best travel book on vietnam

Best Books on Vietnam That’ll Give You Serious Wanderlust

by Julie Books , Vietnam 10 comments

If you’re like me and you love to read up on the place you’re traveling to, then you’ll find yourself overwhelmed by all the choices of books on Vietnam. I swear the number of English-language books on this country could fill a small public library.

What does it say about Vietnam that people have so much to write about? Probably it’s because of all the tragedies the country has experienced over the centuries–war, colonialism, famine, etc. Tragedies make the best stories.

Anyway, there are many books on Vietnam in English to choose from. The good news is that many of them are really good. I mean REALLY good! Some of the best writers in the English language (Greene, O’Brien, Caputo, Sheehan, and so on) have chosen to write about this fascinating Southeast Asian country.

The bad news is that most of us don’t have the time and/or money to read more than one or two, so choosing the best Vietnam book is important.

So, here is my curated list of 29 books on Vietnam and Vietnamese history and culture. Twenty-four of these I have read, and the five I haven’t read are included because they’re considered classics .

Most books are set in Vietnam . However, there are some that take place in the United States but center around Vietnamese characters.

The list is growing and I’ll be adding to it and updating my reviews as I read more. Not all of them are great. So, I’ll let you know which ones I think you should buy, borrow, or just plain skip.

And if you’re interested in books on other Asian countries, check out my books on Japan , Malaysia , Myanmar , China , Thailand , and Singapore .

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website's  Disclosure for more info.

In This Post, You’ll Find…

• Fiction Books on Vietnam
• Nonfiction Books on Vietnam
• Books on Vietnamese Food

Books on Vietnam: Fiction

There are some amazing novels set in Vietnam to choose from. Most books are set during the Vietnam War . However, there are some more contemporary ones written in Vietnamese and translated into English that are also worth reading.

Let’s take a look!

1. The Women

Kristin hannah (2024), my rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

“Why had it never occurred to Frankie that a girl, a woman, could have a place on her father’s office wall for doing something heroic or important, that a woman could invent something or discover something or be a nurse on the battlefield, could literally save lives?”

One of the hottest books in 2024 (4.66 Rating on Goodreads with 372,000 reviews) is also one of my favorite books on the Vietnam War. It’s Kristin Hannah’s The Women about the female nurses who served in the war. It’s thought-provoking, emotionally powerful (I cried), and hard to put down.

Frances (Frankie) McGrath is an upper-class, sheltered woman from California who, in 1966, goes to Vietnam as a nurse . As soon as she arrives, all her understanding of the war is upended. After serving two tours in Vietnam, she returns to her country and family who are ashamed of her and her fellow soldiers.

Hannah doesn’t write scintillating prose and her characters can be insufferable at times. However, she is a master at capturing what it must have felt like to be a nurse in Vietnam, struggle with returning to a hostile country and family, and suffer from PTSD.

There are a couple of romantic relationships in the book, but these feel like side stories to the bigger issue of Vietnam and its impact on the women who served.

Verdict: Read it NOW!

2. The Quiet American

Graham greene (1955).

“Innocence is a kind of insanity.”

I’ve read The Quiet American twice. The first time was 20 years ago, and the second time was while I was traveling through Vietnam in 2015. It’s a complex book that is better the second or third time when you can uncover its multiple layers .

The Quiet American takes place in 1955 during the French-Indochinese War. The narrator of the novel is Thomas Fowler, a jaded and cynical British journalist , who’s living an idyllic life in Vietnam with his Vietnamese mistress. That is until he meets the naïve, fiercely anti-communist, and very quiet American Alden Pyle. Pyle is working for the CIA and is involved in some reckless scheme to save Vietnam from not only the communists but also their old European colonizers. Surprisingly, the two instantly like each other.

However, there’s a bit of a problem. Pyle is in love with Fowler’s lover , Phuong. Fowler is at a disadvantage. While Pyle is promising to “rescue” Phuong and take her back to America, Fowler, a married man, can only promise life as a mistress. What lengths will Fowler go to keep Phuong?

The Quiet American is a brilliant book. So many things in it are a metaphor for something more important . For example, Pyle is a metaphor for the United States’ arrogance and ignorance. This quote from Fowler describes Pyle (but really America) perfectly:

“That was my first instinct — to protect him. It never occurred to me that there was a greater need to protect myself. Innocence always calls mutely for protection when we would be so much wiser to guard ourselves against it: innocence is like a dumb leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world, meaning no harm.”

The book was so prescient at the time. Greene wrote it in 1955 (the American Vietnam War began in 1965), yet Graham could foresee the damage America’s idealism, arrogance, racism, and naivety would bring to Vietnam.

Verdict: Buy  The Quiet American  so that you can read it more than once. It’s so complex and thought-provoking. It’s one of the best books on Vietnam.

3. The Things They Carried

Tim o’brien (1990).

“A thing may happen and be a total lie; another thing may not happen and be truer than the truth.”

If you’re going to read just one novel on the Vietnam War , make it The Things They Carried by my fellow Minnesotan, Tim O’Brien.

O’Brien’s writing is so beautiful that it feels more like poetry than prose . Here’s one sentence to give you an idea:

“They carried all they could bear, and then some, including a silent awe for the terrible power of the things they carried.”

Forty years have passed since the war ended, and the narrator (named Tim O’Brien) is writing down his memories of Vietnam .  In one of my favorite stories, O’Brien describes the feelings of getting his draft notice. You can sense how O’Brien felt –the numbness, anger, paralysis, bitterness, and self-pity. It almost feels like you’re with him as he contemplates running away to Canada.

I’m not fond of war stories. But the ones here are an exception. They aren’t so much about battles or fighting as they are about what’s going on inside the minds of the soldiers –what they’re thinking while walking through the jungle or through fields dotted with mines or waiting in their camp.

Verdict: Of course, read The Things They Carried! 

4. Matterhorn

Karl marlantes (2010).

“It was all absurd, without reason or meaning. People who didn’t know each other were going to kill each other over a hill none of them cared about”

Written by Karl Marlantes,  Matterhorn is an epic novel (617 pages) on the Vietnam War. It’s a story of a young bookish Marine Lieutenant, Waino Mellas, and the soldiers he commands in Bravo Company. He and his men are dropped in the middle of the Vietnamese jungle where they’ve been ordered to take a mountain–the Matterhorn.

I’m not fond of war novels, but this one resonated with me. Perhaps because I liked Waino so much. It also does a good job of highlighting the pointlessness of the war and how stupid the American military leadership was .

The thing that stuck with me was how the Marines would be ordered to take a mountain. After fighting to the death for it and succeeding to take it, they’d be told to abandon it. Huh????

Verdict: Read Matterhorn even if you’re not into war novels . But read it while traveling in Vietnam, specifically around the DMZ (central Vietnam).

5. The Mountains Sing

By nguyen phan que mai (2020).

I’m always on the lookout for books on Vietnam written by Vietnamese. The Mountains Sing was originally written in Vietnamese by a famous poet, Nguyen Pan Que Mai.

It’s a sweeping multigenerational story of Tran Dieu Lan and her family’s life from the 1920s to the present. Tran’s family was originally from the North. During the communist land reforms, her family was forced to migrate to Hanoi.

The English translation was released in March 2020. I bought the book, but as of 2023, I haven’t read it yet . Hopefully, I’ll have time by the end of 2023. If you’ve read it, let me know what you think.

6. The Sorrow of War

Bao ninh (1987).

I saw copies of The Sorrow of War in English all over Vietnam. Unfortunately, I didn’t pick it up. I wish I had, though, because it would have been nice to have read a book about the war from a North Vietnamese perspective while in Vietnam.

It’s an autobiographical novel based on the author’s time in the Glorious 27 th Youth Brigade . Just like the main character, Ninh served from 1965 to 1976 and was one of 10 survivors from his unit. The book is told in disjointed snippets (not chronological) as the narrator (the author) reminisces about the war.

I finally bought the book, but I haven’t read it yet. However, according to Goodreads reviewers, it’s worth it. It has a 4.1/5 rating on Goodreads and 4.4/5 on Amazon .

7. The Sympathizer

Viet thanh nguyen (2015), my rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

“I could live without television, but not without books.”

Written by Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Sympathizer won the Pulitzer Prize for best fiction in 2016.

The narrator is half-French, half-Vietnamese. He’s a soldier fighting for  South Vietnam. But he’s also a double agent, secretly working for North Vietnam . He leaves Vietnam with other refugees for the U.S. While in America, he spies on his former commander and friends and reports on them to his superiors in Hanoi.

I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn’t. Instead, I’ve got mixed feelings. On the one hand, the writing is good . It’s funny and insightful.  I sympathized with his premise: the only story of the Vietnam-American War that we get in the United States is one that is told from the point of view of America and that view is often full of racism, arrogance, and ignorance . Nguyen wanted to give us the story as told from a Vietnamese point of view.

However, I found myself wanting to get to the end of the book not because I was eager to find out the ending but to get away from the narrator. I hated him. He’s arrogant, bitter, and cold-blooded .

I was also hoping that Nguyen’s view of the war would be more nuanced. 

Verdict: I wanted to like The Sympathizer, but sadly, I recommend skipping it or getting it from the library.

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8. A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain

By robert olen butler (1992), my rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

“He was a believer. I could see his Buddhist upbringing in him. The communists could appeal to that. They couldn’t touch the Catholics, but the Buddhists who didn’t believe in all the mysticism were well prepared for communism. The communists were full of right views, right intentions, right speech, and all that.”

A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain won the Pulitzer Prize for the best work of fiction in 1993.

Written by Robert Olen Butler, it’s a collection of short stories told from the perspective of Vietnamese immigrants living in Louisiana.

Some are Catholics who fled North Vietnam when the country was first divided, and some are Buddhists from South Vietnam. Before reading this book, I wasn’t aware of the distinction before (Catholics were from the North and Buddhists from the South), and I wasn’t aware of the animosity each side felt towards the other .

Butler joined the U.S. military and was sent to language school to study Vietnamese before his tour of duty in Vietnam. He arrived in Vietnam already fluent in the language. Due to his language abilities, he was able to connect with regular Vietnamese people , allowing him to see a side of Vietnam that most American journalists and soldiers could never see.

I first read these short stories when the book first came out 25 years ago. At that time, no one thought to criticize the author, a white American male, for writing from the voices of Vietnamese immigrants.

However, if you look today on Amazon or Good Reads, you’ll see that people criticize Butler for thinking he can write with the voice of a Vietnamese immigrant.

I think it’s best to ask Vietnamese of the same generation and background as Butler’s characters whether his stories are authentic . Then, you can decide whether to read A Good Scent.

9. The Bride Test

Helen hoang (2019).

“The government didn’t care about her, the schools didn’t, the scholarship organizations didn’t, but this one person did, and sometimes one person could make a world of difference.”

I had high hopes for The Bride Test . I loved the author’s first book (5/5 stars), The Kiss Quotient. But The Bride Test just fell flat .

The Bride Test is the story of Khai Diep, a Vietnamese-American who happens to be a movie star, movie-star handsome but also autistic . Khai struggles with feeling emotions and, as a result, avoids relationships, especially romantic ones. His lack of a girlfriend concerns his mother, so she heads off to Vietnam to find him a bride . She returns with Esme, a young half-Vietnamese half-Caucasian woman. Will Khai fall in love with Esme and will Esme do the same? Read to find out.

Why I wasn’t in love with this book? Not very interesting characters and not a very believable plot. Esme was shallow and selfish, and Khai was just blah. And I just don’t think they had much chemistry together . (Read the Kiss Quotient for some real chemistry.)

Also, few mothers, especially status-conscious ones, are going to choose a bathroom attendant as their son’s future wife, especially after talking to her for only five minutes and without checking out her background.

Verdict: Skip this book. Better yet, get her book, The Kiss Quotient . It doesn’t have Vietnamese characters, but it’s a fun and deliciously sexy read! Hottest sex scenes I’v read in a long time.

10. The Lotus Eaters

By tatjana soli (2010).

“One stayed at first for glory, then excitement, then later it was pure endurance and proficiency; one couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But there was something more, hard to put her finger on—one felt a camaraderie in war, an urgency of connection impossible to duplicate in regular life. She felt more human when life was on the edge.”

The Lotus Eaters has everything I love in a book : a strong female character with an interesting job (photojournalist) working in an exotic setting (Vietnam) at an important time in history (the Vietnam War). However, I have mixed feelings about the book.

The year is 1965—the beginning of the Vietnam War. A recent college dropout, Helen arrives in Vietnam wanting to become a photographer . She meets Darrow, a famous war photographer who becomes her mentor and lover, and Linh, another man who also becomes her lover.

I liked the story. It’s got enough unexpected twists and turns and beautiful descriptions of Vietnam.

I loved the book’s theme , which is related to the title. The “Lotus Eaters” comes from Homer’s The Odyssey—people who live in a dreamy state of forgetfulness and idleness after eating lotus roots. In Vietnam, the lotus eaters were those photojournalists who gave up everything for the excitement, adrenaline, and danger of war.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find Helen and Linh’s romance very believable . I also found it hard to believe that Helen became a famous war photographer when she arrived in Vietnam without even knowing how to put film in a camera.

The ending, though, was  brilliant .

Verdict: Borrow from the library!

11. Dust Child

By que mai phan nguyen (2023).

“Throughout his life, he had been called the dust of life, bastard, Black American imperialist, child of the enemy.”

Dust Child is an incredibly beautiful and moving book is about the discrimination and cruelty that Amerasians faced growing up in Vietnam–the children of Vietnamese women and American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese call these children the “ dust of life .”

The story begins in 2016 and jumps backward to 1969 . It’s told from the perspectives of three characters:

• Phong – Half-Black and half-Vietnamese man who grew up in Vietnam; at the beginning of the book,
• Dan – Dan was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
• Trang – Trang was a 19-year-old bar girl in Vietnam in 1969.

Nguyen is a good storyteller. She sucks you in from the first chapter and keeps you hooked all the way to the end. You want to keep reading to find out if Dan finds his child and Phong his parents. Her characters are realistic : flawed but sympathetic . You should hate Dan but you don’t. Thien is a jerk but then when you learn his backstory, it’s hard not to empathize with him.

Books on Vietnam: Nonfiction

There are so many good non-fiction books about Vietnam that it’s hard to choose sometimes. Of course, you’ve got loads of books on the Vietnam Wa r, books on the history of Vietnam , and family memoirs that tell the history of one Vietnamese family.

Let’s jump in!

12. The Best and the Brightest

David halberstam (1972).

“Up to then there had been something of a gentleman’s agreement among those who might be called The Good Journalists of Washington that the Kennedy Administration was one of excellence, that it was for good things and against bad things, and that when it did lesser things it was only in self-defense, and in order that it might do other good things.”

If you want to know why the United States lost the Vietnam War, read The Best and the Brightest. David Halberstam was a New York Times journalist stationed in Vietnam during the 1960s.

The Best and the Brightest refers to the Harvard-educated foreign policy decision-makers in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations . These are the same ones that got the United States mired in a war they couldn’t win.

Halberstam looks at what led America to think they could do what the French couldn’t do–defeat the communists and control Vietnam–and why they lost.

I loved, loved, loved this book. I was so absorbed in reading about the arrogance and ignorance of those in power that even though it’s thick ( 832 pages ), it didn’t take me that long to get through it.

Verdict: Read it! The Best and the Brightest is one of the best nonfiction books about Vietnam !

13. A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

Neil sheehan (1988).

Another great book that reveals why the United States lost the war is  A Bright Shining Lie  by journalist Neil Sheehan. Like  The Best and the Brightest, it’s unputdownable and thought-provoking, and it will change your thinking about change your thinking of those in power.

A Bright Shining Lie tells the story of John Paul Vann , a fascinating character who is deeply flawed yet very heroic . Sheehan portrays John Paul Vann as the only person in the military who understood how to win the war. He was outspoken and critical of those in power, and he wasn’t afraid to tell those higher up what he thought regardless of the consequences. Unfortunately, no one wanted to listen to him.

Whereas The Best and the Brightest focuses on policy-makers in Washington, A Bright Shining Lie looks at how the incompetence and malfeasance of the U.S. military and the corruption of the South Vietnamese army led to the loss of the Vietnam-American war.

Verdict: Buy it! One of the best Vietnam War books. Sheehan beats Halberstam at 898 pages. But A Bright Shining Lie is so good that it doesn’t feel long . It reads more like a novel than a work of nonfiction. I’m glad I own this book because it’s one I’d like to read again.

14. Vietnam: A New History

Christopher goscha (2016).

“In the great power account, Vietnam is the victim of colonization and domination, never a colonizer or conqueror itself. Its own internal divisions, ethnic diversity, and conflicts are obscured.”

Vietnam: A New History is a riveting and groundbreaking book on the history of Vietnam from ancient times to the present day.

Out of all the books I’ve read on Vietnam, it’s probably helped me understand the country’s history the most.

There are fourteen chapters in the book, three of which focus on pre-colonial history, seven on Vietnam under the French, two on the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War), one on the Third Indochina War (Vietnam against China and Cambodia), and one on the country’s post-war years.

I’m always excited by a book that can make me look at the past in a new way , and Gosha’s book made me rethink many of my assumptions and beliefs about the Vietnam War.

If you’re into the history of the Vietnam War, I highly recommend this book. If you want to know more about the history of Vietnam under the French , then this is also a great book to start.

Verdict: Buy it!

You can read my full review of Vietnam: A New History here. 

15. Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam

By andrew x pham (1999), my rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

“If trouble is coming, don’t turn your back, because that’s when it’s gonna stab. Best to meet it with a grin. That way, you can see what’s coming.”

Part memoir and part travelogue , Catfish and Mandala is Andrew X Pham’s first book about his return to Vietnam. Pham was born in Vietnam but immigrated with his family to the United States as a child. After his sibling’s suicide, Pham quits his job, sells all his possessions, and takes off on a bicycle ride across Vietnam .

Pham writes about his family’s immigrant experience . He talks about his difficulties growing up with a strict father and coming to terms with being of two cultures : conservative Vietnamese culture and liberal American culture. The other part of the book is a travelogue about his adventures biking across Vietnam.

The stories about his family in Vietnam and the U.S. are fascinating. However, the travelogue part of Pham biking through Vietnam is dated. It was written in the 1990s, and Vietnam has changed a lot in 20+ years.

Verdict: Read it for the history of his family.

16. Dispatches

Michael herr (1977).

Dispatches  by journalist Michael Herr has been on my Amazon Wish List for several years. I have yet to buy or read it. So many books so little time. It’s supposed to be one of THE classic books on the Vietnam War (along with The Things They Carried and A Rumor of War ).

Dispatches is a memoir that describes the author’s time as a war correspondent for Esquire magazine. He was in Vietnam reporting on some of the most important battles—Ke Sanh and Hue .

The writing is supposed to be superb!

The book gets a 4.2 rating on GoodRead s and 4.5 on Amazon .

Just be aware that he had admitted to inventing some of the stories and conversations (it’s touted as nonfiction).

17. Eating Vietnam

Graham holiday (2016).

“The single thing that alters, distinguishes, and sets Vietnamese apart from Thai, Cambodian, Lao, or any other Southeast Asian cuisine is the presence and abundance of herbs”

The best food I’ve ever eaten in Asia was in Vietnam . Not Japan and not Thailand. But Vietnam. It’s fresh and healthy and the flavors are complex, and it has these wonderful herbs I’d never seen before. So, I was eager to read Eating Vietnam by former street food blogger , Graham Holiday. Since he’d lived in Vietnam for over 10 years, I figured he had enough street cred to write about Vietnamese food .

Eating Vietnam is divided into two parts: part 1 focuses on Hanoi and part 2 on Saigon .

The Hanoi section is good. Holiday writes not only about food but also about his everyday life . For instance, you’ll read about both his first-time tasting Bun Cha and Cha Ca and the first bike he bought, the first apartment he lived in, and the first time he fell in love. I could relate to these westerner-in-Asia experiences having lived for several years in Asia during the same period as Holiday. But if you haven’t lived in Asia, this part might bore you.

It wasn’t until I got to the Saigon section (57% on my Kindle) that the book got REALLY good. Holiday focuses less on himself and more on the food. The chapters on the differences between Ha Noi and Sai Gon cuisine are particularly fascinating.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a book on Vietnam’s food, buy it!

18. The Eaves of Heaven: A Life in Three Wars

Andrew x pham (2008).

The Eaves of Heaven is Andrew X Pham’s second book. In his first one, Catfish and Mandala, he recounts his travels by bike around Vietnam. In The Eaves of Heaven , he tells the history of Vietnam through his father’s life story. His father lived through the Japanese occupation of Vietnam, the French-Indochina War, and the Vietnam War. His father’s family was once wealthy landowners who had to flee from their home in the North to the South when the country was divided. His second book is sooooo much better than his first.

I think history should be learned in two ways: through a nonfiction analysis of historical events and through a memoir of an ordinary person who experienced those events.

The Eaves of Heaven is the latter. It’s an EXCELLENT book that helped me better understand Vietnam’s history. I got a sense of what it must have been like to live through those events.

Verdict: Read it! 

19. Fire in the Lake

Frances fitzgerald (1972).

If you want a book that helps you understand the Vietnamese people better, read Fire in the Lake by Frances Fitzgerald. Unlike many books on Vietnam, this doesn’t center around an American marine, but instead, focuses on the Vietnamese people and who they are, what they believe, and why they think the way they do .

The premise is that if the United States had understood Vietnamese history and culture, then it would never have gotten into a war in the first place.

I read the book many years before writing this post, so I can’t give you many details on why I like it. It’s got a 4.1 rating on GoodReads and a 4.6 on Amazon.

Fire in the Lake  is an informative and fascinating book.

Verdict: Read it!

20. A Rumor of War: The Classic Vietnam Memoir

Philip caputo (1977).

Like Dispatches, A Rumor of War is another classic Vietnam War book  I haven’t read yet.

Beginning in 1965, Philip Caputo served for 18 months in Vietnam . He was part of the first combat troupe to land on the ground in Vietnam. The memoir is about his time in Vietnam.

Caputo was brought up on murder charges for commanding two of his men to capture two Viet Cong soldiers and kill them if they resisted. The charges were later dropped.

It’s got a 4.2 rating on GoodReads and 4.6 on Amazon .

21. The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family

Mai elliot (2000).

The Sacred Willow is a book about Vietnam’s history told through the lives of a wealthy Vietnamese family.

Duong Van Mai Elliot tells the story of her family starting with her great-grandmother to her time working for the RAND Corporation interviewing Viet Cong POWs . That last part is quite fascinating .

Following the story of Elliot’s family during the most important events of Vietnam’s history was a powerful way to help me better understand the country.

I also liked reading how, while working for the RAND Corporation, Elliot slowly began to understand that the South would never win. 

Verdict: Read this! Which one is better: The Eaves of Heaven or The Sacred Willow ? The Sacred Willow is broader in scope, covering a longer time period and more generations than Eaves of Heaven . It was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. So, I’d pick The Sacred Willow .

22. Vietnam: Rising Dragon

Bill hayton (2010).

“There’s a saying in Vietnam: ‘The emperor’s rule stops at the village gate’.”

If you’re interested in learning about contemporary Vietnam , then the most recently written book on the subject is Bill Hayton’s Vietnam: Rising Dragon .

Hayton is a British journalist who worked for the BBC in Vietnam in the early twenty-first century. He doesn’t tell his readers exactly when he lived there, but he does mention that in 2007, he was expelled from Vietnam for his reporting on the dissident movement.

Rising Dragon is i nformative and insightful . To help you decide whether to buy it, here’s a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of what you’ll read:

• Chapter 1:  the economy
• Chapter 2:  the farmers
• Chapter 3: the cities; the government’s policy of “civilized living” versus reality
• Chapter 4: how the government controls the people
• Chapter 5: who has the power in Vietnam
• Chapter 6: the dissident movements
• Chapter 7: freedom of the press
• Chapter 8: the environment
• Chapter 9: relations with China and the United States; how Vietnam got its name
• Chapter 10: north/south relations and treatment of ethnic minorities
• Epilogue: Is Vietnam headed toward a liberal democracy?

Bill Hayton’s writing is dry, and he rarely puts his personality or personal life into his writing. So, the book can be boring at times .

Verdict: Almost 15 years have passed since the book was written, so some things might be out-of-date. But I haven’t come across anything more recent than Rising Dragon . Let me know if you have a more current book on Vietnam. Let me

23. When Heaven and Earth Changed Places

Le ly hayslip (1989).

An emotionally heartwrenching book on Vietnam is the memoir by Le Ly Hayslip When Heaven and Earth Changed Places.

