Independent travel guide to Hanoi and Northern Vietnam. New guides, itineraries and field reports on the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Hanoi's street food scene, Ninh Binh (Trang An, Tam Coc, Mua Cave), Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island, Sapa and Fansipan, the terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai, the Ha Giang loop and the Dong Van plateau, and the Ban Gioc waterfalls.https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/en-ushttps://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/banh-mi-guide/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/banh-mi-guide/Banh mi is Vietnam's everyday snack, not one fixed sandwich. How I choose a stall, order, and pay in cash, from Hanoi to Hoi An and Saigon.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTbanh mistreet foodVietnam foodHoi An2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/can-you-drink-tap-water-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/can-you-drink-tap-water-in-vietnam/No, tap water is not drinkable anywhere in Vietnam. Here is what I do about teeth, ice, fruit and refills, from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTtap waterdrinking waterhealthpractical tips2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/do-people-speak-english-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/do-people-speak-english-in-vietnam/Will English get you through Vietnam? Yes in hotels and tour offices, far less in markets and the countryside. Honest tips and fixes that work.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTEnglishlanguagecommunicationtravel tips2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/do-you-need-cash-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/do-you-need-cash-in-vietnam/Cards work in hotels, cruises and bigger restaurants, but street food, markets and motorbike taxis run on dong. Here is how I carry cash in Vietnam.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTcashmoneyvietnamese dongATMstravel tips2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/egg-coffee-in-hanoi/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/egg-coffee-in-hanoi/Is Hanoi's egg coffee, ca phe trung, a gimmick or a real drink to taste? An honest account of flavour, texture and why it belongs to the north.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTegg coffeeca phe trungHanoi foodVietnamese coffee2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/ethnic-minorities-of-northern-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/ethnic-minorities-of-northern-vietnam/How to meet the ethnic minority communities of northern Vietnam with respect: Sapa, Ha Giang, Mai Chau and more, and the gestures that actually matter.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTethnic minoritiesnorthern Vietnamresponsible travelhomestays2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/getting-a-suit-made-in-hoi-an/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/getting-a-suit-made-in-hoi-an/Is a made-to-measure suit in Hoi An a good idea? My honest take on fabric, fittings and how to compare tailors without ending up with a bad fit.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHoi Antailorsmade-to-measureshopping2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/ha-long-bay-cruise-mistakes/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/ha-long-bay-cruise-mistakes/The most common Ha Long Bay cruise mistakes, from mixing up three bays to ignoring typhoon season, and which ones you can fix before you leave.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHa Long Baycruiseplanningtyphoon seasonLan Ha Bay2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hai-van-pass-by-motorbike/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hai-van-pass-by-motorbike/Riding the Hai Van Pass by motorbike between Hue and Da Nang takes a licence, insurance and good weather, and there are safer ways too.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThai van passmotorbikehueda nangcentral vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hanoi-train-street-what-to-know/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hanoi-train-street-what-to-know/Hanoi's Train Street is restricted and often closed by the authorities. Here is my honest take on how to approach it, and how not to plan a day around it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHanoiTrain StreetOld Quarter2026Culturehttps://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hanoi-vs-ho-chi-minh-city/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hanoi-vs-ho-chi-minh-city/Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City when you can only pick one? My honest verdict by traveller type, with climate, character and distance explained.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHanoiHo Chi Minh CitySaigonPlanning2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hoi-an-lantern-festival-full-moon/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/hoi-an-lantern-festival-full-moon/My honest take on Hoi An's full moon lantern evening: what it is, why the dates change each year, and how the central rainy season can spoil it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHoi Anlantern festivalfull moonUNESCOcentral Vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/how-much-to-tip-in-vietnam/Tipping in Vietnam is appreciated, not expected. What I leave in restaurants, hotels, on tours and in taxis, in dong, and how service charges work.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTtippingetiquettemoneyVietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/how-to-cross-the-street-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/how-to-cross-the-street-in-vietnam/Crossing a road full of motorbikes in Hanoi or Saigon feels impossible. Here is the steady-pace technique that works, step by step, from my own walks.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTstreet crossingtrafficHanoiHo Chi Minh Citysafety2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-ha-long-bay-worth-it/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-ha-long-bay-worth-it/Is Ha Long Bay worth the trip from Hanoi? An honest verdict on crowds, typhoon season, Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha Bay, and when a cruise is worth it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTha long bayis it worth itlan ha baybai tu longnorthern vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-hoi-an-worth-visiting/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-hoi-an-worth-visiting/Is Hoi An worth visiting despite the crowds? My honest view of the UNESCO old town, An Bang, the Cham Islands, and the October flood risk.