About this book

An indispensable travel companion celebrating a country that contains multitudes and subverts expectations.

Vietnam enjoys 2,000 miles of coastline, complete with storied islands, beachside towns and fishing villages. Further inland sit historic heritage cities, jungle-cloaked mountains, terraced paddy fields, flower-fringed waterways and thousand-year-old temples. With its diverse geography, layered history and world-renowned food culture, it’s little wonder that the country is increasingly appealing to discerning, independent travellers.

Written by a long-term resident, Bradt’s Vietnam provides in-depth and unparalleled cultural, historical and geographical context to all three regions in the country: northern, central and southern. This guidebook comprehensively covers the major cities and sites – but it also explores lesser-known corners for self-tailored experiences that dodge the crowds.

Responsible and meaningful travel is at the book’s heart, with particular attention given to minimising the environmental impact of travel, contributing to the local economy and supporting artists, artisans and marginalised communities.

In Bradt’s Vietnam, you can find:

• Dedicated streetfood sections for all cities and regions, including where to try local specialities.
• Advice on matching the right mountain provinces with your specific interests.
• Suggestions on how (and where) to enjoy a beach break despite the complicated climate.
• Comprehensive guidance to Phong Nha, a burgeoning caving hotspot.
• Tips on how to get the most out of key cities and towns while avoiding crowds.
• Ideas for the best motorbiking road trips in the vast and varied countryside.
• Detailed café guides, including where to savour speciality coffees in each city.
• Insider knowledge about nightlife and contemporary culture in Hanoi and Hồ Chí MinhCity.
• Specialist contributions from local journalists, historians, academics and travel experts. 
• Dozens of creatively recounted myths and legends, adding texture to the country’s history and culture.
• All the practical information you need, from where to book train tickets to how to rent motorbikes.

Whether you want to cover Vietnam comprehensively or prefer a visit centred on history, nature, adventure or food, navigating the country with Bradt’s Vietnam is like travelling with an expert local friend.

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About the Author

Prioritising depth over breadth, Joshua Zukas (joshuazukas.com) writes almost exclusively about Vietnam, a country he first visited in 2007 and has called home since 2013. In addition to writing this brand-new Bradt Guides guidebook, he has co-authored more than half a dozen titles for other publishers, and his travel and culture stories have appeared in various global publications, including The Economist, National Geographic Traveller and Michelin Guide. His architecture stories can be found in the world’s top design magazines, including Interior Design Magazine, Wallpaper, Icon and Frame. Joshua holds a BA in Linguistics and Southeast Asian Studies from SOAS, University of London, where he specialised in Vietnam and Indonesia, and an MSc in Sustainable Tourism from the University of Glasgow, where he wrote his thesis on shifting attitudes to sustainability and travel.

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