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Last updated on October 31, 2023 by Shannon

While lumped together with Southeast Asia for geographic and tourism purposes, Vietnam stands out as a destination unique among its neighbors. Each region balances the other.

The frenetic chaos in Saigon is just a stone’s throw from the sleepy colonial towns in the Mekong Delta. Hoi An’s charming, historic ancient town is a mere 40 minutes from the fast-growing and friendly Danang.

History and tradition infuse every aspect of life in Vietnam—from food to religion—and the culture and people are remarkably welcoming to tourism, having built a thriving industry that makes traveling and backpacking in Vietnam unforgettable.

As such, modern Vietnam is a favorite hotspot for budget-loving backpackers traveling Southeast Asia , and destination travelers from all over the world. Although I had spent years traveling other regions of Asia, Vietnam was my final country to visit on mainland Southeast Asia. What an incredible experience.

I have no idea what took me so long to backpack through Vietnam. I spent three months traveling south to north and I discovered cities across the country highlighting various aspects of Vietnam’s long history. I traveled from the War Remnants museum in Ho Chi Minh City to the Japanese and Chinese influenced Hoi An to the French-influenced coffee and baguette culture throughout.

Vibrant, unique, chaotic, traditional—no single word sums the experience of traveling Vietnam.

If you’re visiting Vietnam, this guide covers the essential travel information you should know, pre-trip reading , how to travel responsibly in Vietnam, and specific travel and accommodation recommendations to jumpstart your research.

Table of Contents

Things to Know Before Traveling to Vietnam

Vietnam has a lengthy and complex history, with each layer still visible in modern Vietnam. From tangible evidence of French colonial rule to the aftereffects of the American War and a food culture deeply influenced by the international flavors and cultures—this country has a lot on offer from north to south.

Vietnam has a lengthy and complex history, with each layer still visible in modern Vietnam. Consider this a quick rundown on the basic backstory you’ll need to understand and enjoy traveling and backpacking through Vietnam. Ruled by the Chinese in 111 B.C., Nam Viet (what we now know as Vietnam) was a part of the Han Dynasty.

Over the next thousand years or so, Vietnam remained in the hands of the tyrannical Chinese, before regaining full control of their country in the 15th century. By the middle of the 17th century, Vietnam’s independence was being chipped away by France and in 1884 France gained full colonial control over Vietnam.

France’s impact on Vietnam is a living, breathing, tangible part of modern Vietnam, which is why you need to understand this history before traveling there. The French brought a Western-style education system, European architecture and food, and also instituted political and cultural changes.

Not surprisingly, despite some good brought by the French, many Vietnamese were unhappy with colonial rule. The Viet Minh attacked French forces in 1946, which eventually ended with Geneva peace talks between the nations and the decision to split Vietnam in half: north and south. The communist insurgency began 1957 in South Vietnam; two years later, weapons and men from North Vietnam began gathering in the south.

In response, the United States increased aid to President Ngo Dinh Diem. By 1963, the Viet Cong, a communist group specializing in guerrilla warfare, defeated The Army of the Republic of Vietnam. In a U.S.-backed military coup, representatives from The Army of Republic of Vietnam  overthrew and killed the President Diem ; U.S. intervention in Vietnam would only escalate from this point forward.

In response to the threats posed by the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong, by 1967 the U.S. had sent roughly 500,000 troops to Vietnam. The Vietnam/American War lasted far too long, fueled by poor decisions made by U.S. politicians and resulting in horrifying escalation of violence throughout the war (this is a sad and informative  visual history of the war ).

Many thousands of people were killed before Paris peace talks brokered a ceasefire agreement in 1973. By that point, the actions by American troops had forever changed the country as the after-effects of Agent Orange and other chemical weapons continue to impact the Vietnam even today.

Two years after U.S. troops left, North Vietnam invaded the south and took control of the country. As the socialists assumed control over the country, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese continued to flee, many resorting to crowding into small vessels—anything to escape life in Vietnam. This war is one key reason for the massive Vietnamese diaspora spread around the world.

It’d be great if the warfare ended there, but tired of the Khmer Rouge attacking remote villages near the border, Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1979 and removed the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot from power. Ten years later, Vietnam removed their troops from Cambodia. There is still a large ethnically Khmer population in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. Since the 90s, Vietnam has grown and the government has stabilized, with tourism a major contributing part of the country’s economy.

Fast Facts About Vietnam Travel

Vietnamese Dong (VND) ( current exchange rate )

Electricity

127V/60Hz (American or European plugs both work here, although only without the third prong)

Primary Airports in Vietnam

• Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN)
• Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport (HAN)
• Da Nang International (DAD).

Can you drink the water in Vietnam?

No, it’s not safe to drink the local water in Vietnam. Drink bottled, bring a reusable water bottle so you can buy big jugs, or consider the merits of a SteriPen or LifeStraw for your trip.

How’s the internet in Vietnam?

WiFi is rampant and thoroughly spread even into the smallest of Vietnamese towns. Saigon has a bustling café culture and these coffee shops all offer fast free WiFi. It’s also a standard amenity in all hotels and guesthouses.

You’ll need a VPN if you plan to access many U.S. sites and to stream U.S. Netflix. A VPN is also crucial for those working from abroad since many U.S. sites either IP block or serve an international version of their sites. I’ve used NordVPN since 2016 while living abroad and it’s never failed me once.

Local SIM Cards

Data is very cheap in Vietnam, even the tourist bundles (locals have different rates, so ask your first guesthouse owner to buy your SIM card if you’re a data hog and really need a lot).

I paid 70,000 Dong for 16 GB lasting three months, and the tourist rate is about 150,000 Dong for 8 GB lasting two months. Because I had so much data, I tethered my phone and worked from my data when I encountered slow speeds. Read  a full Vietnam SIM card guide here .

And it’s handy that NordVPN works on my iPhone, too.

Vietnamese Visas

The visa situation for North Americans changes often and is entirely unpredictable. That said, in early 2017, the government implemented an online e-visa program that is fast, safe, and affordable.

For more information, check the visa requirements here . While most visitors had to arrange a visa through a third-party company, that is no longer the case, so use the government site directly to avoid fees.

Festivals of Note

• Tết is the country’s New Year’s celebration and is huge throughout Vietnam (late January or early February).
• Lantern Festival in Hoi An (14th day of every lunar month—not calendar month—so research to find out when it’s happening).

Food Considerations

Vietnam is one of the best food destinations in Southeast Asia. The country has a vibrant street food culture and a range of different dishes from north to south. If you are vegetarian, it’s possible to find food, but not always street food. And you have to be diligent.

On my Vegetarian in Vietnam guide , I outline the considerations and obstacles. If you’re celiac, this is a fantastic and thorough post , complete with a downloadable GF translation card .

This post shares the most common street food dishes you will find, and this book chronicles a beautiful food journey through Hanoi. And if you decide to eat street food (which you will!), follow these food safety principles .

Accommodation

The links in city guides below go to my favorite hotel booking site, Booking.com many options are also found on or VRBO , if you are member.

For backpackers and families,  Booking.com  is perfect for pre-booking hostels and hotels; in high season the bigger towns book up fast ( Hostelworld has a solid selection of hostels, too).

And if you buy a local SIM (which you should), you can easily call ahead and directly reserve spots en route. If none of these will do, check out my detailed guide to finding good places to stay .

What’s the weather like?

Vietnam is long, with a varied topography, meaning at least one region has poor weather at all times of year. This chart is by far the best visual to use in planning your trip weather-wise (although note that Jan/Feb is noted as clear for Sapa, when in reality it’s bitterly cold and often very foggy).

How much should you budget to travel in Vietnam?

Vietnam may well be the most budget-friendly location in Southeast Asia, and that is saying a lot, because nearby Thailand , Laos , Cambodia are quite affordable. Budget backpackers sleeping at hostels and eating street-food will easily stay under $20 a day.

The only activity requiring you to splash out on cash is a Halong Bay Tour—and often you will get better value for a bit more if you choose your tour company wisely.

Mid-range travelers will spend $25 a night on nice accommodation (with A/C and spacious rooms), and another $10-20 on food. High-end travelers get a lot bang for their buck as even nice hotels and food are affordable—scale up from the mid-range budget of $45 a day depending on if you choose to splurge on food, accommodation, or both.

How to Get Around Vietnam

Most backpackers in Vietnam take an overland route starting in one of the two primary cities, either Hanoi in the north or Saigon in the south. Vietnam offers train travel in many areas and buses in others—you can suss out the best routes around Vietnam on Bookaway .

It’s a very long country, so keep that in mind when you consider timing your trip. The distances are longer than you expect and if you’re cramming the entire country into a short week or two-week trip, you will need some long overnight trains and buses to navigate it all.

Air travel is another option. VietJetAir is the country’s privately run low-cost carrier and you can find fares as low as $25 to hop around the country. This is mega convenient and I recommend using SkyScanner to search for fares since it includes all the regional low-cost airlines.

Locally, when you are within a city you will likely use mototaxis and taxis to navigate.  Uber operates in this area and you can even catch a mototaxi with it! Instead of haggling with xe om drivers, I used Uber exclusively in the cities.

And because of the taxi scams in Saigon and Hanoi, I stuck with Uber getting to and from the airports and such, but if you need to hail a cab, stick to either Vinasun or Mailinh.

If you have a local SIM, Grab is the regional version of Uber and offers slightly better rates. Either option works, I used Uber because I already have an account that I’ve used in dozens of cities around the world; I highly recommend that travelers at least sign up for Uber and have it in your phone because you never know when it will come in handy to summon a ride and get out of a sticky situation (happened to me in South Africa!).

Is it safe to travel in Vietnam?

Vietnam is safe for travelers on the physical level—you don’t have to worry about bodily harm from the Vietnamese people. That said, theft is an issue and the scams center around money. Travelers should never walk the streets with cameras and bags draped on their shoulder or a motorbike might speed by and grab it from you.

Wear your purses cross-body and cameras secured to your wrist or neck. For the same reason, don’t walk with your cell phone held away from your body (consider investing in a phone leash ) they are fantastic and give peace of mind when wandering).

In touristy areas especially, count your change. Confirm your taxi fare before the ride (or just use Uber , which is what I did—it’s explained more in the transportation section). Use TravelFish to research possible scams in places like Hanoi ,  Hoi An  and Saigon . Since anything can happen on the road, I am a firm advocate of travel insurance and I always carry IMG Global travel insurance .

In addition to the safety concerns listed above, many travelers rent motorbikes and scooters in Vietnam. This is a dangerous place to learn to ride. In the months I visited, I saw dozens of travelers with serious road-rash scarring their bodies.

If you rent a motorbike, please make sure it’s covered by your travel insurance (usually only if you are licensed to drive in your home country) and that you wear the proper gear to protect you if you fall (pants and good shoes). If you have respiratory issues, pollution is a problem in both Hanoi and Saigon, so bring a surgical mask.

Pre-Trip Reading Inspiration: Books About Vietnam

Fiction & Nonfiction Books About Vietnam

• Catfish and Mandala : Travel memoir is often an intriguing way to learn about the culture. A Vietnamese-American return to the Vietnam he left as a young child when his family moved to California. He bicycles around the country, and the journey is beautiful.
• The War. There are no shortage of books about the Vietnam-American War. If you read just two, go with  The Sorrow of War , a harrowing recounting of the war and aftermath written from the perspective of a North Vietnamese soldier, and Embers of War , a Pulitzer Prize winning account of the long path of policies and leaders that eventually led to the devastating war.
• Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam : For historical fiction that perfectly accounts the war, but contextualizes it with romance, politics, story, and intrigue, this novel is a better read for those less inclined to learn about the war through drier non-fiction books.
• The Beauty of Humanity Movement: A Novel : Showcasing modern Vietnam in the context of its war-torn history, this beautiful novel takes place in Hanoi and is an easy read. If you’re looking for a better cultural look at contemporary Vietnam, however, Vietnam: Rising Dragon is my recommended non-fiction read.
• Inside Out and Back Again : A beautiful and lyrical story written from the perspective of a 10-year-old girl. This is a wonderful family-friendly read if you are traveling Vietnam with children.
• Eating Viet Nam : A journalist moves to Hanoi and begins a food journey through the back alleys and tiny street stalls of Vietnam. A great read for food lovers.

Podcasts and Online Reads

• The Sandwich that Ate the World : A close look at the history of bánh mì, a tasty Vietnamese sandwich that is wildly popular in Vietnam, and how that love has spread around the globe.
• The History of Pho : This longread recounts the history of Vietnam’s other famous dish, loved the world over: Pho.
• The Vietnam Solution : An interesting piece about current American and Vietnamese relations and how the two countries overcame the war to work together in modern politics.

Find more regional fiction and nonfiction  books and long-reads .

Recommended Guidebook

I traveled through Vietnam using the  Lonely Planet Vietnam . It was solid. It had just the right amount of detail I needed to understand the nearby travel options.

I used online booking sites ( Booking.com ) for accommodation, and then the Lonely Planet to help figure out transportation and what to do nearby.

Socially Responsible Travel in Vietnam

Let’s talk about socially responsible travel in Vietnam, as well as the greater opportunities in Southeast Asia. This topic has many layers. From volunteering to donating to beggars to choosing ethical activities. It’s a complex situation.

Animal tourism has a dark side, and responsible travelers should research alternatives. Child sex trafficking and tourism is particularly an issue in Vietnam. Environmental pollution from tourism has devastated parts of Halong Bay.

There are a lot of considerations. All travelers should also read this  post on giving to child beggars ; you will face this conundrum, so it’s best to be ready. Read our full Vietnam Responsible Travel & Social Enterprise Guide (and one more general responsible travel in Southeast Asia  to lessen your impact on any place you visit, then read below for specifics to Vietnam.

Let’s jump into activities you might want to do, as well as alternatives that are just as fun! And at the end, I share tips for responsible volunteering in Vietnam.

Engaging in Human Tourism

Vietnam is among the most unique places to participate in hill tribe tourism. Unlike the sketchy ethnic group tour options in Thailand , northern Vietnam has a well-developed infrastructure of hill tribe groups offering homestay and trekking. Most notably, Sapa O’Chau has a wonderful business model employing and supporting hill tribe communities.

Also, throughout Vietnam, home stays are a common and excellent way to respectfully visit rural communities, support the local economy, while also learning a lot about the people and culture. Use the regional and city guides below for links to community-based tourism options, and responsible tour companies throughout Vietnam.

Riding an Elephant

If you’ve long dreamed of riding one of these majestic creatures, you should read up on their treatment and what it takes to actually break an elephant’s will enough for it to perform tricks and ferry around tourists. It’s a sad industry and one that has grown exponentially alongside tourism.

Traditionally, the Southeast Asians used elephants for hard labor, to help clear land and forests. They make more money from tourism, however, and this has led to a cycle of overworked and abused animals. On the flip side of the debate , feeding an elephant costs a lot, and tourism (including rides) help  mahouts afford to properly care for their elephant. It’s a complex, complicated issue.

There are options though! To the best of my knowledge, there are no responsible elephant experiences in Vietnam. There are, however, several sanctuaries in Thailand and Cambodia that offer responsible traveler-elephant interactions. Travelers love  the responsible experience .

These sanctuaries are doing wonderful work to give elephants a home and a peaceful life. Avoid elephant experiences in Vietnam, and check out the Save Elephants Foundation to plan a visit in Thailand or Cambodia.

Side note. Generally, avoid riding any exotic wild animal. Riding ostriches in Dalat is gaining popularity and it’s beyond unfortunate. An ostrich’s body is not designed to hold an adult’s weight and these animals fully panic when ridden.  

Buying Endangered Animal Products

Vietnam has a massive industry built around selling, exporting, and trafficking in exotic wild animals. Likewise, many of these animals are used for tourist souvenirs. Avoid purchasing anything made from wild or endangered animals—turtle shells, skins, ivory, etc. And do not buy exotic animal meat or turtle eggs for consumption. Engaging in these practices is either illegal or contribute to the continuation of these destructive practices.

To ensure you’re buying authentic, ethical souvenirs handmade in Vietnam, shop at any of the fair trade shops that offer unique gifts made my vulnerable groups.

Haggling Too Much

Bargaining is a fun part of the culture in Vietnam, and it’s surely something you should engage in freely when buying fruit, souvenirs, and even tours. But be warned that certain over-touristed locations have started a dangerous precedence for the locals.

In Hoi An, for example, the prevalence of so many tailor shops has driven prices so low that some locations will accept a commission and lose money rather than lose business (the fabric is a sunk cost, so some are willing to lose net money if it means food on the table that night).

Bargain respectfully and remember, your sale is directly helping the local economy, so spend money and feel good about infusing your cash into the local economy.

Volunteering

Many travelers are keen to volunteer or support responsible businesses on the road. If you’re backpacking Southeast Asia, you may want to stop for a few weeks or months and support a cause near and dear to your heart. Since not all NGOs and volunteer companies are doing great work, consider this list of vetted independent volunteer opportunities in Vietnam .

Supporting Responsible Businesses

Vietnam has standout social enterprises operating all over the country. I highlight a few in the city guides below , and I profiled my absolute favorite social enterprises in Hoi An . Consider researching all of the options for supporting  social enterprises on your trip .

Supporting social enterprises is one of the easiest ways to create a trip with positive impact. This means picking businesses that are using funds to support local communities and to offer training, support, or to protect natural resources. You can do everything from get a massage or pick a trekking guide—all with companies committed to social impact.

Don’t forget to  book travel insurance for your trip —a great policy provides coverage in case of medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, adventure sports riders, and more. I’ve used  IMG Global  for more than a decade  highly recommend it !

Best Things to Do in Vietnam

Starting in southern Vietnam, I spent three months backing north through Vietnam. Many travelers pick a direction for their Vietnam travels since the country’s long and skinny shape lends itself to this style of travel—if you’re backpacking across Southeast Asia , your clockwise or counter-clockwise route through the region will determine where you start.

I used a combination of buses, trains, and budget airlines to skip over some long distances, but it’s super common for adventurous travelers to rent a motorbike and ride the length of Vietnam either independently, or on a tour, while exploring the vast number of things to do.

Three months doesn’t make me an expert, but I did find information was surprisingly scarce in some areas (the Mekong Delta), so I offer these city and regional suggestions below as an accounting of how I did the trip, great accommodation I discovered, and my favorite social enterprises and tasty eats.

My Favorite Experiences in Vietnam

• Sipping tea at the Reaching Out Teahouse in charming Hoi An .
• Boating through the Ha Long Bay region from Cat Ba Island.
• Boating through the karst rocks in Tam Coc.
• Spending lazy days in the sun-drenched colonial towns in the Mekong Delta region.

Best Things To Do in Saigon

Humidity, noise, and a friendly face greeted me when I landed in Ho Chi Minh City airport. My friend James has lived in Ho Chi Minh City (known as both HCMC and Saigon) for several years, and he met me at the airport and served as my official welcome party over the next two weeks I visited the city.

We mowed down on spring rolls the first night, and then toured a range of tasty veggie spots and coffee shops around the city. I am far from the expert on this massive, vibrant city, so I polled my global community of travelers for inspiration and guidance during my time.

And I researched, a lot. I detail the handful of things I did before I traveled south to the Mekong Delta, and I’ll link out to other fantastic resources that will allow you to eat and sightsee your way around Saigon.

Take a self-guided walking tour of District 1 highlights.

Most tourists stay in D1 and spend most of their time exploring this part of the city—it holds the bulk of the historical monuments, museums, buildings, and markets. Grab a map or use your smartphone to walk the city.

You could start at Ben Thanh market, then pass the Ho Chi Minh City Hall and head toward Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office—each of these are beautiful structures.

Be sure to enter the post office and look at the old city maps along the walls. From there, you can either head to a coffee shop along the waterfront and beat the heat of the day, or loop around to visit the two primary museums that tourists should visit.

Visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

You could combine this with your walking tour, or fill a different afternoon with these two activities. Each one is a must visit, though if you had to pick just one, I recommend that all Americans should visit the War Remnants Museum for a sobering take on the Vietnamese-American War.

Spend a half-day visiting markets and temples in Saigon’s Chinatown, Cholon.

