More than 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War, a country once known as an American adversary is welcoming tourists with open arms. Vietnam is a country of serene beaches, lush forests, graceful pagodas and frenetic cities.  

Vietnam is an affordable travel destination for American tourists: a nice meal costs about $8, and a luxury hotel room for $80.¹ Americans do need a visa (or pre-approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam.² Get a taste of what to see, where to stay and what to eat in our five-minute Vietnam travel guide.

The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Some visitors love the scramble and noise of Hanoi, and some can’t wait to leave it. Either way, it’s worth spending some time exploring the capital city. Stroll through the Old Quarter, where the Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda are majestic remnants of the city’s 11th-century origins. The picturesque French Quarter, with its colonial architecture, is home to bookstores and boutiques.

Just as bustling is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon. Watch out when you’re crossing streets, says Jay Lewis, Marketing Analytics Manager for Allianz Global Assistance USA: “There are theoretically crosswalks, but traffic doesn’t stop.” Must-sees in Ho Chi Minh City include the War Remnants Museum, which tells the story of the American War from the Vietnamese perspective, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, an elaborate network used by the Viet Cong. The local artisan and food markets are overwhelming, Lewis says, but worth a visit.

You have to leave the cities to experience Vietnam’s lush beauty. Take a boat tour of the Mekong Delta, where kids ride on water buffaloes and women in traditional conical hats labor in rice paddies.³ One of the most popular places to visit in Vietnam is Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, an otherworldly seascape of limestone pillars that rise from the water. And the island of Phu Quoc is famous for its inviting beaches.

The Best Hotels in Vietnam

Vietnam is home to some famous, historic hotels. The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi would look at home in New Orleans, with its wrought-iron detailing and sidewalk café. The Metropole harkens to the past with afternoon tea and butler service. “For a brush with greatness,” the hotel suggests, “stay in the Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin or Graham Greene Suites.”⁴

Built in 1880, the Continental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City has been home to authors, journalists, gangsters and spies. Although it retains its historic charm, the Continental is a little dated and is no longer considered one of the best hotels in Vietnam.⁵ That honor may go to The Reverie Saigon, an extravagant palace of glass, marble and gold with luxury suites created by Italian designers.⁶

Once you leave the big cities, you’ll find an abundance of secluded jungle lodges and beach villas in Vietnam. Cat Tien Jungle Lodge is the perfect base to explore the rainforest, swim in a waterfall and tour bat-filled caves.⁷ For the ultimate indulgence, book a few nights at Six Senses Con Dao, a resort on the isolated island of Con Dao with a private, shell-littered beach.

What to eat in Vietnam

Vietnamese food is like no other cuisine on Earth. The food of Vietnam is primarily built around noodles and rice, and seeks to balance five taste elements: spice, sour, bitter, salt and sweet.⁸ The colonial influence made French staples like onions, asparagus, coffee and baguettes an enduring part of Vietnamese cuisine as well. Wondering what to eat in Vietnam? Here are five things you have to try:

• Banh mi: If there’s such a thing as the perfect sandwich, the banh mi might be it: grilled meat, pâté, cucumber, pickled daikon and carrot, cilantro, hot-pepper slices and a smear of mayonnaise on a light, crunchy baguette.
• Vietnamese coffee: Best enjoyed at a sidewalk café, Vietnamese coffee is brewed strong and drunk cold with sweetened condensed milk.
• Pho: This light but filling soup is made with chicken or beef broth, fragrant with spices, rice noodles, and meat, then garnished with bean sprouts, cilantro, onions, lime, Thai basil and hot peppers.
• Op la: Fried eggs, sunny side up, with assorted grilled meats and sauteed onions, served with a baguette in a mini frying pan.
• Banh beo: These steamed rice-flour discs are topped with crunchy pork rinds and toasted shrimp powder and served with fish sauce.⁹

As you plan your epic journey through beautiful Vietnam, be sure to protect yourself, and your vacation, with travel insurance. Allianz Global Assistance offers plans for your destination and budget: Get a quote to find the right coverage for your next trip.

What Do I Need to Travel to Vietnam?

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