Vietnam

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Ho Chi Minh City

Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a supercharged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes

Hanoi

Hanoi celebrated its 1,000-year anniversary back in 2010, and although Western fashions, music, and food have long since elbowed their way into

Hoi An

From the lantern-strewn streets of Old Town to the farmers shouldering their harvest in balanced baskets, the scenes of Hoi An capture what

Around Dong Khoi Street

District 1 is the center of old Saigon and Dong Khoi Street, toward the eastern edge, is the neighborhood's historic main thoroughfare. It's

The Old Quarter

Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall surround the oldest part of Hanoi. The area was unified under Chinese

Hue

Hue (pronounced hway), 13 km (8 miles) inland from the South China Sea (known to the locals as the East Sea) in the foothills of the Annamite

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is the first major city you'll find heading north up the coast from Ho Chi Minh City. Home to some of Vietnam's best beaches and dive

Phu Quoc Island

The white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, swaying palms, and laid-back feel of this beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand have made it one

Beyond the City Center

Several interesting sights lie outside of the center, some of them in far-flung areas of the city, such as the Buddhist-themed Suoi Tien amusement

Dalat

With an abundance of pine trees, the cool climate, and colonial architecture, the mountain resort of Dalat bears a vague resemblance to a European

Danang

Danang became a significant port city at the end of the 19th century, when silt filled up the Thu Bon River and eliminated neighboring Hoi An

The French Quarter

The French deserve the credit of thoroughly transforming this once-swampy southern suburb of Hanoi. In order to reflect the grandeur and aesthetic

Mui Ne

Twenty years ago, Mui Ne was not much more than a deserted road running along an equally deserted beach. Now there's a 15-km (9-mile) stretch

Vung Tau

Known as Cap St-Jacques during colonial times, Vung Tau was a popular beach resort for the French and later, during the Vietnam War, it became

Con Dao Islands

One of Vietnam's star attractions, this stunning archipelago of 16 islands has picturesque beaches, jungles teeming with wildlife, and a fabulous

Sapa

Ringed by the majestic Tonkinese Alps, Sapa is a hill town and region that has become the undisputed tourist capital of the Northwest. Make

Old Town

Around Pham Ngu Lao

Pham Ngu Lao used to be the shorthand reference to the backpacker area, which is between September 23 Park along Pham Ngu Lao Street and Bui

West Lake

About 3 km (2 miles) northwest of Hoan Kiem Lake is West Lake (Ho Tay), a body of water that's steeped in legend. It is said that a giant golden

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Part of the Annamite mountain range on the northwest Central Coast, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2003

Haiphong

Vietnam's third-largest city, with a population of more than 1.8 million, has been a hub of industrial activity for the last century and one

Cat Ba Island

One of Halong Bay's most remarkable formations is Cat Ba Island, 420 square km (162 square miles) of wildly steep spines of mountains, narrow

Can Tho

The meeting point of various waterways, Can Tho is the capital of the Mekong Delta and the region's gateway. This bustling hub of activity is

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Nearby

This once-forested area west of the citadel, which is still a military base, is an expansive and refreshingly tranquil district, where stalwart

Chau Doc

One of the Mekong Delta's most interesting destinations, Chau Doc is a religiously diverse and picturesque border town with Kinh (Vietnam's

Halong Bay and Around

A visit to the north is not complete without a trip to Halong Bay, where placid waters give way to more than 3,000 limestone karsts and wind

Quy Nhon

Once the Cham capital of Vijaya, Quy Nhon is a seaside gem located midway between Nha Trang and Hoi An. People who come here often stay a day

Ninh Binh

Pleasant enough in itself, but a largely unremarkable provincial capital on the main road between Hanoi and Hue, Ninh Binh is notable for being

District 3

The densely populated District 3 sprawls from the border of District 1 toward the airport. Its plethora of eateries draws Saigonese foodies

My Tho

The closest Mekong Delta city to Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho was the center of the ancient civilization of Funan from the 1st to 5th centuries

Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet is a charming fishing town divided by the Phan Thiet River, where the colorful feline-eyed fishing fleet is moored. The town has

Soc Trang

Soc Trang is one of the centers of Khmer culture in Vietnam (the others are Tra Vinh in the Mekong Delta and Nha Trang on the south-central

Cai Be

Spilling over from the land into the river, this Mekong Delta town and its nearby villages are a hive of market activity. Slip into a sampan

Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh is a pretty little riverside town populated by friendly people, tall trees, and an amazing proliferation of temples used by the local

On the Beach

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Hue is a convenient location from which to visit the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). A trip here can be combined easily with a visit to the

Ca Mau

Ca Mau was once part of the Kingdom of Funan, then the Khmer Empire, and was only ceded back to Vietnamese control in 1757. On the Dai Dong

Buon Ma Thuot

Central Highlands towns are good bases from which to stage trips to the ethnic minority villages and jungles of the hinterland. Buon Ma Thuot

Long Xuyen

Long Xuyen is a regional capital with an interesting history and a rather bland present-day reality. Like My Tho it was founded by the ancient

Ha Tien

Just 8 km (5 miles) from the Cambodian border, Ha Tien has some interesting sights, such as a network of caves that have been converted into

Vinh Long

The capital of the Vinh Long Province is the transport hub of Vinh Long, a midsize industrial town. Most of the tourist infrastructure is near

Dien Bien Phu

Hard by the Laos border in one of the most remote regions in Vietnam, it is easy to imagine that Dien Bien Phu might have remained in obscurity

Danang Beach

Nicknamed "China Beach" by U.S. and Australian troops during the war, Danang Beach stretches for over 30 km (18 miles), and encompasses several

Bac Ha

The main reason for venturing to Bac Ha, a small town built on a desolate highland plain northeast of Lao Cai, is the century-old Sunday morning

Kon Tum

The best base for exploring the region, Kon Tum is a sleepy, relatively undiscovered gem on the banks of the Dakbla River, surrounded by interesting

Mai Chau

The Brigadoon of Vietnam, Mai Chau nestles in a serene valley of Hoa Binh Province that has been called one of the most beautiful spots in the

Bai Tu Long Bay

The limestone outcrops that rise out of the waters of Bai Tu Long Bay are perhaps not as lofty as the ones at Halong, but the two seascapes

Sa Dec

The former home of French novelist Marguerite Duras and the setting for her book The Lover (where said lover's house still stands), Sa Dec

Cu Chi

Cu Chi, now an outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City, was the Vietcong base of operations during the last war. The base was underground, in

Lang Co Beach

In the dry season that runs from April through to August, Lang Co makes for an oasis from the modern construction along the Danang coastline

Son La

Son La is a convenient overnight stop on the journey to Mai Chau or Hanoi, but there are only one or two decent hotels. Many hill tribes reside

Quang Ngai

Quang Ngai itself is, unfortunately, no great shakes. However, it is worth stopping at in order to visit to the Son My Memorial at the site

Lak Lake

Lak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, is set among picturesque rolling hills and reached via a beautiful journey through

Cat Tien National Park

This vast park, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, includes jungle, swampland, lakes, rivers, and hills, all of which are home to a multitude

Pleiku

Pleiku, the capital of Gia Lai province, is smaller and less colorful than its neighbor Kon Tum, but it makes a practical base in this forested

Cuc Phuong National Park

The first national park in Vietnam and still one of its most important, Cuc Phuong is a refuge for diverse animal and plant life and an idyllic

Ho Tram

There's not much to Ho Tram apart from a very long—and very beautiful—stretch of golden sand beach. Two upscale resorts front the beach but

Tam Dao Hill Station

Up in the clouds, the damp hill station of Tam Dao feels like the mountain town that time forgot—almost. In 1907 French developers scaled the

Long Hai

There's not much to Long Hai aside from a beautiful beach and an interesting temple with views of the beach. It's close enough to Vung Tau to

Ho Coc

Two and a half hours from Ho Chi Minh City, just past Ho Tram, this is a splendid, secluded area for anyone seeking an escape from the chaos

Marble Mountains

Five beautiful limestone peaks, known as the Marble Mountains, rise above the beach north of Hoi An and south of Danang. Over the centuries

Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum and the Perfume Pagoda

One of Hanoi’s less visited historic sights, perhaps due to its distance from the city center, the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum delivers an interesting

Tay Ninh

Generally a visit to Tay Ninh is part of a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels arranged through one of the travel agencies in Saigon. A guide will

Can Gio

A maze of channels, inlets, and tiny hamlets hidden among swamp and forest, Can Gio has only appeared on the tourist radar within the last few

Thay Pagoda and Tay Phuong Pagoda

These two lovely pagodas can be combined with the Co Loa Citadel to make an enjoyable day trip from Hanoi.

