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Any preconceived notion of Vietnam will quickly disintegrate upon arrival. The most enthralling country in southeast Asia is dynamic, diverse and full of head-spinning contradictions.

Long, narrow and boasting 3,444km of coastline, Vietnam’s character varies from one province to the next. The north has limestone mountains, hill tribes, world famous Halong Bay and the vibrant capital city of Hanoi. In the centre, the largest cave in the world, waterfalls and the charming UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An. The south has languid beaches, tropical islands, the fertile Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis.

Venture outside of the cities and it doesn’t take long to find yourself immersed in a traditional rural world of agriculture and fishing. Imperial dynasty, French colonial and war-time vestiges remain — and some citizens continue to suffer from the legacy of Agent Orange and unexploded ordinances. But Vietnam isn’t focused on its turbulent past; nearly 100 million citizens are busy hustling for a brighter future. The result is a fascinating mix of old and modernity.

Just when you think you have the country figured out, it’ll surprise like a cinematic plot twist. Unabating, unforgettable — that’s Vietnam.

Hiking in Vietnam

An expert guide to the best treks & hikes in Vietnam

I’ve been living in Vietnam on and off for 15 years, and I’ve spent most of that time writing travel stories, authoring guidebooks and working as a fixer for other visitors. So vast are the outdoors here that it seems I’m always writing about adventure travel in some form or another. Vietnam’s dramatic landscapes make hiking a worthwhile activity on its own, but unlike mainstream trekking destinations, it’s rarely the sole focus...read more

10 days

Vietnam north to south

Cities, Mekong Delta and Halong Bay
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12 days

Classic Vietnam

Historical cities and rural waterways
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14 days

Culture, cities and beach resorts

Vietnam’s cultural highlights plus a beach break
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  • Ho Chi Minh City

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City changed its name after Vietnam unified following the Vietnam War...
  • Hanoi

    Hanoi

    Vietnam’s capital is a riot of blaring horns, stunning architecture and delicious street food...
  • Sapa

    Sapa

    Sapa and surrounding area has long been northern Vietnam’s premier trekking destination, and with good reason...
  • Son Doong & Phong Nha Caves

    Son Doong & Phong Nha Caves

    Home to the largest and third largest cave in the world, Phong Nha is a wonder of ancient karst and underground worlds...
  • Dalat

    Dalat

    Dive into a bit of adventure with a guided canyoning experience at the Elephant and Pongour Waterfalls near to the city of Dalat in Vietnam’s central highlands...
  • Hoi An

    Hoi An

    Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most attractive cities, due in part to the preservation of historic buildings in its Old Town (Hoi An avoided being bombed in the Vietnam War)...
  • Halong Bay

    Halong Bay

    Halong Bay is a World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s most popular tourist destination...
  • Mekong Delta

    Mekong Delta

    The Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s breadbasket, with 70% of the country’s fruit and 50% of its rice grown here...
  • Phu Quoc

    Phu Quoc

    Phu Quoc is an idyllic island that offers beaches, diving and kayaking to those looking to escape the bustle of Vietnam’s cities...
  • Hue

    Hue

    Charming Hue was once the capital of the Nguyen dynasty and is a great place to explore the history of Imperial Vietnam...
  • Con Dao Islands

    Con Dao Islands

    This remote archipelago off the southern coast is Vietnam’s premier spot for viewing sea life...
  • Fansipan Mountain

    Fansipan Mountain

    At 3,143m, Fansipan is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula...
  • Hue

    ...
  • Pu Luong

    Pu Luong

    I sometimes think of Pu Luong, another favourite in the north, as a microcosm of the northern mountains, with the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, jagged peaks of Sapa and stilt house villages of Mai Chau...
  • Ha Giang

    Ha Giang

    Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northernmost province and the landscapes are like something from a science fiction flick...
  • Bach Ma National Park

    Bach Ma National Park

    While some natural areas in central Vietnam suffer from overtourism, Bach Ma National Park has slipped under the developers’ radar...
  • An Giang

    An Giang

    The far south of Vietnam is not known for its treks: this is a delta region where the horizon usually stops at the closest tree...

Places to go in Vietnam

Vietnam Tours

Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi

Historic Sites Vietnam Tour

Enjoy the culture of Vietnam and well known heritage sites

14 daysFrom $0
Hanoi, Sapa, Hoi An (and 3 more)

Vietnam Complete

Experience all Vietnam has to offer

21 daysFrom $0
Hanoi, Sapa, Hoi An (and 2 more)

Authentic Vietnam

Key attractions of Vietnam

17 daysFrom $0

Vietnam Travel Companies

Vietnam

Footsteps Indochina

Sustainable trips to Vietnam and Indochina
South Asia, Southeast Asia

Red Lantern Journeys

Culture, culinary, and adventure tours in Asia

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