Either take the bus or a mototaxi to Cholon in District 5. This makes for a fascinating morning wander, especially for photographers or those keen on visiting architecture and temples. Check out this blog post for all the details —I saved the map offline to my phone, then used it as a guide throughout the morning.

I started at Binh Tay Market (furthest point east of D1 on the map), and walked back toward District 1, zig-zagging through town to see the buildings, pagodas, and churches. I summoned an Uber back to D1 once I had reached the end of the marked Cholon sites. All told, it took three to four hours at a very leisurely pace.

Hang out at a coffee shop.

The coffee culture is alive and huge throughout Vietnam, but especially in Saigon, where local chains dot every corner and hipster boutique coffee shops hide in plain sight. Many cafes have balconies overlooking busy intersections or streets, making for prime people-watching.

These cafes are also the ideal place to work from if you have a bit of travel planning research or work on your docket. This post has a map you can use to find an expat’s extensive list of quirky, fun, and unusual coffee shops throughout the city.

Take a day trip.

There are several popular day trips from HCMC. The Củ Chi Tunnels is the most common and you can join a tour bus from the backpacker district for less than $10 for the day (negotiate, negotiate, negotiate). You could also head to  the beaches of Vung Tau . Although I skipped this day trip in favor of flying to Phu Quoc , Vung Tau is a popular day or weekend spot that is quite easy to get to from HCMC, from what I am told.

Lastly, you could take a day tour to the Mekong Delta—it’s a canned tourist experience with heavy sales pressure at points, but if you’re pressed for time, you could get a taste of the Delta on the day trip (I opted to spend nearly two weeks in the Mekong Delta and below I detail how you can navigate the sun-drenched delta towns).

If you go for the day or overnight tours, consider researching more creative tour experiences, like the Delta by Vespa , or a private guide navigating you by motorbike through the interesting towns.

Sip coffee at Quán Cà Phê Cheo Leo.

This is a completely local spot beloved by those who sip local iced coffee and tea throughout the day. The owner has been written up in several local publications for her decision to continue preparing the coffee using traditional methods.

Grab your coffee from a new spot every morning.

Chances are that your guesthouse or Airbnb has several neat coffee shops nearby. Star this free Google map of the city’s coffee shops and try a new one every day.

Eat something tasty in Saigon.

Vegetarians in Saigon will find a wide range of tasty eats, although it’s hard to eat street food throughout the city unless you know where to look. But there are a plenitude of tasty vegetarian restaurants. Use Saigon Vegetarian and Happy Cow for initial ideas, and I marked a few of my favorite spots on the Google Map. Although many of the vegetarian street eats are sweet and dessert-like, I’ve included a few street food stalls on the map, too.

• Sample tasty food at Hum Vegetarian, Cafe & Restaurant . (32 Võ Văn Tần). Convenient place to eat just near the War Remnant’s Museum. It’s mid-range price but the dishes are beautifully prepared, the setting is lovely, and I highly recommended eating here. It offers both Western and Vietnamese dishes, but there are plenty of tasty dishes that do not rely on fake meat.
• Find evening street eats near Mani Vegan . (291/2 Võ Văn Tần). Although I didn’t sample this restaurant, there is a street food stall out front that serves delicious vegetarian soups and spring rolls. She’s there most nights and was the only one serving food on that corner, but be sure to confirm it’s “chay” before eating.
• Use this street food guide to eat well in Saigon . It includes a rundown of the dishes, as well as where to find them in the city.

Sleep somewhere central in Ho Chi Minh City.

With several weeks in HCMC, I tested out a couple of accommodation locations before settling on a VRBO located on a quiet street about halfway between the Ben Than market and the Pham Ngu Lau backpacker/party district. J

ust a six-minute walk to either area, it was central without having a party vibe and few other tourists. Those on an extreme budget and those wanting proximity to the backpacker scene will likely stay in Pham Ngu Lau, others should look for a place walking distance to the main sights in District 1.

• Book a VRBO in a central spot . Vacation rentals in HCMC average about $30-60 for a modern room that sleeps two people and often includes a kitchen nook where you could store breakfast items. Some have multiple bedrooms or beds and can sleep more, or a few even offer penthouse views for a bit more money.
• Stay at a central hotel . Uber-budget travels should look at Vintage Hostel Saigon and La Hostel Saigon . Midrange options are plentiful, including Ngoc Phan Guesthouse and Town House 50 Saigon (both a hotel and a hostel), and for a nicer central spot, consider Cap Town Hotel .

Phu Quoc Travel Guide

Phu Quoc surprised me with its lovely vibe and laid-back beaches. After years of avoiding the party vibe on the busiest of the Thai islands, I had feared that Phu Quoc would follow a similar fate.

Well, it’s not there yet. I tacked this trip on the end of my three months and I flew round trip from Hanoi for less than $100—Vietnam’s budget airlines have amazing deals. So, with flights secured I enjoyed a full week down south, with my last days coinciding with Tet holidays.

I had anticipated either the place would be packed, or everything closed. In reality, most of the island is open during Tet, but the restaurants tack on a surcharge to every meal. You’ll find quiet beaches during the day, and a bit of a party at night, if you want it.

The night market underwhelmed me, but it’s there if you want seafood and souvenirs one night. Otherwise, head to a resort or bungalow for beach time. The island has a lot of investment income—new airport, new roads, new resorts, etc.

So it’s developed, but in the anticipation of large-scale tourism, which it’s not there yet. It’s a beautiful island and I recommend at least a few days here, especially if you are at the end of your travels and need to detox a bit.

Enjoy pristine sands at Sao Beach.

Located a 30-minute motorbike ride from Long Beach, this is the most gorgeous white sand beach you can imagine. It’s very lightly developed, so pack snacks, sunscreen, and a good book.

While there are many chair and towel rentals just near the parking lot, walk further down the beach for shady palms and open sands. To get there, I rented a motorbike from my accommodation and drove out there for the day with a travel friend.

Sleep somewhere budget but nice.

Stay at Kim Lien Phu Quoc Guesthouse for private budget accommodation. This guesthouse offers a convenient location and basic but clean accommodation.

Although the bungalows are not beachside, you are incredibly close. It’s a one minute walk through Rory’s Beach Bar to reach the sand and sun. The family is exceedingly lovely too, and I enjoyed my time there.

Splash out some cash for a great sleep.

Splurge for luxury at La Veranda Resort . While I didn’t stay here, I chatted with a Canadian couple several mornings in a row who use this resort as their go-to vacation spot in Vietnam. The husband works for Vietnam Airlines and they escape here on long weekends.

Sip drinks at Rory’s Beach Bar .

This spot is pricey by Vietnamese standards and it’s straight-up Western, which is sometimes welcome. The Aussie owners serve the best cappuccino on the island and offer creative Western dishes if you are jonesing for a change of flavors. It’s also the central backpacker hangout spot on Long Beach, so head here if you want drinks and a bit of a party vibe in the evening.

Eat at September Vegetarian.

September Vegetarian (141 Trần Hưng Đạo) offers creative vegetarian fare and tasty smoothies. The restaurant is right on the main street, so the location is unfortunate, but the staff is friendly and the food is great.

Enjoy beach-side barbecue.

Around sunset, all the beachside restaurants on Long Beach set up barbecue stations and display fresh, iced fish and seafood. While expensive, my traveling friends said their meals were spectacular. Walk along the beach at sunset and you can peruse the selections and find ones that hit your price points and food preferences.

Things to Do in Hoi An

My custom Google Map shares a full list of cafes and vegetarian friendly spots and you can easily save this map and see it overlaid on your own Maps app while you’re in town.

I was in Hoi An for several weeks, so I visited many places. For that reason, the cafes and restaurants are just my favorite spots that I found myself returning to time and again.

Visit the historic sights in Old Town.

You’ll buy a pass at one of the entrances to Old Town. This pass includes entrance tickets to any five of the 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each time you enter one, you’ll need to hand over your pass and they will snip one ticket.

Admire the Japanese Bridge.

The Japanese Bridge (Chùa Cầu) is obviously gorgeous and worth visiting and photographing, but the shrine inside is quite small and I don’t recommend that you hand over a ticket to visit—you can walk across the bridge with just your tourist pass, no ticket required. No matter how hard they try to snip your pass, don’t let them unless you’re keen to see the shrine. 

Photos from the bridge are lovely, although you will likely want to circle around to the small footbridge that gives you reflective views of the Japanese bridge in the water. Visit both day and night as it looks entirely different and they do a great job illuminating the structure.

Take in the vibes as you photograph Old Town.

Hoi An is seriously pretty. It’s also seriously touristy. More so than any other spot in Vietnam, you will find yourself navigating waves of Chinese and international tourists.

The crowds thicken throughout the day, so your best bet for gorgeous photographs is to roll out of bed early and stroll through town at sunrise. That’s when the sunshine-yellow houses look most atmospheric and you’ll be one of the few tourists up that early as the locals rush through breakfast and preparations for the day ahead.

This is a great blog post outlining timing and how to get gorgeous photographs in and around Hoi An . I was crushed that I couldn’t take  this photo tour , but the photographer was away leading a tour in Burma, so I’ll have to do it next time.

Visit all of the main sights at night, too!

Lanterns light the streets of Hoi An and it just couldn’t be more picturesque. If you enjoyed the city during the day, it’s time to take a look at your favorite parts at night, too.

Wander the central market.

You’ll find a labyrinth of food stalls inside of the central market, and numerous fruit and vegetable sellers lining the streets around the market. This is a good spot for lunch (there is one veg-friendly restaurant in the northeast corner inside), and also just interesting to see and experience the bustle of locals going about their daily business.

Sip tea and support a social enterprise.

Stop by the Reaching Out Teahouse (131 Trần Phú). Visiting this teahouse was a highlight of my time in Hoi An. It’s a quiet sanctuary away right in the center of Old Town. While the streets can be crushingly busy, the teahouse is run as a social enterprise employing deaf people from the local community.

The staff communicate through gestures, small word blocks, and notes. It’s thoroughly lovely and I recommend the tea or coffee tasting and sampling all the handmade sweets. Read my full profile on this delightful social enterprise.

Visit the temples and historic halls.

There are several main temples that travelers should explore to soak in Vietnam’s cultural heritage. One key significant site is the Quan Cong Temple, dedicated to General Quan Cong, adorned with exquisite carvings and remarkable craftsmanship.

Additionally, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, and Quan Thang Ancient House are must-visit destinations, each showcasing distinctive architectural features and offering insights into the town’s history and multicultural influences.

The map above shows the five places I think you should visit in Hoi An if you buy just one tourist pass while in town. These include the three ancient houses of: Tan Ky, Duc An, and Quan Thang. Also visit The Museum of Trade Ceramics, and Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall—the most impressive of the ones in Hoi An.

The Museum is low-key and the most interchangeable of the recommendations, so consider visiting a second assembly hall if you’re not keen on reading about the history of trading and how that built Hoi An.

Bike the rice paddies (and stop for coffee and treats!).

Many guesthouses provide free bicycles for your use, or you can easily rent one in town. While you can use the bike to navigate around town, you should also head out on the road toward the beach and get lost in the rice paddies.

It’s nigh impossible to actually get lost, so you should instead wander through narrow lanes and dig deep into this rural slice of life right outside of touristy Hoi An.

You could also stop by  Jack’s Cat Cafe for a coffee and cat cuddles—this social enterprise supports strays.

Visit the beach.

Near the beaches, try P&B Restaurant for food (corner of Nguyễn Phan Vinh and Hai Ba Trung) and Sound of Silence for a coffee—it’s has a great indie vibe.

Enjoy delicious vegetarian eats.

Eat something great at Minh Hien Vegetarian Restaurant (50 Trần Cao Vân). This is the best all-around vegetarian restaurant in town. They have an extensive menu with a range of options. This is a good spot to try vegetarian versions of local Hoi An specialties. They also have an informal cooking class every afternoon.

Other great vegetarian eats include:

• STREETS Restaurant Café   was one of my favorite nice dining experiences in the city. This social enterprise is right in Hoi An’s old city and has a hospitality and culinary training program for disadvantaged young people in the community. The restaurant not only provides opportunity to youth but also funding to the work of STREETS INTERNATIONAL, an organization that develops and operates sustainable programs for street kids and disadvantaged youth in SE Asia and throughout the world. I LOVED their vegetarian cao lau (this is a dish local to Hoi An) and you should try it here (they have a non-veg version too).
• Bánh mì Phượng . (2B Phan Châu Trinh). The most famous place in Hoi An for the iconic Vietnamese sandwich. The egg one is vegetarian option, but make sure to also reiterate that you want it vegetarian so that they don’t use pâté or any other meat ingredients. Meat-eating friends said it truly was the best banh mi of their entire trip through Vietnam.
• Sample other restaurants. Morning Glory has beautiful dishes of Vietnamese food and several tasty vegetarian options—it’s midrange prices but a great spot for meat-eaters to try the local Hoi An dishes. I deeply enjoyed the pizza at Good Morning Vietnam (near Morning Glory, the general Google Maps location is wrong; my map pinpoints it accurately). My custom Google Map shows all my other favorite spots. Or my friends Simon and Erin have shared a great guide to vegetarian restaurants in Hoi An , which provides a few recommendations that I did not include here.

Sample the best coffees in Hoi An—there are a lot!

• The Hill Station Deli & Cafe . (321 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu). A stunningly pretty spot, make sure you go upstairs. This is the most hipster spot in town and a surprisingly quiet setting to sit with a laptop or a book. If you’re into Instagramming against textured walls, you’ll be here doing that for hours. The menu offers artisanal cheeses and high-end charcuterie, as well as a mix of neat jams and other items from various provinces in Vietnam. The coffee is well-priced and equivalent to any place in town. The meals are a bit more dear, with most things starting at 100,000+ dong per dish. I spent Sunday mornings as the only person writing in the picture-perfect room upstairs.
• Faifo Coffee . This spot has excellent coffee and gorgeous upper floors with views of Old Town. Very chill place to sip coffee and relax.

Sleep somewhere nice.

• Midrange : Longan Homestay is my absolute top recommendation for budget to mid-range travelers. This spot is a four-minute walk to the Japanese Bridge entrance to Old Town, and an easy 15 minute walk to the backpacker street. It’s on a quiet side street, so you will get a good night’s sleep. Plus, it’s nice to be away from the action, but still so close. The family is so lovely and I spent two weeks here so that I could catch up on work while still exploring from a convenient base.
• Budget : Backpacker accommodation is condensed into one area, and it’s a bit intense if you’re spending anything more than a few days in town. Stay at  Tipi Hostel for the a classic uber-budget backpacker option where you’ll meet new people and it won’t break the bank.
• Stay near the beach : To stay near the water, head to An Bang Vana Villas  for budget accommodation, and Under the Coconut Tree for mid-range prices in a quirky setting. 

Hue Travel Guide

Central Vietnam experienced historic flooding and rains during my visit, and this impacted my time in both Hoi An and Hue. For that reason, I don’t have a heap of information on what to do. I spent three days in Hue, and it rained buckets each day. I stayed close to town, wore sandals, used an umbrella and poncho, and explore anyhow.

Plus, I loved my guesthouse so much that I have to include it here. So if you are visiting Hue, you will need to use other guides too, but here are the things I loved from my friend time there.

• Stay at Hong Thien Ruby Hotel . One of the nicest places I stayed. The entire hotel is recently renovated. Although rooms are small, beds are cozy and all is spotless. It’s a great price too. Plus, the free breakfast is speedy and unlimited, and they always had welcome drinks and fruit plates when I returned from sightseeing. Can’t recommend it highly enough that you stay here while in Hue.
• Eat at Red Chili . There are many thoroughly tasty vegetarian items on the menu—good variety and well-flavored tofu dishes. The staff is friendly and didn’t mind when I camped out with a book and a hot tea one afternoon to beat the rain. It’s conveniently in the budget touristy area of town and makes for a great dinner or lunch.
• Eat at Lien Hoa Vegetarian Restaurant . This place is large and very popular with locals. The food was hit or miss for me as it’s heavy on the dishes made with textured fake meats. That said, the menu is extensive and it’s likely that there are many fantastic dishes (but the menu is not in English, so bring your cheat sheet of Vietnamese phrases and foods).
• Visit the Kinh thành Huế Royal Palace . The expansive Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has large grounds and beautiful elements. Built in 1362, construction took 203 years to complete. This was the seat of religious and political power during the last royal dynasty in Vietnam, and visiting the Hue Complex is the primary reason many travelers pass through Hue.
• Venture out to Thien Mu Pagoda . Located on the river outside of town, this is a part of the UNESCO sites in Hue. Either arrange for transportation and a guide with your guesthouse, or you could easily bicycle out to this spot. This pagoda is included in the day tours outside of town.
• Consider using  Hearts for Hue tour operators . Its main purpose is to improve the living conditions of the boat people in Thua Thien Hue Province, just outside Hue. It runs tours to local community projects as a way to generate income for its programs.

Hanoi Travel Guide

Densely packed and filled with history, visiting Old Town Hanoi is an experience unlike any other city in Vietnam. While some areas of Vietnam ooze charm (here’s looking at you, Hoi An), and in some the pace of life moves at a glacier pace (hello, Mekong Delta), Hanoi has a vibe entirely its own. The jumble of people, sights, smells makes every moment in the city feel alive.

I spent more than five weeks in Hanoi house sitting over the holiday season. The expats returned home for the holidays, and I had a gorgeous flat overlooking the lake in Tay Ho—the residential and quieter part of the city.

I spent one week of that time in a wonderful hotel in Old Town that comes with my utmost recommendation. While there are many guides to the city far more comprehensive than my own, here’s a brief list of my favorite places and sights.

Use your smartphone to zip around the city.

I used Uber almost exclusively in the city, although I used the public bus once or twice from the airport (so handy!), and used private VIP coaches between cities around Hanoi for my day trips.

This map has the Hanoi bus routes if you’re feeling enthused to sort it all out. If you don’t use Uber or Grab, you should only use one of three trusted taxi groups Mai Linh Taxi (0438-222-666), Taxi CP (0438-262-626), or Hanoi Taxi (0438-535-353).

Take a Hanoi Kids tour of Old Town.

Hanoi Kids is a social enterprise that offers free personalized city tours run by students who want to practice their English and learn of other cultures. Any donations go to the organization, not the guides, which keeps the entire exchange as this sweet experience of pure cultural exchange.

You can ask your guide to show you any aspect of the city—food, architecture, history, markets—and you will pay for their entrance fees into the sites, and any transportation, but nothing else.

I went on the tour after an ALA reader raved about her experience, and I echo her sentiments—it’s a fabulous way to see the city and you will end the day with a new friend. Highly recommend.

Visit the Temple of Literature.

This Confucian temple is gorgeous and a real highlight of the various temples in Hanoi. It was the first national university in Vietnam and it’s well-preserved and lovely to stroll the shady grounds on a nice day.

Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake and visit the temple.

Old Town circles this lake, so it’s easy to visit. Walk around the lake on a weekend morning and you will see many locals using the parks for exercise and enjoyment.

Relax at Omamori Spa.

Omamori Spa is a social enterprise that employs the blind, and the massages are spectacular. The only downside is that it’s far outside of Old Town, so you will need to use Grab or Uber for transportation. Call or email ahead for a reservation as it’s a small spot.

Organize a tour to Sapa with Sapa O’Chau social enterprise. 

Sapa O’Chau is phenomenal social enterprise offering tours to Sapa with local guides and a lot of input from the indigenous groups you would visit. Includes treks, homestays, and most anything you’re interested in doing in Sapa.

Learn how to make your favorite Vietnamese dishes.

You’ve surely been mowing down on delicious Vietnamese food throughout your travels in the country, but you should consider learning the secret to all of those amazing flavors. Book a morning or afternoon cooking class with Rose Kitchen Hanoi to visit a local market for ingredients before having the chance to whip up your favorite Vietnamese dishes.

Try egg coffee!

You can’t leave Hanoi without sampling egg coffee, which is unlike anything you’ve likely tried before. Originating during the war, when milk was in scarce supply, the frothy, sweet egg coffee drink is delightful.