Ba Vi National Park

With the triple-peaked Ba Vi Mountain as its towering centerpiece, this former French hill station is a popular weekend excursion for Hanoians

Tan Chau

Across the Bassac River from Chau Doc, Tan Chau is known for its silk, and a visit here means going to a silk factory where the fabric is made

Co Loa Citadel

Less than 30 minutes north of Hanoi is a series of large earthen ramparts that used to protect one of the country's earliest capitals from Chinese

Phat Diem

Phat Diem’s hulking cathedral is prominent among Vietnam’s religious buildings. Unique both for its vast dimensions and also an architectural

Ho Chi Minh City

Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a supercharged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes

Hanoi

Hanoi celebrated its 1,000-year anniversary back in 2010, and although Western fashions, music, and food have long since elbowed their way into

Hoi An

From the lantern-strewn streets of Old Town to the farmers shouldering their harvest in balanced baskets, the scenes of Hoi An capture what

Hue

Hue (pronounced hway), 13 km (8 miles) inland from the South China Sea (known to the locals as the East Sea) in the foothills of the Annamite

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is the first major city you'll find heading north up the coast from Ho Chi Minh City. Home to some of Vietnam's best beaches and dive

Dalat

With an abundance of pine trees, the cool climate, and colonial architecture, the mountain resort of Dalat bears a vague resemblance to a European

Danang

Danang became a significant port city at the end of the 19th century, when silt filled up the Thu Bon River and eliminated neighboring Hoi An

Mui Ne

Twenty years ago, Mui Ne was not much more than a deserted road running along an equally deserted beach. Now there's a 15-km (9-mile) stretch

Vung Tau

Known as Cap St-Jacques during colonial times, Vung Tau was a popular beach resort for the French and later, during the Vietnam War, it became

Sapa

Ringed by the majestic Tonkinese Alps, Sapa is a hill town and region that has become the undisputed tourist capital of the Northwest. Make

Haiphong

Vietnam's third-largest city, with a population of more than 1.8 million, has been a hub of industrial activity for the last century and one

Can Tho

The meeting point of various waterways, Can Tho is the capital of the Mekong Delta and the region's gateway. This bustling hub of activity is

Chau Doc

One of the Mekong Delta's most interesting destinations, Chau Doc is a religiously diverse and picturesque border town with Kinh (Vietnam's

Halong Bay and Around

A visit to the north is not complete without a trip to Halong Bay, where placid waters give way to more than 3,000 limestone karsts and wind

Ninh Binh

Pleasant enough in itself, but a largely unremarkable provincial capital on the main road between Hanoi and Hue, Ninh Binh is notable for being

Quy Nhon

Once the Cham capital of Vijaya, Quy Nhon is a seaside gem located midway between Nha Trang and Hoi An. People who come here often stay a day

My Tho

The closest Mekong Delta city to Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho was the center of the ancient civilization of Funan from the 1st to 5th centuries

Soc Trang

Soc Trang is one of the centers of Khmer culture in Vietnam (the others are Tra Vinh in the Mekong Delta and Nha Trang on the south-central

Phan Thiet

Phan Thiet is a charming fishing town divided by the Phan Thiet River, where the colorful feline-eyed fishing fleet is moored. The town has

Cai Be

Spilling over from the land into the river, this Mekong Delta town and its nearby villages are a hive of market activity. Slip into a sampan

Tra Vinh

Tra Vinh is a pretty little riverside town populated by friendly people, tall trees, and an amazing proliferation of temples used by the local

Ca Mau

Ca Mau was once part of the Kingdom of Funan, then the Khmer Empire, and was only ceded back to Vietnamese control in 1757. On the Dai Dong

Ha Tien

Just 8 km (5 miles) from the Cambodian border, Ha Tien has some interesting sights, such as a network of caves that have been converted into

Long Xuyen

Long Xuyen is a regional capital with an interesting history and a rather bland present-day reality. Like My Tho it was founded by the ancient

Buon Ma Thuot

Central Highlands towns are good bases from which to stage trips to the ethnic minority villages and jungles of the hinterland. Buon Ma Thuot

Danang Beach

Nicknamed "China Beach" by U.S. and Australian troops during the war, Danang Beach stretches for over 30 km (18 miles), and encompasses several

Dien Bien Phu

Hard by the Laos border in one of the most remote regions in Vietnam, it is easy to imagine that Dien Bien Phu might have remained in obscurity

Vinh Long

The capital of the Vinh Long Province is the transport hub of Vinh Long, a midsize industrial town. Most of the tourist infrastructure is near

