19 Things To Do In Vietnam With Friends: Best Group Activities

Vietnam is an amazing country with so much to see and do. I think it’s one of the best places to make memories with friends. You have incredible landscapes, lively cities, and some of the best food in the world. Sharing all of that with your favorite people makes the experience even better.

Are you trying to figure out what to do on your trip? I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over Vietnam, and I want to share some things to do in Vietnam with friends for your group adventure.

Best Things To Do In Vietnam With Friends

Join a lantern-making class in Hoi An

Hoi An’s Ancient Town is famous for its colorful lanterns. They light up the streets at night, creating a magical atmosphere. Instead of just buying a lantern, you and your friends can learn how to make your own. Several workshops in town teach you the traditional process, from bending the bamboo frame to applying the silk fabric. You get to choose your own colors and patterns. 

The lanterns are especially beautiful during the monthly Lantern Festival. It’s a great example of the vibrant Festivals in Vietnam that you could build your trip around. This activity is a great way to spend an afternoon together. It’s a hands-on experience that lets everyone get creative. You’ll share a few laughs trying to perfect your lanterns. 

Morning Coffee around Hoan Kiem Lake

Hanoi’s coffee culture is a big part of daily life. Locals love to start their day with a cup of strong Vietnamese coffee while watching the city wake up. Around Hoan Kiem Lake, you will find many cafes with small balconies overlooking the water and the bustling streets. Finding a spot to sit and enjoy the view is a classic Hanoi experience. 

It’s a quiet activity that lets you connect with each other and soak in the local vibe before things get busy. Once you’re caffeinated, you’ll be ready to see more of the capital; our guide on the best Things to Do in Hanoi has plenty of ideas. What’s your favorite way to start a morning in a new city?

Sapa Hiking

The mountains of Sapa offer some of the most stunning views in Southeast Asia. The region is known for its incredible rice terraces carved into the hillsides. Hiking through these fields with your friends is an unforgettable adventure. You can choose from many different trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging multi-day treks. The autumn season is a fantastic time for trekking here, so be sure to check what the Sapa Weather in October is like to help you pack accordingly.

Waking up early for a “cloud hunting” experience is another special thing to do here. On clear mornings, you can watch a sea of clouds fill the valleys below the peaks. It feels like you are standing on top of the world. Sharing that moment of awe with friends is something you will talk about for years. It’s a perfect mix of nature, culture, and active fun.

Have a Street Food Tour

Vietnamese street food is a must-try, and it’s even more fun to sample with friends. Cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have a vibrant street food scene. You can find vendors on almost every corner selling delicious dishes like “pho,” “banh mi,” and “bun cha.” Going on a guided tour helps you find the best spots that you might not discover on your own. A local guide can explain the dishes and ingredients.

Tasting different foods and sharing your opinions is a great bonding activity. It’s a journey for your taste buds. For a deeper food experience, our 15-Day Vietnam Food Tour takes you through the country’s best culinary highlights. It combines amazing sights with daily opportunities to taste local specialties. Have you ever taken a food tour in a new country?

Relax on Phu Quoc Island

After a lot of traveling and activities, your group might need some downtime. Phu Quoc Island is the perfect place to unwind. It’s a beautiful tropical island in the south of Vietnam with white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water. You can spend your days swimming, sunbathing, or just reading a book in a hammock. The atmosphere is very laid-back and peaceful.

You and your friends can rent motorbikes to see the island’s pepper farms and fishing villages. Or you can take a boat trip to go snorkeling and see the coral reefs. In the evening, the night market offers fresh seafood and other local treats. It’s a great destination to recharge your batteries together before heading home.

Explore Cu Chi Tunnels

For a dose of history, a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a powerful experience. This immense network of underground tunnels is located just outside Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnamese soldiers used them during the war. After this historical trip, we have a full guide on other exciting Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City.

This activity can lead to some interesting conversations among your friends. It’s a chance to learn something new together and reflect on the history of the place you are visiting. It is a sobering but important part of understanding Vietnam’s story.

Discover the Son Doong Cave

If your group is looking for a truly epic adventure, Son Doong Cave is it. Located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, it is the largest cave in the world. It’s so big that it has its own jungle and river inside. Getting there requires a multi-day trek through the jungle, which is a serious challenge. This isn’t for the casual traveler; you need to be physically fit.

Only a limited number of people are allowed to visit each year, making it a very exclusive trip. You camp inside the cave and see incredible rock formations. Standing inside this massive underground world with your friends would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s the ultimate adventure for a group that loves a good challenge.

Funny Things To Do In Vietnam With Friends

Have fun at a Rooftop Bar

Vietnam’s big cities have fantastic rooftop bars with amazing views. After a day of sightseeing, heading up to a rooftop bar is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. You can watch the sunset and see the city lights come on. Places like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City have many options to choose from, each with its own unique vibe.

It’s a fun way to dress up a little and enjoy some cool drinks with your friends. You can chat about your day and plan your night. The music and atmosphere are usually very energetic. It’s a perfect spot for taking group photos with a glittering city skyline in the background.

Go to Karaoke

Karaoke is extremely popular in Vietnam, and it’s a hilarious activity to do with a group of friends. You can rent a private room by the hour, which comes with a big screen, microphones, and a huge songbook. You will find everything from classic rock to modern pop songs in English and other languages. Don’t worry if you can’t sing well; that’s part of the fun.

