travel vietnam tips

TRAVEL to VIETNAM – Tips and Information Guide (2024 Edition)

Everything you need to know about travel to Vietnam in our comprehensive 2024 Vietnam travel guide.

We get it. You’re wondering what the absolute best destination to travel in Southeast Asia is.

You’ve spent hours researching.

Talked to friends.

Scoured the internet for blogs.

Watched YouTube videos.

And you’ve finally realised something.

Without a doubt, Vietnam is the place for you.

And trust us, as a couple that have travelled the world for over a decade, we think you’ve made the right decision.

There’s a reason Vietnam is our all-time favourite country…

From the tropical coral reefs of Nha Trang to the northern mountains of Sa Pa, travel to Vietnam is one of the most adventurous yet culturally empowering experiences you can have.

One moment you will find yourself haggling for banh mi deep within Saigon and later that day you could be watching a breathtaking sunset from the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is more than a country. It’s an experience.

You’ll find yourself immersed among street food vendors cooking up exotic cuisines such as pho along streets with stores selling suits and ties.

Or you’ll be cruising the waters of Halong Bay while monkeys jump from island to island.

Or you might find yourself trekking to the highest peak in Vietnam, Fansipan soaring to over 3,100 metres!

Not into adventure activities? Homestays are the perfect way to spend your day as the monsoon rains fall across the endless snaking rivers of the Mekong.

Vietnamese hospitality is unrivalled and is something that you should experience once in your life, so what are you waiting for? Say good morning Vietnam! And go get lost!

So we’ve convinced you to travel to Vietnam? Awesome!

Now check out the basic information about the country in our Vietnam travel guide.

TRAVELLING IN VIETNAM: AT A GLANCE

Here are the basics about travel to Vietnam.

DON’T FORGET TO PACK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: TRAVEL INSURANCE !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN VIETNAM

With so much to see and do in Vietnam, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Vietnam you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Take the Overnight Train from Hanoi to Sapa

Said to be one of the most eye-opening train rides in the world, as you pass through lush forests, rice paddy fields on your way to the Vietnamese – Chinese border.

Book your train ticket here .

Hike Through the Rice Terraces of Sapa

Explore the area with the local hill tribes. Stay with them during your trek. And enjoy the beautiful terraced countryside for which Sapa is known.

Here’s our full post about trekking in Sapa .

Cruise the Mekong Delta

Probably one of the ‘must do’s of Vietnam.’ The Mekong Delta is full of hidden gems including floating markets, friendly locals and late afternoon storms.

Book a multiday tour of the Mekong Delta

Go Caving in Phong Nha

Caves there can fit a 747 plane in it. They are massive and spectacular. This is an adventure you will never forget.

Book your Phong Nha cave tour

Ride a Motorcycle

Yes, that’s right! Hiring a motorcycle or scooter is a must. But maybe do it out on the country roads. Opt for the famous ride to the mountain village of Dalat, or pretty much anywhere throughout the country.

Read about how to ride through the famous Hai Van Pass

Other Things to do in Vietnam

Learn to cook Vietnamese food . Eating delicious Vietnamese food is one thing. Eating it after you’ve learned to prepare it is another!

Scuba dive in Nha Trang. You may not think of Vietnam as a big scuba location, but there is some great diving to be had in Nha Trang.

Go canyoning in Dalat. Rappel, slide, jump and climb your way through canyons in this gorgeous place!

Explore the Marble Mountains in Da Nang. These beautiful mountains have been mined for marble for years and have incredible views and temples to visit along the way.

Sandboard down the sand dunes in Mui Ne. It’s like snowboarding, but down massive sand dunes! Enjoy this rush!

Visit the Giants Causeway in Ghan Da Dia. Half the world away from the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, be amazed at this unique geologic structure .

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels outside of Ho Chi Minh City. No trip to HCMC is complete without touring these historic tunnels that were used during the war.

Conquer the Hoi An Pass on a motorbike . This is known as one of the most beautiful sections of highway in the world. Enjoy!

Explore the world’s biggest cave . We have a special connection with Hang Son Doong as it is where we were engaged. Make your own special moment too!

Climb the highest mountain in Indochina in Sapa. Fansipan is over 3,000m above sea level and offers incredible views along the way to the top!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN VIETNAM

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Vietnam. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

When slurping a bowl of pho in a local market or exploring an ancient temple, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine in Ho Chi Minh City.

Plan your 3-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary

A collection of over 3,000 limestone islands providing endless kayaking opportunities. Take the time to relax aboard a boat or venture to Cat Ba National Park for mystical waterfalls!

Book your tour of Halong Bay

The capital of Vietnam is also one of the most ancient capitals in the world. The history of Hanoi is rich, devastating and full of legends. This mystical city is also known for its cuisine, silk, buzzing nightlife as well as cultural diversity.

Plan your 3-day Hanoi itinerary

My Son Temple

Ancient temples dating back 1,000 years give a culture understanding into Vietnam’s past all while showing the scars of the war.

Book an early morning tour of My Son

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Vietnam, reference our following city travel guides: 

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN VIETNAM. 

BEST VIETNAM TRAVEL ITINERARY

We’ve put together a few Vietnam itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Vietnam that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

Even though the country is one united nation, you can think of it geographically as being divided into a northern and southern region.

So depending on how much time you have, you may want to explore the northern region, southern region or the entire country.

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to Vietnam these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

1-Week Vietnam Travel Itinerary Highlights

Most people spend at least a month went hey travel to Vietnam. But if you had just one week, or were willing to split a few weeks between the northern and southern regions, this is how we’d spend our time! 

Northern Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi
• 2 nights – Hanoi
• 2 nights – Halong Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay
• 2 nights  – Sapa
• Alternative to Sapa –  2 night in Hue
• Fly out of Hanoi

Central Vietnam

• Fly into Hanoi or HCMC. Get a local flight down to Dong Hoi
• 3 nights – Phong Nha
• 2 nights – Hue
• 2-3  nights – Hoi An
• Fly out of Da Nang to either Hanoi or HCMC to leave

South Vietnam

• Fly into Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights – Ho Chi Minh City
• 2 nights – Mekong Delta
• 2 nights –  Dalat
• 1 night – Mui Ne
• Fly out of Ho Chi Minh City

READ MORE: Check out this post for more details on our Vietnam travel itinerary . 

VIETNAM TRIP PLANNING

Best time to visit vietnam.

The best time to travel to Vietnam really depends on what you are looking for in terms of weather, scenery and budget.

Peak season occurs from mid-December through to February. But expect prices to double during this time. The low season is perfect for those on a budget.

• Low Season – April to June, September to November
• Shoulder Season – December to March
• High Season – July & August

Northern Vietnam  – The best months to travel Northern Vietnam are April to May or September to October. There are mostly sunny days and the rain has stopped.

The weather gets really cold from December to March and is not suited for hiking or sailing a junk boat in Halong Bay that time of year.

Central Vietnam –  The best months for travel to Central Vietnam are January to June. There are heavy rains in October and November and the really hot months are from May to August.

Southern Vietnam  – The best months to explore Southern Vietnam are January to April where conditions are beautiful.

You really can travel the south at any time of the year. Just note that from May to November there are afternoon downpours.

VIETNAM TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDELINE

Vietnam is a cheap country to travel if you want it to be, this all depends on what your budget is like. Our advice is always over-budget when making plans, and if you come home with money, it can go towards your next trip. All prices below are in USD per day.

Budgeting Tips

To make your money go further here are a few tips: 

• Eat street food as often as possible. You can usually fill up for $1-2USD.
• Travel in groups when possible. Staying in hostels will lead to making friends. And with friends, you can split transportation costs and barter on other expenses.
• Negotiate taxi fares before taking the ride. Vietnamese taxi drivers are notorious for flexible fares that tend to fall int heir favor. Don’t be afraid of a little negotiation.
• Drink bia hoi . Sure it’s not the more delightful beer. But it is shipped in fresh each day, it’s cheap and it’s what the local drink.
• Take in the sights for free. Do a little research and walk the streets on your own. You’ll also find there are a number of free tours and other opportunities if you ask around.
• Sleep on overnight busses for longer trips. Combine the transportation and accommodation line items of your budget and save a few dollars.

But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($35 Single / $50 Couples)

If you are on a backpacker budget and planning on staying in dorm rooms, getting street food, drinking a few nights of the week, I would budget for about $35 a day.

A single hostel bed can be $5-$8 per person. A budget basic private room is $15-$20. A street food meal can be $1-$2. A bottle of beer is about $1- $1.50 and a bia hoi is $0.20 per cup. This is not the nicest beer. But it is passable and you get to make new friends when drinking it.

Walking or taking public transport will keep your budget down. There are many free things to do, you just need to think outside the box.

Mid-Range Traveller ($100 Single / $120 Couple)

If you have a little more cash in your budget your travels in Vietnam will become a lot more comfortable.

A nicer hotel is definitely affordable.

There are restaurants where you will pay more than the street food price. But the food is definitely of nicer quality (most of the time). The local beer can get a little too much sometimes so you will be able to enjoy an international beer or wine.

For the attractions you are most interested in, get a guide and learn more about the history of the country. You’ll be able to commit much more of your budget to do things rather than cutting corners just to stay alive.

Luxury Traveller ($90+ Single / $120+ Couple)

You don’t have to have that much more to enjoy a luxury trip to Vietnam. With a few more dollars in your budget, a nicer hotel is definitely affordable. Eat and drink anything you would like at virtually any restaurant.

You can hire transportation without having to haggle. And you can pretty much do any tour you would like to do when visiting any part of Vietnam.

GETTING TO AND AROUND VIETNAM

Entry requirements.

Most travellers are required to have visas when travelling to Vietnam, which can typically be arranged upon arrival. You are typically allowed to stay for 3 – 6 months, depending on nationality.

For information about your specific visa requirements click  here

Additionally, Vietnam has introduced an electronic visa (e-visa), which costs $25 USD and is granted for single entry visits for up to 30 days.

You no longer will have to apply through an agent to get an invitation letter or queue at the airport immigration for hours waiting to receive your visa upon arrival.

Apply in advance  here .

Once you are approved, all you need to do is print the visa out and present it on entry to Vietnam. Don’t lose this e- visa print out as you will need this during your travels in Vietnam.

Hotels will ask for it on check-in at the accommodation and travel agents may ask for it if you are booking flights.

Also, print out your  travel insurance  as well. Immigration will ask for this also as they want to know you are covered if you fall ill or get injured during your stay.

Getting to Vietnam

There are a number of different ways to travel to Vietnam, depending on where you are coming from and how you like to get around with transport.

There are a lot of different airlines that fly to Vietnam from all over the world. There are two major international airports in Vietnam: Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Noi Bai Airpot (HAN) in Hanoi in the north.

Direct flights to Vietnam from Australia, Europe and North America are still limited, but it is improving. You will most likely have to book a flight with a stopover in either Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul or Singapore.

There are many domestic airports scattered among the country. Vietnam Airlines is Vietnam’s national carrier. We have flown with them several times and they are amazing.

You can cross into Vietnam by train from China, all the way from Beijing to Ping Xian. This is the Dong Dang Crossing which is 160km from Hanoi.

After you have crossed the border hop on a train to Hanoi. Don’t buy the direct ticket from Beijing to Hanoi. It works out cheaper to buy your ticket from Beijing to Ping Xian then cross the border and purchase another ticket from Dong Dang to Hanoi.

If you do the train trip from Beijing through to Hanoi, it will take 36 hours so it is best to book a sleeper. Make sure you have your visa organised before getting to the border.

You can bring your own food and drinks for the train or purchase them from the cafeteria on board. There are squat toilets on board and areas to store your luggage.

You can get to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City through either the Cambodia, Laos or China borders. There is a route from Vientiane (Laos) to Hanoi, and one from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City.

Most travel agents in Vientiane, Siem Reap or Phnom Penh will sell the tickets or at your accommodation. You can also get a minivan from Guangzhou through to Hanoi.

Make sure you have your visa ready. The border crossings by land may not be set up as well as others.

If you want to book any of your bus trips online rather than trying to deal with travel agencies in the country, you can do so on the popular website  Bookaway .

