Vietnam
A long country where the north has four seasons and the south only wet and dry. Limestone bays and terraced rice fields are the defining views.
Icons
Rock islands in the sea, old trading towns, and rice terraces.
- Limestone peaks rising from the seaHa Long BayNorth
More than a thousand rock islands scattered across the bay. Spending a night aboard a boat is the usual way to see it.
- An old port hung with lanternsHoi An Old TownCentre
Timber shophouses and a Japanese bridge, lit by lanterns after dark. Also known for tailoring and for its food.
- Rice terraces stepping down the slopesSapaNorthwestern highlands
Ethnic minority villages and terraces layered one above another. They are at their most golden just before the late-summer harvest.
- The largest cave in the worldPhong Nha-Ke BangCentre
A cave system including Son Doong. Expeditions into the largest caves are strictly capped in numbers and dates.
- Markets and paddies on the waterMekong DeltaSouth
A plain built by the splitting river, with floating markets and orchards. It can be done as a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
- The citadel of the last dynastyHue Imperial CityCentre
The Nguyen palace complex and royal tombs spread along the river. War damage is still being restored.
World Heritage
Old towns and natural sites in roughly equal measure.
- A bay shaped by karstHa Long Bay and Cat Ba ArchipelagoNorth
Limestone drowned by the sea, listed and later extended. Boats crowd it in high season.
- Streets left by east-west tradeHoi An Ancient TownCentre
Shophouses mixing Chinese, Japanese and European styles, surviving as a whole. Traffic is closed off at set hours, which makes walking easy.
- A dynastic capitalComplex of Hue MonumentsCentre
Citadel, tombs and temples inscribed as one property. Usually covered by bicycle or by boat.
- Brick temples of the Champa kingdomMy Son SanctuaryCentre
Hindu brick towers left standing in the jungle. Much of it was destroyed by bombing during the war.
- A vast cave regionPhong Nha-Ke Bang National ParkCentre
Listed for its underground rivers and cave systems. Some caves are easy to visit, others are full expeditions.
Where to go
North and south are far apart, so most itineraries include a flight.
- HanoiThe capitalNorth
Built around the narrow lanes of the old quarter and its lakes. It is the base for Ha Long and Sapa.
- Ho Chi Minh CityThe largest southern citySouth
French-era architecture alongside new towers. The starting point for the Mekong Delta.
- Da Nang and Hoi AnThe central coastCentre
A beach city and an old port close together. Well served by direct flights from Korea.
- Nha TrangA beach citySouth-central
A long sand beach and island trips. Its rainy season does not line up with the rest of the country.
- Ha GiangMountain roads on the northern borderFar north
Known for a loop of high passes usually ridden by motorbike. The roads are rough and demand experience.
When to go
North, centre and south have different rainy seasons.
- NorthCool and dry from October to AprilHanoi and Sapa
The highlands get genuinely cold in winter. Summer is hot and wet.
- CentreClear from February to AugustDa Nang, Hoi An, Hue
Typhoons and flooding are common from September to December. Have a fallback if your dates fall there.
- SouthDry from December to AprilHo Chi Minh City and the Mekong
May to November is wet, but the rain comes in short bursts. Temperatures stay high all year.
- Lunar new yearTetNationwide
Shops close and transport thins out sharply around the holiday. The date moves each year, so check in advance.
Before you go
Entry paperwork and traffic are the two things to prepare for.
- EntryVisa-free short stay for Korean passports, with conditionsNationwide
Short tourist stays are visa-free, but limits apply to length and to the gap between visits. An e-visa system runs alongside it, so check official guidance before you travel.
- Crossing the roadThe scooters never stopThe cities
Walk at a steady, slow pace and the riders will flow around you. Stopping suddenly or running is what causes accidents.
- MoneyDong, heavily cash-basedNationwide
The denominations are large, so count the zeros carefully. Cards and QR payment are growing in the cities.
- Getting aroundDomestic flights and sleeper busesNationwide
Flying is by far the quickest for the length of the country. The reunification railway is slow but worth it on some scenic stretches.
- FoodStreet stalls, bottled waterNationwide
Do not drink the tap water; bottled is standard. Most places now use factory-made ice.
- Emergency numbers113 police, 115 ambulance, 114 fireNationwide
English may be limited, so asking hotel staff to call is usually faster. Keep your travel insurance number written down separately.
Opening hours, fares and schedules change from year to year and by season. Check the official guidance for each site and operator before you travel.