Written from Hanoi · updated for 2026
Vietnam, place by place, without the fluff.
Twenty-five destinations, honest picks, real prices in dong, and the things we would skip. Plus our own studio for the photo you came for.
Northern Vietnam
Mountains, bays and the capital
The capital: Old Quarter alleys, lakes, street food and the gateway to Ha Long, Ninh Binh and Sapa. Best Oct–Apr · 2–3 days.
Limestone islands and overnight cruises; choose between Ha Long, Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha. Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 1–2 days.
The island base for Lan Ha Bay: quieter water, kayaking, a national park. Best Apr–Oct · 2 days.
"Ha Long on land": Tam Coc and Trang An sampans, Hang Mua viewpoint, easy from Hanoi. Best Mar–May · 1–2 days.
Rice terraces, Hmong and Dao villages, treks and Fansipan. Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 2–3 days.
The Ha Giang Loop: the most dramatic mountain road in Vietnam, by motorbike or easy rider. Best Sep–Nov, Mar–May · 3–4 days.
A gentle valley of stilt houses and rice fields, three hours from Hanoi. Best Sep–Nov · 1–2 days.
Tea hills, plum blossom in February, dairy farms on a cool plateau. Best Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov · 2 days.
The 1954 battlefield and a valley of Thai villages near the Lao border. Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov · 1–2 days.
Ban Gioc waterfall on the China border, karst valleys and the Nguom Ngao cave. Best Sep–Nov · 2–3 days.
The most photographed rice terraces in Vietnam, golden in late September. Best Sep–Oct, May–Jun · 2 days.
Centralern Vietnam
Imperial cities, caves and lantern towns
The imperial capital: citadel, royal tombs, the Perfume River and the most refined food in Vietnam. Best Jan–Apr · 2 days.
Cave country: Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, and the world’s largest cave, Son Doong. Best Feb–Aug · 2–3 days.
Beach city with the Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountains and Ba Na Hills; the hub for Hoi An and Hue. Best Feb–Aug · 2–3 days.
Lantern-lit ancient town, tailors, An Bang beach and the best-loved photoshoot backdrop in Vietnam. Best Feb–Aug · 2–3 days.
Under-the-radar beaches (Ky Co, Eo Gio), Cham towers and seafood without the crowds. Best Mar–Sep · 2 days.
Coffee capital of the Central Highlands, waterfalls and Ede villages. Best Nov–Apr · 2 days.
Southern Vietnam
Beaches, islands, the delta and Saigon
Saigon: rooftops, French-colonial squares, the best food scene in the country and the door to the Mekong. Best Dec–Apr · 2–3 days.
The classic beach resort city: islands, diving, mud baths and a big Russian-speaking scene. Best Feb–Aug · 2–3 days.
Cool-climate hill town of pines, waterfalls, flower farms and French villas. Best Nov–Apr · 2 days.
Red and white sand dunes, kitesurfing, a long resort strip. Best Nov–Apr · 2 days.
Vietnam’s big island: beaches, the world’s longest sea cable car, visa-free entry for many nationalities. Best Nov–Apr · 3–4 days.
Remote islands with empty beaches, turtles and a heavy prison history. Best Mar–Sep · 2–3 days.
Floating markets, canals, fruit orchards; Can Tho is the base. Best Dec–Apr · 1–2 days.
Saigon’s weekend beach, two hours by hydrofoil or road. Best Nov–Apr · 1–2 days.
Our own studio
The ao dai photo, done properly.
We run Cáo Studio in Hanoi and Saigon: ao dai fitting, makeup and hair at your hotel, then a local photographer through the Old Quarter or Saigon’s colonial squares. One WhatsApp message.
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