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Ultimate Travel Guide of Vietnam

Vietnam is perhaps the most fascinating destination in Southeast Asia. Located on the Indochina Peninsula, it covers a total area of approximately 331,210km2, mostly hilly and forested. Mountains account for 40% of the country’s land area while the forests cover other 42%. Vietnam also boasts a coastline of 3,260km and a maze of rivers and canals. With its diverse terrain, this country allure visitors by a variety of sights and unique cultures across Buddhist temples, exotic beaches, and bustling cities. Prepare yourself for a new adventure through our exclusive guide to Vietnam Vacation now!

HOW TO GET THERE?

Currently, there are 11 international airports offering direct and indirect flights from and to various destinations around the world. Noi Bai, Danang, Tan Son Nhat are the three busiest ones to access the most visited places in three regions. 

Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines have flights daily to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city from New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco of United States with a connection in Seoul and Hong Kong respectively. Air Canada and Cathay Pacific offer flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with transit in Hong Kong. Korean Air and Japan Airlines also connect Vietnam with major cities in Canada but the transit time can be longer.

WHEN IS THE
BEST TIME TO VISIT?

The climate of Vietnam varies considerably from region to region due to its stretching of over 1,650 km (1,025 miles) in length. Adding to that point, this country has an approximately 3,260km (2,026 miles) long coastline, making it a year-round destination to travel. Its climate is divided into 3 regions with different weather.

WHERE TO VISIT IN Vietnam?

Hanoi

Vietnam’s 1,000-year-old capital, Hanoi, with a population of over 6.5 million, is one of the country’s main cultural centers and considered a rising star in Southeast Asia. New and old, East and West meet here, in what is now the country’s educational center. The Old Quarter provides a fascinating look at the Hanoi of the early 20th century, when each of the streets contained merchants and households that specialized in a trade, such as sugar, silver, bamboo and silk. Though few of the well-preserved, narrow streets are still devoted to one exclusive trade, the area is renowned for its artisan stores. Vietnam’s first university, the 1,000-year-old temple of literature, provides a look at another period of history, as does the traditional stilt house and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Visitors to the city won’t want to miss the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or the War Museum, and will enjoy the tree-shaded streets filled with French colonial architecture, bustling market places, and friendly residents.

Ha Long Bay

Nearly 3,000 limestone islands, called karsts, emerge mystically from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay, translated literally as the Bay of Descending Dragons, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. A Ha Long Bay cruise to take in these strangely sculpted karsts, which hide caves, lagoons and beaches, is a must on any Vietnam vacation. Add a kayaking excursion for an up-close-and-personal experience of this dream-like masterpiece of nature as you explore hidden caves that are only revealed at low tide through the chinks in the cliffs.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh, prepare to be welcomed by a friendly chorus of “Hello’s” and “Xin Chao” from the local children, as you discover this area. Here you will be amazed with everything Ninh Binh has to offer. Bringing the typical beauty of Vietnam’s Northern Delta with picturesque landscape of leisurely water buffalos, charming lotus lakes, immense golden-green rice paddies, over which white storks take long flights. As you walk, cycle or even paddle through this distinct region. Located to the south of the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh possesses the typical gorgeousness of Vietnam’s Northern countryside, with its kaleidoscope of colors all around you, the green rice fields, the blue waters and the amazing floral colour displays all around you. This is where you can totally relax and enjoying the fresh and stunning beauty of Vietnam’s nature with majestic limestone formations and meandering rivers on the rustic rowing boats. Often called “the small Halong Bay” on the land, Ninh Binh offers a new sense of serenity, tranquility and simplicity to those who are looking for peace in their mind. Home to some incredible sights such as Phat Diem Cathedral, Bai Dinh Temple and also Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh is a place with much to discover.

