Vietnam Travel Guide

Vietnam stretches nearly 1,650km north to south, which means the real planning question is always route order, not just what to see. We're bringing our real-price, real-route approach here next: sleeper train costs, motorbike-versus-Grab math, and honest north-versus-south trip planning.

Top Things to Do in Vietnam

• Ha Long Bay cruise: An overnight boat cruise through limestone karsts is the standard way to see the bay, day trips exist but rush the scenery.
• Hoi An Ancient Town: A lantern-lit riverside old town, best seen on foot or by bicycle, especially after dark during the monthly lantern festival.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: A half-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City through the underground tunnel network used during the war.
• Hanoi Old Quarter: 36 narrow streets of street food, motorbike traffic, and colonial architecture packed into a walkable grid.
• Sapa rice terrace trekking: Multi-day treks through terraced hillsides and ethnic minority villages in the northern mountains.
• Phong Nha caves: Home to Son Doong, the world's largest cave, plus several smaller, easier-to-visit cave systems nearby.
• Mekong Delta boat tour: Floating markets and canal-side villages south of Ho Chi Minh City, usually a one- or two-day trip.

Where to Stay: Best Areas & Hotels

• Hanoi Old Quarter: The most atmospheric and walkable base, though also the loudest given the motorbike traffic.
• Ho Chi Minh City District 1: The central business and backpacker district, home to Bui Vien street and easy access to the rest of the city.
• Hoi An Ancient Town: Stay inside the old town for lantern-lit evening walks, or nearby An Bang Beach for a quieter base.
• Da Nang beach: A modern, resort-heavy beach city that works as a base for both Hoi An and the Ba Na Hills.
• Sapa town: The launch point for most trekking routes, small and walkable with mountain views from most hotels.

Top Destinations & Cities to Visit

• Hanoi: The capital and usual northern gateway, dense with Old Quarter street food and lake-side walks.
• Ho Chi Minh City: The country's largest city and southern gateway, faster-paced with more nightlife than Hanoi.
• Hoi An: A UNESCO-listed old town known for tailors, lanterns, and river-side dining.
• Da Nang: A beach city between Hue and Hoi An, increasingly popular for its bridges and Ba Na Hills cable car.
• Sapa: The main base for northern mountain trekking and rice terrace views.
• Ha Long Bay: The limestone karst bay east of Hanoi, almost always visited via overnight cruise.
• Phu Quoc: Vietnam's largest island, a beach-and-resort destination near the Cambodian coast.

Transportation & Passes

The Reunification Express sleeper train runs the full Hanoi-to-Ho Chi Minh City route with stops at Hue, Da Nang, and Nha Trang along the way, a slower but scenic alternative to flying. Motorbike rental is the classic way to get around cities and countryside alike, though Grab (car and motorbike) has become the easier, no-negotiation option for short trips. Open-tour buses connect the main tourist stops cheaply if you'd rather not drive.

Best Time to Visit: Seasonal Guide

Vietnam's length means two climates at once: the north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay) is cool and dry from October to April and hot and wet from May to September, while the south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) runs dry from December to April and wet from May to November. Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang) sees its own rainy stretch around October to November, worth avoiding if your trip is centered there.