Vietnam Summer Travel Guide: Where to Go for a Richer, Immersive SECRET Adventure

If you’ve been thinking of planning a summer trip to Vietnam, there’s no better time than the present ☀️

This is shaping up to be Chôm Chôm Travel’s busiest summer yet—and for good reason. Vietnam is buzzing with energy, and our favorite hidden gems are shining bright. While the well-known hotspots are quickly filling up, there’s still plenty of space (and magic) to be found off the beaten path.

Whether you're traveling with kids, planning a last-minute getaway, or craving something more immersive than a beach resort, here are our favorite destinations (that are, of course, family-friendly) across Vietnam that promise adventure, culture, and space to breathe. 

Our traveler group of best friends in Vị Xuyên, Hà Giang. Thanks to our local guide Chiến, they explored the most breathtaking nature with memorable times spent with the locals.

We love finding Vietnam’s best hidden natural and cultural gems - we spent lots of time researching, trying out, and connecting with the best local guides in the area so you don’t have to. You’re here to have fun! 

Knowing where to visit in Vietnam is our number one most-asked question, so here’s our Vietnam Hidden Gem round-up.

Vietnam Secret: Quy Nhơn

🌊 A coastal paradise is still flying under the radar. Spend your days exploring hidden beaches, learning about Chăm relics, cultural heritage, and history, and watching the rhythm of daily life unfold in sleepy fishing villages. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and everything tastes better.

Vietnam Secret: Phú Yên

Raw, rugged, and seriously underrated. Phú Yên offers wide-open beaches, dramatic coastal roads, and a peacefulness you won’t find in more developed beach towns. 🏖️ Think slow times lying on the beach, fun snorkeling & hidden waterfall adventures, and unforgettable sunsets.

🦑 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - perfect for new inspiration of Vietnamese rich seafood culinary, and explore the local aquaculture along the coast

"We've lived in Vietnam for a few years but have never heard of Phu Yen before. We're usually not the adventurous travelers type, but after this most unique adventure we had, we LOVE it a lot! We adore our stays at the charming homestay in the fishing village, and the local food was excellent. Everything was well organized with the best selections of local guides, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences, all in this 4-day trip! Thank you so much for the best summer adventure we've ever had in Vietnam"

Marily & Antoine, our Saigon expat travelers on their "honeymoon trip" gifted by friends.

Vietnam Not-So-Secret: Sài Gòn

Hot? Sure. Rainy? Possibly. But summer in the city is electric. Saigon is the launchpad for our 🌟 day tours and weekend getaways. Families can discover secret alleys, street food stories, and hidden temples. It’s also your chance to explore Vietnamese coffee culture, try cooking classes, photography walking tours, and meet local creatives. Hop on the back of a motorbike and get ready to experience the big city! 🛵

Vietnam Secret: Buôn Ma Thuột

🌳 The heart of Vietnam’s Central Highlands and coffee capital. Visit waterfalls, hike through lush forest reserves for an up-close look at the rescued elephants, and discover the rich history and culture of the Ê Đê and M’Nông ethnic groups. Bonus: it’s cooler up here in the summer.

🌱 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - get ready for the most unique Ê Đê ethnic cuisine you've never seen, recipes that are passed down from generations, and natural ingredients found in the wild - even the yellow ants are used as a special ingredient that helps elevate the dish.

Vietnam Secret: Kon Tum

This region is a storybook of wooden stilt houses, traditional gongs, and the river life of the Bahnar ethnic community. It’s a beautiful alternative to more tourist-heavy towns. You can spend time in remote villages, visit ethnic markets, and witness spiritual rituals that are part of daily life here.

🌿 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - join our Bahnar local expert and delve into the ancient history that defines the diverse Bahnar culinary traditions over the centuries. This is one of the first culinary destinations in Vietnam that we developed for Chef Anais Ca Dao, where the Bahnar recipes she learnt from the local cooks will be featured in her upcoming Vietnam Cookbook ✨

Vietnam Secret: Hoàng Su Phì

If you’re dreaming of golden rice terraces and colorful ethnic cultural immersion, this is where it’s at. Stay with local ethnic families, hike through jaw-dropping scenery, and taste mountain flavors you won’t find anywhere else. It’s one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets, especially for adventurous families looking to connect with nature and people.

🌾 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - get exclusive access to one of the most diverse areas of Vietnamese ethnic communities - Red Dao, Black Dao, Tày, La Chí, etc., each with a different culinary scene of wild ingredients that can only be found in the mountains. The fried bamboo worms? Highly recommended!

Vietnam Adventure: Phong Nha

Cave lovers, rejoice. Phong Nha is perfect for a two-day family adventure into Vietnam’s wildest underground world. Kayak through rivers, trek in the national park, and enjoy the countryside quietly at a slower pace.

Vietnam Not-So-Secret: Huế & Hội An

Link the imperial and ancient cities together with a motorbike adventure that’s as fun as it is scenic. Families can explore temples, try hands-on crafts, cycle through rice paddies, and enjoy calm riverside evenings. Culture, history, and charm—all wrapped up in one unforgettable journey. But watch out, there are a lot of tourists at these famous cities, so chat with us to make sure you’re experiencing the quieter side of these iconic cities.

🍜 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - if you've heard of the popular Bún Bò Huế, which is originally from Huế, there is still A LOT more to this Central cuisine! Huế and Hội An hold some of the best dishes in Vietnam, but surprisingly, not many people know about the sophisticated royal cuisine in Huế - you will after joining this Culinary Adventure with us 😉

Vietnam Secret: Bảo Lộc

A peaceful alternative to its more famous neighboring city, Đà Lạt. Hike to hidden waterfalls, forage for wild herbs, and sip coffee straight from the farm. This area is a favorite among our returning travelers who want a full immersion into nature and rural Vietnamese life, just a short 4-hour drive from Sài Gòn to Bảo Lộc.

🦐 This is one of the stops on our CULINARY ADVENTURE too - have you ever hiked in the forest, picked some wild leaves that you don't even know their names, caught some small shrimps in the stream with a basket, and had them turned into the most delicious picnic lunch in the Mạ ethnic cuisine style? This experience can only be found with our local expert at Chôm Chôm Travel!

"All the family wanted to thank you for the very interesting itinerary you set up, for the great organisation, and for supporting us at any time. Our girls would like to come back to K'Vien's bamboo house in Bao Loc. It is amazing for us to see that their best memories are not in the fancy hotels, but sharing a diner, on the floor of a bamboo house, with our Vietnamese friends."

Perrin Family (2 adults and 2 kids), our 31-day travelers of a slow travel journey in Vietnam.

Traveling with the Chôm Chôm Spirit

We believe the best trips aren’t rushed, so we always create itineraries with this in mind.  They’re rooted in curiosity, crafted with care, and filled with unexpected connections. If you're planning a last-minute summer trip and want to make it count, get in touch. We’ll help you skip the crowds and find something real.

Want to visit these places after the summer? Check out our handy MAP to see the best time of year to visit Vietnam.