Ordering some snacks and drinks to your room makes it a full party. You and your friends can sing your hearts out to your favorite tunes. It’s a great way to let loose and be silly together. Some of my best travel memories involve bad karaoke performances with friends. What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Water Sports in Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a coastal city known for its long, sandy beach and clear water. It’s a hotspot for water sports. If your group is looking for some thrills, this is the place to be. You can try jet skiing, parasailing, or riding on a banana boat. There are plenty of vendors along the beach offering different activities. For more inspiration, check out our complete list of Things to Do in Nha Trang.

It’s a fantastic way to cool off and have some fun in the sun. The excitement of trying a new water sport together creates great memories. You’ll be laughing as you try to stay on the banana boat or get a bird’s-eye view while parasailing. It adds a bit of action to a relaxing beach day.

Have fun at Ta Hien Street

Ta Hien Street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is famously known as “Beer Street.” In the evening, this small street becomes packed with locals and travelers. People sit on tiny plastic stools, drinking “bia hoi” (fresh draft beer) and eating street food. The beer is incredibly cheap, and the atmosphere is electric.

This is a great place for your group to experience Hanoi’s nightlife. The vibe is very casual and social. You can easily strike up conversations with people at the next table. It’s loud, crowded, and a lot of fun. It’s a perfect way to spend an evening just hanging out and enjoying the simple pleasure of good company and cold beer.

Try Vietnamese fruits

Vietnam has a huge variety of delicious tropical fruits. A fun and simple activity is to go to a local market and have a fruit tasting session with your friends. You can find things like dragon fruit, mango, rambutan, mangosteen, and jackfruit. Some fruits, like durian, have a very strong smell and taste, which can lead to some funny reactions.

You can each pick out a fruit you’ve never tried before and then share them. It’s a cheap and healthy way to experience local flavors. You might discover a new favorite fruit. It’s also a good opportunity to interact with local vendors and practice a few words of Vietnamese.

Try Flying kites

On a windy afternoon, you might see people flying kites in open spaces like parks or beaches. This simple activity can be a surprisingly fun thing to do with friends. You can buy colorful kites from street vendors or in local markets for a very low price. Then, find a good spot and see who can get their kite the highest.

It’s a relaxing and almost meditative activity. It takes you back to being a kid. Running around together, trying to get your kites in the air, is a lighthearted way to spend an afternoon. It’s a nice break from the usual tourist activities and lets you enjoy a simple pleasure.

Low-Key Things To Do In Vietnam With Friends

Go to Museum

For a more quiet and educational activity, consider visiting a museum. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi is a great choice. It showcases the diverse cultures of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. The museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including full-scale replicas of traditional village houses.

It’s a great way for your group to learn about Vietnam’s cultural diversity. You can walk around at your own pace and discuss the different exhibits. It provides a deeper context for the country you are traveling through. It’s a nice, calm activity for a hot or rainy day.

Book a homestay in countryside

Getting out of the busy cities and staying in a countryside homestay can be a wonderful experience. Places like the Mekong Delta or the rural areas around Ninh Binh offer beautiful scenery and a slower pace of life. A homestay allows you to stay with a local family, eat home-cooked meals, and see what daily life is like.

This is a great way for your group to connect with each other in a peaceful setting. You can go for bike rides through rice paddies, help with some farming activities, or take a cooking class. It offers a more authentic and personal travel experience away from the tourist crowds.

Photoshoot at Incense Village

About an hour outside of Hanoi is Quang Phu Cau, the “Incense Village.” Here, local artisans make brightly colored incense sticks. They lay them out to dry in the sun in huge, vibrant bundles. The sight is incredibly photogenic and makes for some amazing photos. You and your friends can have a fun photoshoot here.

The locals are used to visitors and are very welcoming. You can see the different stages of the incense-making process. The bold colors of the incense create a stunning backdrop for pictures. It’s a unique cultural sight and a chance to get some great shots for your travel album.

Evening Stroll in Dalat

Dalat is a city in the Central Highlands known for its cool climate and French colonial architecture. It’s often called the “City of Eternal Spring.” Taking an evening stroll around Xuan Huong Lake is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. The atmosphere is calm and romantic.

You and your friends can walk around the lake, rent a swan-shaped paddleboat, or just sit on a bench and chat. The city center is lively at night with a big market where you can find local snacks and souvenirs. It’s a lovely way to spend a relaxed evening together in a beautiful setting.

Experience Datanla waterfall

Dalat is also known for its beautiful waterfalls, and Datanla is one of the most accessible. What makes this waterfall extra fun for a group is the alpine coaster. You can ride this small, self-controlled roller coaster cart down a track through the forest to get to the base of the waterfall.

It’s a small thrill that adds a bit of adventure to a nature walk. The waterfall itself is very pretty, and there are other activities like canyoning for more adventurous groups. The coaster ride is a unique and fun experience that you and your friends will surely enjoy.

Explore Tra Que Vegetable Village

Just outside of Hoi An is Tra Que, a small village famous for its organic vegetables. Local farmers use traditional methods, including seaweed from a nearby lagoon, to fertilize their crops. You can take a bike tour from Hoi An and spend a morning in the village.

Many tours let you try your hand at farming. You and your friends can wear traditional hats and learn how to rake the soil, plant seeds, and water the vegetables. Afterward, you can enjoy a cooking class and a meal made with the fresh produce from the garden. It’s a fun, interactive, and tasty cultural experience.

Conclusion

Vietnam offers so many different kinds of experiences for a trip with friends. You can have action-packed adventures, relaxing beach days, and deep cultural moments. The best part is sharing it all with people you care about. I hope these ideas help you plan an incredible journey together. Traveling with friends creates bonds that last a lifetime, and Vietnam is a perfect place to build them.

FAQs about Things To Do In Vietnam With Friends