Squeezed in between the South China Sea and China, Laos, and Cambodia, Vietnam is a country with a rich history, striking landscapes, and a fast-developing future. Natural splendors like the lush rice terraces and forested mountains in the north, picturesque valleys of the Central Highland, and the fertile delta and beautiful beaches of the south offer a stunning contrast with vibrant and bustling motorbike filled urban cities.

Explore Vietnam with Recherché Journeys, a perfect mix of the past, present, and future.  Contact us for a FREE tour plan.

Why travel:  

Breathtaking landscapes: There is no shortage of natural beauty in Vietnam. 1500 islands and islets in Ha Long Bay from a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Rice paddies of Sapa are world-famous, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has hundreds of impressive cave systems and underground rivers. Mui Ne is famous for enormous red and white sand dunes, and the Mekong Delta in the south offers a real taste of an ancient riverside rural lifestyle.

Ho Chi Minh City: Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is immortalized in the west due to the Vietnam war. The biggest city in the country is the perfect introduction to the urban Vietnamese lifestyle. Explore its French-colonial architecture, Taoist temples, lacquer workshops, Chinatown, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum.

Ha Long Bay: The otherworldly karst seascape of Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin is probably Vietnam’s most iconic picturesque location and does not disappoint. The majestic bay is full of secluded beaches, floating villages, stunning vista points, and a network of caves. Cruise on board a traditional Vietnamese junk and witness magical sunsets or hike up to the summit of Ti Top Island for a magnificent 360-degree view.

War History:  Most Vietnamese see the Vietnam war as a “hard but glorious” struggle to defeat the American invaders. After decades of conflict, Vietnam is littered with historic war sites that reflect this view. Cu Chi Tunnels offer a glimpse into the underground lives of the soldiers during the war. Explore the somber War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, where the South Vietnamese government submitted to the Communist forces. The Ho Chi Minh Museum, Mausoleum, and the Stilt House in Hanoi showcase the life of the leader, Ho Chi Minh.

Food: Vietnamese cuisine varies from north to south, and each city has its specialty, and street food is a trademark of Vietnam. Dine on sweet, sticky rice, turmeric fish, bún cha, and fried dumplings in Hanoi. Saigon specializes in bánh mì (sandwich) and bánh tam bì (thick noodles and pork simmered in coconut cream sauce). In Hoi An, try the Cao Lau and in Hue, try the Bún bò Hue. 

When to go:

Best time to visit: Nov-Apr. Nov through Apr is an overall drier period for the entire country except for central Vietnam, where the dry summer season lasts from Jan through Aug.

High Season: Nov-Apr. 

Low Season: May-Oct. May and June are shoulder months with lower prices and fewer crowds before the European school vacation start.