on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City will offer unusual things to do in Vietnam. The coolest ones are trying an AK47 and “time traveling” at the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Experience the thrill of using a real AK47 at a spacious shooting range. Each bullet costs approximately $1-3; your safety is our top priority. You will receive careful guidance and be provided with soundproof ear protection. Aim at the target and feel the adrenaline as you pull the trigger.
Following this authentic moment, let’s delve into Vietnam’s heroic history by crawling in the Cu Chi Tunnels. Known as the “underground city”, it is listed among the world’s most special man-made structures and most exotic destinations in Southeast Asia.
The 250 km-long tunnel was built with trenches, food storage, kitchens, living rooms, offices, clinics, and more, making it an incredible base for the army and residents in the war.
Please note that this unique and unusual thing is not for people suffering from a phobia of being in narrow spaces.
Take a ride in a basketboat
A basket boat is the iconic means of transportation for Vietnamese fishermen. It is called “thuyen thung” or “thung chai” in Vietnam. It is believed to have appeared during the French colonial era. Fishermen invented basketboats to avoid the hefty taxes they couldn’t afford to pay. These tax-free boats quickly became popular in Vietnam’s coastal destinations and have been used until today.
Another unusual thing to do in Vietnam during your journey is a ride in a bamboo basketboat. The hottest spot is the Bay Mau coconut forest in Hoi An. Floating on the water, they are well controlled by skillful boat drivers, ensuring your safety and thrilling experience.
Enjoy the jungle life in Cat Tien National Park
Cat Tien National Park was recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2001 and a special national monument by the Government of Vietnam in 2012.
Cat Tien National Park’s natural area is over 71,000 hectares. It stretches over 3 provinces including Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc, and is embraced by Dong Nai River.
Visitors can book accommodation at a homestay nearby, inside the national park, or camp. When the sun rises, hearing gibbons sing is one of the unusual things to do. During the day, you can hike through the forest and see the diverse flora and fauna, especially the giant hundreds-year-old trees. You can also ride a bicycle while breathing the fresh air.
Furthermore, an unusual thing to do in Cat Tien National Park is to visit Bau Sau, the crocodile lake. It was listed as a Ramsar Site by the Ramsar Secretariat in 2005. At night, you can take a safari to see the wild animals in the forest.
Visitors are kindly requested to strictly follow the rules to protect the national park.
Unusual food to eat in Vietnam
Hot vit lon
In Vietnam, one of the most unique culinary experiences is trying "hot vit lon," which consists of fertilized duck eggs with developed bird embryos. Despite its unusual nature, this dish is highly regarded as a rich source of protein that offers health benefits. Vietnamese locals often prepare these eggs by boiling them and serving them with basil leaves and salted lime chili sauces, making for a satisfying and flavorful snack.
Similarly, "trung cut lon" offers a comparable experience using fertilized quail eggs, which are smaller and more convenient to consume. These eggs are often stir-fried with tamarind sauce, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
It's worth noting that "hot vit lon" was previously listed as one of the worst foods in the world by Taste Atlas. However, once you overcome any initial apprehension and try them, you may find yourself developing a fondness for this unique delicacy.
Fermented shrimp paste noodles
Fermented shrimp paste noodles (or “bun dau mam tom”) is a famous dish originated from Hanoi. Now, it is also sold in several eateries in other regions of Vietnam. This unusual food in Vietnam often features rice vermicelli, fried tofu, shrimp paste, herbs, and cucumber. Various restaurants add steamed pork belly, rice pork nuggets (“cha com”), sausage with cartilage (“doi sun”), etc. to make it more attractive.
Many people can’t stand the smell and taste of shrimp paste while others like its intense and unique flavor a lot. Don’t forget to mix it with kumquat, chili, and sugar for a more mouth-watering feeling. If you cannot eat shrimp paste, change it into fish sauce or soy sauce.
Coconut Worm
Another unusual thing to have in Vietnam that we want to recommend is coconut worms. They are raised in the Mekong Delta, mainly in Ben Tre province which is home to forests of coconut trees. The province is also known for sweet coconut candies. But coconut worms are on the next level! Many Vietnamese are unpleasant to see them, so they cannot eat.
These larvae can harm the trees but people still raise them for fat and unique food. Coconut worms are usually eaten live and dipped in fish sauce.
Other well-known kinds of larvae in Vietnam are beetle larvae and sandworms. They are somewhat more usual, less strange, and easier to enjoy than coconut worms.
We have already introduced you to some unusual things to do and eat in Vietnam. These are just a few of several extraordinary experiences that we couldn't mention in a short article. You might end up liking or disliking some things, no problem, as there are many other options for you in this country. At least give them a try before concluding whether they're good or bad.
