Skip to content

Best Vietnam Travel Guides of 2026

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook

Last Updated:

Save
Share

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Vietnam is a fascinating country, with a rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes. For those planning a trip to this Southeast Asian gem, a Vietnam travel guide can be an indispensable resource. These guides offer comprehensive information on everything from the best places to visit and eat, to local customs and etiquette, to practical tips for navigating the country's transportation system. Many guides also include maps, photos, and suggested itineraries to help travelers make the most of their time in Vietnam. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, a Vietnam travel guide is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to this incredible destination.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Vietnam Travel Guides

National Geographic A Diver's Guide to the World: Remarkable Dive Travel Destinations Above and Beneath the Surface

  • Miller, Carrie
  • Dec 6, 2022
National Geographic A Diver's Guide to the World: Remarkable Dive Travel Destinations Above and Beneath the Surface Cover

National Geographic A Diver's Guide to the World: Remarkable Dive Travel Destinations Above and Beneath the Surface

National Geographic A Diver's Guide to the World: Remarkable Dive Travel Destinations Above and Beneath the Surface is an exceptional guidebook for divers and ocean lovers. It features 50 breathtaking dive locations worldwide, accompanied by stunning National Geographic photography, practical tips, and conservation efforts. The authors, Carrie Miller and Chris Taylor, spent more than 250 hours underwater to bring this comprehensive guidebook to life. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of the underwater world while learning about conservation efforts. Overall, it is an inspiring and informative read.

9.9
FTB Score

Lonely Planet Vietnam 15 (Travel Guide)

  • Stewart, Iain
  • Harper, Damian
  • Mayhew, Bradley
  • Ray, Nick
  • Lonely Planet
  • Nov 23, 2021
Lonely Planet Vietnam 15 (Travel Guide) Cover

Lonely Planet Vietnam 15 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Vietnam 15 is a comprehensive travel guide to experience the best of Vietnam. The guidebook features up-to-date information, insider tips, and essential information to help travelers plan their trip. The book covers major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Siem Reap, and also explores off-the-beaten-path destinations. The book's unique feature is the 'What's New' section that highlights cultural trends and cool new areas to explore. The book also includes color maps, images, and itineraries to help travelers tailor their trip to their interests. Overall, Lonely Planet Vietnam 15 is a must-have guide for anyone planning a trip to Vietnam.

9.8
FTB Score

Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines (Online Audio included)

  • Barrios, Joi
  • Tuttle Publishing
  • Jun 10, 2011
Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines (Online Audio included) Cover

Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines (Online Audio included)

Tagalog for Beginners is a comprehensive guide to the Filipino language, providing learners with a practical and engaging introduction to this fascinating language. The book covers everything from the history of the language to pronunciation, grammar, and everyday conversation, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn Tagalog on their own. With its accompanying online audio recordings and useful exercises, Tagalog for Beginners is an excellent choice for language learners of all levels. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning Tagalog and exploring the rich culture of the Philippines.

9.6
FTB Score

Bali: The Solo Girl's Travel Guide

  • West, Alexa
  • Independently published
  • Mar 10, 2019
Bali: The Solo Girl's Travel Guide Cover

Bali: The Solo Girl's Travel Guide

The Solo Girl's Travel Guide to Bali is a must-read for any woman or couple planning a trip to Bali. The book offers practical advice and insider tips on the best beaches, waterfalls, markets, and resorts, as well as information on Indonesian history, culture, and local markets. The author also provides money-saving tips and time-stretching advice, making this book an essential vacation planner. What sets this guide apart is its focus on safety, with the author answering important questions such as whether there are drugs in drinks or if dark alleys are safe. Overall, The Solo Girl's Travel Guide to Bali is an informative and engaging read that will help travelers make the most of their trip.

9.5
FTB Score

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand 6 (Travel Guide)

  • Bloom, Greg
  • Bush, Austin
  • Eimer, David
  • Evans, Bruce
  • Harding, Paul
  • Harper, Damian
  • Harrell, Ashley
  • Johanson, Mark
  • Mahapatra, Anirban
  • Mayhew, Bradley
  • McCrohan, Daniel
  • Ray, Nick
  • Stewart, Iain
  • Lonely Planet
  • Nov 23, 2021
Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand 6 (Travel Guide) Cover

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand 6 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand 6 (Travel Guide) is an up-to-date and comprehensive guidebook that provides travelers with all the essential information they need to explore these countries. The book includes insider tips, cultural insights, and honest reviews for all budgets, making it a perfect choice for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. The book also features improved planning tools for family travelers, a 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM, and transport info, and a 'What's New' feature that taps into cultural trends. Overall, this guidebook is highly recommended for anyone planning to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Northern Thailand.

