For many the seascape of Halong Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises lazily sail emerald green waters among thousand of rugged islands and islets, stopping at some of the most spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations. Halong Bay's mystical beauty has made it a bucket list attraction within the country, but it's still possible to find secluded corners to call your own.

Ha Long

Top things to do in Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Weather

The months of April and May offer sunshine and a refreshing breeze, while September to October are favoured for their cooler temperatures and clear skies.

Founded over 1000 years ago, Vietnam’s capital city is rich in history, with the streets of its rambling Old Quarter dating back to the 14th century. Wandering these tree-lined lanes past crumbling colonial facades will transport you back in time. However, today's Hanoi is about much more than the past. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries. When the sun goes down, you have your pick of watering holes, from sophisticated rooftop bars to buzzing bia hoi.

Ha noi

Sample the street food

The best Hanoi dishes are inexpensive yet tasty treats that can be found within Hanoi Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and bustling street markets

Top things to do in HaNoi

Ha Noi Weather

The climate is inviting from April to June, but Hanoi is particularly beautiful in May when its many trees come into bloom – orange, white, purple and red flowers elevate the already beguiling street scenes to another level. October and November are also excellent months to visit when temperatures are cooler.

Sapa town stands at the head of a deep valley of magnificent rice terraces that are still worked today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town.

SaPa

Top things to do in Sapa

Sapa Weather

The best time to visit Sapa is in September and October when the rice terraces are at their most splendid; or in April and May when the weather is fine and the skies clear. June to August is an ideal period for those who don't mind hot weather.

Far too few travellers make it to Ninh Bình a mesmerizing area known locally as ‘Halong Bay on Land’ thanks to its magical riverine landscape, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from the paddies. The best way to get a sense of this Unesco-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers, and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks.

Ninh Binh

Top things to do in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh Weather

Regular buses depart for Ninh Bình from Hanoi every day. From Ninh Bình, the best way to reach all the attractions is via rented motorcycles or taxi.

Hue is a city chock-full of stories. The Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty built their feudal capital along Hue’s fertile riverbanks and atop its forested hills, but their imperial legacy is just one of many reasons to visit. Huế’s refined cuisine is the stuff of legend, and its leafy streets are lined with mossy pagodas, art déco mansions, and eye-popping markets. Through the whole scene flows the Perfume River, setting a languid pace the rest of the city is happy to follow

Hue

Sample the street food

The best Hanoi dishes are inexpensive yet tasty treats that can be found within Hanoi Old Quarter’s narrow alleyways and bustling street markets

Top things to do in Hue

Hue Weather

Huế’s springtime months, from February to the end of April, show the historic capital in its best light. In June and July, prepare for scorching days. The rains come in August and can last all the way through January. It’s worth noting Huế experiences some flooding, usually from October to late in the year.

Hoi An Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

Hoi An

Sample the street food

If you plan to make a food tour in Hoi An, you must be remember to add the following top Street foods in Hoi An on your list.

Top things to do in Hoi An

Hoi An Weather

Like the rest of Central Vietnam, Hội An weather can be unpredictable. Expect rainy days and several storms from September to January. If you arrive at the start of the year, bring a few extra layers to stay warm. March to May are the best months to visit, but you can also see Hội An from June to August, if you don’t mind the intense heat.

Perched on a pristine stretch of the southern coast, Nha Trang is a playground for sunseekers. Days here are spent dining on delicious seafood, snorkelling around stunning islands, and partying on the sand after dark. Nha Trang lays claim to some of the country's finest luxury resorts and thrilling watersports. Despite the development boom, colourful fishing villages and serene riverside restaurants are just a stone's throw away.

Nha Trang

Top things to do in Phong Nha

Nha Trang Weather

Rainy season in Nha Trang takes place from April to September, but the southern coast is less prone to heavy storms than its northern counterparts. Travellers can arrive in Nha Trang at any time of year and still enjoy their visit.

Hidden away in the Central Highlands, Dalat plays the cooler cousin to Vietnam's seaside destinations. Famous for its countryside charm, Dalat draws couples, outdoor enthusiasts, and golf enthusiasts alike. This mountain resort town was once a summer getaway for the French, who left their mark in European-inspired architecture and manicured, rolling lawns. Dalat's main lake is the centre of the action, but countless treasures await in the hills as well.

Da Lat

Sample the street food

If you plan to make a food tour in DaLat, you must be remember to add the following top Street foods in DaLat on your list.

Top things to do in Da Lat

DaLat Weather

Thanks to its altitude, Dalat is always a little cooler than the rest of southern Vietnam, particularly between November and January. Rain falls from April to November, leaving a gray mist over the tea plantations and hilltops surrounding the town while things heat up in the summer around May

Mui Ne has its roots in fishing, and it shows in the pace of life. It's easy to lose track of time here, riding bicycles along the coast, spending afternoons by the pool, and dining on fresh seafood with the sound of the waves in the background. With ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing, brightly coloured kites are a fixture on Mui Ne beaches year-round. Over the years, this seaside retreat has evolved to offer guesthouses and resorts of every stripe. Come for the surf, stay for the mellow atmosphere.

Mui ne

Top things to do in Mui Ne

Mui Ne Weather

You'll find the weather is best between November and April, when a slightly cooler – but no less windy – dry season prevails. Even Mũi Né's rainy season is fairly tame, making this a year-round destination. Tourist arrivals in the town reach their peak between November and January, and high season for kitesurfers is between November and March. It's wise to book ahead during these months, as prices can change.

Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, Ho Chi Minh's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future

Ho Chi Minh

Sample the street food

If you plan to make a food tour in SaiGon, you must be remember to add the following top Street foods in SaiGon on your list.

Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh  Weather

Rainy season runs from May to November, however the Ho Chi Minh City is a year-round destination. April and May tend to be especially hot, while cooler weather appears around December and January. Perhaps the only ill-advised time to visit would be during Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, as most residents head back to their hometowns for the holiday.

Phu Quoc's pure white beaches, clear waters, and laid-back vibes have earned it a spot in the hearts of many travellers. Days here are spent on the sand, while nights are for feasting on fresh seafood and stargazing. Vietnam's largest island is home to a beautiful coastline. The An Thoi islands offer some of the country's best snorkelling and diving, and Phu quoc's northern roads run through lush forest and branch off onto a handful of do-it-yourself hiking trails, inviting you to explore on your own. 

Phu Quoc

Top things to do in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc Weather

Phú Quốc is best visited between November and April when rainy season is not yet in effect. Peak season for foreign travelers typically occurs in December and January.

Only two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau is a popular weekend getaway offering beachfront resorts, heaps of delicious seafood, and a slower pace of life. Coastal history in this part of Vietnam is a combination of religious relics and French garrisons and mansions. Vung Tau's beaches may not entice you to swim, however for a quick, low-stress escape to the coast, Vung Tau ticks all the boxes.

Vung Tau

Top things to do in Vung Tau

Vung Tau Weather

Vũng Tàu experiences its best weather from November to April, when the dry season staves off heavier rains, though it tends to get hot around the end of April and into May. Just when the heat becomes unbearable, the rains arrive and provide steady, daily downpours from May through October. The coolest weather occurs during December and January.

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