The big Vietnam places guide

A backpacker favourite banh mi stall, fresh and cheap Vietnamese sandwiches

The most famous banh mi stall in town, made famous by a well known American TV show

Lively night food stalls beside Ben Thanh Market, tastes from all over Vietnam

The grilled pork and noodle spot where a former US president once ate, an iconic dish

Crispy sizzling pancakes wrapped in fresh herbs, a famous local street dish

A classic dry beef noodle salad, a simple local dish full of flavour

A legendary banh mi loaded with fillings, with long queues all day

A well regarded pho chain known for its especially rich, thick beef broth

A classic fifty year old pho house with a rich southern style broth

A legendary beef pho spot with no sign at all, rated one of the best in Hanoi

A courtyard with dozens of street food stalls under one roof

A beachfront brewery restaurant with a pleasant vibe and tasty dishes

An upscale home style Vietnamese restaurant in a villa with a green garden

An authentic restaurant serving the traditional Hmong horse meat soup

A restaurant with fresh grilled seafood in an authentic local spirit

A local spot for the region's signature noodle dish, well seasoned and full of flavour

A beloved local restaurant specialising in roast goat, rich and authentic

A seaside seafood restaurant with live fish tanks and fresh dishes

A farm chicken meal in the Bong Lai Valley, a rustic and especially tasty experience

A lively riverside market with food stalls, spices and fresh produce

A market centre restaurant serving authentic, tasty Vietnamese street food

The birthplace of the famous egg coffee, a tasty and unique experience

The flagship of the iconic Vietnamese coffee chain, a must for coffee lovers

A quality cafe with an industrial design, recommended for specialty coffee fans

Walls covered in thousands of colourful notes left by travellers from around the world

A quiet garden cafe with a view of coffee farms and a rural feel

A hidden upstairs cafe with egg coffee and a view of the lake

A cafe down a narrow alley with a green jungle design and unusual decor

A pioneering loft cafe with quality third wave coffee

A rooftop cafe with a stunning view over the old town rooftops

A rooftop with a stunning panorama of the lake and quality local egg coffee

A quiet, cosy cafe by the lake, perfect for a good book and a hot drink

A restaurant and cafe on the Ngo Dong River with stunning limestone cliff views

A cafe and spa in Ta Van village with a view of green rice terraces

A silent tea house staffed by hearing impaired workers, a moving and special experience

A hilltop cafe with a stunning panoramic view of the bay

A nine storey building with more than fifty unique boutique cafes

A pleasant rooftop terrace with an open view of the lake, ideal for sunset

A chic colonial inspired cafe alongside a fashionable concept store

A riverside cafe with a view of the rice fields, a perfect place to unwind

A hilltop cafe with a view of green terraces in Ta Van village

Saigon's buzzing backpacker strip, bars and bustle into the small hours

A popular beach bar with live music and a lively atmosphere into the night

The famous bia hoi corner, a buzzing backpacker nightlife hub

A Middle Eastern inspired rooftop lounge with an exotic, distinctive vibe

A rooftop lounge with a panoramic view and a relaxed evening vibe

A craft beer bar with pleasant rooftop seating and a local and international selection

An upscale bar on the thirty sixth floor with a stunning night view of the river and city

An elegant rooftop bar with an impressive sunset view and a smart dress code

A friendly backpacker bar with harbour views and a sociable, laid back evening vibe

A skyscraper rooftop bar with an impressive panoramic view of the skyline

A hidden speakeasy style cocktail bar with a creative menu

An award winning cocktail bar offering original local blends

A hidden speakeasy style cocktail bar with a creative, surprising menu

A rooftop bar with a stunning panoramic view of the Fansipan peak

A street corner with cheap, fresh draft beer and an authentic local vibe

A bar with live Hmong music and cocktails on the lively Muong Hoa street

A historic zoo alongside a rich tropical botanical garden, ideal for a family outing

An open safari park with impressive wildlife in a nature reserve

An impressive waterfall with a fast alpine coaster and a canyon descent experience

A large green park with a lake, a quiet escape from the city bustle

A shady, quiet park with giant mahogany trees, a green escape from the city bustle