Hayslip grew up in a poor family in a small village that became a battleground in the war. Both the North and South accused her of being a spy for the other side, and as a result, she was tortured, raped, and sentenced to death. She and her mother fled their small village to live in Saigon where she worked various jobs from housekeeper to black marketeer to prostitute. She married an American contractor , had a son, and moved to the United States.

I read the book many years ago, so my memory of the content is hazy. I do remember it being an emotional read . The author went through some horrible events (rape, torture, death of loved ones). It was also made into a movie called Heaven and Earth .

Verdict: Your understanding of the Vietnam War will be incomplete unless you read at least one book told from the Vietnamese point of view. There are many like that on this list of books about Vietnam, and When Heaven and Earth Changed Places is a good choice. I had originally borrowed it from the library. I wish I owned it so that I could read it again before my next trip to Vietnam.

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Books on Vietnam: Food

After my first trip to Vietnam, I became obsessed with Vietnamese food, and I bought and borrowed cookbooks and scoured the internet for videos on how to cook it. I tried making pho and other noodle dishes, Cha Ca (fish in turmeric and dill), stews, banh mi, and other dishes.

Here is a list of my favorite cookbooks:

24. The Banh Mi Cookbook: Crazy Delicious Recipes for Vietnamese Sandwiches

Andrea nguyen (2014).

The Banh Mi Cookbook is the first of many cookbooks on this list by Andrea Nguyen, and as the name suggests, it focuses on making banh mi sandwiches. Here’s what you’ll get in this cookbook:

• tips on buying the most suitable bread for banh mi including alternatives to baguettes
• recipes for making your own bread
• 1 detailed recipe for making a banh mi sandwich
• recipes for making your own condiments
• lots of delicious recipes for making the cold cuts like pate, chicken, seafood and fish, pork, and beef that goes into the banh mi sandwich
• recipes for making vegetarian banh mi

I’ve made some of the chicken recipes in this book, but I haven’t made my own bread. The recipes are tasty and easy to make , but I’m always hampered by a lack of suitable bread in my city . Without good bread, the sandwiches can get annoyingly chewy. They should be chewy but not THAT chewy. So, I stopped making banh mi after several attempts.

This is still a great cookbook and I highly recommend getting it if you like sandwiches.

Verdict: Buy it or borrow from the library!

25. Into the Vietnamese Kitchen: Treasured Foodways, Modern Flavors

Andrea nguyen (2011).

Into the Vietnamese Kitchen was my first Vietnamese cookbook and the one I have cooked from the most. It’s a treasure trove of information about cooking Vietnamese food.

What I love about it is Nguyen’s explanations of why you would use one ingredient (fish sauce, chicken stock) or cooking technique over another.

The list of recipes includes those from both the North and South (missing those from the central part). Many of them were ones that I tried on my trip. It also helps me that Nguyen gives the name of the dish in Vietnamese because I’m more familiar with the original name than the English name.

However, some of her instructions are confusing , and I needed other books to help me cook such as when I was first cooking pho.

I had some successes with Into the Vietnamese Kitchen : banh mi, beef stew, and a curry. I also had some major failures as well: papaya salad, a dried noodle bowl, and the Cha Ca dish.

26. The Pho Cookbook: Easy to Adventurous Recipes for Vietnam’s Favorite Soups and Noodles

Andrea nguyen (2017).

Have you ever tried making pho before?

It’s one heck of a loooooong and complicated process . The first time I made it, I didn’t have this cookbook. Instead, I had to use several cookbooks and YouTube videos to understand what to do.

Then The Pho Cookbook came out. And I found all I needed to cook pho in one cookbook. 

The book explains the process so clearly and thoroughly that you don’t need several books or videos to understand how to make this iconic Vietnamese dish.

You’ll even find a recipe here for making it in an instant pot (not as good as the traditional method but quicker and easier).

27. Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table

Mai pham (2001).

Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table is THE best Vietnamese cookbook I’ve used .

It’s not flashy. There are no colored photos–it’s only negative.

The dishes just sing ! Whenever I cooked from it, I always felt like a good cook.

Unfortunately, I don’t own the book. I used to get it from my local library and hold onto it until I ran out of renewals. Then one day my local library got rid of it when they disposed of a whole bunch of books for a temporary move during a remodeling project. Ugh! I’m on the move now, so there’s no need for me to purchase my own copy. But someday…

When I’m first learning to cook a certain cuisine, I need photos. Since this one lacks them, I think Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table is more suitable for those with some experience cooking Vietnamese food.

Verdict:  Buy it!

28. The Slanted Door: Modern Vietnamese Food

Charles phan (2014), my rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Charles Phan, head chef and owner of the popular San Francisco restaurant , the Slanted Door , wrote this cookbook with recipes from his restaurant. I’ve never eaten at the Slanted Door. But I tried cooking the restaurant’s famous dish, Shaken Beef , using this book’s recipe.

I wasn’t impressed . My problem with the recipe was that it calls for way too much beef to cook in a home cook’s wok (maybe it’s ok for a restaurant wok). When you cook in a wok, you need to cook fast, so you shouldn’t have too much food in it. If you do, the ingredients will either be overcooked or undercooked. The recipe also called for a very expensive cut of beef: filet mignon! In the end, I got an overpriced unevenly cooked disaster of a dish.

Verdict: Skip it!

29. Vietnamese Home Cooking

Charles phan (2012).

While I was disappointed with Charles Phan’s The Slanted Door, I love, love, love his cookbook, Vietnamese Home Cooking .

Charles Pham is Chinese-Vietnamese, so some of the recipes are more Chinese than Vietnamese . Don’t worry, though—there are still lots of Vietnamese dishes.

The recipes are clear and easy to follow —perfect for the home cook. My favorite dish from this book is steamed pork ribs with black bean sauce, which I cooked over and over again.

I highly recommend getting Vietnamese Home Cooking!

Verdict: Definitely buy it!

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Final Thoughts: Books on Vietnam

So that’s my list of the best and the not-so-great books on Vietnam. If I had to choose one book to read on this list, I’d say The Things They Carried is #1. Here are my top 5 must-read books:

• The Things They Carried
• The Best and the Brightest
• A Bright Shining Lie
• The Quiet American

If you’ve got a favorite book, I’d love to hear from you. Include it in the comment section. If you find this list helpful, please share the love on social media. Thank you!

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10 Comments

One I loved was Single White Female in Hanoi – written by an Australian woman who was living as an ex-pat in Hanoi for a period. Sadly she passed away not long after it was published and the profit from sales of the book goes to charities she chose

Thanks Paula for the recommendation. I’ll have to check it out.

This is a great post with some really solid advice, thank you for sharing! Merry christmas from Stockholm Sweden 🙂

Thanks, Ann!

I love your post! It’s so nice to read a book about the country that you visit. I’ve read a book from Graham Greene (it was his sort of autobiography), and I’d be really interested in the Vietnamese authors’ fiction.

Thanks, Anna!

Last year, I read “The Lotus Eaters” by Tatjana Soli and it was my first historical fiction read set in Vietnam. Having been born during the war, my knowledge of it is not very great. It also seems like history classes in school always focused on older history and we consistently ran out of time before we could track as far forward as things that were then more considered “recent events.”

Last week, I finished reading “Come Fly The World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am” by Julia Cooke and the last fourth of the book was about the ways the international airlines helped during the Vietnam War. I had never even realized there were so many orphans who were saved and brought to the United States during that time. I am now interested in learning more about Vietnam with the hopes of one day visiting. Thank you so much for your list and your insight into these books. You might enjoy “The Lotus Eaters” also!

Thanks for the recs! I’ve heard of the Lotus Eaters but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I haven’t heard of the other book, though. It sounds interesting.

The perfect spy

Do you mean the John le Carre novel? Does it take place in Vietnam? I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

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The Ultimate List of Best Vietnam Books to Read!

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Home » The Ultimate List of Best Vietnam Books to Read!

I love to read and nothing excites me more than finding a book before I travel to power-up the anticipation of the trip to come!  In this post, you will find a list of the best Vietnam books to read this year!

I have broken down the best books about Vietnam into helpful sections.

In the Fiction section, you will find the best books on Vietnam war, other Vietnam bestseller novels as well as novels set in Vietnam.  One of my favourites from this list is ‘The Beauty of Humanity Movement’, it might be an oldie but it is a great book that tells an interesting story about key characters and their lives in old Vietnam.

For those keen on travelling to Vietnam, you will most certainly enjoy our suggested collection to help you pick the best Vietnam travel guide book for your type of holiday.

Whichever genre you love to read, I’m sure you will find something on this list to suit your needs and taste buds!  Enjoy!

____________________

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Best Vietnam Fiction Books

Find below a list of the best Vietnam novels has to offer! You can find suggestions for the best books set in Vietnam.

1. Best Books Set in Vietnam

Find below suggestions of books to read before visiting Vietnam.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement

by Camilla Gibb

The Beauty of Humanity Movement was one of the first books I read and I still feel like it is one of the best novels set in Vietnam that looks at daily life beyond the war.

Book Synopsis:

Every morning in Hanoi, people line up to breakfast on a bowl of pho, traditional noodle soup, made by Old Man Hung. An itinerant soup vendor living in a shantytown, Hung once owned a café where a group of dissident artists and intellectuals called the Beauty of Humanity Movement met until the Communists shut it down.

If Hung is a link to Vietnam’s past, Tu, the grandson of one of the artists, is a link to its future. It is Tu’s job as a tour guide to show the sites of Hanoi to visitors from the West. One of these is Maggie, a Vietnamese American art curator who has come to Hanoi to catalogue the art collection of the refurbished Hotel Metropole. She also hopes to learn something about her father, an artist, who stayed behind when Maggie and her mother fled to the U.S.

Through the very different perspectives of these three, Gibb fluidly takes the reader from the bitter years of war to the Hanoi that has emerged in the reform era, which, despite all its modernization, is still a mystery to many of us.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD & Paperback). 

___________________________

The Best We Could Do

The Best We Could is a national bestseller!

It is an illustrated memoir of one family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam. It is a graphic novel and the story is told in a beautiful emotional voice.  It is about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. The book explores the anguish of immigration.  It also shares the emotions of a family dealing with the lasting effects that displacement has on a child.

The book looks at the story of a family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970’s.  It looks at the realistic challenges they faced whilst trying to rebuild a new life for themselves.  At the heart of Bui’s story is a universal struggle: While adjusting to life as a first-time mother, she ultimately discovers what it means to be a parent—the endless sacrifices, the unnoticed gestures, and the depths of unspoken love.

The important of the strength of family, the importance of identity, and the meaning of home are some of the main themes that runs throughout this incredible book.  It is the best book about Vietnam family life and the realistic struggles of lost identity.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover & Paperback).

2. Best Vietnam War Books

Find below a collection of the best books on the Vietnam war!  Whilst some of these books are a bit older, they are still brilliant to read and give you great insight into the war.  Some of these are fiction books about Vietnam war (based on factual information), whilst others include some of the best books on Vietnam history of the war.

Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam

by Anthony Grey

‘Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam by Anthony Grey’ happens to be one of the best books on Vietnam War; so if you are after a bit of war history then this one is the perfect book for you!

This book centers around twentieth-century Vietnam.  It tells the story of Joseph’s first visit to Saigon in 1925.  He returns back to Vietnam many times, sometimes as a traveler, other times as a soldier and finally as a reporter.  He falls in love with the exotic land and with Lan, a mandarin’s daughter he cannot forget.

Over five decades Joseph’s life becomes enmeshed with the political intrigues of two of Saigon’s most influential families, the French colonist Devrauxs, and the native Trans—and inevitably with Vietnam’s turbulent, war torn fate. He is there when the hatred of a million coolies rises against the French, and when the French Foreign Legion fights its bloody last stand at Dien Bien Phu. He sees US military “advisors” fire their first shots in America’s hopeless war against the red tide of Communist revolution and tries to salvage something of lasting value on a desperate helicopter flight out of defeated Saigon.

A great read!  If you haven’t read this one yet, then it might be the time for it today!

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD & Paperback). 

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History

by  Geoffrey C. Ward

There still seems to be an argument around about who was right and wrong in their response to the conflict of the Vietnam War.

What we do know is that when the war divided the country, it created deep political fault lines that continue to divide us today.  It has been over 40 years since the war ended, but yet it still haunts their country.

This book is not however about taking sides, the book is all about seeking to understand why this war happened, why it went the way it did.

The authors have done their research, they have interviewed dozens and dozens of people from both America as well as Vietnam to get the true perspectives from people that were actually involved in the war.

People interviewed include U.S. and Vietnamese soldiers and their families, high-level officials in America and Vietnam, antiwar protestors, POWs, and many more.

This book is beautifully written and the illustrations are rich.  The book aims to launch a new national conversation.  Have you read it yet??

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover & Audio CD). 

Fields of Fire

by James Webb

One of the best books on Vietnam  

This book is a great read if you enjoy reading books about the Vietnam war!  This book happens to be one of the best novels about Vietnam and will give you some great insight into what it was like to be in this war!

Fields of Fire is a brilliant book about the Vietnam War.  The book includes some great observations and agonizing human truths about the nonstop combat of the war.

The book looks at unformed men through a man-made hell, following along with their journey until eventually, they face their fate.

The book centers around three young men who were thrown into the murderous realm of the jungle warfare of 1969. They were unaware of what exactly waited for them and there was no way that they could have prepared themselves for the chaos and madness to come.

All of this madness made them take on new identities, take on each other, and each was reborn in fields of fire on the battlefield.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Hardcover, Paperback & Audio CD). 

Catfish and Mandala

by Andrew X. Pham

Catfish and Mandala is the story of an American Odyssey, a book that tells its story through a solo bicycle voyage around the Pacific Rim to Vietnam.

A young Vietnamese-American man was born in Vietnam but raised in California.  He sets off in pursuit of his adopted homeland and his forsaken fatherland.

After the suicide of his sister, Pham decides to leave everything behind and sets off on a year-long bicycle journey.

He crosses the Mexican desert, bicycles from Narita to Kyoto in Japan; and, after five months and 2,357 miles, bicycles to Saigon.

In Vietnam, he’s taken for Japanese or Korean by his countrymen. Only his relatives know that he is truly Vietnamese.

A vibrant, picaresque memoir written with narrative flair and an eye-opening sense of adventure, Catfish and Mandala is an unforgettable search for cultural identity. And in my opinion, a great Vietnam book to read.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Hardcover & Paperback). 

The Sympathizer: A Novel

by Viet Thanh Nguyen

This book won six awards!   The Sympathizer  has the pace and has the suspense of a thriller, but yet the writing style is compared to other popular authors such as Graham Greene and Saul Bellow.

The Sympathizer  is a story of two opposites: love and betrayal.

It tells the story of a communist double agent, a half-French, a half-Vietnamese army captain.  He makes his way to America after the Fall of Saigon, and finds other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles, where he tries to build a new life.  He secretly reports back to his communist superiors in Vietnam.

The Sympathizer  is a book that explores identity and America.  It is a powerful novel of both love and friendship.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover & Paperback). 

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War

by Karl Marlantes 

Vietnam Novels Bestsellers  

A very popular book and one of the most bought of the Vietnam Novels Bestsellers! New York Times bestseller, a National Indie Next and a USA Today bestseller.

Matterhorn was written by a Vietnam veteran.  M atterhorn has been hailed as a “brilliant account of war”.

This book is an epic war novel that centers around the timeless story of a young Marine lieutenant, Waino Mellas, and his comrades in Bravo Company.  They are dropped into the jungle of Vietnam as boys and are forced to fight.

They have the challenge of dealing with the North Vietnamese, with monsoon rain, mud, leeches, tigers, disease and malnutrition.

On top of all of those challenges, they are faced with obstacles that relate to racial tension, competing ambitions, and duplicitous superior officers.

The experience of the war will change them forever.  As they fight as a man right into manhood.  It is a brilliant novel that will take emotions from the tragedy of Vietnam and turn them into a powerful story of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice.

A great read! Why not grab it now!

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD, MP3 & Paperback). 

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places

by Le Ly Hayslip

What an incredibly emotional novel set in Vietnam.  If you are after a Vietnamese novel that will pull at your heart string then this is the one!

Some believe that during the war, heaven and earth change places not once, but many times.

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places is a novel in the format of a memoir; of a girl on the verge of womanhood, stuck in a world that is turned upside down.

She is the youngest of six children, she is part of a close-knit Buddhist family.  She was only 12 years old when U.S. helicopters landed in her tiny village in central Vietnam.

The government and Viet Cong troops recruited children as spies and saboteurs. Le Ly was one of those children.

Le Ly had a childhood that nobody should have, before the age of sixteen, she had already suffered near-starvation, imprisonment, torture, rape, as well as witness the deaths of family members.

But yet, even through all these obstacles, she still holds fast to her faith in humanity.

Eventually, Le Ly manages to escape to America, and when she is older she returns to the devastated country and family she left behind.

The book is a book of contrasts, with scenes of a joyous reunion, but with the history and emotions of the brutal war years.  The book is about Le Ly, a courageous woman who experienced the true horror of the Vietnam War—and survived to tell her unforgettable story.

The Quiet American

by Graham Greene  

The Quiet American  is perhaps the most controversial novel of Graham Greene’s career.

The novel centers around the main character, Pyle, who is a brash young idealist sent out by Washington on a mysterious mission to Saigon. In Saigon, the French Army is struggling against the Vietminh guerrillas.

As young Pyle’s well-intentioned policies blunder into bloodshed, Fowler, a seasoned and cynical British reporter, finds it impossible to stand safely aside as an observer.

But Fowler’s motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and himself, for Pyle has stolen Fowler’s beautiful Vietnamese mistress.

A great read, even though it is an older release, it is still one of the most popular books about Vietnam.

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD & Paperback).  

Vietnam Books Non-Fiction

1. vietnam travel guide books.

Find below a list of the most popular Vietnam travel books. 

These books will all help you as you plan your Vietnam holiday. 

We also suggest you take them along on your trip as they can be so beneficial when you get lost, or when you try to find activities to fill in spare time in a day.

National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Book Synopsis:

The National Geographic travel guide is aimed at active travelers who want authentic, enriching, cultural experiences.

The book covers the following areas:

• Destinations covered include the ancient capital of Hanoi; Ha Long Bay; North-Central Vietnam, including visits to Vietnamese tunnels; Hue and Hoi An; the Southern Central Highlands; Ho Chi Minh City; and the vast Mekong Delta.
• Learn more about Vietnam’s history and culture, including discussions on the hill tribes and the life of the boat people in the Mekong Delta.
• Get information on self-guided walks and drives that you can take, for example, through Hanoi’s picturesque Old Quarter and along the cliffside beauty between Hue and Danang.
• Get lists of ‘Not-To-Be-Missed’ Sites
• Handy information on hand-picked hotels and restaurants for you to enjoy!

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Paperback Only) .

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Travel Guide)

Best travel guide for Vietnam

We personally love Lonely Planet’s guidebooks and never look anywhere else.  They have the best Vietnam guide book for your travels.

Lonely Planet are comprehensive and in depth guide books.  Inside Lonely Planet’s Vietnam Travel Guide Book you will find:

• Colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – customs, history, architecture, regional specialties, tribes, environment, food, drink
• Free, convenient pull-out Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi map (included in print version), plus over 80 maps
• Covers Northwest Vietnam, Northeast Vietnam, Hanoi, North-Central Vietnam, Central Vietnam, Central Highlands, South-Central Coast, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Siem Reap and more

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle & Paperback).  

___________________________ –

Vietnam ese Children’s Books

Find below a list of some good books about Vietnam that are suitable for children.

Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories

By phuoc thi minh tran.

This gorgeous and colorful children’s book has a collection of Vietnamese fairy tales and other folk stories.  These stories are brilliant as they give you and your child some insight into their rich culture.  You will find a charming collection of 15 tales in this book, all written and told by a popular Vietnamese writer – Tran Thi Minh Phuoc.

Some of the folktales in this books are “The Story of Tam and Cam” (the Vietnamese version of Cinderella), “The Jade Rabbit,” and “The Legend of the Mai Flower.”  The stories told include great lessons of concepts such as integrity, hard work and a kind heart triumph over deception, laziness, and greed—as gods, peasants, kings and fools spring to life in legends of bravery and beauty, and fables about nature.

This book was the  **Winner of Creative Child Magazine  and receive the 2015 Book of the Year Award** .  Give this book a go, I bet you will love it!!

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Kindle & Hardcover). 

Vietnam A to Z: Discover the colorful culture of Vietnam!

By elka k. ray.

This is a gorgeous ABC-style book on Vietnam.  It is geared toward smaller children and features creative & colorful illustrations that your child will enjoy.  It is bilingual with English and Vietnamese text so even if you don’t understand Vietnamese, you can still easily explain the new words to your child. This is a beautiful Vietnamese book for kids!  Eye catching for the little ones and educational!  What more can you ask for!?

Click here to see prices for this book (Available in Paperback only).  

Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhha Lai

Truly a great pick from the Vietnamese books for kids on offer!

Inside Out and Back Again is a New York Times Vietnam Novel  bestseller, a Newbery Honor Book, and a winner of the National Book Award!

The book is inspired by the author’s life as the experienced fleeing Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon during her childhood.  She immigrated to Alabama and tells her moving story as she goes through a change of life, dreams, grief and then healing.

And there you have our Ultimate Reading List of Vietnam Books to inspire wanderlust pre-trip!

Leave us a Comment:

• Which Vietnam book took your fancy?
• Do you have any books set in Vietnam to recommend?
• Have you read and loved any of these Vietnam Novels?
• Are you after more Vietnamese stories for Kids?

Further Reading Suggestions:

• Click to read one of our most popular posts containing bucket-loads of tips and hints of how to prepare for Vietnam!
• Find out what are the most popular places to see in Vietnam here!
• Check out our list of where we stayed throughout Vietnam here !
• Click to read our comprehensive, informative stories of our travels through Vietnam!

Jolene Ejmont

10 thoughts on “the ultimate list of best vietnam books to read”.

The Big Buddha Bicycle Race by Terence Harkin is a great read. It’s more military fiction than straight fiction and it’s a great read.

Oh I do love the title Matt, will have to look it up thanks!

Jonathan Cain’s 12 book series “Saigon Commandos” are the best novels out there about love and war in The ‘Nam circa 1966-75!

Hi Nick, thanks for the suggestion, will have to order it and have a read!!

Thank you it was very helpful

Check out Long Daze at Long Binh the first truly funny book about the Vietnam War. Excellent reviews from Vietnam Veterans of America, Goodreads.com, Midwest Book Review and ReadersFavorite.com, among others. VVA calls it “The best book about ‘Rear Echelon’ life in Vietnam during that time period… nobody will top it any time soon, if ever.”

Thanks for sharing a book with our readers Dan.

Hello Jolene, my wife and I shared a group tour to Vietnam, and, I became fascinated with the history of the conflict, and the conflict, being an avid reader of military history. Have read well over 20 different books with regard to the country. One which I would recommend is ? “Vietnam A Country, Not A War” Have done searches for this book, but it just does not get any hits. I am in the midst of reading “Vietnam-An Epic History of a Tragic War” by Max Hastings. This is very different to any other historical accounts of the conflict, in that, it is written by a reporter, rather than a historian

Thnak you for the tips on the book titles. Will definitely look into those as well. Much appreciated. 🙂

Looks like you might be trying to find this: Where We Were in Vietnam: A Comprehensive Guide to the Firebases and Military Installations of the Vietnam War All best 🙂

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7 Best Travel Books About Vietnam

“A day of travelling will bring a basketful of learning. “

Whether it be a party-filled gap year experience, a wellness retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or a trek to give something back in a new community, Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Home to over 100 million and a stunning assortment of natural beauty and experiences, it’s no wonder why Vietnam inspires so many visitors yearly. Join us at What We Reading as we present the best Vietnam travel books! 

Lonely Planet Vietnam – Lonely Planet 

Kicking off our list of the best Vietnam travel books is Lonely Planet’s edition on the Southeast Asian country. The world’s leading travel media company, Lonely Planet is the definitive authority on curating trips that are memorable and magical, offering the latest pieces of advice on what to see and what to skip. 

From paddling by Halong Bay’s limestone peaks at dawn to exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Lonely Planet Vietnam provides travellers of all ages, interests, and budgets with a new easy-to-follow layout, comprehensive listings, and maps that they are sure to fully utilise.

Saigon Survival (Vietnam Travel Guide): A Counter Intuitive Guide To Surviving The Streets Of Saigon – Simon Miller 

Miller’s travel guide, rooted in authentic everyday experiences, utilizes all the most valuable insights he gained from over a year of living in Vietnam’s capital.

He took over nine months to compile it and reworked it several times since, making it one of the best Vietnam books for travelers looking to avoid the rookie mistakes that plague so many first-time trips.

