Vietnam isn’t just a place to teach English – it’s a country filled with culture, history, flavor, and daily moments of joy that make life here unforgettable.
Whether you’re exploring ancient towns on the weekend, trying new street food after work, celebrating dazzling festivals, or simply enjoying a cup of cà phê sữa đá in the morning, Vietnam offers countless ways to relax, explore, and live fully outside the classroom.
This guide highlights the best of it – from everyday delights to holiday adventures and week-long escapes across the country.
Table of Contents
1. Festivals You Can’t Miss in Vietnam
Vietnam’s festivals are some of the most fun things to do in Vietnam, offering expats a colorful way to experience tradition, culture, and community:
Tet (Lunar New Year)
Tet – Vietnam’s biggest and most important holiday. In the weeks leading up to Tết, streets are filled with flower markets, traditional decorations, and bustling energy.
Many shops and restaurants close during the holiday, but expats can enjoy spring flower festivals, fireworks, giving and receiving lucky money (lì xì), trying special dishes like bánh chưng, and joining local friends for family-style feasts. It’s also a great time for slow travel-major cities become calm and quiet for a few days.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Lantern Festival – Taking place monthly on the full moon, this magical event transforms Hội An Ancient Town into a glowing wonderland.
Expats can release paper lanterns onto the river for good luck, enjoy acoustic folk music, explore night markets, and take peaceful evening boat rides. The town switches off many electric lights, creating a warm, traditional atmosphere perfect for photography and relaxation.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival – Held annually (usually between June and July), this event features world-class pyrotechnic teams competing along the Han River.
Expats can enjoy riverside dining, book rooftop seating at hotels and restaurants, or watch from one of the public viewing spots. The city becomes a festival hub with concerts, food fairs, and outdoor activities.
Hung Kings Temple Festival
Hung Kings Temple Festival – A national holiday honoring the legendary founders of Vietnam.
While the main celebrations take place at the Hùng Kings Temple in Phú Thọ Province, expats can also participate in local ceremonies, watch traditional music and dance performances, and learn about Vietnam’s historical roots. If you’re near Phú Thọ, attending the main pilgrimage is a one-of-a-kind cultural immersion.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival – A joyful celebration with lantern parades, lion dances, and mooncakes.
Expats can stroll through brightly lit streets, attend lantern-making workshops, join community parades with children, and try regional mooncake flavors. Many cultural centers and language schools host Mid-Autumn events that welcome foreigners.
Whether you’re here for a year or many, these events offer unforgettable cultural experiences that help expats connect more deeply with Vietnamese traditions.
2. Everyday Joys: Living Like a Local
Some of the most meaningful fun things to do in Vietnam come from everyday moments – from morning coffee rituals to after-work activities with neighbors. These simple joys help expats feel connected and at home.
Morning Coffee Rituals
There’s nothing quite like starting the day with a cà phê sữa đá (iced milk coffee) on a small plastic stool at your neighborhood café. Vietnamese coffee has a rich, bold flavor, usually balanced with sugar and/or condensed milk. Its slow and deliberate drip-style brewing allows for a concentrated and intense cup. It’s refreshing, energizing, and a distinctly Vietnamese moment of calm before the day starts.
After-Work Fitness & Fun
Vietnamese cities are full of lively outdoor communities, making it easy to stay active after a day of teaching. In many public parks, you’ll find locals playing badminton late into the evening, while riverside paths attract steady streams of joggers and walkers enjoying the cooler air.
Yoga and tai chi sessions often take place outdoors, offering a peaceful way to unwind after work. If you prefer something more structured, modern gyms, boutique fitness studios, and CrossFit groups are available in every major city-so staying fit and meeting new people is always within reach.
There are also different sport clubs around, from popular sports like football/soccer to the unexpected, like hockey, ultimate, disc golf and rugby. There are often weekly games or practices at nearby schools or parks. These groups are a great way to meet new local and expat like-minded friends, and get a good workout, too!
Discover Your City
It’s easy to jump on your motorbike and go explore a new neighborhood. Every corner of every city is full of life, waiting for you to stumble across your new favorite pho or coffee shop. Markets of all kinds can be found around every corner. Haggle your way into a fun outfit, or grab your fresh meat and produce for your next Vietnamese cooking experiment!
Small daily rituals like greeting your favorite barista or chatting with neighbors make the city feel like home – and they’re often the moments expats treasure the most. These are great ways to make friends and settle into the local community.
3. Nightlife & Entertainment for Expats
If you’re looking for lively fun things to do in Vietnam, the nightlife scene offers endless choices for every style and mood.
Where to go:
Ho Chi Minh City
- Bùi Viện for backpacker bars and live street music. Rooftop lounges for cocktails with skyline views
- Acoustic cafés and jazz bars for laid-back evenings
Hanoi
- Tạ Hiện (“Beer Street”) for lively nightlife
- Old Quarter cafés for live music and poetry readings
Da Nang
- Riverside bars and night markets
- Trendy craft beer and cocktail venues
Activity Nights
If you prefer experiences over bar-hopping, Vietnam offers endless ways to fill your evenings. You can join weekly salsa socials, open mic events, or calligraphy lessons, or spend time in cozy board game cafés with friends.
Language exchanges are popular in major cities, while stand-up comedy and trivia nights give expats a fun way to unwind after work. For something more hands-on, art and pottery workshops are easy to find, as are sports and running clubs that welcome newcomers.