9.4
FTB Score

The World of Urban Sketching: Celebrating the Evolution of Drawing and Painting on Location Around the Globe - New Inspirations to See Your World One Sketch at a Time

  • Bower, Stephanie
  • Nov 29, 2022
The World of Urban Sketching: Celebrating the Evolution of Drawing and Painting on Location Around the Globe - New Inspirations to See Your World One Sketch at a Time Cover

The World of Urban Sketching: Celebrating the Evolution of Drawing and Painting on Location Around the Globe - New Inspirations to See Your World One Sketch at a Time

The World of Urban Sketching, by Stephanie Bower, is a stunning collection of more than 700 images from over 150 sketchers in 39 countries, showcasing the latest developments and innovations in the creative pursuit of on-location drawing and painting. The book is a visual feast of new techniques, styles, and approaches in color and linework, including digital, through step-by-step demonstrations and artists' tips. The author also shares valuable insights into creating artwork on location through artists' observations and advice. Overall, The World of Urban Sketching is an inspiring and informative combination of art and travel that will expand readers' skills and inspire them to pick up a pencil and sketch their world.

9.4
FTB Score
#TOP 7

Fodor's Essential Vietnam (Full-color Travel Guide)

  • Fodor’s Travel Guides
  • Mar 1, 2022
Fodor's Essential Vietnam (Full-color Travel Guide) Cover

Fodor's Essential Vietnam (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Essential Vietnam is an excellent travel guide for anyone planning to visit Vietnam. The guidebook is packed with detailed maps, curated recommendations, and practical tips to help travelers make the most of their trip. The book also provides historical and cultural insights, giving readers a rich context on the local people, politics, cuisine, geography, and more. The "Best Of" features on Vietnam's natural wonders and pagodas are photo-filled and impressive. Overall, Fodor's Essential Vietnam is a well-designed, informative, and easy-to-use travel guide that will help travelers have a memorable trip to Vietnam.

9.2
FTB Score
#TOP 8

Elementary Vietnamese: Let's Speak Vietnamese, Revised and Updated Fourth Edition (Free Online Audio and Printable Flash Cards)

  • Ngo Ph.D., Binh Nhu
  • Dec 6, 2022
Elementary Vietnamese: Let's Speak Vietnamese, Revised and Updated Fourth Edition (Free Online Audio and Printable Flash Cards) Cover

Elementary Vietnamese: Let's Speak Vietnamese, Revised and Updated Fourth Edition (Free Online Audio and Printable Flash Cards)

Elementary Vietnamese: Let's Speak Vietnamese, Revised and Updated Fourth Edition is an excellent resource for beginners to learn Vietnamese effectively. The book introduces the language and culture of Vietnam through carefully structured lessons that provide a solid grounding in Vietnamese grammar, usage, and pronunciation. The revised edition includes audio recordings by native Vietnamese speakers for all lessons, innovative pronunciation drills, and exercises that explore the diversity, heritage, and history of Vietnam. The author, Dr. Binh Nhu Ngo, is the Director of the Vietnamese Language Program at Harvard University, and his expertise is evident throughout the book. Overall, this is an engaging and informative book that is highly recommended for anyone looking to learn Vietnamese.

9.0
FTB Score

Tagalog Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Tagalog Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn)

  • Lingo Mastery
  • Oct 8, 2022
Tagalog Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Tagalog Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn) Cover

Tagalog Picture Dictionary Coloring Book: Over 1500 Tagalog Words and Phrases for Creative & Visual Learners of All Ages (Color and Learn)

The Tagalog Picture Dictionary Coloring Book is a fun and creative way to learn Tagalog. With over 1500 words and phrases, this book is perfect for visual learners of all ages. The book features 50 beautiful illustrations containing up to 20 items each, providing almost 1,000 images to color. Additionally, the book includes challenging quizzes, an answer key, and an in-depth basic Tagalog guide at the beginning. This book transforms Tagalog learning into an enjoyable experience that is both educational and entertaining.

9.0
FTB Score
#TOP 10

Reading & Writing Vietnamese: A Workbook for Self-Study: Learn to Read, Write and Pronounce Vietnamese Correctly (Online Audio & Printable Flash Cards)

  • Tran, Tri C.
  • Tuttle Publishing
  • May 24, 2022
Reading & Writing Vietnamese: A Workbook for Self-Study: Learn to Read, Write and Pronounce Vietnamese Correctly (Online Audio & Printable Flash Cards) Cover

Reading & Writing Vietnamese: A Workbook for Self-Study: Learn to Read, Write and Pronounce Vietnamese Correctly (Online Audio & Printable Flash Cards)

The "Reading & Writing Vietnamese" workbook by Tri C. Tran is an excellent tool for beginners who want to learn how to read, write, and pronounce Vietnamese words and phrases accurately. The book covers all the essential sounds of the language, including the challenging consonants, vowels, and tones. It comes with free native-speaker audio recordings and printable flashcards, making it easy to practice and learn the language at your own pace. The author's extensive experience as a Vietnamese language teacher is evident in the well-designed lessons and exercises. This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn Vietnamese from scratch.

8.8
FTB Score

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do you need a guide in Vietnam?

You do not need a guide in he cities (plenty of English and plenty of free advice). A guide who has relatives and other connections in the area you are visiting will improve your experience, but a northern Hmong guide in the souther Mekong delta would be a waste. ... I think to hire tour guide around Vietnam is difficult.

Editor's Notes

During our vietnam travel guide research, we found 1,000+ vietnam travel guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 10,232 customer reviews through our big data system to write the vietnam travel guides list. We found that most customers choose vietnam travel guides with an average price of $16.58.

Written by

Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.