Updated 11 October 2026
A Honeymoon in Vietnam: Bay, Lanterns and an Island
The three-part route that works, why a private bay cruise beats the crowded one, where the quiet luxury is, and the season problem a long country creates.
Our guides
Everything you need to know about Vietnam, sorted by topic, from Hanoi and Ha Long to Hoi An and Phu Quoc.
Trip planning
See the category 
Updated 6 October 2026
Three Weeks in Vietnam: The Full North-to-South Route, Done Slowly
A 21-day Vietnam itinerary from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, with the northern mountains, Phong Nha and the central coast. Realistic pacing, night trains.
Updated 4 October 2026
Vietnam in 1 Week: Three Realistic Routes (and the One Mistake First-Timers Make)
Seven days is not enough for all of Vietnam. Three single-region routes that work, north, centre and south, plus what to skip and the classic mistake.
Updated 20 September 2026
Vietnam With Children: Easier Than It Sounds
Vietnam with children: why hospitality makes it easy, which regions suit young children, the traffic problem that governs everything, and food that works.
Updated 15 September 2026
Renting a Car in Vietnam: Why Almost Everyone Takes the Driver
Self drive exists in Vietnam but is not the normal answer. A car with a driver costs less than it sounds and solves the licence question.
Updated 28 July 2026
Day Trips from Hanoi, Ranked by What They Actually Give You
Day trips from Hanoi ranked by what they give you: which are worth the travel time, which need an overnight, and the ones that beat the famous options.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam, Region by Region
Vietnam runs three climates at once, so there is no single best month. What the north, centre and south do all year, and how to build a route around it.
Updated 28 July 2026
North or South Vietnam: Which to Choose
North or south Vietnam: how the two halves differ in food, climate, pace and cost, which suits which traveller, and how to choose if you have time for one.
Updated 28 July 2026
SIM Cards, eSIM and Staying Online in Vietnam
Getting online in Vietnam: physical SIM versus eSIM, where to buy without the airport premium, why you need data more than you think, and the mountains.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam Visa and Entry Rules, Passport by Passport
How Vietnam's entry system works: the official e-visa portal, who gets visa-free entry, passport validity, and the mistakes that get people turned away.
Updated 14 January 2026
First Time in Vietnam: The Only Guide You Need
Planning your first trip to Vietnam? Here is when to go, how to route north to south, the visa in plain English, how to get around, and mistakes to skip.
Regions & cities
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Updated 13 October 2026
Central Vietnam Itinerary: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Phong Nha in One Loop
A practical 7 to 10 day central Vietnam route linking Phong Nha, Hue, the Hai Van Pass, Da Nang and Hoi An, with notes on flood season and transport.
Updated 4 September 2026
Vietnam War Museums in Ho Chi Minh City, Visited with Care
The War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City: what each covers, a content warning on hard exhibits, and how to visit with care.
Updated 1 September 2026
Tam Coc Boat Tour, Ninh Binh's Karst Rivers by Water
The Tam Coc boat tour in Ninh Binh, often called Ha Long Bay on land: rowing beneath karsts and through caves, rowers who steer with their feet.
Updated 18 August 2026
Cat Ba Island, the Quieter Base Beside Ha Long Bay
Cat Ba Island, the largest island near Ha Long Bay: a national park, limestone karsts, Lan Ha Bay, beaches and treks, and how it compares to a cruise.
Updated 17 August 2026
Da Nang Nightlife: The Dragon Bridge, River Bars and Beach Pubs
Da Nang after dark: the Dragon Bridge fire show, riverside rooftop bars, the beach pubs along My Khe Beach, and late-night food on the Vietnam coast.
Updated 17 August 2026
Hanoi Nightlife: Beer Street, Hidden Bars and Live Jazz
Hanoi after dark: Ta Hien beer street, hidden speakeasy bars, craft beer and live jazz, what a night out costs, and how to stay safe in the Old Quarter.
Updated 17 August 2026
Hoi An Best Restaurants: From Cao Lau to a Table by the River
The best places to eat in Hoi An: cao lau, white rose dumplings, legendary banh mi, riverside restaurants and a one day tasting route.
