Where next: Sri Lanka or Vietnam?

Sri Lanka and Vietnam deliver colour, chaos, calm and culture in their own distinct ways. 

Vietnam is made up of cities filled with swarming scooters, budget-friendly street food, floating markets and limestone karsts jutting out of jade seas. Sri Lanka is a bite-sized island bursting with sights from ancient stupas, tea-green hills and elephants to rugged palm-lined surf beaches. If you need help deciding between Vietnam or Sri Lanka, we’ll unpack what makes each destination so unforgettable.

Getting there & getting around

For Vietnam, fly direct to Hanoi or take a one-stop flight to Ho Chi Minh City via Arabia or Singapore. Once you’re there, travel is usually from north to south or vice versa, using a mix of quick and affordable domestic flights, trains or scenic driving routes.

If you’re heading to Sri Lanka, you can fly direct into Colombo. Classic routes loop around the island by private car with a driver. Trains can lift you into the hills for stunning scenery, but are less reliable.

Vibe & pace

Vietnam’s cities crackle with energy, horns and café chatter. For calmer moments, stroll through Hoi An’s lantern-filled lanes or sail around Halong Bay at dawn, when the tempo melts to mellow.

Overall, Sri Lanka has a softer vibe. From Kandy’s lakeside rituals and UNESCO heritage sites to Ella’s mountains and misty tracks, there’s a gentler, more contemplative rhythm here.

Culture & history

In the battle of Vietnam or Sri Lanka for culture, who comes out tops? Vietnam’s history is formed of many complex chapters and influences. You can visit hidden tombs of kings from ancient dynasties dotted through thick jungle, stand on beautifully crafted French balconies or explore culturally rich towns like Hue on a rickety bike. Take a sombre moment to contemplate the effect of the war and test your nerves with a trip down into the narrow underground Cu Chi Tunnels.

Sri Lanka is home to centuries of history: Anuradhapura, the 2,000-year-old Buddhist capital, is a recognised UNESCO site deserving of its status and ornate temples are plentiful. In contrast, explore the fortified colonial town of Galle Fort, where drumming festivals and saffron-robed monks keep heritage alive.

Beaches

Vietnam’s beaches may not be the headline act on your trip, but that’s not to say they aren’t still stunningly beautiful. Head to Danang, Nha Trang and the island of Phu Quoc for idyllic snorkelling, local seafood and sunset cocktails.

Wherever you are in Sri Lanka, you’ll be near a beach. Make the most of wide, golden sweeps of sand at Bentota and Kalutara, next to chilled out resorts. The East Coast draws surfers, especially from May – September, when the Indian Ocean swells roll in. Arugam Bay is considered a world-class surfing destination.

Food

Ask any food lover if it’s Sri Lanka or Vietnam for food and they’ll break into a knowing smile, because both cuisines are knock-your-socks-off delicious. Vietnam is a street food haven of hearty pho soups, crispy spring rolls, banh mi – Vietnam’s answer to the sandwich – and the filling noodle-based bun cha. On a culinary journey through Vietnam, you’ll find a different signature dish in every region.

Sri Lanka’s food isn’t usually on the international publicity list, but it’s exceptionally tasty. Coconut plays a leading role, adding creaminess to curries, grated onto salads or as a thirst-busting drink on a hot day. Rice is fragrantly spiced and noodle-like string hoppers are a delicate breakfast staple served with spicy sambal. Seafood is as fresh as it gets and jackfruit is a versatile fruit that can be used in savoury dishes – perfect for vegans.

Wildlife

Traditional wildlife viewing in Vietnam is limited, though you’ll encounter lots of monkeys. The drama here is geological – striking karst rock formations, valleys carpeted in rice paddies, caves (including the world’s largest, Son Doong) and several national parks.

In Sri Lanka, there’s a huge variety of wildlife including elephants at Minneriya, leopards in Yala, whales cruising blue waters and turtles nesting on secluded beaches. The wildlife plays a huge part in your holiday here; expect to see monkeys by the pool, chipmunks darting between sunbeds and lizards and peacocks roaming resort grounds.

What to do & see

Things to do in Vietnam

Zip around Ho Chi Minh City on a vintage Vespa tour, stopping to sample the street food. Cruise around Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay and take in the soaring limestone cliffs aboard a traditional wooden junk boat. Pedal off all that street food on a bicycle ride through striking green rice fields and ancient temples near Hoi An.

Brace yourself to learn about the hardships of the Vietnam War at the labyrinthine Cu Chi Tunnels and the Vietnam War Museum. Investigate the imperial citadel at Hue or go back in time among the weathered buildings of Hanoi’s oldest quarter.

Things to do in Sri Lanka

Sign up for a safari in Yala National Park for that leopard photo you’ll boast about for years. Summit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in time for sunrise with 360-degree jungle views. Ride the charming Kandy to Ella railway and weave around tea hills, waterfalls and waving schoolkids.

Rent a board and try to catch some waves at Hiriketiya, Mirissa or Arugam Bay. Or laze on the beach and watch others do all the hard work. Spend time with the Buddha statues in the old city of Polonnaruwa or enter the cave temples at Dambulla.

Itineraries we love

Vietnam

The Best of Vietnam and Cambodia – A blend of the finest cities in two countries, sprinkled with tranquil stops in beautiful nature.

Incredible Indochina – Three weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, where bustling cities give way to tranquil temples and sacred wats.

The Curious: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand – Nineteen nights spread across three countries. Discover urban highlights in the most cultured cities, cruise in Halong Bay, feel serene at Siem Reap’s temples and wind down on Phuket’s golden beaches.

Sri Lanka

A Boutique Sri Lanka Journey – Chic and intimate bijou hotels, scenic stops and culture woven in.

Wild Sri Lanka – Leave the trodden path on this nature-based adventure with the possibility of sighting leopards and whales.

A Taste of Sri Lanka – A seven-night intro to the country’s temples, towns and cuisines with a private driver and guide who knows the territory intimately.

When to visit Vietnam and Sri Lanka

For the best time to visit Vietnam, the north and south have opposite weather. For balance, go in March – May or October – November.

In Sri Lanka, the south and west are sunniest from November – April, whereas the east is best from May – September.

So, which will it be?

Vietnam vs Sri Lanka: it’s a tough one. We’ll admit they’re both completely thrilling. Choose Vietnam for energetic cities, coast-to-karst scenery and street food that transforms every pavement into a dining room.

Pick Sri Lanka for temples, tea plantations, safari thrills and beach bronzing in one tidy circuit. Ideal for travellers seeking variety at a leisurely pace.

If you’ve got more than two weeks to spare and a thirst for adventure, combine Vietnam and Sri Lanka’s best bits into one trip.

This feature was created on 8th July 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.