Vietnam is teeming with stories, from mythological tales to historical episodes, but the best ones exist in that grey area in between. Join guidebook author and travel writer Joshua Zukas, who's lived in Vietnam for more than a decade, on five intimate walking tours through Hanoi, Huế, Hội An, Đà Nẵng, and Hồ Chí Minh City (Saigon) that reveal how ancient kingdoms, colonial powers, and modern aspirations have shaped these cities and the country as a whole. While helping you get under the skin of each city, Joshua will also point out his favourite places to try speciality dishes and stop for Vietnamese coffee.

Temples and Dragons: A Walking Tour of Hanoi's Hoàn Kiếm Lake and its History

Hanoi is a city of stories where dissonant narratives meet overlapping timelines. Circle Hoàn Kiếm Lake, hunting for Vietnam's four mythical creatures while exploring hidden alleyways where some of the city's street food vendors, including the best bún đậu (deep fried tofu), await.

Palaces, Pagodas, Tombs, and Train Tracks: A History Tour of Hidden Huế

Welcome to Huế, Vietnam's tragic, enigmatic and overshadowed former capital. This tour zooms in on the complicated lives and controversial legacy of the Nguyễn dynasty emperors at lesser-known spots where you'll have the sights all to yourself.

From Antique Wells to French Facades: A Hội An Old Town Tour

This experience is all about peeling back the layers of Hoi An's ancient old town, where history often hides in plain sight. Track how seven countries influenced this historic trading town while exploring small alleyways where local life unfolds.

From Citadels to Skyscrapers: A Downtown Đà Nẵng Food and History Tour

Đà Nẵng's textured remnants of a millennia-long history lie hidden behind it's glamour and glow. This tour explores the city's transformation from Cham outpost to modern metropolis, with stops at two local eateries for little-known local specialties.

Between Imperialism and Modernism: The Architecture of Central Saigon

Hồ Chí Minh City (Saigon) is a jumbled attic of architectural antiques, each one recounting a chapter in Vietnam’s modern history. On this walking tour, you’ll dissect the city’s built heritage, from pre-colonial remnants and French edifices to modernist landmarks and blooming biophilia.

Immerse yourself in Vietnam's extraordinary depth through the eyes of a writer who covers the country almost exclusively because there's just so much here to unpack, he says.