Although you will find many shops offering it, Giảng Cafe (39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân) is the best place to sample for the first time. Read more on the history of egg coffee , and this shop.

Pull up a tiny stool alongside locals for a delicious street food desert.

Mow down on chè, a local desert. On your evening wanders, stop by  Chè 4 mùa (4 Hàng Cân), pull up a tiny stool among the locals, and point to whatever looks tasty. Although no one spoke English, the proprietress brought me the dish of the night, a sugary-sweet concoction with sesame and ginger.

Drink lots of Vietnamese coffee.

Vietnamese, in general, loves coffee, and Hanoians are no different. There are dozens and dozens of great coffee shops in Old Town Hanoi. Use the map to find my favorites when you’re out and about.

Eat something tasty.

If you’re on a gastronomic trip through Vietnam, then you should start your Hanoi travels by reading Eating Viet Nam , a chronicle of a journalist’s quest to eat the streets of Hanoi. Then try some of these wonderful restaurants in the city.

• KOTO Training Restaurant . (59 Van Mieu). This hospitality training restaurant aims to give at-risk and disadvantaged youth the possibility to learn and thrive in their lives. Located conveniently near the Temple of Literature, which you should visit, the food is priced mid-range and has many great Vietnamese dishes. It’s a social enterprise and mission worth supporting.
• Eat at the Hanoi Social Club .  (6 Ngõ Hội Vũ ) . Delicious western food and has several great vegetarian options. It’s all very healthy and the vibe is cozy and nice, although very Western. There is live music certain nights during the week, so check the Facebook for details. Although not a formal social enterprise, the restaurant aims to hire those who have just finished the hospitality training programs.
• Sample favorite student street eats . This street food guide  lists the most iconic dishes, and where the university students running Hanoi Kids go to find them.

Sleep somewhere central.

• Midrange : Mai Charming Hotel  is my favorite spot in Hanoi .  After several failed attempts at a good hotel, I found this budget to mid-range option, and then extended my stay since I so enjoyed my time here. Located near the cathedral, the staff go out of their way to make your stay amazing. Every single staff member learned my name and greeted me warmly, and provided great advice for onward travel. It’s central, cozy, and the free breakfast is filling. Rooms are newly renovated and bathrooms are modern—the most budget rooms are very small, but completely worked for one person. While there are certainly budget hostels, and pricier hotels, this place offers great value for money.
• Budget : Head to Hanoi Lotus Hostel for a nice budget travel spot. I booked a spot here after some long weeks of travel, when I was returning to the city and wanted to meet other travelers. There are many mega party hostels in Hanoi, and this seemed like a good alternative. A glitch in their system meant my booking didn’t go through (cue me scrambling for a place to sleep), but I did check out the place and would easily try again if I needed a hostel option in the city (they have a private room).

Mekong Delta Travel Guide

Many backpackers head to the Delta on a one- or two-day arranged tour from Saigon. This is a mistake. If you have a few days (or a week), head to the region as an independent traveler.

For me, I took the one-day tour to My Tho from Saigon and I brought my luggage with me and then journeyed on to Ben Tre instead of returning to Saigon with the tour bus. This is convenient if you want an easy ride out of town, but the tour is awful. It’s one of the worst packaged tourist experiences in my many years on the road.

Consider just heading straight to Ben Tre, or better yet, catch a bus to Can Tho, where I had a phenomenal tour organized from my guesthouse (more on that in second).

I took a mototaxi to Ben Tre from My Tho, and I spent two nights in Ben Tre, using my full day to take a long and scenic bike ride around the nearby islands. The next morning, I took a scenic cargo boat for six hours to Tra Vinh, a quaint and quiet city with a lively day market and a few interesting Khmer temples.

From Tra Vinh, I took a cheap and fast bus ride to Vinh Long, just 1.5 hours. Near Vinh long is the Cai Be market; it’s a larger market with the bigger boats selling bulk vegetables to vendors in the area. My tour left at 6am and returned by noon, so I took an afternoon bus to Can Tho, which was less than an hour away.

In Can Tho, I took a deep breath for the final push of early morning wake ups and river tours. I had the option of visiting the larger Cai Rang floating market and Phong Dien, or doing an alternative tour to Phong Dien and then a backwaters tour of the villages. I am so glad I did the second option as it was fascinating and exactly what I had hoped for in a tour of the Mekong Delta. From Can Tho, I took a cheap VietJet flight to Da Nang.

• Stay at the  Oasis Hotel , this is the best accommodation option in town. It’s run by a Kiwi-Vietnamese couple, and the owner Ken is a character. It’s spotless, breakfast is tasty, and it has many cozy touches and a Western-style bed. Ken is a fountain of advice for onward travel too, especially if you are looking to explore the area off the path a bit.
• Relax with a drink . If you’re staying at Oasis, Coffee 3D is very close and is a great spot for an afternoon coffee or a sweet smoothie after dinner. It has wifi and a very relaxed vibe of teens and young couples hanging out.
• Bike through the countryside . Oasis provides free bicycles to guests and this makes navigating Ben Tre a cinch. Using the giant map painted on the guesthouse wall, I followed a route through the tiny paths and used tiny ferries to bike across two nearby islands. It was about an 18 kilometre ride that took about four hours with many stops for photos and coconuts to refuel—it was lovely.
• Visit the night market . Along the riverbank each evening you can find the usual street foods and wares for sale. It’s a pleasant, low-key town and the market reflects that.

• Visit the morning market . This morning market is my favorite in all of the Mekong towns. Tra Vinh sees few tourists and so the locals have a fresh and delightful joy in seeing you wander around. Many vendors beckoned me to their stalls and then asked to take their photo, or they asked me to photograph their son/cousin/reluctant brother, etc. It was a lovely way to spend the morning before my bus ride.
• Sleep somewhere central . Khách Sạn Thanh Trà is serviceable and central but completely underwhelming; this is where I stayed. They have several tiny rooms at backpacker to mid-range prices and will never be fully booked. If I go back, I will try Gia Hoa 2 , which looks just generally a bit nicer. Or consider staying in the rural areas at a nicer location, like the Coco Riverside Lodge , which looks a bit swanky and lovely.
• Stop at the Chùa Mạc Dồn pagoda . This is located very near to the bus station (which is on the outskirts a ways out of town) so it’s easiest to pay for your mototaxi/taxi to stop for a few minutes here before dropping you off at the bus station.
• Cai Be Floating Market . I organized the tour from my guesthouse and it had overtones of the My Tho tour, but nicer. The tour stopped at a coconut candy factory and honey farm, but it there was no pressure to buy and far fewer tourists. If you’re into the idea of visiting these shops and seeing how they make it, opt for a tour from Vinh Long. Alternatively, if you’re just interested in seeing the Cai Be floating market then you can bargain at the dock and arrange a morning tour with a guide who will motor you out to the market in a tiny boat, show you around, and then motor you back—I would do this option if I ever return.
• Van Tram Guesthouse is very near to everything and was perhaps the nicest value of all my time in Vietnam. The rooms are large and spotless. The only downside is the karaoke across the street until 10pm-ish. I had planned to stay at Hotel Ánh Hồng, but it was fully booked and I was good with Van Tram as my alternative since it turned out the most central budget option. Also, most tourists stayed on the island in a homestay. Having just come from very rural areas, I opted to stay in a guesthouse, otherwise, I had picked out the Bay Trung Homestay .
• Eat veggie food or at the local market . The owner of Van Tram Guesthouse did me a solid by scooting me across town to a hole-in-the-wall vegetarian restaurant. It’s linked on my custom backpacking Vietnam map . The market is just outside the hotel’s front door and makes a great dinner spot for non-vegetarians. If you’re wandering near the market at sunset, check the map and walk across the small bridge—great views and a long board walk on the other side makes for a wonderful stroll.
• Sip drinks riverside at Cafe Hoa Nắng . While I would not eat here, I did enjoy a coffee mid-afternoon and a cold been in the evenings. This is more than just a tourist spot, it’s favored with locals and makes for great people-watching.

Can Tho has an airport easily accessible from the city center. Viet Jet flies from Can Tho to various other cities around Vietnam (I flew to Hoi An/ Da Nang, and many travelers also fly to Phu Quoc or Hanoi). This was my last stop in the Mekong Delta before I jumped half-way up Vietnam to Hoi An.

The city is very plain; it’s primarily a stop-over point for travelers exploring the floating markets, or those en route to Cambodia. I actually traveled north, and then headed back down to spend a week lounging on the beaches in Phu Quoc—I highly recommended heading there after Can Tho so that you don’t have to back track.

• Visit Cai Rang and Phong Dien morning markets . Plan on a very early morning as the Cai Rang market begins as early as 5am. Many tours leave Can Tho around 5:30am so that you arrive while there is still a lot of activity. If you stay at a homestay then you will cut about an hour off of your morning commute to the market. These markets showcase a fading way of life. As bridges span more of the rivers, these floating markets are shrinking. It’s a lovely way to spend a morning.
• Stay at the  Mekong Logis Guesthouse  in Can Tho . I highly recommend this guesthouse; it’s among my favorite places that I stayed in Vietnam. The family is fantastic and so accommodating and the rooms are spotless and comfortable. The family goes out of their way to ensure you have all the knowledge and help that you need to enjoy Can Tho. I took Linh’s special tour. We rode motorbikes outside of town and then visited the smaller of the two markets by boat. After a tasty breakfast, we toured the smaller rivers and visited a few homes in the rural areas. She shares a lot about the culture and people as she shows you the region. The family speak French and English. Because I had already seen the market near Vinh Long, I appreciated that this tour included a few other aspects.
• Stay at the Nguyen Shack Homestay  outside of town . I had definitely planned to stay here as my favored homestay in the Delta, but this place books up far in advance. It’s a lovely location and my best friend loved her time there so much that she wrote about the love story of the couple who run it . It’s outside of Can Tho proper and closer to the floating markets. You can arrange tours directly through them, too. And the market tours are generally cheaper from Nguyen Shack because you’ve already paid to travel outside of town.

Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba Island

This is a signature item on the bucket list for travelers in Vietnam. It’s a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site and worthy of a visit, truly. Before I visited, I had heard awful stories from travelers who had been scammed or disappointed by the experience of visiting Ha Long Bay.

The area is well trodden on the tourist path and, as such, there are a range of experiences on offer, and some are cringe-worthy. The moment that you step foot in the north of Vietnam, you will have no shortage of companies promising to arrange your Ha Long Bay excursion.

For my trip, I got myself to Cat Ba Island and only then entertained the various organizations trying to woo my business. I found a highly-acclaimed, locally-owned tour company and used them for a one-day trip around Lan Ha and Ha Long Bays. It was beautiful and I loved the experience. One of the sections below shares information for those also visiting via Cat Ba Island.

What Are Your Options?

• Book a Round-Trip Experience from Hanoi . If you are short on time, this is likely your best option. The companies will arrange for your transfer from Hanoi to the coast (about 4-5 hours all-in from Hanoi to the bay area). They will then put you on a boat for a one- to three-day liveaboard experience where you cruise around the karst rocks. The quality of your live-aboard varies wildly depending on your budget and your tour company. After your cruise, your tour deposits you back on a shuttle and brings you back to Hanoi.
• Stay on Cat Ba Island & Explore From There . Use the shuttle transfers to make the trip between Hanoi and Cat Ba Island (by way of Haiphong, since you’ll need to take a ferry to the island). From there, rent a room at the very affordable hotel rooms (private budget rooms are less than $10). Then organize either a day trip, or a multi-day experience. You will also have the chance to visit the beautiful national park on the island. From there, organize a shuttle back to Hanoi, onward to Sapa, or to Ninh Binh/Tam Coc.
• Visit a Different, Less Touristed Bay . Ha Long Bay has very likely reached peak tourism capacity. The UNESCO area extends across the entire Ha Long Bay Archipelago and to many other bays that are equally beautiful. When on Cat Ba Island, you are adjacent to Lan Ha Bay, which you can easily visit on a Cat Ba cruise. But there is one other main option that is just emerging on the tourism scene. Several travelers that I met in early 2017 had beautiful experiences on Bai Tu Long Bay. The boats running here are a bit pricier, but they are better maintained and it’s a far more remote and tranquil experience.

How to Choose a Tour Company

My hands-down best advice: Wait before booking. Do NOT allow any hotel or tour operator to pressure you into booking a trip before you have sat down with several companies and then researched them all on Trip Advisor.

The most common “scam”—which I use the word lightly because it’s not a full scam, it’s a case of unmet expectations—is to book you on a low-quality boat and take you on an underwhelming but well-trodden path. Some of the boats are dirty, dingy, and infested with rats or roaches.

When you book through a budget hotel or operator, there is no telling which company is actually running your tour.

Find a reputable company. Truly take your time deciding which company you use to book the multi-day cruises. I painstakingly researched before selecting Cat Ba Ventures , a locally run business of repute and was well pleased with the quality of my tour. Here are a few things to consider before booking.

• Quality of the boat . Many of the boats operating in Ha Long Bay are very old; some of the rock-bottom priced budget options are patently unsafe. There are high-end luxury boats, but you would likely have a good trip on a mid-range choice too, it’s not necessary to go luxury to have a good trip, it’s just necessary to know the quality of your boat. The less touristed bays tend to use newer boats from what the locals told me when I chatted them up on Cat Ba Island.
• Sights Visited . If you take a budget backpacker tour you can be 100% sure that you will share the bay each evening with hundreds of other boats, and your boat may tend toward the closer caves and inlets that don’t require much fuel for the boat to visit. If you do just one night, you really lack the time to visit anything in the remote areas of the bay. When you start from a different bay, or the island, you are able to see less touristed areas since you are starting far from the most popular tourist city, Ha Long City.
• Reputation . There are  hundreds of tour operators booking trips. They dot every single corner of the northern cities. Use Trip Advisor to find one that you trust. Read the hotel reviews too for any associated properties as many guests book through the hotels and then include the review of the boat trip in their general review of that hotel. Hotels make a hefty sum from your tour package so they have an incentive to charge more and book you on the most budget option they can find. This happens a lot. Research.
• Price . The adage “you get what you pay for” proves true here. You don’t have to blow money to enjoy the trip, but I would highly recommend considering Cat Ba Island as a base for budget backpackers instead of the packaged trips to Ha Long Bay. You will pay about the same, so it’s still budget, but it’s just alternative enough to provide a better experience for the same price.

Cat Ba Island Travel Guide

• Get to Cat Ba Island with a shuttle service . Your hotel in Old Town can organize transport, or you can book it through either Good Morning Cat Ba (what I used to get there) or email  Cat Ba Ventures to organize (that’s who I used to book onward trip to Tam Coc).
• Use Cat Ba Ventures for your boat excursion . This company has, by far, the best reputation on the island for a strong standard of service. The tours are priced mid-range, and the vibe on the boats is very nice since everyone paid a bit more to enjoy their trip. I took their one-day trip with kayaking.  Cat Ba Local  is much newer to the scene, but as of early 2017, feedback from other travelers indicated it was a more affordable alternative for budget travelers looking for something a small step down from Cat Ba Ventures but still well-run.
• Go rock climbing with Asia Outdoors . This is the only organization you should use if you are keen to organize rock climbing; it has a highly trained staff and was the original company pioneering the rock climbing scene in the region.

Day & Weekend Trips Around Northern Vietnam

The north of Vietnam is a gorgeous region of the country and has many of Vietnam’s most notable backpacker experiences. If you’re heading south, there are also gorgeous spots worth an overnight stay at the very least.

Tam Coc/Ninh Binh

• Stay at Nam Hoa Hotel  in Tam Coc . I love this hotel so much. The staff is lovely beyond measure. The rooms are small but spotless and freshly renovated. It’s mid-range if you’re solo, but budget if you’re a couple and able to split a room. Breakfast included and an easy walk to town. Bike rental is free and the bikes are in great condition. Highly recommend that you use this as your base, I will stay here again.
• Homestay at Nguyen Shack . Although I loved Nam Hoa Hotel, I would be remiss to not recommend Nguyen Shack as a gorgeous homestay option. This tiny Vietnamese chain of bungalows is thoroughly lovely. If you’re after a home-stay experience then it will get no better than here. Book in advance as it is often fully booked.
• Eat at Sunflower Restaurant . Vegetarian options and is a low-key, locally run restaurant serving good food. There aren’t a ton of eating options in town, so this is a good lunch or dinner choice.
• Visit Hang Mua Cave by bike . The bike ride here is flat and easy, or you could ask the taxi to Tran An to stop here as well. However, you get there, hike to the top here for sweeping views over the river. My friend Jimmy visited, and his Tam Coc photos show just how beautiful it is at the top if the weather is on your side (it wasn’t the day I visited).
• Bike to Bich Dong Pagoda . This is a pretty spot and an easy ride from town. Although it’s not a “must visit,” if you have an extra afternoon in town, it’s worth visiting.
• Take a boat tour from Tràng An . If you’re staying in Tam Coc, rent a taxi for a couple of hours and take the boat tour from Trang An, rather than those offered in Tam Coc. The tours are run with precision since this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the scenery is stunning.

Onward Travel

Having spent years backpacking Southeast Asia across many trips, plan your time in the following locations.

Thailand » Chiang Mai | Digital Nomad Costs | Elephant Tourism | Loy Krathong | Songkran | Bo Sang | Transportation, Explained | Fun Facts

Vietnam » Hoi An | Eating Vegetarian

Laos » Luang Prabang | Gibbon Experience | Mekong River | Kuang Si Waterfalls | Pak Ou Caves | Vang Vieng

Cambodia » Angkor Wat | Apsara Dancing

Myanmar » Bagan | Inle Lake | Yangon | Hpa-An | Eating Vegetarian | Spirituality | Burmese Hospitality

How to Plan Your Time in Southeast Asia

📍 Navigate more effectively. Bookaway  is super handy to assess the full range of transport options between two cities—it shows everything from flights to trains, buses, minibuses, and more. If you’re booking a rental car, I’ve always found the best deals on  RentalCars.com .

🛏️  Find great accommodation . Agoda has the widest and most affordable selection in Southeast Asia. It’s part of the Booking.com family, but has better reviews for SEA. You can book hotels, hostels, and even vacation rentals.

❗ Yes, you need travel insurance . IMG Global  is the travel insurance I’ve used for well over a decade of traveling solo, and with kids.  Here’s why .

Book Tours Ahead of Time I use Get Your Guide to book locally run tours since I can assess the options, read reviews, and lock in a date.

✈️  Book affordable flights. Expedia and Skyscanner are the first places I look for  low-cost flights .

🧳 Smart packing can save your trip. Shop my favorite travel gear , including all of the packing essentials for traveling , gear to keep you safe in Southeast Asia, my favorite travel books , and more.

📖 Read up on any off-the-path activities. Travelfish is among my go-to resources for anything in Southeast Asia. It’s updated far more often than print guidebooks and has extensive local insight and a fairly active forum, too. If you head off-the-path, this should be the first place you check for tips, transport advice, etc.

☕ Peruse all of my tips for round the world travel , or learn how to move and live abroad .

Vietnam Travel Guide: Travel Stories from the Blog

Discover all of my travel stories blogged in real-time while I was traveling through this beautiful country.

A Little Delight… Stories of Responsible Travel in Hoi An, Vietnam

• Vietnam Travel Stories

• Travel Stories

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More Travel Tips & Hacks for Vietnam

• Vietnam - Solo Travel Tips
• Vietnam - Travel Stories
• Vietnam - Things to do
• Vietnam - Travel Itineraries
• Vietnam - Travel Couples
• Vietnam - Solo Female Travel
• Vietnam - Digital Nomad Tips
• Vietnam - Visa Information
• Vietnam - Cheap Flights

Travel Guide for Top Cities in Vietnam

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Vietnam Travel Blog

So you are off to Vietnam! One of our favourite places in Asia and it will always remain a country that we return to time and time again!  

To help you prepare for your Vietnam holiday, you can read our pre-Vietnam travel advice post (which also contains info on popular places to visit in Vietnam), and then use our post on fun things to do in Vietnam .

