Lost in the Right Direction

Vietnam 

Vietnam has a fascinating history and beautiful beaches and jungles. It’s got bustling cities, delicious food, and incredible craft markets.

Vietnam is a wonderful country to visit. Here you’ll have a chance to relax on the beach or go diving, immerse yourself in art and culture in the country’s major cities, explore stunning mountains and valleys. The country is justly known for its craft markets and clothing as well; consider buying some custom-made clothes in Hanoi’s famous silk markets.

See the critical information in our Vietnam at a Glance.

Itineraries

Eat & Drink

Bia Khanh Thuy

Small cafe in Hanoi’s Old Quarter offering full pours of decent beer for under a dollar. It’s an experience to sit near the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter while sipping a refreshing cold beer. We didn’t eat here, but reviews indicate the food is pretty good, too.

Viet Village

Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh city serving tasty traditional Vietnamese food.

Gecko Restaurant

Inexpensive but delicious Vietnamese food in the Old Quarter. Don’t come here for class or ambiance, but the food and service were great.

Thủy Tạ Cafe

A beautiful cafe situated on the shores of Hoàn Kiếm Lake with good drinks. It may be worth a stop for the beautiful setting if you’re in the area and want a refreshing drink. But the food and service get mediocre reviews, so we don’t recommend it for a meal.

See

Hue Imperial city and Citadel

This is the entire reason you’re visiting Hue. From 1802 to 1945, Hue was the capital of Vietnam and home to the Nguyen dynasty. The Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the citadel was built between 1804 and 1833, is a heavily fortified structure with a moat across it. Make sure you […]

Hạ Long Bay

A stunningly beautiful bay filled with thousands of tall, sheer limestone islands topped with tropical rain forests. The bay is a UNESCO heritage site and one of Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions for a reason. Most people spend a night or more on a boat on the bay, and we highly recommend it.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake

One of several lakes in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is surrounded by a peaceful park, and the walk around the water was quite pleasant, even in hot weather. Near the northern shore is an island with a Confucian temple, Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain), on it.

Hanoi French Quarter

Hanoi’s French Quarter has broad streets and is dominated by colonial architecture. It’s definitely worth walking through the neighborhood; it has some interesting shops, and the wide streets are a welcome break from the narrow, busy lanes that cover most of the rest of the city.

Hoa Lu (Cố đô Hoa Lư)

Hoa Lu is the site of Vietnam’s first capital after its independence from China in 968 A.D. to 1009 (when it was moved to Hanoi). Be sure to visit the temple of Đinh Tiên Hoàng, a temple devoted to Vietnam’s first emperor following liberation from China.

More

Cu Chi Tunnels

Initially created by communist forces fighting the French in the 1940s, the Cu Chi tunnels were expanded to a network of some 150 miles during the Vietnam war. Viet Cong soldiers used them as shelters, transportation and communications routes, hospitals, and food and weapons caches. Today, the tunnels are the site of a museum.

Hanoi Old Quarter

A warren of narrow, congested streets, the old quarter is fascinating its own way. The streets are two-way, but narrow enough that I would consider most of them single-lane roads. There are sidewalks, but the shops tend to spill out onto them, and people park their scooters on the sidewalk. There are numerous cafes, many of which offer famously cheap beer, and Hanoi’s renowned silk district is nearby as well.

Bich Dong Pagoda

A pagoda complex built in 1428, Bich Dong is a picturesque set of three temples built on the side of a beautiful mountain overlooking rolling fields and rice paddies. Be sure to hike to all three pagodas, and then ascend past the last one of a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh was a modest man who wished to be cremated after his death. He hoped that his ashes would be scattered in the north, south, and middle of the country. Instead, he was embalmed, and his body remains on display in the mausoleum. The site also features other attractions, including the presidential palace, Ho’s house, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One-Pillar Pagoda.

Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành)

Ben Thanh market is an enormous building—it takes up an entire city block. The market’s selection isn’t nearly as impressive as the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, though. At night (starting around 6PM), sellers begin to set up booths on the streets outside the building, and the interior closes at 7.

Independence Palace

Originally constructed by the French as the seat of their colonial government, the palace became the seat of Japanese colonialism during World War II, was then handed back to the French, and finally became the seat of the independent government of South Vietnam. Two North Vietnamese tanks breached the palace gates on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Today, the palace is still used for some official state functions, though it is primarily a tourist attraction.

War Remnants Museum

Museum about the history of the Vietnam War. Outside the museum is a large collection of American military power: tanks, artillery, helicopters, and jets. The inside is mostly photos, with captions, as well as some short written accounts. Most of the exhibits depict atrocities committed by the American military or South Vietnamese army.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon

Established by French colonists, the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon was built between 1863 and 1860. The materials were imported from France, and the cathedral features beautiful Romanesque bell towers.

Tan Ky House

Hoi An has many well preserved ancient homes that tourists can visit. This merchant house was built over 200 years ago and has been passed down through 7 generations. Japanese and Chinese influences are seen in the architecture.

Hồ Chí Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

The second-largest art museum in Vietnam (after the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi), the Hồ Chí Minh City Museum of Fine Arts isn’t that impressive. It’s located in a beautiful building designed by a French architect, but the collection isn’t hugely interesting.

Do

Mekong Cruise to Ben Tre

When you’re in Saigon, you should absolutely spend a day floating the Mekong River. We chose Mango Cruises’s Ben Tre tour, which was incredible. The tour focuses on local communities untouched by large-scale commercial tourism. In addition to floating the river, we visited a coconut factory, a rice paper factory, and a brick factory.

Ninh Binh Tour

A fantastic day trip from Hanoi that mixes natural beauty with history and culture. You’ll see Hoa Lu ( Cố đô Hoa Lư), Vietnam’s beautiful historic capital, cruise the rivers near Tam Coc, and see Bich Dong Pagoda.

Saigon Free Walking Tour

A network of volunteer local students, Saigon Free Walking Tours will take you on a tour of the city customized to your interests. Highlights will include Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the post office, opera house, and fine arts museum.

Tam Coc River Cruise

Known as “Ha Long Bay on land,” this breathtaking part of Ninh Binh Province features incredible limestone formations and vibrant rice paddies. Take a rowboat cruise on the Ngô Đồng River on a small craft driven by a guide who will paddle you up the river with her feet. The Ngô Đồng winds through the mountains around Tam Coc, and it slides beneath three limestone caves near the village of Van Lam.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a beautiful town nestled in Vietnam’s northern mountains. There are gorgeous views of the mountains, valleys, and rice fields, and the craft shops in town offer beautiful wares. We highly recommend a visit if you’re in Hanoi.

Stay

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi

A beautiful hotel with large, comfortable guest rooms, and outstanding pool and fitness facilities, the JW Hanoi is designed to cater to business travelers, especially those visiting the nearby national convention center. It’s a ways outside the city center, though, so if you’re planning on spending most of your time in the city, you may want to find a place to stay in the French Quarter.

Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon

A comfortable and reasonably-priced Marriott property in a great location in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The roof has great views and a pool and bar. The guest rooms are spacious, and some offer wonderful views of the Saigon River. There’s a nice cafe on the ground floor and a great fitness center.