Vietnam

Explore Vietnam’s historic tunnels, a 75-mile underground network of hospitals, kitchens, and meeting rooms. Dug in the 1930s and expanded during the war, they sheltered fighters for weeks. See bomb craters from U.S. raids and even crawl through the narrow passageways, now a fascinating site for visitors.

Discover Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling economic hub shaped by French, American, and Soviet influences. Admire French architecture at the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica and City Hall, then reflect at the War Remnants Museum with its candid exhibits on decades of conflict. Step into history at the Reunification Palace, preserved exactly as it was on April 30, 1975, when South Vietnam surrendered.

Visit Vinh Nghiêm Pagoda, the city’s largest temple, with a bell donated by Japanese Buddhists. Explore lively Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown, and browse the bustling Bình Tây Market. Step into the incense-filled Thien Hau Pagoda for a moment of calm, then see artisans at work in a lacquerware workshop, where Vietnam’s world-renowned craft is created.

From the 7th to 17th centuries, Champa culture thrived in southern Vietnam, blending Indian influences with Hinduism and Buddhism while leaving behind a remarkable artistic legacy. At this museum, see highlights of Cham sculpture, from intricate animal figures to elaborate altars dedicated to Shiva.

Surf’s up at China Beach, once an R&R spot for American soldiers and later site of Vietnam’s first international surfing competition in 1992. Nearby rise the Marble Mountains, five peaks said to embody the elements. Explore their caves and caverns, many transformed into sacred shrines and temples.

Hoi An, a merchant city that escaped the destruction of modern wars, offers a glimpse of old Vietnam. Once a thriving port, its streets still reflect Japanese, Portuguese, French, Dutch, and Chinese influence. Tour 18th-century merchant houses, a Japanese covered bridge, and ornate Chinese assembly halls.

The tombs of Emperors Minh Mang (1820–41) and Khai Dinh (1916–25) reflect very different legacies. Minh Mang’s vast Chinese-style complex, built by 10,000 workers in just three years, contrasts with Khai Dinh’s ornate mausoleum, a Baroque palace of dragons and imported French materials that took 11 years to finish.

From 1802 to 1945, Hué was Vietnam’s capital, its grandeur centered on the massive citadel built by Emperor Gia Long. Though much was destroyed in the Tet Offensive, highlights remain, including the red-and-gold Thai Hoa Palace, site of imperial ceremonies, and the soaring Ngo Mon gate, once reserved for the emperor’s elephants.

Built in 1601, the Thiên Mụ Pagoda is the oldest in Hué and long a center of Buddhist thought and politics. During the war, monk Quang Duc drove from here to Saigon, where he set himself on fire in protest. His blue Austin car remains on display, a poignant reminder of sacrifice and resistance.

The colorful, bustling Dong Ba Market is the perfect spot to shop for souvenirs. Look for “non Hue,” translucent conical hats with hidden patterns or writing inside that glow beautifully on the wearer’s face when sunlight shines through—a unique specialty of the region.

Discover Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital for nearly 4,000 years, where ancient temples and French colonial palaces meet modern life. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th-century Temple of Literature, explore the Old Merchant Quarter’s traditional shops, and pay respects at Ho Chí Minh’s Mausoleum. The Army Museum offers a compelling look at Vietnam’s turbulent history.

Wade into Vietnam’s unique water puppet tradition, first performed in northern rice paddies where farmers staged satirical tales with bamboo figures. Today, puppeteers stand waist-deep in water, hidden behind a screen as they skillfully guide the colorful puppets through lively, story-filled performances.

Legend says Ha Long Bay’s limestone towers were born when dragons defended Vietnam, their spines forming cliffs, their tails shaping beaches, and their fiery stones becoming the islands that rise dramatically from the water. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.

In the heart of Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm Lake offers a calm retreat from the city’s bustle. Its name, “Lake of the Returned Sword,” recalls the legend of King Lê Lợi, who gave his magical sword back to the gods through a giant tortoise here. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, restored in the 1860s, where pen-and-ink motifs and clever word puzzles still adorn the path.