The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Travel Through Vietnam From North To South – Hoang Pham

Hoang Pham guides travelers through how to get the best out of their Vietnam trip in The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide, immersing them in the local culture and history and letting them sample some of its renowned delicacies.

It’s a snappy read designed to inspire you with information about the best places to maximize your trip, and it solidifies its position as one of the best Vietnam books.

Fodor’s Essential Vietnam – Fodor’s Travel 

Fodor’s Essential Vietnam is one of the best Vietnam travel books for first-time and seasoned visitors. Covering all of the country’s major destinations including Ho Chi Minh City; the Mekong Delta; Hanoi; Halong Bay ; Hue; and Nha Trang, it expertly combines the diverse beauty of the country with practical tips every traveller is sure to make use of. 

All of these destinations are put under the microscope with top 10 lists of the best things to do, see, eat, sleep and experience. 

Made In Vietnam: Homestyle Recipes From Hanoi To Ho Chi Minh – Tracey Lister And Andreas Pohl

Based on their experiences eating at street food stalls, countryside eateries and family gatherings, Tracey Lister and Andreas Pohl’s Made in Vietnam is the ultimate celebration of Vietnamese cuisine. One of the best Vietnam books for any culinary traveller, it is a sweeping guide through the three main regions of the country. 

From the heartiness of the north , the imperial cuisine of the Hue in the centre and the more tropical flavours in the south, it comes complete with various recipes for traditional Vietnamese meals ranging from Pho Bo to Eel in Caul Fat. It also features extensive histories behind these meals and the cultures that make them, giving travellers inside knowledge on not only what they are eating, but also what’s behind it. 

From Saigon To Hanoi: Save Time, Money And Your Sanity – Chris Appleford And Sarah Appleford

In From Saigon to Hanoi, Chris and Sarah Appleford present a unique travel guide on how to tour through Vietnam. Told from the perspective of the couple and their young family across three weeks as they made their way from Saigon in the south to Hanoi in the north, it demonstrates how the best way of trekking through the country is via train. Whether it’s getting inspiration for your trip or picking up some practical tips, 

From Saigon to Hanoi covers everything from clothes tailored by hand in Hoi An, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City to how to cross the street and avoid being scammed successfully! 

Vietnam: The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide By A Traveler For A Traveler – Lost Travelers 

The goal of Lost Travelers’ travel handbooks is to provide quick and succinct guides that every traveller can dive into. And their edition on Vietnam provides one of the best resources for getting to grips with the country without all the fluff of other books.

Revised multiple times on the back of recommendations from readers, it offers a completely unbiased take on the destinations and experiences no trip to Vietnam is complete without. Honest and authentic, for a cheaper and rapid Vietnam travel book, Lost Travelers’ edition is one to consider. 

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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Best Books About Vietnam – A Reading List for Your Next Trip

by timshazz | Dec 28, 2023 | Destinations , Guides and Books , Travel Resources , Travel Tips and Advice | 32 comments

Pre-trip Reading List for Travelers to Vietnam

Upfront: We haven’t purchased nor read ALL of these books.

However, I have done a decent amount of research into the best books about Vietnam by checking out the contents and doing a deep dive into the reviews.

I’ve tried to pull a fairly diverse collection, as I know you’re all different. Whether you like some of them or not will depend on your current belief system around the Vietnam War, which is always a controversial topic.

We would love it if you added your comments on the books we’ve chosen AND let us know what we should add to the lists (and why.)

Most of the recommendations have eBooks available, and some have an Audiobook version. Hence, you don’t have to carry the extra kilos, which can add up, especially if you want to read more than one.

Pro Tip : Did you know you can get a free month on Audible and Kindle Unlimited? Here are the links:

Audible – 1 Free Month Trial and

Kindle Unlimited – 1 Free Month Trial

And finally, did you know the Audible and Kindle Unlimited perks are better if you join Amazon Prime first?  You can also get a month-long free trial for Prime .

And if you are one of the rare people on the planet who don’t have an Amazon address – it’s free to join .

I also need to tell you that if you click on any of the buttons and buy from Amazon, we will receive a small commission – WITHOUT you paying any more. That’s what keeps the website running and us motivated to put in the time. You can read the full disclosure here .

READ THIS : For those of you using mobiles and tablets , the page is set up with a series of carousels that you can scroll from left to right. Hopefully, that’s obvious, but I just thought I’d mention it in case you don’t see the scroll option and think there’s only one book in each category.

Best Guide Books for Vietnam

Lonely Planet Vietnam

Lonely Planet’s  Vietnam   is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip and what hidden discoveries await you.

Rough Guide Vietnam

A practical travel guide to Vietnam featuring detailed travel tips and points of interest, lists of all iconic must-see sights, and off-the-beaten-track treasures.

Vietnam Travel Guide

DK Eye Witness

Best guide books for ho chi minh city.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City

This book by historian Tim Doling will help you explore the elegant architectural heritage that once won the city the title “Pearl of the Orient.”

Saigon Secrets

Ho Chi Minh City: Snapshot Edition

Best guide books for street food and culture.

Street Food Asia

Join Luke Nguyen on his latest adventure through the bustling and fragrant backstreets of Saigon, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur.

Vietnam Culture Smart

Have a more meaningful and successful time visiting Vietnam by better understanding the local culture and daily life.

This 2017 edition includes a detailed listing of foods and where to eat them, how to order, and how much to pay.

Secrets to Live in Vietnam on $500 a Month

Vietnam has warm weather, fast internet, cheap, modern apartments, great food, and a super-low cost of living. Live like a baller for very little money.

Dating Vietnamese Women

Vietnamese dating culture is complicated. This book is the complete guide to succeeding in it.

Best Vietnam War Books

Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy. 1945-1975

An absorbing and definitive modern history of the Vietnam War from the acclaimed  New York Times  bestselling author of  The Secret War.

The Pentagon Papers

The Pentagon Papers  riveted an already deeply divided nation with startling and disturbing revelations about the United States’ involvement in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History

A vivid, uniquely powerful history of the conflict that tore America apart – the companion volume to the major multipart PBS film to be aired in Sep 2017.

They Are All My Family

The suspenseful and moving tale of how John Riordan’s daring plan to save 106 Vietnamese during the 1975 fall of Saigon.

The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War

The story of Delta One-six Platoon-,  what it meant to face lethal danger, follow orders, and search for the conviction & hope the war was worth it.

Best Vietnamese Cook Books

Vietnamese Home Cooking

Award-winning chef Charles Phan from San Francisco’s Slanted Door restaurant introduces traditional Vietnamese cooking to home cooks.

Lemongrass, Ginger and Mint Vietnamese Cookbook

Your complete guide to preparing authentic Vietnamese street food at home and the unique place each dish holds in Vietnamese culture

Vietnamese Food Any Day

Delicious, fresh Vietnamese food is achievable any night of the week with this cookbook’s 80 accessible, easy recipes.

Eat Real Vietnamese Food

Eat Real Vietnamese Food  features over ninety delicious, classical Vietnamese recipes. Free iPhone shopping list app with all recipe ingredients pre-loaded

Fiction – Stories Set In Vietnam

The Quiet American

Graham Greene’s classic exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam

The Mountains Sing

This “moving and riveting” book shares a layered, epic, multigenerational story of the Vietnam war and its aftermath.

Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam

An epic saga of love, blood, political intrigue, and destiny in twentieth-century Vietnam.

The Sympathizer

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War

The New York Times bestselling “Powerhouse” (TIME Magazine) debuted from Vietnam War veteran Karl Marlantes.

Non-Fiction – Stories About Vietnam

Hemingway and Ho Chi Minh in Paris

Two of the twentieth century’s most fascinating figures, Ernest Hemingway and Ho Chi Minh, came to Paris in the 1920s and learned the arts of resistance.

As we learn more, we’ll keep adding to this list of the best books about Vietnam. So feel free to check back again soon.

In the meantime, if you want to know more about the practicalities of visiting Vietnam, head to our Vietnam Destination page . There’s a bunch of practical information, plus links to other blog posts about Vietnam.

For more on Saigon, start on the Ho Chi Minh City Visitor Information page, which has the answers to many frequently asked questions.

In the meantime…

32 comments.

can’t wait to dive into those street food books, hearing so much good about Vietnamese cuisine. gonna be a tasty trip!

Yes it will. My advice is to go on a food tour in your first few days. That way you’ll get a feel for what to buy, how to eat it, and how much it will cost.

bet those vietnamese cook books can teach me something other than microwave meals. worth the gamble, eh?

Definitely. If only for your health! 🙂

oh cool, vietnam war books. because what’s more exciting than reading about war when you should be studying for exams. am i right?

Get back to work!!! The books can wait til after you’ve passed!

exploring the fiction section for inspo. anybody got a fav vietnam-set novel? looking for something with deep characters.

I think any of those non fiction novels on the list would fit the bill.

Most Vietnam War books just scratch the surface. It’s hard to find one that truly captures the complexity of that era.

Who would know unless you were actually there. The War Remnants Museum is excellent if you get to Ho chi Minh City

wonder if those vietnamese cook books got what it takes to teach a newbie like me. anyone tried recipes from them before?

I’m sure there would be something in at least one of them you could handle!

yeah, picked up a couple, they’re pretty legit. got a bangin’ banh mi recipe from one of them, you should def give it a try!

My favorite snack. Glad you like them.

totally into learning about vietnamese culture for my next fashion line. those culture books gonna be lit for inspo.

Fantastic. Glad to help.

love diving into the mysteries of a place. those non-fiction stories sound perfect. which one’s got the spookiest tales?

Not sure about spooky, but a lot of the war stories are pretty chilling.

anyone knows if vietnamese street food’s good for gluten-free peeps? gotta watch out for my diet while traveling.

Yes. Loads of rice noodles and rice dishes. You would love the food there.

all these guide books are same, recycled tips. everyone knows the best spots are never in these books, right?

I don;t think I’d agree. Ellie’s books are pretty good for inside info. The only problem is, a few places are no longer about since COVID.

super excited to find books specifically about Ho Chi Minh City. This list is a lifesaver for a solo traveler like me, thanks timshazz!

You’re welcome.

read a book where the main character was lost in vietnam, kinda like me in my kitchen, haha. any other funny reads someone knows?

We had a freind who was writing one about his experience living there. That would have been hilarious but I’m not sure he’s published it yet.

think u missed some key books on the vietnam war, like there’s tons more with deeper insights. anyone else feels the same?

I’m sure you’re right. Feel free to suggest so i can add to the list.

omg vietnamese cook books sounds amazin, anyone knows if there’s a pho recipe? gotta try making it at home lol

Proper pho broth takes at least 8 hours to make…A slow cooker would be excellent, I think.

hey, was thinkin bout the street food section, any1 got tips for a must-try dish in Hanoi? wanna make sure i dont miss out on the good stuff.

Bun Cha Hanoi is the best!

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Lonely Planet's Vietnam is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Kayak through Halong Bay, sample street food in Hanoi and immerse yourself in a rich history; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside Lonely Planet's Travel Guide: 

Lonely Planet's Top Picks - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests

Local insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps and images throughout

Language - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Covers: Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam, Southeast Coast, Southwest Highlands, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor and more

ISBN: 9781788688963

Edition: 16th

Publication Date: August 2023

Stewart, Iain

Atkinson, Brett Lockhart, Katie Pham, Giang Pham, James Ray, Nick Truong, Diana Zukas, Josh

416 pages,93 maps | Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

Next edition due: July 2025  

This guide is in the English language.

The Rough Guide to Vietnam

This practical travel guide to Vietnam features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This Vietnam guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make Vietnam easier to navigate while you're there. This guide book to Vietnam has been fully updated post-COVID-19. The Rough Guide to VIETNAM covers:  Ho Chi Minh City and around, the Mekong Delta, the central highlands, the southern coast, central Vietnam, the northern coast, Hanoi and around and the far north. Inside this Vietnam travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Vietnam, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Ca Mau Peninsula to family activities in child-friendly places, like Tra Su Bird Sanctuary or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Ha Long Bay. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS

Essential pre-departure information including Vietnam entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of Vietnam, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this Vietnam travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for water puppetry, boat trips, cycling, kayaking or exploring markets. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, Kon Tum and Son My's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Vietnam, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides' expert authors  with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this Vietnam guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to Vietnam features fascinating insights into Vietnam, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass and the spectacular Khai Dinh Mausoleum. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Hoi An, Hue and many more locations in Vietnam, reduce the need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

Description

Book details.

This title is a part of Rough Guides Main Series

Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

Colour-coded detailed maps with marked-up key sights 

Insights on history and nature highlights  

Easy to use, newspaper-style layout

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each printed guide published from May 2019 

Format: 129 x 198mm

Price: £14.99-£26.99 | $13.99-$34.99

Extent: 616–1208 page

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The 39 Best Books About Vietnam: Travel By Book

Are you dreaming of going to Vietnam? Or are you already planning a trip? Have you been, and Vietnam is now your dream destination? Or is this your first time exploring this country? Whichever one it is, travel there by book! Traveling by book is the next best thing to hopping on a plane! We curated a list of books about Vietnam to keep you dreaming, help you plan, and whisk you away to this riveting country in Southeast Asia !

This post contains Amazon associate affiliate links. This means we make a small commission at no cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. All prices listed are accurate at time of publication. 

Best Books About Vietnam

No matter if your favorite books are fiction or non-fiction, or a healthy mix of both, we got you covered! Reading about a destination is one of the best ways to explore it before you make the trip. Because the Vietnam War was such a defining time in history, you will find many war-related books on our list of the best books about Vietnam. While it is hard to find books that have a topic other than the war, we dug deep and unearthed them for you! Many of these books have audio versions as well, in case you prefer that over digital or physical copies. Let’s start digging into books about this fantastic country in Southeast Asia!

Best Fiction Books About Vietnam

1. graham greene – the quiet american.

The Quiet American by Graham Greene is a classic. Alden Pyle arrives in Saigon on a secret mission during a time when the French Army struggles against the Vietminh guerrillas. He is young and idealistic, and he loves Vietnam, but then things go sideways. Pyle has a beautiful Vietnamese mistress, but she is whisked away from him by a British reporter named Fowler. Naturally Pyle doesn’t take to this very well, and then there is bloodshed. While the action in the book is slow moving, it’s a fascinating story worth reading.

2. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai – The Mountains Sing

The Mountains Sing rightfully made it onto the list of international best sellers. It’s the story of several generations of the Trần family, set during the Vietnam War. Trần Diệu Lan and her six kids were forced to flee from their home during the land reform. Her boys head off to war, while her granddaughter, Hương, is coming of age. The story is told in dual timelines, from the perspective of grandmother and granddaughter, and paints a vivid picture of 20th century Vietnam. Readers will find themselves glued to the pages!

3. Tim O’Brien – The Things They Carried

Tim O’Brien is an American writer who served in the Vietnam War. The Things They Carried is his most famous work and was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award and a Pulitzer Prize right after its publication in March 1990. It has since become a staple in classrooms across the United States, documenting the American experience in Vietnam. The book contains linked semi-autobiographical stories of young men who carry the burden of a brutal war. They march through rivers and streams, and carry their burden across hills and into valleys. These stories will leave you awe-struck and heartbroken at the same time. It’s one of the best Vietnam War books on the market.

4. Tim O’Brien – Going After Cacciato

While The Things They Carried is certainly Tim O’Brien’s most famous book, Going After Cacciato also deserves attention. This book won the National Book Award in 1979, and is now considered a classic among the novels about the Vietnam War. Going After Cacciato is the story of a young soldier. One day, he simply lays down his gun and decides to follow his dream instead of fighting this ugly war. He’s convinced he can walk all the way to Paris. Will he make it? Read and find out!

5. John Shors – Dragon House

John Shors’ Dragon House is a rare find! The story is set in modern day Vietnam. Iris and Noah, two Americans, are looking for a way to deal with their painful past and heal. They move to Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and open a center with the purpose to help Vietnamese street children. These children’s stories will seriously tug at your heartstrings, and they do on the heartstrings of Noah and Iris. Not just do these two save the children, but the children save them, too. This is a story about trauma in a country which has known nothing but war for decades, and the survival stories of those growing up in this place.

6. Karl Marlantes – Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War

Karl Marlantes is another veteran of the Vietnam War who processed his memories by writing. Matterhorn is a powerful and timeless story of a young marine lieutenant, and it’s about what it is like to be a young man sent to fight a war on foreign soil. Written over the course of thirty years, this epic novel will hold your attention like nothing else. Waino Mellas is a young Marine lieutenant and part of the Bravo Company. They aren’t just fighting the North Vietnamese, but also the conditions on the ground: monsoons and wild animals, and the resulting malnutrition and diseases. But even within their company, there is division. When it comes down to the wire, will they stand together and overcome, or will they crumble in the face of their enemies? Pick up Matterhorn right now to find out!

7. Duong Thu Huong – Paradise of the Blind: A Novel

Duong Thu Huong was a teenager and young woman in Vietnam during the war. When she was old enough, she served seven years in a women’s youth brigade on the front lines. After the war ended in 1975, she became very outspoken about and critical of the Communist government and was imprisoned for a short time for her criticism. Her first two books became instant best sellers in Vietnam, and were banned quickly thereafter. In Paradise Of The Blind, the reader meets three Vietnamese women who are struggling in a world where women are expected to be subservient to men, and the people are suffering from brutal effects of the Communist government’s actions. Hang is just a little girl, ten years old, and living in a slum in Hanoi with her mother. Land reform had ripped apart the tiny village they called home. Hang never knew her father, who died when she was just a baby. This family saga will capture the reader’s attention from the first page.

8. Sue Cook – On Dangerous Ground

Things aren’t going well for Pru. Her husband confesses his infidelity, and her daughter Molly is going on a gap year in Vietnam. But just when she thought things couldn’t get worse, they do: she receives an email informing her that Molly might be in serious danger. She has become involved with political activists. Pru flies to Vietnam to find her daughter, but what she finds will change her life. Walk the streets of Saigon with Pru in search for Molly. You are guaranteed to be hooked until the very end!

9. Bảo Ninh – The Sorrow Of War: A Novel of North Vietnam

Bao Ninh is a former North Vietnamese soldier who fought bravely not only in the war, but later against his own government, who didn’t want The Sorrow Of War to be published due to it being too non-ideological and too non-heroic. But there’s good reason this novel became an international bestseller. The Glorious 27th Youth brigade of the Vietcong was almost completely wiped off the face of the earth in battle. There is only a sole survivor: Kien. Kien is left to deal with the aftermath of the horrors of war. He picks up writing as a form of dealing with his ghosts, and it’s almost like therapy for him. Kien tells his story: before, during, and after the war. Relive his story from the Vietnamese side of the war in this epic war novel.

10. Thanhhà Lại – Listen, Slowly

Twelve year old Mai is a California girl through and through. All she wants from her vacation is lots and lots of time at the beach. But her parents and her grandmother have other ideas. Grandma wants to travel to her home country of Vietnam and find out what happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. For Mai, it is a great opportunity to learn about Vietnamese culture – only Mai doesn’t think this is a great idea. Yet she travels to Vietnam. What will happen? You will have to read this New York Times bestseller and find out for yourself!

11. Viet Thanh Nguyen – The Sympathizer

The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen not just a New York Times bestseller, but so successful, it won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the 2016 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the 2016 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and several other prizes. That obviously makes it a top candidate for our list of best books about Vietnam. The year is 1975, and there’s nothing but chaos in Saigon. A group of high ranking members of the South Vietnamese army manage to leave Vietnam on one of the last flights out. They start a new life in the United States, in Los Angeles. But they aren’t safe: one of them is reporting everything they do to a higher-up in the Viet Cong. While The Sympathizer is fiction, and a spy novel, it still touches on many important points of Vietnamese American history while conveying the experience of being a Vietnamese in America after the Vietnam War. A must read!

12. Emily Maguire – Fishing for Tigers

Mischa Reese got out of an abusive marriage and needed a place to reinvent herself and her life. She left California and found it in Hanoi. While she loves her freedom and her life in Vietnam, she has adopted a quite cynical attitude towards life and love, surrounding herself with other expats who share those views. But when she meets Cal, a very attractive Vietnamese-Australian boy, and starts an affair with him, something awakens within her. However, her actions have consequences…

13. Larry Heinemann – Close Quarters

Larry Heinemann is yet another great chronicler of the war in Vietnam. Close Quarters tells the story of an ordinary soldier, Philip Dosier. He is drafted right after high school into a world of fighting and despair, and he returns home a much different person than he was when he left. Be aware that Close Quarters isn’t an easy book to read. It contains graphic descriptions of violence, expletives, and racial slurs. But it is also harrowing, gritty, and a realistic depiction of the events back then.

14. Dinah Jefferies – The Silk Merchant’s Daughter

The Silk Merchant’s Daughter is set before the Vietnam War, during the French occupation of Indochina. The year is 1952, the setting is Hanoi. Nicole and Sylvie are half French and half Vietnamese, and newly orphaned after the death of their mother. Nicole has always lived in her older sister’s shadow. Sylvie is given control of the family silk business, while Nicole is given an abandoned silk shop in a less than great quarter of the city. Here is where Nicole meets militant rebels, who open her eyes about the corruption of colonial rule. But not just that. She learns that her own family is involved. On top of that, two men are vying for her love. Tran, a Vietnamese rebel, and Mark, an American silk trader. Who can she trust? Who is the right man for her? And how is history going to unfold?

15. Robert Olen Butler – A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain

Pulitzer Prize Winner alert! This exemplary collection of short stories about the aftermath of the Vietnam War and its impact on the Vietnamese by one of the most important living American authors is well worth your time. Robert Olen Butler served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. In his book, he gives voice to Vietnamese people who fled their country and settled in the United States. These are stories of the immigrant experience with the background of the Vietnam War.

16. Robert Dugani – The World Played Chess

This novel by Robert Dugoni is set shortly after the Vietnam War, in 1979. Vincent Bianco is a recent high school graduate and wants to enjoy the summer while making a bit of pocket money. He starts working on a construction crew alongside two men who are Vietnam veterans, and from those guys, he gets an education that deeply ingrains itself in him. Jump to forty years later, and his son is about to leave for college, when these life lessons unfold dramatically.

17. Danielle Steel – Message from Nam

Paxton Andrews is a journalist. She’s sent to Vietnam to write for an acclaimed newspaper. In her seven years in this Asian country, she reports on many historical events, but the truly touching part are the soldiers she meets and their stories. Break out the tissues, you will need them!

18. Huynh Quang Nhuong – Water Buffalo Days: Growing Up in Vietnam

Nhuong grew up as a little boy in the hills of central Vietnam, with his best pal being Tank the water buffalo. Life in the Vietnamese jungle was dangerous, but Tank was not only Nhuong’s best friend, but his protector. It’s a delightful book that takes you to village life in Vietnam just before the war.

19. Ocean Vuong – On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous is a book that’s truly haunting. It’s written in the form of a letter from a son, Little Dog, to his illiterate mother. The letter reveals the family history, starting way before Little Dog was born. When his mother was only five years old, her village in Vietnam fell victim to a Napalm raid, destroying the school house and leaving her unable to continue her education. Consequently, she leads the life of a ghost, working in nail salons and factories in the United States, wilting away like a flower which isn’t getting enough sunlight. This book depicts the love between a mother and her son, as well as an immigrant experience.

Best Non-Fiction Books About Vietnam

20. lonely planet vietnam 15 (travel guide).

What would a list of books about Vietnam be without a proper travel guide? Lonely Planet produces excellent guides with up to date information, all the important information you’ll need, maps, itineraries, insights into Vietnamese culture, and so much more!

21. Christian G. Appy – Vietnam: The Definitive Oral History, Told from All Sides

The title tells you all you need to know about this comprehensive non-fiction book. It’s a compilation of the stories of 135 women and men, from the beginning of the Vietnam war until the end. These are stories from Vietnamese and Americans, from generals and guerillas – from all sides. What makes this book so compelling is that it’s not one person’s side, but that of many, which leads to the reader seeing this conflict from all sides and gaining a broader perspective. Lots of these stories are told from an American point of view, and it’s good to also consider the Vietnamese perspective to get a fuller picture of the events.

22. John Donohue – The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War

The Greatest Beer Run Ever was published in 2021, became an instant New York Times bestseller, an instant USA Today bestseller, and has since been turned into a movie. If these accolades aren’t convincing you to pick up the book immediately, let us tell you what it’s all about. Twenty six year old John ‘Chick’ Donohue was out drinking with some of his buddies in a New York City bar on an evening in 1967. The Vietnam War is in full swing, and the men mourn the loss of loved ones. They reminisce about the war, and those who are still serving, when one of them comes up with an idea that seems impossible. What if one of them tried to sneak into Vietnam to give the troops, demoralized by anti war protests back in the US, messages of support from home? Chick volunteered, but what he didn’t know was how this journey would change his life.

