Are you thinking of traveling to Vietnam and have no idea where to start your planning? Don’t worry, we all go through that feeling at some point. The good news is that you no longer need to search through thousands of websites and travel guides like we did back then.
In this blog totally specialized in Vietnam travel, we have compiled everything we learned from all that research and combined it with our own experiences in the country, where we spend a large part of the year, and we present it all to you in an organized and simple way so that you can get the most out of it and live an unforgettable experience while travelling in Vietnam.
Vietnam travel guides: Plan your trip easily
When planning a trip to Vietnam, some of the first questions that come to mind for everyone are: What can I visit and do? How do I organize everything? How to know what to prioritize and what not? What’s most worthwhile given the time I have? Should I try to visit as much as I can, or limit myself to just one area?
If you’re in this situation, here are some of the best places to visit during your time in Vietnam, places you won’t want to miss for anything.
The good news is that most of them are concentrated in the north and central parts of the country, so you can visit many of them even if you don’t have much time.
Hanoi
The capital of the country and one of the most vibrant and unique cities in all of Southeast Asia. Hanoi is a city full of sensations for those arriving in Vietnam for the first time, and a place full of emotions for those who are finishing their trip.
If you want to discover everything this city has to offer, from Hoan Kiem Lake to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, passing through iconic places like the Temple of Literature or the Train Street, here you can find the guide to enjoy every corner of this exciting city.
Ha Long Bay
Photos of Halong Bay have gone viral worldwide for their beauty. This spectacular location in northern Vietnam has filled the covers of travel magazines and countless blog posts, becoming one of Vietnam’s iconic landmarks.
Planning your visit to Halong Bay can be a bit complicated. To help you avoid stress, we’ve prepared a guide with all the places you can find and the best way to visit them, from Cat Ba Island to the lesser-known bays of Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long Bay.
Sa Pa
If there’s one place whose fame has crossed borders, it’s Sa Pa. This small town in the north of the country has managed to attract tourists from all over the world to the foothills of its valleys and terraces.
The secret? A perfect combination of minority ethnic villages like Cat Cat, terraces and rice paddies for short treks, and the imposing presence of the highest peak in all of Indochina, Fansipan, as the highlight of an area full of attractions for the traveler.
Ninh Binh
Since Ninh Binh appeared on Vietnam’s tourist map, more and more people are surprised that such a natural treasure went unnoticed for so long.
Taking a boat trip through Trang An, declared a World Heritage Site for its beauty, getting lost among the rice fields of Tam Coc, climbing to contemplate the sunset at the Mua Cave or exploring the intricacies of the Bich Dong pagoda are just some of its charms.
Hoi An
Not all cities in Vietnam are chaotic. If you haven’t yet visited Hoi An, be sure to add it to your travel plan because it’s a must-see on your itinerary.
City of lanterns and boats today, it was an old trading port and still preserves it’s old town, with well-known places such as the Japanese bridge and dreamlike surroundings such as the Cham Islands.
Hue
Vietnam’s former imperial capital has long been the country’s most important city.
Today, the ruins of what was once that empire can be seen in places like the citadel, or the tombs of its emperors.
A place full of history and exquisite Vietnamese food that you won’t find in other cities, making it a must-see stop on your itinerary.
Ha Giang
A multi-day motorbike route, the border with China and one of the most impressive and beautiful natural parks in the world.
This combination has a name: the Ha Giang Loop. It’s one of the most spectacular experiences you can have on any trip, and it will be a life-changing experience.
Ho Chi Minh City
The old city of Saigon is one of those places you’ve always heard about since the Vietnam War.
Today, renamed as Ho Chi Minh City in honor of the revolutionary leader who led the country to independence, it is the most modern and cosmopolitan city of Vietnam.
Perfect to start your trip, it also has attractions for a couple of days such as the Cu Chi tunnels or the Ben Tahn market.
Da Lat
The city of flowers and love is waiting for you
Da Lat is the most European city of all those you will find in Vietnam.
Nestled in Vietnam Highlands and surrounded by pine forests, lakes, and greenhouses where much of Vietnamese food is grown, Da Lat is a welcome break from the heat and the more touristy areas of the country.
El delta del Mekong
Waterways everywhere, floating markets, and populations that literally live on the water make up the Mekong Delta.
One of the most important rivers in Asia, which after crossing several neighboring countries reaches its end, becoming a place of enormous importance for both tourists and locals.
Da Nang
Located in central Vietnam, Da Nang is the third largest city in the country.
Full of attractions and places of interest such as the golden bridge or the Hai Van mountain pass.
Furthermore, its proximity to Hoi An and Hue, and its international airport, makes Da Nang a place you will almost certainly have to pass through.