Updated 17 August 2026
Mui Ne Guide: Sand Dunes, Kitesurfing and the Fairy Stream
A Mui Ne guide built on one trade-off: the wind that makes it Vietnam's kitesurfing capital roughens the sea. Dunes, the Fairy Stream and planning.
Updated 17 August 2026
Saigon Nightlife: Rooftop Bars, Bui Vien and Thao Dien
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City: skyline rooftop bars, the backpacker chaos of Bui Vien, the calmer bars of Thao Dien, and what a night out actually costs.
Updated 29 July 2026
Con Dao Islands: Turtle Nesting, Empty Beaches and How to Get There
A personal guide to Con Dao, Vietnam's remote turtle-nesting islands: getting there by flight or ferry, empty beaches, diving, prison history and Bay Canh.
Updated 28 July 2026
Da Lat, the Cool Highland Town
Da Lat, the highland town where Vietnam goes to be cold: the French hill-station legacy, waterfalls, canyoning, coffee and flowers, and why it divides.
Updated 28 July 2026
Day Trips from Hanoi, Ranked by What They Actually Give You
Day trips from Hanoi ranked by what they give you: which are worth the travel time, which need an overnight, and the ones that beat the famous options.
Updated 28 July 2026
Ho Chi Minh City, a Complete Guide
Ho Chi Minh City for first-timers: how the districts fit together, what to see beyond the war museums, where the food is, and how to handle the traffic.
Updated 28 July 2026
Getting Clothes Made in Hoi An
Getting clothes made in Hoi An without regret: how many days you need, choosing a tailor, what fabrics cost, and the fittings process that decides the fit.
Updated 28 July 2026
Hue, the Imperial Capital
Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital: what survives inside the Citadel, which royal tombs are worth your time, the food the city guards, and the Hai Van Pass.
Updated 28 July 2026
Nha Trang, City Beach and Islands
Nha Trang for travellers, not package tourists: the city beach, the islands and diving, the Cham towers and mud baths, and whether it fits your itinerary.
Updated 28 July 2026
Ninh Binh, the Dry Halong Bay
Ninh Binh, the inland version of Ha Long Bay: which boat route to take, why Trang An beats Tam Coc for most people, the viewpoint climbs, and the stay.
Updated 11 June 2026
Da Nang Guide: Beaches, the Golden Bridge and Marble Mountains
A complete Da Nang guide: the long city beaches, the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, the Marble Mountains, where to stay, and how to use the city as a base.
Updated 3 March 2026
Hoi An Guide: Ancient Town, Lanterns, Tailors and Beaches
The complete Hoi An guide: the lantern-lit Ancient Town, getting clothes tailor-made, the best beaches nearby, when to go, and how to make the most of it.
Updated 6 February 2026
Hanoi Guide: The Old Quarter, Street Food and What to Do
A first-timer guide to Hanoi: exploring the Old Quarter, the street food to hunt down, the lakes and temples worth your time, and how to get around.
Attractions & activities
See the category Updated 4 September 2026
Vietnam War Museums in Ho Chi Minh City, Visited with Care
The War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City: what each covers, a content warning on hard exhibits, and how to visit with care.
Updated 1 September 2026
Tam Coc Boat Tour, Ninh Binh's Karst Rivers by Water
The Tam Coc boat tour in Ninh Binh, often called Ha Long Bay on land: rowing beneath karsts and through caves, rowers who steer with their feet.
Updated 11 August 2026
Phong Nha-Ke Bang, the Cave Capital of Vietnam
Phong Nha-Ke Bang, a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the largest caves on earth, from an easy boat ride to a Son Doong expedition.
Updated 28 July 2026
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, honestly: how to get the photograph without the crowd, whether it is worth a day, and who should skip it entirely.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Cu Chi Tunnels, What the Visit Involves
The Cu Chi tunnels, what the visit involves: which of the two sites to choose, how narrow the crawl is, the shooting range question and the memorial.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam's Best Mountain Road
The Ha Giang Loop honestly: ride it yourself or take an easy rider, how many days it needs, the licence and insurance question, and the weather.