23. Captivating History – History of Vietnam: A Captivating Guide to Vietnamese History

The Captivating History books are easy to read and enjoyable, while containing all the important facts the reader needs to know. History of Vietnam: A Captivating Guide to Vietnamese History is no exception. Unlike many other books it focuses on the complete history of Vietnam, the more recent history as well as ancient history, rather than just the time of war, from the 11th century, when the word ‘Viet’ was first used, until today.

24. William J. Duiker – Ho Chi Minh: A Life

If you know a little bit about Vietnam, then you know that in 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. But who was this important figure named Ho Chi Minh? William J. Duiker shines light on that question in his book Ho Chi Minh: A Life. Ho Chi Minh is known as the father of modern Vietnam. For nearly three decades he led the Vietnamese nationalist movement. He founded the Communist Party Of Vietnam and was the most famous communist party member. This biography tells the story of how this man shaped the twentieth century. Wherever you travel in Vietnam, you will find tributes to Ho Chi Minh. It’s worth digging in and reading the 600 pages to fully understand and appreciate his life and what he means to Vietnam today. Pick up this great book today!

25. Philip Caputo – A Rumor of War

Philip Caputo’s memoir of the Vietnam war is a classic. Now available in the 40th anniversary edition, and featured in the PBS documentary series ‘The Vietnam War’, this book is simply riveting. As a young man, Caputo entertained rather romantic ideas about war. Therefore he enlists in 1965, and is sent to Danang with the first ground combat unit deployed. He remains in Vietnam for 16 months, and returns home knowing the true nature of war and what it does to humans. He tells his story as it is: ugly, real, not in any way sugarcoated, but raw and painful. This is the best Vietnam War memoir out there!

26. Stanley Karnow – Vietnam: A History

As I mentioned before, lots and lots of books have been written about the Vietnam War. But this one is truly a masterpiece. A New York Times book review notes: “Even those of us who think we know something about it will read with fascination.” In an unbiased way it not only analyzes, but demystifies the events of the Vietnam War. This is a well-written piece of journalistic work. If you only want to read one book about the Vietnam War, this should be it!

27. Neil Sheehan, Hedrick Smith, E.W. Kenworthy, Fox Butterfield – The Pentagon Papers: The Secret History of the Vietnam War

Before WikiLeaks, the release of the Pentagon Papers was the most significant breach in security in the history of the United States. Essentially they were papers documenting how the US government lied to the public about the extent of the American involvement in the war. Their release came at a time when the US was already deeply divided about what was then the longest of America’s wars (it’s now the second longest after Afghanistan). Especially young Americans were opposed to it. It’s utterly fascinating to take a look at these papers! For those who want to go further, check out Steven Spielberg’s 2018 movie ‘The Post’.

28. Neil Sheehan – A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam won not only a National Book Award, but a Pulitzer Prize as well. Lt Col John Paul Vann came to Vietnam in 1962 as a field adviser to the army. Aclear-eyes, charismatic young man, he was quickly appalled by the corruption of the South Vietnamese regime, and he put his life on the line to convince his superiors that the war must be fought another way. Vann died in Vietnam in 1972. But did he succeed? Or did he give up on his convictions? You’ll have to read this book to find out!

29. David Butler – The Fall of Saigon: Scenes from the Sudden End of a Long War

When Saigon fell, marking the end of the war, NBC reporter David Butler was on scene. In his book The Fall of Saigon: Scenes from the Sudden End of a Long War Butler describes the chaos of these last few weeks, the agony it caused, and the horrors people lived through. In this collection of stories of thirty people, the author describes many interesting details of everyday life in Saigon during these tumultuous days, and the political decisions behind the US’s final retreat. It’s a very detailed account, and allows the reader an inside look into this period in time.

30. Charles Waugh, Huy Lien – Family of Fallen Leaves: Stories of Agent Orange by Vietnamese Writers

Agent Orange was a herbicide used in the Vietnam War by American troops. It was mainly used to defoliate trees which could give cover to the enemy. Its toxicity caused a lot of environmental damage, as well as damage to humans: cancer, birth defects, and many other conditions. This book contains one essay and twelve short stories by Vietnamese writers about the fallout from the use of Agent Orange. Family of Fallen Leaves allows you to see this tragedy from the Vietnamese perspective.

31. Michelle Robin La – Catching Shrimp with Bare Hands: A Boy from the Mekong Delta

Catching Shrimp with Bare Hands is a true story of a boy named Luong La, who grew up in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. In 1968, Luong La’s family is forced to flee the countryside due to threats from the Viet Cong. But despite the nearby fighting they continue to travel back and forth to their farm in the middle of the Mekong River. The Viet Cong arrive to stay in the family’s village, and terrible things start to happen. Before Luong is old enough to join the army, the war is over. But that doesn’t spell the end of their troubles…

32. Martin Windrow – The Last Valley: Dien Bien Phu and the French Defeat in Vietnam

The year is 1953, and the French army is occupying Vietnam. In December, they challenge the Vietnamese army to a final battle. But soon, the hunters become the hunted, and, eventually, the defeated, when their base at Dien Bien Phu fell on May 7, 1954. This ended French colonialism in Indochina. As the French withdrew, the United States insisted on a division of the country to prevent regional instability, which led to the Vietnam war two years later.

33. James Arnold – Tet Offensive 1968: Turning point in Vietnam (Campaign)

The Tet Offensive was the decisive battle in the Vietnam War in January of 1968. Together with the Viet Cong, the North Vietnamese soldiers launched a coordinated attack against several targets in south Vietnam. The South Vietnamese and United States military sustained heavy losses, but were able to defeat their enemies. But this offensive marked the beginning of America’s slow withdrawal from this endless war. James Arnold delivers a brilliant account of this decisive battle, and explains why, despite winning, the Americans started to see the Vietnam War as a lost cause.

34. Denise Chong – The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phuc, Whose Image Altered the Course of the Vietnam War

Sometimes war seems so far away, but a picture speaks volumes and brings the horrors straight into every person’s living room. Such was the case on June 8, 1972, when the picture of a little girl, nine year old Kim Phuc, severely burned by napalm, went viral. This horrific photograph turned the public’s opinion finally and irrevocably against the Vietnam War. Denise Chong’s book is a rare view at the war from the Vietnamese point of view. She tells the story of how the photo was taken, and how Kim Phuc’s life developed afterwards.

35. Michael Herr – Dispatches

If you would like to read a book that became an immediate classic of war reportage, pick up Dispatches by Michael Herr. Michael Herr was a war correspondent who was sent to Vietnam in the 1960s. In this book, Herr talks about day to day life, and reports on the chaos of a combat zone. The New York Times book review claims that it is the best book written about the Vietnam War, and while we see than title awarded so several books, it still speaks to its quality. Therefore, Dispatches made it on our list of the best books about Vietnam. It is an excellent depiction of the realities of war.

36. Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway – We Were Soldiers Once… and Young: Ia Drang – The Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young is a remarkable book, based on the experiences of Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore in the Vietnam War. Every year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. In 1993, that honor fell to We Were Soldiers Once. Moore tells the story of one of the most significant battles in this drawn-out war at Ia Drang Valley. In November of 1965, 450 American soldiers under Moore’s command were dropped at that location, only to be surrounded immediately by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Only three days after this, a sister battalion was completely eliminated no more than a half mile away. We Were Soldiers Once tells the story of how the survivors sacrificed themselves for their fellow soldiers, and how they never gave up throughout their wartime experiences.

37. Le Ly Hayslip, Jay Wurts – When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese Woman’s Journey from War to Peace

When Heaven and Earth Changed Places is one of these personal stories that truly get to you. Le Ly Hayslip was a little girl of twelve when the US landed in her small village. The Vietcong recruited her and many other children as spies and saboteurs against the American soldiers. She endured rape, starvation, and other horrible things before she managed to flee to the United States. Twenty years later, in 1986, Le Ly Hayslip returns to her home country and experiences a reunion with her family.

38. Truong Nhu Tang – A Vietcong Memoir: An Inside Account of the Vietnam War and Its Aftermath

Truong Nhu Tang was a young man studying in Paris when he met Ho Chi Minh, became enamored with his anti-colonial nationalism and socialist ideas. He returned to Vietnam to fulfill his family obligation, but soon joined the “fight for liberation” and became one of its major figures, and later even the Vietcong’s Minister of Justice. But when disillusionment set in, he fled his beloved country. if you want a truly rare look into the inner workings of the Vietnam War from a Vietnamese perspective, and at the Vietcong in particular, pick up this book immediately!

39. Kien Nguyen – The Unwanted: A Memoir

This is the true story of a little biracial kid living through apocalyptic times. Kien Nguyen tells the story of his life in Saigon after the retreat of the American’s in 1975, and how, in 1985, he made his way to the United States. It’s an unputdownable memoir with a beautiful message!

What books would you recommend? Tell us in the comments!

Jenny grew up in Germany. All she ever wanted out of life was to leave and have adventures. Jenny always traveled as much as the budget would allow, and when she met her husband traveling became a full-time thing. You can follow Jenny on her blog and Facebook.

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7 books to read before visiting vietnam.

Vietnam is becoming a popular travel destination in Southeast Asia. The cultural diversity, extreme natural beauty, delicious cuisine are all attracting every year many tourists visit Vietnam. Vietnam is also a budget-friendly destination. However, it is always a great idea to know a bit more about any destinations you’re visiting for the first time. I loved to go through some travel books before planning my first trip to beautiful Vietnam. Here I’ve listed 7 books to read before visiting Vietnam along with my favorite Lonely Planet Vietnam Travel Guide  and Vegetarian Viet Nam . 

Recently I had a solo trip to Vietnam and found this country is very welcoming for any traveler and worth visiting. Locals are open, friendly, and helpful. It is easy to communicate mostly with all in English. I enjoyed trying many street foods in Hanoi. I loved the magical beauty of Halong Bay, the rustic charm of Ninh Binh, the local lifestyle of Mekong Delta, and city touring in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The following Vietnam guide books will help you to plan your trip and guide you to explore Northern Vietnam to Southern Vietnam. You’ll get to know about Vietnamese culture, must-visit travel attractions, top things to do, and local delicacies. Moreover, it will provide you many expert and budget travel tips to visit Vietnam even for the first time. 

Disclosure: All are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

• 1 Lonely Planet Vietnam (Country Guide)
• 2 The Rough Guide to Vietnam (Travel Guide) (Rough Guides) 
• 3 Vietnam – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
• 4 Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors 
• 5 National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam, 3rd Edition 
• 6 Vietnam: Vietnam Travel Guide: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Vietnam (Southeast Asia Travel, Backpacking Asia, Hanoi Travel, Saigon Travel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tours, Vietnamese Food, Hoi An)
• 7 Fodor’s Essential Vietnam (Travel Guide)
• 8 Are You On Pinterest? Click To Save These For Later Read!

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Country Guide)

Lonely Planet Vietnam Country Guide to help you to know the best of Vietnam with the most up-to-date tips and information. It covers all parts of Vietnam along with cultural insights, history, and offbeat destinations. You’ll get many insider tips and reviews based on what to do, what to see, and what to eat during your Vietnam travel from Lonely Planet Travel Guide. You may also like to keep foldable Lonely Planet Vietnam Planning Map  along with this travel guide. It comes with practical travel tips with destinations map, many images, a transport guide, and suggestions on itineraries. 

Furthermore, are you thinking to travel like a local in Vietnam? Lonely Planet Vietnamese Phrasebook & Dictionary  is a practical guidebook to teach you useful Vietnamese vocabulary and phrases. You’ll be able to bargain like a pro while eating and shopping from the local eateries and markets. 

If you’re also traveling nearest countries along with Vietnam, then don’t miss to get the guide on Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand (Multi Country Guide) .

• Vietnamese culture, history, politics, art, cuisine, people, landscapes, and wildlife
• Reviews and insider tips for traveling like a local
• Accessible to hidden destination guide and information
• Colorful maps and images
• Essential tips on any budget
• Vietnam travel itineraries

The Rough Guide to Vietnam (Travel Guide) (Rough Guides) 

The Rough Guide to Vietnam comes with trusted and independent reviews on exciting destinations of Vietnam. Rough Guides help you to get all detailed coverage on popular tourist destinations to offbeat destinations. You’ll get to know about all the right places to see, visit, shop, sleep, and eat in Vietnam. Whether a cruise to Halong Bay or Cat Ba Island, trip to Tam Coc or Da Lat, you’ll have all travel tips itineraries and ideas from this travel guide of Vietnam. 

• Essential tips on outdoor activities, local transport, personal safety, food, and accommodation
• Detailed coverage on Vietnam tourist destinations
• Comprehensive and colorful travel maps and images
• Vietnam travel itineraries to organize trips

Vietnam – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Vietnam – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Geoffrey Murray will help you to get the depth knowledge of Vietnamese history, culture, and customs. You can find present Vietnam as open, confident, inviting, and welcoming towards the world. However, Vietnamese peoples have suffered a lot during the Vietnam War and after reunification in 1975. 

This essential guidebook will give you the outline of past to present Vietnam, cultural and social changes, traditions, and modern lifestyle of Vietnam. Moreover, you’ll get practical advice to face any awkward situations during your first visit to Vietnam.  

• Vietnamese history
• The culture and customs of Vietnam
• The outline of present Vietnam, peoples, and cultural changes
• Practical advice on unfamiliar situations

Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors 

You can’t leave Vietnam without trying many delicious Vietnamese delicacies. Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors  by Andrea Nguyen comes with 80 simple recipes of Vietnamese food . Inside the book, the writer has shown how to prepare Viet food like famous rice paper rolls, banh mi, pho, honey-glazed pork riblets, coffee ice cream quickly at home by using all simple ingredients. You can buy those ingredients from your local grocery store only. Undoubtedly, for Vietnamese food lovers, this cookbook is a must-read to enjoy cooking in Vietnamese style. 

During my Vietnam trip, I’ve tried all-vegetarian Vietnamese food. If you want to know all about meatless Vietnamese cooking, then Vegetarian Viet Nam by Cameron Stauch is a must-read for you. Chef Cameron Stauch nicely described all details about making Vietnamese healthy, sustainable food with sauces, herbs, noodles, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and tofu.

• Vietnamese food
• 80 simple Vietnamese recipes
• Easy to prepare with local ingredients
• Effortless Vietnamese cooking style to make at home

National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam, 3rd Edition 

Are you interested in discovering Vietnam from the travel stories which have appeared in National Geographic Traveler? National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam  is a must-read travel book by James Sullivan who currently lives in Hue, Vietnam with his Vietnamese wife and headed to Vietnam first in 1993. Here he has shared his personal experiences to let you know all about Vietnamese history, culture, and all major sites of Vietnam. This book is a must-read for every traveler to experience a place from local eyes and full with much expert advice. 

• The culture and history of Vietnam
• Expert travel advice from local traveler
• Detailed coverage on major sites of Vietnam
• The list of Not-To-Be-Missed Sites
• Tips on choosing the right restaurants and hotels in Vietnam
• Cultural travel experiences

Vietnam: Vietnam Travel Guide: 101 Coolest Things to Do in Vietnam (Southeast Asia Travel, Backpacking Asia, Hanoi Travel, Saigon Travel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tours, Vietnamese Food, Hoi An)

Vietnam offers a lot of beautiful destinations to explore, and there are many top things to do as well. 101 Coolest Things to Do in Vietnam  is a perfect travel guide covering the destinations like Hanoi, Hoi An, Sapa, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, and Mekong Delta. Get to know all the top things to do in Vietnam while visiting those travel destinations. 

• Coolest Things to Do in Vietnam
• Vietnam Travel Guide
• Hanoi Travel Guide
• Saigon Travel Guide
• Vietnam tours and tips
• Backpacking in Vietnam

Fodor’s Essential Vietnam (Travel Guide)

Fodor’s Essential Vietnam Travel Guide by local experts and so this travel guidebook will give you all insider tips, advice and suitable for any budget. You’ll be able to plan your Vietnam trip with the help of sample itineraries along with detailed maps and colorful images. You’ll get all detailed tips on where to eat, shop, and stay in Vietnam. The main destinations covered by this travel guide are Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang, Dalat, Nha Trang, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc. This Vietnam travel guide also focused on the top reasons to visit each destination and advice on local transportation. 

• Insider tips and travel information from local experts
• Detailed maps and colorful images
• Destination-based best hotels and restaurants in Vietnam
• Top places to see in Vietnam
• Top things to do in Vietnam
• Flavors of Vietnam
• Special feature on Vietnam Today

Are You On Pinterest? Click To Save These For Later Read!

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? Share your top recommendations and must-read travel books to visit Vietnam.

Last update on 2024-08-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nafisa Habib

Nafisa Habib loves nature and often got fascinated by old beautiful architecture. Here she is with My Own Way To Travel to share her adventures on the road. To her nothing is so interesting than exploring new destinations around. And knowing a new culture and meeting new peoples on the road? Oh, yeah she just loves that too.

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TRAVEL to VIETNAM – Tips and Information Guide (2024 Edition)

Everything you need to know about travel to Vietnam in our comprehensive 2024 Vietnam travel guide.

We get it. You’re wondering what the absolute best destination to travel in Southeast Asia is.

You’ve spent hours researching.

Talked to friends.

Scoured the internet for blogs.

Watched YouTube videos.

And you’ve finally realised something.

Without a doubt, Vietnam is the place for you.

And trust us, as a couple that have travelled the world for over a decade, we think you’ve made the right decision.

There’s a reason Vietnam is our all-time favourite country…

From the tropical coral reefs of Nha Trang to the northern mountains of Sa Pa, travel to Vietnam is one of the most adventurous yet culturally empowering experiences you can have.

One moment you will find yourself haggling for  banh mi  deep within Saigon and later that day you could be watching a breathtaking sunset from the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is more than a country. It’s an experience.

You’ll find yourself immersed among street food vendors cooking up exotic cuisines such as  pho  along streets with stores selling suits and ties.

Or you’ll be cruising the waters of Halong Bay while monkeys jump from island to island.

Or you might find yourself trekking to the highest peak in Vietnam, Fansipan soaring to over 3,100 metres!

Not into adventure activities? Homestays are the perfect way to spend your day as the monsoon rains fall across the endless snaking rivers of the Mekong.

Vietnamese hospitality is unrivalled and is something that you should experience once in your life, so what are you waiting for? Say good morning Vietnam! And go get lost!

So we’ve convinced you to travel to Vietnam? Awesome!

Now check out the basic information about the country in our Vietnam travel guide.

25 BEST Things to Do in Hue, Vietnam (2024 Edition)

The perfect vietnam itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks, canyoning in dalat – what it is really like, travelling in vietnam: at a glance.

Here are the basics about travel to Vietnam.

OTHER MAIN CITIES:

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang, Hue

Vietnamese Dong (see  current exchange rate ). 1USD approximately = 23,000 dong. 1 beer = 30,000 dong ($1.30USD)

ENTRY / VISA:

Travellers from most countries in the world are required to have visas. In most cases these can be obtained upon arrival for either 3 or 6 months. For information about your specific visa requirements click  here.

Vietnam is fairly safe for travellers. Petty theft tends to be the biggest concern and always be on the lookout for taxi scams. Also of concern are minor auto/motorbike accidents. This is one place it’s great to have travel insurance when visiting.

ELECTRICITY:

220 Volt at 50Hz. Power plugs – Type A: 2 vertical pins, Type C: 2 round pins, Type F (also known as Schuko plug): 2 round pins (Be sure to get your  universal travel adapter  before you leave)

TRANSPORTATION:

Intercity travel is possible by plane, train and bus. Within cities, towns and villages you can expect to get around on bicycle rickshaws, motorbike taxes, taxis and bus.

Don’t Forget to Pack the Most Important Thing: Travel Insurance !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM

With so much to see and do in Vietnam, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Vietnam you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Take the Overnight Train from Hanoi to Sapa

Said to be one of the most eye-opening train rides in the world, as you pass through lush forests, rice paddy fields on your way to the Vietnamese – Chinese border.

Book your  train ticket here .

Hike Through the Rice Terraces of Sapa

Explore the area with the local hill tribes. Stay with them during your trek. And enjoy the beautiful terraced countryside for which Sapa is known.

Here’s our full post about  trekking in Sapa .

Cruise the Mekong Delta

Probably one of the ‘must do’s of Vietnam.’ The Mekong Delta is full of hidden gems including floating markets, friendly locals and late afternoon storms.

Book a multiday  tour of the Mekong Delta

Go Caving in Phong Nha

Caves there can fit a 747 plane in it. They are massive and spectacular. This is an adventure you will never forget.

Book your  Phong Nha cave tour

Ride a Motorcycle

Yes, that’s right! Hiring a motorcycle or scooter is a must. But maybe do it out on the country roads. Opt for the famous ride to the mountain village of Dalat, or pretty much anywhere throughout the country.

Read about how to ride through the famous  Hai Van Pass

Other Things to do in Vietnam

Learn to cook Vietnamese food . Eating delicious Vietnamese food is one thing. Eating it after you’ve  learned to prepare it  is another!

Scuba dive  in Nha Trang. You may not think of Vietnam as a big scuba location, but there is  some great diving  to be had in Nha Trang.

Go canyoning  in Dalat. Rappel, slide, jump and  climb your way through canyons  in this gorgeous place!

Explore the Marble Mountains  in Da Nang.  These beautiful mountains  have been mined for marble for years and have incredible views and temples to visit along the way.

Sandboard down the sand dunes  in Mui Ne. It’s like snowboarding, but down massive sand dunes! Enjoy this rush!

Visit the Giants Causeway  in Ghan Da Dia. Half the world away from the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, be amazed at  this unique geologic structure .

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels  outside of Ho Chi Minh City. No trip to HCMC is complete without  touring these historic tunnels  that were used during the war.

Conquer the Hoi An Pass on a motorbike . This is known as one of the most beautiful sections of highway in the world. Enjoy!

Explore the world’s biggest cave . We have a special connection with  Hang Son Doong  as it is where we were engaged. Make your own special moment too!

Climb the highest mountain in Indochina  in Sapa. Fansipan is over 3,000m above sea level and  offers incredible views  along the way to the top!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE  OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN   VIETNAM

READ MORE...

A First-Timer’s Guide to Trekking in Sapa

The 11 Best Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam (2024 Guide)

33 BEST Things to Do in Vietnam (Epic 2024 Guide)

10 BEST Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam (2024 Guide)

Scuba Diving In Nha Trang – Is It Worth It?

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Vietnam. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

When slurping a bowl of pho in a local market or exploring an ancient temple, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine in Ho Chi Minh City.

A collection of over 3,000 limestone islands providing endless kayaking opportunities. Take the time to relax aboard a boat or venture to Cat Ba National Park for mystical waterfalls!

Book your  tour of Halong Bay

The capital of Vietnam is also one of the most ancient capitals in the world. The history of Hanoi is rich, devastating and full of legends. This mystical city is also known for its cuisine, silk, buzzing nightlife as well as cultural diversity.

Plan your 3-day  Hanoi itinerary

My Son Temple

Ancient temples dating back 1,000 years give a culture understanding into Vietnam’s past all while showing the scars of the war.

Book an early morning  tour of My Son

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Vietnam, reference our following city travel guides: 

Ho Chi Minh City:

*  Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary *  Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City

*  Hanoi Itinerary * Day Trips From Hanoi

Dalat Hoi An

Da Nang Hue Ninh Binh

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM. 

BEST VIETNAM TRAVEL ITINERARY

We’ve put together a few Vietnam itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Vietnam that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

Even though the country is one united nation, you can think of it geographically as being divided into a northern and southern region.

So depending on how much time you have, you may want to explore the northern region, southern region or the entire country.

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to Vietnam these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

1-Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary Highlights

Most people spend at least a month went hey travel to Vietnam. But if you had just one week, or were willing to split a few weeks between the northern and southern regions, this is how we’d spend our time! 

Northern Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi
• 2 nights – Hanoi
• 2 nights –  Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay
• 2 nights  – Sapa
• Alternative to Sapa  –  2 night in Hue
• Fly out of Hanoi

Central Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi or HCMC. Get a local flight down to Dong Hoi
• 3 nights  – Phong Nha
• 2 nights  – Hue
• 2-3  nights  – Hoi An
• Fly out of Da Nang to either Hanoi or HCMC to leave

South Vietnam

• Fly into Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights  – Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights –  Mekong Delta
• 2 nights –  Dalat
• 1 night –  Mui Ne
• Fly out of Ho Chi Minh City

READ MORE: Check out this post for more details on our  Vietnam travel itinerary . 

VIETNAM TRIP PLANNING

Best time to visit vietnam.