Cao Bang

Cao Bang province is located in the Northern part of Vietnam, sharing the border of 322 kilometers with Guangxi province of the People’s Republic of China. The main town is also named Cao Bang and was a colonial military town and is where the Viet Minh rebels won their first victory against the French army. From Cao Bang town, visitors can trek through stunning scenery to villages of minority ethnic people.  Don’t miss Ban Gioc Waterfall, about a three-hour drive from Cao Bang town. This beautiful waterfall, which spans 300 meters and has a 53 meter vertical drop, is the largest waterfall in Vietnam, and straddles the Vietnam-China border. Nearby is Nguom Ngao Cave, also not to be missed with its awe-inspiring caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Hue

Hue is a charming city in the center of Vietnam, this was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, and as the home to 13 emperors. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers insights into the world of royalty. The most famous site on the Perfume River is the Imperial Citadel, once the emperors’  forbidden city where visitors can now view a complex of temples, pavilions, moats, gates, shops, museums and galleries featuring art and costumes. The city has been undergoing renovation for 20 years but still has a way to go. Among the other notable monuments are the tombs of several emperors and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Hue is also famous for its exquisite, intricate royal cuisine and delicate traditional cakes. Hue city offers a unique sense of serenity and leisure.

Da Nang

Danang is a young city built on an ancient land, closely related with the Sa Huynh cultural traditions, located in the middle of Central Vietnam, 108km from Imperial City of Hue and 947km from Saigon. Danang is Vietnam’s fourth-largest city offers a variety of feelings and experiences to visitors: a vibrant and modern city, with stunning beaches, and a unique culture. The young city that still preserve ancient Champa culture which visitors can visit the Champa Sculpture Art Museum and submerse in the way local people daily lives. It offers a great balance between modern and traditional. Beside its dynamic city centre, the amazing yet pleasantly deserted beaches that are home to luxurious front beach resorts, having incredibly white sands, warm blue sea Danang has to offer. A visitor would find a long beach stay here at a tropical paradise with pleasant climate all year round, where they just relax and enjoy the beach life. Danang also has other various interesting attractions as Ba Na Hill, Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) as well as the Linh Ung Pagoda, Han River, and an outstanding place nearby: My Son Holy Land, an archaeological site dating back more than a thousand years located in a forested valley roughly 70 km west of Danang, this former capital and religious center of the Champa kingdom famous for the ruins of Champa stupas and temples. With its all assets, Danang is able to satisfy all styles of travel- city, beach, mountain or even a more cultured trip.

Hoi An

The charming ancient town of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province in south central Vietnam, is awarded as a World Heritage Site because of the well preservation of ancient architecture and its example as a trading port. The quaint cobblestone streets are home to some 2-century-old Chinese houses. Visitors can visualize the trading for spices, silk and porcelain that took place among merchants from India, Europe, Japan during the 16th to 19th centuries in this riverside town, and can engage in some trading of their own in Hoi An’s bustling market and shops, including made-to-measure clothing. It is famous for the attractive images of colorful handmade lanterns in the traditional shops along the narrow streets. Some other sites that will please the visitor include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. Hoi An with its unique gorgeous beauty is the favorite place of many visitors who travel to Vietnam, many of them say that although they return here several times, Hoi An always attracts them like love at first sight. Especially, in the Full moon day each month, the ancient town is incredibly sparkling in with the candle lights on the river and colors of silk lanterns on the streets. It maybe the memorable sight of the life time!

Quy Nhon

Located in south central Vietnam, the port city of Quy Nhon is famous for its pristine and exotic beaches, sunny and cream colored sand. The beach stretches out along following a semicircular shape with the city hugging the shoreline. Quy Nhon is situated in a beautiful bay, with a backdrop of impressive mountains and ahead the clear blue seas. Quy Nhon also has its rich tradition in Champa culture originating from the 11th century; standing out to mark its history are the Twin Tower to worship Linga and Yoni (Ying and Yang in Champa belief) easily visible from the city and an excellent example of the Champa architecture. Also home to Long Khanh and Tam An Pagoda, where you will find a 17 meter tall Buddha and the Thousand handed and thousand eyed goddess of mercy statue. Quy Nhon has plenty to offer for all.