Getting Around Vietnam

Getting around Vietnam is surprisingly easy. Public transport goes everywhere, and there are plenty of moto-taxis that are happy to take you to the places that public transport won’t reach.

Travelling by Air

The fastest way to get around the country, of course, is by air. There are many domestic airports all over the country and you can fly in from major cities.

You can get cheap flights within the country through VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines. For the best deals head directly on the airline’s website.

Travelling by Taxi, Tuk Tuk Or Mototaxi

When you are in the cities and town catching a taxi, tuk-tuk or moto-taxi can be the best way to get around. For taxi companies, look for the biggest and most reputable companies as you can be ripped off.

For the tuk-tuks, ask your accommodation the average price to your destination so you can agree on a price with the driver.

We recommend Uber and Grab (car or motorbike) which you can use an app and get the price.

Travelling by Bus

It is possible and advisable to travel by bus throughout Vietnam. Busses inside of cities can be complicated and should be a last resort.

However, when travelling long distances in Vietnam busses are a great option. This is especially true if you take night busses and sleep during the ride.

Travelling by Motorbike

We think travelling by motorbike is the best way to see Vietnam if you have the time. Buy your own motorbike and ride the length of the country. Or you can choose one area and explore Northern Vietnam or South Vietnam.

Here’s our post to help guide you on  how to buy a motorbike in Vietnam .

Travelling by Train

Taking the train is a great way to get around the country. They are great for overnight journeys as the trains have bed cabins.

In Vietnam, there are many places with roadwork that can last for years. So trains can be the best way to go.

APPS AND TECHNOLOGY

We know you’ll absolutely love travelling in Vietnam. But technology has made it easier, more affordable and safer to travel than ever.

Here are a few apps we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

Grab – Use this app to catch a ride from any metro area in Vietnam.

XE Currency – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 

Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in [Country]. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 

iTranslate – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Vietnamese words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Vietnam. 

WiFi Finder – With this app, you no longer have to guess whether the next place on your itinerary has WiFi or scramble across town looking for hot spots.

BEST THINGS TO EAT IN VIETNAM

When you travel to a foreign country one of the new and most exciting things you will experience is the food. There are so many amazing food choices in Vietnam, and Vietnamese food is delicious.

Here are a few of our favourites.

Goi Cuon:  This is a rice paper packed with greens, coriander and various combinations of minced or shredded pork, shrimp or crab. It will be served with a sweet and sour sauce or a delicious homemade peanut sauce.

Sometimes to make the experience even better, you get to hand roll them yourself. This was our favourite dish.

Banh Mi:  With this one, it will be different in every corner of Vietnam. This is a baguette sandwich that is filled with meat, greens, pata, pickled vegetables, soy sauce, cilantro and sometimes an omelet.

The meat filling will be roasted pork belly, grilled pork loin, barbecue pork, boiled chicken, or a fried egg.

Pho (pronounced ‘fur’):  This flat rice noodle soup is either light beef or chicken broth flavoured with coriander and ginger with spring onions and bits of meat (chicken, pork or beef).

It is a dish you can have any time of the day and is delicious, but it can be hit and miss in some places. If you have an average one, please do try it again. We ate pho a lot for breakfast and never got sick of it.

Bun Cha:  This is a Hanoi specialty and it is deliciously addictive. Bun Cha is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles. It will be served with a sauce.

It will all be served separately and you combined everything together. You can ask for some little fried spring rolls on top too. It is so delicious!

Coa Lau:  Hoi An is the best (and only authentic) place to try this one. as the noodles are made using water from a special well in town.

It is chewy rice flour noodles with Chinese barbecue pork, bean sprouts, croutons and fresh herbs in a delicious pork-based gravy.

PLACES TO STAY IN VIETNAM

There are accommodation options for all budgets in Vietnam. You can stay in a shared dorm for $5 USD per night, or a luxury hotel for over $300 USD.

The accommodation standards can vary in each destination.

For example, we got a really nice hotel in the middle of nowhere when we were on our bike for $12 a night. But we would not find a place like this in Hanoi, Hoi An, HCMC or Hue for less than $25.

NOTE –  In Vietnam, the accommodation will keep your passport for the duration of your stay. This is to do with the government. Officials will randomly come around and check hotels and hostels.

If they do not have the ID or passport of every person staying there, the accommodation will be fined. The accommodation will keep your passport in a safe. If you are unsure just ask, “do you lock my passport up?”

Types of Accommodations

Vietnam is wildly popular among backpackers. Because the costs are generally incredibly low, budget travellers flock to the country.

This means that there are lots of great hostel options when looking for accommodations in Vietnam.

Whether you are busy spending all your time exploring and are just looking for a cheap place to crash for the night or want to make friends along the way, you will find most of what you are looking for in a variety of hostels throughout Vietnam.

Because costs are generally lower in Vietnam than in most parts of the world your quality of life can go up quite a bit when you travel to Vietnam.

One way you can upgrade your travel experience is by booking rooms in hotels instead of beds in hostels. For a few dollars more you’ll get vastly more space and privacy.

In some towns and villages, hotels are your only option.

But generally, these are very reasonably priced. You can expect to spend USD$20-30 for a decent hotel room in most cities, towns and villages across Vietnam.

Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay in Vietnam for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are available, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before,  sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Vietnam

We travelled from the south to the north and stayed in many different places. Here are a few accommodation options we highly recommend.

VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS

The Vietnamese people are friendly, welcoming and hospitable towards travellers. It is a great destination to travel to in Southeast Asia.

The people are very respectful and would like the same back from you. Here are a few things that you should know before going to Vietnam.

GENERAL VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS 

While we have many basic travel tips we suggest you use when travelling to Vietnam, there are also plenty of Vietnam-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Vietnam: 

Please show respect to their religious beliefs and their cultures . You are travelling to someone else’s country. They have different religious beliefs and cultures in your home. Please respect them.

Watch your belongings. Vietnam is a safe country but unfortunately, there still is petty theft. Whether you are at a restaurant or on a bus always watch your belongings.

Beware of the counterfeit tour agencies . Unfortunately, there are plenty of these around, especially in the main tourist areas. Book through the main owner or operator or any of these tours that we recommend .

Do not drink the tap water. The locals don’t even drink the water. There is bottled water available everywhere. Popular tourist restaurants will usually have on their menu that they wash their salad and veggies in sterilised water and make tea, coffee and soup from that too.

Carry toilet paper everywhere . There are toilets available in restaurants or in public but there may not be toilet paper. Most of the time you have to pay for the public toilet and they may give you some toilet paper, but don’t count on it. Always have your stash.

Toilet paper goes in the bin . DO NOT put the toilet paper in the toilet. Please put it into the bin provided. Vietnam’s sewerage systems are not built for much more than human waste so toilet paper and other items will just clog up your toilet.

Embrace the “bum gun “. Next to every toilet in Vietnam, there is a water hose. This is not to wash down the floor. This is to clean yourself up after you do your business. Don’t be disgusted by this. Embrace it.

Vietnam is bigger than you think . This country is huge and many people underestimate it. Vietnam is about 1,650 kilometres long from north to south. The distance on buses and trains is long so be prepared.

Take note of the Vietnamese money . It will be a new currency for you so do take a look at it before you go out spending. There are more zeros in it than you might be used to (1USD = 23,000 Dong)

Always take photos when you rent a scooter . Renting a scooter in Vietnam is something everyone does. It is a great way to get around and see all the attractions. But where you rent it from can get you into trouble. Whenever you rent a scooter take photos of the bike or else might end up with a crazy expensive bill.

Always wear a helmet. Always . Please wear a helmet. The roads are crazier here than they are in your country. The rules are different and road conditions are not the best. A quality helmet could save your life in an accident.

Make sure you have travel insurance . We tell people who are going travelling, “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” You do not know what is going to happen while you are away and knowing you are covered will put your mind at ease.

Be confident when crossing the road . The roads in Vietnam are crazy. Crossing the road can be daunting but you need to be confident. Do not walk backward or hesitate. Walk slowly and watch the traffic coming towards you. They will all move around you.

Take your shoes off before entering a temple or a person’s home . It is a custom that stems back to ancient times and a big part comes back to cleanliness. The ground is used for chatting, dining and even sleeping.

Cover your shoulders and knees when entering a temple . This is common in most religious sites. There are always signs suggesting visitors dress ‘appropriately.’ Shoulders and knees should be covered. If it is a hot day and a t-shirt is too sticky, carry a scarf for when you visit to cover your shoulders.

Keep a low profile . Do not be loud, raise your voice in aggression or show off. Do not show dramatic affection publicly like kissing. Save it for the hotel room

Ask for permission before taking a photo of someone . This is polite and ensures you are not intruding on them. The people are not there for your entertainment. If they say no, smile and thank them anyway.

Do not take photos of anything to do with the government or military. This is a big NO in any country and can end up with you in jail.

Do not touch someone on the head . The head is the most important part of the body. Touching someone’s head who you don’t know is like saying you are more important than they are.

Place your chopsticks across the top of the bowl when finished . Don’t have your chopsticks hanging out of the bowl, and don’t point them at anyone when they are resting on the plate.

VIETNAM PACKING LIST

We always travel with a core packing list wherever we go. And when it comes to Vietnam, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our travel essentials and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads .

STAYING SAFE IN VIETNAM

Vietnam is extremely safe, apart from the one major danger which is the roads. They are crazy, even more so if you try to ride 10’000km around the country on motorbikes as we did!

Aside from that, common sense will keep you safe.

Here are a few reminders of what common sense when travelling in Vietnam means:

As you saw above, Vietnam is extremely safe. We did not feel unsafe once in the 7 months we were there (excluding the roads).

This doesn’t mean you can completely let your guard down though, and petty theft does happen in this country, although it’s not common.

Some tips for protecting your things:

In other words, use common sense and you’ll be fine.

STAYING CONNECTED IN VIETNAM

Staying connected with friends and family (and work) when travelling in Vietnam is important. But if you don’t know how to connect you can find yourself greatly inconvenienced or spending too much money.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

Picking up a SIM card has become the quickest and typically most affordable way to stay connected in Vietnam or any country for that matter.

If you have an unlocked phone you can use a 4G SIM card to connect to the cellular networks in Vietnam. From there you can cast a hot spot if you need to crank out some work on your computer or want to connect a tablet.

This 3G/4G SIM card is a great and affordable option for a SIM card if you are flying into Vietnam.

Rent a Portable WiFi Device

Alternatively to a SIM card, particularly if you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can rent a portable WiFi device during your travel to Vietnam.

This device will be delivered to you when you arrive in Vietnam and will provide 4G service for less than USD$5 per day.

You’ll be able to connect anywhere you can find service across the country, which will be most of the places you are likely to travel in Vietnam.

Access Free WiFI

Free is always best, if it is convenient. And there are plenty of places throughout Vietnam that will provide free WiFi in public spaces or at restaurants, cafes and hostels and hotels.

We recommend using the WiFi Finder app, which will help you locate WiFi anywhere you travel in Vietnam.

BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER IN VIETNAM

We absolutely love Vietnam. And we love the idea that it will remain a beautiful and friendly place for travellers for years to come.

Here are a few tips specific to travel to Vietnam that will promote sustainable tourism in the country:

Use your own energy to get around. Walk or cycle through town as much as possible. Taking a cyclo-taxi is a close alternative if you don’t have the energy to propel yourself through the city. But this reduces the impact of taxis, busses and other forms of automotive transportation.

Mind your plastic . Plastic is everywhere in Vietnam. But using your own reusable bag for groceries and other shopping, carrying a reusable water bottle and having your own straw are just 3 of the many simple ways you can reduce the amount of plastic you use.

Shop local . Visiting the markets will be one of your top experiences when travelling to Vietnam. Support local vendors as often as possible, including in taking tours when available.

Be mindful of wildlife . Wildlife in the wild is great. But be mindful not to provoke, feed or otherwise molest wildlife. And never purchase any item made of or involving rare or endangered species.

Attempt to communicate in Vietnamese . You’re probably not going to be fluent as soon as you arrive in the country. But knowing a few phrases and doing your best to communicate with locals will show respect and earn trust and make your experience richer.

