Terra & Tide
Vietnam
Vietnam runs the full length of the map — limestone karsts rising out of the sea in the north, terraced rice country in the highlands, and a warm, fast-paced south built around the Mekong Delta. Most trips follow the coastline top to bottom or bottom to top, threading together cities, beaches, and mountains along the way.
Hanoi's old quarter and Ho Chi Minh City's energy bookend a route that usually passes through Hue, Hoi An, and a cruise through Ha Long Bay — each with its own pace and reason to stop.
Highlights
- Cruise past the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay overnight on a boat
- Wander the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An after dark
- Eat your way through Hanoi's old quarter, one plastic stool at a time
- Ride the coastal train between Hue and Da Nang for the Hai Van Pass views
- Explore the Mekong Delta by boat, from Ho Chi Minh City