The best time to travel to Vietnam really depends on what you are looking for in terms of weather, scenery and budget.

Peak season occurs from mid-December through to February. But expect prices to double during this time. The low season is perfect for those on a budget.

• Low Season –  April to June, September to November
• Shoulder Season –  December to March
• High Season –  July & August

Northern Vietnam  –  The best months to travel Northern Vietnam are April to May or September to October. There are mostly sunny days and the rain has stopped.

The weather gets really cold from December to March and is not suited for hiking or sailing a junk boat in Halong Bay that time of year.

Central Vietnam –  The best months for travel to Central Vietnam are January to June. There are heavy rains in October and November and the really hot months are from May to August.

Southern Vietnam  –  The best months to explore Southern Vietnam are January to April where conditions are beautiful.

You really can travel the south at any time of the year. Just note that from May to November there are afternoon downpours.

VIETNAM TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDELINE

Vietnam is a cheap country to travel if you want it to be, this all depends on what your budget is like. Our advice is always over-budget when making plans, and if you come home with money, it can go towards your next trip. All prices below are in USD per day.

Budgeting Tips

To make your money go further here are a few tips: 

• Eat street food as often as possible. You can usually fill up for $1-2USD.
• Travel in groups when possible. Staying in hostels will lead to making friends. And with friends, you can split transportation costs and barter on other expenses.
• Negotiate taxi fares before taking the ride. Vietnamese taxi drivers are notorious for flexible fares that tend to fall int heir favor. Don’t be afraid of a little negotiation.
• Drink  bia hoi . Sure it’s not the more delightful beer. But it is shipped in fresh each day, it’s cheap and it’s what the local drink.
• Take in the sights for free. Do a little research and walk the streets on your own. You’ll also find there are a number of free tours and other opportunities if you ask around.
• Sleep on overnight busses for longer trips. Combine the transportation and accommodation line items of your budget and save a few dollars.

But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($35 Single / $50 Couples)

If you are on a backpacker budget and planning on staying in dorm rooms, getting street food, drinking a few nights of the week, I would budget for about $35 a day.

A single hostel bed can be $5-$8 per person. A budget basic private room is $15-$20. A street food meal can be $1-$2. A bottle of beer is about $1- $1.50 and a  bia hoi  is $0.20 per cup. This is not the nicest beer. But it is passable and you get to make new friends when drinking it.

Walking or taking public transport will keep your budget down. There are many free things to do, you just need to think outside the box.

Mid-Range Traveller ($100 Single / $120 Couple)

If you have a little more cash in your budget your travels in Vietnam will become a lot more comfortable.

A nicer hotel is definitely affordable.

There are restaurants where you will pay more than the street food price. But the food is definitely of nicer quality (most of the time). The local beer can get a little too much sometimes so you will be able to enjoy an international beer or wine.

For the attractions you are most interested in, get a guide and learn more about the history of the country. You’ll be able to commit much more of your budget to do things rather than cutting corners just to stay alive.

Luxury Traveller ($90+ Single / $120+ Couple)

You don’t have to have that much more to enjoy a luxury trip to Vietnam. With a few more dollars in your budget, a nicer hotel is definitely affordable. Eat and drink anything you would like at virtually any restaurant.

You can hire transportation without having to haggle. And you can pretty much do any tour you would like to do when visiting any part of Vietnam.

GETTING TO AND AROUND VIETNAM

Entry requirements.

Most travellers are required to have visas when travelling to Vietnam, which can typically be arranged upon arrival. You are typically allowed to stay for 3 – 6 months, depending on nationality.

For information about your specific visa requirements click  here

Additionally, Vietnam has introduced an electronic visa (e-visa), which costs $25 USD and is granted for single entry visits for up to 30 days.

You no longer will have to apply through an agent to get an invitation letter or queue at the airport immigration for hours waiting to receive your visa upon arrival.

Apply in advance  here .

Once you are approved, all you need to do is print the visa out and present it on entry to Vietnam. Don’t lose this e- visa print out as you will need this during your travels in Vietnam.

Hotels will ask for it on check-in at the accommodation and travel agents may ask for it if you are booking flights.

Also, print out your  travel insurance  as well. Immigration will ask for this also as they want to know you are covered if you fall ill or get injured during your stay.

Getting to Vietnam

There are a number of different ways to travel to Vietnam, depending on where you are coming from and how you like to get around with transport.

There are a lot of different airlines that fly to Vietnam from all over the world. There are two major international airports in Vietnam: Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Noi Bai Airpot (HAN) in Hanoi in the north.

Direct flights to Vietnam from Australia, Europe and North America are still limited, but it is improving. You will most likely have to book a flight with a stopover in either Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul or Singapore.

There are many domestic airports scattered among the country. Vietnam Airlines is Vietnam’s national carrier. We have flown with them several times and they are amazing.

You can cross into Vietnam by train from China, all the way from Beijing to Ping Xian. This is the Dong Dang Crossing which is 160km from Hanoi.

After you have crossed the border hop on a train to Hanoi. Don’t buy the direct ticket from Beijing to Hanoi. It works out cheaper to buy your ticket from Beijing to Ping Xian then cross the border and purchase another ticket from Dong Dang to Hanoi.

If you do the train trip from Beijing through to Hanoi, it will take 36 hours so it is best to book a sleeper. Make sure you have your visa organised before getting to the border.

You can bring your own food and drinks for the train or purchase them from the cafeteria on board. There are squat toilets on board and areas to store your luggage.

You can get to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City through either the Cambodia, Laos or China borders. There is a route from Vientiane (Laos) to Hanoi, and one from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

Most travel agents in Vientiane, Siem Reap or Phnom Penh will sell the tickets or at your accommodation. You can also get a minivan from Guangzhou through to Hanoi.

Make sure you have your visa ready. The border crossings by land may not be set up as well as others.

If you want to book any of your bus trips online rather than trying to deal with travel agencies in the country, you can do so on the popular website  Bookaway .

Getting Around Vietnam

Getting around Vietnam is surprisingly easy. Public transport goes everywhere, and there are plenty of moto-taxis that are happy to take you to the places that public transport won’t reach.

Travelling by Air

The fastest way to get around the country, of course, is by air. There are many domestic airports all over the country and you can fly in from major cities.

You can get cheap flights within the country through VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. For the best deals head directly on the airline’s website.

Travelling by Taxi, Tuk Tuk Or Mototaxi

When you are in the cities and town catching a taxi, tuk-tuk or moto-taxi can be the best way to get around. For taxi companies, look for the biggest and most reputable companies as you can be ripped off.

For the tuk-tuks, ask your accommodation the average price to your destination so you can agree on a price with the driver.

We recommend Uber and Grab (car or motorbike) which you can use an app and get the price.

Travelling by Bus

It is possible and advisable to travel by bus throughout Vietnam. Busses inside of cities can be complicated and should be a last resort.

However, when travelling long distances in Vietnam busses are a great option. This is especially true if you take night busses and sleep during the ride.

Travelling by Motorbike

We think travelling by motorbike is the best way to see Vietnam if you have the time. Buy your own motorbike and ride the length of the country. Or you can choose one area and explore Northern Vietnam or South Vietnam.

Here’s our post to help guide you on  how to buy a motorbike in Vietnam .

Travelling by Train

Taking the train is a great way to get around the country. They are great for overnight journeys as the trains have bed cabins.

In Vietnam, there are many places with roadwork that can last for years. So trains can be the best way to go.

APPS AND TECHNOLOGY

We know you’ll absolutely love travelling in Vietnam. But technology has made it easier, more affordable and safer to travel than ever.

Here are a few apps we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

Grab  – Use this app to catch a ride from any metro area in Vietnam.

XE Currency  – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 

Express VPN  – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in [Country]. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 

iTranslate  – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Vietnamese words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Vietnam. 

WiFi Finder  – With this app, you no longer have to guess whether the next place on your itinerary has WiFi or scramble across town looking for hot spots.

BEST THINGS TO EAT IN VIETNAM

When you travel to a foreign country one of the new and most exciting things you will experience is the food. There are so many amazing food choices in Vietnam, and Vietnamese food is delicious.

Here are a few of our favourites.

Goi Cuon:  This is a rice paper packed with greens, coriander and various combinations of minced or shredded pork, shrimp or crab. It will be served with a sweet and sour sauce or a delicious homemade peanut sauce.

Sometimes to make the experience even better, you get to hand roll them yourself. This was our favourite dish.

Banh Mi:  With this one, it will be different in every corner of Vietnam. This is a baguette sandwich that is filled with meat, greens, pata, pickled vegetables, soy sauce, cilantro and sometimes an omelet.

The meat filling will be roasted pork belly, grilled pork loin, barbecue pork, boiled chicken, or a fried egg.

Pho (pronounced ‘fur’):  This flat rice noodle soup is either light beef or chicken broth flavoured with coriander and ginger with spring onions and bits of meat (chicken, pork or beef).

It is a dish you can have any time of the day and is delicious, but it can be hit and miss in some places. If you have an average one, please do try it again. We ate pho a lot for breakfast and never got sick of it.

Bun Cha:  This is a Hanoi specialty and it is deliciously addictive. Bun Cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles. It will be served with a sauce.

It will all be served separately and you combined everything together. You can ask for some little fried spring rolls on top too. It is so delicious!

Coa Lau:  Hoi An is the best (and only authentic) place to try this one. as the noodles are made using water from a special well in town.

It is chewy rice flour noodles with Chinese barbecue pork, bean sprouts, croutons and fresh herbs in a delicious pork-based gravy.

PLACES TO STAY IN VIETNAM

There are accommodation options for all budgets in Vietnam. You can stay in a shared dorm for $5 USD per night, or a luxury hotel for over $300 USD.

The accommodation standards can vary in each destination.

For example, we got a really nice hotel in the middle of nowhere when we were on our bike for $12 a night. But we would not find a place like this in Hanoi, Hoi An, HCMC or Hue for less than $25.

NOTE –  In Vietnam, the accommodation will keep your passport for the duration of your stay. This is to do with the government. Officials will randomly come around and check hotels and hostels.

If they do not have the ID or passport of every person staying there, the accommodation will be fined. The accommodation will keep your passport in a safe. If you are unsure just ask, “do you lock my passport up?”

Types of Accommodations

Vietnam is wildly popular among backpackers. Because the costs are generally incredibly low, budget travellers flock to the country.

This means that there are lots of great hostel options when looking for accommodations in Vietnam.

Whether you are busy spending all your time exploring and are just looking for a cheap place to crash for the night or want to make friends along the way, you will find most of what you are looking for in a variety of hostels throughout Vietnam.

Because costs are generally lower in Vietnam than in most parts of the world your quality of life can go up quite a bit when you travel to Vietnam.

One way you can upgrade your travel experience is by booking rooms in hotels instead of beds in hostels. For a few dollars more you’ll get vastly more space and privacy.

In some towns and villages, hotels are your only option.

But generally, these are very reasonably priced. You can expect to spend USD$20-30 for a decent hotel room in most cities, towns and villages across Vietnam.

Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay in Vietnam for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are available, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before,  sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Vietnam

We travelled from the south to the north and stayed in many different places. Here are a few accommodation options we highly recommend.

VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS

The Vietnamese people are friendly, welcoming and hospitable towards travellers. It is a great destination to travel to in Southeast Asia.

The people are very respectful and would like the same back from you. Here are a few things that you should know before going to Vietnam.

GENERAL VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS 

While we have  many basic travel tips  we suggest you use when travelling to Vietnam, there are also plenty of Vietnam-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Vietnam: 

Please show respect to their religious beliefs and their cultures . You are travelling to someone else’s country. They have different religious beliefs and cultures in your home. Please respect them.

Watch your belongings.  Vietnam is a safe country but unfortunately, there still is petty theft. Whether you are at a restaurant or on a bus always watch your belongings.

Beware of the counterfeit tour agencies . Unfortunately, there are plenty of these around, especially in the main tourist areas. Book through the main owner or operator or any of  these tours that we recommend .

Do not drink the tap water.  The locals don’t even drink the water. There is bottled water available everywhere. Popular tourist restaurants will usually have on their menu that they wash their salad and veggies in sterilised water and make tea, coffee and soup from that too.

Carry toilet paper everywhere . There are toilets available in restaurants or in public but there may not be toilet paper. Most of the time you have to pay for the public toilet and they may give you some toilet paper, but don’t count on it. Always have your stash.

Toilet paper goes in the bin . DO NOT put the toilet paper in the toilet. Please put it into the bin provided. Vietnam’s sewerage systems are not built for much more than human waste so toilet paper and other items will just clog up your toilet.

Embrace the “bum gun “. Next to every toilet in Vietnam, there is a water hose. This is not to wash down the floor. This is to clean yourself up after you do your business. Don’t be disgusted by this. Embrace it.

Vietnam is bigger than you think . This country is huge and many people underestimate it. Vietnam is about 1,650 kilometres long from north to south. The distance on buses and trains is long so be prepared.

Take note of the Vietnamese money . It will be a new currency for you so do take a look at it before you go out spending. There are more zeros in it than you might be used to (1USD = 23,000 Dong)

Always take photos when you rent a scooter . Renting a scooter in Vietnam is something everyone does. It is a great way to get around and see all the attractions. But where you rent it from can get you into trouble. Whenever you rent a scooter take photos of the bike or else might end up with a crazy expensive bill.

Always wear a helmet. Always . Please wear a helmet. The roads are crazier here than they are in your country. The rules are different and road conditions are not the best. A quality helmet could save your life in an accident.

Make sure you have travel insurance . We tell people who are going travelling, “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” You do not know what is going to happen while you are away and knowing you are covered will put your mind at ease.

Be confident when crossing the road . The roads in Vietnam are crazy. Crossing the road can be daunting but you need to be confident. Do not walk backward or hesitate. Walk slowly and watch the traffic coming towards you. They will all move around you.

Take your shoes off before entering a temple or a person’s home . It is a custom that stems back to ancient times and a big part comes back to cleanliness. The ground is used for chatting, dining and even sleeping.

Cover your shoulders and knees when entering a temple . This is common in most religious sites. There are always signs suggesting visitors dress ‘appropriately.’ Shoulders and knees should be covered. If it is a hot day and a t-shirt is too sticky, carry a scarf for when you visit to cover your shoulders.

Keep a low profile . Do not be loud, raise your voice in aggression or show off. Do not show dramatic affection publicly like kissing. Save it for the hotel room

Ask for permission before taking a photo of someone . This is polite and ensures you are not intruding on them. The people are not there for your entertainment. If they say no, smile and thank them anyway.

Do not take photos of anything to do with the government or military.  This is a big NO in any country and can end up with you in jail.

Do not touch someone on the head . The head is the most important part of the body. Touching someone’s head who you don’t know is like saying you are more important than they are.

Place your chopsticks across the top of the bowl when finished . Don’t have your chopsticks hanging out of the bowl, and don’t point them at anyone when they are resting on the plate.

VIETNAM PACKING LIST

We always travel with a  core packing list  wherever we go. And when it comes to Vietnam, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our  travel essentials  and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

Important Note!  Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is  World Nomads .

TRAVEL INSURANCE. SIMPLE & FLEXIBLE.

Which countries or regions are you traveling to, what’s your country of residence, enter traveler’s age, staying safe in vietnam.

Vietnam is extremely safe, apart from the one major danger which is the roads. They are crazy, even more so if you try to ride 10’000km around the country on motorbikes as we did!

Aside from that, common sense will keep you safe.

Here are a few reminders of what common sense when travelling in Vietnam means:

As you saw above, Vietnam is extremely safe. We did not feel unsafe once in the 7 months we were there (excluding the roads).

This doesn’t mean you can completely let your guard down though, and petty theft does happen in this country, although it’s not common.

Some tips for protecting your things:

In other words, use common sense and you’ll be fine.

STAYING CONNECTED IN VIETNAM

Staying connected with friends and family (and work) when travelling in Vietnam is important. But if you don’t know how to connect you can find yourself greatly inconvenienced or spending too much money.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

Picking up a SIM card has become the quickest and typically most affordable way to stay connected in Vietnam or any country for that matter.

If you have an unlocked phone you can use a 4G SIM card to connect to the cellular networks in Vietnam. From there you can cast a hot spot if you need to crank out some work on your computer or want to connect a tablet.

This 3G/4G SIM card  is a great and affordable option for a SIM card if you are flying into Vietnam.

Rent a Portable WiFi Device

Alternatively to a SIM card, particularly if you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can rent a portable WiFi device during your travel to Vietnam.

This device  will be delivered to you when you arrive in Vietnam and will provide 4G service for less than USD$5 per day.

You’ll be able to connect anywhere you can find service across the country, which will be most of the places you are likely to travel in Vietnam.

Access Free WiFI

Free is always best, if it is convenient. And there are plenty of places throughout Vietnam that will provide free WiFi in public spaces or at restaurants, cafes and hostels and hotels.

We recommend using the  WiFi Finder  app, which will help you locate WiFi anywhere you travel in Vietnam.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER IN VIETNAM

We absolutely love Vietnam. And we love the idea that it will remain a beautiful and friendly place for travellers for years to come.

Here are a few tips specific to travel to Vietnam that will promote sustainable tourism in the country:

Use your own energy to get around.  Walk or cycle through town as much as possible. Taking a cyclo-taxi is a close alternative if you don’t have the energy to propel yourself through the city. But this reduces the impact of taxis, busses and other forms of automotive transportation.

Mind your plastic . Plastic is everywhere in Vietnam. But using your own reusable bag for groceries and other shopping, carrying a reusable water bottle and having your own straw are just 3 of the many simple ways you can reduce the amount of plastic you use.

Shop local . Visiting the markets will be one of your top experiences when travelling to Vietnam. Support local vendors as often as possible, including in taking tours when available.

Be mindful of wildlife . Wildlife in the wild is great. But be mindful not to provoke, feed or otherwise molest wildlife. And never purchase any item made of or involving rare or endangered species.

Attempt to communicate in Vietnamese . You’re probably not going to be fluent as soon as you arrive in the country. But knowing a few phrases and doing your best to communicate with locals will show respect and earn trust and make your experience richer.

KEY VIETNAMESE TRAVEL PHRASES

You don’t have to be fluent in Vietnamese to have a great time when you travel to Vietnam. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Vietnamese people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

BOOKS TO READ ABOUT VIETNAM

Maybe you already know everything about Vietnam. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Vietnam. 

The Quiet American  (Graham Greene) – Originally published in 1956 and adapted for film twice, this story by Greene became an instant classic. Greene fictionalizes life in 1950s Vietnam as told by a British correspondent trying to understand the roots of the rising conflict set to occur.

At Home In The World  (Thich Nhat Hanh) – World renown Vietnamese monk, Hanh reflects on lessons and stories in life from the Buddhist perspective.

Vietnam: Rising Dragon  (Bill Hayton) – A piece of nonfiction that looks back on the Vietnam of old and attempts to projects its place in the future of Southeast Asia.

The Sympathizer  (Viet Thanh Nguyen) – The Pulitzer Prize-winning book, allegedly influenced by  The Quiet American , is told through the eyes of a double-agent during the Vietnam War who struggles to understand the minds and hearts of men engaged in war.

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Table of Contents

Read our vietnam posts, 20 amazing things to do in hoi an, vietnam (2024 guide), 14 incredible things to do in dalat, vietnam (2024 guide), the perfect 3 days in hanoi itinerary [2024 guide], 25 amazing things to do in hanoi, vietnam (2024 guide), the perfect 3 days in ho chi minh city itinerary [2024], the 8 best day trips from ho chi minh city (2024 guide), caves, zip lines and deep mud in phong nha, ganh da dia – vietnam’s own ‘giant’s causeway’, ba be national park – the lake, trekking and happy water, motorbiking the road from dalat to nha trang in vietnam, riding sea to sky: hue to hoi an by motorbike, getting a chinese visa in hanoi, vietnam.

• Nine Best Books About Vietnam

Check Out the Nine Best Books About Vietnam

While travel to your dream destination isn’t an option at the moment, what better way to explore a country than through its literature? Vietnam has a rich and varied past, with so much more to discover than simply the war. So while you’re spending a bit more time inside than usual, try one of these books for more on Vietnam’s history.

Ask your local bookseller to recommend a book on Vietnam and no doubt, the majority will focus on “the American War” (as it’s called here). The conflict is an integral part of the country’s recent history of course, but people prefer not to dwell on the past. That fact is best discovered in books that delve deep into the fascinating country; they might touch on the war or use it as a frame of reference, but their pages are devoted to a country they love.

“Dumb Luck”, by Vu Trong Phung

First published in 1936 at the height of French colonialism, the satirical Dumb Luck might feel dated today, but at the time it was a damning indictment of foreign oppression and Vietnamese bureaucracy, so much so that the book was often banned through to 1986.

Set in Hanoi and following the farcical rise of a common drifter mistaken for a genius, the book follows his incredible ascent from the city’s filthy streets to its extravagant mansions, showcasing the shallowness of the then-unstable society. A snappy read that anticipates such future capitalistic parodies as Jerzy Kosinski’s Being There (1970).

“A Dragon Apparent”, by Norman Lewis

At a time when its unknown exoticism kept many at bay, travel writer Norman Lewis journeyed deep into Southeast Asia . One of the first 20th century Westerners to write about his travels, he documented his insights and adventures in A Dragon Apparent (1951). Exploring not only Vietnam, but neighbouring countries Cambodia and Laos too, the book balances Lewis’ experiences with both French colonialists and the locals, presenting a rare glimpse into the culture clashes and grievances between the two. The book was a huge inspiration for novelist Graham Greene, leading him to live in and write about Vietnam.

“The Quiet American”, by Graham Greene

Graham Greene ’s renowned 1955 novel is often considered, by foreigners at least, to be the preeminent Vietnam book; a love triangle surface story that prophetically showcases the post-WWII dynamics of the country and how it faced challenges from both French colonialists and “quiet” American interlopers. Concise and beautifully written, the lead British journalist’s narrative voice was highly autobiographical. Greene lived in Saigon for years and was said to have written most of the book at the still-standing Hotel Continental.

“Paradise of the Blind”, by Duong Thu Huong

The post-war struggle among the Vietnamese wasn’t simply a case of peace among communism, and corruption ran rampant. That’s charted in a loose trilogy by the controversial author Duong Thu Huong, whose books were banned for decades and she was jailed for years. Paradise of the Blind (1988) is her most famous, showcasing the country’s communism through the perspective of three Viet women as they balance corruption against their own subservient roles. While far from an outright appeal to capitalism, it nonetheless does shine a light on the foolishness of conflicts over belief systems.

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“The Sympathizer”, by Viet Thanh Nguyen

We’re cheating a bit here, since The Sympathizer (2015) is in fact, somewhat about the war, opening as it does with the Fall of Saigon and tracing its protagonist’s arc through his escape to the US and beyond. But the Pulitzer Prize -winning novel is so evocative, so full of insight and intrigue, that it’s impossible not to include. And while the war sets the backdrop, it’s the main character’s double-agent machinations that really make up the bulk of the book, like a beautiful hybrid of John le Carré and Ralph Ellison.

“Catfish and Mandala”, by Andrew X. Pham

The struggle of the “Viet Kieu” – those young Vietnamese who escaped with their parents during the war and started returning in the 1990s to an ethnic home they found unfamiliar – is charted in this endearing travelogue. Pham grew up as a refugee in California and returned to his home country to travel its length by bicycle. In Catfish and Mandala (1999), his journalistic experiences of being treated like an outsider are intercut with vague recollections of early life during the war. Raw and enlightening, it paved the way for numerous other Viet Kieus to share their cross-cultural insights.

“Eating Viet Nam: Dispatches from a Blue Plastic Table”, by Graham Holliday

We’re getting into non-fiction territory here, with possibly the best exploration of Vietnam’s fascinating culinary culture, featuring arguably the best street food in the world. Holliday moved here in the early 2000s, long before many a foodie foreigner discovered its thrills, and was immediately taken by its culinary world. He journeyed north to south in search of everything fresh and delicious, documenting his travels in a blog. His online dispatches were soon discovered and collected by none other than Anthony Bourdain, who also provides an engaging introduction to Eating Viet Nam (2015).

“Ticket to Childhood”, by Nguyen Nhat Anh

Ticket to Childhood (2014) was a sensation when it was initially released in Vietnam, and it makes sense, considering half the country is under 35. Framed from the perspective of an eight-year-old and written in a simplistic style that anyone in that age group can understand, it recalls French classic The Little Prince (1943). With an endearing contrast between the innocence of youth and the often-illogical world of adults, its instant-classic status cemented the idea that Vietnam had come far from being defined solely by the war.

