Travel guides
Honest, practical advice from our local team
Monkey Mountain, Da Nang: Son Tra and the Lady Buddha
Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda's 67-metre Lady Buddha: what you see, how it pairs with the Marble Mountains, and morning vs sunset tours.
5 min read
Fansipan Cable Car: How It Works, Weather and Tips
How to reach the 3,143 m summit of Fansipan from Sapa: the three stages of the trip, which tickets are separate, weather at the top and how long to allow.
5 min read
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: Transfers, Times and Options
How to get from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay: shuttle bus, limousine or your own way, with typical pick-up and return times for day and overnight cruises.
5 min read
Hoi An Countryside by Bike: Farming and Fishing Life
Three ways to see the Hoi An countryside by bike: ploughing with a water buffalo, basket boats and fishermen, Kim Bong boat builders, rice paper and a Tra Que cooking class.
5 min read
Sapa Homestay: What a Night in a Village Is Like
What a Sapa homestay is really like: dorm, private room or bungalow, 2-day or 3-day treks through Lao Chai, Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai, and how to get there from Hanoi.
6 min read
Ha Long Bay Party Cruise: Oasis Bay for Backpackers and Friends
How a Ha Long Bay party cruise works: jumps, kayaks, trampoline and jacuzzis, a sunset happy hour and night-life on Oasis Bay, what's included and who it suits.
5 min read
Hoi An Street Food: What to Eat on a Walking Tour
What to eat in Hoi An: banh mi, cao lau, com ga, BBQ pork rolls and banh bot loc, how an evening street food walking tour works, and tips for eating well.
5 min read
Cuc Phuong National Park: Vietnam's Oldest Forest
Cuc Phuong, Vietnam's first national park (1962): what the old forest is like, when to go, and how to add it to a two-day Ninh Binh trip with Hoa Lu, Tam Coc and Mua Cave.
6 min read
A Night on a Private Island near Cat Ba: The One Island Escape
What a night at The One Island Escape near Cat Ba is like: private boat from Tran Chau, Hang Thung cave, a forest trek, a sunset party and dinner on the beach, hour by hour.
4 min read
Lantern Making in Hoi An: A Hands-On Class to Take Home
How a lantern-making class in Hoi An works, and three ways to join one: with the Cam Thanh coconut forest, by bike with Tra Que village, or on a full day with My Son.
4 min read
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Temples of the Dinh and Le Kings
Hoa Lu, Vietnam's 10th-century capital in Ninh Binh: its history, the temples of Kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh, and how to pair it with Trang An, Tam Coc or Mua Cave.
5 min read
5-Star Ha Long Bay Cruises: What You Get and Which to Choose
What a 5-star overnight Ha Long Bay cruise really includes, and how MilaLux, Arcady Boutique, Amanda Luxury and Aqua of the Seas compare on cabins, routes and activities.
5 min read
Best Day Trips from Da Nang: Ba Na Hills, Hue, My Son and a Night Cruise
Four day trips from Da Nang compared: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains with a Han River night cruise, Hue Imperial City and My Son Sanctuary, with timings and who each suits.
5 min read
Cat Cat Village, Sapa: Waterfall, H'mong Life and How to Visit
A guide to Cat Cat village below Sapa town: the H'mong village, the waterfall and French hydro plant, and how to visit on a day trek or a two-day tour with Fansipan or Lao Chai – Ta Van.
5 min read
Cat Ba Island Guide: How to Get There and What to Do
Cat Ba Island explained: how to get there from Hanoi, kayaking in Lan Ha Bay, Cai Beo and Viet Hai villages, caves, and three ways to visit, from a day trip to a private island.
5 min read
Tra Que Vegetable Village: Farm, Cook and Cycle in Hoi An
Tra Que Vegetable Village explained: what the village is, farming with the locals, E water, and three guided ways to visit from Hoi An, with cooking or lantern making.
4 min read
Hanoi Craft Villages: Lacquer, Conical Hats and Incense
A guide to the craft villages near Hanoi: Ha Thai lacquer, painting your own conical hat in Chuong, the incense yards of Quang Phu Cau, and how a day trip works.