KEY VIETNAMESE TRAVEL PHRASES

You don’t have to be fluent in Vietnamese to have a great time when you travel to Vietnam. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Vietnamese people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

BOOKS TO READ ABOUT VIETNAM

Maybe you already know everything about Vietnam. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Vietnam. 

The Quiet American (Graham Greene) – Originally published in 1956 and adapted for film twice, this story by Greene became an instant classic. Greene fictionalizes life in 1950s Vietnam as told by a British correspondent trying to understand the roots of the rising conflict set to occur.

At Home In The World (Thich Nhat Hanh) – World renown Vietnamese monk, Hanh reflects on lessons and stories in life from the Buddhist perspective.

Vietnam: Rising Dragon (Bill Hayton) – A piece of nonfiction that looks back on the Vietnam of old and attempts to projects its place in the future of Southeast Asia.

The Sympathizer (Viet Thanh Nguyen) – The Pulitzer Prize-winning book, allegedly influenced by The Quiet American , is told through the eyes of a double-agent during the Vietnam War who struggles to understand the minds and hearts of men engaged in war.

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Vietnam Travel Tips: 15 Things to Know Before Going to Vietnam

If you are planning a visit to Vietnam and have never been to SE Asia before, be prepared for a bit of culture shock. The traffic is horrendous, many people don’t speak English, the food is not what you’re used to, cleanliness standards are quite different, and you may have to use the occasional squatty potty.

But if you mentally prepare yourself for the challenges and excitement that lie ahead, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this beautiful, diverse, and amazing country! After traveling all over Vietnam, we decided to move to Saigon last year, and all of our time here has allowed us to narrow down the most important Vietnam travel tips.

Based on our experience living in Vietnam and traveling the country extensively, we have compiled a list of 15 things you should know before visiting Vietnam so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

15 Travel Tips for Visiting Vietnam

1. arrange your visa before arriving in vietnam.

Unlike neighboring Thailand and Cambodia , most visitors can’t simply arrive in Vietnam and get stamped into the country. All nationalities outside of Southeast Asia require some type of visa or preapproval letter before arriving in Vietnam.

Fortunately, it’s actually easy for citizens of most countries to obtain a visa either through the new eVisa process or by being pre-approved for a visa on arrival.

Unfortunately, the visa process for Vietnam is made more confusing by the proliferation of travel agencies offering the pre-approval service and competing for your business online. There are a lot of official-looking websites that aren’t really official. Many of these sites have the word “government” or “govt” in their URL to be tricky.

There is only one official eVisa site maintained by the Vietnamese government: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt . If you want a 30-day, single-entry e-visa you should proceed directly to that URL.

However, if you want to stay longer than 30 days or want a multiple entry visa, you’ll need to select one of the official-looking but not-official tourist agencies to provide you with a pre-approval letter to visit Vietnam.

For the most part, they are all legit, so your chances of getting scammed out of a few dollars are relatively low. But it sure makes things confusing!

We can personally vouch for the authenticity of  http://www.vietnamvisapro.net/ as we’ve used them several times and never had any issues.

Steps for Obtaining a 30-Day Single-Entry eVisa

• Visit this website;  https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt . This is the only official government website . All others only look official but are run by tourist agencies.
• Upload your passport data page image and a passport photo (straight looking without glasses).
• Pay the fee by credit card.
• You will be emailed a registration code which you can use to check the status of your eVisa .
• Wait 3 working days for processing.
• Once approved, print your e-visa, and remember to pack it in your carry-on luggage!

The Steps to Obtaining a 30-day or 90-day Visa on Arrival

• Find an online service like  http://www.vietnamvisapro.net/ or one of the countless other options.
• Complete the visa application.
• Pay the fee.
• Wait 2 working days (usually less) for the letter of approval.
• Print the approval letter.
• Get passport photos taken if you don’t have them already. If you forget this step, you can get them taken at the airport for an inflated charge of ~$5 per photo (but it’s best not to rely on this option).
• Pack your approval letter, passport photos, and cash. Make sure they are all in your carry-on/hand luggage!
• At the airport, you’ll pay a stamping fee – either $25 or $50 depending on the length of visa you’re applying for (see below). Be sure to bring US Dollars in reasonably good condition – bills with no rips or writing.

2. It’s Best to Fly in Vietnam

Vietnam is a very long, thin country. From the city of Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, the distance is over 1,000 miles and would take about 30 hours by car. Even with a whole month in Vietnam , if you want to hit all of the highlights in the south, central, and northern regions, you should definitely plan on flying.

If you take a bus or the train, you may save a few dollars, but you’ll waste a ton of time covering these massive distances. Plus, you can find really inexpensive domestic flights, especially if you book ahead. Vietjet Air is a popular domestic carrier with inexpensive flights (although it is not the most punctual airline).

Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner

3. Be Prepared for the Heat (and the Cold)

Whether you’re visiting south, central, or northern Vietnam, you can expect a lot of heat and humidity. The climate of the entire country is considered to be mild tropical or subtropical. So if your hair is like mine and turns into an unruly mop at the slightest hint of humidity, consider yourself screwed. Plus, any makeup you apply will slide off your face within 30 seconds of stepping outside.

Overall, you can expect some rain in the summer and autumn months, especially if you are visiting Vietnam from July to November. And in the north, the temperatures can get quite cold during the winter months (December – February), with occasional snow in the mountains around Sapa .

Central Vietnam is generally warm year-round and can get so unbearably hot in the summer months. Make sure you take this into account if you want to visit Hue , Hoi An , or Da Nang . The intense summer heat can make it so that leaving your air-conditioned hotel room takes the maximum amount of effort.

Be sure to check the weather in every city that you plan on visiting in Vietnam prior to departing so that you can plan (and pack) accordingly.

4. Learn Some Vietnamese

English is taught in schools in many countries in SE Asia, so locals tend to be multilingual. This is especially true of anyone working in shops, restaurants, hotels, or places that tourists frequent. And many people want to learn English as tourism is seen as a very lucrative profession. So getting around without a phrasebook or any basic conversational dialect is no problem.

But in rural parts of Vietnam, many people do not speak any English at all. Or if they do, it is incredibly basic. Even at restaurants, shops, and some hotels, you may have a challenging time communicating to place an order or ask how much something costs.

Plan on learning a few phrases to get around. “Xin chào” (pronounced “sin jow”) means “hello” and “cảm ơn” (pronounced “kam on”) is “thank you”. And the one you’ll probably use most frequently – “bia” (pronounced “bee-ah”) means “beer”. Use Google Translate and pick up a Vietnamese phrase book to help you get around.

5. Crossing the Street is Terrifying

The traffic in Vietnam is world-renowned for being insane. But not as much because of cars, more because of the thousands of motorbikes that dominate the roadways, weaving in and out of traffic. Walk signals and the white lines that generally indicate “pedestrian crossing” zones don’t hold much weight here. Motorbikes and cars will not stop for pedestrians unless they absolutely have to.

And since motorbike drivers don’t follow classic traffic rules – such as staying off of the sidewalks, going the right way down a one-way street, or stopping for red lights – you’ll have to be on high alert every time you attempt to cross the street.

As a general rule, you should begin walking confidently once you see a break in traffic and have faith that the cars and motorbikes will weave around you. They probably won’t stop, but they won’t actually hit you. Drivers seem to be better about this in Ho Chi Minh City and not as effective in Hanoi . Regardless, use caution and don’t expect your normal pedestrian rights from home to apply in Vietnam.

6. Get a Vietnamese SIM Card

You’ll find that even in remote areas of the country, including Sapa , Halong Bay , and Ninh Binh , the Wi-Fi signal is strong. And if you have a phone that is unlocked, you can pick up a Vietnamese sim card and get 60 gigs of data for less than $10. The 4G service works great pretty much everywhere.

No need to upgrade your cell service from home to an international plan while visiting Vietnam!

Viettel vs. MobiFone vs Vinaphone: Which is better? During multiple trips to Vietnam, we have used Mobifone, Viettel, and Vinaphone. We recommend Viettel – it is hands down the best Vietnam SIM card for tourists .

7. It’s Really, Really Cheap

The caveat to this is that you can certainly spend a lot and find luxury tours and accommodations while visiting Vietnam if you choose. But if you are on a moderate budget like us (we generally spend $80-100/day between the two of us), it’s really easy to do here.

You can find lovely boutique hotels in the $30-40 USD/night range and really comfy Airbnbs for around $20-25 USD/night. If you’re living in Vietnam long-term, you can rent an apartment or house for around $300-600/month. Trains and buses are quite affordable and comfortable. And if you use the Grab app instead of taxis, you’ll rarely pay more than a few dollars to get anywhere in the city.

Food is quite cheap as well. If you don’t mind eating on tiny plastic stools, you can get a filling meal for around $2 USD. Even fancy meals rarely cost more than $20 USD per person. Domestic beer is generally less than $1 USD per can or bottle. And if you plan on shopping for souvenirs, you’ll be expected to haggle a bit on prices. Start by offering 50% of their asking price, and you’ll end up meeting somewhere in the middle.

8. Check the Toilet Seat before Sitting

The toilet situation in SE Asia takes some getting used to. Most bathrooms in Vietnam have adopted Western-style toilets over squatty potties (although you may encounter one every now and again). But often, you’ll need to pay to use them (generally 2,000 VND). And they don’t always have toilet paper. Most Vietnamese people prefer to use sprayers to clean their bums.

And that spray water gets all over the toilet seat. No one seems to have an interest in cleaning up after themselves. If I had $1 for every time I’ve accidentally sat down on a wet toilet seat in SE Asia, I’d be able to travel forever. Carry some tissues in your pocket and give the seat a good wipe before you sit down.

9. Always Wear a Helmet, it’s the Law

In December of 2007, Vietnam enacted a comprehensive mandatory helmet law to help to lessen the country’s traffic fatalities. Vietnam is the second-highest country in SE Asia for traffic fatalities with 24.5 per 100,000. And motorbikes are much more common than cars here, accounting for 95% of registered vehicles in the country.

The law is strictly enforced and today, you’ll see most people wearing them around cities. And it’s helped. A lot. The AIP Foundation estimates that 15,000 fatalities and 500,000 injuries have been prevented in the 10 years since the law was enacted.

As a foreigner, you’ll be expected to wear one as well during your visit to Vietnam. And not just if/when you rent a motorbike, you’ll also need one if you take one of the many Grab bikes that dominate the roadways. But don’t worry, they’ll have an extra one for you to use.

10. Use Grab, not Taxis

Speaking of Grab, you should plan on using this service rather than taxis. Grab is the Uber of SE Asia. Simply download the app and find a driver anytime you need a ride. Keep in mind it often takes longer than hailing a taxi, and the drivers occasionally cancel the ride, but it’s far easier than having to negotiate your taxi fare prior to departing. And it’s so much cheaper!

You can load your credit card info or opt to pay cash for each ride. You’ll rarely pay more than $2 USD to get around the city. You’ll save yourself a ton of time, money, and hassle if you use Grab during your visit to Vietnam – trust us!

11. Don’t Expect to Walk on the Sidewalk

There are plenty of wide sidewalks in the cities of Vietnam, so you might think you can escape the crazy traffic, right? Wrong. You’ll find that most of the time, you have to walk in the street anyway because the sidewalks are filled with dozens of parked motorbikes or plastic restaurant tables.

Why Vietnam has decided that motorbike parking is more important than having a place for pedestrians to walk is beyond me. And frankly, it’s really annoying in the touristy areas of Hanoi and Saigon. But as mentioned above, motorbike drivers are good about weaving around pedestrians in Vietnam.

You’ll appreciate towns like Hoi An that have designated pedestrian areas, so you don’t have to worry about getting sideswiped by a motorbike while wandering down the side of the road.

12. Get a Debit Card that Refunds International ATM Fees

It’s pretty rare to find ATMs in Vietnam that will dispense more than 3,000,000 VND (~$130 USD), and many will only give you 2,000,000 VND (~$85 USD) at a time. Plus, you’ll be charged a transaction fee each time you use one that will range from $1 – $5 USD. And it’s pretty rare to find restaurants, bars, or shops that take a Visa card. If they do, they generally charge an additional 3% as well.

