Vietnam Travel Guide 🇻🇳

From Bustling Cities to Mountain Rice Terraces

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting destinations, offering an incredible mix of vibrant cities, historic towns, tropical beaches, dramatic limestone landscapes, and mountain villages. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to explore the country is to travel from South to North, starting in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in the misty mountains of Sapa.

This route flows naturally through Vietnam’s highlights: Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang → Hoi An → Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ninh Binh → Sapa, allowing travelers to experience the country’s culture, food, nature, and history in one unforgettable journey.

Where to Stay

The Reverie Saigon — Ho Chi Minh City

Located in the heart of District 1, The Reverie Saigon is one of the most luxurious hotels in Vietnam. The hotel is known for its extravagant Italian interiors, marble floors, and sweeping views of the Saigon River and skyline. Staying here places you within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, and nightlife areas.

Book your stay at The Reverie Saigon — Ho Chi Minh City here!

La Vela Saigon Hotel — Ho Chi Minh City

La Vela Saigon is famous for its stunning rooftop infinity pool, which offers one of the best skyline views in the city. The hotel has a vibrant and modern atmosphere and is a popular spot for travelers looking to enjoy rooftop sunsets, cocktails, and a lively social scene.

Book your stay at La Vela Saigon Hotel — Ho Chi Minh City here!

Danang Marriott Resort & Spa — Da Nang

Situated along the peaceful shores of Non Nuoc Beach, this beachfront resort offers a relaxing escape with ocean views, beautiful pools, and spacious rooms. It’s the perfect place to unwind after busy city exploring while still being close to Da Nang’s main attractions and the famous Ba Na Hills.

Book your stay at Danang Marriott Resort & Spa Here!

Capella Hanoi — Hanoi

Capella Hanoi is a luxurious boutique hotel inspired by the world of opera. Each room is uniquely designed and filled with artistic details. The hotel sits close to Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi’s Old Quarter, making it an ideal base for exploring the capital’s historic streets and vibrant food scene.

Book your stay at Capella Hanoi here!

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel — Hanoi

This elegant boutique hotel blends modern comfort with Vietnamese design. The rooftop pool and bar offer beautiful city views, and the location near the Old Quarter provides easy access to Hanoi’s markets, cafes, and cultural landmarks.

Book your stay at Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel Here!

Viettrekking Sapa — Sapa

Viettrekking Sapa is known for its breathtaking mountain views overlooking the rice terraces. The hotel offers a cozy and scenic atmosphere where guests can relax while watching the clouds drift across the valleys.

Sapa Clay House — Sapa

For a peaceful eco-luxury stay, Sapa Clay House offers beautiful accommodations surrounded by rice fields and mountain landscapes. The property blends traditional architecture with modern comfort and provides a tranquil base for trekking adventures.

Book your stay at Sapa Clay House here!

Top Things to Do

Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a fast-paced metropolis filled with history, culture, and incredible food. One of the most unique places to visit is The Café Apartments, a former apartment building that has been transformed into a vertical collection of cafés, boutiques, and creative spaces. Each floor offers something different, making it a fun place to explore and relax with coffee.

For a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s history, the War Remnants Museum offers powerful exhibits about the Vietnam War through photographs, artifacts, and personal stories.

At night, walk through Bui Vien Walking Street, the city’s most famous nightlife area filled with bars, music, and neon lights.

Visit Ba Na Hills & The Golden Bridge

One of Vietnam’s most famous landmarks is the Golden Bridge, a surreal walkway held up by giant stone hands emerging from the mountains. The bridge sits within the Ba Na Hills resort area, which is reached by one of the world’s longest cable car rides.

The panoramic views over the mountains make the journey just as impressive as the destination. Nearby, visitors can explore the French Village, a European-style town with cobblestone streets and castle-like buildings.

Book your visit at Ba Na Hills & The Golden Bridge here

Relax on Da Nang’s Beaches

Da Nang is home to some of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches. Non Nuoc Beach offers a quieter and more relaxed environment, while My Khe Beach is more lively and popular with surfers and beachgoers.

Both beaches feature soft sand, clear water, and beautiful views of the coastline.

Ride a Coconut Basket Boat

Near Hoi An in Cam Thanh Village, visitors can experience the unique coconut basket boat ride. These round bamboo boats are traditionally used by local fishermen, and the ride through palm-lined waterways is both scenic and fun.

Ride a Coconut Basket Boat here!

Explore Marble Mountains

Just outside Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a cluster of limestone hills filled with caves, temples, and viewpoints. Visitors can explore hidden shrines inside the mountains and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding coastline.

Explore Marble Mountain here!

Wander Through Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most charming destinations. The historic town is famous for its yellow colonial buildings, lantern-lined streets, and riverside cafés.

At night, the town becomes magical as hundreds of colorful lanterns illuminate the streets and river. Walking through the old town, taking photos, and enjoying dinner by the water is one of the highlights of any Vietnam trip.

Explore the ancient town here!

