If you’re looking for new travel experiences in Vietnam that feel authentic, creative, and responsible, these following highlights deserve a spot on your 2026 travel radar.
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1. The Hanoi Train: Culture on Rails
The new cultural train running from Hanoi Station to Tu Son Station (Bac Ninh) is more than transportation; it’s a journey through Vietnam’s history. Inspired by the ancient Thang Long Citadel, the train features five double-decker carriages named after Hanoi’s historic gates: O Cau Den, O Cau Giay, O Cho Dua, O Dong Mac, and O Quan Chuong, each with its own design theme.
On board, travelers enjoy live performances of traditional music such as quan ho, cheo, xam, and ca tru, along with Hanoi specialties like young sticky rice and lotus tea.
- Schedule: Two round-trip departures daily (08:00-11:30 and 13:30-17:00)
- Ticket price: 550,000-750,000 VND
- Capacity: 60 passengers
2. “Chay Via He”: Self-Service Vegetarian Dining in Hanoi
Hidden near Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Chay Via He offers a unique self-service vegetarian experience. Diners choose from a wide selection of plant-based versions of Vietnamese classics: pho, bun cha, bun bo Hue, bun rieu, banh mi, and more, all displayed on shared tables.
Guests note down what they eat and pay accordingly, then clean up after themselves. Another highlight is the selection of homemade nut milks, especially the crowd-favorite cashew milk, blended from fresh nuts and lightly sweetened naturally.
- Address: 19 Chau Long, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 11:00-13:30 (except Sundays) / 17:00-20:00 (daily)
- Price range: 25,000-40,000 VND
3. Lô Lô Chải & Quỳnh Sơn: UN-Recognized Tourism Villages 2025
Lô Lô Chải Village (Lũng Cú) and Quỳnh Sơn Village (Bắc Sơn, Lạng Sơn) have been named Best Tourism Villages 2025 by UN Tourism, highlighting Vietnam’s success in community-based tourism.
Lô Lô Chải charms visitors with earthen houses, vibrant ethnic traditions, and homestays run by the Lô Lô people. Quỳnh Sơn, home to the Tày community, provides stilt-house stays, farming activities, folk singing, and cultural exchanges within a UNESCO Global Geopark setting.
Both villages balance tourism with cultural preservation, creating sustainable livelihoods while protecting heritage and nature.
Vietnam’s new travel offerings show a clear shift toward slow travel, cultural authenticity, and sustainability. Whether on a heritage train, at a self-service vegetarian table, or in a highland village, travelers are invited to engage more deeply with culture, people, and place.
For updated information on Vietnam tours, please reach out to our Southeast Asia travel consultants at any time.