And of course, Vietnam’s buzzing night markets and late-night street food adventures add even more excitement to any evening.
Want regularly updated recommendations? Check out the latest VUS Local Happenings guide on the Teach At VUS Facebook page for new shows, cafés, groups, and events around the city.
4. Trips Around Vietnam
Vietnam is filled with unforgettable places to explore, whether you’re planning a full holiday or just a quick weekend getaway between teaching shifts. Some must-visit destinations include:
Ha Long Bay
Cruise among towering limestone formations, explore hidden caves, kayak through quiet lagoons, and enjoy fresh seafood on the water.
Hoi An Ancient Town
Stroll through lantern-lit streets, try a cooking class, visit tailor shops for custom clothing, and relax at riverside cafés.
Hue Imperial Citadel
Step into Vietnam’s royal past with ancient palaces, temples, and tombs surrounded by serene gardens.
Mekong Delta
Experience floating markets, sampan boat rides, tropical fruit orchards, and peaceful riverside life.
Da Lat
Known for cool mountain weather, pine forests, flower gardens, waterfalls, and charming European-style villas.
If you’re based in one of Vietnam’s major cities, you’ll also find plenty of weekend trips that offer a refreshing reset before the school week begins:
From Ho Chi Minh city
Vung Tau
The closest beach getaway to the city. Enjoy seafood, coastal hikes, Christ the King statue viewpoints, and breezy cafés along the seaside.
Mui Ne
Famous for red and white sand dunes, kitesurfing, beach resorts, and the magical Fairy Stream. It’s a great spot for both relaxation and adventure sports.
Da Lat
Just a short flight or scenic mountain drive away. Explore waterfalls, lakes, strawberry farms, night markets, and the city’s cool, romantic atmosphere.
From Ha Noi
Ninh Binh
Called “Ha Long Bay on land” for its limestone cliffs rising from lush rice fields. Visitors can take a boat through Tam Cốc or Tràng An, hike up Múa Cave viewpoints, and explore ancient temples.
Mai Chau
A peaceful valley surrounded by rice paddies and stilt houses of the Thai ethnic minority. Perfect for cycling, homestays, and slow, scenic weekends.
Tam Dao
A misty mountain town with cool air, scenic viewpoints, cloud-hunting spots, and a charming hilltop church.
From Da Nang
Hoi An
Just 30 minutes away, ideal for a day of lantern-lit streets, night markets, riverside dining, and tailor shops.
Bach Ma National Park
Great for nature lovers, offering jungle trekking, viewpoints above the clouds, and the famous “Five Lakes” trail.
Hue
A short train or car ride away. Visit ancient citadels, pagodas, royal tombs, and enjoy traditional Central Vietnamese cuisine.
These getaways-whether cultural, coastal, or nature-filled-give expats the perfect way to recharge, discover more of Vietnam, and appreciate the country beyond their daily routine.
5. Week-Long Adventures Across Vietnam
Longer breaks open the door to some of the most exciting fun things to do in Vietnam, especially multi-day journeys across mountains, coastlines, and cultural sites. These adventures let expats experience the country in a deeper, more rewarding way.
Popular Itineraries
- The Northern Loop:
Hanoi → Ha Giang → Cao Bang → Sapa
Known for dramatic mountain passes and ethnic village life - The Central Trail:
Hue → Da Nang → Hoi An → Quy Nhon
Beaches, history, and scenic coastal drives - The Southern Escape:
HCMC → Mekong Delta → Phu Quoc
River culture followed by island paradise - The Reunification Express (Hanoi → HCMC):
A classic cross-country train journey past rice fields, mountains, and coastline
If you’re working in Vietnam for a year or more, you’ll have plenty of holidays to tackle these trips one by one.
Final Thoughts: Go Explore
Living in Vietnam means much more than teaching in the classroom – it’s an opportunity to build a lifestyle full of adventure, community, and meaningful experiences.
Try new foods. Join new hobbies. Wander down a street you’ve never walked before. Take every coffee, festival, and weekend trip as part of your unforgettable story in Vietnam.
And when you’re ready for ideas on what to try next, explore more of our VUS Relocation Blog Series – your guide to building a fun, rich, and rewarding life abroad.
For nearly 30 years of pioneering English education in Vietnam, VUS has built a strong reputation with 68 campuses and more than 2,700 internationally qualified teaching staff nationwide.
VUS proudly affirms its leading position with a double victory at the Vietnam Technology Excellence Awards 2025, and two consecutive years being honored as an Inspirational Brand at APEA, alongside many other prestigious national and international awards.
VUS offers an exciting opportunity for expatriate teachers to grow professionally while discovering the beauty of life and culture in Vietnam. With strong support and international standards, your journey here is more than just teaching – it’s about learning, connecting, and thriving.
- Competitive salary: Rewards that match your talent and contribution.
- Professional growth: Enhance your teaching skills with ongoing training and development.
- Cultural immersion: Experience daily life in Vietnam and build meaningful local connections.
- International-standard environment: Teach with modern facilities, updated resources, and proven methodologies.
- Full integration support: Assistance with administrative paperwork and a dedicated Buddy Program to help you adapt to local culture, especially at provincial campuses.
- Free Vietnamese classes: 100% free for all VUS expat teachers (even during probation), taught by qualified Vietnamese teachers with proven expertise, and built on a tailored curriculum that meets expats’ daily needs.
Start your teaching journey with VUS today!
