Choose from 164 Fun Things to Do in Vietnam
![Giac Lam Pagoda Giac Lam Pagoda](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bed5dcc5010d10232e/5c8933c2d5dcc5014a26c3ec/medium.jpg)
Giac Lam Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda is widely recognized as an important and historic pagoda, the oldest temple in the city. Built in 1744 on an undeveloped area of jungle, it has since been consumed into the west of the city.
Originally thatched, the buildings have undergone significant remodeling at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically significant, it is now protected as an official cultural heritage site.
In the main garden stands a famous bodhi tree donated by Sri Lanka to the temple in 1953, in its shade stands a statue of bodhisattva Aralokiteshvara. In the grounds also stands a 32 meter (100 foot) high seven story hexagonal stupa; in total there are over 100 statues to admire.
There is also an eerie and worth seeing funerary chamber with photos and shrines dedicated to former monks of the temple. At the main altar, Buddhists pray for peace and good health. By writing their names and their relatives' names on paper and sticking it into the grand bell they believe their wishes will be carried when the bell is struck and echoes into heaven.
Practical Info
Located on Lac Long Quan, to the north of District 5, (not in Cholon area). May be combined with a visit to Cholon but a cyclo or taxi trip would be necessary to reach it.
Usual temple rules apply - respectful clothing, no hats, no smoking - but here shoes are permitted.
![Bao Quoc Pagoda Bao Quoc Pagoda](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b3d5dcc5010d1018de/5c893003d5dcc5014a26b60c/medium.jpg)
Bao Quoc Pagoda
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![Dragon Bridge Dragon Bridge](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bbd5dcc5010d102039/5c893d78d5dcc5014a26e753/medium.jpg)
Dragon Bridge
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![Cat Cat Village Cat Cat Village](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b7d5dcc5010d101c64/5c892cc1d5dcc5014a26a9d3/medium.jpg)
Cat Cat Village
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![Coi Nguon Museum Coi Nguon Museum](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b9d5dcc5010d101e59/5c893efad5dcc5014a26ecdb/medium.jpg)
Coi Nguon Museum
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![Dong Xuan Market Dong Xuan Market](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bbd5dcc5010d102013/5c892cd6d5dcc5014a26aa1e/medium.jpg)
Dong Xuan Market
- The market gets very crowded; those with claustrophobia should avoid.
- Wholesalers will usually refuse to sell small quantities.
- Buyer beware, as not all the branded goods here are authentic.
- Don’t forget to bargain for better prices, though most vendors do not speak English.
- The market is not very wheelchair-friendly, as there are numerous narrow and crowded aisles.
![Dong Ba Market Dong Ba Market](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bbd5dcc5010d102011/5c893002d5dcc5014a26b609/medium.jpg)
Dong Ba Market
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![Bai Dinh Temple Bai Dinh Temple](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b2d5dcc5010d10188d/5c893f00d5dcc5014a26ecf0/medium.jpg)
Bai Dinh Temple
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![Con Dao National Park Con Dao National Park](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b9d5dcc5010d101e90/5c89343fd5dcc5014a26c5c9/medium.jpg)
Con Dao National Park
Practical Info
![Ambassador's Pagoda (Chua Quan Su) Ambassador's Pagoda (Chua Quan Su)](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b0d5dcc5010d101708/5c893b4cd5dcc5014a26df52/medium.jpg)
Ambassador's Pagoda (Chua Quan Su)
- The Ambassador’s Pagoda is a must-visit for those with an interest in Buddhism.
- This is an active place of worship, so visitors should be respectful of worshippers.
- Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees to enter.
- It’s free to enter the pagoda, but donations are accepted.
![Binh Tay Market Binh Tay Market](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b4d5dcc5010d1019f4/5c89348bd5dcc5014a26c6e9/medium.jpg)
Binh Tay Market
Practical Info
![Do Temple Do Temple](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bbd5dcc5010d101ff2/5c893417d5dcc5014a26c52d/medium.jpg)
Do Temple
- This is an active place of worship, so visitors should be respectful of worshippers.
- Visitors must wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and the knees.
- It’s free to enter the temple but donations are accepted.
- The temple is not wheelchair friendly, as there are a number of steps throughout the grounds.
![Flag Tower Flag Tower](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bcd5dcc5010d1021d6/5c893f9ed5dcc5014a26ef39/medium.jpg)
Flag Tower
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![Ancient House Ancient House](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b1d5dcc5010d10172e/5c892cc0d5dcc5014a26a9cd/medium.jpg)
Ancient House
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![Dong Khoi Street Dong Khoi Street](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0bbd5dcc5010d102012/5c892c3fd5dcc5014a26a7f0/medium.jpg)
Dong Khoi Street
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![Bat Trang Ceramic Bat Trang Ceramic](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b3d5dcc5010d10193b/5c892cc0d5dcc5014a26a9d0/medium.jpg)
Bat Trang Ceramic
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![Coc Ly Market Coc Ly Market](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b9d5dcc5010d101e4c/5c893f04d5dcc5014a26ecff/medium.jpg)
Coc Ly Market
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![Bai Tu Long Bay Bai Tu Long Bay](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b2d5dcc5010d10188e/5c893b85d5dcc5014a26e021/medium.jpg)
Bai Tu Long Bay
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![Bitexco Financial Tower Bitexco Financial Tower](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b4d5dcc5010d101a09/5c893b4ad5dcc5014a26df4c/medium.jpg)
Bitexco Financial Tower
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![Cat Ba Island Cat Ba Island](/uploads/property/gallery/5c5aa0b7d5dcc5010d101c63/5c8948d2d5dcc5014a271000/medium.jpg)
Cat Ba Island
The eastern side of the island is home to several beaches worthy of exploration, fishing villages and a small town (population 8,000) that tends to get crowded on weekends and public holidays. Here, you’ll find a promenade with a strip of hotels, bars and restaurants.