Vietnam is a great destination for couples, friends or for families. Here is a list of the best places to see in Vietnam .

To get you in the mood for your trip, check out our suggestion of books to read .  You can read all our best posts in this Vietnam travel blog section.

Vietnam can be really rainy, so please check our post on the best time to visit Vietnam before booking your tickets.

Vietnam with Kids

Vietnam is an easy Asian country to travel to with kids.  

Vietnam holidays are pretty affordable (if not cheap) and it is easy to find drivers that can take you around to the popular Vietnam attractions.  

Many of the best attractions in Vietnam are outdoors which can make things much easier for travelling families.

There is a wide range of gorgeous family hotels in Vietnam; most of which offer swimming pools and kids’ clubs.

A holiday in Vietnam with kids might be a bit exotic, but it is a safe destination to visit and there are loads of learning experiences available for the kids.

Best Accommodation in Vietnam

If you are looking for the best accommodation in Vietnam, check out our guide to the best choices:

• Where to Stay in Vietnam
• Best Hoi An Hotels
• Where to Stay in Hanoi
• Best hotels in Sapa
• Which cruise is the best Halong Bay cruise ?  Click to find out.

Vietnam Tours

A lot of travellers feel more comfortable travelling around Vietnam on an organized tour.

If you prefer to visit Vietnam on an organized tour; we have compiled a list of the best tours of Vietnam .

Vietnam Transport Guides

For helpful information on how to get around on your Vietnam trip, click to read the guide below:

• How to get from Hanoi to Sapa (& vice versa)
• How to get from Danang to Hoi An (& vice versa)
• How to get from Hanoi to Hoi An (& vice versa)
• How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay (& vice versa)
• How to get from Sapa to Halong Bay (& vice versa)

One-Page Guides to Help You Plan

Your quick guide to planning your trip to Hanoi .

Vietnam Itineraries

We want to share some fabulous Vietnam itineraries with you all. First one on our list:

• Vietnam in 5 Days – How to spend 5 days in either the North, the South or in central Vietnam.

Vietnam Travel Guides

You can read our guides to:

• Hanoi Travel Blog Posts
• Sapa Travel Blog Posts
• Halong Bay Travel Blog Posts
• Hoi An Travel Blog Posts
• HCMC Travel Blog Post
• Phu Quoc Travel Blog Post

Plan Your Trip to Vietnam

Here are some resources to help you plan your holiday in Vietnam.

• Vietnam Packing List

Accommodation in Vietnam: 

We always start our accommodation research with HotelsCombined.  

This site makes it super easy to compare accommodation across various booking engines so that you can simply pick the best price for the accommodation of your choice.

We also often book through sites such as Airbnb, especially when we travel in Europe as it allows for massive savings on accommodation.

We also recommend you book a cruise for both Halong Bay as well as Mekong River. You can find a selection of fabulous Mekong River cruises to book.

Flights to Vietnam

We personally book our flights on  Cheapo Air , we find that they are often the cheapest (even in comparison to  Skyscanner ).   Click to check on prices for your flights .

Travel Insurance

We never travel without  travel insurance with Safety Wing . We have claimed on our travel insurance more than once, claims that would have cost us A LOT out of our own pockets.  Don’t skimp out on insurance!! 

Safety Wing offers incredible plans and is one of the few insurance companies that allow you to grab insurance when you are already travelling!   Click to check on their plans and prices .

Find all of our Vie tnam Travel Blog Posts Below

Where to Stay in Hanoi Old Quarter: 15 of the Best Hotels

Are you looking for where to stay in Hanoi on your next visit? Our selection of the best hotels in Hanoi will guide you to … CONTINUE READING

7 Best Walking Tours in Hanoi (Old Quarter, Private, Food & More)

Have you been wondering which tour is the best walking tour in Hanoi? I’ve got you covered! Vietnam is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes, … CONTINUE READING

15 Best Hotels in Sapa, Vietnam (2024)

If you are after the best hotels in Sapa Vietnam then you came to the right place! Here you can find the top 15 best … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate Guide on How to get from Danang to Hoi An (& Vice Versa)

When traveling from Danang to Hoi An, in Vietnam, there are a few options you can choose. Those options are a private car, taxi, bus … CONTINUE READING

9 Halong Bay Cruise Reviews By Travel Bloggers (Which Is Best?)

I don’t see how you can go to Vietnam and not book in a cruise on Halong Bay. In my opinion, it is one of … CONTINUE READING

Vietnam Packing List [Travel Essentials & What to Pack for Vietnam]

Known for sparkling rivers, stunning beaches, and enchanting Buddhist pagodas, the South Asian country of Vietnam on the South China Sea attracts thousands of tourists … CONTINUE READING

16 of the Absolute Best Halong Bay Cruise Recommendations in 2024!

Are you looking for the best Halong Bay cruise recommendation for your next holiday in Vietnam?Join in with thousands of happy travelers on a trip … CONTINUE READING

Adventure-Packed One Week in Vietnam Itinerary (North & South)

Are you wondering if it is possible to explore Vietnam in a week? If you are planning a trip to this marvellous country, you would … CONTINUE READING

5 Days In Vietnam Itineraries (North, Central & South Options)

Are 5 days in Vietnam enough for a tourist? What is the optimal Vietnam 5-day itinerary? Vietnam is fast becoming an incredible tourist destination! Located … CONTINUE READING

The Best Time To Go To Vietnam (North vs Central vs South)

If you want to go visit one of the most economical yet beautiful tropical nations on the planet, Vietnam should be on the top of … CONTINUE READING

10 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Are you struggling to choose the best places to visit in Vietnam? Worry no more! We got you covered. The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam … CONTINUE READING

The Best Vietnam Tour Packages of 2024 | Adventure, Classic, Family & More!

Are you looking for the best Vietnam Tours 2024 has to offer? Wondering which of the Vietnam tour packages would suit you best for your … CONTINUE READING

How To Plan A Trip To Vietnam [Complete First-timer’s Guide!]

I think by now you all know that Vietnam is one of our favorite countries in the world! It is so naturally beautiful and culturally … CONTINUE READING

How To Get From Sapa to Halong Bay (& Vice Versa)

Are you wondering which are the best ways how to get from Sapa to Halong Bay?  Not to worry, we got you covered here! As … CONTINUE READING

The Best Time to Visit Halong Bay in Vietnam

Finding the best time to visit Halong Bay in Vietnam can be a daunting task, especially if it is your first time. Not to worry … CONTINUE READING

5 Of The Most Popular Caves In Halong Bay To Explore

Experience Halong Bay’s surreal landscape in the spectacular caverns that fill its landscape. Finding the ultimate Halong Bay cave to explore has never been easier … CONTINUE READING

7 Amazing Things to Do in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong (or Ha Long) Bay is a stunning oasis on the northeast coast of Vietnam. Its unbelievable landscape is made of limestone formations and islets … CONTINUE READING

Let us Help you Plan your Trip to Hanoi – [Your One Page Guide]

Where should you stay and what should you do in Hanoi? Let’s start planning your trip to Hanoi with these itinerary suggestions. North Vietnam is … CONTINUE READING

Hoi An Basket Boat Tour Review – Our Coconut Basket Boat Tour

Are you looking for the best Hoi An basket boat tour, that is a bit more private and not overcrowded? Then, this is the best … CONTINUE READING

The Ancient City of Lanterns in Vietnam – Hoi An Old Town!

Welcome to the beautiful Hoi An Old Town, the town that you will fall in love with! Join in on the fun with thousands of … CONTINUE READING

How To Travel From Hanoi To Halong Bay (Or Vice Versa)

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam, is world-known for its stunning towering limestone islands. Visitors love exploring this beautiful part of Vietnam on either one of the … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate Guide on How to Get from Hanoi to Hoi An (& Vice Versa)

Hoi An is a small town in central Vietnam that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999.  It is known for its … CONTINUE READING

Best Hotels in Vietnam: Places to Stay for a Memorable Trip!

Are you scared of getting scammed, when booking your Vietnam Accommodation?   Worried that the place you are booking is not going to live up to … CONTINUE READING

The Ultimate List of Best Vietnam Books to Read!

I love to read and nothing excites me more than finding a book before I travel to power-up the anticipation of the trip to come!  … CONTINUE READING

What you NEED to Know before you Travel to Vietnam!

Vietnam happens to be one of our absolute favorite Asian countries to visit!  A country that will give you a sensory overload, one with an … CONTINUE READING

How To Get From Hanoi To Sapa: Transfer, Train Or Bus To Sapa

Due to its location, around 350km from Hanoi, Sapa happens to also be a region in Vietnam that a lot of tourists bypass as it … CONTINUE READING

Our Review Of The 6-Star Hotel In Ho Chi Minh City

When we went to Vietnam, we were not only looking for a wonderful experience of living abroad but also to find out more about the … CONTINUE READING

Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa Review (Our Honest Thoughts)

I have been fascinated by the culture of Vietnam since I was a child; so, visiting the country has always been a part of my … CONTINUE READING

Top 10 Things to do in Phu Quoc, Vietnam

– GUEST POST – by Melissa from Thrifty Family Travels My family can’t get enough of holidays on South East Asian beaches. We have visited … CONTINUE READING

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa Review | Luxurious Hoi An Accommodation

I can understand why Lonely Planet has dubbed Hoi An as Vitenam’s most atmospheric and delightful little town. This charming town is located in Central … CONTINUE READING

Review of Topas Ecolodge in Sapa, Vietnam

The setting and views from Topas Ecolodge will impress even the hardest of hearts! This Sapa luxury hotel instantly made us think about ‘Maldives’ or … CONTINUE READING

Authentic Things to do in Hanoi – Discover the Real Hanoi!

Ah to visit Hanoi, memories to last forever. The people, the food, and the heat! The place that captures your mind, and enriches your senses … CONTINUE READING

Top 5 Memorable Ho Chi Minh City Attractions!

Of all the cities we visited in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City was by far the most modern!  Whilst driving through the streets to reach … CONTINUE READING

15 Best Things To Do In Vietnam During Your Next Trip

Vietnam. Every single time I think of you, a million pictures run through my head. My eyes light up and a satisfied smile shows up … CONTINUE READING

What To See In Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay During A Cruise

I have only been sailing a few times in my life, but every time I get on a boat, something changes in me.  I don’t … CONTINUE READING

Luxurious Halong Bay Indochina Sails Junk Cruise 3 Days/2 Nights

Hands up who has been to Phi Phi islands before! My hand is up too. When we were looking into the Halong Bay Indochina Sails … CONTINUE READING

Visiting The Bac Ha Market In Vietnam | The Most Colorful Markets!

I have been to many markets in my life, but I have never been to one quite like this. Vietnam markets are different.  Vietnam markets … CONTINUE READING

Everything You Need To Know About A Sapa Hike in Vietnam!

Are you ready for a hike of a lifetime? For an insanely picturesque Sapa hike that takes you down mountains, across valleys and past lush green rice paddies? … CONTINUE READING

Top 5 ‘Must-See’ Hanoi Tourist Attractions That Should Be On Your Itinerary

I have always wondered what a visit to Vietnam would be like. Never would I have thought that this place would change my life and … CONTINUE READING

A Review Of Paradise Boutique Hotel In The Hanoi Old Quarter

Located in the heart of the busy streets of Hanoi Old Quarter you will find a little gem! This little treasure stands tall amongst the … CONTINUE READING

Relaxing on the Hoi An Beaches | Cua Dai beach vs An Bang Beach

What do you get when you cross a great golden sun high in the bluest sky, hot sandy beaches that stretch as far as eye … CONTINUE READING

A Journey through the Local Villages in the Hoi An Countryside

Paint a picture in your head of narrow roads, lined by  palm tree upon palm tree.  Add some boats and some fishing nets together with … CONTINUE READING

A Coffee Lovers Guide to Different Types of Vietnam Coffee | Vietnamese Egg Coffee & More!

The coffee is pretty unique in Vietnam and actually forms a great part of their culture. Here the Vietnamese coffee is part of socializing and … CONTINUE READING

10 Travel Essentials For Vietnam That You Need For Your Trip!

We are absolutely ecstatic about our upcoming exploration of an incredibly gorgeous Asian country. This one has been on my bucket list for years and … CONTINUE READING

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and on a budget? Then, this Vietnam travel guide is just for you!

Traveling in Vietnam you will find large urban cities, island-filled bays, rice terraces, caves, and some of the best food you’ve ever eaten. The locals are friendly and will make you feel welcome in their country.

Vietnam offers a plethora of flavors, sounds, landscapes, and people. Once you visit this place, you’ll never want to leave.

Vietnam Travel Guide Contents

Important Info    |    Best Time to Visit    |    Things to Do    |    What to Eat    |    Typical Budget

Travel Tips    |    What to Pack    |    Vietnam Articles    |    Book Now

Important Information about Vietnam

Vietnam at a Glance:  Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its stunning beaches, Buddhist shrines, lush mountains, sleepy rural villages, and bustling cities, Vietnam has everything for every type of traveler.

Hanoi: bustling city in the north of the country with lots of character

Sapa: small mountain town known for rice terraces and homestays

Halong Bay: take a boat cruise through these stunning rock formations

Hoi An: this beautiful UNESCO town is located in the middle of the country and has a charming architecture and a laidback vibe

Dalat: set in the mountains, this town is less hot and humid than the rest of the country and is known for adventure activities

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): modern and busy city in the south of the country

Currency in Vietnam: Vietnamese dong | 2018 Conversion Rate: 10000 VND = $0.43 USD

Tipping in Vietnam: In Vietnam, tipping is not customary but it is highly appreciated. The locals don’t have a habit of tipping unless you go to upscale restaurants or get a massage from spas. You could say that the tipping culture here is at its infancy.

However, most of the tourist cities including Hanoi, Saigon, Hoi An and others are becoming more familiar with tipping. Some high-end services may add a service fee to your bills from 5 percent to 15 percent.

Headed to Vietnam soon? Don’t forget to get a visa lined up before you go! Not sure if you need one? We’ll explain if you need one and how to get a Vietnam Visa On Arrival . 

Language & Helpful Phrases:  Vietnamese

Hello = xin chào

Thank you = Cám ơn

Beer = bia

Delicious = Thơm ngon

Bathroom =  Phòng tắm

How much? = Bao nhiêu?

Too expensive = Quá đắt

Don’t want = Không muốn

Religion and Culture:  More than 70 percent of Vietnam’s population are Buddhists. Other official religions recognized by the government are Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Hoa Hao, and Cao Dai. Most of the religion in Vietnam has been greatly influenced by the Tam Giáo, also known as triple religion – Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

Transportation around Vietnam: When you’re in Vietnam, your transportation will depend on your budget, time, flexibility and love for adventure. The safest and best way to go around Vietnam is by car. Buses, on the other hand, can either be delighted or unpleased. It depends on your expectations. There are also trains running along Vietnam’s coast. Always book ahead if you are planning on traveling during the weekend.

Transportation Tip:   12go.asia is a great site is you want to book your transportation in advance or look at the time tables!

Best Time To Visit Vietnam

For an in-depth guide on the regional seasons, weather patterns and other factors, check out our complete guide on the best time to visit Vietnam . We’ve also listed out some of the basics below to give you a general idea.

Climate in Vietnam

Vietnam’s weather differs between each region, so planning can be a bit tricky if you’re not careful.

Hanoi and The Northern Part of Vietnam:

Hot and rainy season: May to October

Cool season: December and January

Dry season: November to April

Central Vietnam:

Hot and dry season: January to August

Rainy season: September to November

Southern Vietnam:

Hot and dry season: November to April

Rainy season: June to August

Peak season for tourists is during the summertime around June and July. However, this time is also the monsoon season so expect a lot of rain showers.

Times to avoid traveling in Vietnam

It is best to avoid early February during the Tet or Vietnamese New Year, because the locals will be traveling as well and prices will be high.

Ho Chi Minh City: Avoid May to November because of the heavy rain. Often, there is flood on the main streets so it is best that you do not travel during this time.

Phu Quoc Island: Avoid the months June to October. This is often the time of strong winds and heavy rain.

Dalat: April to October is the raining season.

Nha Trang: Expect that there will be a lot of rain from September to December.

Hoi An: Heavy rains occur around August to December.

Halong: Avoid the local summer holiday around June and July.

Hanoi: Aside from the hot weather, May to September is the time of heavy rains and storms.

Major Festivals in Vietnam

If you want to experience Vietnam at its best, you should definitely check out the major festivals in the country. Here you will get up close and personal with the myths and culture of Vietnam.

Tet Nguyen Dan , around late January or early February: Tet Nguyen Dan is one of the major festivals in Vietnam. It marks the arrival of spring according to the Lunar calendar but most importantly, it is the Vietnamese New Year.

Hoi An Lantern Festival , every month: The Hoi An Lantern Festival is celebrated every month during the full moon. The lanterns are its biggest feature. At around 8 pm, you will witness the beauty of the floating lanterns.

Mid-Autumn Festival , September 15: Mid-Autumn Festival is unlike any other. It originates to around 20,000 years ago. Here, family relationships are celebrated and mooncakes are eaten.

Top Things to Do in Vietnam

Eat all the food that you can.

When in Vietnam, you have to eat all the food that you can. One of the best places to be in is Hanoi . It has some of the best and cheap street food in the world.

Take a trek in Sapa

Just 6 hours away from Hanoi, Sapa boasts of stunning rice terraces and waterfalls especially when the weather is clear. Book a bus online from Hanoi to Sapa so you don’t have to worry about transportation when you’re there.

Visit Paradise Cave and Dark Cave

If you love caves, then you’ll definitely love Dark Cave and Paradise Cave in Phong Nha. In the Dark Cave, you can trek, zip-line, and swim in a cave lake. On the other hand, Paradise Cave is one of the most gigantic caves in the world. It used to be the largest cave until Son Doong took its place.

Go Canyoneering in Da Lat

For more adventures, don’t miss going to Da Lat. You can go cliff jumping and repelling down waterfalls in this fantastic place.

Insider Tip: For the highlight of your trip to Vietnam, don’t forget to take the secret tour in Da Lat .

Did you know Vietnam is a great place to teach English? Find out how to get certified to  teach English abroad .

Best Food to Eat in Vietnam

Most households in Vietnam eat vegetables and noodle soups. A typical meal would be a vegetable dish, a seafood or meat dish, soup, fish sauce, and rice.

Here are some of our favorites:

Grilled Chicken: fresh and ordered half or whole

Banh Bot Loc:  great as an appetizer with shrimp-stuffed tapioca dumplings

Banh Khoai:  savory pancake

Bun Bo Hue:  vermicelli noodle beef soup that’s spicy

Bánh mì baguette sandwich:  cheap and tasty street food

Cao lầu:  noodle soup

Insider Tip:   Happy Cow is a great resource for finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants all around the country!

Typical Budget for Vietnam

Vietnam is such a large country that offers a lot of things to do and places to see. For travelers on a budget, Vietnam is a dream come true. For as low as $20 per day, you can survive on a shoestring budget and travel around the country.

Good to know:  If you know how to drive a motorbike, you can rent one on the cheap and save on your transportation costs. Plus, Vietnam has some pretty epic drives that are best discovered on two wheels!

How Much to Budget in Vietnam Per Day

Budget traveler:  If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, $20 – $30 could be a sufficient daily budget.

Mid-range traveler:  If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $30 – $50 per day

Dorm bed = $5-8

Budget room = $18-25

Mid-range = $30-45

Luxury hotel = $60+

Street food = $1-$2

Mid-range restaurant = $3-$6

Fancy restaurant = $10+

Local beer = $0.88

Domestic flight = $36-$45 (Jetstar or Vietnam airlines)

Open bus tickets = $68-$70 through country

Taxi = $5-$10

Airport shuttle bus = $2

Trains = $11.50-$50 depending class and length of the route

Trekking in Sapa = $19 with a guide

Halong Bay Boat Trip = $64 for a 2-day cruise

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi = $3-$5

Vietnamese Cooking Class in Hoi An = $30

Responsible Travel Tips in Vietnam

We are passionate about sharing tips anyone can use to travel more responsibly. Here are some easy ways you can travel better in Vietnam.

