VNCT

Association for the Culture and Tourism of Vietnam in Europe

Discover VNCT

36 destinations 44 articles & reports 12 partner businesses

Where stone holds the memory of water

Nha Trang, the bay of the Centre

Saigon, the city that never sleeps

Phu Quoc, the jewel island of the South

Over 1,650 km, Vietnam unfolds limestone bays, terraced rice fields and deltas — and a culture woven by 54 ethnic groups.

Water so clear you can see the seabed, coral reefs, the thousand-year-old Cham towers of Po Nagar and a seaside life that never winds down.

A river winding between illuminated towers, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market and food-filled alleyways buzzing until late at night.

Long white-sand beaches at the foot of primary forest, fishing villages where nuoc mam has been made for a century, and sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand.

NorthBay of limestone peaks

CentreNha Trang, Khanh Hoa

SouthHo Chi Minh City

SouthPhu Quoc, An Giang

See all destinations Discover Nha Trang Discover Saigon Discover Phu Quoc
  • 36 Destinations
    across the three regions
  • 44 Articles,
    reports & videos
  • 12 Businesses
    in the directory
  • 36 Members
    & partners
  • 7 Events a year
    in Europe

Destinations

From north to south, a Vietnam of a thousand colours

1,650 km from Ha Giang to Ca Mau: each region has its own colour and its own rhythm of life.

Bản đồ Việt Nam 34 tỉnh thành, chia ba miền Bắc, Trung, Nam, gồm quần đảo Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa

34 provinces and cities, following the administrative divisions in force since 1 July 2025.

North

Terraced rice fields in the north-west, Ha Long Bay in the morning mist, Hanoi's Old Quarter and the karst valleys of Ninh Binh.

Ideal: october – april

Hanoi → Hue 1 hr 10 minnight train, about 13 hours

See the 13 destinations in the North

Centre

The citadel of Hue on the banks of the Perfume River, the lanterns of Hoi An, the caves of Phong Nha and the year-round cool of Da Lat.

Ideal: february – august

Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City 1 hr 25 minHue → Hoi An: 3 hours via the Hai Van Pass

See the 13 destinations in the Centre

South

The pace of Ho Chi Minh City, the floating markets of Can Tho, the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao and their still wonderfully peaceful beaches.

Ideal: november – april

Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City 2 hr 10 minHo Chi Minh City → Can Tho: 3 hours by road

See the 10 destinations in the South

When to go?

Vietnam changes colour with the seasons

In Vietnam, every season has its colour — when the North cools down, the South stays bathed in sunshine; when the mountains are veiled in mist, the sea turns gentle in another season.

  • In season now

    From february to april

    Spring

    A fine season in all three regions; some lingering drizzle in the North, and Tết is often busier and more expensive.

  • In season now

    From may to august

    Summer

    A fine season in the Centre; frequent rain in the South, humid heat in the North.

  • In season now

    From september to november

    Autumn

    A fine season in the North; typhoons and heavy rain possible in the Centre.

  • In season now

    From december to january

    Winter

    Bright sunshine in the South; the North is cool and cloudy, often 10–15 °C.

Suggested itineraries

How many days are enough for a trip??

Ten days, two weeks or a month — each length of stay opens up a different rhythm of travel, through different lands and colours of Vietnam.

Experiences

Start your journey your way

A journey can begin with a bowl of phở, a mountain road, a morning on the river or a few days by the sea. There is no need to choose just one way of travelling.

Stories & reports

Vietnam in little stories

Behind every region there are people, and stories that belong to them. Reports, travel journals and videos on life, culture and the changes under way in Vietnam.

All stories & reports

Plan your trip

From the first read to departure day

Seasons, itineraries, formalities, budget, flights and the service directory: all the practical information you need before booking, gathered in one place.

All practical guides
Plan

When to go?

February and March: the dry season lets you combine the North, the Centre and the South in a single trip. For Sa Pa, choose March–April and September–November, when the rice is ripe. See by season Choose an itinerary

Suggested itineraries

The North in 10 days, through limestone mountains, highlands and craft villages, or 21 days from north to south, all the way to the floating markets of the Mekong Delta. See the itineraries Before you fly

General information & budget

Vietnam issues e-visas to nationals of many European countries. International cards are accepted in the big cities; in remote areas, cash is still the norm. Read the guide On your way

Transport

Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are connected to the major European capitals, by direct flight or with one stopover. Read the guide Unpack your bags

Accommodation & restaurants

Hotels in the heart of the old quarters, mountain homestays, seaside resorts and good restaurants across all three regions. See the directory On the ground, by your side

Agencies, cruises & services

Local agencies, bay cruises, guides and transfers, all used to working with European travellers. See the directory

Service directory

Trusted partners for your trip

Agencies, accommodation, cruises, restaurants: businesses that know Vietnam and are used to welcoming European travellers. VNCT member businesses are marked with a specific label.

Find a business / a partner

Members

See all members
VNCT logo

About us

VNCT – At the crossroads of travel

Behind this site is a non-profit association based in Paris (under the French law of 1901), a bridge between Vietnam and Europe for culture, tourism and trade.

  • Non-profit association governed by the French law of 1901
  • Headquartered at the Vietnam Cultural Centre, Paris
  • Members in Europe and in Vietnam
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