We’ve also found ourselves needing to visit up to five ATMs before finally finding one that will actually work. So don’t wait until the last minute to withdraw cash or give yourself a small window of time. Surprisingly, we had the most difficult time finding ATMs that would take foreign cards in downtown Hanoi.

Be sure to check with your bank prior to departing to ensure that they refund international ATM charges. Also, check to make sure they don’t charge international fees. You’ll also need to call your bank to release your cards for international use.

We love the Charles Schwab debit card that offers zero international fees and refunds all of your ATM fees. And the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is best for earning points while traveling. We use the Chase card for booking hotels and tours and our Charles Schwab card for getting money out of the ATM when visiting Vietnam.

13. It’s Not as Conservative as You Think

Prior to visiting Vietnam, I was under the impression that I’d need to dress very conservatively. And while many people do tend to keep their shoulders and knees covered, regardless of the blazing temperatures, many younger locals show far more skin than I was anticipating.

And the rules are more relaxed when visiting temples in Vietnam compared to some of its neighbors. There are signs requesting that visitors cover up, but they are rarely followed or enforced.

You may feel a bit uncomfortable wandering around town in a half-shirt but don’t be afraid to pack shorts or dresses for your Vietnam vacation.

14. It’s Also Not as Communist as You Think

Vietnam is one of only five communist countries that still remain in the world today. However, you won’t encounter much evidence of communism as you go about your day as a tourist. Most businesses are privately owned, and there is a strong sense of capitalism in the country.

Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis full of highrise buildings and it even has its own stock exchange. And a new generation of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs is hard at work on cool new startups in industries ranging from tech to craft beer .

Ho Chi Minh (affectionately known as “Uncle Ho”) is still revered as the liberator of Vietnam by both the French and the Americans, but the tides seem to be rapidly and decidedly turning towards capitalism.

In case you’re wondering… the other four communist countries are China, Cuba, Laos, and North Korea. 

15. Remember – here it’s Called The American War

It’s not called the Vietnam War here. We were invading their country, after all.

But don’t worry – relations were normalized between the US and Vietnam in the mid-1990s thanks to efforts by then-President Bill Clinton and Senator John McCain, who spent five years as a POW in Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi during the war.

These days the American War is a distant memory, and you’ll find the Vietnamese hold no ill will against Americans. In fact, if someone finds out that you’re American, they will probably start telling you all about their extended family that now lives in America. Many Vietnamese in the south worked for the US military during the war, and they were offered asylum in the US when the American troops finally pulled out of Saigon.

That’s it – 15 Vietnam travel tips! Do you have any advice for traveling to Vietnam? Let us know in the comments below.

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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6 thoughts on “vietnam travel tips: 15 things to know before going to vietnam”.

Looks like the http://www.vietnamvisapro.net/  web site is defunct.

You guys are my go-to for helpful info! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us in super easy terms! Just one question – you said you have to upload a “passport photo” for the evisa, but then you say in parenthesis “straight looking without glasses” as if we can take our own picture. So do we HAVE to use an official passport photo (the passport photo will be on the passport info page anyway), or can we take our own picture for that one part?

Hey Kate – we’re so happy to hear that! Yeah, you can take your own photo to upload for the evisa, we’ve done that a ton. Just take it in front of a white background and check the photo size requirements. Good luck!

Hi, Can you tell where in Ho Chi Minh City is the good place for FX to get local currency?

Thank you for this insightful blog post. I found it extremely helpful.

Awesome job you guys have done to help travellers worldwide when visiting Vietnan. However, just a note that China and the other countries mentioned are light-years distant from communists in essence, it is worth comparing their government models with basic concepts proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels on their books. Instead, China represents a governmental dictatorship where gaps between wealthy and poor are massive, typically as in most capitalist countries worldwide.

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31 Vietnam Travel Tips | Essential Things You Need Know

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, there are a few things that you need to know before you go. Here we have compiled a list of 31 essential travel tips to Vietnam. You will find everything, from tips you must know before you leave, to common tourist scams.

Disclosure: Wander Vietnam contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can find our full disclosure policy and privacy policy here.

Vietnam travel tips before you leave

1. don’t forget your visa.

The first, and most important, on this list of travel tips to Vietnam is your visa. Vietnam has strict entry requirements. Unlike backpacking in Thailand , where citizens from the UK and the USA get 30-day free visas on arrival, Vietnam requires that citizens from most countries have visa approvals before arriving. If you’re from the UK, you can now get up to 14 days of free entry without the need for a visa. However, if you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a visa. Make sure to check your government’s travel advice page to be sure. You can also click here to check if you need a visa .

2. Be mindful of the weather

The weather can impact your trip to Vietnam. Be mindful of the weather and region you intend to visit before booking. For example, if you’re heading away to chase the sun, you probably want to avoid the north of Vietnam from December through to March, as this is when temperatures drop to as low as 10 °C . If you want to head to the beaches in southern Vietnam, you will want to avoid the rainy season, which usually lasts from May to November.

3. Pack for all weathers

If you’re on a backpacking trip spanning the entire country , make sure to pack clothes that are suitable for all weather. You will need shorts and T-shirts when you’re in the south of Vietnam as the weather is constantly hot. As you move north, temperatures begin to drop. By the time you reach Sapa, you may need a thick coat and scarf to keep you warm.

4. Plan your holiday around Tet

Travelling during the national holiday can be wonderful and you may find it extremely pleasant to witness the colourful celebrations. Depending on your outlook and the purpose of your trip, you may wish to plan or avoid your trip around the Tet holiday. If you’re in it for a cultural experience and don’t mind the crowds in places such as Hoi An , you will be in for a fantastic time. However, keep in mind that most shops and businesses shut down in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Don’t plan your route too far in advance

If you’re on a wider 3-month Southeast Asia trip , it’s best not to plan your route too far in advance. Once you arrive, it is super easy to go with the flow. You can book hotels and transport at short notice. You may find you want to stay in a certain town or city longer than you intended. Likewise, you may find that you want to move on quicker than you expected.

6. Vietnam is cheap

You’ll be in for a shock when you realise how cheap Vietnam really is! Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the entire world. You can get a good night’s sleep in a bed for as little as $3 per night, and fill your belly with a bowl of Pho for as little as $1. As for sights and attractions, there are plenty of things you can do by yourself that cost little money. Wander around the many free temples, shop for cheap trinkets at the Hanoi night markets , ride bicycles through endless rice paddies in Hoi An, laze around on beaches in Phu Quoc, or explore mountains in Dalat by scooter.

For a more detailed post on the cost of travelling to Vietnam check out this post !

7. Don’t forget travel insurance

Vietnam is generally a safe country to travel to, but that doesn’t mean that accidents won’t happen. In any case, it’s a good idea to take out travel insurance before travelling. A top tip for travel in Vietnam is to make sure your insurance will cover you for riding a motorbike.

Vietnam travel tips for when you arrive

8. the best bank to use.

Withdrawing money from ATMs can often be stressful when you are in a new country. After living in Vietnam for over 5 years, we find that the best ATM to use is CitiBank. This bank allows you to withdraw up to 6,000,000 vnd ($20), in comparison to other banks that have a maximum withdrawal limit on foreign transactions of 3,000,0000 vnd ($130). On the note of using an ATM, always use ATMs in the daylight and preferably use one that is attached to a bank. That way, if there happen to be any issues you can easily just pop inside the bank to resolve them.

9. Use a currency converter on your phone

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong. Once you arrive in this awesome country, you will quickly realise that everyone is a millionaire! $1 is equal to 22,000 vnd. With all the .000s that are added to the currency, working out the conversion rate is not so easy to wrap your head around. Make sure you download an offline currency converter on your phone so you can quickly work out the exchange rate. This will prevent you from overpaying for items and being ripped off.

10. Don’t get your banknotes confused

Speaking of money, some banknotes in Vietnam are of similar colour. Whilst the colour is similar, the value is far from the same. For example, you don’t want to mix up a 20,000 vnd ($1) note with a 500,000 vnd ($21.73) note. The difference is a little over $20!

11. Be mindful of your valuables

No matter where in the world you travel, you should always keep your eye on your valuables. However, in Vietnam, you should pay particular attention to your valuables when walking on the roadside. We can’t tell you how many times we have seen tourists casually standing close to the road with a camera in one hand, whilst looking down at their phone. It is not uncommon for thieves to drive past a scooter and try to rip your valuables from your grasp. Your precious belongings could be gone within a matter of seconds.

12. Play chicken with bikes but not cars

Can you really say you’ve been to Vietnam if you didn’t cross the roads? Crossing the sea of motorbikes can be a little daunting. The trick here is to walk straight ahead, don’t jerk from side to side, and don’t try to dodge the motorbikes. They will go around you! In the UK, we look left, right and then cross over the road when there is no traffic coming. If you were to do this in Vietnam, you could spend the entire day trying to cross the road. It’s fine to walk out cautiously in front of bikes, but don’t try to cross if you can see oncoming cars or buses.

13. Knowing the language goes a long way

Before you start your trip to Vietnam, we recommend you buck up on some basic Vietnamese phrases. Such as, hello, how are you? and how much does it cost? Knowing a few numbers also helps too. Getting to grips with the basics will help you navigate through the country easier and help you when it comes to buying food, drink, tours, and souvenirs .

14. Wifi is available everywhere (almost)

Surprisingly, Vietnam is well connected to the web. Almost every coffee shop and eatery will have wifi that you can connect to for free. So, if you want to avoid splashing out on a sim card and data, there is no need to worry about connecting to the wifi whilst you’re out and about.

Vietnam travel tips for getting around

15. grab taxi is best for getting around cities.

If you need to use transport to get around the cities or towns, make sure to download the Grab app . Grab works a little like Uber. Just tap in your pick-up point and drop-off point. The app will let you know the price beforehand. This way, you are unlikely to get taken for a ride around the block and overcharged.

16. No need to book transport too far in advance

If you’re using buses or trains to travel through Vietnam, don’t stress too much about booking too far in advance. Vietnam is a super relaxed country and you can easily hop on a bus or train on the same day (as long as it is not a major holiday). If you do want to book a few days in advance though, our favourite online booking site is Bookaway . You can search for all the transport providers and book directly on the website and have your ticket sent to your email address. Alternatively, you can usually book transport from your hotel, hostels, or a nearby tourist shop.

17. Motorbikes are great fun but don’t go crazy

Riding a motorbike in Vietnam is on almost everyone’s bucket list. After all, who wouldn’t want to scoot around the mountains in the motorbike capital of the world? Whilst motorbikes are a fantastic way to explore the country, it is important to remember not to get carried away. Always pay attention to the road and always wear a helmet. No one wants to spend the remainder of their trip hopping around in a leg cast.

18. Don’t miss these off-the-beaten-path places

Besides the regular backpacking trail , Vietnam has plenty of hidden gems to explore. For example, Dalat, in the Central Highlands is a mountainous paradise, that has been dubbed the honeymoon capital of Vietnam. It is the perfect destination for a lover’s retreat. In northern Vietnam, make sure you don’t miss out on places such as Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, and Sapa, which are perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Food & drink travel tips for Vietnam

19. eat where the locals eat.

Our motto is to eat where the locals eat. Restaurants and small roadside food carts that are packed with locals are good signs. We do not doubt that the food is delicious and worth trying.

Street food that you often find by the roadside, served directly from a portable cart, is often the cheapest and most delicious food you will find. Food from these types of places in Vietnam generally costs between 20,000 – 40,000 vnd ($0.87 – $1.75).

21. Avoid drinking tap water at all costs

The tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink. Whilst you can brush your teeth with it, avoid gulping it down in gallons. Instead, head to one of the local convenience stores to buy bottled water.

22. Make sure the menu has prices

When ordering food, it’s good to know how much the meal will cost beforehand. Check the menu for prices. If there are no prices, make sure to confirm the cost with the waiter/waitress beforehand. We have fallen victim to overpriced iced tea a few times in places like Hoi An. Usually, the Vietnamese tea served alongside a meal is free, in local eateries in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, so it is easy to assume the same for other places in Vietnam.

Shopping travel tips for Vietnam

23. shop around for souvenirs.

