Vietnam is one of the best countries in the world to travel (see where it ranks – Best countries to visit in the world), with a huge variety of landscapes, cultures and experiences packed into a relatively narrow country that naturally lends itself to a north-to-south journey. Over the course of a few weeks, you can go from misty mountains and rice terraces in the north, to limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, to historic towns like Hoi An, and finally down to the tropical Mekong Delta in the south.
What makes Vietnam particularly special is not just the individual highlights, but the overall journey. It’s a country where the experience of travelling through it – the changing scenery, the food, the energy of the cities and the contrast between regions — is as much a part of the trip as the destinations themselves.
The country works best as a 2–3 week itinerary travelling either north to south or the reverse, combining a handful of standout highlights with a few shorter stops along the way. Some places are genuinely world-class, while others are more about adding variety to the route rather than being must-see destinations in their own right.
Is Vietnam worth visiting? Yes – it’s one of the most rewarding countries to travel in, especially if you enjoy varied scenery, great food and trips that feel like a journey rather than a series of isolated stops.
In a nutshell:
- One of the best countries in the world for a multi-week trip
- Natural north-to-south route with huge variety
- Ha Long Bay, Mai Chau and Hoi An are standout highlights
- Nah Trang and Hue are overrated
- Can be done super cheap from US$1500 using the excellent bus network
