Vietnam
Head-spinning contradictions and character
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
Vietnam Travel Guides
14 days
Culture, cities and beach resorts
Vietnam’s cultural highlights plus a beach break
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Ho Chi Minh City
Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City changed its name after Vietnam unified following the Vietnam War... -
Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital is a riot of blaring horns, stunning architecture and delicious street food... -
Sapa
Sapa and surrounding area has long been northern Vietnam’s premier trekking destination, and with good reason... -
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
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 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 is a World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s most popular tourist destination... -
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 is an idyllic island that offers beaches, diving and kayaking to those looking to escape the bustle of Vietnam’s cities... -
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
This remote archipelago off the southern coast is Vietnam’s premier spot for viewing sea life... -
Fansipan Mountain
At 3,143m, Fansipan is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula... -
Hue
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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 is Vietnam’s northernmost province and the landscapes are like something from a science fiction flick... -
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
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...