Vietnamese souvenirs are sold in the millions. Don’t settle on the first item you see, at the first shop you see it in. Shop around for the best price. You are highly likely to find the same items at half the price down the road.

24. Get your haggle on

When shopping for trinkets in Vietnam, make sure to haggle. Sellers rarely give you a price expecting you to pay it without any negotiations. A good rule of thumb is to knock off a third of the original asking price.

25. Tipping is not a thing

Unlike in the USA, where tips are common practice, Vietnam doesn’t really have a tipping culture. It is fine to leave a small amount of change, but there is no need to add a 10% tip for every meal or journey.

26. Treat yourself to a tailor-made outfit

Vietnam is one of the best and cheapest places in the world to get tailor-made outfits. Hoi An particularly has tailors dotted all over the old town. Outfits can be made within a matter of a couple of days. If you’re in Hanoi and are looking for tailor-made dresses, you can pop on down to Hom Market to buy fabric. Prices for tailor-made dresses in Hanoi start from around 250 – 300,000 vnd ($11 – $13).

Common scams in Vietnam

27. motorbike ride around.

The motorbike ride-around scam is common in the major cities; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A local on a bike will approach you and ask if you want a tour of the city on his bike. He will present his badge and a book of testimonies written by other foreigners. When you ask for a price, he will tell you to pay what you think is fair at the end of the journey.

However, when you want to finish the trip, he will stop you away from your hotel and ask you to pay a ridiculous amount of money. This is why it is important to always agree on a price before starting a service. Make sure your negotiations are clear and don’t leave any room for misunderstanding. Always stand your ground, and if a seller refuses to give you an upfront price, keep walking and politely decline their offer. It is likely to lead to being scammed.

28. Fruit seller photos

Do you know the ladies that wear the traditional colonial hat and carry two large baskets of fruit over their shoulders? The typical image that may pop into your head when you think of Vietnam. Watch out for the photo scam. They will kindly approach you and ask if you would like to hold their baskets for a photo. In the moment this can seem quite exciting and you may jump at the chance. However, once your camera shutter snaps down, a demand for payment will be made. This isn’t to say not to take that photo opportunity, but be aware that you will need to pay a small amount of money for it.

29. Money switch

Some banknotes are similar in colour but have a massive difference in value. For example, take the 20,000 vnd ($0.87) note and the 500,000 vnd ($21.84) note. Scammers use this to their advantage. They will take your higher value note and whip it in their pocket in the blink of an eye and then try to convince you that you paid with the lower value note. Double-check the notes before you hand them over.

30. Petrol jump

If you rent a scooter in Vietnam, there is no doubt you will have to make a call to a petrol station. A known scam here is for the attendant to not reset the pump, resulting in you paying for your petrol and the person’s before you as well. Make sure the attendant starts the pump at 0. They should divert your attention for you to check.

31. Shoeshine

Finally on this list of travel tips for Vietnam is the shoeshine scam. The shoeshine scam is common around Bui Vien, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Bia Street in Hanoi . It is often young men that will approach you asking if you would like your shoes cleaned. Once you have agreed on the price they will take your shoes to be cleaned. Once they return with your shoes, you will find new laces, new soles, and other types of shoe repair jobs that you did not ask for. Of course, this is not free and you will have to pay for the extra service. To avoid this, make sure you are clear beforehand that you do not want any other service and that you will only pay what you agreed upon.

Essential resources for travelling in Vietnam

Travel Insurance – It’s a good idea to have insurance, particularly if you’re going to be riding a motorbike. Our personal choice is Safteywing . You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. It can be purchased whilst already travelling and there is no cap on travel duration.

Visa – You are highly likely to need a visa for Vietnam. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. You can quickly make a visa application online.

Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend almost always to have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.

Overland transport – Our go-to website for overland transport is Bookaway . They have routes all over Vietnam and host a range of transport modes and companies. It is easy to book online and have your ticket sent to your phone.

Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities for Vietnam online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide . Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Most people either love or hate traveling in Vietnam. When I first went, there was a negative attitude towards foreign travelers (for good reason), lots of scams, and just not a lot of good vibes. But, since that trip many years ago, the country has changed a lot: it’s embraced tourism, people have opened up more, there’s fewer scams, and Ho Chi Minh City has even become a hub for digital nomads.

From exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi to the delicious food and fancy garments of Hoi An , Vietnam has a lot to see and do so take your time. Don’t rush your trip.

This budget travel guide to Vietnam can help you plan your trip and ensure you make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vietnam

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in vietnam.

1. Tour the Mekong Delta

The delta is a 60,000-kilometer (37,000-mile) long web of interconnected waterways, which spans three Vietnamese provinces and has been used since the 4th century BCE. What I love about this area is it’s filled with small villages, pagodas, mangroves, and orchards. The best way to experience the area is to go on a boat or bike tour, where you’ll experience rural Vietnamese culture. Some of favorite things include the Cai Rang floating market for the colorful fruits and veggies and vibrant atmosphere; Vinh Trang Pagoda for its impressive golden exterior and lush gardens; and the incredible Sadec Flower Village that is stunning and serene, even if you’re not a flower enthusiast. Spend a few days really getting to know the region outside the hustle and bustle of the cities. Day trips on the river start at around 575,000 VND per person.

2. Wander Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital dates to the 3rd century BCE when it was the capital of the ancient nation of Au Lac. I love to wander around the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. It’s a great place to get a feel for the city as there are tons of vendors, smells of street food, people watching, and bustle. Some of my favorite places to visit include the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Hanoi Water Puppet Theater. Be sure to check out the history museum to learn about French colonialism and Communist rule (from the Vietnamese perspective) as well as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Hanoi is also a good base for doing multi-day tours to Ha Long Bay.

3. Explore Ha Long Bay

This iconic region is home to more than 3,000 islands and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. The towering limestone islands are covered in lush jungles and surrounded by calm emerald waters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s located 2-3 hours from Hanoi and travelers can take multi-day boat cruises around the islands (most are 2-5 days). During the cruise, you’ll visit floating markets, incredible beaches, massive caves, and either sleep onboard your boat or on one of the many islands. Just keep in mind that this area is super popular and is often overcrowded. Cheap tours start around 1,200,000 VND while a mid-range tour costs around 3,000,000-4,500,000 VND. Just remember that you get what you pay for and the cheaper boats might be a bit run down.

4. Hang out in Hoi An

Hoi An was a thriving port city between the 15th and 19th centuries and the architecture is incredibly well preserved (the entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It was easily my favorite place in Vietnam because I loved walking around, taking a thrilling sidecar trip in the countryside, and of course, Vietnamese cooking classes, which are great because you learn to prepare fresh fish caught right there. This place is famous for its tailors so if you’re looking to buy some custom made clothes at an inexpensive price, this is the spot to do it in. They will even ship it back to your home country.

5. Get adventurous in Sapa

This is northern Vietnam’s premier trekking area and it’s hugely popular with all sorts of travelers. Sapa is famous for its hill tribes, lush vegetation, beautiful hiking trails, and breathtaking mountains. If you’re looking to experience the scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities Vietnam has to offer, this is the place. This area is rich in culture because it is comprised of 85% ethnic Vietnamese minority groups that have different colorful traditional dress and unique styles of houses. To avoid the tourists, come during the off-season or take longer hikes to parts the crowds don’t go to.

Other Things to See and Do

1. take a free walking tour.

The first thing I do when I visit a new destination is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and connect with a local guide who can answer all my questions. Both Hanoi and HCMH (the two largest and most popular cities in the country) have a few free tours available that cover the main highlights and are a great primer to the country (Hanoi Free Walking Tours and Saigon Free Day Tours are two companies worth checking out). Just remember to tip your guide at the end!

2. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels

This extensive network of tunnels spans nearly 310 miles (500 kilometers). It was utilized by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze and fire AK47s at shooting targets. It’s a sobering experience and not one meant for anyone claustrophobic. However, if you want to better understand the terror of the Vietnam War, this is a must-visit. Admission is around 100,000 VND per person.

3. Relax or find adventure in Dalat

Dalat is nestled in the hills of the Central Highlands and is popular with tourists who want to relax in the mountain air and those who want to participate in a host of adventure sports (such as rock climbing, ziplining, and rappelling). The hills around Dalat are filled with traditional tribal villages, which you can tour as well. Expect to pay around 2,000,000 VND per person for a full day of ziplining and rappelling around waterfalls.

4. Visit Cuc Phuong National Park

South of Hanoi lies Vietnam’s first National Park, Cuc Phuong. Covering 222 square kilometers (85 square miles), this place is home to over 2,000 species of trees and some truly rare wildlife including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour’s Langur and Owston’s Civet. It was my favorite park in all of Vietnam and the only place I didn’t find hordes of tourists. The entrance fee is 50,000 VND.

5. Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and is definitely worth exploring. Ho Chi Minh is the place to really gain an understanding of French colonialism as well as the US headquarters there during the Vietnam War, which you can learn more about at the War Remnants Museum. Like most cities in Vietnam, you’ll be met with the roar of motorbikes speeding through colonial streets. I loved Ben Thanh Market, which is a must-see for amazing food and there is a great buzz of activity within the place. Don’t miss your chance to get the best Pho soup in Ho Chi Minh, that means some of the best is right on the side of the street.

6. Get active in Mui Ne

Despite being a fishing village, Mui Ne has a significant tourism scene due to its popularity as a wind- and kite-surfing destination. The best highlight for me aside from the beach was riding on the rolling sand dunes similar in size to the Saharan ones and also the Jeep Tour to the Fairy Stream through a canyon, which is not something you get to do very often! Also, don’t miss the 9th-century Po Shanu Cham Towers with beautiful views of the Phan Thiet coastal town. Mui Ne is definitely worth checking out for a day or two when you’re passing by on the bus because it has a nice chill vibe to it, friendly people, and beautiful sunsets.

7. See My Son

My Son is a set of Hindu ruins in Vietnam that date back to the Cham Empire. The Champas ruled over Central Vietnam from the 3rd to the 19th century. The temples here are of incredible historical importance, but they have been largely reclaimed by the surrounding jungle, and have fallen into a great state of disrepair. Don’t come here expecting something as marvelously preserved as Borobudur or Angkor Wat. The entrance fee is 150,000 VND.

8. Visit the caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang

Hang Son Doong is reputed to be the world’s largest cave and is located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It was discovered by a local in 1990, and “rediscovered” by a British caving team in 2009. You can arrange trips to see this stunning cave in all its glory with stalactites and stalagmites, an inner cave forest, and even cave pearls. You’ll be blown away by its beauty. Entrance to the caves is around 150,000 VND per person.

9. Check out the rice terraces

Outside of connections to the Vietnam War, the stereotypical image of Vietnam is of the many rice paddies. You can find these in the Muong Hoa Valley. If you’ve never visited rice terraces, you should make a point to see them in Vietnam. Visit them to learn about rice production and take stunning photographs of the unbelievable Vietnamese countryside. Expect tours to cost around 600,000 VND per person.

10. Relax in Hue

Hue is generally passed by, making it a bit of a quieter stop along the tourist trail. Stroll along the beautiful Perfume River and into the Imperial Citadel. Don’t miss the Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Tombs of the Emperors, which mostly date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the main tombs to see are the Tomb of Minh Mang, the Tomb of Tu Duc, and the Tomb of Khai Dinh.

11. Take a cooking class

Vietnamese food is delicious and the best way to learn about these incredible dishes is to take a cooking class. You’ll not only learn how to make some of these tasty meals but you’ll get to interact with a local chef who can teach you about their history and cultural significance. Many cooking classes also include a visit to the local market where you’ll shop for ingredients. Prices vary but expect to pay at least 800,000 VND per person.

12. Tour the former DMZ

The Vietnamese Demilitarized zone was the dividing line between the Communist north and anti-Communist south during the Vietnam War. It was in use from 1954 to 1976. These days, you can take a tour of the DMZ from Hue and learn about the conflict from expert guides who were actually involved in the war (or survived it as civilians). You’ll see secret tunnels, learn about military surveillance, and get insight about the conflict from a perspective not often shown in the media. Full-day tours from Hue start around 2,500,000 VND.