Kon Tum

The best base for exploring the region, Kon Tum is a sleepy, relatively undiscovered gem on the banks of the Dakbla River, surrounded by interesting

Bac Ha

The main reason for venturing to Bac Ha, a small town built on a desolate highland plain northeast of Lao Cai, is the century-old Sunday morning

Bai Tu Long Bay

The limestone outcrops that rise out of the waters of Bai Tu Long Bay are perhaps not as lofty as the ones at Halong, but the two seascapes

Mai Chau

The Brigadoon of Vietnam, Mai Chau nestles in a serene valley of Hoa Binh Province that has been called one of the most beautiful spots in the

Sa Dec

The former home of French novelist Marguerite Duras and the setting for her book The Lover (where said lover's house still stands), Sa Dec

Cu Chi

Cu Chi, now an outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City, was the Vietcong base of operations during the last war. The base was underground, in

Quang Ngai

Quang Ngai itself is, unfortunately, no great shakes. However, it is worth stopping at in order to visit to the Son My Memorial at the site

Son La

Son La is a convenient overnight stop on the journey to Mai Chau or Hanoi, but there are only one or two decent hotels. Many hill tribes reside

Lang Co Beach

In the dry season that runs from April through to August, Lang Co makes for an oasis from the modern construction along the Danang coastline

Lak Lake

Lak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, is set among picturesque rolling hills and reached via a beautiful journey through

Pleiku

Pleiku, the capital of Gia Lai province, is smaller and less colorful than its neighbor Kon Tum, but it makes a practical base in this forested

Long Hai

There's not much to Long Hai aside from a beautiful beach and an interesting temple with views of the beach. It's close enough to Vung Tau to

Can Gio

A maze of channels, inlets, and tiny hamlets hidden among swamp and forest, Can Gio has only appeared on the tourist radar within the last few

Ho Coc

Two and a half hours from Ho Chi Minh City, just past Ho Tram, this is a splendid, secluded area for anyone seeking an escape from the chaos

Ho Tram

There's not much to Ho Tram apart from a very long—and very beautiful—stretch of golden sand beach. Two upscale resorts front the beach but

Tay Ninh

Generally a visit to Tay Ninh is part of a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels arranged through one of the travel agencies in Saigon. A guide will

Marble Mountains

Five beautiful limestone peaks, known as the Marble Mountains, rise above the beach north of Hoi An and south of Danang. Over the centuries

Phat Diem

Phat Diem’s hulking cathedral is prominent among Vietnam’s religious buildings. Unique both for its vast dimensions and also an architectural

Tan Chau

Across the Bassac River from Chau Doc, Tan Chau is known for its silk, and a visit here means going to a silk factory where the fabric is made

The Central Coast

Vietnam's long, lovely Central Coast has iconic sandy beaches, ancient Cham ruins, and fascinating royal tombs and pagodas. The highlights of

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta (Cuu Long) is made up of innumerable rivers, canals, tributaries, and rivulets overflowing with fish; the rich alluvial soil

The South-Central Coasts and Highlands

Vietnam's South-Central Coast and Highlands offer up a splendid contrast of attractions. Travel by road or rail through coastal towns with long

Halong Bay and North-Central Vietnam

There is no disguising the stature of Halong Bay among Vietnam’s tourist draws. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed seascape, a mind-blowing collection

Side Trips from Ho Chi Minh City

Some of the destinations around Ho Chi Minh City can be visited as day trips; others may take a few days. Some excursions are more rugged,

The Northwest

Vietnam's staggering beauty and ethnic diversity are perhaps most evident in the Northwest, where dozens of ethnic-minority groups as well as

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

Part of the Annamite mountain range on the northwest Central Coast, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2003

Cat Tien National Park

This vast park, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, includes jungle, swampland, lakes, rivers, and hills, all of which are home to a multitude

Cuc Phuong National Park

The first national park in Vietnam and still one of its most important, Cuc Phuong is a refuge for diverse animal and plant life and an idyllic

Ba Vi National Park

With the triple-peaked Ba Vi Mountain as its towering centerpiece, this former French hill station is a popular weekend excursion for Hanoians

Phu Quoc Island

The white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, swaying palms, and laid-back feel of this beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand have made it one

Cat Ba Island

One of Halong Bay's most remarkable formations is Cat Ba Island, 420 square km (162 square miles) of wildly steep spines of mountains, narrow