Updated 28 July 2026
Getting Clothes Made in Hoi An
Getting clothes made in Hoi An without regret: how many days you need, choosing a tailor, what fabrics cost, and the fittings process that decides the fit.
Updated 28 July 2026
Hue, the Imperial Capital
Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital: what survives inside the Citadel, which royal tombs are worth your time, the food the city guards, and the Hai Van Pass.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Mekong Delta, Day Trip or Overnight
Mekong Delta day trip or overnight? What each gives you, which towns merit the extra night, the floating markets and how early to go, and the crowds.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Hai Van Pass by Motorbike
Riding the Hai Van Pass: ride yourself or take an easy rider, how the luggage transfer works, what the road is like, and the insurance clause.
Food & dining
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Updated 22 September 2026
Vietnam's Drinking Culture: Bia Hoi, Craft Beer and What to Order Where
What Vietnamese people drink, from fresh bia hoi to the modern craft beer scene, plus rice wine, drinking etiquette and the zero tolerance driving rule.
Updated 17 August 2026
Hoi An Best Restaurants: From Cao Lau to a Table by the River
The best places to eat in Hoi An: cao lau, white rose dumplings, legendary banh mi, riverside restaurants and a one day tasting route.
Updated 28 July 2026
Pho, Banh Mi and How They Change Down the Country
How banh mi and pho change as you travel Vietnam: northern and southern soup, what goes in a sandwich where, and how to spot the good places.
Updated 28 July 2026
Hanoi Street Food, What to Eat and Where
What to eat in Hanoi and how to find it: the dishes the city specialises in, how the plastic-stool places work, what a meal costs, and eating safely.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnamese Coffee, More Than Condensed Milk
Vietnamese coffee explained: why it tastes like that, the phin filter, egg coffee and coconut coffee, how to order without guessing, and regional styles.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vegetarian and Vegan in Vietnam
Eating vegetarian and vegan in Vietnam: the Buddhist com chay tradition, the fish sauce and broth traps, phrases that work, and which regions are easiest.
Updated 27 March 2026
Vietnamese Food Guide: What to Eat and Where
The Vietnamese food guide: pho, banh mi, bun cha, the coffee obsession, how north, centre and south eat differently, and how to order like a regular.
Nightlife & bars
See the category Updated 22 September 2026
Vietnam's Drinking Culture: Bia Hoi, Craft Beer and What to Order Where
What Vietnamese people drink, from fresh bia hoi to the modern craft beer scene, plus rice wine, drinking etiquette and the zero tolerance driving rule.
Updated 17 August 2026
Da Nang Nightlife: The Dragon Bridge, River Bars and Beach Pubs
Da Nang after dark: the Dragon Bridge fire show, riverside rooftop bars, the beach pubs along My Khe Beach, and late-night food on the Vietnam coast.
Updated 17 August 2026
Hanoi Nightlife: Beer Street, Hidden Bars and Live Jazz
Hanoi after dark: Ta Hien beer street, hidden speakeasy bars, craft beer and live jazz, what a night out costs, and how to stay safe in the Old Quarter.
Updated 17 August 2026
Saigon Nightlife: Rooftop Bars, Bui Vien and Thao Dien
Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City: skyline rooftop bars, the backpacker chaos of Bui Vien, the calmer bars of Thao Dien, and what a night out actually costs.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam Nightlife: Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon After Dark
Nightlife in Vietnam city by city: pavement beer corners, rooftop bars, backpacker strips and the local bia hoi tradition, plus how late things run.
Beaches, islands & nature
See the category Updated 18 August 2026
Cat Ba Island, the Quieter Base Beside Ha Long Bay
Cat Ba Island, the largest island near Ha Long Bay: a national park, limestone karsts, Lan Ha Bay, beaches and treks, and how it compares to a cruise.
Updated 17 August 2026
Mui Ne Guide: Sand Dunes, Kitesurfing and the Fairy Stream
A Mui Ne guide built on one trade-off: the wind that makes it Vietnam's kitesurfing capital roughens the sea. Dunes, the Fairy Stream and planning.
