Vietnam
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.
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.
What's inside
- ✓ Interactive maps with POIs for every city, bay and region
- ✓ Where to eat, sleep and what to see with real prices
- ✓ Hanoi: the old quarter, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and Tây Hồ nightlife
- ✓ Halong Bay and Lan Ha: which cruise to pick and how to avoid the tourist circuit
- ✓ Ninh Binh: Tam Coc by boat, Hoa Lu (imperial capital) and the Bai Dinh Buddhist complex
- ✓ Sapa and the north: trekking through Hmong villages and rice terraces
- ✓ Hue: the imperial citadel, royal tombs and Huế-style pho bo
- ✓ Hoi An: the colonial old town, tailoring and central-coast cuisine
- ✓ Da Nang and the central coast: Marble Mountains, My Son and China Beach
- ✓ Ho Chi Minh: colonial Saigon, Cu Chi and the Vietnam War from the south
- ✓ Mekong Delta: floating markets, sampans and river life
- ✓ Culture and food: phở, bánh mì, bún chả, egg coffee, Mahayana Buddhism
- ✓ History: from the Nguyen and Trinh dynasties to the war and Doi Moi
- ✓ Practical info: transport, budget, safety, best seasons
- ✓ How to travel Vietnam without agencies or organised tours
- ✓ Full offline access on your phone
- ✓ 1 year of updates included
- ✓ Spanish and English versions
A taste of what's inside
Halong Bay — from the full guide
Halong is not what the posters sell
How to avoid the tourist loop and see the real bay
Halong Bay is one of the most photographed places on the planet and, at the same time, one of the most damaged. 1,969 karst islets emerge from the Gulf of Tonkin in a seemingly impossible landscape — and that same image has been reprinted so many times on tourist posters that you arrive already convinced you've seen it. The problem starts at the dock: 90% of cruises leave from the industrial port of Tuan Chau and follow the same 4-hour route through the central zone — the busiest, dirtiest and most worn-out.
Lan Ha Bay, just south, is Halong without the noise: the same peaks, the same emerald waters, kayaks that slip through caves into hidden inner lagoons, and a third of the boat density. Leaving from Hai Phong or from Cat Ba Island changes the experience entirely. The guide explains which operators work there, how much a two-night cruise costs against a day trip, and why the cheap internet deal is almost never worth it.
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Vietnam guide
€19.99
one-time payment
- ✓ Interactive maps with POIs for every city, bay and region
- ✓ Where to eat, sleep and what to see with real prices
- ✓ Hanoi: the old quarter, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and Tây Hồ nightlife
- ✓ Halong Bay and Lan Ha: which cruise to pick and how to avoid the tourist circuit
- ✓ Ninh Binh: Tam Coc by boat, Hoa Lu (imperial capital) and the Bai Dinh Buddhist complex
All Access
€29.99
/year
- ✓ All destinations
- ✓ Integrated AI assistant
- ✓ Itinerary planner
- ✓ Unlimited updates
- ✓ Priority access to new guides
Secure payment via Stripe · Instant access after purchase · 30-day refund policy
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam? +
Most EU, UK and US citizens can apply for the e-visa online (90 days, single or multiple entry). Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the UK also enjoy a 45-day visa exemption. The guide explains the process step by step and how to choose between e-visa and exemption.
How many days do I need for Vietnam? +
At least two weeks for Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh. 21 days is the sweet spot: you add Ninh Binh, Sapa and the Mekong Delta without rushing. Vietnam is 1,650 km from north to south — you cannot do it in a week.
Is it better to travel north to south or south to north? +
It depends on when you go. October to April: north to south (the north is dry and cool, the south warm). May to September: south to north avoids late typhoons in Halong. The guide has detailed routes for both directions.
Which Halong cruise should I pick? +
Avoid day trips from Hanoi — they are tourist races. A 2-night cruise in neighbouring Lan Ha Bay (less crowded) costs €150-300 and is worth it. The guide compares operators on price, itinerary and whether they touch the dead zones of central Halong.
Can I travel without organised tours? +
Yes — Vietnam is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to travel independently. Overnight trains, sleeper buses, Grab in the cities. The guide explains how to buy tickets, which apps to use and when a tour actually makes sense (Halong, Cu Chi).
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.
Is there a refund policy? +
Yes. If you're not satisfied within 30 days, we'll refund the full amount. No questions asked.
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Instant access · Works offline · 1 year of updates included