Travel Tips

A guide to train travel in Vietnam: the Reunification Express, the Hue to Da Nang coastal stretch, the night train to Sapa, classes, booking and tips.

A guide to Vietnamese coffee: the phin filter, iced coffee with condensed milk, egg, salt and coconut coffee, cafe culture and where to drink it.

A complete Vietnam packing list: clothes for every region and season, footwear, documents, health items, gadgets and what to leave at home.

How to travel from Vietnam to Cambodia and Laos by plane, by boat on the Mekong or by road, what happens at the border and how many days to add.

Three tried-and-tested Vietnam itineraries for one, two and three weeks, with day-by-day routes, planning tips and ideas for adding Cambodia and Laos.

Practical Vietnam travel tips: cash and cards, ATMs, tipping, SIM cards, useful apps, flights, trains, taxis and staying safe.

How hard it is, what the roads are like, a typical day, the best season, what to wear and safety tips for cycling in the Mekong Delta.

What homestays are like in the mountains and the Mekong Delta, the facilities, simple customs, what to pack and why homestays matter.

How visas work for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, where to apply safely, a passport checklist and the most common mistakes to avoid.

A complete packing list for trekking and homestays in northern Vietnam: bags, shoes, clothes for each season and a printable checklist.