Nha Trang & Ninh Van Bay

Nha Trang, is Vietnam's most famous beach destination. Set on a 7km stretch of beautiful white sandy beaches and the safe warm waters here make it a paradise, not only for beach lovers but also snorkeling and divers. Nha Trang safe waters are a haven for divers with an abundance of sea life to observe, it is easy to understand why this is Vietnam’s premier dive location. The city of Nha Trang is also probably the liveliest beach town, with many streets to explore and bars and restaurants spread across the city. One of the most famous being the Sailing club, with a great beachfront location, excellent food and great atmosphere. Away from the beach, there is plenty to see and do, including the Cham Temple of Pa Nagar, or the Thap Ba Mud baths, here you can relax in the mud baths, mineral pools and thermal waterfalls or enjoy the hot and cold swimming pools. Just off the coast of Nha Trang is Ninh Van Island, which is fast becoming the most famous island retreat in Vietnam, with its luxury hotels providing the finest services. This remarkable island is home to some of the finest remote beaches anywhere along with excellent reefs making snorkeling and diving also an option. Here you will find total peace and tranquility on this almost deserted islands. It is the perfect getaway destination and also within easy distance of the mainland.

Saigon

Also known as Ho Chi Minh City, the capital of South Vietnam from 1955-1975, today Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city and commercial heart. Home to over 10 million people, this bustling city is replete with skyscrapers, shopping centers and motorbikes. New and old, traditional and trendy blend here. Among the historic sites to visit are the Old Post Office of Saigon, the Notre Dame cathedral, Dong Khoi Street, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. The Chinese district of Cho Lon is home to the bustling Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda. There is abundant nightlife; for a traditional evening, take in a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show on the riverside outdoor terrace of Ngon Restaurant. About 40 km from Ho Chi Minh City are the Cu Chi tunnels, 250 km of tunnels dug in the 1940s during the French occupation and expanded in the 1960s during the Vietnam War. In this underground community, residents took refuge against the American bombings.

Mekong Delta & River

A Mekong Delta visit in southern Vietnam is the authentic experience many Vietnam travelers seek. Here visitors encounter timeless scenes of the real life of real people, and are impressed with the friendly and rustic soul of the local people. Fishermen and farmers carry on traditional lives in this lush rice-producing delta, which is criss-crossed with rivers, canals and arroyos. The delta’s flat roads are excellent for bicycling. The town of My Tho is closest to Ho Chi Minh City, about a two-hour drive. Cai Be, known for its floating market and craft villages, is further south, and Can Tho, with the largest floating market in the delta and numerous fruit orchards, is at the delta’s heart. On a Mekong Delta cruise, the visitor takes in the traffic of rice and sand barges, fruit-drying facilities and wooden ship-building yards, you can them experience all. Or for those who wish to venture further a Mekong River Cruise extends from here up to and through Cambodia and beyond. Offering a whole new dimension to this region, with cruising in style through these peaceful and gentle waters.

Phu Quoc Island

Beautiful beaches and fabulous seafood make the large tropical island of Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand the perfect getaway. This mountainous and forested island has yet to be discovered by hordes of tourists and is not highly developed. Phu Quoc is blessed to have extraordinary beauty with beautiful white-sand beaches, deep blue sea and high blue sky that are considered among Southeast Asia’s most beautiful as well as tropical climate almost around the year , which  can not be more perfect for an ideal beach holiday. Visitors can dive, snorkel, trek in the virgin forests, visit quaint fishing villages or just relax on private beaches of true luxury resorts Phu Quoc have to offer.

WHERE TO STAY IN Vietnam?

CAPELLA HANOI

CAPELLA HANOI

  11 Lê Phụng Hiểu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotel De L' Opera

Hotel De L' Opera

  29 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
AVANA RETREAT

AVANA RETREAT

  Panh Village, Bao La Commune, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh
Ginger Cruise

Ginger Cruise

  Tuan Chau Marina Terminal Station, Ha Long, Vietnam
VILLA HUE

VILLA HUE

  4 Tran Quang Khai, Hue, Vietnam
Anantara Hoi An

Anantara Hoi An

  1 Pham Hong Thai Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
TIA Wellness Resort

TIA Wellness Resort

  Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang 557276
SILVERLAND YEN

SILVERLAND YEN

  73-75 Thủ Khoa Huân, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

WHAT ARE BEST THINGS TO DO IN Vietnam?

Wander around Hanoi Old Quarter

Wander around Hanoi Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Quarter is small enough to explore by foot. You can walk on the narrow streets of the Old Quarter or visit the countless coffee shops and galleries dotted around this bustling city.

