I have to say I'm not entirely keen on the latest incarnation: less detail than before, too many images too many text boxes with minimal details (or duplicating what is written elsewhere) - more like a comic that my trusted 'go to' travel guide. Vietnamese street names are notoriously long (most are named after people), so digital maps trump paper ones for many travellers.

Very few maps for orientation for when you get to a city or town; the few there are have hardly any color contrast, it is near impossible to make out a street name. I do have their copy for Italy, and it has some evergreen information pertaining to the ancient buildings that will never change.

Even in the enclosed maps of Hanoi and HCMC there is no symbols showing these were the places recommended in the book. This new edition is totally useless, because the traditional strong points of its format were thrown out the window. The guide's rich cultural context and historical background added a layer of depth to my travels, enhancing my overall experience as I ventured through the diverse landscapes and vibrant cities of Vietnam. With this guide, you will still be forced to google addresses, contacts, where train lines run, all the important stuff - so what's the point ? Whether you’re interested in traveling to a new city, going on a cruise, or cooking a new dish — we’re committed to inspiring you to experience travel in a whole new way.

Of course I don't expect perfect information, but there are some serious shortcomings: One of Hanoi's three major bus stations (Giap Bat) is missing and so is information on buses from Da Lat to Da Nang - two major destinations. Visit Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of northern Thailand, discover a secret beach on Cambodia's Koh Rong, or loosen up in Ho Chi Minh City; all with your trusted travel companion.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. There are a lot more photos but the layout is messy, confusing, not properly thought of and all over the place. However, scams can happen, and your best protection is a decent knowledge of where you are going and points along the way. It's a must for rail enthusiasts, with the ride considered amongst the most amazing train journeys in the world.

If you come home late at night, go with a friend and splurge the extra dollar or two on an automobile taxi instead of a motorcycle taxi. Unless they send someone out to check every year, the excellently reviewed business could have been sold to some profiteer, and the information out of date. After reading other reviews of this book, I'm glad I'm not the only one that dislikes the new format.

Anywhere I traveled in the past 20 years, the Lonely Planet guide was the most important item in my backpack, for the wealth of PRACTICAL information it provided. This is a pretty good guidebook with good maps, information on many sights, background information, but some weaknesses in information on transportation. Also, the guide was missing some good transit options like Good Morning Cat Ba/Sapa buses, Chapa Express overnight trains, and Uber/GrabTaxi phone apps. Lonely Planet’s Vietnam is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.