Phu Quoc
If you enjoy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Phu Quoc should be a must-see stop on your travel itinerary.
Vietnam’s largest island is waiting for you to enjoy it, ocean and relaxation perfect to end your trip through the country.
Mai Chau
A peaceful valley surrounded by mountains where you can spend a few days immersed in nature.
Mai Chau is the ideal place to relax and stroll among rice paddies on foot or by bicycle.
If you want to spend a few days in peace, quiet and rural life, this is probably one of the best places to do so.
Cat Ba
Do you want to visit the largest island in the Halong Bay archipelago?
Cat Ba is the ideal place to disconnect for a couple of days and immerse yourself in nature or simply explore Lan Ha Bay, the smaller and less crowded sister of Halong.
Phong Nha
If what you’re looking for during your trip to Vietnam is to give your body and mind a bit of adventure and excitement, Phong Nha is probably the place you need.
Known for containing the world’s largest cave, Phong Nha hides within its national park some of the best treks and activities in the entire country, with all kinds of difficulties. Do you dare to challenge yourself?
Practical information for traveling to Vietnam.
Here you can find all the practical information to prepare your trip to Vietnam in advance and avoid unnecessary surprises.
Organize your trip correctly and make the most of your time with our practical travel guide to the country. From where to exchange money to the need for vaccinations or whether a visa is required, we answer all your questions.
Visa
How to get a visa for Vietnam is one of the main things one thinks about before traveling.
To find out if you qualify for a visa exemption and avoid problems with the different types of visas available, such as online visas or visas on arrival, and to understand which one suits you best, we’ve compiled all the updated information you need to travel to Vietnam with peace of mind.
Vaccines
Is vaccination required to travel to Vietnam?
Don’t worry anymore about not knowing the answer to this question; here you can find out if there are mandatory vaccines, as well as learn about the different recommended vaccines.
Currency and money
The part that worries us all the most is the economic one.
But don’t worry too much, Vietnam is one of the cheapest destinations in all of Asia.
Here you can find all the information about the currency used in the country, ATMs and banks, and some extra tips to maximize your budget.
Internet while in Vietnam
Do you want internet access during your trip? Are you addicted to unlimited data?
In this post we explain you everything about the main local SIM cards and operators that exist in Vietnam.
And in this other one, if you prefer to use an eSIM with data already activated.
Flights and transportation
How to get there and from where, or how to get from one place to another, is always easier if someone explains it to you. Especially in a place where most of the population doesn’t speak English.
Discover the secrets to getting around Vietnam like a local.
Weather and best time to travel
Will it rain? What’s the best time to travel? These are the questions that come to mind before buying plane tickets.
The weather in Vietnam varies depending on the region you visit, so we recommend that you plan your trip and the places you will visit carefully to avoid having your vacation ruined by rain.
Top must-see places to visit during your trip to Vietnam
Vietnam is a country full of places to see and interesting activities that you can’t miss.
We’ve compiled a summary of the 20 best things to see and do in Vietnam in this article, but we’ll soon be sharing also some of our top site lists below, from beaches and waterfalls to rice paddies and many other interesting places.
Top Vietnam Waterfalls
One of the things we love most about this country is its waterfalls. It’s hard to describe the feeling of seeing waterfalls like Ban Gioc for the first time.
But it doesn’t matter if it’s in the north, south, or central Vietnam, because the whole country is full of them.
We’ve put together a selection of what we think are the top spots, which you can visit on your trip.
Top Rice Paddies in Vietnam
Of all the postcards you can find, the one of the rice paddies of Vietnam is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful to add to your collection.
Vietnam is where much of the rice consumed worldwide is produced.
We’ll tell you the best places to see the rice terraces and how to get that photo you saw on somenone Instagram.
Top Vietnam Beaches
If you’re looking for beaches, we have bad news: Vietnam doesn’t have the best ones.
But don’t despair, because even so you can find some of them that have little to envy from those of many surrounding countries.
Vietnam travel itineraries
Are you looking to travel to Vietnam but don’t want to overthink your itinerary? Would you like to know how to best organize your time to visit both the main tourist attractions and hidden gems?
Our travel itineraries are designed to help you make the most of your vacation in Vietnam without missing a thing. Depending on the length of your trip, you can adapt them to your liking and personalize them however you want! Don’t miss out!
Vietnam in 15 days trip itinerary
If you, like many others, only have 15 days to visit Vietnam, this article presents a couple of 15-day itineraries for the country, which will help you plan your trip in the best way.
Whether you’re a classic traveler or have a more backpacking style, here you’ll find the 15-day route you’re looking for.