Watch a Water Puppet Show

Watch a Water Puppet Show

Water Puppet is a traditional show of North Vietnam but has recently been famous all over the world, and you can see the performance at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi.

Cruise down Ha Long Bay

Cruise down Ha Long Bay

With more than 2,000 karst limestone mountain islands rising from the emerald water of the UNESCO World Heritage site, a trip on a luxury cruise over the charming bay will blow your mind away from its majestic landscape.

Go Trekking in Sapa

Go Trekking in Sapa

Trek Sapa to visit the rice paddies, learn about how the terraces are cultivated, discover Thac Bac waterfall, shop the multi-color products of the local, learn the ethnic culture

Bike in Mai Chau

Bike in Mai Chau

From bursting fields, lush mountain, land paths, wooden traditional stilt houses of ethnic people, Mai Chau is the place where you can forget all the tiredness and worries of busy everyday life.

Be stunned by Ban Gioc Waterfall

Be stunned by Ban Gioc Waterfall

Over 200 meters wide and a drop of more than 70 meters, Ban Gioc Waterfall offers a stunning site of 3 layers of cliffs among a picturesque background of green forest and unique ethnic villages. Among top 7 amazing waterfalls in Vietnam, Ban Gioc is listed as the number 1.

Hangout in Hoi An

Hangout in Hoi An

This ancient town used to be an international port in the 16th century. Ride your bike to visit Tra Que vegetable villages, Kim Bong carpentry village, amazing food, vibrant streets, and tranquil beaches. Hoi An will seduce you by its own unique way.

Dive in Nha Trang

Dive in Nha Trang

Thanks to its beautiful clear water and colorful sea creatures, Nha Trang is the main spot for scuba diving in Vietnam. The best place to dive is at the fantastic Ninh Van Bay, which is only 60km from the center of Nha Trang.

Mekong Delta Cruise

Mekong Delta Cruise

The Mekong Delta is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands, home to colorful floating markets, old Khmer pagodas, mangroves, orchards, and local villages surrounded by lush rice paddies.

Shopping at floating market

Shopping at floating market

The most famous floating markets in Vietnam are Cai Rang and Cai Be but you have to wake up early because the markets will finish at around 9am.

Nightlife in Saigon

Nightlife in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City is worth to explore, especially its exotic nightlife. Amazing street food, impressive rooftop bars with stunning views of the city and plenty of bustle nightclubs are available there. take these 7 ideas here to have a fascinating trip around this appealing city

Sandboarding at Mui Ne

Sandboarding at Mui Ne

Has been ranked in the list of top 10 beautiful sand dunes in the world, Mui Ne attracts a large number of visitors getting to its dunes to do sandboarding.

HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR MONEY?

The official currency in Vietnam is Dong. The US dollar is widely accepted among major big shops and restaurants but the price might be rounded up to the nearest USD, making it a little bit more expensive than the cost in Dong. The Euro, Pound and other currencies are also easy to exchange but make sure your notes are clean and undamaged. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are becoming more accepted in many of the bigger hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially in the larger cities with 3-4 percent per transaction. An ATM is easy to find in any city of Vietnam. 

 

  • this Buses: Extensive and affordable for travel between towns.
  • this Air: Cheap and frequent domestic airlines.
  • this Train: Another convenient way to get around Vietnam.
  • this Motorbike: The best way to feel an authentic Vietnam.
  • this Taxi or ride-share services like Grab, Be, ... (cheaper and more convenient)

WHAT TO BUY IN Vietnam?

TIPS & TRICKS

For tipping, big hotels and restaurants in Vietnam often add a 5 – 10% service charges to bills, so you don’t need to tip there but small gratuities for great services are much appreciated. But you should tip waiters, hired drivers, massage ladies, and tour guides because they don’t get high paid.

Learn some bargain techniques in our competed guide to deal with local salesmen, that can be interesting and will save your money. In the big cities such as Hanoi and Saigon, it’s better to use taxis or private car with driver due to the terrific traffic or you can go for tours to visit more attractions, get more amazing moments and experiences.

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