4 min read
Bai Tu Long Bay: The Quieter Side of Ha Long
Bai Tu Long Bay explained: how it differs from Ha Long Bay, what a 2-day cruise looks like, and how three cruises compare, from Cap La Island to Vung Vieng village.
5 min read
Hoi An Ancient Town at Night: Lanterns and the River
How to spend an evening in Hoi An: the old houses and Japanese Bridge before dark, the night market, the lantern boat on the Hoai River, and tours from Da Nang.
5 min read
Bai Dinh Pagoda: Vietnam's Largest Temple Complex
Bai Dinh Pagoda explained: the 500 Arhats, the giant bronze bells, the electric car, combining it with Trang An and Mua Cave, and what to wear.
5 min read
Lan Ha Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: Kayaking and Viet Hai Village
Lan Ha Bay day trip from Hanoi: the classic boat vs the premium catamaran, Cai Beo floating village, Viet Hai, kayaking, timings and whether one day is enough.
5 min read
Cham Islands Snorkelling Day Trip from Hoi An
Cham Islands day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang: the speedboat, the fishing village, about 45 minutes of snorkelling, a seafood lunch, the best months and tips.
4 min read
Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Treks, Waterwheels and Stilt Houses
Pu Luong Nature Reserve explained: what a 2-day trek from Hanoi looks like, silk weaving, waterwheels, bamboo rafting, when to go and Pu Luong vs Mai Chau.
4 min read
Mua Cave, Ninh Binh: The 500-Step Climb and Viewpoint
What the 500-step climb up Mua Cave is like, the view over the Ngo Dong River, and which Ninh Binh day tours from Hanoi include it, with tips for the climb.
4 min read
Hai Van Pass by Jeep or Day Tour: Hoi An to Hue
Two ways to cross the Hai Van Pass: a one-way jeep tour from Hoi An to Hue with a spring bath and seafood lunch, or a day tour that includes Hue and returns.
5 min read
Hanoi to Sapa: Sleeper Bus, VIP Cabin, Limousine or Train?
How to get from Hanoi to Sapa: sleeper bus, VIP cabin bus or limousine compared, with pick-up points, journey time, the train option and tips for the trip.
5 min read
Halal and Romantic Ha Long Bay Cruises: A Ship-by-Ship List
Which Ha Long Bay cruises offer halal menus, honeymoon suites, proposal decorations and private dinners? A checked list: two ships confirm halal, and we say plainly where we could not confirm it.
5 min read
Ha Long Bay Cruise Proposal, Honeymoon or Birthday: What the Cruises Offer
How to plan a proposal, honeymoon or birthday on a Ha Long Bay cruise: free decorations, cake, honeymoon suites with sea-view jacuzzis and private dinners, ship by ship.
6 min read
Ha Long Bay with Kids: Choosing a Family Cruise
Which Ha Long Bay cruise suits a family: kids' clubs, pools, family suites and the child policy of each ship, plus tips for cruising with young children.
5 min read
Mai Chau Day Trip from Hanoi: Market, Pass and Village Cycling
What a Mai Chau day trip from Hanoi looks like: a Muong market, Thung Khe Pass, lunch in the valley and cycling through the villages, plus when to choose Pu Luong.
4 min read
Hue Imperial City in One Day: Citadel and Royal Tombs
How to see Hue in one day: the Imperial City, Khai Dinh and Minh Mang tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Perfume River, from Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An.
5 min read
Is an Overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise Worth It?
Day trip or a night on the bay? An honest comparison of Ha Long Bay day cruises and 2-day, 1-night cruises: time on the road, what you see, and who should stay overnight.
5 min read
Bac Ha Sunday Market: When to Go and How to Get There
Bac Ha is the northern highlands' best-known Sunday market. When to go, how to get there from Sapa and Hanoi, what you will see and three ways to plan the weekend.
5 min read
Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave: Visitor Guide
How to visit the Marble Mountains near Da Nang: steps and elevator, the pagodas and caves of Thuy Son, Am Phu Cave, how long to allow and which sights to combine.