“Vietnam: Rising Dragon”, by Bill Hayton

Vietnam: Rising Dragon (2010) is a rarity; the first book to present a political, economic and cultural modern history of the country in a comprehensible style. Hayton’s years as a BBC reporter means he brings an easy-to-absorb journalistic approach to the book, delving deep into the country, outlining Vietnam’s clear-cut ambitions to be the next major Asian powerhouse. Fascinating and eye-opening, this should be the first port-of-call for cultural history geeks.

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Best Books about Vietnam to Read Before You Visit

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: November 24, 2023

Do you love reading about a destination before you go? Finding out about the history, the culture and the lives of people is one of the best ways to prepare to explore Vietnam (or any new country)

In this post, I have curated a collection of the best books about Vietnam. 

A popular South East Asian country for travellers Vietnam is home to the beautiful Ha Long Bay, cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

With a population of nearly 100 million, Vietnam is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South East Asia. Soccer is the most popular sport in Vietnam and the Dong is the unit of currency!

You can find a selection of both fiction and non-fiction about Vietnam. You will also find the best Vietnam travel guide books and well as Vietnamese cookbooks.

Listen to episodes of the Global Travel Planning Podcast all about Vietnam

More to read from around the world

The best fiction books about vietnam.

The Mountains Sing

The Mountains Sing by Trần Diệu Lan is a sweeping multigenerational saga of the Trần family, set against the backdrop of the Việt Nam War.

Set in Hà Nội in the 1960s, The Mountains Sing follows Hương as she grows up with her parents and six older siblings, all of whom are at different stages in their lives.

The Beauty of Humanity Movement: A Novel

Raised in the United States but Vietnamese by birth, Maggie travels to Hanoi seeking clues to the fate of her father, a dissident artist who disappeared during the war.

This book explores the legacies of war and art and the power of love to renew.

Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam

A story of adventure, love, war, and political power, Saigon presents an enthralling and enlightening depiction of twentieth-century Vietnam.

Perfume River: A Novel

An exquisite novel that examines family ties and the legacy of the Vietnam war through the portrait of a single North Florida family.

The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir

This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past.

The Sympathizer: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship.

Best Books about Vietnam : Non Fiction, Travel Guides & more

Made in Vietnam: Homestyle Recipes from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

Made In Vietnam covers three main culinary regions of the country. It also looks at aspects of the country’s food history and its absorption of various culinary influences, including the extensive French influence, long-established coffee culture the casual style of dining that is so synonymous with many parts of Asia.

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Vietnam is your passport to the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to do and see.

Fodor's Essential Vietnam

- Fodor's Essential Vietnam is the go-to guide for first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike.

Fodor's Essential Vietnam has been newly updated with fresh recommendations and coverage of Sa Pa, a popular destination in the northwest mountains of Vietnam. The book includes: - Top 10 lists of what to see and do, eat, sleep, and experience in each city or region - Coverage of all major sights and attractions including Ho Chi Minh City; the Mekong Delta; Hanoi; Halong Bay; Hue; Nha Trang

Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945-1975

A definitive history of the Vietnam war written by Max Hastings an acclaimed best selling author. If you wish to learn about the Vietnam War this is a highly recommended read.

• A Complete Guide to the Best Books from Around the World
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• Best books about Switzerland

The Complete Travel Guide to travel to Vietnam (Updated 2023)

Over the past years, Vietnam has emerged as a premier tourist destination in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 18 million international arrivals in 2019. The number is only expected to rise – and for a number of good reasons. The country is renowned for its colorful history, diverse culture and quintessential natural landscapes.

If you are planning to visit, an illustrated guide will prove handy. This post is packed with all the important information so you don’t have to spend a lot of time researching online and browsing multiple websites. We have done much of the work for you and we are extremely proud of this comprehensive article as it will serve as a valuable resource to anyone who wishes to visit Vietnam.

Part I. Travel Visa

3 month multiple entry visas will be available from 15 August 2023. Citizens from all countries are now eligible for the e-visa program. 09 more ports of entry have been added to the list of eligible Entry/Exit points. Effective from 15 August, 2023, regular passport holders of 13 countries will be exempt from visa requirements for Vietnam for 45 days instead of 15 days.

1. Do you need a Visa to go to Vietnam?

Vietnam offers visa exemptions to tourists from 13 countries and e-Visas to tourists from all countries. Travelers can also apply for a visa on arrival online or in person at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.

2. Visa Exemptions

Vietnam’s new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days , regardless of passport type and entry purpose. The 13 coutries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus .

Below is the full list of 25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirement:

Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

Notes on Exemptions:

The exemptions listed above are valid until Dec. 31, 2025.

Pro Tip: + All nationalities traveling directly to Phu Quoc Island can visit for 30 days visa-free. You just need to show an outbound ticket on arrival in Vietnam. + If you enter Phu Quoc and then travel to the mainland, you will need to apply for an e-visa/visa to Vietnam. The best way is to apply for evisa/visa in advance and you will need to show your e-visa/visa on arrival at Phu Quoc International aiport for eligible stamp on your passport to visit the mainland later on. If you fail to do so, you might have to apply for a different visa and the procedure would be more complicated.

3. e-Visa Requirements

The e-Visa is one of several visa types offered by the Vietnam Immigration Department to foreigners entering the country. It is  valid for 90 days and  single entry and multiple entry . It costs US$25  for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry for card payments and requires at least three working days  to process.

Vietnam e-Visa Requirements:

• A passport with six (6) months’ validity
• A photo in .jpg format of your full passport data page
• A passport photo in .jpg format (4×6 cm, white background, without glasses)
• A valid international credit or debit card
• An email address for support purposes
• A temporary address in Vietnam
• Your entry and exit dates and entry and exit points/airports

How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa:

Step 1 : Prepare the required materials

Step 2 : Open  the official website  for Vietnam’s e-Visa Application

Step 3:  Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form.

Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of US$ 25 for single entry visa or US$50 for multiple entry visa using any of the payment methods offered. Copy the document code provided. This fee is  not refunded if your application is refused or your visa letter contains any wrong details that have been provided by you in the application form.

Step 5:  Within three working days you will receive an email about your e-Visa application. Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for safety.

Pro Tip: Tourists with an e-Visa do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters. You can go directly to the immigration counter at your point of entry.

3. Vietnam E-visa official website

• https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/bocongan/bothutuc/tthc?matt=26276 for guaranteeing agencies and organizations, and
• https://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn/bocongan/bothutuc/tthc?matt=26277 for individual foreigners

4. Vietnam Visa on Arrival

If you want a  multiple-entry  visit or a stay that would last  more than 30 days , you may want to apply for a visa on arrival. You will need the following:

• A 4×6 passport photo (white background and no glasses)
• A fully filled-out  visa application form
• A passport or substitute ID valid for six (6) months from the date you plan to visit Vietnam
• Payment (US$25 per person for single entry or US$50 per person for multi-entry) for visa fees
• A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you will pick up your visa at the airport)

If you are located close to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you may submit your application form, passport, photo, and visa fee in person.

If you are short on time or a Vietnamese embassy is far from your location, there are reputable online services that can provide a valid Letter of Approval for a fee. Bring this letter along with your visa application form and other documents to the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport when you arrive.

Part II. Best Time to Visit

There is really no right or wrong time to visit Vietnam because for much of the year there’s both sunshine and rain in different quantities. Vietnam has more than 2000 miles of coastline and three varying weather systems. You can think of the country as having three separate tourist destinations when it comes to the weather.

In Hanoi and the north, May to October is hot and humid, while November to April is cool and dry. In Central Vietnam, the weather is hot and dry between January and August when temperatures can rise to mid-30°C. Heavy rains tend to pour in the months of September, October and November. The southern region is generally hot and dry from November to April, and a bit warm and wet between May and October, with high precipitation in June, July and August.

1. Weather by Region and Season

Far North (Sapa, Bac Ha, Mu Cang Chai, and Ha Giang)

The climate in Sapa and the northwest region is divided into two seasons: the wet season runs from April to September, while the dry season lasts from October to late March. It can get extremely cold in December and January, especially in the evening.

The best time to visit the northeast is during the dry season, which runs from October to April. December and January can get very cold. Try to avoid travel during the rainy season, from May to September.

North Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cuc Phuong, Mai Chau and Ninh Binh)

North Vietnam, including the capital Hanoi, has a summer and winter season. The latter is generally cool but mostly dry and lasts from November to April. The coldest months are January, February and March, with average temperatures of 17-22°C .

Summer is from from May to October. It is hot and humid, and it is during this time when the region has its highest rainfall. July to September are frequently the wettest months, during which inclement weather can prevent cruises in Halong Bay.

**Central Vietnam (**Danang, Dalat, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang and Quy Nhon)

Danang, Hoi An and Hue have hot and dry weather that lasts from mid-January to late August. During this period temperatures often rise to mid-30°C. Winter sees an increase in rainfall, with October and November being the wettest.

Hue is usually cooler than Hoi An, particularly early in the year. The coastal city of Quy Nhon shares a similar weather pattern to Hoi An but the dry season lasts a little longer because of its proximity to the southern system.

Dalat, in the Central Highlands, is wet from June to October. It is far drier from November to May, and cold from December to January.

The coastal resort city of Nha Trang in the far south of Central Vietnam has a longer dry season that runs from January to September. The rainy season lasts from October to December, with approximately 50 percent of the annual rainfall pouring in October and November.

South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc and Con Dao, The Mekong Delta, Phan Thiet and Mui Ne, Ho Tram and Long Hai)

Temperatures remain constant throughout the year, usually ranging from 25 to 35°C. The climate is split into two seasons: wet and dry. The latter starts in November and ends in April or early May. It is slightly hotter and more humid from late February to May. The wet season lasts from May to November, with June, July and August receiving the most rainfall.

In the far south, Phu Quoc and Con Dao often see sunny days so both islands can be enjoyed year-round.

Part III. Holidays & Special Events

1. tet nguyen dan – the vietnamese lunar new year.

Tết is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. It is also known as the Vietnamese New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year or Tet Holiday. It is the shortened form of Tết Nguyên Đán, which is the Sino-Vietnamese term for “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day”.

Tết marks the arrival of spring and generally takes place from late January to mid-February. Since a lot of people return home to celebrate the holiday with friends and family, the busy cities clear out and become almost like ghost towns.

Tết can be an exciting time to visit Vietnam, but it is also the busiest time of the year to be there. The festivities will definitely have a huge impact on your travel plans. Markets and shopping malls become busier and hotels get booked. Popular beach destinations and tourist spots like Hoi An have more sightseers than usual.

It can become incredibly noisy though. Cities will have fireworks everywhere, people will be making noise by banging gongs, ringing bells, and lighting firecrackers to scare away evil spirits that bring bad luck. The revelry typically lasts for three days, although in some areas it could drag on for more than a week. The first day of Tet is normally spent with family, the second day is for catching up with friends, and the third day is dedicated to teachers and visiting temples.

Traveling during this holiday season can pose some difficulties. Buses and trains are sold out in advance so travel itineraries can’t wait until the last minute. Museums, shopping areas, and other commercial establishments can be closed for up to five days and this can affect sightseeing plans. See to it that you have things to do to keep you occupied.

Pro Tip: Plan well in advance as hotels and domestic flights might be fully booked already. Please bear in mind that tour guide fee and transportation fees are often increased during this period due to high demand.

Dates for Tet in Vietnam:

• 2022:  February 1-4
• 2023: January 22-26
• 2024: February 10-14

2. Hue Festival

This is a big biennial festival that takes place in the city of Hue, where you can enjoy a wide variety of games, cultural events, and performances held for more than a week. It was created in 2000 with the goal of preserving traditional customs that date back to the Nguyen Dynasty. Since then it has been observed in the months of April, May and June every two years. During this period special showcases are held like the Hue Poetry Festival, Ao Dai Fashion Shows, Dialogue of Drums and Percussions, and sporting activities such as boat racing, kite flying and human chess. There are also movie screenings, street performances and art exhibitions.

In addition, a number of ancient sceneries of the Nguyen Dynasty are reproduced to give tourists a sneak peek into the feudal era of Vietnam. Some of the typical events include the Xa Tac Offering Ritual, the Nam Giao Offering Ritual, and the Royal Refined Music of Hue which was recognized by UNESCO in 2003 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

3. Mid-Autumn Festival

This magical festival is celebrated on the 14th and 15th day of the lunar month. Also known as the Harvest Festival, Full Moon Festival and Children’s Festival, it features an array of activities like lion dances, children carrying paper lanterns, and food booths selling sticky rice, mooncakes, fruits and sweets. During the night of the festival, families set up their ancestral altar upon which they display offerings honoring the full moon.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is best observed in the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An, where locals kick the festivities up a notch. There’s plenty of lantern processions, street performances and art shows. Kids are encouraged to participate in drawing, coloring and essay writing contests, while tourists get to enjoy the awesome sights of brightly colored paper lanterns lining the Japanese Covered Bridge and the banks of the Thu Bon River.

Part IV. Getting Around Vietnam

Vietnam is a sinuous, serpentine nation, slithering 1,025 miles down along the eastern seaboard of Indochina. This is probably the reason why imaginative ways of transportation are a fascination. From being pedaled along in a bicycle rickshaw known as the  cyclo  to an exhilarating ride on a motorbike taxi , transportation runs as big a gamut as you’ll find elsewhere in the world.

If you wish to traverse the entire length of the country with side trips to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you have quite a handful of transportation options. The big question is which ones should you choose? Well, the answer depends on your time, budget, and sense of adventure.

If you’re short on time, travelling from north to south by plane makes a lot of sense. If you plan to visit the more remote tourist destinations such as the Northern Highlands, hiring a taxi or taking the train are the best options. If you’re on a budget but have plenty of time and patience, then the bus system will do. Or, if you’re the adventurous type, you may just have to hop aboard a motorcycle!

1. Vietnam by Plane

Vietnam has more than 20 airports. Quite a big number for a relatively small country. The reason behind this is that most of the airstrips constructed during the Vietnam War were converted to peacetime airports.

To date, majority of international flights land in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with daily arrivals coming from Asian hub cities. Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Singapore, and Seoul have the most number of flights. Some international flights also head to Danang and Nha Trang.

Major international airline companies include Vietnam Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Jetstar, and AirAsia.

Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, VietJetAir, Jetstar and VASCO operate domestic flights.

A lot of tourists explore Vietnam by making their way north from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi, and then they do the other leg by plane. This will only take two hours, but if you take other modes of transport, the journey could take days, weeks, or even months.

The other key cities are also well connected. Whether you need a flight from Can Tho, Da Nang, Da Lat, Hai Phong, Hue, Phu Quoc or Nha Trang – flying to these areas from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh is easy because of the range of available domestic flights.

2. Vietnam by Train

Vietnam has 1,600 miles of railway, with the main line called Reunification Express providing an all-in encounter with the nation’s amazing beauty, people and history. The rail line runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. It has multiple stops including popular tourist destinations like Danang, Hue and Nha Trang. Note, however that the whole trip takes more than 40 hours! Moreover, trains are generally more expensive than buses, but the comfort level is well worth it.

Book an overnight train so you can sleep your way through most of the travel time inside an air conditioned sleeper berth. There are several classes on Vietnamese trains, but try to go for the highest level that you can afford. For overnight travel, there are hard-berth and soft-berth compartments, with six and four bunks, respectively.

Vietnam is currently upgrading its train system, but even today, you can rest assured that traveling by train is one the best experiences you can have in this southeast Asian nation. Make sure you purchase your ticket in advance, especially during peak season.

Another option is to engage the services of a private company, which links more luxurious carriages to standard trains. A lot of tourists prefer this when they are going from Hanoi to Lao Cai in the Northern Highlands. A number of companies, including Fanxipan, Chapa Express Train, Sapaly Train, and Victoria Hotels, operate luxurious private carriages called Victoria Express Train. While the Victoria cars are regarded as the most comfortable on this route and travellers don’t need to book Victoria Hotel Sapa to travel on Victoria Express Train like before.

3. Vietnam by Bus

If you have lots of time and comfort is not your top priority, going around Vietnam by bus is a good option. Majority of the cities are served by a bus route, but a word of caution, travelling along the country’s rickety roads may not be for everyone. For instance, a 172-mile bus ride from the Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City will take approximately  8 hours .

For tourists and those on a budget, the best bus options are the privately operated vehicles called ‘open tour’ buses. The fares are cheap and they cover all the top destinations. You can purchase an ‘open’ ticket so you can ask the driver to stop if you see something interesting along the Hanoi-Saigon route. However, some prefer to keep their options flexible by purchasing individual tickets as they go.

The open tour buses are better than national buses because they are air-conditioned and operate on fixed schedules with a limited number of passengers. State-run buses can be the exact opposite so beware. Research any private bus company before buying a ticket and see to it that you bring along some snacks and drinks for the ride.

4. Vietnam by Boat

Ferry services can whisk you to the major islands. One thing that you should never miss is a cruise in Halong Bay – the top boat destination in Vietnam. There are dozens of private ships plying the emerald waters, taking tourists to marvel at the magnificent karst island formations. You can choose from day trips and overnight excursions, with a full range of vessels, from bare-bones to the most luxurious.

Boat tours are also offered in the charming city of Hue where local households try to earn a few bucks from passing gappers. Lunch trips, fishing, and snorkeling are available from Hoi An, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang to the nearby islands.

You can also go on a river tour along the Mekong Delta, on board a private company’s river cruise. For tourists who are traveling to both Vietnam and Cambodia, a popular itinerary that links the two neighboring countries is a ride on a fast boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc.

5. Vietnam by Motorcycle or Motorbike

For the adventurous, motorbike or scooter rentals are offered in most major cities. You can also find motorcycle rentals, especially in Dalat. Carefully inspect the bike before you roar off and remember that there is a helmet law in Vietnam.

If you are not ready to roll on your own, you may opt for the Easy Rider Adventures in Dalat. It is quite a popular tour company so beware of the imitators. They offer short rides, bespoke, and multi-day trips.

6. Vietnam by Local Transportation

You’ve got three options: taxi, cyclo or the xe om. Metered taxis are cheap by international standards. However, dubious taxis with tampered meters ply the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Only hire taxis from reputable companies like Mai Linh and Vinasun.

The cyclo is a three-wheel bicycle taxi. They first appeared during the French colonial period following a failed attempt to introduce rickshaws. This mode of transport is dying out, but is still available in some key cities. Cyclo drivers usually hang out near markets and major hotels. Remember to negotiate the fare before going anywhere.

The xe om is a motorbike taxi. Literally translated, xe means motorbike, while om means hug, so now you have an idea on how it works. Going around by xe om is okay as long as you are traveling light and don’t have a lot of luggage. There are lots of xe om drivers hanging around bus stations, hotels, and street corners. Just like with cyclos, negotiate the fare before you hop in.

Part V. Best Places to Stay in Vietnam

When it comes to accommodation in Vietnam, affordable luxury is the name of the game. You get to bask in sheer comfort and convenience in Indochina for what you would normally spend for a cracker-box suite in the United States and major European cities. Pay a little over US$100 and you are treated like royalty! If you plan to visit, go for a luxury room and you can rest assured that it’s worth every single penny.

Check out our mini ebook for additional information so it will be easier for you to pick which hotel perfectly suits your needs and preferences…

Part VI. Top Destinations/Attractions in Vietnam

Vietnam is country of staggering natural beauty, with its islands and beaches considered as among the very best in Southeast Asia. It’s a land of cultural complexities and its cuisine is arguably the most sumptuous in the region**.** More than 20 years have passed since the country was formally unified, and during that period, it has done an exceptional job of mending its wounds. Today, this proud country is a superb travel destination. You can’t go wrong – it’s both exotic and compelling!

Hanoi is chock full of history and culture, particularly in the Old Quarter, which is the tourism hub of the city with its bustling market streets, pulsating nightlife and some of the best local cuisine in the country. If you plan to visit, here are the other destinations that you shouldn’t miss:

• Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
• Water Puppet Theatre
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son
• Dong Xuan Market
• Ba Vi National Park
• Hanoi Opera House
• Temple of Literature

This picturesque town has both culture and breathtaking natural beauty rolled into one enticing package. It is home to a number of ethnic groups and has grown significantly over the past years. What was once a quiet mountain town is now a tourist hot spot. Try to find a homestay in one of the villages or if the weather permits, climb Fansipan which is the highest mountain in Indochina. Check out this list of fun things to do in Sapa to spice up your itinerary…

• Trek and visit the captivating tribal villages
• Take a leisurely stroll near Sapa Lake
• Marvel at the majestic and romantic Love Waterfall
• Take a cable car up to lofty Fansipan
• Gaze in awe at the green rice terraces of Muong Hoa Valley
• Bask in the splendor of Thac Bac Waterfall (or the Silver Falls)
• Enjoy a traditional textile experience at Cat Cat or Ta Phin Village
• Experience the hustle and bustle of the Sapa market
• Snap photos amid the colorful sights of Ham Rong Flower Garden
• Discover history and culture at Sapa Museum
• Go off the beaten track and trek through authentic villages along Muong Hoa Valley
• Stay overnight in one of the homestays in remote villages of Ban Ho or Thanh Phu
• Go ecofriendly by staying overnight in one of the ecolodges near Sapa: Topas Ecolodge, Utopia Lodge
• Visit one of the colorful ethnic markets near Sapa: Coc Ly market on Tuesday, Can Cau Market on Saturday, Muong Khuong, Bac Ha markets on Sundays

3. Halong Bay

No trip to the northern region of Vietnam is complete without a visit to Halong Bay. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay’s towering limestone islands are a sight of ethereal beauty. It’s therefore not surprising that it is northern Vietnam’s premier tourism hub.

The entire Halong Bay or sometimes referred to as the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of approximately around 1,500 square kilometers. Experts claim that it took roughly 500 million years to form Halong Bay to the 1,969 islands and islets made from karst limestone. Humans have inhabited the area since time immemorial but inflicted no damage to the natural wonder. The magnificent landscape has definitely added unique cultural values to this unique spot.

Things to do in Halong Bay

• Sign up for a day boat cruise or better, spend a night on a traditional wooden boat
• Kayak around the karst formations, explore fishing villages and hidden lagoons
• Get up early to participate in a Taichi Class on the sundeck and see the Sun rising
• Go spelunking at Hang Sung Sot Cave
• Go squid fishing at night
• Have a bird’s eye view of the landscape on board a seaplane
• Take an excursion to Cat Ba Island and explore one of the caves (Hospital Cave, Trung Trang Cave)
• Bicycling to Viet Hai Village
• Enjoy the serene surroundings at Lan Ha Bay
• Check out Virgin Cave in Bon Hon Island
• Travel to Monkey Island and stay at the secluded Monkey Island Resort

Located in the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An is popular for its well-preserved Ancient Town that is traversed by canals. The city is a melting pot of history as clearly reflected by its architecture, a blend of different eras and styles – from French colonial buildings to Vietnamese tube houses, wooden Chinese temples, and the Japanese Covered Bridge with its iconic pagoda.

Things to do in Hoi An

• Explore the UNESCO Heritage Sites including Hoi An Old Town
• Snap amazing photos at the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge
• Enjoy a gastronomic treat at the popular restaurants
• Soak up the sun at An Bang Beach
• Get your bicycle and explore the village paths and countryside
• Sharpen your bargaining skills at the Hoi An Central Market
• Take a tour at the Museum of Trade Ceramics
• Enjoy a day of scuba diving and snorkeling at Lao Cham Island
• Have some special tea at Reaching Out Tea House
• Attend a Cooking Class at Sabirama Cooking School
• Go for a stroll to the Lantern Market
• Sit down and learn to make silk lanterns at a local house
• Sip a cup of coffee or cool drink at Faifo Cafe with panoramic view from the rooftop
• Further afield: visit My Son Sanctuary for a half day; spend a full day on Ba Na Hills to explore the viral Golden Bridge and the Amusement complex on the Ba Na Hills with round trip transfers by cable car; trek the Bach Ma National Park

5. Nha Trang

Located in Vietnam’s south-central coast, Nha Trang is a traveler’s paradise. This resort city offers you miles of of white sandy beaches against a backdrop of verdant mountains, lots of beautiful islands, plenty of historical sites and long hours of sheer relaxation. In addition, there is a menagerie of other captivating activities that will leave you asking for more!

In case you are wondering what to do in Nha Trang, then take a look at the list below.