13. Buy a motorbike

If you’re an adventurous traveler, buy a motorbike and drive the length of the country. This is considered the best way to travel Vietnam by veteran backpackers who like to get off the beaten path. You can buy bikes in Hanoi or HCMC at either end of the country and then make your way to the opposite end, stopping along the way over the course of a few weeks. While it’s not for everyone, this mode of travel offers the most freedom as you’ll be able to visit a lot of places that the buses and trains don’t stop at. You can buy a bike for as little as 4,800,000 VND, and then you can sell it once your trip is done to recoup some of the cost. There are always backpackers looking to buy a bike in HCMC and Hanoi.

14. Sample the local coffee

Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer (after Brazil) exporting a whopping 1.5 million tons of it per year (after rice, it’s their biggest export). Even if you don’t drink coffee (I don’t), trying fresh coffee here is a must. Whether you just hop arounds cafes, do a tasting experience in Hanoi of HCMC, or head out to one of the many coffee plantations, learning about this vital crop (and also sampling it fresh) is an experience not to be missed. Expect a half-day plantation tour (with lots of samples) to cost around 700,000 VND.

For more information on specific cities in Vietnam, check out the following guides:

• Hanoi Travel Guide
• Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide
• Hoi An Travel Guide
• Nha Trang Travel Guide

Vietnam Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels start at around 100,000 VND per night for a dorm room. These can be a bit rustic and no-frills. For a hostel with more amenities, such as free breakfast or a a free happy hour (as well as improved cleanliness), expect to pay double. Private rooms cost at least 350,890-425,000 VND per night for a double room. Most hostels include free Wi-Fi, and many also include free breakfast or free beer during certain hours of the day. Self-catering facilities are not very common since eating out is so cheap.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is not legal in Vietnam. While it is still possible to do as enforcement is sparse (especially if you’re sleeping in a hammock), I also wouldn’t recommend it. Insects and animals can be an issue, there are lots of landmines still undiscovered out in the brush, and robbery can occur. Stay safe and stick to hostels.

For a budget hotel with a double bed, expect to pay around 225,000 VND per night. This usually includes free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.

On Airbnb, a private room costs at least 325,000 VND per night. For an entire home or apartment, prices begin around 600,000 VND. Prices double when not booked in advance so plan accordingly

Food – Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and uses a lot of herbs and vegetables. Rice and noodle dishes are common as are various soups such as the iconic pho (a beef noodle soup). Wonton soup, meat curry, fresh French bread (known as bahn me , and grilled fish are just some of the popular dishes you’ll encounter. Standard ingredients include fish sauce, lemongrass, chili, lime, Thai basil, and mint.

You can get a bowl of pho or a rice dish for 20,000 VND. Street food is the cheapest and the most delicious food option in the country.

Most sit-down restaurants are also inexpensive at around 45,000-95,000 VND. The fancier (and more touristy) the restaurant, the more expensive.

Western food is also more expensive, usually around 110,000 VND for a fast food meal, so skip it if you’re on a budget.

If you want to splash out on a fancy three-course meal, expect to spend around 250,000 VND.

A liter of water at a convenience store is about 15,000 VND, while beer or soda is about 20,000-35,000 VND.

For those looking to cook their own meals, expect to pay at least 400,000 VND per week for basic groceries. Be sure to shop at the local markets to get the cheapest and freshest food. That being said, food is so cheap in the country that it’s simply easier – and cheaper – to just eat street food, especially as most hostels and hotels don’t have shared kitchens.

Backpacking Vietnam Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget, you can visit Vietnam for 600,000 VND per day. This budget covers a stay in a large hostel dorm, eating street food for all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking the bus, and doing free activities in each destination. If you plan on drinking, add another 20,000-40,000 VND to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of about 1,125,000 VND per day covers staying in a cheap hotel, eating street food and at the occasional sit-down restaurant, enjoying a few more drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities such as museum visits and water upper shows.

On an upscale budget of 2,460,000 VND, you can stay in a nice hotel, eat out for all your meals anywhere you want, enjoy lots of drinks, and more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want, including a multi-day trip to Ha Long Bay. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Vietnam Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vietnam is a very affordable country. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia. Even with the explosion of tourism in the last few years, it still remains very affordable. You’ll be hard pressed to spend money if you’re sticking to non-Western food, cocktails, and hotels. However, if you’re looking to travel even cheaper and save some money, here are some tips:

• Eat delicious street food – The street food here is excellent and cheap, and you can watch it being cooked in front of you. Stick to the local food and you’ll save money. The street-side pho, bread, sandwiches, donuts, and bananas are your best deals.
• Late-night travel – If traveling on long journeys, try to take the late-night “sleeper” buses or trains as these will save you the cost of a night’s accommodation. Depending on the company, you may even have a chance to comfortably lie flat as you ride through the dark countryside to your next destination.
• Take the tourist bus – It is actually cheaper to take the tourist bus around the country than taking local transportation because of the “tourist” price you get at the bus station. Tickets from one end of the country to another are very affordable.
• Fly for cheap – Vietnam’s low-cost airlines VietJet and FlyVietnam are extremely inexpensive. This is a great option for people with limited time to explore different regions of Vietnam. Both airlines frequently offer special deals and at the time of writing this, Hanoi to Da Nang is just 820,000 VND!
• Bargain hard – Tourists tend to be charged more than locals for everything from cyclos (a three-wheel bicycle taxi) to clothes to street food. Bargain harder than you would ordinarily, and don’t underestimate the value of walking away.
• Avoid paying tourist prices – Before you leave the hostel, ask them to estimate how much what you want to do should cost. How much should a ride to the museum cost? How much should I pay to have a gown like this made? They will be able to give you bargaining guidelines.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water in Hanoi is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Vietnam

To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Vietnam:

• Mad Monkey (Hoi An)
• Hoi An Golden Holiday Hotel (Hoi An)
• Little Hanoi Hostel (Hanoi)
• San Palace Hotel & Spa (Hanoi)
• Hanoi House Hostel & Travel (Hanoi)
• Ccasa Hostel & Coffee Bar (Nha Trang)
• The Hideout (HCMC)
• Orchid’s Saigon Hotel (HCMC)

How to Get Around Vietnam

Public transportation – Larger cities in Vietnam (such as Hanoi and HCMC) have reliable and safe public transportation. In Hanoi, there are buses that cover most of the city and generally have stops near all the major tourist sites. Tickets are paid for in cash on the bus and generally cost 7,000-15,000 VND depending on how far you go. HCMC also has a large network of buses, with tickets costing up to 10,000 VND (again, depending on how far you travel).

Cyclos (a bicycle rickshaw) is one of the cheapest ways to get around. A short ride costs as little as 12,000 VND, while a longer night ride costs upwards of 40,000 VND. A more popular option is the ze om , a motorbike taxi that has fares starting from 15,000 VND. You’ll have to hold on tight though (and make sure you wear a helmet as accidents are common).

Train – A lot of people love taking the train in Vietnam because it’s safe, affordable, and comfortable and, although some routes might be slow, you’ll get some amazing views of the Vietnamese countryside. The rail network also covers most of the country, so you can get just about everywhere you want to go (except the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta). You can use the website Baolau to research train schedules and book your tickets. A train journey between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi (which spans the entire length of the country) starts at 1,000,000 VND for a soft seat (not a berth). The journey takes three days. Hanoi to Hue costs around 600,000 VND and takes around 13 hours while HCMC to Nha Trang costs around 500,000 VND and takes 8 hours.

Bus – It’s easy to find long-distance hop on, hop off bus tours running the length of Vietnam. You can hop on or off at any stop along the way. They cater to tourists, but locals actually use this service too since it’s super affordable. Prices depend on route and operator but generally, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh is between 815,000-1,600,000 VND.

Flying – Flying domestically in Vietnam is a good idea if you’re looking to fit a lot into a shorter trip. For example, a flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes two hours while the train ride would take at least 30 hours. One-way flights around the country start at around 590,000 VND.

Car rental – Vietnam is very easy to navigate by bus, so I don’t really suggest renting a car here — especially because traffic in the cities is very hectic and accidents are common. That said, car rentals are affordable, costing around 500,000 VND per day. An IDP (International Driving Permit) is required. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Vietnam

In the southern part of Vietnam, the dry season lasts from December to late April/May while the rainy season occurs from May to the end of November. The rainy season usually just means brief heavy downpours in the afternoon, although sometimes the Mekong Delta will flood. The dry season is the best time to visit but keep in mind that it’s winter up north and it’s going to be a lot colder in the north than the south. Rainy season isn’t that bad either but, like the name implies, it rains a lot.

May through November is still a good time to visit. Temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), but they can sometimes get as high as 40°C (104°F) in the hottest months (March to the end of May). The south especially gets very hot and humid during this time but it’s perfect beach weather!

Along the central coast, the rainfall pattern differs quite a bit. In the northern part of the region (like Hué and Da Nang), the rain lasts from September to February. February to May is the best time to visit this area. Temperatures soar from June to August, often in the high 30s°C (80s°F).

In Northern Vietnam, the weather is most pleasant from October to December.

The weather in Vietnam varies so much per region so it’s hard to pick the best time to go. But generally, it’s recommended to visit sometime between September-December and March-April if you’re hoping to get an overall experience in the country.

How to Stay Safe in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime is really, really rare. Petty theft is the most likely thing to happen to you here. Always keep your valuables secure when out and about just to be safe. Lock your windows and use common safety sense, especially in bars at night and in touristy areas.

Traffic in the major cities (specifically Hanoi) is super hectic and there are virtually no rules of the road. There are also millions of motorbikes and scooters here (literally). For that reason, take extra caution when crossing the street. It’s best to just walk as directly and calmly as possible and let the traffic weave around you. If you’re not comfortable doing that alone, follow locals when they cross.

If renting a bike or riding on the back of one, make sure you always wear a helmet. Accidents are incredibly common here, both in the traffic-heavy cities but also in rural areas where roads can be less than optimal.

There are some common scams in Vietnam, such as the motorbike scam where vendors try to charge you for pre-existing damage to your bike rental. When renting anything, take photos and videos beforehand just in case.

Be sure to always count your change. The money is similar looking here so oftentimes people will “mistakenly” give you the wrong change hoping you won’t notice that the 200,000 VND bill you just got is actually only 20,000. Always count your change here!

Most scams here are really just people trying to try to nickel and dime you and try to get you to spend extra money since they know, as a tourist, you have more than they do. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Use common sense when using dating apps while traveling and meet in public places.

Street food here is very safe, but whenever you’re not sure of where to eat simply find somewhere where there are locals eating. If it’s good (and safe) enough for them, you should be fine. Avoid meat that looks uncooked or that has been out in the sun too long. Always wash your hands before and after eating just to be safe.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Be sure to make copies of your important documents in case of theft.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Vietnam Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Vietnam Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Vietnam travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Biking the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Why I’ll Never Return to Vietnam

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• Vietnam Tips And Tricks: 26 Key Things To Know Before Your Trip

This list of useful Vietnam tips and tricks is mostly for first-time visitors, but it can help anyone achieve a safe and worry-free travel. These are the 26 things to know about Vietnam before your trip!

I had a blast touring Vietnam . I fell in love with the hearty people, the vibrant culture, and the amazing diversity of landscapes. And I want you to have the same rewarding travel experience.

But I’m not gonna lie: it is a tricky country to explore. The neighbour Thailand or the ultra modern Japan are a breeze compared to Vietnam which has less tourism infrastructure and ways of getting around.

Tour scams are common, pollution can be disappointing, and the fact is an extremely poor country makes many look at you with dollar signs on their eyes.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of everything I wish I had known before visiting Vietnam for a safe and scam-free trip to prepare you to one of the most amazing countries on Earth!

