Summary: In today's article, I gathered 20 of the best Vietnam travel books I think every explorer will love. Here are my top 3 choices:
- Lonely Planet Vietnam (Travel Guide) by Iain Stewart, Brett Atkinson, and others
- Vietnam – Culture Smart! – The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Geoffrey Murray
- Catfish and Mandala – A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham
TOP 20: Best Vietnam Travel Books
- Lonely Planet Vietnam (Travel Guide) by Iain Stewart, Brett Atkinson, and others
- Vietnam – Culture Smart! – The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Geoffrey Murray
- Catfish and Mandala – A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham
- The Rough Guide to Vietnam (Travel Guide with eBook) by Rough Guides
- DK Eyewitness Vietnam (Travel Guide) by DK Eyewitness
- Fodor's Essential Vietnam (Full-color Travel Guide) by Fodor's Travel Guides
- Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand (Travel Guide) by Lonely Planet
- Vietnam – The Solo Girl's Travel Guide by Alexa West
- Insight Guides Vietnam (Travel Guide with eBook) by Insight Guides
- Lonely Planet Experience Vietnam (Travel Guide) by Lonely Planet
- VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE in 100 PAGES by L.K. Travel
- My Saigon – The Local Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by Elly Thuy Nguyen
- Eat Saigon – The Local Restaurant and Street Food Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam by Mark Lowerson
- Lonely Planet Eat Vietnam (Lonely Planet Food) by Lonely Planet Food
- The Beauty of Humanity Movement – A Novel by Camilla Gibb
- The Quiet American by Graham Greene
- The Sorrow of War – A Novel of North Vietnam by Bao Ninh
- The Sympathizer – A Novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen
- Vietnamese Home Cooking by Charles Phan
- Vietnamese Street Food by Tracey Lister and Andreas Pohl
1. Lonely Planet Vietnam
- Author: Iain Stewart, Brett Atkinson, and others
- About: A comprehensive guide covering Vietnam's attractions, culture, and travel tips.
- Style of Writing: Informative and practical.
- Length: Approximately 500 pages.
- Year Written: Latest edition published in 2022.
- Emotional Impact: Provides valuable insights but focuses more on practical information.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to read and navigate.
- Why Read It: Ideal for travelers seeking detailed information on Vietnam's destinations and logistics.
2. Vietnam - Culture Smart! - The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
- Author: Geoffrey Murray
- About: Offers insights into Vietnamese customs, traditions, and social etiquette.
- Style of Writing: Concise and informative.
- Length: Approximately 168 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2016.
- Emotional Impact: Enhances cultural understanding, fostering appreciation and respect.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to read.
- Why Read It: Essential for travelers who want to understand and respect local customs.
3. Catfish and Mandala - A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam
- Author: Andrew X. Pham
- About: A memoir of a Vietnamese-American's bicycle journey through Vietnam, exploring identity and culture.
- Style of Writing: Narrative and reflective.
- Length: Approximately 352 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 1999.
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving, offering personal and cultural insights.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engages with complex themes.
- Why Read It: Provides a personal perspective on Vietnam's landscape and the author's search for identity.
4. The Rough Guide to Vietnam
- Author: Rough Guides
- About: Provides practical travel advice, cultural insights, and detailed maps for exploring Vietnam.
- Style of Writing: Informative and straightforward.
- Length: Approximately 512 pages.
- Year Written: Latest edition published in 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Focuses on practical information with cultural context.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to use for trip planning.
- Why Read It: Great for travelers seeking comprehensive and up-to-date information.
5. DK Eyewitness Vietnam
- Author: DK Eyewitness
- About: Features in-depth information on Vietnam's history, culture, and must-see sights, accompanied by vivid photography.
- Style of Writing: Descriptive with visual elements.
- Length: Approximately 348 pages.
- Year Written: Latest edition published in 2019.
- Emotional Impact: Visually engaging, inspiring travel plans.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to read with visual aids.
- Why Read It: Ideal for visual learners who appreciate detailed illustrations and photos.
6. Fodor's Essential Vietnam
- Author: Fodor's Travel Guides
- About: Offers curated recommendations on Vietnam's top destinations, hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
- Style of Writing: Concise and authoritative.
- Length: Approximately 352 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Provides confidence in planning with expert advice.
- Difficulty Level: User-friendly.
- Why Read It: Perfect for travelers seeking expert recommendations and itineraries.
7. Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand
- Author: Lonely Planet
- About: Covers multiple Southeast Asian countries, providing insights for travelers exploring the region.
- Style of Writing: Informative and comprehensive.
- Length: Approximately 784 pages.
- Year Written: Latest edition published in 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Encourages regional exploration with confidence.
- Difficulty Level: Detailed; suitable for extensive trip planning.
- Why Read It: Ideal for travelers planning to visit multiple countries in Southeast Asia.
8. Vietnam - The Solo Girl's Travel Guide
- Author: Alexa West
- About: A guide specifically for solo female travelers, offering safety tips, destination advice, and cultural insights.
- Style of Writing: Friendly, conversational, and empowering.
- Length: Approximately 200 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Encouraging and confidence-boosting for solo travelers.
- Difficulty Level: Very accessible, designed for ease of use.
- Why Read It: Perfect for solo female travelers looking for practical tips and inspiration.