A biosphere reserve with jungle treks in wild, impressive nature

The heart of the old quarter, a morning gathering spot for tai chi and calm

The largest and most famous cave in the bay, huge chambers with stunning rock formations

A mighty, impressive waterfall in the Central Highlands, a great spot for fresh air and nature

A boat ride through a flooded forest with many birds and a magical green landscape

A natural wetland reserve with spectacular flocks of birds at sunset

A stunning desert landscape of giant dunes, best explored by off road vehicle

The largest lake in Hanoi, a perfect promenade for a sunset bike ride

Vietnam's oldest national park with a rescue centre for rare primates

Colourful gardens with hydrangea and rose displays in every season

A three tier waterfall with natural pools in the heart of the tropical forest

The world's longest water cave, revealed on a magical boat ride into the mountain

A quiet, undeveloped wetland reserve with rare langur monkeys in the wild

A cave with huge chambers and a historic weapons cache, an ancient battle story

Clear turquoise water beside limestone islands, one of Vietnam's most beautiful bays

Forest trails, a waterfall and wildlife in fresh green nature

A wide, terraced waterfall in the heart of the forest, one of the most beautiful in southern Vietnam

A scenic forest waterfall near Tram Ton Pass, a romantic and peaceful destination

A karst plateau recognised as a UNESCO geopark with dramatic scenery

A stunning turquoise river flowing deep below the Ma Pi Leng Pass

A small cave at the foot of a popular climb to a viewpoint over the rice fields

Stunning green rice terraces with walking trails beside rural streams

A rainforest with nesting sea turtles and diving among pristine reefs

A quieter sister bay with fewer boats and breathtaking limestone scenery

The deepest canyon in Southeast Asia, best explored by boat

A charming riverside promenade with views of the Saigon River and a pleasant evening vibe

The largest island in Ha Long Bay, a quiet gateway to Lan Ha Bay with a national park and beaches

A relaxed sandy beach with pleasant beach clubs for sunset and unwinding

The closest beach town for a day trip, perfect for a seaside escape from the city

A wide sandy beach with water sports and a range of leisure options

A turquoise bay ringed by dramatic cliffs, one of the most beautiful in the Quy Nhon area

A quiet bay beside a historic lighthouse, clean sand and calm water

The main city centre beach, a lively promenade with restaurants and sea views

A convenient city beach in Ha Long Bay, close to entertainment and boat trips

A crescent bay with calm, shallow water, ideal for relaxed swimming and sunsets

A pristine beach near the airstrip, white sand and calm turquoise water

A protected marine reserve for snorkelling with vibrant coral reefs

A quiet, untouristed fishing bay with a rural, authentic feel

A soft white sand beach with shallow, calm water, perfect for families

A scenic rocky bay known as the wind gate, with dramatic scenery and great photos

A relaxed resort island with water activities, great for a day away from the city

A long, quiet stretch of beach in front of luxury resorts, white sand and blue water

A remote island with especially clear water, a paradise for lovers of nature and quiet

A long beach lined with resorts, famous for its colourful sunsets

A pristine beach on a remote island, white sand and rare quiet far from the crowds

A scenic lagoon beach with mountain ranges behind, rest and breathtaking views

An island reached by the world's longest sea crossing cable car, with stunning sunset views

A quiet beach loved by locals, far from the mass tourism routes

A tranquil beach that serves as a turtle nesting site, wild nature and undisturbed quiet

A remote, tranquil diving island with rich marine life and a sense of complete seclusion

The easternmost point in the country, ideal for watching the first sunrise

A secluded, eco friendly bay surrounded by wild nature, a quiet escape far from the crowds

A small island for a day trip with clear water and coral reefs for snorkelling

A scenic fishing village with a laid back, bohemian vibe, far from the crowds

A pleasant town beach with stunning sunrise views and an authentic local vibe

The classic beach near Hoi An, calm waters close to the old town

A sandy beach at the foot of the Marble Mountains, a rare mix of mountain and sea scenery

The leading diving and snorkelling site in the area, clear water and a rich coral world