Get Custom Clothes Made in Hoi An

Hoi An is also famous for its tailoring. The town has hundreds of tailors who can create custom clothing in as little as 24 hours. From tailored suits and dresses to casual outfits and shoes, travelers can design pieces that are perfectly fitted.

One popular tailor shop is Two Ladies Tailor, known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. Visitors can choose fabrics, get measured, and return the next day for a final fitting. It’s a unique experience and a great way to take home something custom-made from Vietnam.

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets filled with street food vendors, cafés, markets, and shops. Nearby Hoan Kiem Lake is the cultural heart of the city and a peaceful place for a walk.

Other must-see landmarks include Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic-style church that reflects the city’s French colonial history.

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter here!

Visit Train Street

Train Street is one of Hanoi’s most unique attractions, where trains pass just inches away from houses and cafés. Visitors often sit in small cafés along the track and watch as the train slowly moves through the narrow street.

Cruise Through Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay features thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald waters.

Cruising through the bay allows visitors to kayak between the cliffs, explore caves, swim in secluded areas, and watch unforgettable sunsets over the water.

Grand Pioneers Cruise — Halong Bay

One of the best ways to experience Halong Bay is aboard the Grand Pioneers Cruise, a luxury cruise that allows travelers to fully immerse themselves in the stunning scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of towering limestone islands while relaxing on the deck, kayaking through hidden lagoons, and exploring impressive caves. The overnight experience offers a unique chance to watch the sunset and sunrise over the emerald waters of Halong Bay.

Book your cruise here!

Discover Ninh Binh

Often called “Halong Bay on land,” Ninh Binh features dramatic limestone mountains rising from rice fields and rivers. One of the best experiences here is taking a bamboo boat ride through Trang An, where the river flows through caves and scenic valleys.

For one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Vietnam, climb to the top of Mua Cave at Lying Dragon Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Explore Ninh Binh here!

Trek Through Sapa’s Rice Terraces

Located in the mountains of northern Vietnam, Sapa is known for its breathtaking rice terraces and traditional villages.

Visitors can trek through the terraces, meet local ethnic minority communities, and enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in Southeast Asia.

For an unforgettable view, take the cable car to Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Indochina.

Trek Through Sapa’s Rice Terraces Here!

Where to Eat

Vietnam is known for its incredible food scene, from street food stalls to modern restaurants.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Thi Ky Food Street is one of the best places to try authentic street food with dozens of vendors serving Vietnamese dishes and snacks.

In Da Nang, popular restaurants include Bếp Cuốn Đà Nẵng, known for fresh Vietnamese rolls, Mộc Seafood Restaurant, famous for its seafood dishes, and Pizza 4P’s, a beloved restaurant chain known for creative pizzas and homemade cheese.

Other great dining spots in Da Nang include Thia Go, Nu Do Kitchen, and East West Brewing, which is a popular choice for dinner with craft beer and international dishes.

In Hanoi, travelers should try classic local dishes at restaurants such as Bun Cha Ta Hanoi or Bun Cha Dac Kim, both known for serving bun cha — grilled pork with noodles and herbs.

For seafood lovers, Cha Ca Thang Long is famous for cha ca, a traditional turmeric fish dish cooked at the table.

Experience Vietnamese Coffee Culture

Vietnam has one of the strongest coffee cultures in the world. Cafés such as King Koi Café and Oasis Café offer unique environments where visitors can relax while enjoying traditional Vietnamese coffee.

Another must-try is Egg Coffee, a Hanoi specialty made with whipped egg yolk and condensed milk layered over strong coffee.

To experience Hanoi’s famous egg coffee, visit Giang Coffee, the café that originally popularized this unique drink.

Another great restaurant is Tam Vi, which offers beautifully presented traditional Vietnamese dishes in a nostalgic setting.

Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Sightseeing By Motorbike

Travel Tips

Getting Around

Vietnam is well connected by domestic flights, making travel between major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi quick and convenient.

Within cities, Grab (similar to Uber) is the easiest way to get around. Motorbike taxis are also widely available and often faster in heavy traffic.

Currency

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cash is widely used for street food, markets, and small shops, though larger restaurants and hotels usually accept credit cards.

ATMs are easy to find in major cities.

Packing Essentials

Vietnam’s climate varies depending on the region, so pack lightweight clothing for warm weather along with comfortable walking shoes for city exploration and trekking.

For northern areas like Sapa, it’s useful to bring a light jacket since temperatures can be cooler in the mountains.

Other essentials include sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a small day bag for excursions.

Final Thoughts

Vietnam offers an unforgettable combination of culture, landscapes, and cuisine. Traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Sapa allows visitors to experience the country’s full diversity — from buzzing urban streets and tropical beaches to limestone islands and misty mountain terraces.

Whether you’re cruising through Halong Bay, wandering the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, or trekking through the rice fields of Sapa, Vietnam delivers a journey filled with unforgettable moments.

Be sure to check out my YouTube channel and explore more of my travel adventures for tips and inspiration to make the most of your journey!