1. Plan your itinerary well

Vietnam can be a tricky place to visit. If you want to see the best that the country has to offer, it’s best to avoid forcing everything on your itinerary. Allow at least 3 to 4 weeks to explore the Vietnam from North to South. Book tours with ethical companies throughout the country. Check out reviews and discover organizations that are giving back to their communities. You can check our one-month Vietnam itinerary to help you.

2. Go easy on the haggling

Prices in Vietnam are cheap but most things don’t have fixed prices so you can haggle. However, with prices so low, inform yourself of what a good price is and don’t argue over 50 cents. The local people need make a living and tourism helps support that.

3. Say no to plastic straws

When buying a drink, ask for no straw ( không rơm in Vietnamese) and start reducing your plastic use. A single plastic straw may look convenient and simple but it contributes a lot of harm to our environment. It is one of the top five items that’s found in most beaches and adds to the millions of plastic wastes in the oceans.

Related Article:  Eco-Friendly Packing List for Responsible Travelers

What to Pack for Vietnam

When going to Vietnam, loose-fitting, layers and lightweight stuff are what you should go for.  Don’t overpack. It’s impractical to bring all of those home comforts with you.

Here are some Vietnam-specific items we’d recommend packing:

bug repellant  (solids are the way to go)

reef safe sunscreen

insulated water bottle

reusable straw &  reusable bag  ( say no to single-use plastic! )

loose, lightweight clothes & layers

rain jacket (it can rain during any season, so you’ll want to be prepared!)

diarrhea medication (in case you get hit by a stomach bug)

a quick-dry towel

small first aid kit

Chaco sandals (we’d recommend these instead of hiking boots as they are less bulky and are good for walking through water)

Vietnam Articles

Backpacking for over five weeks in Vietnam was nothing short of incredible. Vietnam has some of the most naturally beautiful landscapes in the world. Find all kinds of information on traveling to Vietnam to help you plan your trip. From how to get a Vietnam visa to fun things to do in Vietnam.

11 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

With ancient roots and adventurous activities, visiting the Ninh Binh, Vietnam should be on every traveler’s bucket list. In this guide, we’ll show you the best things to do in Ninh Binh, beyond the typical tourist experiences. 

Vietnamese Street Food: 25 Delicious Dishes You Must Try in Vietnam

Discover traditional ingredients and the best local spots to savor Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, this list promises a tantalizing exploration of popular Vietnamese dishes.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Spanning more than 1,000 miles from north to south, the climate and weather of Vietnam can vary drastically depending on where you’re traveling. We’re going to walk you through the best times to visit Vietnam, and which times of year to avoid (if possible!).

One Month in Vietnam: A Complete Itinerary

Vietnam is a country filled with delicious food, friendly people and a rich history. We traveled for a little over one month backpacking this action-packed nation. The itinerary below is a perfect guide from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for anyone visiting Vietnam for the first time.

How to get a Vietnam Visa On Arrival

Need a tourist visa for Vietnam? We'll show you the options and which one is the cheapest and fastest way to get a Vietnam visa.

14 Free & Cheap Things To Do in Hanoi

We stopped in Hanoi many times during our travels in Vietnam and this guide has you covered with free and cheap things to do in Hanoi, plus where to stay and what to eat.

8 Fun Things To Do in Hoi An

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Vietnam Travel Blog

This post may contain affiliate links.

Vietnam is one of our favourite countries, packed with history, stunning landscapes, cultural highlights, and amazing food. It’s one of the most exciting destinations in South East Asia. We visited back in 1999 for the first time ever and we go back regularly to create this Vietnam Travel Blog section for you. We’ve had the luxury of time and long visas to really get to know Vietnam. Our aim is to help you plan your trip to Vietnam using this travel guide.

In this travel blog about Vietnam, we’ll look at places to go in Vietnam, itinerary ideas, where to stay, what to eat, and how to travel in Vietnam.

Links in this post will take you to more detailed posts on that topic, or you can check the related posts at the bottom of the page, or use our search tool at the top.

We hope you find our Vietnam tips and guides useful in planning your travel, vacation, or holiday in Vietnam. This guide is suitable for first-timers in Vietnam or return visitors looking for different parts of the country to explore.

Let’s start with the one most important point I want to make about travel in Vietnam. The first point below.

We’ve had nothing but wonderful experiences with the people of Vietnam and other travel bloggers saying nasty things about the Vietnamese upsets us.

Yes, if this is your first time in Asia, you could find the way things are just different or challenging.

In all our years in Vietnam, we’ve met some of the nicest people out there.

Vietnam Travel Blog – Things To Know About Vietnam

Have you heard vietnam is difficult or the vietnamese unpleasant.

The Vietnamese can be some of the nicest, friendliest, kindest, and happiest people you could meet.

They’re charming without being pushy, helpful, lovers of children, and just genuinely nice.

Of course, there are some bad apples and most of the bad stories involve taxi driver scams, but in all our time in Vietnam, we’ve seen only good.

You need some travel smarts as you do in any country where haggling over prices is just the normal way to do things. Smile, try to use some Vietnamese, and don’t be obnoxious.

The Vietnamese are good people. See what happened when I fell off my bike while we were living in Hoi An  if you need further proof.

This is one thing that I really want to stress on this Vietnam Travel Blog, we really like the Vietnamese people we’ve met.

Vietnam – Video

A Short Vietnam video giving you a taste of what Vietnam is like.

Traffic and Roads in Vietnam

Because speed limits are low and roads are largely populated by push bikes and scooters, we feel safer on the roads in Vietnam than we have done so far in any Asian country.

Cities are busy but we cycled with our kids every day in Hoi An.

Crossing the road is an adventure. Nobody is going to stop, you just get used to picking your time and weaving between moving vehicles.

Just yesterday I watched two little girls on their way to school.

At 5 years old they know how it’s done and their parents trust they’ll be safe solo.

Just watch out for taxis and buses, they can be unpredictable.

Nobody on a bike has a death wish, they’re all trying to get home to their families safely. But sadly road death rates are high in Vietnam.

Use common sense and don’t hire scooters unless you have a suitable international motorbike license and adequate travel insurance .

Vietnam Travel Blog – Highlights of Vietnam

Vietnam has at least 8 UNESCO-listed sites. These include Ha Long Bay, Hue’s historic sites, the old town of Hoi An, and the Champa complex at My Son Sanctuary (above).

This country also has beaches, islands and resort hotels.

Vietnam has mountains, padi fields and waterways, bustling cities and the sleepiest traditional villages.

Some highlights of Vietnam, below. We’re always adding more!

Vietnam Travel Blog – Destinations

There are a million places to visit in Vietnam and I can’t possibly put them all on this page. Let’s just start here with a few popular destinations.

For more detail, you’ll have to find the dedicated post on this site.

Just follow the links or use the search box at the top of our sidebar.

A new addition and one that we highly recommend is Phong Nha National Park and caves in Central Vietnam.

You’ll find the biggest caves in the world in Vietnam at Phong Nha.

Saigon  (Ho Chi Minh)

Saigon refers to the inner city area of Ho Chi Minh City. Renamed after the war in honor of the North Vietnamese leader.

The area that most people end up staying in is District 1. Here you will find backpacker accommodation and agencies selling tours and transportation to just about anywhere in Vietnam.

One of the best tours from Saigon would be to the Chu Chi tunnels which are located about 50 km west of the city.

This tour can include a Cau Dai temple visit, this religion is unique to Vietnam and was founded in 1912.

Alternatively combine your visit to the tunnels with a Mekong Delta tour, again, direct from HCM. Our links take you to a tour booking platform we trust and use ourselves.

The biggest drawcards in Saigon itself, are the War Remnants Museum and the Old Palace build by the South Vietnamese rulers.

The Old Palace hasn’t been used since tanks drove through its gates in 1975 to officially end the war.

Saigon also boasts French Period architecture, abundant great food, and fascinating markets.

Food tours through the backstreets by scooter are very popular, your driver and guide will know exactly where to find the best Vietnamese street food.

Check them out here!

To book your Cu Chi Tunnels tour in advance (recommended), check this half-day tunnels tour .

To Book Cu Chi, with the additional Cau Dai Temple Tour, look at this double tour of both attractions.

We lived in Hoi An for a few months and we loved our time there.

During our time living in Vietnam we were lucky enough to experience Tet, lunar new year, in Vietnam .

It’s a beautiful time of year to be in Vietnam, but does bring closures.

In Hoi An this is marked by kumquat trees, a kumquat festival , and seas of flowers.

There are lanterns released nightly in Hoi An, but the bigger lantern festivals bring less restrained attractions.

It really is nice to be there when the locals are making their offerrings.

This incredibly picturesque riverside city is something of a tourist hot-spot these days. It combines the charms of the Old Town, with its ancient buildings, tailor’s shops, and Hoi An central market , with nearby rice paddies and beaches.

Hoi An food is world-famous and central Vietnam is a big producer of quality seafood.

Dining in Hoi An is diverse and delicious, expect traditional local foods alongside western restaurants and top-class hotels.

Around town, there are various places of interest to keep you busy, throw a pot at the pottery village , take a free Vietnamese lesson or one of the many local eco tours.

My Son Sanctuary , Danang, and Marble Mountain are a short day trip from Hoi An and Hue is accessible by tour, bus or train.

The nearest large city, Danang, is about 45 minutes away from Hoi An by road.

Da Nang is another beach-side tourist draw, popular with family holiday-makers visiting Hoi An with Kids . Danang has its own airport and the nearest train station to Hoi An.

The best trip to take from lovely Hoi An is always a cooking class with coracle (basket boat) ride Take a look at these fantastic experiences here.

Hoi An is renowned throughout Vietnam and the world for its cuisine.

” You haven’t experienced Vietnam until you’ve visited its noisy, vibrant capital city, Hanoi . Navigate the traffic-choked streets of the Old Quarter to discover crumbling colonial buildings, street vendors and traditional tubular shops.

Hanoi is filled with historic buildings but don’t miss the ornate Temple of Literature, St Joseph’s Cathedral and the UNESCO listed Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

Learn about the country’s revolutionary leader at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and palace complex. Next, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake where locals come to exercise and relax.

No trip to Hanoi would be complete without sampling its famous food delights. Dishes such as a Banh Mi sandwich or the city’s signature dish, Bun Cha. Stop in at Café Giang for a Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee), they’ve been serving this traditional brew for over 70 years.

Don’t miss the traditional Vietnamese water puppet show in Hanoi, it’s like nothing you’ll see in any other country. Get discounted skip-the-line tickets here.

Ha Long Bay

“If you are looking for a magical location in Vietnam, then you cannot go past Ha Long Bay in the north of the country.  

With emerald-green waters, limestone islands and mystical caves, all while touring on Junk Boats, Ha Long Bay draws travellers to her every day. It is certainly one of our favourites in South East Asia. 

From day tours through to tours that keep you entertained for 2 days 3 nights, we highly recommend the latter.

Sleeping on a Junk Boat, while doing day visits to floating villages, taking rowing tours, and getting to jump off the boat into the cool refreshing water, is so relaxing and fun. A cruise like this gives you a great insight into local living whi le seeing nature’s beauty up close. 

No matter what your budget, we highly recommend you choose your junk boat tour wisely. S pend a few extra dollars to get a better experience and higher quality boat.

We have done three tours since 2008 and loved Signature Cruises. You can read all about our recent trip to Halong Bay right here. “

If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Ha Long Bay, try Lan Ha Bay. Like its bigger neighbour, Lan Ha Bay is a popular multi-day cruise destination. Check it out here.

“Home to Vietnam’s highest peak (Fan Si Pan, which soars 3143m above sea level) Sapa is a must-see destination for nature lovers.

The people of Sapa started welcoming tourists as far back as the early 1900s. French colonists used it to escape the searing heat of Vietnam’s lowlands. During the 1940s, Vietnamese independence fighters drove the French from the region and it wasn’t until a few decades ago that tourists started to return to Sapa.

Within easy reach of Hanoi, by overnight bus or train, Sapa is now one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.

In Sapa, the magnificent purple mountains sink away into deep valleys, where terraced rice paddies feed the imagination — and the local population.

Many ethnic minorities, including the H’Mong, the Dao and the Dai, make their homes in hidden villages among these hills. Be mindful of travelling ethically in Vietnam and in this delicate region.

For tourists, the big draw is the chance to trek along Sapa’s stunning valleys and mountains. It makes an excellent antidote to the hectic pace of life in Hanoi and is a great place to escape the heat.

Taking a multi-day trek between village homestays gives you the chance to immerse yourself in a slower pace of life. Stretch your legs on the mountain tracks, and indulge in shots of the locally-made rice wine. It burns as it goes down but is said to loosen your muscles after a long day of walking!”

If you want to trek and enjoy the outdoors in Vietnam, Ha Giang is a good alternative, again, a multi-day trip available from Hanoi. See your options here.

We loved Hue. I think what made Hue such a stand-out destination for us was the tour we took and the people we met. A special tour, with local female students, gave us a chance to really get under the skin of Hue. We learned so much more than most tourists.

The company we used was a chance find, a young Vietnamese woman started a company to empower Vietnamese girls. She wanted to help them improve what she called their “soft” skills.

The two students who took us around Hue showed us sites we would never have dreamed of visiting. One was studying English, one Medicine.

If you get the chance, we highly recommend these tours, and once borders open we’ll be back for more. This is a similar Hue motorbike tour and seems to be the same company (by the T-shirts and use of motorbikes.) I can’t find the exact tour we took, but this part was identical and wonderful.

This was a mum and son trip, the whole family couldn’t go. At that point, my elder son was a young teen and loved the things we saw and did in Central Vietnam.

In Hue be sure to try local specialities of salt coffee and Bun Bo Hue .

Tours in Vietnam

How do you want to visit Vietnam? There are heaps of options.

Luxury Tours or Packages

We review hotels for one of Australia’s luxury travel package companies. They get incredible prices on some of the best luxury hotels around the world. We have the job of testing these hotels for them, it’s a tough job. If you’re interested visit the Luxury Escapes website.

Small Group Tours of Vietnam

All of the big adventure travel companies offer small group tours of Vietnam. We’re big fans of Explore Worldwide, GAdventures, and Grasshopper Adventures. My husband and I met on one of these small group tours, decades ago.   If you use the links above, you can look at the Vietnam tours on offer. Most offer cycling tours, this is a very popular way to see Vietnam.

Tours and Transportation Within Vietnam. Booking Trains, Buses and Planes

Every town visited by tourists and backpackers has plenty of small travel agents’ shops selling tours and onward transportation. Everything is very easy to arrange on the ground but you’ll need time and your best haggling skills.

To book train or bus tickets online ( or even flights)in advance,  you can use 12GoAsia. This site has been around a long time and has been popular for Thailand for a very long time. Visit 12GoAsia here .

If you’re short of time or need to book a tour in advance for a particular day, we recommend booking online. Read our Get Your Guide tours review here.  

Classes and Courses to Take in Vietnam

Cooking classes, pottery classes, Vietnamese lessons, yoga, painting and more.  

Theatre, Dance & Music from Lune at 3 Locations in Vietnam and Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppets.

Something I have to add, because we saw a show in Hoi An and thought it was wonderful, are the Lune Theatre productions. You can catch these in Saigon, Hanoi and now, new for 2018, in a purpose-built performance space in Hoi An.

These shows are magical and beautiful, featuring traditional music and instruments, dance, drama and more. The show we saw in Hoi An, “The Mist” beautifully illustrates the life of rice farmers in the Mekong Delta. If you get a chance, go.

You can book Lune tickets in advance for the Saigon/Ho Chi Minh Opera House show here . These shows do sell out so reserve your place.

Find out more on Lune’s own website .. There are 4 different shows that rotate through Lune’s current 3 theatres in Vietnam.

I’ll also mention Vietnamese water puppet shows. We’ve seen shows in Hanoi and Hoi An, great for kids and a lot of fun. These short performances are traditional and well worth seeing. Buy tickets to Hanoi’s water puppet show (discounted and skip-the-line).

Vietnam Travel Blog – Visas

2 week, e-visa, 3 month, multiple entry and more.

Please double check all information in this section for 2021 and onward. There were no Vietnam tourist visas available last time we checked. They are due to return soon, we hope.

Vietnam isn’t as easy as other countries in South East Asia when it comes to visas. It’s also one of the more expensive countries to enter. You can’t just turn up at the borders empty-handed and expect a visa on arrival unless you’re on a two-week holiday.

Vietnam requires a little forward planning for long-term travellers.  Please read the information below and do your own research for your country. We’re as current as we can be, but for Vietnam the regulations seem to change by the hour.

You’ll find a search box below ( an affiliate) for what we think is a trustworthy visa company.

Visitors to Vietnam can visit a Vietnamese embassy to buy their Visa. Or arrange an e-visa approval online which they must then produce on arrival.

We were going to visit the Vietnamese embassy in London when we discovered that using a visa agency was actually cheaper and potentially easier. The embassy in London would charge $100 US for each 3 month visa. That was significantly more expensive than using the agency.

We took the agency route (letter of pre-approval) for our 3 month Vietnam visa and had no problems whatsoever on arrival in Vietnam as UK passport holders.

The agencies don’t actually issue the visas but give you an authorization letter from the Vietnamese immigration department. This allows you to receive a visa on arrival.

Airlines are strict and usually won’t let you on the plane without either a full visa or authorization letter, ours was checked at Heathrow.

You pay a small fee to the agency to get the letter emailed to you. The agency will apply for multiple travellers so when you get your letter don’t be surprised that it contains other people’s details such as name, date of birth and passport number.

You can ask for a private letter with just your details for approximately $10 US more per person.

The costs are normally between $20 and $25 US for the authorization letter. You then need to pay the stamping fee on arrival in Vietnam where the actual visa is stuck into your passport.

This ranges from $20 for a single month to about $25 for a three-month single entry visa. The multiple entry visas attract a higher stamping fee approximately $50 US. All the stamping fees need to be paid in cash in US $.

The authorization letter only works if you are flying into an international airport. It will not work at land crossings. For that you’ll need to have a visa in your passport from an embassy or you will only be entitled to the free 15 day visa on arrival ( certain counties only)

We’ve consulted with the visa company below ( Sherpa , they are based in Canada) and they had the following to say:

We have uncovered a number of recent disclaimers/warnings from various Vietnamese Embassies about travellers getting a Letter for Visa On Arrival.

In short, the VoA route isn’t recommended by the embassies themselves. With a variety of third-party sites mimicking the official embassies. We recognize that this visa is usually the cheapest option, and widely used to this day, but we’ve decided that we are not going to offer Visa on Arrival as an option to travellers through Sherpa.

We will certainly do the eVisa, and we will also process the Loose Leaf Visa, which we are able to do for Canadians and Americans who need more than the eVisa. Overall, we will provide information to travellers in the widget, and we hope that this is helpful. “

Americans’ visa regulations for Vietnam are different again. Visa requirement change constantly, please double-check information with Sherpa or another reputable visa company.

Vietnam Travel and Food Blog

You haven’t been to Vietnam until you’ve eaten a bowl of pho or mi quang perched on a tiny plastic stool at the roadside.

The best food in Vietnam comes from street stalls. It’s what the locals eat and will cost you about a dollar a bowl. Don’t expect a menu, these stalls specialise in one perfectly executed dish only, be that mi quang , banh xeo or bun bo Hue .

Vietnamese food isn’t challenging to western palates, it’s light and fresh with few spices. If you like your food hot you’ll find fresh and dried chilies on the table to add to taste.

You’ll also find restaurants catering to tourists at every price point. None of us has had any tummy trouble at all in Vietnam and there are plenty of dishes to please children. Fresh, steamed and fried spring rolls are a favourite with my kids.

You’ll find incredible fresh seafood in Central Vietnam with prawns costing little. Vegetarians, even vegans, are pretty well catered for in Vietnam too.

Vaccinations for Travel in Vietnam and Health Considerations

Of the 50+ countries we’ve been to I’m happy to say that Vietnam is in the group that gave us zero ilnesses or tummy trouble.

None of us have had any traveller’s diarrhoea or sickness in over 6 months in Vietnam. We’ve eaten everything, at every street food stall and had no trouble at all.

