Sign-In
Cart
Vietnam: The Local Experience
Paperback
Publisher: Mai Nguyen
Published: Oct 15 2025
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.90
Height: 0.64 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Visiting Vietnam? Pho and conical hats dancing in your head? That's a sweet start, but honey, you're just scratching the surface!
Let your friendly, occasionally sarcastic Saigonese local, Mai, take you by the hand (and maybe gently nudge you away from a tourist trap or two). This isn't your parents' guided tour. You've got a savvy local friend showing you the real Vietnam - the one beyond the clichés (remember: we're a country, not a war). Mai spills the ca phe sua da on everything:
- Busting those Vietnam facts your uncle told you after watching Full Metal Jacket.
- Navigating the beautiful chaos of city traffic (hello, scooter swarm!) without a meltdown.
- Eating your way through the country, from Hanoi's pho to Saigon's hu tieu. (And yes, she'll tell you where to get the good local stuff and what tourist traps to sidestep).
- Insider tips on exploring stunning landscapes like the misty mountains of the Ha Giang Loop, the serene rice terraces of Pu Luong (Mai's pick over Sapa!), the truly breathtaking caves of Phong Nha, and the chilled-out beaches of Quy Nhon and Con Dao (forget crowded, touristy Phu Quoc!).
- Honest takes on popular spots (Ha Long Bay vs. the calmer Bai Tu Long Bay, anyone?) and hidden gems you won't in foreigner-written guides.
- Practical advice on everything from handling Vietnamese Dong (cough cough) and getting around like a pro (or at least not falling off the motorcycle) and avoiding scams.
- A real look at Vietnamese culture, its history (including the sensitive stuff it's illegal to discuss in Vietnam), and why the people are so darn resilient and welcoming.
And because Mai wants you to feel like a local (or at least order coffee like one), this book also includes a handy Vietnamese language guide to get you started.
Ditch the tourist treadmill. Mai's waiting to show you her Vietnam - the beautiful, the bonkers, and the utterly unforgettable.
Also from
Nguyen, Mai
Writing a Second-Chance Love Story: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Persuasion
Nguyen, Mai
Sharpe, Celeste
Paperback
Also in
Southeast Asia
Lonely Planet Thailand: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Bangkok, Central Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Hu
Meier, Philipp
Eimer, David
Bush, Austin
Paperback
Lonely Planet Indonesia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua, Sumatra
Ham, Anthony
Bartlett, Ray
Bremner, Jade
Paperback
Lonely Planet Singapore: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Colonial District, Marina Bay, Little India, Sent
Seah, Jaclynn
de Jong, Ria
Awyong, Morgan
Paperback
Lonely Planet Vietnam: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, Southeast Coast and More
Engelbach, Ben
Foronda, Karla
Zukas, Joshua
Paperback
Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Canggu & Southwest Beaches, Ub
Reid, Sarah
Bremner, Jade
Eveleigh, Mark
Paperback
Rough Guides Thailand: Travel Guide with eBook: 2026 Insider Tips Must-See Sights Maps & Itineraries Covers: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and More
Bird, Thomas
Cottrell, Christopher
Guides, Rough
Paperback
Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Bangkok, Ko Chand, Hua Hin, Ko
Bush, Austin
Meier, Philipp
Nualkhair, Chawadee
Paperback
Rough Guides Philippines: Travel Guide with eBook: 2026 Insider Tips Must-See Sights Maps & Itineraries Covers: Manila, Palawan, Cebu and More
Zatko, Martin
Guides, Rough
Paperback
Rough Guides Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei: Travel Guide with eBook: 2026 Insider Tips Must-See Sights Maps & Itineraries Covers: Kuala Lumpur, Singa
Paxton, Norbert
Guides, Rough
Paperback
Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Hanoi, the Temp
Bush, Austin
Eimer, David
Blomberg, Matt
Paperback
Lonely Planet Thailand: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Bangkok, Phuket & the Andaman Coast, Chiang Mai Pr
Eimer, David
Bensema, Amy
Nualkhair, Chawadee
Paperback
Lonely Planet Cambodia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Phnom Penh, Siem Reap & the Temples of Angkor and
Ray, Nick
Robinson, Daniel
Blomberg, Matt
Paperback
Lonely Planet Pocket Singapore: Discover Twice the City in Half the Time Top Sights Maps & Walking Tours Covers the Quays, Chinatown, Holland Village,
Seah, Jaclynn
de Jong, Ria
Awyong, Morgan
Paperback
