Vietnam Travel Guide
Vietnam is an amazing country to visit. Filled with rich history, historic towns, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and some of the best street food in Asia, there is something here for everyone. Sail through Ha Long Bay on a Junk cruise ship, rent a motorbike and ride through the quaint town of Hoi An, witness the sunrise markets on the Mekong Delta, crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels, or walk the crowded, fascinating streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. You will never have a boring moment in Vietnam!
Vietnam Stats
Official Languages: Vietnamese
Population: 96 million
Capital City: Hanoi
Currency: Vietnamese Dong, VND
Power Outlet: Type A, C, and G
Best of Vietnam
Explore the ancient Imperial Palace in Hue, tour rapidly growing Ho Chi Minh City, and watch as the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang puts on a pyrotechnic show. The cuisine in Vietnam is phenomenal. I would travel back to Vietnam just for the food…it’s that good. But there are also beautiful beaches, mysterious caves, and exotic cities to explore. Here is our list of the best things to do in Vietnam.
12 Must-Have Experiences in Vietnam
Northern Vietnam
In northern Vietnam, visit Hanoi, cruise Ha Long Bay, explore Sapa, or read about our experience traveling from Hanoi to Nanning, China by bus.
A Photojourney Through the Old Quarter of Hanoi
We spent a week in Hanoi during the middle of February, giving us plenty of time to get to know this city. Everyday we took a walk through the area, exploring the backstreets, watching people prepare and then celebrate Tet, the Lunar New Year. We walked on the train tracks, went shopping in the markets, […]
Taking the Bus from Hanoi to Nanning
To enter China from Vietnam, we chose to travel overland by taking the bus from Hanoi to Nanning. By traveling overland we saved the huge expense of airplane travel and we got to see parts of Vietnam and China that many travelers miss. Taking the Bus from Hanoi to Nanning Hanoi to the Border There […]
Three Days on Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The grand finale of our tour of Vietnam was a three day cruise on Ha Long Bay with Galaxy Cruise Lines. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most famous sights…thousands of small limestone mountains filling the bay, not far from the South China Sea. This is a popular tourist sight and another UNESCO World […]
Central Vietnam
In central Vietnam, visit the beautiful towns of Hoi An, Hue, and Da Nang.
Da Nang, Vietnam. This Place Took us By Surprise
Da Nang, this small city in Vietnam, is located at the midpoint of the country, right on the ocean. Tour books don’t highlight this city as a worthwhile place to visit so I was planning on skipping right over it while in Vietnam. During our time in Hoi An, we visited Da Nang more than […]
Hue, Vietnam in Photos
Hue, located in central Vietnam, was home to the Nguyen dynasty and it was the capital of Vietnam until 1945. The Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is what attracts visitors to the city of Hue. Scattered along the Perfume River sits the tombs of past emperors. We spent several days in Hue. We […]
Traveling from Hoi An to Hue in Vietnam
The best way to get from Hoi An to Hue is by hiring a private driver for the day. By having a driver, we were able to visit My Son Sanctuary, Da Nang, Marble Mountain, travel over Hai Van Pass, walk on Lang Co Beach, and have pit stops for lunch and photos. Traveling From […]
Wishing We Had More Time in Hoi An
I had read that Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s best destinations, but I had no idea how much we all would love it here. There is something in Hoi An for everyone…a quaint, old town perfect for strolling, shopping, and dining, awesome beaches for the kids, and a perfect mix of countryside and villages […]
Southern Vietnam
In southern Vietnam, spend some time in Ho Chi Minh City, day trip to the Mekong Delta, or visit the island of Phu Quoc.
A Day on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without a trip to the Mekong Delta. This is iconic Vietnam…flat fields of rice fields as far as the eye can see, wooden houses on stilts located along the river’s edge, men and women in small boats, selling their produce. I was so excited to get a […]
Our Experience on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Our introduction to Vietnam was a quick visit to the tropical island of Phu Quoc. The four of us spent two days, three nights here, which would have been just enough time to enjoy the beaches and do a little sightseeing. Unfortunately, we hardly did anything here. I was just recovering from a nice case […]
Two Days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city. It is located in the southern portion of the country, not far from the Mekong Delta. This city was called Saigon until 1976, when the name was changed to Ho Chi Minh City after the conclusion of the Vietnam War. Many local people here prefer the name […]
Visiting Vietnam During Tet
Tet is the Lunar New Year for Vietnam and falls on the same day as the Chinese New Year. In this guide, we cover what it is like to visit Vietnam during Tet.
