Vietnam travel guide

Vietnam has one of the oldest continuous histories of any nation — and yet nearly a third of 97 million citizens are aged under 30. It’s this dynamic blend of old and new which has powered the country from post-war poverty into one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and one of the hottest tourism destinations in the region.
Stretching from its border with China in the north to the Gulf of Thailand in the southwest, Vietnam has over 2,000 miles of majestic coastline, a cornucopia of golden beaches, fishing villages, idyllic tropical islands, national parks, mind-boggling biodiversity and spectacular inland waterways, the most famous being Halong Bay. Vietnam’s interior wows with a patchwork of rippling mountains, vertiginous rice terraces, 1,000-year-old temples, energetic cities and life-giving rivers, most notably the Mekong.
Along the way you can feast on mountains of zingy fresh food, including meaty banh mi sandwiches, prawn-packed spring rolls and sizzling banh xeo pancakes, pick up a whole new wardrobe from cheap-as-chips tailors and immerse yourself in a wealth of historic attractions.
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Most long-haul flights land in Ho Chi Minh City, which makes the country’s largest city — formerly known as Saigon — the ideal place to start. It’s a town that’s literally on the up and you’ll find newly minted skyscrapers casting their shadows across a panorama of French colonial-era architecture, Soviet-style housing blocks, wing-tipped pagodas and torrents of scooters. Spend a couple of days soaking up the frenetic atmosphere, with side trips to the noodle-y Cu Chi tunnels and austere War Remnants Museum for some insight into the devastating impact of the US invasion of Vietnam.
Next, hop on a flight north to hip, high-spirited capital Hanoi for a couple of days eating and drinking at outdoor stalls (this was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favourite destinations) in between exploring the city’s eclectic historical sites, including the 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature, the French colonial-era Hanoi Opera House and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. From here, splash out on a seaplane ride to Halong Bay for a dragon’s eye view of the melted-wax limestone karsts and luminous green waters that make up this otherworldly waterway — and a night onboard a junk to reach the parts that day-trippers can’t.
Wrap up at a slower pace on one of Vietnam’s long golden beaches. In Central Vietnam you’ve got Da Nang and the nearby Unesco world heritage town of Hoi An. The former is young, dynamic, an Asian Miami in the making; the latter is a beautifully preserved 15th-century trading port packed with wonderful restaurants and some of the best tailors in the country. Moving south you’ve got up-and-coming Quy Nhon, as well as Nha Trang and Mui Nei, with Phu Quoc Island curling into the Gulf of Thailand.
Vietnam’s building boom extends to its accommodations and nowadays you’ll find a huge range: blingy sky pads in Ho Chi Minh City; rustic mountain hideaways with hill tribes for neighbours; and luxurious beach resorts with outstanding spas.
The country excels when it comes to value-for-money accommodation, whether you’re on a budget or splashing the cash. At the more affordable end of the scale, you’ll find family guesthouses, flashpacker hostels and brilliant homegrown brands like Wink Hotels, which recently opened in Ho Chi Minh City’s trendy District 3, with a fusion restaurant and artsy rooms from £30 a night. At the top end you can bag a night in a historic hotel, such as the Park Hyatt Saigon or Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, for half of what you would pay in Europe.
Best hotels in Vietnam
If you’re after something more design-led you won’t have to look far; characterful hotels abound in this part of South East Asia. Lauded hotel designer Bill Bensley is behind a number of theatrical properties — InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort Danang, Hotel de la Coupole Mgallery Sapa, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Bay, Capella Hanoi — while brands like An Lam, Fusion, Azerai and Zannier champion an eco-chic aesthetic.
The Vietnamese countryside is magnificent and, if possible, you should extend your trip to include at least one rural adventure. South of Ho Chi Minh City on the Mekong Delta, there’s Can Tho, known for its fruit farms, flower orchards, labyrinthine canals and delightful floating markets. In northern Vietnam, walk among the hill tribes in Sapa, a high hill station with phenomenal cloud-licked views of Muong Hoa Valley and Mount Fansipan — or keeping going to less-visited Bac Ha, where the intricately costumed Flower Hmong people live. Sidestep from Hanoi to chocolate box-pretty Ninh Binh, also known as the Inland Halong Bay, with twisting rivers, swaying rice paddies and silvery stalactite-lined water caves winding between lumbering mountains.
What is the best month to visit Vietnam?April hits the sweet spot between the cooler winter months and the sweltering summer.
How many days do I need?Allow a bare minimum of ten days and ideally two to three weeks.
What should I know before visiting?Vietnam is a safe country to travel around but petty theft and scamming can be a problem in the main tourist areas, particularly around Halong Bay. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight and ask your hotel or fellow travellers to recommend a tour operator.
Currency Vietnamese dong
Inspired to visit Vietnam but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Expedia and Tui.
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