• Engage in adrenaline pumping water sports, scuba diving and snorkeling
• Embark on sailing trips to neighboring islands
• Take a trip to paradisaical Doc Let or Bai Dai beaches
• Go on excursions to Ponagar Cham temples and the 19th century Long Son Pagoda
• Check out Vinpearl cable car, the world’s longest oversea cable car
• Visit Vinpearl Amusement Park and spend a full day to experience unparalleled fun for kids
• Visit Yang Bay Eco Park, a charming nature park just a stone’s throw away from the town centre
• Kick back and relax Vietnamese style at the Thap Ba Hot Springs and Mud Baths
• Explore the National Oceanographic Museum of Vietnam
• If you love photography, make sure to drop by the Do Dien Khanh Gallery
• Explore the countryside by bicycle or by boat
• Rafting the Cai River

Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” because of its temperate weather, the town of Dalat has been one of the most popular destinations in southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands for getaway holidays . A lot of people call it ‘Le Petit Paris’ and this hill town even has a mini-replica of the Eiffel Tower in its centre! It is also a preferred location among domestic honeymooners, hence it’s also called ‘The City of Flowers’ and ‘The City of Lovers’

Dalat is renowned for its wide variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables from its farmlands. It’s equally known for its pristine nature sites, beautiful landscape, and minority villages. There’s certainly something for everyone, but here some of the things that you should try if you visit this remarkable place…

• Explore the summer palace of Emperor Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam
• Visit Da Lat Railway, one of Vietnam’s oldest railway stations and known for its art deco architectural style
• Marvel at the unconventional and fairytale-like architecture of the Hằng Nga Guesthouse, also known as the ‘Crazy House’
• Go on a cable car ride to Truc Lam Pagoda, a complex featuring traditional Asian architecture
• Mingle with over 100 monks and nuns at the Truc Lam Pagoda (a Buddhist Zen monastery)
• Take in the stunning vistas atop Lang Biang Mountain
• Allot a few hours and make a trip to Pongour Waterfalls
• Stroll through elaborate floral displays at the Dalat Flower Gardens
• Go on a drive outside the city and visit Lang Biang Mountain and the Elephant Waterfalls
• Head to a village of K’Ho ethnic minority to learn about local life, Vietnamese coffee and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee by the farm owner/local host
• Discover how weasels and coffee come together at the Trai Ham Da Lat Weasel Coffee
• Find cute gifts and haggle for inspired goods at the lowest prices at the Dalat Night Market
• Trek on the quite path through the pine forest, coffee and persimmon plantations up to Pinhatt Mountain in order to enjoy the fabulous, picturesque view of Tuyen Lam Lake.
• Hit the road on two wheels and head off to Lak Lake

7. Ho Chi Minh City

Commonly called Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is known for its French colonial landmarks, including the 19th-century Central Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is entirely constructed of materials imported from France. From the cheapest guesthouses to world class hotels, the tastiest of street stalls to the classiest restaurants, the scrum of the markets to the finest boutiques, Ho Chi Minh City is a high-octane conurbation of commerce and culture.

Without further ado, here are the top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:

• Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels
• Savor the flavor of a bowl of Pho
• Visit the Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest temple temple in the city
• Enjoy a romantic dinner on Bonsai River Cruise
• Explore the War Remnants Museum
• Tour the Reunification Palace
• Visit the Central Office which was designed by Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame
• Grab a cup of coffee in Tao Dan Park
• Have a drink and enjoy the nightlife in Pham Ngu Lao or Bui Vien Street
• Tour the History Museum with artifacts dating 4,000 years
• Say a prayer at the Notre Dame Cathedral
• Marvel at the splendor of the Cao Dai Temple
• Scale the Bitexco Financial Tower
• Snap some amazing photos at the Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda
• Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the fanciest temples in the city
• Tour the Ho Chi Minh City Museum
• Explore the Fine Arts Museum
• Admire the caramel-colored Cha Tam Church
• Shop till you drop and dine at the Ben Thanh Market
• Shop like a local at the Binh Tay Market
• Head to an organic farm in the outskirt of Ho Chi Minh City to learn about herbs, pick up ingredients for the cooking lesson.

8. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta in is the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. It is a water world with its vast maze of rivers, canals, swamps, and floating markets. You’ll also find ornate Khmer pagodas, Buddhist temples, and communities surrounded by rice paddies. Boats are the primary means of transportation, and tours of the region typically start in Ho Chi Minh City or in Can Tho, a bustling city in the heart of the delta.

• Embark on a Sampan Cruise in My Tho. Regardless where the cruise starts, the boat will take you to Dragon (Con Tan Long), Tortoise (Con Quy) and Unicorn (Con Thoi Son) islands
• Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda and the Bat Pagoda
• Tour the Cai Be Fruit Orchard, the largest of its kind in the delta
• Visit floating markets and experience the daily life on the Mekong River
• Pick up a bicycle to ride along peaceful village paths in deeper Mekong Delta
• Sample a bowl of noodle soup at Cai Rang floating market
• Come to the Tra Su Cajuput Forest to see what the wetlands look like
• See the process of traditional silk making in Tan Chau Silk Village
• Go bird watching at Tram Chim National Park
• Scale the Sam Mountain and enjoy a grand view at the peak featuring Cambodia on one side and Vietnam on the other
• Be more daring at Dong Tam snake farm, dubbed “The Kingdom of Snakes”
• Visit Hon Phu Tu – Father and Son Island off the coast of the Cave Pagoda strait

Part VII. What to Eat in Vietnam

Vietnam may have a varied landscape but all of its cuisine features the balance of aromatics, sourness, sweetness, and fish-sauciness. Just like other Asian cuisines, it is all about striking that perfect blend: the sweet and the salty, the fresh and the fermented. Another thing that’s remarkable about Vietnamese cuisine is that it ain’t complex by any means. In fact, most of the popular dishes can be prepared and cooked just as well on the roadside as in a first-rate restaurant. It’s this simplicity, the fresh ingredients, and the subtle variations by region, that makes the food special and keep tourists coming back for more.

Up north, the food has a heavy Chinese influence with its noodle-based soups ands stir-fries. As you head south, there’s more blending of flavors with neighboring Cambodia and Thailand. Down south, the tropical climate nourishes more rice paddies, herb gardens, coconut groves, and jackfruit trees. The food is usually sweeter: savory dishes have more palm sugar and pho has sweeter broths.

It’s tough to talk about Vietnamese food without mentioning French influence. Evidently, colonization had a lasting effect on the entire nation including the land, the people, and the flavors. Perhaps the most distinct is the banh mi, which refers to the French baguette used to make this delectable Vietnamese sandwich. However, the locals have taken this sandwich to a whole new level and made it their own with fish patties, sardines, grilled pork, cilantro, chili-spiked pickled carrots, among other fillings.

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Most people either love or hate traveling in Vietnam. When I first went, there was a negative attitude towards foreign travelers (for good reason), lots of scams, and just not a lot of good vibes. But, since that trip many years ago, the country has changed a lot: it’s embraced tourism, people have opened up more, there’s fewer scams, and Ho Chi Minh City has even become a hub for digital nomads.

From exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi to the delicious food and fancy garments of Hoi An , Vietnam has a lot to see and do so take your time. Don’t rush your trip.

This budget travel guide to Vietnam can help you plan your trip and ensure you make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vietnam

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in vietnam.

1. Tour the Mekong Delta

The delta is a 60,000-kilometer (37,000-mile) long web of interconnected waterways, which spans three Vietnamese provinces and has been used since the 4th century BCE. What I love about this area is it’s filled with small villages, pagodas, mangroves, and orchards. The best way to experience the area is to go on a boat or bike tour, where you’ll experience rural Vietnamese culture. Some of favorite things include the Cai Rang floating market for the colorful fruits and veggies and vibrant atmosphere; Vinh Trang Pagoda for its impressive golden exterior and lush gardens; and the incredible Sadec Flower Village that is stunning and serene, even if you’re not a flower enthusiast. Spend a few days really getting to know the region outside the hustle and bustle of the cities. Day trips on the river start at around 575,000 VND per person.

2. Wander Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital dates to the 3rd century BCE when it was the capital of the ancient nation of Au Lac. I love to wander around the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. It’s a great place to get a feel for the city as there are tons of vendors, smells of street food, people watching, and bustle. Some of my favorite places to visit include the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Hanoi Water Puppet Theater. Be sure to check out the history museum to learn about French colonialism and Communist rule (from the Vietnamese perspective) as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Hanoi is also a good base for doing multi-day tours to Ha Long Bay.

3. Explore Ha Long Bay

This iconic region is home to more than 3,000 islands and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The towering limestone islands are covered in lush jungles and surrounded by calm emerald waters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s located 2-3 hours from Hanoi and travelers can take multi-day boat cruises around the islands (most are 2-5 days). During the cruise, you’ll visit floating markets, incredible beaches, massive caves, and either sleep onboard your boat or on one of the many islands. Just keep in mind that this area is super popular and is often overcrowded. Cheap tours start around 1,200,000 VND while a mid-range tour costs around 3,000,000-4,500,000 VND. Just remember that you get what you pay for and the cheaper boats might be a bit run down.

4. Hang out in Hoi An

Hoi An was a thriving port city between the 15th and 19th centuries and the architecture is incredibly well preserved (the entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It was easily my favorite place in Vietnam because I loved walking around, taking a thrilling sidecar trip in the countryside, and of course, Vietnamese cooking classes, which are great because you learn to prepare fresh fish caught right there. This place is famous for its tailors so if you’re looking to buy some custom made clothes at an inexpensive price, this is the spot to do it in. They will even ship it back to your home country.

5. Get adventurous in Sapa

This is northern Vietnam’s premier trekking area and it’s hugely popular with all sorts of travelers. Sapa is famous for its hill tribes, lush vegetation, beautiful hiking trails, and breathtaking mountains. If you’re looking to experience the scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities Vietnam has to offer, this is the place. This area is rich in culture because it is comprised of 85% ethnic Vietnamese minority groups that have different colorful traditional dress and unique styles of houses. To avoid the tourists, come during the off-season or take longer hikes to parts the crowds don’t go to.

Other Things to See and Do

1. take a free walking tour.

The first thing I do when I visit a new destination is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and connect with a local guide who can answer all my questions. Both Hanoi and HCMH (the two largest and most popular cities in the country) have a few free tours available that cover the main highlights and are a great primer to the country (Hanoi Free Walking Tours and Saigon Free Day Tours are two companies worth checking out). Just remember to tip your guide at the end!

2. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels

This extensive network of tunnels spans nearly 310 miles (500 kilometers). It was utilized by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze and fire AK47s at shooting targets. It’s a sobering experience and not one meant for anyone claustrophobic. However, if you want to better understand the terror of the Vietnam War, this is a must-visit. Admission is around 100,000 VND per person.

3. Relax or find adventure in Dalat

Dalat is nestled in the hills of the Central Highlands and is popular with tourists who want to relax in the mountain air and those who want to participate in a host of adventure sports (such as rock climbing, ziplining, and rappelling). The hills around Dalat are filled with traditional tribal villages, which you can tour as well. Expect to pay around 2,000,000 VND per person for a full day of ziplining and rappelling around waterfalls.

4. Visit Cuc Phuong National Park

South of Hanoi lies Vietnam’s first National Park, Cuc Phuong. Covering 222 square kilometers (85 square miles), this place is home to over 2,000 species of trees and some truly rare wildlife including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur and Owston’s Civet. It was my favorite park in all of Vietnam and the only place I didn’t find hordes of tourists. The entrance fee is 50,000 VND.

5. Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and is definitely worth exploring. Ho Chi Minh is the place to really gain an understanding of French colonialism as well as the US headquarters there during the Vietnam War, which you can learn more about at the War Remnants Museum. Like most cities in Vietnam, you’ll be met with the roar of motorbikes speeding through colonial streets. I loved Ben Thanh Market, which is a must-see for amazing food and there is a great buzz of activity within the place. Don’t miss your chance to get the best Pho soup in Ho Chi Minh, that means some of the best is right on the side of the street.

6. Get active in Mui Ne

Despite being a fishing village, Mui Ne has a significant tourism scene due to its popularity as a wind- and kite-surfing destination. The best highlight for me aside from the beach was riding on the rolling sand dunes similar in size to the Saharan ones and also the Jeep Tour to the Fairy Stream through a canyon, which is not something you get to do very often! Also, don’t miss the 9th-century Po Shanu Cham Towers with beautiful views of the Phan Thiet coastal town. Mui Ne is definitely worth checking out for a day or two when you’re passing by on the bus because it has a nice chill vibe to it, friendly people, and beautiful sunsets.

7. See My Son

My Son is a set of Hindu ruins in Vietnam that date back to the Cham Empire. The Champas ruled over Central Vietnam from the 3rd to the 19th century. The temples here are of incredible historical importance, but they have been largely reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, and have fallen into a great state of disrepair. Don’t come here expecting something as marvelously preserved as Borobudur or Angkor Wat. The entrance fee is 150,000 VND.

8. Visit the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang

Hang Son Doong is reputed to be the world’s largest cave and is located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It was discovered by a local in 1990, and “rediscovered” by a British caving team in 2009. You can arrange trips to see this stunning cave in all its glory with stalactites and stalagmites, an inner cave forest, and even cave pearls. You’ll be blown away by its beauty. Entrance to the caves is around 150,000 VND per person.

9. Check out the rice terraces

Outside of connections to the Vietnam War, the stereotypical image of Vietnam is of the many rice paddies. You can find these in the Muong Hoa Valley. If you’ve never visited rice terraces, you should make a point to see them in Vietnam. Visit them to learn about rice production and take stunning photographs of the unbelievable Vietnamese countryside. Expect tours to cost around 600,000 VND per person.

10. Relax in Hue

Hue is generally passed by, making it a bit of a quieter stop along the tourist trail. Stroll along the beautiful Perfume River and into the Imperial Citadel. Don’t miss the Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Tombs of the Emperors, which mostly date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the main tombs to see are the Tomb of Minh Mang, the Tomb of Tu Duc, and the Tomb of Khai Dinh.

11. Take a cooking class

Vietnamese food is delicious and the best way to learn about these incredible dishes is to take a cooking class. You’ll not only learn how to make some of these tasty meals but you’ll get to interact with a local chef who can teach you about their history and cultural significance. Many cooking classes also include a visit to the local market where you’ll shop for ingredients. Prices vary but expect to pay at least 800,000 VND per person.

12. Tour the former DMZ

The Vietnamese Demilitarized zone was the dividing line between the Communist north and anti-Communist south during the Vietnam War. It was in use from 1954 to 1976. These days, you can take a tour of the DMZ from Hue and learn about the conflict from expert guides who were actually involved in the war (or survived it as civilians). You’ll see secret tunnels, learn about military surveillance, and get insight about the conflict from a perspective not often shown in the media. Full-day tours from Hue start around 2,500,000 VND.

13. Buy a motorbike

If you’re an adventurous traveler, buy a motorbike and drive the length of the country. This is considered the best way to travel Vietnam by veteran backpackers who like to get off the beaten path. You can buy bikes in Hanoi or HCMC at either end of the country and then make your way to the opposite end, stopping along the way over the course of a few weeks. While it’s not for everyone, this mode of travel offers the most freedom as you’ll be able to visit a lot of places that the buses and trains don’t stop at. You can buy a bike for as little as 4,800,000 VND, and then you can sell it once your trip is done to recoup some of the cost. There are always backpackers looking to buy a bike in HCMC and Hanoi.

14. Sample the local coffee

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer (after Brazil) exporting a whopping 1.5 million tons of it per year (after rice, it’s their biggest export). Even if you don’t drink coffee (I don’t), trying fresh coffee here is a must. Whether you just hop arounds cafes, do a tasting experience in Hanoi of HCMC, or head out to one of the many coffee plantations, learning about this vital crop (and also sampling it fresh) is an experience not to be missed. Expect a half-day plantation tour (with lots of samples) to cost around 700,000 VND.

For more information on specific cities in Vietnam, check out the following guides:

• Hanoi Travel Guide
• Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide
• Hoi An Travel Guide
• Nha Trang Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels start at around 100,000 VND per night for a dorm room. These can be a bit rustic and no-frills. For a hostel with more amenities, such as free breakfast or a a free happy hour (as well as improved cleanliness), expect to pay double. Private rooms cost at least 350,890-425,000 VND per night for a double room. Most hostels include free Wi-Fi, and many also include free breakfast or free beer during certain hours of the day. Self-catering facilities are not very common since eating out is so cheap.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is not legal in Vietnam. While it is still possible to do as enforcement is sparse (especially if you’re sleeping in a hammock), I also wouldn’t recommend it. Insects and animals can be an issue, there are lots of landmines still undiscovered out in the brush, and robbery can occur. Stay safe and stick to hostels.

For a budget hotel with a double bed, expect to pay around 225,000 VND per night. This usually includes free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.

On Airbnb, a private room costs at least 325,000 VND per night. For an entire home or apartment, prices begin around 600,000 VND. Prices double when not booked in advance so plan accordingly

Food – Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and uses a lot of herbs and vegetables. Rice and noodle dishes are common as are various soups such as the iconic pho (a beef noodle soup). Wonton soup, meat curry, fresh French bread (known as bahn me , and grilled fish are just some of the popular dishes you’ll encounter. Standard ingredients include fish sauce, lemongrass, chili, lime, Thai basil, and mint.

You can get a bowl of pho or a rice dish for 20,000 VND. Street food is the cheapest and the most delicious food option in the country.

Most sit-down restaurants are also inexpensive at around 45,000-95,000 VND. The fancier (and more touristy) the restaurant, the more expensive.

Western food is also more expensive, usually around 110,000 VND for a fast food meal, so skip it if you’re on a budget.

If you want to splash out on a fancy three-course meal, expect to spend around 250,000 VND.

A liter of water at a convenience store is about 15,000 VND, while beer or soda is about 20,000-35,000 VND.

For those looking to cook their own meals, expect to pay at least 400,000 VND per week for basic groceries. Be sure to shop at the local markets to get the cheapest and freshest food. That being said, food is so cheap in the country that it’s simply easier – and cheaper – to just eat street food, especially as most hostels and hotels don’t have shared kitchens.

Backpacking Vietnam Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Vietnam for 600,000 VND per day. This budget covers a stay in a large hostel dorm, eating street food for all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking the bus, and doing free activities in each destination. If you plan on drinking, add another 20,000-40,000 VND to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of about 1,125,000 VND per day covers staying in a cheap hotel, eating street food and at the occasional sit-down restaurant, enjoying a few more drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities such as museum visits and water upper shows.

On an upscale budget of 2,460,000 VND, you can stay in a nice hotel, eat out for all your meals anywhere you want, enjoy lots of drinks, and more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want, including a multi-day trip to Ha Long Bay. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Vietnam Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vietnam is a very affordable country. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia. Even with the explosion of tourism in the last few years, it still remains very affordable. You’ll be hard pressed to spend money if you’re sticking to non-Western food, cocktails, and hotels. However, if you’re looking to travel even cheaper and save some money, here are some tips:

• Eat delicious street food – The street food here is excellent and cheap, and you can watch it being cooked in front of you. Stick to the local food and you’ll save money. The street-side pho, bread, sandwiches, donuts, and bananas are your best deals.
• Late-night travel – If traveling on long journeys, try to take the late-night “sleeper” buses or trains as these will save you the cost of a night’s accommodation. Depending on the company, you may even have a chance to comfortably lie flat as you ride through the dark countryside to your next destination.
• Take the tourist bus – It is actually cheaper to take the tourist bus around the country than taking local transportation because of the “tourist” price you get at the bus station. Tickets from one end of the country to another are very affordable.
• Fly for cheap – Vietnam’s low-cost airlines VietJet and FlyVietnam are extremely inexpensive. This is a great option for people with limited time to explore different regions of Vietnam. Both airlines frequently offer special deals and at the time of writing this, Hanoi to Da Nang is just 820,000 VND!
• Bargain hard – Tourists tend to be charged more than locals for everything from cyclos (a three-wheel bicycle taxi) to clothes to street food. Bargain harder than you would ordinarily, and don’t underestimate the value of walking away.
• Avoid paying tourist prices – Before you leave the hostel, ask them to estimate how much what you want to do should cost. How much should a ride to the museum cost? How much should I pay to have a gown like this made? They will be able to give you bargaining guidelines.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Hanoi is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Vietnam

To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Vietnam:

• Mad Monkey (Hoi An)
• Hoi An Golden Holiday Hotel (Hoi An)
• Little Hanoi Hostel (Hanoi)
• San Palace Hotel & Spa (Hanoi)
• Hanoi House Hostel & Travel (Hanoi)
• Ccasa Hostel & Coffee Bar (Nha Trang)
• The Hideout (HCMC)
• Orchid’s Saigon Hotel (HCMC)

How to Get Around Vietnam

Public transportation – Larger cities in Vietnam (such as Hanoi and HCMC) have reliable and safe public transportation. In Hanoi, there are buses that cover most of the city and generally have stops near all the major tourist sites. Tickets are paid for in cash on the bus and generally cost 7,000-15,000 VND depending on how far you go. HCMC also has a large network of buses, with tickets costing up to 10,000 VND (again, depending on how far you travel).

Cyclos (a bicycle rickshaw) is one of the cheapest ways to get around. A short ride costs as little as 12,000 VND, while a longer night ride costs upwards of 40,000 VND. A more popular option is the ze om , a motorbike taxi that has fares starting from 15,000 VND. You’ll have to hold on tight though (and make sure you wear a helmet as accidents are common).

Train – A lot of people love taking the train in Vietnam because it’s safe, affordable, and comfortable and, although some routes might be slow, you’ll get some amazing views of the Vietnamese countryside. The rail network also covers most of the country, so you can get just about everywhere you want to go (except the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta). You can use the website Baolau to research train schedules and book your tickets. A train journey between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi (which spans the entire length of the country) starts at 1,000,000 VND for a soft seat (not a berth). The journey takes three days. Hanoi to Hue costs around 600,000 VND and takes around 13 hours while HCMC to Nha Trang costs around 500,000 VND and takes 8 hours.

Bus – It’s easy to find long-distance hop on, hop off bus tours running the length of Vietnam. You can hop on or off at any stop along the way. They cater to tourists, but locals actually use this service too since it’s super affordable. Prices depend on route and operator but generally, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh is between 815,000-1,600,000 VND.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Flying – Flying domestically in Vietnam is a good idea if you’re looking to fit a lot into a shorter trip. For example, a flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes two hours while the train ride would take at least 30 hours. One-way flights around the country start at around 590,000 VND.

Car rental – Vietnam is very easy to navigate by bus, so I don’t really suggest renting a car here — especially because traffic in the cities is very hectic and accidents are common. That said, car rentals are affordable, costing around 500,000 VND per day. An IDP (International Driving Permit) is required. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Vietnam

In the southern part of Vietnam, the dry season lasts from December to late April/May while the rainy season occurs from May to the end of November. The rainy season usually just means brief heavy downpours in the afternoon, although sometimes the Mekong Delta will flood. The dry season is the best time to visit but keep in mind that it’s winter up north and it’s going to be a lot colder in the north than the south. Rainy season isn’t that bad either but, like the name implies, it rains a lot.

May through November is still a good time to visit. Temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), but they can sometimes get as high as 40°C (104°F) in the hottest months (March to the end of May). The south especially gets very hot and humid during this time but it’s perfect beach weather!

Along the central coast, the rainfall pattern differs quite a bit. In the northern part of the region (like Hué and Da Nang), the rain lasts from September to February. February to May is the best time to visit this area. Temperatures soar from June to August, often in the high 30s°C (80s°F).

In Northern Vietnam, the weather is most pleasant from October to December.

The weather in Vietnam varies so much per region so it’s hard to pick the best time to go. But generally, it’s recommended to visit sometime between September-December and March-April if you’re hoping to get an overall experience in the country.

How to Stay Safe in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime is really, really rare. Petty theft is the most likely thing to happen to you here. Always keep your valuables secure when out and about just to be safe. Lock your windows and use common safety sense, especially in bars at night and in touristy areas.

Traffic in the major cities (specifically Hanoi) is super hectic and there are virtually no rules of the road. There are also millions of motorbikes and scooters here (literally). For that reason, take extra caution when crossing the street. It’s best to just walk as directly and calmly as possible and let the traffic weave around you. If you’re not comfortable doing that alone, follow locals when they cross.

If renting a bike or riding on the back of one, make sure you always wear a helmet. Accidents are incredibly common here, both in the traffic-heavy cities but also in rural areas where roads can be less than optimal.

There are some common scams in Vietnam, such as the motorbike scam where vendors try to charge you for pre-existing damage to your bike rental. When renting anything, take photos and videos beforehand just in case.

Be sure to always count your change. The money is similar looking here so oftentimes people will “mistakenly” give you the wrong change hoping you won’t notice that the 200,000 VND bill you just got is actually only 20,000. Always count your change here!

Most scams here are really just people trying to try to nickel and dime you and try to get you to spend extra money since they know, as a tourist, you have more than they do. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Use common sense when using dating apps while traveling and meet in public places.