Lonely Planet Philippines: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Manila, North Luzon, Boracay & Western Visayas
Bartlett, Ray
Grosberg, Michael
Bloom, Greg
Paperback
Lonely Planet Laos: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Vang Vieng and More
Rathnayake, Zinara
Eimer, David
Ray, Nick
Paperback
Simple Thai Food: Classic Recipes from the Thai Home Kitchen [A Cookbook]
Punyaratabandhu, Leela
Hardcover
DK Top 10 Bangkok: Top 10 Lists for Your Perfect Trip, Plus an All-Weather Folded Map
Dk Travel
Paperback
Lonely Planet Indonesia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Java, Bali, Sumatra and More
D'Arcy, Jayne
Harding, Paul
Eimer, David
Paperback
Learning Tagalog: Learn to Speak, Read and Write Filipino/Tagalog Quickly! (Free Online Audio & Flash Cards)
Barrios, Joi
Camagong, Julia
Paperback
Lonely Planet Pocket Bali: Discover Twice the Place in Half the Time Top Sights Maps & Walking Tours Covers Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran, Sanur, E
Eveleigh, Mark
Reid, Sarah
Bremner, Jade
Paperback
Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi
Brown, Lindsay
Ferrarese, Marco
Tan, Winnie
Paperback
Lonely Planet Experience Thailand: Build a Trip to Remember Local Insights Maps & Planning Tools Covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Chang, Hua Hin, Phuket
Bensema, Amy
Leon, Megan
Nualkhair, Chawadee
Paperback
Rough Guides Thailand's Beaches and Islands: Travel Guide with eBook: 2026-2027 Insider Tips Must-See Sights Maps & Itineraries Covers: Phuket, Ko Sam
Guides, Rough
Cottrell, Christopher
Bird, Thomas
Paperback
DK Top 10 Phuket: Top 10 Lists for Your Perfect Trip, Plus an All-Weather Folded Map
Dk Travel
Paperback
Tuttle Pocket Tagalog Dictionary: Tagalog-English / English-Tagalog
Domingo, Nenita Pambid
Barrios, Joi
Baquiran, Romulo
Paperback
A Brief History of Indonesia: Sultans, Spices, and Tsunamis: The Incredible Story of Southeast Asia's Largest Nation
Hannigan, Tim
Paperback
Periplus Pocket Vietnamese Dictionary: Vietnamese-English English-Vietnamese
Giuong, Phan Van
Paperback
A Brief History of Thailand: Monarchy, War and Resilience: The Fascinating Story of the Gilded Kingdom at the Heart of Asia
Ruth, Richard A.
Paperback
Mini Vietnamese Dictionary: Vietnamese-English / English-Vietnamese Dictionary
Giuong, Phan Van
Paperback
Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam
Pham, Andrew X.
Paperback
Essential Tagalog Phrasebook & Dictionary: Start Conversing in Tagalog Immediately! (Revised Edition)
Perdon, Renato
Paperback
Maayong Buntag!: An Introduction to the Visayan Language of the Philippines
Chadde, Steve W.
Paperback
Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Canggu, Ubud, Lombok and More
Exelby, Narina
Kaminski, Anna
Ver Berkmoes, Ryan
Paperback
Instant Tagalog: How to Express Over 1,000 Different Ideas with Just 100 Key Words and Phrases! (a Tagalog Phrasebook & Dictionary)
Marfori, Sining Maria Rosa L.
Gaspi, Jan Tristan
Paperback
Vietnamese Picture Dictionary: Learn 1,500 Vietnamese Words and Expressions - For Visual Learners of All Ages (Includes Online Audio)
Huong, Nguyen Thi Lien
Hardcover
The Gods Drink Whiskey: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha
Asma, Stephen T.
Paperback
Easy Tagalog Phrase Book: Over 1500 Common Phrases For Everyday Use And Travel
Lingo Mastery
Paperback
Lonely Planet Thailand's Islands & Beaches: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Bangkok, Ko Samui, Phuket, the
Eimer, David
Bensema, Amy
Tun-Atiruj, Choltanutkun
Paperback
The Rough Guide to Cambodia: Travel Guide with eBook
Edwards, Nick
Guides, Rough
Viskochil Edwards, Maria
Paperback
Instant Indonesian: How to Express 1,000 Different Ideas with Just 100 Key Words and Phrases! (a Indonesian Phrasebook & Dictionary)
Robson, Stuart
Millie, Julian
Paperback
Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket: Discover Twice the City in Half the Time Top Sights Maps & Walking Tours Covers Phuket Town, Hat Patong, Hat Karon, Hat K
Woolsey, Barbara
Nirandara, Pier
Paperback
Lonely Planet Experience Vietnam: Build a Trip to Remember Local Insights Maps & Planning Tools Covers Hanoi, Southeast Coast, the Highlands, Ho CHI M
Le Diem, Nguyen
Truong, Diana
Pham, James
Paperback
Tuttle Pocket Vietnamese Dictionary: Vietnamese-English / English-Vietnamese
Giuong, Phan Van
Paperback
Vietnam - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Murray, Geoffrey
Culture Smart!
Paperback
Thailand - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Rotheray, J.
Culture Smart!
