Gay travel to Vietnam: our country guide for LGBTQ travelers

HE Travel is a wonderful gay tour operator that offers an amazing gay group tour of Vietnam and Cambodia, with optional add-ons to also visit Bangkok and/or Laos. On this tour, you'll be able to spend time exploring the famous Halong Bay, sailing on the Mekong River delta, and experiencing the madness of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Since it also goes to Cambodia you'll even get to see those spectacular sunrises over beautiful Angkor Wat.

For some true pampering, we can't go past Zoom Vacations' offer for exploring Cambodia and Vietnam in real comfort. This trip sees you staying in only five-star hotels throughout your travels, as well as plenty of exciting excursions and even two complimentary spa treatments. We love how much there is to do on this particular tour, you can take part in a cooking class, learn about making edible rice paper and, of course, see all the most famous sights in these two fascinating countries.

Despite no apparent existence of a gay neighborhood, Ho Chi Minh City remains a phenomenal place for the queer community. Not only are the locals generally tolerant of everyone, but the best gay bars and clubs can be found here including Thi Bar, Pride Cafe, and ChinChin Bar. The city stays busy due to its high population and constant influx of tourists, which might be overwhelming for some… but in our eyes, that means more fun! 

Hanoi is both the capital of Vietnam and the largest city within the country. The destination is changing at a rapid pace to accommodate new travelers, and it shows. While most queer people reach out to others solely through the internet, the LGBTQ scene is growing as fast as the city. Bar GC is the only well-known gay venue around town, but the Hanoi Queer Takeover Parties have recently begun to sweep across the region, inviting people to step out and paint the city with rainbows! 

With its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it should be no surprise that Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most visited locations. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to perusing the Bay’s stunning turquoise waters and massive limestone formations: junk boat cruises! You will be able to encounter this natural beauty in a uniquely intimate setting if you join a tour. We highly recommend a multi-day adventure so that you can discover every facet of this dazzling destination through activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and squid fishing. 

What kind of travelers would we be if we didn’t take the time to appreciate historical monuments? Perhaps one of the most fascinating and chilling stops we’ve made to date is the Cu Chi Tunnels located within Ho Chi Minh City. These underground cavities connected the entire country and served as the primary hub of activity during the Vietnam War. Here, soldiers hid themselves and their supplies, which is an especially incredible feat once you witness the cramped quarters for yourself. 

As a rule of thumb, we suggest taking a cooking class no matter where in the world your journey takes you. By learning about a culture’s food, you will better understand it. And then, of course, you must consider the added benefits. You can explore marketplaces and farms that might have gone unseen. You can meet new people and participate in a fulfilling group task. In Vietnam specifically, you can prepare delicious bowls of Pho and appetizing plates of Goi Cuon on a healthy farm to table cooking class. It’s a win-win-win! 

If you’re looking for an ideal mix between historical sights, artistic marvels, and exciting opportunities for exploration, Hue has it all. Within this city, there remains a 19th Century Citadel surrounded by a moat and stone walls, ripe for searching. There seems to be a temple, pagoda, or shrine everywhere you turn. On account of the sheer number of important monuments located within Hue, the entire destination has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, hop on a bike and pedal your way through history! 

Along the Mekong Delta, the ecosystems are just as diverse as the communities. While most of Vietnam’s rice and fish can be found in this region, there are also countless varieties of livestock, fruits, and flowers that flourish here. The citizens of the Mekong Delta are friendly, and their floating marketplaces leave nothing to be desired. We would suggest setting aside a few days to travel along these tropical inlets, if only for the sake of taking in every last drop of the gorgeous scenery. 

Phu Quoc Island will allow any visitor to live out their wildest dreams! You can hike along trails in the island’s national park, scuba dive among vibrant corals, or take in the divine sunset views from the cable car. We personally enjoyed traversing the crowds of the Dinh Cau Night Market, which was crawling with tasty food stalls. No matter how you choose to spend your time on Phu Quoc, there is no denying the sheer beauty of those pristine beaches and lush forests.

Hoi An is the kind of place that screams rustic charm. The city’s Old Town district is arguably the most enticing spot due to its fascinating architecture, some of which dates back to the 16th century. The entire community is well-preserved and continues to reflect the influences of both foreign and native peoples. Whether you’re hoping to spend a day mingling between multiple museums, or you’re in favor of taking a relaxed stroll around town, Hoi An provides an impeccable environment.

BIG NEWS for Hoi An: in August 2024, the Rooster Spa & gay sauna opened its doors. They offer a range of treatments including body scrubs and retreat therapies.

Vietnam’s national dish is one held near and dear to our hearts. Seriously, we are complete pho-natics! With its flavorful broth, chewy rice noodles, and everlasting warmth, it’s easy to see why the soup has become so popular over time. And best of all? You can find pho all throughout Vietnam. Whether you’re entering someone’s home, passing by a bustling street stall, or sitting down in a nice restaurant, this delicious meal is everywhere – and always differing in flavor depending on your location!

This signature dish from Hoi An will undoubtedly please noodle-lovers far and wide. Seeing as it’s his favorite Vietnamese specialty, Stefan will be the first to sing the praises of Cao Lau. The rich broth acts as the perfect accompaniment to the thick rice noodles that have been soaked in ash water from the trees of Cham Island, resulting in a wonderfully springy consistency. The plate is then balanced by savory slices of pork, fresh greens, and crispy fried croutons. Talk about yum! 

Stefan is to Cau Lau as Sebastien is to Mi Quang – our favorite Frenchman absolutely adores these noodles! Whether served with chicken, shrimp, beef, or pork, Mi Quang shines on account of its versatility. This Central Vietnamese meal works excellently for either breakfast or lunch. Plus, as an added bonus, it will always leave you feeling satisfied and energized for the day ahead. Mi Quang is a delectable labor of love not soon to be forgotten by anyone who partakes in its heavenly tastes. 

If you’ve been to an Asian restaurant even once in your lifetime, then you have surely tried spring rolls. But that being said, there is something remarkable about authentic Vietnamese Goi Cuon… a wow factor that makes the dish stand out from the rest of its competition! It’s hard to put it into words, but it likely boils down to the difference in ingredients. Goi Cuon is served fresh and includes the finest selection of proteins and veggies alongside homemade rice vermicelli and a complimentary peanut sauce. 

The Nomadic Boys are what you might call coffee connoisseurs. And by that, we really mean that we love trying new coffee! So, what better place than Vietnam – the second largest coffee producer in the world – for us to get our caffeine fix? In terms of our favorite coffee experience within the country, we couldn’t possibly choose just one. You see, the sweetened iced coffee was beyond refreshing on a sweltering hot day. Meanwhile, the tiramisu-like flavor of Hanoi’s signature egg coffee is out of this world. 

If you think the sizzle of a pancake hitting the griddle is satisfying, wait until you hear the oh-so-tempting sound of a Banh Xeo being cooked. The name quite literally translates to “sizzling cake” due to its resounding fry noise. That’s how you know it’s good! Though, it certainly helps that the taste is outstanding. While this crispy, rice-based crepe is often filled with hearty ingredients like pork and egg, it is served on a bed of greens to help create an appetizing harmony on the plate.