Street food here is very safe, but whenever you’re not sure of where to eat simply find somewhere where there are locals eating. If it’s good (and safe) enough for them, you should be fine. Avoid meat that looks uncooked or that has been out in the sun too long. Always wash your hands before and after eating just to be safe.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Be sure to make copies of your important documents in case of theft.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Vietnam Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Vietnam Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Vietnam travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hostels in Hanoi

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Biking the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Why I’ll Never Return to Vietnam

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10 Spacious Backpacks and Bags From Amazon That Are Perfect for Work and Travel — All Under $50

Roomy, versatile, and functional, these top-rated bags are perfect for every kind of commuter and traveler.

Travel + Leisure

I, like millions of other people across the globe, stepped into an office for the first time since the pandemic recently. Aside from having to navigate a new work commute and the anxious butterflies that come with meeting your colleagues face-to-face, building a proper work wardrobe has been one of the more… unexpectedly difficult tasks of leaving my work-from-home lifestyle behind. Finding a commuter-friendly bag that keeps me organized without costing an arm and a leg has been even more of a challenge.

Recently, though, I began digging for one on Amazon, and I’m happy to report that I’ve already found 10 contenders that put organization and function at the forefront. The best part? They’re all under $50. From tech-friendly commuter backpacks to sleek, multi-pocket storage totes , the following bags have all made it into my Amazon wish list. With so many individualized features, they'll suit your daily needs and even come in handy for travel.

Beraliy Hanples Extra Large Travel Backpack

I love how compact this $40 travel backpack is. It’s small enough to fit TSA’s carry-on size restrictions and has four buckle straps on the sides that, when tightened, can help compress bulky clothes and items you’ve packed inside. Available in nine colors, it can fit up to a 17-inch laptop and has all the bells and whistles you could wish for in a commuter bag: an adjustable chest strap for back support, a charging cable opening for your phone, a shockproof laptop compartment, multiple pockets, a mesh water bottle holder, and handles on the top and side for easy carrying.

Yorepek Travel Backpack

Available in eight different colors, this $28 extra-large travel backpack from Yorepek has earned over 38,000 five-star ratings, and for good reason. Not only does it have a built-in USB charging port, a separate padded laptop sleeve, and numerous hidden compartments, but it also can hold up to six days' worth of travel clothes at once. I love how many individual pockets this bag has; the front zipper pocket alone has four differently-sized pockets meant to hold your wallet, keys, smartphone, and favorite pen. 

Light Flight Travel Backpack

This travel backpack from Light Flight is proof that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for function. Available in two sizes and 10 different colors, this bag is gorgeously minimalistic on the outside while providing maximum storage opportunities for tech gear inside — like a padded laptop sleeve, a padded tablet sleeve, a computer mouse pocket, a keyboard pocket, and a charging cable pocket. A hidden anti-theft pocket at the back is perfect for stashing your phone, while the hidden USB charging port pocket on the side gives you easy access to your smartphone charger. This backpack might just be the smallest commuter bag on this list, but one reviewer shared that “it proved to be a great size” and was more spacious and durable than they imagined it would be. Score! 

Hap Tim Travel Backpack

This tech-friendly waterproof backpack stands out in a crowd thanks to its asymmetrical design features and unique color combinations. It’s roomy enough to hold anything and everything you’d need for a weekend trip away or commute into the office and has plenty of individual compartments made to keep your laptop, tablet, notebooks, and files tucked neatly away. The padded shoulder straps and back panel provide comfort on longer treks, and the wide opening of the main compartment allows for easy access to your belongings. 

Lovevook Travel Backpack

Lovevook has several different commuter-friendly bags featured on its Amazon storefront , but this $37 travel backpack, available in 35 different colors, might be my favorite of the bunch. It has plenty of design details that many other travel backpacks do not, including exposed golden metal zippers, a bucket-style zippered top, and a beautiful striped lining inside. The main compartment expands to fit everything you need for the day: It can comfortably hold a laptop, a tablet, a water bottle, an umbrella, over-ear headphones, and multiple notebooks all at once. The luggage strap, USB charging port, and hidden wipe compartment add extra convenience for work commutes and long-haul flights alike.  

SwissGear 3598 Backpack 

SwissGear is an industry leader in the travel bag space, and this commuter backpack further proves it. Equipped with reflective safety strips for nighttime visibility, this backpack was built for all-day comfort, featuring padded shoulder straps and a padded, airflow-promoting back vent panel that’ll keep you cool while biking, hiking, and walking. It comes with multiple individual pockets, including a padded tablet sleeve, a mesh water bottle pocket, and an easy-access front panel pocket constructed to hold your pens, charging cables, phone, and beyond. According to this reviewer , the SwissGear 3598 earns bonus points for being incredibly lightweight. Thanks to this and the padded design, it helped the same reviewer use “this backpack on a six-hour hike through rough terrain and never felt that it was uncomfortable to carry.”

Nubily Laptop Tote Bag

This chic commuter tote bag looks deceivingly simple on the outside — open it up, however, and you’ll find a bevy of different organizational compartments perfect for hauling your belongings to the office. Hidden inside is a padded laptop compartment, a tablet compartment, a wallet-sized interior zip pocket, pen slots, slip pockets, and a larger zippered compartment perfect for keeping important documents safe. The exterior, made with a waterproof PU leather material, is quite beautiful. Featuring shiny metal hardware, an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, protective metal feet on the bottom, and adjustable buckled shoulder straps, this luxurious bag only costs $35. 

Elektronik Travel Duffel Bag

This $26 travel duffel bag is great for long commutes, but it also works well as a weekender bag, a gym bag, or even a carry-on. Available in 16 fresh colorways (the purple and light green shades are my favorites), this waterproof nylon bag hosts a built-in USB charging port, a vented shoe compartment at the bottom, a luggage trolley strap for attaching to a rolling suitcase, a padded adjustable shoulder strap, and a removable toiletry bag. Reviewers love the quality of this bag in comparison to the low price point, with one reviewer saying, “Whether I’m tossing it in the trunk of my car or stashing it in an overhead bin, I have full confidence that this bag can handle whatever life throws its way.”

Kalesi Duffel Backpack

I lift weights every day before work, so I’ve been looking for a commuter backpack that can double as a gym bag. This heavy-duty Kalesi duffel backpack, priced at $40 and available in 23 different colors, might take the cake. Not only does it have a padded sleeve for laptop safekeeping, but it also has a hidden shoe compartment that's perfect for stashing my lifting sneakers in. Made with a waterproof and scratch-resistant Oxford fabric, this versatile duffel backpack has removable back and shoulder straps that allow you to transform it into a shoulder bag or crossbody bag. Equipped with two water bottle side pockets, a roomy main compartment, and multiple different zippered pockets, this bag is perfect for housing your work belongings and the gear you use outside of your 9 to 5 job.  

Lovevook Work Tote Bag

This Lovevook tote bag is sleek and functional. Made with a water-repellant PU leather material, it comes with a built-in USB port that you can connect to a power bank for hands-off phone charging and adjustable, detachable straps that turn it into a shoulder bag. Inside the main compartment is a padded laptop pocket, a water bottle pocket, and multiple smaller pockets along the sides. The front zippered compartment's pockets are specifically made to hold pens, smart pads, a smartphone, and a wallet.

Organizational details aside, this bag is undeniably gorgeous. Available in eight colors, it can be worn to work, the airport, and beyond. One five-star reviewer wrote, “I love all the compartments for organization, the size is perfect, and it’s really stylish and classic. I get a lot of compliments, too.” 

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Cambodia & Vietnam Experience

26 days | get the ultimate south east asian experience.

Prepare for an epic adventure loaded with ancient sights and natural beauty as you travel from the hustle of Bangkok to the bustle of Hanoi. In Cambodia, call into the ancient temples at Angkor, take on beguiling Phnom Penh and get a taste of Khmer hospitality with a village homestay in Chambok. Then veer into Vietnam to trace its coastline from south to north, visiting the chaotic Ho Chi Minh City all the way up to old-world Hanoi, with historic Hoi An and Hue at its centre. Along the way, revel in the sheer beauty of the landscape, the friendliness of the locals and the social organisations that are providing brighter futures for this region. Oh, and did we mention the food? To die for.

Trip overview

• Enjoy the guidance of a local expert as you temple-hop around the dazzling Angkor complex – one of South East Asia's premier sites.
• Confront the sobering but important Khmer history in Phnom Penh, with included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
• Experience local life during homestays in Chambok in Cambodia and the Mekong Delta and Da Bac in Vietnam. Get to know local families, participate in their activities and enjoy a homestyle meal.
• Hoi An is another idyllic pocket of Vietnam that's best experienced from the seat of a bike. Take a guided bicycle tour through the rolling countryside and see local life pass you by.
• Kayak around the limestone karsts and shimmering waters of Lan Ha Bay and help out the locals’ environmental efforts along the way.
• Lots of time allocated for optional activities means freedom and flexibility, but it does require a level of independence. Only a few meals are included, so mostly you'll find your own (with plenty of suggestions from your leader of course) – a great way to mingle with locals and discover unexpected delights!
• This trip involves a lot of public transport and some long days of driving, so some patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment here. Sit back, relax, watch the scenery go by, and embrace travelling like a local. You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight .
• You'll be spending three nights with local families on this trip. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people, and enjoy some delicious home-cooked meals! Read more about the experiences here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/community-based-tourism-vietnam/
• You will need a moderate level of fitness to take part in some experiences on this trip. Your visit to Hoi An includes a bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside. Plus, there's kayak activity included in Lin Ha Bay.
• You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and this requires modest clothing. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Sa-wat-dee! Welcome to Bangkok. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, you could take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in a Thai massage. There is plenty to keep you occupied in this exciting city. After your briefing, why not head out with the group to try some of Bangkok’s famed street food – pad thai anyone?

• Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

• Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
• Bangkok - Wat Pho - THB300
• Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
• Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Prepare for a long day of travel as you cross Thailand and enter Cambodia today. Your leader will be on-hand to assist with the border procedures. When you arrive, enjoy a free evening to explore this small but bustling town. You may want to head to Pub Street to grab a bite to eat and sample the city’s nightlife. Or, maybe just rest up in preparation for tomorrow’s visit to Angkor Wat.

• Guest House (1 night)

Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours, including the border crossing and breaks. Keep in mind, if you’re planning on getting your visa at the border, you’ll need cash in US dollars and a passport photo.

If you prefer to avoid traveling by bus, you’re welcome to book a flight between the two cities instead. This flight will be at your own expense, however, Intrepid can assist with Airport transfers where required. Your trip will begin with a Thai trip leader who will escort you to the Thai side of the border, where you’ll say farewell before going through immigration unaccompanied. Once exiting immigration, you’ll be met by one of our Cambodian trip leaders who will escort you on. All our trip leaders have been briefed to ensure this is a simple and smooth process.

Today you'll visit the incredible Angkor complex with your guide. If you’re keen, this place is best seen at sunrise, so you can get up super early and head to the complex on your own before your included tour. With your group, you’ll hop on the Remork-moto (Cambodian Tuk-tuk) with an all-female crew from Drivers Srey, whose mission is to support local women with sustainable income to support their families – this will be your transport at Angkor Wat today. With a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll be able to make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in Southeast Asia. The ruins are scattered over some 160 square km – the biggest religious monument in the world! Thankfully, the central cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so you'll have plenty of time to fully appreciate the main archaeological sites, including Angkor Wat – the astounding main temple, Bayon – a marvel of many sculpted decorations and Ta Prohm – a series of smaller temples covered in tree roots and jungle. Your guide will add to your experience by bringing ancient history to life with their extensive knowledge of the site.

• Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass
• Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour

A single-day Angkor Pass is included on this tour. If you'd like to return to Angkor outside of your included visit today, you can buy a longer pass. Just ask your leader in advance.

Today, enjoy a free morning in Siem Reap (if Angkor is calling you back, maybe get up early and catch the sunrise) before travelling to Battambang – Cambodia's second-largest city. Battambang (pronounced Battambong) is a riverside town of French elegance, Khmer people and beautifully preserved architecture. The city is famous for its many statues of animals and divinities that decorate the streets and buildings. The city lacks the traffic of Phnom Penh and the visitor numbers of Siem Reap, so it’s a great place to get a real, authentic slice of Cambodia. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk to familiarise yourself with the town. Then, enjoy some free time. Tonight, maybe walk along the riverfront where locals indulge in yoga and folk dancing, and watch the sunset.

• Battambang - Leader-led orientation walk

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

There are lots of optional activities you can choose from today – just ask your trip leader will for advice. If you’re feeling active, maybe hop on a bike or take a tuk-tuk tour to the countryside to learn about rural life. Maybe take part in a cooking class and try your hand at some Khmer cuisine. Or, you might like to visit the hilltop Wat Banan temple, offering 360-degree panoramic views over the Sang Ke River.

• Battambang - Countryside tour of local producers - USD29
• Battambang - Cooking class in a local home - USD12
• Battambang - Phnom Sampov bat caves - USD15

Travel by private vehicle into rural Cambodia this morning, to the region of Kampong Speu and the village of Chambok. A member of the Chambok community will take you on a village walk when you arrive – chat about the community’s history, lifestyle and local ecotourism projects and meet the families you’ll be spending the night with. In the evening, head to the community centre to enjoy a local Khmer dinner prepared by some community members. You'll also be treated to a traditional dance performance.

• Homestay (1 night)
• Chambok - Traditional dancing
• Chambok - Homestay and activities
• Chambok - Khmer Dinner

Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.

Your group will stay in one room in multi-share homestay accommodation. Depending on the group size, you may use two homes located close to each other. There will be a thin mattress on the floor, a pillow, a mosquito net and a towel for each traveller. Bathroom facilities will be shared and will often consist of a squat toilet and a cold water washing area.

Morning after breakfast, trek to stunning Chambok waterfall, if the weather's right before jumping on a private bus this morning and drive to Kampot – one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns. Renowned for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is well-known for its plantations of durian – a spiky, pungent fruit that you either love or hate (try one and decide for yourself). In your free time this afternoon, maybe stroll along the riverside and observe the French architecture, or have a cup of coffee on the veranda of one of the riverside restaurants and admire the view of the Bokor Mountain Range.

• Kampot - Leader-led orientation walk
• Kampong - Chambok Watefall Trek
• Kampot - Sunset cruise (join-in) - USD5

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Enjoy a free day in this chilled-out town. For a unique photo opportunity, head to the roundabout in the centre of the town, where a giant durian statue sits smack in the middle. Then, maybe browse for goodies at the covered market. The nearby countryside is also a delight to explore – among fields of Kampot pepper and rice there’s also a salt field and a limestone cave with a small seventh-century brick temple inside called Phnom Chhnork. Otherwise, why not have a relaxing day and enjoy one of the highly recommended traditional massages?

• Kampot - Phnom Chhnork - USD1
• Kampot - Kep National Park hike - USD1
• Kampot - Khmer massage - USD5

Leave Kampot in your dust this morning and travel by local bus to the capital city of Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. Perhaps spend your free afternoon visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its excellent Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to walking and generally include the art deco Psar Thmei (Central Market), US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, Independence Monument and Royal Palace.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – two sites that tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. After this, the afternoon is free for you to explore further. If you're looking to relax, the Seeing Hands massage parlours are some of the best in the city, and all visits support the staff who all have visual impairments. Their years of expertise may be just what you need today after a busy couple of days!

• Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
• Phnom Penh - Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

The stories shared at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are confronting, and many travellers will find them upsetting. This is an important part of Cambodia's recent history that’s important to share, however, if you would prefer not to join in, your leader will be able to suggest alternatives.

Travel by local bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. Your leader will again assist you with border crossing procedures and you’ll stop for lunch. When you arrive, get out and discover Ho Chi Minh City's blend of old and new, east and west, and be sure to sample a baguette or some of the excellent coffee on offer – both markers of the city's strong French influence. Tonight, maybe hit one of the hole-in-a-wall bars and explore the nightlife. Ask your leader for the best restaurants and bars in the area to toast to a trip well-travelled.

Enjoy a free day in Ho Chi Minh to get out and discover the city at your own pace. Alternatively, why not get an up close and personal history lesson on guerrilla warfare during an Urban Adventures tour to the Cu Chi tunnels. This underground network in the middle of the jungle was used by the Viet Cong during the war. Take the chance to climb into the tunnels and imagine what it would’ve been like to eat, sleep, work and cook – even go to school underground as conflict raged above. Return to Ho Chi Minh where there will be a meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining you on the next stage of your adventure. Afterwards, perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over an optional group dinner.

• Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
• Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD63

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and group members may change today.

This morning, head away from the city and make your way to the province of Ben Tre, where you’ll get on a boat to tour the canals of the Mekong Delta. This fertile area is famous for its abundance of fruit, flower and rice crops, and is known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. During your boat ride you’ll visit some cottage industries along the river before heading to your guesthouse. Tonight's homestay, close to the delta and hosted by a Vietnamese family, will be one of the highlights of your trip, giving you a taste of community life as well as the chance to enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal.

• Mekong Delta - Boat Cruise, Lunch and Homestay

Facilities at the guesthouse are basic and can vary as we stay with several different families. We sleep on camp beds in a communal room for all members of the group. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided. Your guesthouse will be located near the Mekong, but may not be on the banks of the river itself.

Rise early to the sounds of the river coming alive, and enjoy a simple breakfast before boarding the boat back down the delta and catching a bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy some free time in Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon, perhaps with a visit to the War Remnants Museum or Reunification Palace. If you haven’t already, head to Ben Thanh Market for some delicious street food, colourful shopping and even more colourful characters. This evening, board an overnight train bound for Danang. Trains are a common form of transport in Vietnam, so sit back and relax into this local experience.

• Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
• Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
• Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your overnight train journey will be approximately 19 hours.

There are shared day use hotel rooms available this afternoon if you would like to freshen up before the overnight train. There is one room provided to share between up to six members of the group. Single supplements do not apply to day use rooms.

Sleeper trains typically have four- or six-berth compartments with bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Depending on the configuration of the group, you may have to share with people of different genders or passengers who aren’t part of the group. Your leader will coordinate and give further information on the trip. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but we recommend that you stock up on snacks and drinks before departure.

Arrive in Danang by train and travel by minibus to Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage site that continues to undergo restoration work today. It was a major trading port with the West from the 17th century. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did more than a century ago. Your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town and visit some of the city's major attractions. A sightseeing pass is included in your tour so you can visit a selection of the major sights. Hoi An is also a shopping haven, so head down to the markets and street stalls to browse paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. It’s also famous for its tailors who can make beautiful items to order, and with almost three full days here you have the chance to have some unique pieces whipped up.

• Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
• Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

Wake up for a free morning to do as you please. It’s a great opportunity to take a trip out to the My Son temples – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation. In the afternoon, swap walking for cycling with a bike ride through the countryside near Hoi An. There's no better way to explore the peaceful area than on two wheels. You’ll see places few tourists get the chance to see among the green rice paddies and small creeks, which will give you a true insight into rural life in Vietnam.

• Hoi An - Countryside bicycle hire
• Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77

As bicycle helmets aren't a legal requirement in Vietnam, it's possible that helmets won't be available for today's included activity. If you would like to be guaranteed a helmet, we recommend you bring one with you. We are working with our local operators to ensure helmets are available in the future.

You’ve got another day to explore this historic haven. Perhaps book in your final tailoring fitting this morning to make sure the threads you’re getting made fit like a glove, or hire a bike for a lazy ride out to the South China Sea to relax on An Bang or Cua Dai beach. Hoi An is also known for its great food, so you could book yourself in for a cooking class to take some culinary secrets away with you. Most tours include a trip to the local food markets, and some take you on a short boat journey along the Thu Bon River. Let your local leader know what you're into and they will be able to recommend some activities to suit.

• Hoi An - Cooking class - USD33

Bid farewell to Hoi An this morning and make your way to Hue. The drive in a private vehicle will take around 5 hours. You’ll be travelling on the incredible Hai Van Pass, through lush mountains and past scenic lookouts, and there’ll be some good places for a photo stop. Once in Hue, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore. Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital and has a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil enclaves. Perhaps visit the Dong Ba Market, which sells everything imaginable and is a great place to spend some time. It’s important to know that Hue is renowned for its cuisine, with some delicious dishes originating from this region, including bun bo hue (Hue’s delicious take on pho), and banh khoai (a filled turmeric crepe). Time to give your tastebuds a workout.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Enjoy a free day in Hue. Perhaps visit the Imperial Citadel which includes the Forbidden Purple City that was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War. The gaping holes left by bombs give you an idea of how much destruction occurred in this country. If you'd rather take to the water, hop on a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River and then visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the unofficial symbol of Hue. Here you’ll see an active Buddhist monastery dating back to 1601 and a car belonging to the monk who tragically set himself alight in public to protest against the treatment of Buddhists. You may also like to visit one of the royal tombs, that of Emperor Tu Duc, with its central lake set amid a grove of frangipani and pine trees. This evening, take another overnight train bound for Hanoi.

• Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour - USD69
• Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda - Free
• Hue - Emperor Tu Duc's Tomb - VND105000
• Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) - USD23
• Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) - USD28

Your travel time on the overnight train tonight will be approximately 12 hours.

Arrive in Hanoi at about 5 am and transfer to your hotel. Once you’ve dropped off your bags and freshened up, embark on a walking tour of Vietnam’s charming capital. Explore the 36 streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter – locally known as this because of each street originally selling a specific type of product. Continue to the Dong Xuan Market and Hoan Kiem Lake, making sure you check out the unique architecture along the way. Hanoi has a French provincial feel left over from colonial times, but it also has a Buddhist influence and striking modern buildings. The rest of the day is yours to explore Hanoi as you please. In the evening, why not get your group together and head out to a bustling night market for some local fare. Sitting on plastic stools and eating on the roadside is a rite of passage in Vietnam.

• Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
• Hanoi - Army Museum - VND20000
• Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
• Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
• Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
• Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
• Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
• Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
• Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000

Day use rooms are provided to freshen up when you arrive in Hanoi.

Today, visit The Intrepid Foundation partner Vun Art – a local organisation empowering people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing job training and employment opportunities. See how they produce tote bags and art pieces from the discarded silk that comes from Van Phuc Silk Village. Vun Art also aims to reduce climate impact by reusing these scraps and in the process, keeping traditional art alive. After, travel to Pu Luong – one of the most beautiful sites in rural Vietnam with expansive rice paddy fields surrounded by the national park. When you arrive at your homestay accommodation, you’ll have rooms boasting views of the rice fields. Have a quick lunch then head out for a trek in the middle of this natural paradise. You’ll see the water wheel in the village, locals working in the fields, and visit a few local tribes, learning about their culture and customs firsthand. After, maybe take a refreshing swim in the onsite swimming pool, watch the sunset over the terraced fields or wander the grounds on your own.

• Hanoi - Vun Art center visit
• Pu Luong - Homestay and Village Walk

Comfortable supportive footwear (running shoes) will be suitable for today’s walk, however you are welcome to bring hiking boots if you prefer. It can be quite slippery if there has been recent rain. Tonight's homestay is shared accommodation, where the group will be together in one room. There are separate beds with clean linen, blankets and mosquito nets provided.

Say goodbye to the peaceful bliss in Pu Luong and head back to Hanoi. On the way, stop at Cam Luong Angelfish Stream and learn about how these fish became holy through a local legend. Then, continue your journey to Hanoi. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time – maybe explore the Old Quarter, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake or sit in a café for some people watching. You could also visit Ho Chi Minh Complex or ask your leader for some good restaurant recommendations.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

This morning you'll travel by bus and ferry to beautiful Cat Ba Island before midday. There's no time to waste, so begin exploring the stunning waters of Lan Ha Bay around Cat Ba. Located in the greater Ha Long Bay area, Lan Ha Bay is one of Vietnam’s most scenic places, where limestone islands and caves rise from the emerald waters. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace, so perhaps get active on a hike, or just enjoy a dip at one of the beaches. Have a relaxing evening on Cat Ba Island.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Rise and shine! Perhaps start your morning with a refreshing swim or a Vietnamese coffee (or both). Make sure you soak up as much sun and sand as possible, because this afternoon it's back to Hanoi by ferry and bus. Tonight, you may want to head out for an optional dinner with your fellow travellers, sharing some memories and laughs over a local meal and beer.

• Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
• Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
• Cat Ba Island - Lan Ha Bay Lunch

There are no activities planned for today and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. With so much to see and do in Hanoi, its recommended that you spend an extra day or two here – just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

There are no activities planned for today and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. With so much to see and do in Hanoi, we recommend that you spend an extra day or two here, and we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Boat, Overnight sleeper train, Private minibus, Taxi, Tuk tuk, Bicycle

Guesthouse (4 nights), Homestay (3 nights), Hotel (16 nights), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket. 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 6, 13 & 21 (Homestays) and Days 14 & 19 (Overnight trains) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Day use rooms are also excluded.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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