Guide to Vietnam · Indochina · Southeast Asia
Vietnam. North to south.
From Hanoi to Saigon: a thousand years of empires, wars and street food
The most complete guide for independent travel to Vietnam. Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh with Tam Coc and Hoa Lu, Sapa and the northern mountains, imperial Hue, colonial Hoi An, Da Nang and the central coast, Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta. In-depth history, interactive maps, offline access and updates included.
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The guide
The Vietnam guide A thousand years of empires and three wars.
You cannot cross Vietnam in a week. It runs 1,650 km north to south and changes country every 500.
This Vietnam guide explains why Hanoi resembles Beijing and Ho Chi Minh resembles Bangkok, how to read imperial Hue, what really happened in the Cu Chi tunnels, and how to move through a country of night trains, sleeper buses and 10 million motorbikes.
9
Full destinations
From Hanoi to the Mekong
3
Day-by-day itineraries
From 14 to 21 days
10
History chapters
From the Nguyen to Doi Moi
250+
Points on the map
Offline, filterable
Destinations included
Nine chapters,
one long country.
From the rice terraces of the north to the delta of the south. Each place with its own chapter.
01 · Northern capital
Hanoi
Old Quarter, mausoleum and nightlife in Tây Hồ
Read the chapter →
02
Halong Bay
Marine karst, cruise and nearby Lan Ha
03
Ninh Binh (Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Bai Dinh)
The "Halong on land" and the ancient capital
04
Sapa and the north
Terraced rice fields and Hmong villages
05
Hue
The imperial citadel and the royal tombs
06
Hoi An
The colonial town and bespoke tailoring
07
Da Nang and the central coast
Marble Mountains, My Son and China Beach
08
Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
The colonial south, Cu Chi and the war from the south
09
Mekong Delta
Floating markets, sampans and river life
Sample
A fragment,
Hoi An with the lanterns.
Chapter · Hoi An
The Chinese port of the south
Hoi An is not a pretty old town: it is a 16th-century Chinese-Japanese trading port preserved whole.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was one of the most important ports in Southeast Asia. Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Dutch ships left architecture, cuisine and religion superimposed on 2 square kilometers.
The guide explains which Chinese assembly halls to visit, how local tailoring works, why Hoi An cuisine (cao lầu, white rose, banh mi Phuong) differs from the rest of the country, and which beach to choose between An Bang and Cửa Đại.
Traveler tip
Stay at least 3 nights. Hoi An empties at sunset when the groups return to Da Nang. The old quarter at 10 pm, with the lanterns and the Thu Bồn river, is what you came to see.
The method
A different kind of guide
Built for the real traveller, not the tourist
Interactive maps
All points of interest on the map, filterable by category. No mobile data, no surprises.
100% offline
Download the full guide and use it without internet. Perfect for rural areas and destinations without roaming.
Updates included
Prices, opening hours and recommendations updated for 1 year. You're not buying a static PDF.
Written from the inside
The result of weeks travelling on the ground. Every recommendation is real and personally tested.
Plans
Choose your plan
No surprise subscriptions. No fine print. One payment, permanent access.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam? +
Most EU citizens can apply for the e-visa online (90 days). Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the UK also have a 45-day exemption.
How many days do I need for Vietnam? +
Minimum two weeks. 21 days is the sweet spot: Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh plus Ninh Binh, Sapa and the delta without rushing.
Is it better to travel north-to-south or the other way? +
Oct-Apr: north→south (dry north, warm south). May-Sep: south→north avoids typhoons in Halong.
Which Halong cruise should I choose? +
Avoid day-trips from Hanoi. A 2-night cruise in Lan Ha (neighboring, less crowded) costs €150-300 and is worth it.
Can I travel Vietnam without organized tours? +
Yes, Vietnam is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia for independent travel.
How does offline access work? +
When you access the guide with an internet connection, the content is automatically saved to your device. You can install it as an app on your phone and open it without internet — perfect for when you're on the plane or in areas without data.
How long do I have access? +
Access is lifetime. Content updates are included for 1 year from the date of purchase.
How do I access from a new device? +
No passwords needed. Go to /en/access, enter the email you used to purchase and we'll send you an instant access link. Works on any device.
Is there a Spanish version? +
Yes. The guide is available in both Spanish and English. You can switch languages at any time from the navigation menu.
Does it work on mobile? +
It's designed mobile-first. You can install it as an app (PWA) on iOS and Android without going through any app store.
What format is the guide? +
It's not a PDF. It's an interactive website, organised by destination and attraction — not by day. Read it in any order and jump directly to whatever interests you.
Ready for
Vietnam?
Join the travelers who have already discovered it with the guide
Instant access · Works offline · 1 year of updates