🇻🇳Vietnam·Asia
Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, Ancient Hoi An, and the World's Best Street Food
dest.flightsFrom
£620
dest.hotelsFrom
£20/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£45
dest.avgTemp
26°C
dest.bestTime
February to April
dest.safety
8.3/10
dest.about Vietnam
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most captivating destinations — a slender country of extraordinary geographical diversity, from the emerald karst islands of Ha Long Bay to the lantern-lit streets of ancient Hoi An and the chaotic, intoxicating energy of Ho Chi Minh City. The food alone is worth the flight: pho, banh mi, fresh spring rolls, and cao lau are among the world's great culinary traditions.
dest.topHighlights
Ha Long Bay
Cruise among 1,600 limestone islands rising from emerald water — one of the world's most iconic seascapes
Hoi An Ancient Town
UNESCO-listed trading port with lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and the finest food scene in Vietnam
Sapa Rice Terraces
Trek through cascading rice terraces carved into the Hoang Lien Son mountains near the Chinese border
Hue Imperial City
The former imperial capital with a vast citadel, royal tombs, and the finest royal cuisine in Vietnam
Phong Nha Caves
The world's largest cave system — Son Doong is so vast it has its own weather system and jungle inside
Ho Chi Minh City
The electric southern metropolis — war museums, rooftop bars, street food alleys, and relentless energy
dest.thingsToDo Vietnam
- Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay
- Explore Hoi An's Ancient Town by lantern light
- Trek the Sapa rice terraces with local guides
- Visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue
- Explore Phong Nha cave system by boat
- Street food tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Motorbike the Hai Van Pass
- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City
dest.weather Vietnam
dest.bestMonthsToVisit February to April
5-dest.day Vietnam dest.itinerary
Hanoi Arrival
- ·Arrive Hanoi
- ·Hoan Kiem Lake
- ·Old Quarter street food tour
- ·Bia Hoi corner
Ha Long Bay Cruise
- ·Board overnight cruise
- ·Kayaking through karst caves
- ·Sunset on deck
- ·Seafood dinner onboard
Hoi An Ancient Town
- ·Fly to Da Nang
- ·Hoi An Ancient Town
- ·Lantern-lit evening
- ·Cooking class
Hue Imperial City
- ·Imperial Citadel
- ·Royal tombs by boat
- ·Hue royal cuisine lunch
- ·Thien Mu Pagoda
Ho Chi Minh City
- ·Fly south
- ·War Remnants Museum
- ·Ben Thanh Market
- ·Rooftop bar sunset
dest.whereToEat Vietnam
Bun Bo Nam Bo
Vietnamese Noodles · Hanoi Old Quarter · $
The Cargo Club
Vietnamese / French · Hoi An · $$
Nha Hang Ngon
Vietnamese Street Food · Ho Chi Minh City · $
La Badiane
French-Vietnamese · Hanoi · $$$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
E-visa available online for 80+ nationalities (€20, 90 days single entry). Visa on arrival also available. EU citizens get 45-day visa-free entry.
dest.gettingAround
Overnight trains (scenic and affordable), domestic flights (cheap), Grab ride-hailing, motorbike rental (experienced riders only), tourist buses.
dest.currency
VND (Vietnamese Dong)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT+7 · Vietnamese (English in tourist areas)
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
How long should I spend in Vietnam?
3 weeks is ideal to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City via the highlights. 10 days is possible focusing on one region.
Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
Vietnam is very safe for tourists. The main risks are traffic (chaotic but manageable) and petty theft in busy tourist areas.
What is the best way to travel between cities?
Domestic flights are cheap and fast. The overnight train from Hanoi to Da Nang is scenic and comfortable in soft sleeper class.
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