“A day of travelling will bring a basketful of learning.“
Whether it be a party-filled gap year experience, a wellness retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or a trek to give something back in a new community, Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. Home to over 100 million and a stunning assortment of natural beauty and experiences, it’s no wonder why Vietnam inspires so many visitors yearly. Join us at What We Reading as we present the best Vietnam travel books!
Lonely Planet Vietnam – Lonely Planet
Kicking off our list of the best Vietnam travel books is Lonely Planet’s edition on the Southeast Asian country. The world’s leading travel media company, Lonely Planet is the definitive authority on curating trips that are memorable and magical, offering the latest pieces of advice on what to see and what to skip.
From paddling by Halong Bay’s limestone peaks at dawn to exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Lonely Planet Vietnam provides travellers of all ages, interests, and budgets with a new easy-to-follow layout, comprehensive listings, and maps that they are sure to fully utilise.
Saigon Survival (Vietnam Travel Guide): A Counter Intuitive Guide To Surviving The Streets Of Saigon – Simon Miller
Miller’s travel guide, rooted in authentic everyday experiences, utilizes all the most valuable insights he gained from over a year of living in Vietnam’s capital.
He took over nine months to compile it and reworked it several times since, making it one of the best Vietnam books for travelers looking to avoid the rookie mistakes that plague so many first-time trips.
The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Travel Through Vietnam From North To South – Hoang Pham
Hoang Pham guides travelers through how to get the best out of their Vietnam trip in The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide, immersing them in the local culture and history and letting them sample some of its renowned delicacies.
It’s a snappy read designed to inspire you with information about the best places to maximize your trip, and it solidifies its position as one of the best Vietnam books.
Fodor’s Essential Vietnam – Fodor’s Travel
Fodor’s Essential Vietnam is one of the best Vietnam travel books for first-time and seasoned visitors. Covering all of the country’s major destinations including Ho Chi Minh City; the Mekong Delta; Hanoi; Halong Bay; Hue; and Nha Trang, it expertly combines the diverse beauty of the country with practical tips every traveller is sure to make use of.
All of these destinations are put under the microscope with top 10 lists of the best things to do, see, eat, sleep and experience.
Made In Vietnam: Homestyle Recipes From Hanoi To Ho Chi Minh – Tracey Lister And Andreas Pohl
Based on their experiences eating at street food stalls, countryside eateries and family gatherings, Tracey Lister and Andreas Pohl’s Made in Vietnam is the ultimate celebration of Vietnamese cuisine. One of the best Vietnam books for any culinary traveller, it is a sweeping guide through the three main regions of the country.
From the heartiness of the north, the imperial cuisine of the Hue in the centre and the more tropical flavours in the south, it comes complete with various recipes for traditional Vietnamese meals ranging from Pho Bo to Eel in Caul Fat. It also features extensive histories behind these meals and the cultures that make them, giving travellers inside knowledge on not only what they are eating, but also what’s behind it.
From Saigon To Hanoi: Save Time, Money And Your Sanity – Chris Appleford And Sarah Appleford
In From Saigon to Hanoi, Chris and Sarah Appleford present a unique travel guide on how to tour through Vietnam. Told from the perspective of the couple and their young family across three weeks as they made their way from Saigon in the south to Hanoi in the north, it demonstrates how the best way of trekking through the country is via train. Whether it’s getting inspiration for your trip or picking up some practical tips,
From Saigon to Hanoi covers everything from clothes tailored by hand in Hoi An, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City to how to cross the street and avoid being scammed successfully!
Vietnam: The Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide By A Traveler For A Traveler – Lost Travelers
The goal of Lost Travelers’ travel handbooks is to provide quick and succinct guides that every traveller can dive into. And their edition on Vietnam provides one of the best resources for getting to grips with the country without all the fluff of other books.
Revised multiple times on the back of recommendations from readers, it offers a completely unbiased take on the destinations and experiences no trip to Vietnam is complete without. Honest and authentic, for a cheaper and rapid Vietnam travel book, Lost Travelers’ edition is one to consider.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