Useful Things To Know Before Vietnam – TLDR

• 1. Sort out your VISA.
• 2. Don’t underestimate the size of the country.
• 3. Be smart about your itinerary.
• 4. Weather varies a lot.
• 5. Get ready to haggle.
• 6. Hanoi is quainter than you think.
• 7. People are lovely…
• 8. Beaches are not.
• 9. Everyone’s a millionaire.
• 10. Dress appropriately.
• 11. It’s a paradise for foodies.
• 12. Use tours as plan B.
• 13. Or at least do your homework.
• 14. Ho Chi Minh City is the place to be and be seen.
• 15. The traffic is really hectic.
• 16. WiFi is great!
• 17. Be careful with your card.
• 18. It’s freaking cheap.
• 19. Phu Quoc is overrated…
• 20. While Ninh Binh is underrated.
• 21. Avoid tap water!
• 22. Learn how to get around efficiently.
• 23. Take care of your belongings.
• 24. It’s worth to splurge on a Halong Bay cruise.
• 25. Some basic words of Vietnamese can go a long way.
• 26. Go for the street food!

Let’s go into more details below.

1 Sort out your VISA.

First things first. It’s astonishing the amount of people who land in Vietnam with no idea what they need to do for their VISA. I agree it can be a daunting and confusing process, but don’t overlook this.

Fortunately there are many companies that do this for you online for a small fee. I used Vietnam Visa Pro – overlook the crappy design, it’s legit.

Upon arrival, triple check all of your documentation and make sure you bring the visa-on-arrival pre-approval papers, photos and cash with you. EUR and USD will do (although with ridiculous conversion rates).

1 Fill out visa options and contact information. 2 Pay. 3 Get the approval letter on your email. It takes 1-2 working days (it’s a weird list of random people who were granted entering Vietnam at the same time you did. Personal information shared with strangers yay!). 4 Make sure you pack the pre-approval letter, 2 photos, passport, the entry/exit form and cash. 5 Handle it all over to the officers when you land. Smile.

2 Don’t underestimate the size of the country.

I didn’t realize how massive and spread out Vietnam is until you search for directions on Google Maps. To give you an idea, a train ride between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is 1700+km-long and takes roughly 35 (!) hours.

Getting from A to B always take longer than you expect in Asia and this is specially true in Vietnam. So plan accordingly and make sure you don’t bite more than you can chew.

Which leads me to my next point.

3 Be smart about your itinerary.

A common rookie mistake is forcing everything and the kitchen sink on your Vietnam travel itinerary. If you want to go full North to South, allow at least 3 weeks. Any less and you’ll be rushing and/or forcing you to take flights, taking away a bit of the experience.

I went further and decided to skip the entire Central part during my 3-week stay. The region is prone to flooding when I went (late November) which helped making the decision.

Overall Vietnam can be divided into 3 main regions – North, Central and South – and as a rule of thumb I would say you’ll need a week for each at the very least.

4 Weather varies a lot.

In general, Vietnam is humid and hot.

However, with such an elongated country, it’s only natural the weather changes significantly. And when I say significantly, I mean dramatically . 3 entirely different weather regions. It can be snowing in Sapa and a blazing hot sunny day down in Phu Quoc .

• Northern Vietnam : expect hot wet summers and cool dry winters up North. It can get quite cold here during northern hemisphere winter – from September to November – particularly next to the border with China .
• Central Vietnam : experiences hot, dry weather between January & August when temperatures can hit the mid-thirties.
• Southern Vietnam : boasts a full tropical climate, with only 2 defined seasons – wet and dry. The best time to go is obviously during the latter, from December to April.

Selective Asia has more details on the weather in Vietnam .

5 Get ready to haggle.

Prices of things are very cheap, but expect to pay whatever you can haggle for it. There are no fixed prices. This can be daunting at first, but you’ll eventually get used to it. I know think it’s more fun this way!

The thing is Vietnamese they WILL try to inflate prices. It’s how they have been doing business for centuries. The recent trend of wealthy tourists has just made big markups more evident to the outside world. Best you can do is to be informed and prepared to get a good price.

It’s advisable to hide all items that make you look richer – watches, jewellery, big bank notes – to make your offer more convincing.

Pro tip: come up with a maximum price you’re willing to pay and stick to it. No matter what. Don’t underestimate the value of politely start walking away.

6 Hanoi is quainter than you think.

The artistic, traditional and creative side of Vietnam is more evident in Hanoi , where despite the crazy traffic and busy routines, centuries-old traditions are still alive.

Museums, pagodas and temples pledge a solid set of touristy activities but Hanoi is so much more than that. Despite being a huge city just like Ho Chi Minh City, it has somewhat of a village vibe that is absent in its southern counterpart .

The fascinating maze of streets of the Old Quarter is the ideal place to get lost and shop for local handicrafts in great food or just do a fair bit of people-watching. Make sure you pick a hotel in this area , reminiscent of a time where each street was specialized in one type of item (e.g. silver, chicken, etc). In between explorations, sit down and enjoy a hearty bowl of pho , the national dish.

Best hotels in Hanoi

Location is key in Hanoi. Explore this list of places to stay in the Old Quarter, with top reviews, and of course, free WiFi.

My choice: O’Gallery Premier Hotel

Superbly decorated hotel in the heart of Hanoi . An escape from the chaotic streets, with fabulous breakfast included.

7 People are lovely…

Most people visiting get the impression Vietnamese are greedy and shady people trying to get advantage of you at all times. I see this being legit if you stick to the touristy route exclusively. Sadly these travelers only get to know the business side of locals who are simply trying to make a living.

Once you break that local-tourist paradigm and make an effort to communicate with the person in front you, trust me, you’ll see it differently. During my travels I’ve met nice and friendly people from many different places, particularly in Asia . Vietnam takes it to a whole another level of kindness.

We’ve got everything from free food, inspiring life stories and school children thrilled to wave “hello” to us. These people may not have much, but they are still able to gladly share what they have with you.

8 … Beaches are not.

Putting it nicely, beaches are not Vietnam ‘s forte .

If you’ve been to the dreamy beaches in Philippines or even to the islands in the neighbour Thailand , you’ll most likely get disappointed. Even the supposedly best beach in Vietnam – Sao Beach in Phu Quoc island – had trash accumulated along 90% of its extension.

But hey, each to its own! And Vietnam is definitely all about indulging in local culture and food and meet inspiring people along the way.

9 Everyone’s a millionaire.

Well, not quite.

I’m sure there are many confused souls out there right now trying to work out the ridiculously high conversion of the dong. At the time of writing this article, 1 EUR = 26,200 dong and 1 USD = 22,700 dong. This means 100USD or 100EUR are worth more than 2 million Dong!

The good news is that there are no coins in Vietnam since 2011. The bad news is that bank notes are enough of a headache. It’s easy for a 500,000 Dong note to “pass by” a 50,000 one. Same for the 10,000 and 100,000 Dong ones. The last 0 makes all the difference! Plus the 20,000 and 500,000 have an awfully similar tone of blue. Don’t get fooled!

10 Dress appropriately.

Vietnam is not by any means a conservative country in what it comes to clothing. You don’t need to dress like an Afghan woman and the hot weather does even force some skin to be shown amongst locals. If you want to wear shorts, a shirt and flip-flops, that’s absolutely fine.

The line is drawn when girls wear bikinis and guys walk around with no shirt. When visiting temples and other religious sites, it’s advisable to cover-up as a sign of respect and restrictions may be applied regarding shorts and vest tops.

If you’re unsure what to wear, do as locals do. And if you’re visiting the North during winter time, don’t forget to bring some pieces of warmer clothing!

11 It’s a paradise for foodies.

Lying on a delicate balance of sour, hot snweet and salty perfected over centuries, food in Vietnam is unique. I love the flavors of tamarind, chili peppers and also loads of fresh greens that go in almost every dish.

Not sure because gluttony is now my middle name, but a whopping percentage of my memories of the country are food-related. I personally think it’s an unforgettable cuisine with some flavors I haven’t experienced anywhere else. But nothing like trying it out for yourself!

Note: No, didn’t see dog in the restaurant menu. Can’t be sure I haven’t eaten it though.

Dishes you need to try in Vietnam 🍜

• 🍜 Pho: the national Vietnamese dish. A hearty noodle & meat soup with fresh herbs eaten primarily at breakfast.
• 🍜 Bun cha: grilled pork and noodles.
• 🍜 Gỏi cuốn: my personal favorite. Fresh spring rolls filled with noodles, meat/prawns/crab and greens.
• 🍜 Cha ca: one of Hanoi’s best, it features white fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions.
• 🍜 Nem Ran/Cha Gio: preferred in special occasions, this fried spring roll involves different combinations of lean minced pork, sea crabs or unshelled shrimps, edible mushrooms and dried onions.

12 Use tours as a plan B.

You can find all kinds of tours to some of the most popular places in Vietnam such as overnight stay in the Mekong Delta, a convenient Cu Chi Tunnels tour or a romantic cruise in Halong Bay. Heck Vietnam is a giant tour factory!

The catch is: more often than not, they’re terrible experiences and a giant waste of time.

There are endless reports of travelers being treated as cattle, rushing from place to place in cramped vans and stopping by at their friends’ shops and restaurants along the way. If you think about it, once you’ve paid and go for a 1,2 or 3-day long tour, you’re completely dependent on them!

I tend to avoid tours everywhere I go. I much prefer making my own itinerary at my own pace. We actually even learned how to ride a bike in Vietnam to avoid being dependent on day tours – best decision ever!

13 Or at least do your homework.

If you decide to go on a tour, do your homework. Always double check reviews online and mind there are dozens of businesses with the exact same name!

DO NOT book tours through your hotel/hostel as they inflate prices tremendously. Instead ask around other travelers, go to a travel agent or contact directly the company. Ask away all the questions you might have including what I learned to be the most important one: “how many people are going in this tour?”.

Regarding price, tours are subject to haggling just like almost everything in the country. At the same time quality has a price and a few extra bucks in Vietnam can make all the difference. Specially in tours lasting 2 or 3 days it is worth to pay extra for additional comfort or to go with less people.

Apart from an amazing cooking class in Hanoi , I did book some tours from travel agencies myself. Considering all the dramatic stories and reviews I’ve read, I consider myself lucky with the range of experiences I’ve had:

My tours in Vietnam

• 3-day cruise in Halong Bay , with Cristina Cruises . ★★★★☆. Expensive. We had days debating and researching which company to go with. The promised activities during the day were a bit of hit and miss but generally good fun. Apart from that, weather was a bitch (not their fault, obviously).
• “Cruise boat” in Phu Quoc . ★☆☆☆☆. Terrible. Overcrowded boat (to the point of feeling unsafe), no respect for corals or marine life.
• Cu Chi Tunnels tour in Ho Chi Minh City . ★★★☆☆. Mixed feelings. We paid extra for a semi-private tour with a Vietnam war veteran which turned out to be great. Wasn’t a fan of the place though.

14 Ho Chi Minh City is the place to be and be seen.

Apart from being the business and finantial capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant place. If you’re looking for an endless shopping scene, an ecletic music and art offer and sophisticated nightlife, well this city has stuff to keep you busy for days. No wonder it is the top choice for expats in Vietnam.

I was particularly impressed by the huge offer in restaurants. There’s a bit of everything here, from the authentic street food stall to the high-end luxury dining. Cafés where you can work a bit while grabbing a coffee are the best I’ve been. Ever.

And not to mention the rooftop bars. Other places in Vietnam also have them, but Ho Chi Minh City is a whole hub of them. The OMG Rooftop has drinks at decent prices and an awesome view over the Ben Thanh Market in the heart of District 1. Stay in this area to be close to everything!

Check this list of places to stay in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, with top reviews (9 or more), and of course, free WiFi.

Charming shack-themed hotel right in the center of District 1, where everything happens in Ho Chi Minh City but tucked away from the noisy traffic. Superb breakfast and host.

15 The traffic is really hectic.

Are you familiar with those videos with Westerners struggling to cross the road due to the crazy amount of traffic passing by and honking as loud as they can? Yap, that’s a fairly accurate depiction of urban Vietnam .

Check this video of a street crossing I shared on my Facebook page .

Saigon is the city with the largest concentration of motorbikes in the entire world. Traffic in Hanoi is not any better too. Crossroads are not often and I can’t remember seeing any pedestrian lights. It will take some time before you feel comfortable, but it is important not to panic.

The best method to cross a road in Vietnam is to always keep a slow pace all the way. Make yourself predictable on your route and walking speed.

This will give time for drivers to spot you and calculate their next action to go around you. Don’t underestimate them: Vietnamese are highly-skilled drivers and do it every day!