The oldest pagoda in Hanoi, standing impressively on West Lake

An impressive French colonial cathedral in red brick, a historic landmark in the city centre

The largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam with giant statues and endless steps

A seven storey riverside pagoda, one of the best known symbols of Hue

A pagoda with a giant white Buddha statue overlooking the city

The tallest Bodhisattva statue in Vietnam, standing above the bay with a breathtaking view

A small temple on an island in the lake, reached by a scenic red bridge

A stunning pagoda with a dragon made from colourful glass bottle mosaic

An iconic lotus shaped pagoda resting on a single pillar

A magnificent Buddhist pagoda with a giant Buddha statue and rich architecture

A French colonial stone church, a historic landmark in the heart of the mountain town

A neo Gothic Catholic cathedral reminiscent of Notre Dame

A cliffside cave pagoda with quiet steps and a stunning view of the countryside

An ancient Taoist temple with an impressive bronze statue inside

A hundred year old wooden cathedral, a unique and impressive structure

A scenic seaside temple built on rocks facing the sunset

An ancient Chinese temple to the sea goddess with giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling

A magnificent Chinese temple with a dragon fountain and rich colourful decorations

An atmospheric Taoist temple from 1909 with stunning statues and incense smoke

A tower pagoda with important Buddhist relics and a quiet spiritual gathering place

The oldest temple in the old quarter, preserved from the city's founding days

An impressive hillside pagoda with an open, stunning sea view

A blue and white mosque with a distinctive minaret in the heart of the busy city centre

The oldest pagoda in Saigon, built in 1744 and keeping its original atmosphere

The famous Reunification Palace, a key 1975 war site that preserves its period design

A powerful, moving museum showing the horrors of the Vietnam War through photographs and exhibits

The remains of an ancient Cham temple with a thousand years of history

A riverside district declared a World Heritage Site, with colourful wooden houses and silk lanterns at night

Vietnam's first university, a serene and impressive Confucian temple

A walled royal palace complex, the heart of Vietnam's imperial history

Known as the Hanoi Hilton, a French colonial prison steeped in history

The embalmed resting place of the legendary leader, with an impressive changing of the guard

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of an ancient royal citadel

A magnificent hilltop royal tomb, decorated with stunning mosaics

Rich exhibits on the cultures of the country's ethnic minorities

Ancient jungle wrapped Cham temple ruins, an impressive World Heritage Site

War remnants and aircraft wreckage that tell the story of the national struggle

Tenth century royal temples that tell the story of Vietnam's early unification

A modernist building telling the life story of the nation's founder

A poetic lakeside imperial tomb, built during the emperor's own lifetime

A thirty three metre flag tower at the northernmost point of Vietnam

An imperial mausoleum in symmetrical, tranquil gardens beside a lake

A stunning colonial post office designed in the spirit of Gustave Eiffel, an architectural gem

A photography museum documenting Vietnam's ethnic minorities with sensitivity and respect

An elegant colonial building with stunning local lacquer paintings

An impressive colonial mansion with fascinating exhibits on the city's history

A three level underground village that served as a shelter during the war

Hundred year old Hmong and Chinese merchant houses, full of character and atmosphere

A nineteenth century observation tower, a long standing symbol of the city

A charming museum dedicated to traditional Vietnamese medicine and healing herbs

A colonial era historic site that tells a fascinating and difficult story

A yellow colonial palace beside Ho Chi Minh's modest wooden house

The remains of an ancient hilltop Cham temple with an open view of the surroundings

An eighteenth century covered bridge with a tiled roof, well preserved and charming

A city museum showcasing the heritage and history of the historic port city

A church damaged by bombing, left as a moving war memorial site

Vietnam's lantern town, the capital of cooking classes with a market, boat rides and a vegetable village

Limestone caves with hidden pagodas and a lift to a panoramic viewpoint

The tallest building in Vietnam, an observation deck on the 79th floor with breathtaking views

A famous viewing bridge held up by giant stone hands among the clouds

A 49th floor deck with a stunning panoramic view of the whole city and its skyscrapers

An impressive bridge with a fire and water breathing dragon show on weekend evenings

