Vietnam
North to south
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay to the Mekong Delta. Licensed local guides, with hotels, transfers and domestic flights coordinated by Pai Dai.
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City guides
Where to go
Ha Long Bay
A first-timer's guide to Ha Long Bay: when to cruise and the typhoon window to avoid, how to choose between a day trip and an overnight, the caves, islands, and quiet bays worth your time with current fees, where to eat the local squid cake, and a relaxed 2-day, 1-night plan.
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Hanoi
A first-timer's guide to Hanoi: the best seasons to visit and the cool damp winter that surprises people, the Old Quarter and lakeside sights worth your time with current fees and closure days, where to eat pho and bun cha, and a relaxed 3-day plan.
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Ho Chi Minh City
A first-timer's guide to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): the best season to visit and its tropical two-season climate, the colonial core and war-history sights worth your time with current fees and closure days, where to eat com tam, pho, and banh mi, and an easy 3-day plan.
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Hoi An
A first-timer's guide to Hoi An: how the Old Town heritage ticket works, the flood season to plan around, custom tailoring, the lantern festival, where to eat cao lau, and a relaxed 3-day plan.
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Hue
A first-timer's guide to Hue, Vietnam's old imperial capital: the dry February to April window to aim for and the wet autumn to avoid, the walled Citadel and Perfume River tombs worth your time with current fees and the money-saving combo ticket, where to eat bun bo Hue at its source, and a relaxed 2 to 3 day plan.
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Ninh Binh
A first-timer's guide to Ninh Binh, the limestone river country two hours south of Hanoi: how Trang An and Tam Coc differ, the climb up Hang Mua, the old capital at Hoa Lu, ticket prices, when the rice turns gold, when the crowds come, and why one night beats a day trip.
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Sapa
A first-timer's guide to Sapa, the mountain town in Vietnam's far north: when the terraces fill with water and when they turn gold, Fansipan by cable car or on foot, walking the Muong Hoa valley, the Sunday market at Bac Ha, the road and the night train from Hanoi, and a relaxed 2 to 3 day plan.
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Regions at a glance
North
Hanoi Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, water puppet shows. Ha Long Bay overnight cruises on personally inspected vessels. Ninh Binh karst boat rides, Bai Dinh Pagoda. Sapa trekking and ethnic minority homestays.
Central
Hue Imperial Citadel and royal tombs. Hai Van Pass coastal drive. Hoi An Ancient Town, lantern-making workshops, cooking classes, tailor fittings. Da Nang beach resorts and Ba Na Hills. The core of most Vietnam itineraries.
South
Ho Chi Minh City landmarks, Reunification Palace, Cu Chi Tunnels, Central Post Office. Mekong Delta sampan cruises and floating markets. Phu Quoc island beach extensions.
A closer look at Vietnam
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