We’re hugely impressed with how clean things are here compared to some other parts of the world. There are few flies, and few mosquitos, there are plenty of rats.

If you get sick in Vietnam it’s usually easy to pop along to a pharmacy, there’s one on almost every street and the pharmacists are very helpful and seem to know their stuff.

We’ve had to buy treatment for ringworm (picked up by one of the kids in London), mouth ulcers, and dressings for bike-related scrapes, it’s been no trouble at all.

I would suggest carrying a basic first aid kit with you including:

• a small bottle of iodine
• plasters and dressings
• paracetamol for kids and adults.

You can read more about our usual travel first aid kit here. The antibiotic powder Pises powder a US doctor put me onto this stuff, buy here) that I always pick up in Thailand was super useful for my cut, infected foot.

We did not take any malaria prophylaxis for Vietnam (20 years ago we had to, these days it’s rare to need it anywhere). This is the malaria map for Vietnam , most of Vietnam is low to no risk.

Find suggested vaccinations for Vietnam here.

Vietnam Travel Blog – Hotels

As travel bloggers in Vietnam, we don’t just stay in hotels. We also stay in hostels, guest houses, apartments, resorts and homestays. All are good options in Vietnam.

The first time we visited Vietnam it was very much a backpacker destination, these days there are plenty of up-market hotels and resorts on offer too and the tourists are flooding to Vietnam.

People like us, the digital nomads and long term travellers are also here and there are amazing bargains to be had in long-term, quality accommodation.

Finding the Best Prices and Deals on Hotels and Resorts in Vietnam

We highly recommend checking online booking sites if you’re serious about finding the best price for your stay, some booking engine compares multiple online booking engines to find you the best deal available.

We like to use Agoda for Asia as they are the experts for the region and often have a bigger selection, particularly try them for smaller hotels and budget accommodation.

If you’re the sort to book a long time in advance, maybe reserving multiple hotels on a fully refundable basis, Booking.com is your friend.

If you’re interested in The Sunrise Resort, pictured above, check here for prices and further information . This is one of the luxury hotels we’ve tested on behalf of Luxury Escapes, an Australian company specialising in incredibly good offers on top-end hotel packages.

Their special offer prices are way below what we paid for these hotels and the quality was superb.

Hostels in Vietnam,

You will find a big selection of hostels, some have private family rooms, on all of the above websites. We haven’t used hostels in Vietnam as guest houses and homestays are very affordable and very good, if you find the place to suit you!

Long-Term Stays, Houses, and Apartments in Vietnam

We’ve booked hotels in Hoi An and Hue through Airbnb and the usual booking sites, both were good, small boutique-style hotels or homestays.

A homestay in Vietnam can be a hotel, hostel, or actual homestay in Vietnam. We prefer not to use Airbnb usually because of the cleaning charges and time-wasting of having to be approved.

To find our beautiful house for 2 months in Hoi An we used a local expats Facebook group. We booked a cheap hotel for arrival and within half a day of posting in the expat group we’d found the perfect house for us. We rented from a lovely local family, at a great price.

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Vietnam Videos

If you’re looking for more Vietnam information you can head to our Vietnam category page. Alternatively, take a look at our Vietnam videos.

The one from the Hoi An floods and Cu Chi tunnels should interest you.

Vietnam Travel Blog with Kids

Is a blog about travelling Vietnam with kids really any different to an adult Vietnam travel blog? Not really. We’ve travelled Vietnam as young backpackers before we were married, and later, with our kids. We stayed in similar places, ate the same food, saw the same sights in Vietnam. Having kids with you makes travel in Vietnam more expensive, and often more fun!

I often wonder why people write posts “this place with kids.” It’s expected of us family travel bloggers, I guess.

Most places are pretty much the same with kids or without and you’ll find yourself staying in the same places and taking the same trips.

Kids really aren’t a problem when you travel but we parents do worry about sickness, road safety, and so on.

So Vietnam with kids , what can I say? There are loads of interesting things for kids to do. Things like the pottery classes above, the Cu Chi tunnels tour, or coconut boat rides, and crab catching.

There is much to learn about culture and history and Vietnamese food is generally lacking in spice or chilli. You can also get just about any western food here, far more easily than in Thailand.

Nobody in my family has had any sort of tummy trouble or diarrhoea in Vietnam. However, if you’re not used to tropical bugs you may want to read our post on how to avoid mosquitoes.

There are plenty of accommodation options at all price points and likewise plenty of transportation options. There are beaches if that is your want.

We think it’s as easy to take your kids to Vietnam as to any other country. Be mindful of the weather and if you plan to use bikes bring your own helmets. The roads can be dangerous.

I think I’ve seen more tourists with kids, babies and toddlers in Hoi An than in any other Asian destination. It’s a massively popular family holiday hot spot particularly for Australians. For that reason maybe avoid school holidays.

We have a full post on things to do in and around Hoi An for families, here, with more with-kids posts planned.

Vietnam Travel Blog – Conclusion

Thanks for using our website, we make it to be useful to you, so if there’s any information you need, ask in the comments and we can add it to this Vietnam Travel Blog page. We’re still in Vietnam, we’re living in Hoi An for a while, so we can get you the on-the-ground information.

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If you'd like to hire a car during your stay, use this car rental comparison tool to find the best deal! We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance. Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!

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Alyson Long

Options to earn money while travelling, the haystacks of maramures. hay making in breb, 137 thoughts on “vietnam travel blog”.

I absolutely loved reading about Vietnam’s tourism offerings! The vivid descriptions of must-visit destinations, including the best beaches in Vietnam, have inspired me to plan my next adventure. Can’t wait to explore the pristine shores and vibrant culture that Vietnam has to offer!

Your travel blog is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. From hidden gems to practical tips, their firsthand experiences enrich every reader’s journey. With captivating narratives and stunning visuals, it’s a virtual passport to Vietnam’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. A must-visit destination guide for wanderlust souls

Your Vietnam travel blog is an absolute gem.

Thanks! We love Vietnam, I guess it shows.

Never been to Vietnam before and we’re heading there in February with 13 family members (ages 7 to 78). We’re staying in the Ah Bang area – any restaurant suggestions for eating with a large group? Eg can we make reservations?

Can’t wait to check out some of the sites you write about.

Thanks for your help!

For a large group Mix Greek restaurant in the old town is a nice venue. It’s a proper restaurant rather than the sort of place you go usually. And that’s about the only one I know. We just go to small places usually. But if you were to go in anywhere and ask I’m sure they’s oblige. You may need to pay a deposit because a no-show would be a disaster for them. We have a post about restaurants / food in Hoi An. Since the shutdowns some may have changed, but I know Mix is still there.

Thanks so much for this info it’s great.

We are looking at travelling to Vietnam in December 2023 for about 18 days. The current plan is to fly into Hanoi and make our way down the coast flying out of HCMC. Both of my boys really want some surfing if possible mixed in with the sightseeing. We are currently trying to work out where would be best weather-wise and surf-wise at that time of year. I have looked at Mui Ne, Nha Trang and Vung Tau but am having trouble finding any clear consensus on where would be best for that time of year. Any insights? Thank you

Hi Natalie, the classic Hanoi-Saigon journey normally takes 30 days. Surfing I have no clue sorry, we’re not into beaches. I don’t know if there even is much by way of surf in Vietnam, I don’t recall ever seeing surfers. Best of luck.

@Alyson for World Travel Family, Thanks for your quick feedback. We will definitely not get to see all of Vietnam but hopefully fit in a few good spots along the way. The boys might just need to wait for a surf until we get back home LOL

Thanks for the blog. Nice vietnam travel blog information.

Thanks for sharing this information Alison. We’re in vietnam now, are you guys still here? We’re in Danang for a few more days. Let me know, would love to catch up 😁

We’re not Aimee, but we are in a couple of months! Enjoy 🙂

Hello Alyson,

Thank you for this wonderfully written, consise blog. This gives a good insight in planing, and what to expect when one travels to Vietnam for the first time.

I am planning a for a week long tour in December 2022 and would love some help in finalizing the itinerary.

Can you please help me with that? Thank you!

Sure, send me an email, [email protected] I need to know which airports you are flying into and out of, and I can put together an itinerary. A week isn’t long in Vietnam, bit I’m sure we can put together an itinerary. Do you have any special interests?

Love all things you told me about Vietnam

A delightful piece of information. Thank you for sharing this, the Vietnam travel visa process is carried out completely by online procedure.

Vietnam tourism has reopened again after more than 2 years. People start visiting Vietnam and now most of things come back to normal. We hope more and more travellers will visit Vietnam. Please note now there are some services not really smooth like before becuase the services start reopending.

Hello Dear friend. I have been to Vietnam 2 years ago,nice people and natur. I’m an old backpacker, and now I am looking for information about traveling along the coast from Danang to town to town, spending dags in some places? Are public transport avaiable? To recommend🤔?

Yes, plenty of public transport. The backpacker buses, public Vietnamese recliner/sleeper buses, local short trip buses, trains, taxis, biketaxi, lots of options.

Thank you for coming to our country

Thanks for letting us in and feeding us so well!

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s really helpful !

Hi when is best weather for top to bottom trip?

Well, it depends if you like it hot or cooler. We’ve done that trip, Hanoi to Saigon in December and it was fine. Vietnam does have flooding, landslides and a monsoon season. We were in the floods once, and that can be in October/ November / December in Hoi An. Hue has flooded historically in October. There can be dangerous storms along the coast, I know one arrived in September once. I’d say March to April would be a good time, not too hot, not much rain. Hopefully Vietnam will be open by then! Northern hemisphere spring. All of Vietnam is in the northern hemisphere with the south of Vietnam being only 10 degrees north of the equator making it tropical. The north can get fairly cool, particularly in winter months (January) in the hills. I like it cool but you may find the beaches a bit chilly then. Best of luck!

Nam Du Island is currently very attractive to island tourism in the South of Vietnam. Tourists can experience affordable, fresh seafood. The locals are extremely friendly and helpful.

Quy Nhon is a popular tourist destination in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. There are only two seasons: The rainy season and the dry season. Despite the rain, visitors can travel there at any time of the year to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Thanks, we’ll check it out once borders open for travel.

Awesome blog. It’s a pity that we won’t seen Vietnam opening up right till the end of the year. Wanted to ask though, for a family with young children, would you say that there are less activities for kids, compared to say Thailand or Singapore?

Well it depends what you mean by activities for kids. All kids want is to play, eat nice food and be loved. They don’t need organised activities really I’m not really sure what activities you mean, go ahead and give me some examples. I don’t think Singapore is particularly child focussed, it’s too urban jungle. Thailand, of course, it totally depends where you go. Are we in Bangkok or the jungles of northern Thailand? But Vietnam has a softness about it, a humanity, which I think is very appealing to kids and families. Smiling people, interesting goings-on. I’m not sure on the state of play there now, they were talking about opening Phu Quoc to tourists, but I do have friends there, they’ve been there all year, travelling. Just no neighbouring borders are open so they’ve had a really, really long tome to get to know Vietnam inside-out.

Vietnam is really a great place to pay a visit at least once in a lifetime. I was planning for a family trip in this Asian country. I find this blog very useful and informative. All the given information really helps me to plan the entire trip.

Is Saigon opening in August to US travelers?

I have no idea, sorry. There has just been a fresh outbreak in central Vietnam, Da Nang, they’re locking down again locally. I think we’re all just going to have to get used to living with uncertainty. As far as I know, there’s been no formal announcement on Vietnam, as a whole opening its borders, but I know they were thinking of opening certain areas, like Cat Ba island, maybe.

Start your Vietnam tour in Hanoi, The Best holiday destinations to Vietnam and Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand) with a variety of tour packages for each destination that are out of this world.

I think after the COVID, Vietnam will be the most wanted country.

Interesting. Vietnam is opening up by I’ve read that they’re only going to open places like Phu Quoc – which I wouldn’t be interested in visiting, unfortunately.

very good information on the blog, I was looking for new vacation destinations and thanks to what I read I decided on vietnam

I hope you get there. Currently, Vietnam has cancelled all visas due to Coronavirus COVID-19 quarantine border shut downs.

Great read, awesome that you take the time to write everything down for people planning to go to Vietnam – mega useful! What I am wondering about – have you ever considered touring through vietnam by motorcycle? Maybe drive by yourself or go on a guided tour with easy riders Or is that too dangerous?

Not really our thing, we prefer bicycles. No I don’t think the roads in Vietnam are particularly dangerous, they certainly feel safer than Thailand and drivers are very courteous of bicycles ( My husband did all his Ironman training there on a road bike, over the Hai Van pass a couple of times a week. We know road death statistics are high, but we had no issues in Central Vietnam. Probably the lack of helmets and sub-standard helmets are a big factor.

Hey! I am planning on going to Vietnam and have heard about the danger of crossing the street which really scares me… is there any way I can avoid it maybe by not going to a certain neighborhood or city? Is it the same in every city or just in hanoi? Is it actually that dangerous?

OK, so crossing the street looks crazy to westerners but it’s actually fine. You’ll see little old ladies and small children doing it. Maybe just stick with a local. Keep a steady forward pace so that the scooter drivers can predict where you’re going and they’ll go around you. You do need to watch out for trucks though, but you won’t see too many of those outside main roads.

Hi, I think your question is great and I have experience so I want to share with you something. Traffic in Vietnam is a bit chaotic but crossing the road is not necessarily difficult for tourists. I suggest 3 ways to cross the road really easily. 1. Raise your hand straight to the sky and cross the street – this action means crossing the street. 2. You can ask a local for a walk or a traffic police – Vietnamese people are very friendly and lovely, so helping someone is very helpful. 3. Find other paths – I’ve seen many tourists wait for a long time to get across the street. But meanwhile there is a pedestrian path to cross the road directly below. (Be quick to observe.)

Very Nice blog and an attractive websites must read highly recommended!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Thank you Lushi

The Australian Government website has a link to obtain a Vietnam visa on line. Takes two or three days and total cost is US$25. Print it out and no problems at customs.

Great thanks! We were in Vietnam a few weeks ago, as UK passport holders we don’t need a visa, we go in for free for 15 days and didn’t have to stand in the queue at the visa desk. What period is the form above for? Is that just for a short holiday or the 3-month visa we normally get? We’re thinking of going back to live there again and just doing visa runs every 3 months, which seems fairly unproblematic.

Hello Alyson, Thank you so much for your great blog, especially about Viet Nam and Hoi An. While I am reading your blog and some friends comments about their needs of finding an accommodation for a month in Hoi An….we would love to offer our homestay options if you see our house suit your needs, that would be our pleasure to welcome you. If you don’t mind allowing us to leave our contact here for any friends who want to connect, that would be so kind of you.

It would be very kind of me indeed Thi Thao. Unfortunaely I can’t allow that as I don’t know your property or anything about it. Also people offer me thousands of dollars to place adverts such as yours. I’m very sorry I can’t allow you to self promote like that, it’s not how this works, you can’t just advertise here.

I am planning a second trip to Vietnam in July 2020. I went in January and the weather was lovely, but I’m a little bit scared about the rainy season in July… Do you have any advise ?

Thank you so much !

It’s very dependent on where in Vietnam you’re going. July in Hoi An was pleasant. We got the floods around Christmas.

Appreciating the persistence you put into your blog and detailed information you provide.

Thanks for all the information, we are trying to book a short break in Hoi An as part of a larger Asian trip, we’re really struggling to book hotels for 2 adults and 4 children – do you have any suggestions? I realise you only have two kids but thought you might have heard from other larger families, Lots of hotels websites don’t seem to allow for combinations of rooms, self-limit to two children etc? Thanks!

I don’t off the top of my head no. When you enter 6 people into Agoda, Booking dot com, etc, do they not give you any suitable options? They will all have fire regulations so you can’t just shoe-horn in an extra couple of little ones. Have you tried The Sunrise? That’s a very child-friendly resort.

I had a quick search, this hotel, Hoi An Silk has rooms that will take 7 if two of your children are under 6. https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1643033&hl=en&hid=400345

So does this one, The Allegro, adjoining suites https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1643033&hl=en&hid=4034720

If you want cheap – Banana Garden Villa will also take 7 if 2 are under 6. https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1643033&hl=en&hid=1070277

Thanks so much for your prompt replies – unfortunately we’ll have 11, 9, 7, & 2 years at the time of travel so won’t fit in the 7 when 2 are under 6 category. I’ll keep looking!! Really enjoying your website – very inspiring!

Can you not y’know…pretend the 7 year old is 6 ? That’s super annoying! But they won’t all have the same age restriction, some will be under 12. Keep hunting!

I love vietnam , great country and it becomes better and better. Thank you for your useful article, I rewteet it already. Vietnam see also a surge in Chinese tourists, that s crazy, so soon Prices will increase

Thanks for a great blog! We are planning a trip to Vietnam from 27th Sept to 20th Oct this year. Chinese golden week is 1-7 October and I understand that Vietnam is a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Would you know how this is likely to affect our trip, or give us any advice how to avoid the hordes. Maybe there are areas in VN or types of places that they travel to less? We are planning to spend time in the north and south, not in the centre.

Thank you 🙂

Sorry, I don’t know if the Chinese tourists prefer particular places, but most of them come on organised tours, so if you check out the itineraries of most big tours and avoid those places it should be quieter. But of course that will rule out all the most popular destinations.

Hi! I am traveling to Vietnam in May and wondering how you knew what website to use for a Vietnam Visa? I want to make sure we are getting a valid visa but at the same time, not overpaying!

We used 2 different ones, but off the top of my head now I can’t remember which ones. Take a look at their reviews and be wary of fake reviews. You don’t actually get a visa, you get a letter of approval so that you’ll get your visa on arrival. Anyone who says they’ll get you an actual visa is a scam. Also the group letters, where your letter is shared between a few other people ( e-mailed separately) – that’s totally legit. The others will see limited details, it’s cheaper, this is the way we’ve always done it.

Update to the ever-changing visa system; we arrived by air to Vietnam this month (still here) with an Australian passport and got a visa before arriving. It was still muddy trying to figure it all out as their website wasn’t all too clear and adding to the confusion was every blog/review/website I read said app. letter+stamping. In the end I applied directly through Vietnam Immigration for an e-visa, $25US each and got stamped through at the airport with no extra cost. No approval letter etc just had to print our conformation of visa approval and take it through to get stamped.

It’s also dependent on your nationality and where you’re applying from. We’re on UK passports and on the road. I know a lot of Australians go to their Vietnamese embassy in Australia to sort visas out.

For me, the most interesting place in Ho Chi Minh City is the Museum of War Remnants. The photos are drastic but it’s worth seeing them.

Yep, it’s absolutely fascinating. The war history is a massively important part of any visit to Vietnam.

Wonderful reading! You brought me back memories from my experience in Vietnam – really magical place.

Hello! Thanks for writing a great blog! It has been fun to read! Any suggestions for first time parents traveling WITHOUT their kiddo to Vietnam? My husband and I are considering a 2 week trip this summer, and after visiting several developing countries in my early 20’s, I’m nervous to travel somewhere that requires shots, consideration about drinking the water, bugs, and eating certain foods. I NEVER used to consider those things, but somehow I’ve turned into a worry wart after having our daughter. Any tips/suggestions would be helpful, or even some words to calm the mom worry in me haha!

We had no tummy trouble AT ALL in Vietnam. Times have changed, it’s rare these days to have problems anywhere unless you’re unlucky enough to pick up a virus. It’s happened to us maybe 4 times in 6 years of travel and the sickest we’ve been was in London with norovirus…does that help? I doubt you need many shots for Vietnam. Our doctor told us not to bother with any for a short trip to Thailand before we became full time travellers, but you have to do what makes you comfortable. We ate ALL the food in Vietnam. Every leaf at every street stall. We had no problems. But do always give your chopsticks a good wipe ( locals do) and I always make sure leaves get a good dunk in the hot soup if I can, but we ate salady leaves many, many times. We had clean drinking water on tap in our house there, I imagine many do and restaurants should know what they’re doing. Nobody wants to kill off their customers, particularly not if their customers are the locals. Maybe really touristy restaurants are worse than the places the locals eat? And don’t trust all the fake reviews on Trip Advisor.

