Product Description

The Rough Guide to Vietnam is the essential guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of one of Southeast Asia's most enticing destinations. Using expert advice explore the best attractions of Ho Chi Minh City, roam the best Vietnamese markets, shopping, temples, national parks and then slow the pace down with a trip to the paddyfields of the Red River Delta. From the rugged mountains to the west to the South China sea to the east the Rough Guide steers you in the right direction to find the best hotels in Vietnam, Vietnam restaurants, stylish Vietnamese bars, cafés, clubs and shops across every price range, giving you clear, balanced reviews and honest, first-hand opinions. This guide covers the unspoilt islands, pristine beaches and trekking opportunities that have long made Vietnam a travel hotspot, from magical Ha Long Bay to the hill-tribes of the mountainous north. Explore all corners of Vietnam with authoritative background on everything from Vietnam's ethnic minorities to Hanoi's impressive colonial architecture, relying on the clearest maps of any guide and practical language tips. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Vietnam

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2052 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 632 pages

Customer Reviews

Regarding All Rough Guides
Rough Guides are a must for any traveller and infinitely more useful than Lonely Planet; I have found that when comparing books with fellow travellers the Rough Guides are more updated in terms of roadways, more detailed maps, and the information is accurate and honest. They also throw in useful information and other books as recommended reading before you go. As a well seasoned and experienced traveller of over 35 years, I would always recommend you never leave home with any other travel book.

Leaves LP standing
Far, far superior to the Lonely Planet guide, which (as usual) seems to have been written sitting in a bar somewhere, relying on second-hand information. The Rough Guide, on the other hand, feels fresh, vibrant and accurate. Far more comprehensive, it explores places slightly off the beaten track, has far better restaurant listings and is much easier to use generally. Lonely Planet is trendy and ubiquitous, but after a back-to-back test, you have to wonder why. The Rough Guide has far more on the history and culture of the country, and is far more readable. One feels it has been written by people of intelligence and culture; the LP, on the other hand, feels as though it has been scribbled by semi-literate back-packers. Perhaps therein lies the great difference, and for me at least, the reason why the Rough Guide is infinitely superior.

Weak in many areas
Having just returned from three weeks in Vietnam with the Rough Guide I beg to differ from other reviewers. I have always used LP in the past and switched to this one partly because of the reviews and partly because it was newly-published.

I found the maps particularly hard to follow. They are good enough if your main preoccupation is with finding restaurants and hotels, which are marked with a key but I spent ages searching the map for sights such as the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. It's marked but hard to find.

Fortunately, we were staying with friends in Hanoi who owned the Lonely Planet guide!