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHoi Ancentral Vietnamplanninghttps://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-phu-quoc-worth-visiting/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-phu-quoc-worth-visiting/Is Phu Quoc worth the trip or just a resort island? My honest view on the best season, the west coast, what to expect and who should skip it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTPhu QuocbeachesislandsSouthern Vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-sapa-worth-visiting/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-sapa-worth-visiting/Is Sapa worth visiting? An honest first-person verdict on the town, the valleys, Fansipan, the terraces, the fog and the cold, and how to get there.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTSapaNorthern VietnamRice terracesFansipan2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-the-ha-giang-loop-safe/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-the-ha-giang-loop-safe/The Ha Giang loop is safe from crime but demanding on the road. How I weigh the risks of riding pillion, driving yourself or taking a car with a driver.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHa Giangsafetymotorbikenorthern Vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-the-mekong-delta-worth-it/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-the-mekong-delta-worth-it/Is the Mekong Delta worth it? A day trip from Saigon gives a taste, but one night as far as Can Tho is where the delta starts to make sense.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTMekong DeltaCan ThoBen TreSouthern Vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-vietnam-expensive/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/is-vietnam-expensive/Vietnam is cheap day to day, but flights, cruises and excursions add up. Here is where the money really goes, in dong and euros, for 2026.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTVietnam budgetmoneycosts2026travel planninghttps://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/mid-autumn-festival-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/mid-autumn-festival-in-vietnam/What the Mid-Autumn Festival means in Vietnam: a children's night of lanterns and mooncakes, not Tet. How to place it on the lunar calendar and enjoy it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTmid-autumn festivalvietnam festivalslanternsmooncakeslunar calendar2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/pho-vs-bun-bo-hue/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/pho-vs-bun-bo-hue/Pho and bun bo Hue are often lumped together. One is a northern table soup, the other a spicier imperial dish of central Vietnam. Here is how to choose.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTphobun bo HueVietnamese foodHueHanoi2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/things-to-know-before-visiting-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/things-to-know-before-visiting-vietnam/Three ideas shape every Vietnam trip: the country is very long, the capital is not the biggest city, and a few habits cover the rest.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTvietnam travel tipsfirst time in vietnamplanningpractical2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/typhoon-season-central-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/typhoon-season-central-vietnam/Central Vietnam's rainy season runs roughly September to December, with typhoons peaking in October-November. How I plan around it, and when to go instead.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTtyphoon seasoncentral vietnamrainy seasonhoi an floods2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-airports-explained/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-airports-explained/Five international gateways, a handful of domestic airports, no rail links. Which Vietnam airport to pick, and how to reach the city from each one.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTairportsVietnamtransfersflights2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-border-crossings/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-border-crossings/Can you enter or leave Vietnam overland? How I plan a land border crossing, why rules vary by nationality, and where to check before you go.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTborder crossingsoverland travelvisaCambodiaChina2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-on-a-budget-tips/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-on-a-budget-tips/Can you travel Vietnam cheaply? My honest tips: save on transport and food, never on safety, and avoid the overcharging traps.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTbudget travelmoneyVietnam2026tipshttps://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-photography-spots/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-photography-spots/Where to photograph Vietnam without the clichés or traps, and at what hour: rice terraces, karst, lanterns, floating markets and honest warnings.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTphotographyvietnamlightrice terraces2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-reunification-express-review/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-reunification-express-review/An honest review of Vietnam's Reunification Express: why the full 30 hours rarely pays off, and why Hue to Da Nang is the stretch to ride.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTReunification Expresstrain travelHue to Da NangVietnam transport2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-souvenirs-to-buy/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-souvenirs-to-buy/What to bring home from Vietnam and where to find it: ceramics and silk near Hanoi, tailors in Hoi An, coffee from the Highlands, markets in Saigon.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTsouvenirsshoppingcraftsHoi AnHanoi2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-war-sites-to-visit/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnam-war-sites-to-visit/Which Vietnam War sites are worth your time? A personal, region-by-region selection from Saigon and Cu Chi to the DMZ and Vinh Moc, with honest distances.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTvietnam warwar historycu chi tunnelsdmzvinh moc2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-dishes-to-try/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-dishes-to-try/Which Vietnamese dishes to try, ordered north to south: pho, bun cha, bun bo Hue, cao lau, com tam, banh xeo and the street staples found everywhere.