9. Insight Guides Vietnam
- Author: Insight Guides
- About: Combines expert local knowledge with detailed maps and cultural insights for travelers.
- Style of Writing: Informative and visually rich.
- Length: Approximately 400 pages.
- Year Written: Latest edition published in 2019.
- Emotional Impact: Provides a clear and well-rounded understanding of Vietnam.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to follow, with visual aids.
- Why Read It: Great for travelers seeking expert insights and comprehensive planning resources.
10. Lonely Planet Experience Vietnam
- Author: Lonely Planet
- About: Focuses on immersive experiences, local insights, and cultural highlights across Vietnam.
- Style of Writing: Narrative-driven with practical advice.
- Length: Approximately 300 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2020.
- Emotional Impact: Inspiring, with a focus on creating meaningful travel experiences.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate.
- Why Read It: Perfect for travelers who want to go beyond the typical tourist spots.
11. VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE in 100 PAGES
- Author: L.K. Travel
- About: A concise guide offering inspiration and practical tips for planning a trip to Vietnam.
- Style of Writing: Straightforward and to the point.
- Length: Approximately 100 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2021.
- Emotional Impact: Practical and inspiring for quick trip planning.
- Difficulty Level: Very easy to read.
- Why Read It: Great for travelers looking for a brief yet useful guide.
12. My Saigon - The Local Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Author: Elly Thuy Nguyen
- About: Offers insider tips on experiences, cultural backstories, and practical advice for exploring Ho Chi Minh City.
- Style of Writing: Personal and engaging.
- Length: Approximately 150 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2017.
- Emotional Impact: Insightful and charming for those focusing on Saigon.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to navigate.
- Why Read It: A must-read for travelers planning an in-depth visit to Ho Chi Minh City.
13. Eat Saigon - The Local Restaurant and Street Food Guide to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Author: Elly Thuy Nguyen
- About: A detailed guide to Saigon’s food scene, including restaurants and street food.
- Style of Writing: Practical with personal anecdotes.
- Length: Approximately 180 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2018.
- Emotional Impact: Leaves readers eager to try the dishes.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to follow.
- Why Read It: Ideal for food lovers exploring Saigon.
14. Lonely Planet Eat Vietnam
- Author: Lonely Planet Food
- About: Explores Vietnam's culinary scene, highlighting must-try dishes and dining experiences.
- Style of Writing: Informative and appetizing.
- Length: Approximately 300 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2020.
- Emotional Impact: Inspires culinary exploration.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate.
- Why Read It: Perfect for travelers wanting to savor Vietnam's cuisine.
15. The Beauty of Humanity Movement - A Novel
- Author: Camilla Gibb
- About: A fictional narrative set in Vietnam, exploring cultural identity and history.
- Style of Writing: Evocative and literary.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2010.
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate.
- Why Read It: Combines storytelling with cultural and historical insights.
16. The Quiet American
- Author: Graham Greene
- About: A classic novel set in Vietnam during the French colonial period, exploring politics and society.
- Style of Writing: Literary and reflective.
- Length: Approximately 180 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 1955.
- Emotional Impact: Profound and haunting.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate.
- Why Read It: A timeless exploration of Vietnam’s political complexities.
17. The Sorrow of War - A Novel of North Vietnam
- Author: Bao Ninh
- About: A poignant novel reflecting on a North Vietnamese soldier's experiences during and after the war.
- Style of Writing: Poetic and emotional.
- Length: Approximately 240 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 1991.
- Emotional Impact: Deeply touching and unforgettable.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging.
- Why Read It: Offers a powerful perspective on war and its aftermath.
18. The Sympathizer - A Novel
- Author: Viet Thanh Nguyen
- About: A gripping tale of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
- Style of Writing: Literary and suspenseful.
- Length: Approximately 384 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2015.
- Emotional Impact: Intense and thought-provoking.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to challenging.
- Why Read It: A Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of identity and betrayal.
19. Vietnamese Home Cooking
- Author: Charles Phan
- About: A cookbook celebrating the flavors and techniques of Vietnamese cuisine.
- Style of Writing: Instructional and inspiring.
- Length: Approximately 288 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2012.
- Emotional Impact: Evokes a love for Vietnamese cooking.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate.
- Why Read It: Perfect for learning authentic Vietnamese recipes.
20. Vietnamese Street Food
- Author: Tracey Lister and Andreas Pohl
- About: A guide to Vietnam’s vibrant street food culture.
- Style of Writing: Informative and engaging.
- Length: Approximately 208 pages.
- Year Written: Published in 2011.
- Emotional Impact: Makes you crave Vietnamese street food.
- Difficulty Level: Easy.
- Why Read It: A must-have for foodies exploring Vietnam.
Conclusion
Vietnam travel books are an amazing way to dive into the beauty, culture, and history of this fascinating country. If you’re looking for the best of the best, I think Lonely Planet Vietnam is a must-read—it’s packed with practical tips and detailed itineraries to help you plan your trip with ease. For a deeper understanding of the culture, I highly recommend Vietnam – Culture Smart! – The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, which does a great job of explaining local traditions and social norms. And if you’re into more personal, reflective stories, Catfish and Mandala is one of the most moving travel memoirs I’ve read, blending travel and identity against the backdrop of Vietnam’s stunning landscapes and complex history. These three books, in my opinion, are the perfect companions for anyone exploring Vietnam.