A mountain gate at 1,500 metres with a view of the twin mountains

A 360 degree view of the city from the 65th floor, especially impressive at sunset

The mountain pass known as the cloud conqueror, with dramatic bends and stunning mountain scenery

A hilltop viewpoint with sunsets and a stunning panoramic view of the river

A luxurious rooftop bar in an opulent hotel with a stunning night view of the skyline

A stunning panoramic viewpoint over a valley of green rice fields in the mountains

A sunset view over the valley from a hilltop pool, a perfect spot for an evening drink

Called the king of passes, with a breathtaking view of the Nho Que canyon from the top

A volcanic crater lake with a scenic viewpoint and a special calm

Rolling green tea plantations spread across stunning hills

A central lake in the heart of the city with a pleasant promenade for walking and cycling

A World War II fort with a stunning sunset panorama over the bay

A sacred mountain with ancient temples and an open view of the delta

A cliff pass with roadside stalls and an impressive panoramic view of the valley

A winding mountain road with nine sharp bends and a stunning view of the valley

A mountain resort with a mock French village and a feeling of stepping out of time

A traditional water puppet show performed over a pool, unique to Vietnam

The world's longest sea crossing cable car, a spectacular experience in Phu Quoc

A theme park on Hon Tre Island with an impressive cable car over the sea

A fascinating underground network of war tunnels with a guided history tour

A giant theme and water park with shows, great for the whole family

A fascinating art village with clay sculptures and handcrafted carved tunnels

A surprising surreal tree like building that looks like a fairytale forest

A charming rickshaw ride through the old quarter streets, a nostalgic, slow experience

A boat tour of a lively floating fruit market, an authentic delta experience

A coffee culture museum in striking architecture, in the heart of Vietnam's coffee growing region

A giant Ferris wheel in a theme park with a stunning view of the city

Mud baths and warm mineral springs for rest and pampering

A scenic cable car to Truc Lam Pagoda over pine forests

Buffalo riding, duck feeding and tasting local pancakes in a fun village

A cable car and giant Sun Wheel with a stunning panoramic view of the whole bay

The highest peak in Indochina, reachable by a dramatic cable car to the summit

A mud bath, zipline and kayaking, an especially fun and wet adventure

A charming traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with live music and folk tales

An aquarium and marine museum with a fascinating underwater world for the whole family

The pioneering tour operator in the cave region, reliable and professional

The world's largest cave, a multi day trek for the few ready for the adventure of a lifetime

A lively pedestrian boulevard with urban nightlife, lights and street performances

An overnight stay inside a giant cave with an impressive entrance and a flowing stream

An organic farming village with tours and lessons in traditional farming

A highly rated spa for a relaxing traditional Vietnamese massage after a tiring day

A night scooter tour among hidden, local street food stalls

A rowing boat ride through the caves of a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site

A local market tour followed by a hands on Vietnamese cooking class

A tour of a traditional coconut candy workshop in the heart of the delta

A ride in round basket boats among scenic coconut palm groves

A windy beach perfect for kitesurfing lessons for beginners and advanced riders

An exciting evening scooter tour among authentic, lively street food stalls

A romantic sunset boat ride, floating lanterns across the water

An island hopping cruise with snorkelling in clear water and colourful coral

A scenic floating village where you can kayak among caves and fishing hamlets

The largest traditional market in the city, full of clothes, food and local sweets

An upscale Japanese department store with brand shops and a varied food hall

A modern, spacious mall with shops, a cinema and a range of food

An upscale mall with international fashion brands and a modern, indulgent feel

A multi storey shopping market with local fashion and fabrics at attractive prices

A lively wholesale market in the Chinese Cholon district with authentic goods and good prices

A local riverside market with goods, fabrics and traditional street food

A lively central market with worked silver, embroidered textiles and local food from the northern mountains

An upscale mall near the lake with international brands

A popular local tailor for custom made clothes at a good price

A colourful weekly market with ethnic minorities in traditional dress

A central market with a lively night market and a tempting range of street food

A quality silk and tailoring house for custom dresses and suits in a personal style

A famous, fast tailor that makes custom clothes within a day or two