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTvietnamese foodstreet foodregional cuisinephobanh mi2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-festivals-calendar/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-festivals-calendar/Vietnamese festivals follow the lunar calendar, so dates shift every year. Learn how to read it, verify your travel year and plan around Tet.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTfestivalslunar calendartetplanning2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-street-food-safety/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/vietnamese-street-food-safety/Can you eat street food in Vietnam without getting sick? Yes, with method: how I judge a stall, why water matters most, and when to ask a doctor.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTstreet foodfood safetyVietnamhealth2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/what-to-wear-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/blog/what-to-wear-in-vietnam/Vietnam has three climates, not one. What I pack for the cool north, the rainy centre and the hot south, plus temple dress rules and fabrics that dry fast.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTwhat to wearpackingclothingclimatetemples2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/accessible-travel-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/accessible-travel-in-vietnam/Honest advice for travellers with reduced mobility in Vietnam: which cities and stays work, and where steps and busy pavements make plans harder.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTaccessibilityreduced mobilitywheelchairVietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/ba-na-hills-and-golden-bridge-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/ba-na-hills-and-golden-bridge-tours/Is Ba Na Hills worth half a day or a full day from Da Nang? What the Golden Bridge really is, the crowds, who enjoys it and who should skip it.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTBa Na HillsGolden BridgeDa Nangtheme parksfamily travelcentral Vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/ban-gioc-waterfall-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/ban-gioc-waterfall-tours/Plan a Ban Gioc waterfall trip from Cao Bang: how far it really is, when to go, loop options and what sets it apart from Dong Van and Ha Giang.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTBan GiocCao Bangwaterfallnorthern Vietnamkarst2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/best-beaches-in-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/best-beaches-in-vietnam/Where to swim in Vietnam and when: My Khe, An Bang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc and Con Dao compared, with the season that suits each coast.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTbeachesislandssnorkellingseasons2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/best-time-to-visit-vietnam/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/best-time-to-visit-vietnam/There is no single best time for Vietnam. See how the north, centre and south differ, and why February to April is the best compromise.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTbest time to visitvietnam weatherseasonstyphoon season2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/can-tho-floating-market-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/can-tho-floating-market-tours/How to see the Cai Rang floating market from Can Tho: boat types, dawn departures, orchard add-ons and why sleeping in town beats a day trip.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTCan ThoCai Rangfloating marketMekong Deltaboat tours2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cao-bang-loop-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cao-bang-loop-tours/How the Cao Bang loop works, what Ban Gioc waterfall really is, how it compares with Ha Giang, and when to go for the safest riding season.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTcao bangban giocmotorbike loopnorthern vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cham-islands-snorkeling-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cham-islands-snorkeling-tours/How snorkeling trips to the Cham Islands work from Hoi An: who they suit, the sea and season that decide everything, and how to choose a tour.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTCham IslandssnorkelingHoi Ancentral Vietnambiosphere reserve2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cu-chi-tunnels-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/cu-chi-tunnels-tours/Choosing a Cu Chi Tunnels tour from Ho Chi Minh City: Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc, half day or Tay Ninh full day, group or private.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTcu chi tunnelsho chi minh citywar historyday triptay ninh2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-airport-transfers/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-airport-transfers/How to get from Da Nang airport (DAD) to the city, My Khe beach or Hoi An: private transfer, metered taxi or Grab, plus tips to avoid overcharging.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTDa Nangairport transferHoi AnMy Khe2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-city-tours/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-city-tours/What a Da Nang city tour covers: My Khe, Marble Mountains, Son Tra, Dragon Bridge and Ba Na Hills, and how to pick a half day or a full day.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTda nangcity toursmy khe beachmarble mountainsba na hills2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-cooking-classes/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-cooking-classes/Da Nang cooking classes explained: mi quang and central dishes, what a class involves, who it suits and how to fit one into a seaside stay.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTcooking classesda nangcentral vietnammi quangvietnamese food2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-craft-workshops/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-craft-workshops/Da Nang craft workshops explained: pottery, women-led coastal crafts and private village tours, who they suit, and how they differ from Hoi An.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTda nangcraft workshopspotterycraft villagescentral vietnam2026https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-river-cruises/https://www.vietnam-authentique.com/guides/da-nang-river-cruises/What a Da Nang river cruise really is: an evening on the Han River by the Dragon Bridge. Boats, dinner cruises, noise, timing and typhoon-season limits.Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTda nanghan riverriver cruisedragon bridgeevening activities2026