4 min read
Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and the Basket Boat Ride
Cam Thanh coconut jungle near Hoi An: what the basket boat ride is like, what to wear, morning or afternoon sessions, and how to combine it with a cooking class, the Marble Mountains or My Son.
5 min read
Northern Vietnam Itinerary: 7, 10 and 15 Days
Northern Vietnam itinerary in three lengths: 7 days with Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Sapa, 10 days with the Ha Giang Loop and Mai Chau, and 15 days covering the whole north.
5 min read
3 Days in Hanoi: An Easy Itinerary with Day Trips
A 3-day Hanoi itinerary: the city's history on day 1, Ninh Binh on day 2 and Ha Long Bay, craft villages or a motorbike tour on day 3, with timings, closing days and tips.
4 min read
15 Things to Do in Hanoi (Beyond the Old Quarter)
15 things to do in Hanoi beyond the Old Quarter: the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Long Bien Bridge, Train Street, craft villages and day trips, with closing days and tips.
4 min read
Ha Giang Loop: 3 or 4 Days, and Is It Safe?
Ha Giang Loop from Hanoi: the 3-day and 4-day routes day by day, Ma Pi Leng, Lung Cu and Du Gia, safety habits, what to bring and how the night bus works.
4 min read
Best Hoi An Cooking Classes: Tra Que, Cam Thanh or Tra Nhieu?
Compare the three classic Hoi An cooking classes: cycling and farming at Tra Que, the basket boat at Cam Thanh, and crab fishing at Tra Nhieu, with menus and timings.
4 min read
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Vietnam: Travel Office or Viettel Store?
Why many travellers buy their Vietnam SIM or eSIM at a travel office instead of a network store: clearer prices, no complicated registration, set up and tested for you.
5 min read
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge: A Practical Guide
Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge from Da Nang or Hoi An: what you see, what the cable-car ticket covers, children by height, and which departure to choose.
4 min read
My Son Sanctuary Guide: Morning, Sunset or Full Day?
How to visit My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An or Da Nang: morning, sunset or full-day tours compared, with timings, the river boat, entrance fee and tips.
4 min read
Sapa Trekking Guide: Routes, Homestays and What to Pack
Sapa trekking explained: Cat Cat, Lao Chai to Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai, homestay or hotel, how to get there from Hanoi, and what to pack.
4 min read
Ha Long Bay Day Trip from Hanoi: Is It Worth It?
Is a Ha Long Bay day trip from Hanoi worth it? The real timings, what you see on the water, how day cruises differ, and when to choose an overnight cruise.
4 min read
Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay: Which Bay Is Right for You?
Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay? Compare caves, lagoons, villages, crowds and travel time from Hanoi, stop by stop, and choose the right bay for your cruise.
5 min read
Trang An vs Tam Coc: Which Ninh Binh Day Trip from Hanoi?
Trang An or Tam Coc? Compare caves, rice fields, boat rides and crowds to choose the right Ninh Binh day trip from Hanoi, with tips from our local team.
5 min read
Getting Around Vietnam: Grab, Trains, Sleeper Buses and Flights
How to travel in Vietnam: Grab in cities, sleeper buses and night trains to Sapa, domestic flights and private cars, with travel times and tips.
4 min read
How to Choose the Right Ha Long Bay Cruise
Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long? Day trip or overnight? Compare routes, cruise classes and prices and pick the right Ha Long Bay cruise.
3 min read
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam: A Month-by-Month Guide by Region
When to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Hoi An and Saigon: weather by region and month, festivals and the best season for cruises and trekking.
4 min read
Vietnam E-Visa 2026: Who Needs One, What It Costs and How to Apply
Visa-free countries, the 90-day Vietnam e-visa, official fees and a step-by-step guide to applying without mistakes.
3 min read
Money Exchange and SIM Cards in Hanoi: One Stop in the Old Quarter
Change money and get a tourist SIM card set up in one visit at AmGo Travel, 61 Hang Ga, Hanoi Old Quarter. What to bring, how Vietnamese money works and scams to avoid.
3 min read