Alyson, do you have the Expats facebook page regarding the airbnb accommodation? Hoping to find somewhere homey to stay for about a month.

There’s Danang and Hoi An Expats or Hoi An Expats, I think. The place we rented was direct with the owner, contact details for Dao are in the Living in Hoi An post. But most of the house rentals are for 3 month minimum. If you’d like me to introduce you to Dao directly just find me on Facebook.

Hi Alison. What an inspiring blog, thanks a million! We are planning travelling with our 11 & 6 year old children somewhere to Asia in May / June. I want the kids to experience different life and I believe that backpacking is the way.. Vietnam would be our choice but I wonder what would the weather be like this time of the year and whether you would suggest any region or other country cause of that? Many thanks. Paula

It depends what part of Vietnam Paula. Where were you thinking?

With all honesty, we do not have a set plan and are open for suggestions. We are not fans of big cities, but that’s pretty much it. My children love adventures, floating villages and sleeping on the boat seems great, but if it would rain a lot that’s a much less fun. X

I think Central Vietnam is good in May June but the north and south might be hotter and wet. Central gets wet in October / November / December… I think. Then lovely and cool until about April.

HI Alison! Thanks to your blog we have now booked 3 weeks off work to travel. Would you be able to advise on itinerary? We thinking of flying to Hanoi and flying back from Ho Chi Minth? should we buy tickets before applying for visa? X

3 weeks is cutting it a bit fine. I’ve done that trip in 4 weeks and it fits perfectly but for a short holiday you’ll have to pick your highlights and skip some parts. No you normally buy the tickets first. It’s up to you really. What parts and places most interest you in Vietnam? Then you just string them together in the most cost/time effective way. Sorry, I’m still in the Himalayas so very short on time.

Thanks. Should we finish in Hoi An? My kids love beaches and sea so we would love to spend there 5-7 days. Xx

Hoi An has a couple of beaches but we only went to them maybe 3 times in 6 months. To me, they didn’t seem that great. The restaurants on the beach are expensive and not very good, the sand is covered in deck chairs and umbrellas, that’s not my cup of tea. Also if it’s stormy they’re unusable. The sand washed away and strong surf closed them down. My Ironman husband couldn’t swim there and he was desperate to train for an event. But like I say, we’re not beach people, no interest at all really, so I’m not a good judge of beaches. I think to miss the Cu Chi Tunnels and the museums of HCM would be a great shame though. To me that’s a huge highlight of Vietnam, learning about that part of history and the incredible Vietnamese resilience. Hoi An Old Town and the rice paddies and farms between there and the beach are wonderful though. And of course Hoi An is famous for food and the street food is cheap and superb.

Thank you so much for your efforts in making this wonderful travel guide. You’re so right on about the food in Vietnam which is just so delicious, healthy yet cheap. For street foods, I suggest visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for unique tastes, Hue is the best place. Hoi An would be the destination for cheap dishes.

This is an amazing travel guide. I have read so much about Vietnam but this has so many important links covering everything I need in one single place. I would really love to visit this beautiful country dotted with history, architecture and amazing landscapes. Pinned it for my future travel

Great article! Vietnam is really a nice destination to visit in Southeast Asia. The country is loaded with world class attractions..

Hi Alyson, Love your article. Can you please tell me if there are many yoga studios in Hoi An? I am hoping to get a job teaching yoga somewhere in Vietnam. Hoi An looks beautiful and I like that it’s smaller than the big cities. I am worried about the floods though as I would be there from October onwards. Do you think it’s best I go somewhere else in Vietnam until the rainy season has passed? If so where else would you recommend? Thanks for your help.

Look up Nomads Yoga, they have a Facebook page. If you can find them on a map of Hoi An that area does not flood and was, in fact, where we lived. Very convenient for everything. The other side of Hoi An, which is very popular with expats and nomads, did have flooding. There is yoga over there too and there is yoga on the beaches, but I know Nomads, they have a nice vegetarian ( maybe vegan) cafe too. It’s near Jack’s Cat Cafe and the main bus stop.

That Vietnam Visa Checker widget is very convenient. Didn’t know such thing existed ! Good article overall Do not miss Ninh Binh next time your come to Vietnam.

great article, it made me miss Vietnam so much plus reading about Sapa, where we haven’t been made me want to go there even more, all the best ania

Thank you for visiting Vietnam, there are many places you should explore such as Ha Noi, Ha Long, Sapa, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An

WoW what an amazing guide that you have written Alyson, and may I compliment you on every area that you have covered, all about your Vietnam stay with your family as well, some humourus moments gave me a good laugh.

I will be moving to Hoi An early next year for good, if all goes well, I have found your Blog very very helpful in a lot of Areas, especially about long term rentals, the people, and the food, the weather, being a retired chef I can’t wait to get into the kitchen over there and learn new skills.

Regards David

My pleasure. We hope to be back there soon too.

Hello Alyson My daughter and I are planning to visit in March 2019. Have been doing a lot of reading but still unsure if we should book a tour rather than trying it ourselves. The general consensus is that its ok to just arrive and do it yourself. I am a bit concerned about transport and hotels without having anything booked in advance. Have read conflicting reports about using bus and train ? We would also like to go to Cambodia for a few days if possible. Any suggestions in this regard would be extremely helpful.

Thanks kindly

I would book your hotels in advance. Wandering round with bags and a child in the heat isn’t much fun and these days doesn’t really save you money. The only problem is, if you have a hotel booked and then you can’t get on the bus/train/plane for whatever reason, so i’d lean towards booking those too, if possible. Unless you’re comfortable doing what we do and just booking places the day before, once our travel is confirmed. The trains are absolutely fine but time consuming on a short trip. The buses…well…I’m not keen. I worry about crashes, but on the whole driving on Vietnam is slower than in Thailand and death rates lower. But accidents must be pretty rare, I’d just rather take a train as they’re comfortable and we always have plenty of time. Local public buses are pretty rickety. For shorter trips you can always just use an uber or taxi. Fly the big hops maybe. The big tourist / backpacker buses are very modern but have double decker sleeping/seating. They’re almost like beds, but not long enough for a tall westerner to recline.

Hi, I ‘m America,and applied for Evisa and my 2 kids . I got approval e visa today , but not my kids . Regarding to application, I filled 3 appplications and 3 fee. Did I do anything wrong? On the website, I did give an option to put kids under 14 , name . However, the appplication states on the same passports with parents.

I’ve not heard of kids travelling on the same passport as parents for about 20 years sorry. Do they not have their own passports? Ours had their own passports, own visas, always do.

Yes, they have their own visa . That what I filled their own e-visa application. However, my e visa got approved today with an email notification . I didn’t receive anything regarding for both of my kids even though I applied on the same day. I’m getting sorry whether I need to fill their names on my application..

Ours all came together all on one sheet.

Hello Alyson, Thanks heaps for providing such a thorough blog. My wife and I will be arriving in Ho Chi Minh city in late July. I’d love to experience Ha Long Bay. I was just wondering roughly how much it cost to get there from Ho Chi Minh City. I read that you fly there then a car ride to boat, is this correct? We’re Australian so if you could possibly convert for us that would be awesome. Do you have a boat you recommend to travel on? Thanks heaps for any information you can pass on Dale

Dale, hi. Flying is much quicker than the train / bus, yes, only a couple of hours, at least 2 days otherwise. It costs anywhere between $100-$200 US. The best thing is to hop over to Skyscanner and see what flights are available for your dates, prices fluctuate, find the best deal. I haven’t taken a Halong Bay cruise in years sorry so can’t recommend one currently operating.

Hey Alyson, thanks heaps for sparing your time to help, greatly appreciated 😉

Hi Alyson, Great blog with some fab info about Vietnam’. Myself and some friends are traveling out in July and I was wondering if you could provide some information on traveling between Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. What would you recommend? The flights are very expensive and long… surprisingly. But I heard many bad reports about the buses… however I can’t get any recent info, last reviews were 2010/2012! Any advice? Thanks

I haven’t crossed from Vietnam into neighbouring countries since 2001. But we’ve crossed Thailand to Cambodia recently. You’ll find a full post on our site, I think if you search Bangkok to Siem Reap. Buses in Thailand are great. Cambodian buses…not so good. And Laos…not so good either and terribly windy roads. But the overland trip from the south of Vietnam, by boat and bus to Luang Prabang is pretty amazing. It involved speedboats and crash helmets and was pretty crazy. Flying is for wimps 😉

Thank you so much for your reply, I will check out the blog and have a read. I want to travel from Vietnam though as we will only have about 6 days to see both Cambodia and Laos. I am also wondering about the Vietnam visa… we will be in Vietnam about 13 days then travel into Cambodia and Laos then back to Vietnam to fly home. So in totally more than 15 days… but multiple entry. Any info on either or not we need a visa? Website really not clear. Thank you

That’s a messy sort of visa problem. The tourist is 15 days so you’ll need a month or 3 month multiple entry and you MUST have the right documentation before you fly or you won’t be getting on the plane. The tourist visa is only for flying in. But depends on nationality too, it’s different for UK, Australia, US. Which is what I’m about to do, I’m at the airport about to board. Best of luck

There are so many things to see and experience in Vietnam. Their food, culture, and amazing destinations are fantastic.

This is wonderful Alyson! I’ll be visiting Vietnam soon so I’ve been researching non-stop about the country, glad I came across this page. This is a very comprehensive look at the country. I specifically love the theater and arts scene that’s featured here, will definitely check it out.

Great Blog Alyson, My wife is originally from HCMC, and in 2015 we took the opportunity to visit her homeland for 3 weeks, did a tour of Hanoi and ha long bay, fell in love with the country and the people, 2017 we went back for 2 months, we spent w week in Vung Tau, beautiful place great food, rented a scooter from our hotel and cruised all over the place, took a flight from HCMC to Na Trang ($33.00 CAD) each one way, spent a week there also riding all over and checking out the sites, Decided to travel by sleeper bus to Dalat and spent about 4 days there, seemed funny to see locals wearing winter jackets in the evening( me in short pants and a tank top lol, but Dalat is beautiful, we found once we got to HCMC traveling around was quite reasonable, took a tour to Thailand, Bangkok and Pattaya( 5 days 4 nights all in $400.00 CAD, we are heading back in 2019 for another 2 months and who knows maybe this will be my retirement home

I don’t blame you Tim, it’s a wonderful country.

As a Vietnamese, I thank you so much for giving your nice words to our country. I love to read more and more your post in the future. If you have a chance to travel Vietnam again, I will highly recommend you some landscape like The prison Island ” Con Dao” where is really beautiful and peaceful, it bring a lot of historical stories. I really hope you will come there and wrote about Con Dao.

Hi Alyson I’ve just discovered your site and I am finding your information regarding blogging very useful as an about to be blogger. Love reading about Vietnam – My husband and I took our girls flash packing through Vietnam over Christmas 2016. One of my favourite places was Son Trach in Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park. It’s truly beautiful and the caves are jaw droppingly amazing. If you like to get away from the crowds and haven’t been already, I highly recommend a few days, even just to visit the most accessible caves. Thanks for sharing your travels. Cheryl

Hey Alyson! great post! I’ve been living in Da Nang for eight months and think it’s worthy of a mention. It has beautiful beaches, plenty of ESL teaching opportunities, bars, restaurants and thriving expat scene! It doesn’t have much exposure which has led me to create the Da Nang Teacher website. Have you visited Da Nang? if so, what did you think? It’s only 40 minutes from Hoi An, which I personally find too touristy! Oh also, do you accept guest posts RE Nam Les post? I would love to share more about Da Nang! Looking forward to hearing from you!

I’ve been to Danang many times but not posted about it ( lack of time!). Also I’m not a fan, too big city for me, I like countryside. Handy for the shops, cinema and Starbucks though. If you’d like to write about Danang for our site that would be great, please send your pitch to [email protected] . Always looking for new quality content from expert sources. 8 months I’d consider expert, I hate it when people write posts after being somewhere for 5 minutes. I’ll be covering Marble Mountain soon, but Danang is all yours if you want it. I also don’t have any decent photos of Danang, which presumably you do. Cheers!

Those are really good tips for families traveling to Vietnam – a beautiful country!

Alyson, Would you be ale to post an example / picture of the pre-visa document? (visa on arrival) I have received one but when i have read your blog i am worried now if i was scammed or not. The other way is that i can send you my document and you would check it. I have tried the embassy and airlines but they don’t want to talk abut it unless it is provided by them. Regards & Thank you stressed Andy 🙂

We have never done it Andy, we only go in on the 3 month visa, not the e visa 15 day exemption. Sorry

Thx Alyson. I was wondering if it looks the same as you have described with some other travelers names on the document as mine looks. 🙂 We do take our friends daughter with us this Year and we would not like to be stopped on the border…. That would be silly…lol Any help from anyone reading / traveling to Vietnam would be helpful 🙂 Thx

Yes, that’s correct, there will be other people, unless you pay the extra for exclusive documents.

I really love Vietnamese Street Food. I want to travel to Vietnam and i will travel to Vietnam in next year. Thank you for your post

Hi Alyson, thanks a lot for your article. I’m going to vietnam in april and want to go straight from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An. How hard can i find a shuttle bus connecting two these destinations? They say that cyclo (xnh lo or something else) is another speciality in hoi an. Have you tried it? And can you tell me some address to get some tailor clothes in Hoi An?

There are plenty of buses and coaches but I’d highly recommend the train as more comfortable and probably safer. And yes there are cycle rickshaws in both Saigon and Hoi An. The Hoi An ones always seem to be pedalling Chinese or Korean tour groups around. I’ve never wanted to use one as they are purely a tourist attraction here, whereas in say, parts of India ( Saigon too, moreso) they are a way of getting from A to B.

Cindy, is it possible to post the VoA doc whit your names as i have wrote above? I just wanted to compare my document with yours if it looks the same . 🙂 If you won’t like it i will understand. many thanks

I am heading to Vietnam soon (in 3 weeks for 3 weeks!) with 2 teenage children in tow, We’ll be flying into Hanoi and then taking our time to travel down south before heading over to Thailand. Our first stop however will be Sapa (2 nights already booked), then back to Hanoi for 2 pre booked nights, and then we take it all in our stride. My question is – what is the best way to get from Hanoi (we land 9.ooam) to Sapa – preferably the fastest – cheapest, can you recommend ideas? It is my children’s first overseas adventure and I do plan to stay more to the backpacker/budget trip with a few hotels along the way. We also plan to spend alot of time by the water, in water parks and beaches – can you advise good places to visit and stay at? We don’t have to do everything, I am happy to spend a week in one spot if that feels right for us 🙂 Thank You! N

Great article! Vietnam is my next destination. I am especially curious about the food

I love Vietnam, Vietnam is not small like you think. In your destination, I think it’s not full of Vietnam. You can travel to Mekong Delta, Hue, Phu Quoc, Dalat, Danang… and a lot of other places in Vietnam you must to see. Now, I’m living Vietnam, I love Vietnamese people and Vietnam culture

We love Vietnam too and have been to all of those places except Dalat, we will be there in a week or two.

Thank you all for your comments. Many people do not know the interesting things of Da Lat. If I write about it can you post on the page?

We write our own posts sorry Nam, but if you could write a basic guide I could maybe add to it and include our own experiences when we visit.

Hi. I am currently working in Da Lat and I am studying about foreigners’ preference for Dalat. I searched and read many pages. And Da Lat is rarely mentioned. Can someone tell me why?

Not mentioned here because I’ve never been there! No particular reason, if we go, I’ll write about it.

Well I think it depends on itineraries, people who visit Ho Chi Minh would prefer Da Lat and people would visit the north would prefer Sapa.

What are the highlights of Dalat? What does it have to offer tourists? We’re in Vietnam again now ad may be able to visit this time.

In my opinion, Dalat is a popular destination for Vietnamese because the weather in Saigon and surrounding area is so hot but Dalat weather is cool. For the westerners coming to Vietnam, most of them come from the weather like that so they may want to spend time for other destinations. Sapa in the North is similar to Dalat for the weather but there are more things to do and discover than Dalat so the information about Sapa is richer. Hope you are happy with my idea!

Great article! Vietnam is my next destination. I am especially curious about the food 🙂

Vietnam is a paradise of food. Most of people love the streetfood in Vietnam! Welcome to Vietnam!

We found even the taxi drivers lovely!!! We got the same driver twice and he remembered us. Best place in the world, and the Vietnamese are divine people.

Hi guys, great article! Will you be in Hoi an for their lantern festival, Orla

We were here for last month’s full moon night and will be here for the coming one, yes. The next one should be quite an event with dragon dances froom local kids, but there are lanterns on the river every night in Hoi An.

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With almost two decades of experience as a senior trip leader throughout various parts of Vietnam, Ngo Trinh discovered the power of daily-life stories in providing impactful learning experiences to his travelers. Recognizing that travelers appreciate their entire journey through authentic personal stories, Trinh and his team decided to establish Vietnam Stories Travel (VST), where intriguing narratives serve as windows into the country’s culture, enriching your lifetime experience.

Our expert local guides are not only knowledgeable professionals but also witty storytellers who will breathe life into each destination. They are always willing to provide you with unique insights into Vietnamese daily life, traditions, and customs, also encourage interactive opportunities for cultural immersion with locals, which will help create lasting memories. With a profound understanding of the diverse facets of local life, the VST team takes great pride in showcasing the authentic Vietnam that embraces both the positive and challenging aspects shaping its identity.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a food lover, an adventure seeker, or a cultural explorer, we offer meticulously crafted tours to cater to your interests and preferences. Furthermore, we provide the flexibility to customize your itinerary, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable experience.

Join us to immerse yourself in the warmth of Vietnamese hospitality, embrace new experiences with VST, and discover the vibrant stories that lie ahead.

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At Vietnam Stories Travel, we offer a unique and distinctive approach to tourism that sets us apart. We are dedicated to ensuring that every small detail in Vietnamese culture is highlighted, transforming it into an intriguing story for our travelers.

What makes us truly different is our emphasis on educational experiences. We go beyond superficial sightseeing, providing opportunities for deeper engagement and understanding of Vietnamese daily life. Our tours offer authentic encounters with local communities, allowing you to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and traditions of Vietnam.

Tailored Experiences and Flexibility : With our personalized approach, we prioritize your needs, preferences, and travel style. You have the freedom to customize your itinerary, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and tailoring the experience to match your interests and desired level of exploration. Our primary focus lies on providing tours that specifically cater to mid-range to high-end segments.

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Storytellers interested in participating may submit their stories according to Vietnamese Boat People submission guidelines by April 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Five storytellers will be selected to have their story submissions streamed globally during the event and will have an opportunity to share their background, story and inspirations behind the piece.  

The Story Slam hosted by Vietnamese Boat People is an engaging live event that provides a platform and an opportunity for storytellers to share their perspective and personal stories around a specific theme. Storytellers have an allotted amount of time to share their stories using their preferred medium and format such as monologues, theatrical performances, music, art, or poetry.

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Race across the world viewers disappointed by first elimination, the bbc travel show has sent its first couple home, but viewers did not agree with the decision to cut the number of contestants down, what did you miss.

Race Across the World has eliminated its first pair of contestants, but viewers think the show should have allowed all of them to complete it.

In a harsh move, the pair finishing in fifth place for this week's leg travelling from South Korea to Cambodia through Vietnam were sent home - to the disappointment of fans.

The episode also left viewers confused over the decision to miss out China, breaking a major show rule by flying the contestants from South Korea to Vietnam instead.

What, how, and why?

Race Across the World eliminated the first pair from this year's series after a race from South Korea to Cambodia through Vietnam - and viewers were not happy about the decision.

The contestants were told that whoever finished in last place by the Cambodian checkpoint in Phnom Penh would be sent home, and after a close race between slowest two pairs Sharon and Brydie, and Stephen and Viv, it was the mother and daughter who were eliminated.

One viewer commented on X: "Gutted to see Brydie and Sharon go!" Someone else added: "Elimination leg can get in the bin, especially when my favourite team lost to my least favourite team."