Paperback
20 Khmer Short Stories for Beginners: An English-Khmer Dual-Language Book for Easy Reading and Learning
Mengioglu, Duygu
Paperback
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget: Travel Guide with eBook
Butler, Stuart
Bird, Thomas
Guides, Rough
Paperback
Bangkok: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of Thailand [A Cookbook]
Punyaratabandhu, Leela
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Hill Tribes Phrasebook: Essential Phrases & Vocabulary 3,500 Word Two-Way Dictionary Travel Confidently Order Food, Book Tickets, Emerge
Jarkey, Nerida
Bradley, David
Court, Christopher
Paperback
Journey Through the Philippines: An Unforgettable Journey from Manila to Mindanao and Beyond!
Deere, Kiki
Paperback
Periplus Pocket Thai Dictionary: Thai-English English Thai - Revised and Expanded (Fully Romanized)
Rattanakhemakorn, Jintana
Paperback
Survival Tagalog Phrasebook & Dictionary: How to Communicate Without Fuss or Fear Instantly!
Barrios, Joi
Paperback
The Ultimate Guide to Diving in Indonesia: Exploring the Tropical Seas with the World's Greatest Marine Biodiversity
Wormald, Sarah Ann
Paperback
A Geek in Thailand: Discovering the Land of Golden Buddhas, Pad Thai and Kickboxing
Houton, Jody
Paperback
Operation Làm Quen: Motorcycling Rural Vietnam, One Landing Zone at a Time
Berlinguette, Stephen F.
Paperback
In Farthest Burma: The Record of an Arduous Journey of Exploration and Research through the Unknown Frontier Territory of Burma and Tibet
Kingdon-Ward, Frank
Paperback
Lonely Planet Borneo: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan and More
Eveleigh, Mark
Harding, Paul
Robinson, Daniel
Paperback
The Philippines: Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling, Culture, History, Food and More: Experience Everything Travel Guide Collection
Miyazaki, Asha
Experience Everything Publishing
Paperback
Learn Cebuano Bisaya Fast: 1,200 Must-Know Phrases for Travel, Business, and Daily Life
Magri, Imen
Paperback
A Year in Green Tea and Tuk-Tuks: My unlikely adventure creating an eco farm in Sri Lanka
Spowers, Rory
Paperback
Exploring Around The Philippines: 80 Provinces, 175 Hotels, 387 Culinary Spots
Nunag, Nathanael
Paperback
Bali: The Ultimate Guide: To the World's Most Spectacular Tropical Island (Includes Pull-Out Map)
Hoffman, Linda
Hannigan, Tim
Paperback
I love Philippines Travel Guide: Philippines travel book. Travel Guide Philippines for budget travel information for individual trips. With downloadab
Giger, S. L.
Ontour, Swissmiss
Paperback
Cambodia - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Reavill, Kate
Culture Smart!
Paperback
Essential Vietnamese Phrasebook & Dictionary: Start Conversing in Vietnamese Immediately! (Revised Edition)
Giuong, Phan Van
Paperback
Thailand Travel Guide: The Ultimate Travel Guide for the Smart, First Time Traveler
Elizabeth, K.
Paperback
On the Ho CHI Minh Trail: The Blood Road, the Women Who Defended It, the Legacy
Buchanan, Sherry
Paperback
Somewhere in the Middle: A Journey to the Philippines in Search of Roots, Belonging, and Identity
Francisco Douglas, Deborah
Paperback
Red Moons and Silent Truths: A memoir of life living under Myanmar military rule
Goldman, Lydia
Paperback
The Naked Tourist: In Search of Adventure and Beauty in the Age of the Airport Mall
Osborne, Lawrence
Paperback
Thai: Travel Phrases for English Speakers: The most useful 1.000 phrases to get around when traveling in Thailand.
Retter, Sarah
Paperback
Speak Khmer (Cambodian): 1,200 Phrases for Travel, Work, and Everyday Situations
Magri, Imen
Paperback
Thailand's Best Street Food: The Complete Guide to Streetside Dining in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Other Areas (Revised & Updated)
Nualkhair, Chawadee
Paperback
The Traveling Photographer's Manifesto: A Guide to Connecting with People and Place
Hobby, David
Paperback
Backpack Like You Mean It: A crackpot tale of travel through Southeast Asia
Neves, Jennifer
Paperback
Philippines - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
Colin-Jones, Graham
Colin-Jones, Yvonne Quahe
Culture Smart!
Paperback
A Geek in Indonesia: Discover the Land of Komodo Dragons, Balinese Healers and Dangdut Music
Hannigan, Tim
Paperback
The Wind in the Bamboo: A Journey in Search of Asia's "Negrito" Indigenous People
Mirante, Edith
Paperback
200 FunFacts about Thailand: Learn everything you need to know with this Thailand guide
Funfacts, 200
Paperback