Updated 11 August 2026
Phong Nha-Ke Bang, the Cave Capital of Vietnam
Phong Nha-Ke Bang, a UNESCO World Heritage site with some of the largest caves on earth, from an easy boat ride to a Son Doong expedition.
Updated 29 July 2026
Con Dao Islands: Turtle Nesting, Empty Beaches and How to Get There
A personal guide to Con Dao, Vietnam's remote turtle-nesting islands: getting there by flight or ferry, empty beaches, diving, prison history and Bay Canh.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Mekong Delta, Day Trip or Overnight
Mekong Delta day trip or overnight? What each gives you, which towns merit the extra night, the floating markets and how early to go, and the crowds.
Updated 28 July 2026
Nha Trang, City Beach and Islands
Nha Trang for travellers, not package tourists: the city beach, the islands and diving, the Cham towers and mud baths, and whether it fits your itinerary.
Updated 28 July 2026
Ninh Binh, the Dry Halong Bay
Ninh Binh, the inland version of Ha Long Bay: which boat route to take, why Trang An beats Tam Coc for most people, the viewpoint climbs, and the stay.
Updated 28 July 2026
Phu Quoc, Beaches and Resorts in the South
Phu Quoc honestly: which beaches are still worth it after the building boom, the north versus south divide, when the sea is calm, and who it suits.
Updated 9 July 2026
Ha Long Bay Cruise Guide: Day vs Overnight and How to Book
How to choose a Ha Long Bay cruise: day trip or overnight, the quieter Lan Ha Bay, what to look for when booking, when to go, and how to avoid the crowds.
Updated 8 May 2026
Sapa Trekking Guide: Rice Terraces, Homestays and Villages
How to trek Sapa: the famous rice terraces, staying in a village homestay, meeting the ethnic-minority communities, and when to go.
Where to stay
See the category
Updated 29 September 2026
Where to Stay in Da Nang
Where to stay in Da Nang: the beach strip for resorts, the riverside for food and value, An Thuong for the middle ground, the peninsula, or Hoi An.
Updated 28 July 2026
Where to Stay in Hanoi
Where to stay in Hanoi: the Old Quarter versus the French Quarter versus the lake districts, which streets are too loud to sleep on, and how to pick.
Updated 28 July 2026
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: District 1 versus District 3 versus Thao Dien, why the backpacker street is louder than you think, and how to choose.
Updated 28 July 2026
Where to Stay in Hoi An
Where to stay in Hoi An: old town versus An Bang beach versus the rice fields between them, why the free bicycle matters, and how to pick the right base.
Updated 28 July 2026
Phu Quoc, Beaches and Resorts in the South
Phu Quoc honestly: which beaches are still worth it after the building boom, the north versus south divide, when the sea is calm, and who it suits.
Getting around
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Updated 20 October 2026
Vietnam's New Metros: Riding Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's Lines in 2026
Ho Chi Minh City has a metro line to Ben Thanh, the Opera House and Thao Dien, and Hanoi has two. What is open, how to pay, and which stations matter.
Updated 27 September 2026
Domestic Flights in Vietnam: The Thing That Makes Trips Work
An hour in the air against thirty on a train. Which routes matter, the baggage rule that catches people out, airports worth knowing, and when trains win.
Updated 15 September 2026
Renting a Car in Vietnam: Why Almost Everyone Takes the Driver
Self drive exists in Vietnam but is not the normal answer. A car with a driver costs less than it sounds and solves the licence question.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam's Best Mountain Road
The Ha Giang Loop honestly: ride it yourself or take an easy rider, how many days it needs, the licence and insurance question, and the weather.
Updated 28 July 2026
Getting Around Vietnam, Flights, Trains and Buses
How to travel the length of Vietnam: when to fly instead of the sleeper bus, what the trains are like, how bus classes differ, and the motorbike question.
Updated 28 July 2026
The Hai Van Pass by Motorbike
Riding the Hai Van Pass: ride yourself or take an easy rider, how the luggage transfer works, what the road is like, and the insurance clause.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam Trains and Sleeper Berths
Vietnam's trains explained: the four classes, which berth to book, the coastal stretch that beats every other journey in the country, and flying.