Another person commented: "I love #RaceAcrossTheWorld but why do they need to ditch a couple? Such a buzz kill."

"Honestly, I don’t want anyone to be eliminated. Why do they eliminate? All couples give something to the show & I’d love to see them all race to the end," another viewer wrote.

Winning this week's leg were Alfie and Owen, but ultra competitive contestant Alfie had an emotional stop off in Vietnam .

Alfie brought viewers to tears when he stopped off in Hoi An to light a water lantern in memory of his late mum, explaining that she had passed away from cancer when he was just five.

One viewer commented: "Awh, Alfie talking about his mum and lighting a lantern in her memory was so emotional."

Someone else wrote: "Wasn't prepared to cry at #RaceAcrossTheWorld! Alfie's story is so sad," as another person agreed: "Oh, bawling my eyes out now watching #RaceAcrossTheWorld Alfie."

What else happened on Race Across the World?

Viewers were left scratching their heads at the start of the episode when the teams were given the message that they would be breaking with Race tradition and flying from South Korea to Vietnam.

The next point on the route was expected to be China, as Eugenie asked: "Where do you think we'll be going next?" and rival Alfie replied: "It's got to be China."

But they then read out the message: "It is not possible for the race to continue through China. You will fly to Hanoi where the race will continue."

Stephen added: "I am genuinely disappointed we're not going to China – just completely mind-blown by the jump."

One viewer commented on X: "How intriguing, I wonder why they had to skip China. They went through China in the 1st series."

Someone else added: "I am really disappointed the show decided not to go through China, and fly to the next destination. The working title of the show was called 'flightless'. What is the point of the show if they decide to fly places they don't want to go to?"

One viewer asked: "What, no explanation as to why they can't travel in China?" as someone else wondered: "Did China go into another lockdown at this point of the race or something?"

But as Stephen, who jumped various ticket queues last week, tapped his watch at a bus driver, one viewer joked: "Maybe for the best Stephen wasn’t unleashed across China," and someone else agreed: "probably bypassed China so Stephen didn't cause an international incident."

Race Across the World airs on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesdays.

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The 15 best things you can do in Vietnam in 2024

Feb 29, 2024 • 12 min read

Taking a cruise along the Mekong Delta is an incredible experience not to be missed © Cultura Exclusive / Rosanna U / Getty Images

The siren song of Vietnam has brought many travelers to its shores in search of incredible landscapes, pearl-white beaches , chaotic and vibrant cities, and one of the warmest welcomes in the world.

The tough decision for travelers isn't whether they should visit Vietnam, it's how they choose what to do with so many incredible options. Do you start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)? Do you swap the big city experience for the beaches and seafood suppers of Phu Quoc island? Do you dive headlong into the history of a dozen rival empires, or embrace the dynamic, modern Vietnam that has emerged from the aftermath of conflict?

No matter what you want your vacation to look like, accept that you'll never cover everything in one trip and embrace it as a reason to return. Here are 15 incredible things to do that need to be on your Vietnam to-do list.

1. Embrace past and future Vietnam in historic Hanoi

The vibrant capital of the former North Vietnam – and today the capital of the nation – Hanoi is where old and new Vietnam come together. Traces of the imperial past float like ghosts in a city surging skywards – hawkers drift through the narrow lanes of the Old Quarter selling snacks from traditional yoke baskets, while the surrounding buildings are lit up with advertising displays and strip lights.

Exploring at street level is highly atmospheric and fantastic fun – mix up days visiting wartime and imperial relics with evenings feasting on some of Asia’s finest food and late nights dousing the sticky summer heat with glasses of bia hoi (local draught beer).

Planning tip: As they say, Hanoi rocks, and the best places to rock out like a local are lively live music venues such as the moody Binh Minh Jazz Club and keep-it-loud Hanoi Rock City .

2. Find your own island in the sun in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay

Okay, we concede that Halong Bay – the atmospheric sprawl of rocky coves and eroded karst islands to the east of Hanoi – is firmly discovered, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to discover away from the cruise ship crowds. If a tour on a diesel-powered luxury junk doesn’t appeal, consider hiring a kayak to potter around Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba Island , where outcrops sculpted by wind and waves emerge from the water like the teeth of sea monsters.

Alternatively, leave the diesel fumes behind in calmer Bai Tu Long Bay to the north, where more jungle-capped islands shelter low-key resorts and languorous beaches.

3. Get your fill of imperial cuisine in handsome Hue

Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty held court in Hue until 1945, and the city’s damaged but still impressive historic relics feel somehow closer to imperial China than to the rest of Southeast Asia. However, for many travelers, it’s all about the food. More than half of Vietnam's estimated 3000 local dishes are believed to have originated in Hue, from the vermicelli-noodle-based bun bo Hue and crispy banh khoai pancakes topped with shrimp and pork to canapé-like, soft-and-crunchy banh ram it dumplings. The lavish imperial cuisine known as am thuc cung dinh – created by the emperors’ loyal chefs – can still be sampled in some of Hue's top restaurants, such as Thin Gia Vien and Hoang Phu .

Planning tip: Don’t restrict yourself to posh imperial banquets; for less than 100,000 dong you can gorge on tasty Hue staples at busy stalwart restaurants such as Madam Thu or at food stalls on the streets.

4. Meet Vietnam’s imperial leaders in the Hue tombs

Hue gets a second spot on the list thanks to the astounding imperial tombs, which preserve the mortal remains of a string of Nguyen emperors and empresses, from dynasty-founding Gia Long to Khai Dinh , the last Nguyen emperor to be buried on Vietnamese soil (his son, Bao Dai, the final emperor of Vietnam, was interred in the Cimetière de Passy in Paris ).

While crowds mob the Citadel and Imperial Enclosure, you can still find peaceful moments for contemplation by skipping the boat tours and renting a motorcycle to visit the extravagant mausoleums along the Perfume River. Don’t miss the towering  Thien Mu pagoda , looming over the north bank on the city fringes.

Detour: Equipped with two wheels, you can also buzz north from Hue to enjoy unspoiled dune beaches on the sandy barrier island stretching north and south from Thuan An.

5. Learn to make soups, stir-fries and salads on a cooking course

There’s no better souvenir to bring home from Vietnam than being able to prepare your own Vietnamese feast. Indeed, Vietnamese food arguably has a bigger dinner-party cachet than more familiar Thai cuisine.

Up and down the country, you’ll find cooking courses that start with a fragrant market trip to buy fresh ingredients and local herbs and end with a banquet of the dishes you’ve prepared, covering everything from summer rolls to pho noodle soup.

Hoi An is the most popular destination for aspiring chefs – small and personal Green Bamboo Cooking School is highly recommended. There are also good cooking schools in Hue, Hanoi and HCMC.

6. Unravel Vietnam’s complex religious history in My Son

While travelers mob the regal assembly halls, pagodas and historic homes of Hoi An, nearby My Son offers a calmer vision of Vietnam’s rich and layered past – particularly if you come in the afternoon. The big lure here is the atmospheric collection of UNESCO-listed Hindu temple ruins surrounded by jungle in a loop of the sacred Thu Bon river.

Sharing many architectural features with the Khmer temples of Cambodia and Thailand , these crumbling, red-brick shrines were built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Hindu kingdom of Champa, whose descendants – the Cham people – can still be found in pockets in central Vietnam. With only birdsong to disrupt the quiet, the site scores highly for atmosphere as well as history,

Detour: If you use Hoi An as a base for exploring My Son, set aside a day to explore the nearby Cham Islands , an impressive marine reserve whose granite islands are still inhabited by Cham people, most now followers of Islam.

Explore My Son effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

7. Visit the Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh

One of the world’s youngest faiths, the Cao Dai religion was founded in the Mekong Delta town of Tay Ninh in 1926, fusing elements of ancestor worship, folk religions, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Roman Catholicism, with the ultimate goal of freeing the soul from the endless cycle of reincarnation.

To explore its complex customs, head to the cathedral-like Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh. Inside, you’ll see weapon-toting statues, an all-seeing eye, and even a Communist-looking red star – the sect reveres, amongst other figures, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mohammed and even French novelist Victor Hugo.

Planning tip: Visitors can enter the shrine to witness prayers four times a day; if you have time to kill before or after a visit, detour 15km (9.3 miles) northeast to Nui Ba Den mountain. You can take a gondola then hike to reach its summit cave temples, then whoosh back downhill on a luge-style slide.

8. Rumble through the highlands by motorcycle

Vietnam largely moves on two wheels, and a motorcycle is by far the most enjoyable way to explore the hill country of the northwest , even if it takes some courage to adjust to the driving conditions, the errant livestock, and the steep, winding roads. Rent a quality bike in Hanoi and pop your wheels on the train to Lao Cai, to avoid the nerve-jangling ride out of the capital.

Once you reach the heart of the hill country, you can rumble out to outlying villages far from the tourist crowds for epic views and nights in charming homestays run by members of Vietnam’s tribal minorities.

Planning tip: You’ll need an international driving permit to ride legally in Vietnam, and this is only available for some nationalities. Many travelers manage to rent a motorcycle without a permit, but if things go wrong, you won’t be covered by your travel insurance.

9. See the American War through Vietnamese eyes

Modern-day Vietnam is moving on from conflict, but the battlefields from the American War still linger as a sobering reminder of what people had to go through to get to this point. Sites of American losses such as Hamburger Hill in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) are etched into the popular consciousness, but the wartime tunnels at Cu Chi near HCMC and Vinh Moc near Hue offer a glimpse of the Vietnamese experience, as ordinary people went to extraordinary lengths to resist the world’s greatest superpower.

10. Visit villages in the "Asian Alps"

The former French Hill station of Sapa is surrounded by mountains so impressive that French colonizers called them the “Tonkinese Alps,” and the surrounding villages of the H'Mong and Dao ethnic minorities have become popular destinations for hikers – and somewhat commercialized in the process.

For a taste of the scenic serenity that first drew travelers to these lush green hills, head instead to drier, calmer Bac Ha , or the trails and mountain roads around Ha Giang province, tucked against the border with China and seemingly sculpted by the hands of the gods. Stay in hospitable homestays and explore markets, peaceful stilt-house villages, French-era relics and soaring limestone pinnacles, away from the maddening crowds.

Planning tip: There's a lot of competition for the title of best vista in Vietnam but the lookouts gazing over the Dong Van Karst Plateau are strong contenders. The area is designated as a UNESCO Geopark, and the trip from Yen Minh to Dong Van and over the Mai Pi Leng Pass to Meo Vac is particularly spectacular.

11. Find a perfect cup of coffee in the Central Highlands

It was the French colonizers who brought coffee from the Arabian peninsula to Vietnam, but it was the farmers of the Southwest Highlands who mastered the art of coaxing quality beans from these undulating hills. Rising to 1600m (5250ft), Dak Lak Province provides the perfect terroir for growing robusta beans, and the regional capital of Buon Ma Thuot is a great place to tour plantations and track down a quality cup of ca phe , particularly during the annual coffee festival in March. If you insist on arabica beans, head to Dalat and visit the community K'Ho Coffee cooperative, supporting local coffee growers from the K’Ho minority.

Planning tip: The best time to visit coffee country is from September to the end of December when the harvest season is in full swing and plantations are filled with baskets of red beans.

Transform your visit the Central Highlands by  booking with GetYourGuide.

12. Enter the world’s largest cave in Phong Nha

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in north central Vietnam is a lost world of jungles and caverns, including the world’s largest, Hang Son Doong. The scale of this wonder of nature is simply mind-blowing – a 747 airplane could fly through the cave’s main tunnel.

Parts of the limestone ceiling have collapsed, bringing in natural sunlight, so Hang Son Doong contains an entire rainforest ecosystem with flying foxes, rare langurs, and even a small population of tigers. Since 2012, one tour company – Oxalis Adventure – has been allowed to take a strictly limited number of visitors into Hang Son Doong on challenging four-day treks; the price is stratospheric but so is the scenery.

13. Walk with the ghosts of French Indochina in Ho Chi Minh City

The former capital of South Vietnam may have changed its name from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) , but the past remains close to the surface, from the American War relics in the HCMC Museum and War Remnants Museum to the city’s elegant French-built mansions and civic buildings – many now housing museums, restaurants and boutique hotels.

To get a feel for vintage Saigon, stop for a cup of ca phe sua (milk coffee) at the elegant Hotel Continental Saigon , sample cutting-edge French cuisine at La Villa , and take a stroll past the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the People’s Committee Building – built as HCMC’s Hôtel de Ville but rebranded as the Vietnamese sent the colonizers packing.

Planning tip: To fully appreciate the marvelous, lip-tingling variety of HCMC street food, join a foodie-focused scooter tour with Saigon Street Eats .

Explore Ho Chi Minh City effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

14. Bask on beautiful beaches

It was the beaches of Phu Quoc Island and Danang – developed as a playground for GIs during the American War – that put Vietnam on the map for seaside vacations, but both have developed into lively resorts. To find unspoiled stretches of sand, modern-day castaways aim their sights at the kitesurfing beaches around Mui Ne , the island sands of the Con Dao archipelago and long, languorous Hong Van Beach on Co To Island in Bai Tu Long Bay .

Planning tip: The best time for a beach trip varies as you move around the country. In central Vietnam, skies are brightest from January to August, while December to April is the beach window on the south coast, and northern Vietnam sees plenty of dry days from October to April.

15. Float on the Mekong Delta

Reaching out into the East Sea like an enormous hand, the mighty Mekong Delta marks the end point of Southeast Asia’s longest river – a 4350km (2700 mile) monster, rising on the Tibetan plateau and emptying to the south of Ho Chi Minh City. This waterlogged wonderland is Vietnam’s rice bowl, nurturing a network of sleepy towns and stilt villages whose residents use the river as their primary artery for life and trade.

For comfortable exploring, book an overnight cruise along the main channel near Can Tho or a cross-border trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia. For a less commercial experience, take a day trip to the backwaters near Ben Tre with Mango Cruises or make your own arrangements with boat owners in Delta villages.

This article was first published September 2021 and updated February 2024

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Vietnamese history A primer

Vietnam is a country founded in legends. millennia of invasions and conflicts have shaped vietnamese culture into what you see today. to help you fully appreciate the attractions and culture you’ll encounter in vietnam, here’s a brief overview of the notable time periods and figures in the nation’s history, as well as specific suggestions for deeper exploration during your trip., dynastic rules (2nd to 15th centuries).

Throughout its history, many dynasties ruled over Vietnam in between periods of Chinese occupation. There are four main dynasties to note: the Ly, the Tran, the Le, and the Nguyen. First, the Ly Dynasty drove out the Chinese, ending a thousand year-long rule, and set up a centralized the government in Hanoi. Then came the Tran Dynasty, which repelled a Mongol attack in the Red River Delta under the command of general Tran Hung Dao. These two dynasties helped build the foundation of Vietnam, as people with long-standing love for their land.

Places to discover:

Thang Long Citadel (Hanoi) - To unearth more about the dynastic history of Vietnam, explore the ruins of this royal enclosure, originally built during the Ly Dynasty.  

Temple of Literature (Hanoi) - Take a stroll through the city’s first university, established in 1070. This serene and historic structure is located just west of the Old Quarter.

One Pillar Pagoda (Hanoi) - This sacred monument was erected by an emperor in gratitude for the birth of his son.

The Le Dynasty Pushes South (15th to 17th centuries)

China invaded Vietnam again at the turn of the 15th century, but this period did not last nearly as long as the previous occupation. Le Loi, a wealthy landowner, managed to lead a resistance and reclaim Vietnam. This established the Le Dynasty, which succeeded in expanding southward, gaining control over the former Champa Kingdom. The Cham were an ethnic group from the Indian sub-continent, that lived in central and southern Vietnam from the 2nd century. A strong kingdom with mercantile skills, they were eventually defeated and driven into the depths of the Mekong Delta.

Cham towers and complexes (Central Vietnam) - Discover the vast and fascinating ruins of My Son sanctuary a few kilometres outside of Hoi An. Visit the Po Nagar towers in central Nha Trang or the Po Shanu towers a short drive from Mui Ne town.

Museum of Cham Sculpture (Da Nang) - Founded during the French colonial rule, this charming building hosts incredible displays of Cham relics and sculptures.

The Last Dynasty (19th Century)

The Nguyens came into power during a divisive civil conflict that had left Vietnam fractured. Under the leadership of Emperor Gia Long, the country was reunited and in 1802, Gia Long constructed a new feudal capital in the city of Hue in Central Vietnam. During the reign of the Nguyen Emperors, French influence in Vietnam grew under the pretext of religious reform and evangelicalism. Eventually, the French established control over the whole of Vietnam, adding the central and northern regions to the rest of their conquests (neighbouring Laos and Cambodia). The last Nguyen emperor, Bao Dai, formally abdicated his throne.

Imperial City (Hue) - Explore the legacy of the Nguyen Dynasty with a walk around the Hue Citadel and Imperial City, one of Vietnam’s top historical attractions.

Royal Tombs (Hue) - Make time to visit the grandiose tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, each one different from the others, and designed by the Nguyen emperors before their deaths.

French Colonisation (late 19th to early 20th century)

During the French colonisation of Vietnam, the country was divided into three protectorates: Tonkin, Annam and Cochinchine. Throughout French rule, resistance brewed among the Vietnamese. At the turn of the century many notable Vietnamese writers published works calling for solidarity and freedom from colonial rule. These ideas were temporarily silenced but not forgotten. Despite mass arrests by the French, many Vietnamese nationalists used imprisonment to spread their cause and mobilize for the future.

Con Dao Prison Complex (Con Dao Island) - While enjoying the beaches of Con Dao Island, visit the prison complex to unearth stories about its tragic past.

Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi) - This urban prison, a short walk from Hoan Kiem lake, was dubbed the ‘fiery furnace’ by locals.

French Quarter (Hanoi) - Take a stroll around Hoan Kiem District to encounter many well-preserved French villas, as well as other architectural relics from the French colonisation, including Long Bien Bridge and the Metropole Hotel.

Invasion to Independence (early to mid-20th century)

When France was occupied by Germany, Japan seized the opportunity to invade Vietnam. This strategic move resulted in Japanese forces taking control of Hanoi in 1940. A year later they moved further south, along the way awakening remaining elements of the Vietnamese resistance and spurring communists and nationalists to band together to form the Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh. The Viet Minh destabilized the Japanese, and by 1945, Japan surrendered to Allied forces on the same day Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent nation in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square.

Cannon Fort (Cat Ba) - This hilltop fort was built by the Japanese after their invasion of Cat Ba. Discover more about this event and enjoy the views of the port and jungle below.

Ba Dinh Square (Hanoi) - Visit this iconic square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, before checking out the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house.

The Indochina Wars & Reunification (mid-20th century)

Resistance to French colonial rule came to a head when the First Indochina War began in 1946. The war lasted until a stark defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. After a ceasefire was signed, Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel, setting the stage for a war that would capture worldwide attention. American involvement in South Vietnam had begun well beforehand, and as the United States committed more and more forces to the war effort, so did North Vietnam. The Tet Offensive marked a turning point for north, and ultimately American forces retreated from Saigon as the city was taken by North Vietnamese troops on April 30, 1975.

War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City) - This museum showcases the harsh reality of the war through the lenses of renowned  photographers on both sides of the conflict.

Reunification Palace (Ho Chi Minh City) - Take a stroll around this former seat of power for the Republic of Vietnam. The day the Viet Cong tanks crashed through the gates of the palace marked the end of the war.

Cu Chi Tunnels - These underground tunnels outside Ho Chi Minh City reveal how the Viet Cong guerrilla forces survived and waged war under remarkable conditions.

Doi Moi & Vietnam Now (late 20th century to the present)

After the Second Indochina War, the country went through a period of adjustment and reunification. In 1986, the Vietnamese government introduced its ‘Doi Moi’ (renewal) policy nationwide. These reforms resulted in gradual economic growth, as more and more Vietnamese began to open businesses. Recently, Vietnam has seen a boom in development, and is one of the region’s fastest-growing economies. The country offers is a fascinating mix of old and new, with compelling historical attractions and a deeply rooted sense of appreciation for its past.  

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