Reasons Why You Must Visit Vietnam

Foodie? Beach hopper? Culture buff? Vietnam has something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re here for the 3,000km (1,864mi) of tropical coastline, to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi or journey into the largest cave in the world at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, there’s adventure waiting for you here. Need more convincing? Here’s why you should visit Vietnam.

You can experience the best of Vietnam, including Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An, on our specially curated 12-day Vietnam adventure, led by our local insider.

History

Vietnam is one of the oldest cultures in Southeast Asia – dating back to 2000BCE – and it has a complicated history that began with the native Dong Son culture thousands of years ago. The country has been influenced by Chinese, Khmer and Indian cultures, as well as French colonialism.

Markets play a key role in Vietnamese food culture

Street food is a trademark of Vietnam. Stop at one of those food stalls on the sidewalk, grab a small plastic stool and sit down. From pho noodle soup, spring rolls, banh mi and sticky rice to seafood, Vietnamese food is invariably tasty, fresh and healthy.

Fresh fruit

Fans of watermelon, pineapple, banana, mango and mandarin will certainly be happy in Vietnam, where you can also discover a selection you may have never seen before. Fruit is sold everywhere, from the markets to the sidewalks to the mall, and it’s always fresh and cheap.

Best coffee in the world

Vietnam is one of the world’s largest coffee exporters

The second largest coffee exporter worldwide, Vietnam has an excellent coffee culture. Black coffee, coffee with condensed milk, coffee with coconut milk, coffee with egg yolk, coffee with yoghurt – try it all.

Friendly people

Friendliness is present in every corner of Vietnam, from the urban cities to rural countryside. Don’t hesitate to make friends and explore local culture while you’re here.

Beautiful beaches

The beaches of Vietnam, such as Khanh Hoa, are often beautiful

While Thailand and the Philippines are popular spots for beach holidays, Vietnam’s tropical beaches are far less frequented. Go before they are discovered.

Magnificent mountains

You’ll find paddy fields in the mountains of northern Vietnam

Mountaineers will love Vietnam, home to the highest peak in Indochina, Fansipan. Sapa, in the north of Vietnam, attracts not only leisure travellers but also serious mountain hikers.

Adventures

Motorbike trips are popular throughout Vietnam

Want to get the most out of Vietnam? Make like the locals and hop on a motorbike. You can rent a set of wheels and either drive to the mountains in the north or along the length of the country from top to bottom. The roads can be tricky and badly maintained, though, so this epic ride is not for the faint hearted.

Reasonable cost

Backpacker hostels, such as this one in Ninh Van commune, present an affordable option for accommodation

Budget travellers will certainly love Vietnam. A bed in a hostel dorm room can be as cheap as 94,000 Vietnamese dong (£3) per night and great street food can be found for just 30,000 dong (£1).

Shopping

Shoppers with a taste for fashion and handicrafts will find a shopping paradise in Vietnam. From earrings and scarves to traditional outfits, you’ll find great offers throughout the country. In Hoi An, speed tailors can make your suit or dress in just a single day.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.