Money, safety & practical
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Updated 18 October 2026
Vietnamese Etiquette: The Things Worth Knowing
Shoes, hands, heads and feet, what saving face means, chopstick rules that matter, where bargaining is expected and the drinking custom of night one.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam on a Budget, What Things Really Cost
What Vietnam actually costs: where the money goes, the three budget tiers explained honestly, why cash still matters, and the expenses that double a trip.
Updated 28 July 2026
Emergency Numbers and Medical Help in Vietnam
Vietnam's emergency numbers 113, 114 and 115 and how to get help: why English is not guaranteed, when a taxi beats an ambulance, and what to arrange.
Updated 28 July 2026
Common Scams in Vietnam and How to Sidestep Them
The scams that happen in Vietnam and the ones that do not: taxi meters, the note switch, motorbike deposit disputes, tailor upsells, and how to avoid them.
Updated 28 July 2026
Travel Insurance for Vietnam, What to Check
Travel insurance for Vietnam: the motorbike clause that voids most claims, why evacuation cover matters in the mountains, and exclusions to check.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam Visa and Entry Rules, Passport by Passport
How Vietnam's entry system works: the official e-visa portal, who gets visa-free entry, passport validity, and the mistakes that get people turned away.
Ready-made itineraries
See the category Updated 13 October 2026
Central Vietnam Itinerary: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Phong Nha in One Loop
A practical 7 to 10 day central Vietnam route linking Phong Nha, Hue, the Hai Van Pass, Da Nang and Hoi An, with notes on flood season and transport.
Updated 6 October 2026
Three Weeks in Vietnam: The Full North-to-South Route, Done Slowly
A 21-day Vietnam itinerary from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, with the northern mountains, Phong Nha and the central coast. Realistic pacing, night trains.
Updated 4 October 2026
Vietnam in 1 Week: Three Realistic Routes (and the One Mistake First-Timers Make)
Seven days is not enough for all of Vietnam. Three single-region routes that work, north, centre and south, plus what to skip and the classic mistake.
Updated 15 September 2026
Vietnam in 7 Days: Pick One End of the Country
The country is over 1,600 kilometres long and a week does not cover it. The three regional routes that work, and why doing north and south ruins both.
Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam in 10 Days: North to Centre
Ten days in Vietnam without wasting three in transit: the two routes that work, what to sacrifice, and why the whole country in ten days is a mistake.
Updated 28 July 2026
Two Weeks in Vietnam, a Complete Itinerary
Two weeks in Vietnam, planned properly: the classic north-to-south route day by day, what to cut when you are short, and three versions to suit you.
Updated 28 July 2026
North or South Vietnam: Which to Choose
North or south Vietnam: how the two halves differ in food, climate, pace and cost, which suits which traveller, and how to choose if you have time for one.
Updated 18 July 2026
2 Weeks in Vietnam, Day by Day: Hanoi to the Mekong Delta
A ready-made 14-day Vietnam itinerary from north to south: Hanoi, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.
Common questions
How many Vietnam guides are on the site?
The site has 63 guides covering all of Vietnam: Hanoi and the north, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and central Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong delta, the beaches of Da Nang and Phu Quoc, food and practical info. All are updated regularly.
Which guide should I start planning with?
Start with the general planning guide and "when to visit Vietnam", then decide whether to travel north to south or the other way, and move on to the city guides and a ready-made itinerary that fits your number of days.
Is it better to travel in the north or the south of Vietnam?
Vietnam is long and each region has its own character: the north (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa) is mountainous and cooler, the centre (Hoi An, Hue) is rich in history and beaches, and the south (Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong) is tropical and lively. A classic trip crosses the country end to end.
Is it easy to find vegetarian or vegan food in Vietnam?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are easy to find everywhere (Buddhist cooking is rich in tofu and vegetables), but it is worth asking for no fish sauce (nuoc mam) if you avoid it. Tropical fruit and fresh seafood are everywhere too.