Should I Travel to Vietnam During Tet?
More Articles About Asia
Here is more information about our experiences in Asia plus articles about how to plan a trip through Southeast Asia and travel ideas for the winter months.
10 Winter Vacation Ideas Perfect for the Holiday Season
It’s nice to spend the holiday season at home, visiting with family and enjoying the low-key end to the year. But what if you want to get away? With two weekends and two days off of work for Christmas and New Year’s, it’s possible to swing a 10-day getaway without taking too many vacation days. […]
3 Month Southeast Asia Itinerary & Travel Planning Guide
Southeast Asia is the land of ancient temples, tropical beaches, metropolitan cities, mountain villages, and an endless supply of cultural experiences. This 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary allows you not only to see the highlights of this part of the world, but to also to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. On this Southeast […]
What Traveling Through Asia Has Taught Us
We have now been traveling through Asia for over five months and still have several more to go. It has been quite the learning experience for our family…new foods, new cultures, lots of history to learn about. Most of it has been a wonderful experience although we have had a few difficulties along the way, […]
Top Experiences in Vietnam
Cruise on Ha Long Bay. Take a 2-day or 3-day junk cruise on iconic Ha Long Bay. This is one of the most beautiful areas of Vietnam and cannot be missed. Activities include fishing, taking a cooking class, kayaking, and hiking.
Old Quarter of Hanoi. Walking these gritty, bustling streets can be an eye opening experience. Check out the markets and the street food, go shopping, and don’t forget to bring your camera!
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Located just outside of Ho Chi Minh City, tour this historical area where the Vietnamese hid from US forces in a series of underground tunnels. You also will have the chance to shoot AK-47’s and other rifles at the end of the tour.
Wander the ancient city of Hue. Hue is home to the Imperial City of the Nguyen Dynasty. Take a tour or wander the palace on your own. Afterwards, have dinner at the DMZ Bar, a popular restaurant in the heart of Hue.
Hiking in Sapa. Known for its trekking through rice terraces and alpine territory, Sapa is located in northwest Vietnam.
Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is located in southern Vietnam. Every morning, thousands of Vietnamese converge here, buying and selling produce. Watch the hustle and bustle of the sales, then tour the smaller tributaries by rowboat and short walks.
Hoi An. If you have time to visit only one city in Vietnam, Hoi An gets our vote. This picturesque town has it all…fabulous shopping, superb restaurants, history, nearby rice paddies to cycle through, and a beautiful beach just a few kilometers away.
Phu Quoc Island. Off the normal tourist track, this island is located off the coast of Cambodia and Vietnam. If you want to go somewhere a little different, consider Phu Quoc. We recommend staying in a nicer place (4 or 5 star hotel) to make the most of your visit.
My Son Sanctuary. Located in central Vietnam, My Son Sanctuary is an important historical site with ruins over 1000 years old.
Visit Da Nang. Located just north of Hoi An, Da Nang makes a quick day trip. The beach was beautiful and deserted, our visit to the Lady Buddha give us another glimpse of the Chinese-style architecture commonly found in Vietnam, and we loved the technicolor Dragon Bridge.
Travel Tips
- Safety
Vietnam is a very safe country to visit. Pickpocketing and petty thievery do occur. Do not leave your valuables unattended. There have been reports of theft on beaches when belongings are left unattended. Also, we heard reports of men on motorbikes snatching bags and cameras from tourists as they drove by. To prevent this, wear your shoulder strap across your body with your bag to the inside of the sidewalk.
- Most people travel by motorbike
We saw more motorbikes here than in any other country we have visited. Families of four will all travel on one motorbike and people will use their motorbikes to transport anything from small trees to widescreen TV’s to enormous bundles of trash. It is something to see!
- Visiting Vietnam during Tet
Many travel sites will warn against visiting Vietnam during the holiday season of Tet. We disagree. We spent one month in Vietnam, from the beginning to the end of Tet and it was a very positive experience for us. This is a very festive time to be in Vietnam and with proper planning, visiting during Tet can be very enjoyable. For more on visiting Vietnam during Tet, read our post Should I Travel to Vietnam During Tet?