16 WiFi is great!

Except when the government announces sharks have eaten underwater fiber-optic cables (yes, this is a thing), Internet connection in Vietnam is surprisingly fast.

WiFi networks are reliable and can be found pretty much everywhere. I mean, even some street vendors have it. Coffeeshops in HCMC offer speeds up to 100Mbps!

If you want to stay connected at all times you will need a local SIM card. Good news: there are many options available at very affordable prices. Remember: prefer data over text/voice as you can communicate solely using data through Whatsapp, Skype or Apple’s Facetime.

We got our SIM card from Viettel right at Saigon ‘s airport and it was an incredible deal: less than $20 for 20GB (!) of data. We then put it into our mobile WiFi router and done deal: we had data abroad for 2 people for an entire month for under $20!

HUAWEI E5577s-321 Mobile WiFi Router

Put any SIM card in the world inside and it will share the data across all your devices via WiFi (up to 10!). The battery lasts 12 hours of working. Can’t recommend it enough!

17 Be careful with your card.

On our very first sit-down meal in Ho Chi Minh City we decided to pay with card. Stupidly, we let the waiter take the card inside.

When she returned, our safety piece of paper we had put on the back to protect the 3-digit code was gone. We asked what happened several times and only received a bunch of lame excuses. We had to cancel the card immediately – better safe than sorry!

You might argue card cloning attempts can happen anywhere – true that – but it had never happened to me so it’s a good idea to never leave your card out of sight in Vietnam.

18 It’s freaking cheap.

Basically everything that you buy in Vietnam will be a bargain. Food is the best example. You can easily have sit-down meals for less than $5 and street food snacks for 0.20$!

To give you idea of travel costs, it’s quite common to find backpackers on a budget of $30 per day – including accommodation, transportation and meals. Package tours can quickly make your stay more expensive though.

The shopping centers and markets are also full of amazing deals at haggling distance. Here the discount will largely rely on your negotiating skills… My favorite place for shopping was Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City . It’s a true consumerist mecca with hundreds of stalls for every piece of clothing, textiles, gadgets and handicrafts.

Bargains to buy in Vietnam 💸

• 💸 Belts : genuine leather belts are common, as well as faux leather ones. Either should be below $10.
• 💸 Clothing : many international companies have their manufacturing facilities in Vietnam so you can find great quality replicas here. Prices are at least a third of the price of the US/Europe.
• 💸 Sportswear : specially popular for some reason. I bought good quality Nike and Under Armour sportswear clothes (and I don’t really care if they’re genuine or not).
• 💸 Electronics and cell phones : you might get lucky with a great deal but I personally don’t think is worth the risk.
• 💸 Gadget accessories : phone covers, protectors and other accessories are widely available starting at $1.
• 💸 Souvenirs : coffee, tea and handicrafts which make cool pieces of home decoration can be found in streets and markets at competitive prices.

19 Phu Quoc is overrated…

I’ll start with the positives. It was in Phu Quoc island that a lovely family taught us to ride a bike. I will never forget that gesture. Also some remote bays and coves in the north of Phu Quoc island are a true dream, with turquoise waters, crystal clear waters and boasting beautiful views to Cambodia .

We expect more from a place marketed as “paradise island” though.

It’s impossible to look past all the bleached corals, soulless towns, dirty beaches and massive landfills in the open sky by the side of the road. Even what is considered to be the best beach in Vietnam – Sao Beach – was awfully full of trash for most of its extension when I was there.

Ironically the entire island is building new massive resorts and fancy hotels at a unhesitating rate. I fear there will be hardly anything left to lure tourists in by the time they’re finished.

Perhaps I went in the worst possible time or additional factors that created a different atmosphere (e.g. a storm or strong monsoon). Perhaps this is a place for an all-inclusive resort type of vacation. Nevertheless what I’ve seen and that is not enough to make me come back or even suggest anyone to go.

20 While Ninh Binh is underrated.

Quite honestly Ninh Binh was a last-minute addition to our itinerary . I was unsure what to expect and it turned out to be my favorite place of my 2-month backpacking trip to Southeast Asia.

Locals nickname this rural region the “Halong Bay in land” due to the massive limestone cliffs scattered in between the rice fields, ancient pagodas and endless caves . The scenery level is outstanding, the locals are extremely friendly and the whole place still looks and feels an authentic gem.

Most people visit Ninh Binh on a day trip from Hanoi, but this is not even close to make justice to this place. Stay for at least 2 full days to explore it at your own pace – by bike preferably – and let the rural side of Vietnam surprise you once all the day trippers are gone.

21 Avoid tap water!

Pretty self-explanatory isn’t it? It’s the #1 rule of travelers in Asia and even locals in Vietnam know it.

Additionally it’s advisable to implement level 2 of alert and avoid ice and salads – you don’t know if and how they’ve been washed – and only brush your teeth with bottled water. If you do this and wash your hands regularly, you’re on track to avoid 90% of all food poisonings and tummy pains there.

To keep yourself hydrated, you will have to carry bottled water or use a water filtering system at all times. Take your pick.

GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle

Buying several water bottles a day is not bad for the environment. This bottle makes clean drinking water from any fresh water source in seconds, removing chemicals and 99.999% of most viruses and bacteria (including E.Coli).

22 Learn how to get around efficiently.

There are many ways of getting around in Vietnam , but here’s a short overview.

Short distances

• 🏍 Motorbikes: with a total of over 45 million bikes, this has to be the unofficial transport of Vietnam . Locals eat, sleep in their bikes and carry all sorts of items on them, including live chickens and pigs! Renting a bike is inexpensive, starting at 100k dong/day. But if you’re a newbie like me, leave the urban areas for driving experts.
• 🏍 Motorbike taxis ( xe om ): translated as hug the driver , these drivers will drive you anywhere you want. As local as it gets.
• 🚖 Taxis: although becoming increasingly better, taxis are often a source of scams for travelers. Grab and Uber are preferable, but if you really need to take a taxi, stick to more reliable companies like Vinasun .
• 📲 Grab/Uber: these ride-sharing apps are seamless options to move around. No scams, fair prices and without issues in the navigation.
• 🚍 Buses: avoid as these are hot, slow and extremely uncomfortable.

Long distances

• 🚍 Buses: the most common way to get around Vietnam both for locals and tourists. Companies have several routes operated by fairly comfortable overnight buses with beds and free WiFi.
• 🚆 Trains: trains haven’t been updated since the Vietnam War so expect them to be clunky and not always clean. That said, it is a great option to slow your pace down and enjoy the journey. Some of the routes – like between Hanoi and Sapa – are beautiful and very popular with travelers.
• ✈️ Flights: not the most authentic way of enjoying your time in Vietnam , but they can come in very handy and cut travel times severely. Internal flights are affordable, specially if you opt for low-cost companies like Jetstar , Lion Air , Tiger and of course, AirAsia .

23 Take care of your belongings.

The million-dong question:

Is Vietnam safe to visit?

Contrarily to popular belief, Vietnam is in general a very safe country. There’s hardly any crime as locals are extremely tranquil, kind and non-violent people.

Apart from the potential of being ripped off by a few thousand dong by travel agents, the only type of crime you are likely to encounter is petty theft. Pickpockets can act in some touristy areas – please name a country where this doesn’t happen though!

On my view the most worrying thing in Vietnam is item-snatching while driving past on a motorbike. It appears to be common in urban areas and thieves can snatch everything from bags to backpacks and phones.

But even this shouldn’t be a major issue if you take basic common–sense precautions:

• Don’t show off any expensive items carelessly.
• Spread your most valuable items across different pockets/bags.
• Avoid using your phone on busy streets.
• Carry your camera with the strip around your body.

24 It’s worth to splurge on a Halong Bay cruise. 🚢

Halong Bay is the #1 destination in Vietnam and it shows by the incredible number of cruise boats navigating the seas. I mean, for some reason this is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World!

Despite the crowds, this place is unique. The landscape of limestone cliffs emerging from the water is magical and there’s no better way to enjoy it than from the sea. Debate whether you prefer a 1-day, 2-day or even a 3-day cruise but if there’s something to splurge your budget this is it!

The general feedback is that luxury cruises in Halong are a fantastic experience; budget ones can be a bit a real nightmare.

If the budget allows, go for one of the top cruise boats , which include transport from Hanoi , top-notch food and all sorts of activities (kayaking, tai-chi, etc).

As much as I love independent travel, I admit it felt good to have a little break during my 2-month trip to Asia and have someone else decide what to eat and do during the day.

Again, I can’t stress enough the importance of doing your homework when choosing your tour. You can have the time of your life or get scammed big time here. To help you further, I’ve narrowed down your search to the best cruise boats in Booking.com and dedicated a full article to picking the right Halong Bay cruise .

My choice for a cruise in Halong Bay 🚢

Cristina Diamond Cruise Can’t recommend it enough. I’d go for the 2 nights cruise for a more complete and relaxing experience, but that’s highly dependent on the time you have available.

25 Some basic words of Vietnamese can go a long way.

As a highly tonal language, Vietnamese has intricate sounds quite hard to replicate with your throat and mouth. I’ve tried to say some words out loud and for some reason it never sounds as the way it is written.

In any case, it’s always good to master some quick words and expressions. Not only it will facilitate your communication with locals – very few of them speak fluent English – but you’re guaranteed to get a smile in return!

Basic Vietnamese words and expressions for travelers 🗣

• 🗣 Hello – Xin chào (sin chow)
• 🗣 Thank you – Cảm ơn (gauhm uhhn)
• 🗣 Excuse me/Sorry – Xin loi (seen loy)
• 🗣 What’s your name – Ban ten gi (ban thane zee)
• 🗣 My name is… – Toi la… (thoy la…)

As a result of periods of European occupation, some words are extremely similar to French. For instance cà phê (from café ), pho mát (from fromage , cheese) and ba gác (from bagage , luggage).

26 Go for the street food!

Being afraid to try street food is missing out on a huge part of Vietnamese culture. Cooked on the spot, served on plastic bowls or dishes it’s better enjoyed in one of the pocket-sized tables and chairs on the spot.

I can officially state my best Gỏi cuốn and pho were from a street food stall. I can’t guarantee the food will always be better than restaurants nor that they always comply to basic sanitary rules. But for the love of pho , you need to at least try!

Eating on the street is as authentic as it gets in Vietnam and a fantastic way to travel on a budget . Full indulging meals can be found for $1. Yes, I said $1.

Pro tips: Prefer the stalls where locals go the most. Pay attention to how they wash the utensils and whether the meat is well cooked. If you’re unsure, start with small snacks before moving to full meals. An nào !

More articles about Vietnam

• Ninh Binh: Detailed Travel Guide to Vietnam’s Hidden Gem
• Ninh Binh Itinerary: Explore Rural Vietnam On Your Own
• Halong Bay: How to Choose The Best Cruise In 6 Easy Steps
• Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Which Vietnam City Is Right For You?

Are you planning to visit Vietnam? Where? If you have visited already, I want to hear your very own useful Vietnam tips!

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10 Quick Vietnam Travel Tips for First-time Visitors

Planning to visit Vietnam for the first time? These 10 quick tips will help you prepare for your trip and travel Vietnam like a pro.

Vietnam is one of my favourite places on Earth.

Having lived in Hanoi and explored most of the country, I know a thing or two about travel in Vietnam – especially the common concerns that trip travellers up.

Here are my 10 top travel tips for Vietnam.

More from Vietnam

Discover the best city guides, itineraries, travel tips & hidden gems in my Vietnam Travel Guide.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more. This post contains a compensated link.

10 quick Vietnam travel tips for first timers

1. sort out your visa.

You probably have your Vietnam wish list in mind already. A Vietnam visa application should be the next step . With your most important document sorted, you can focus on planning your itinerary and sorting out the logistics that will ensure a smooth trip.

It goes without saying, but your number one priority should be to organise your visa. Every traveller requires one, and it’s a good idea to start the process well in advance.

When I first visited Vietnam, I had to apply for a visa the old-school way by posting my passport to the nearest embassy. With the introduction of the e-Visa, it’s never been easier or faster to get your entry permit in order. I will discuss this process in detail later.

2. Purchase your travel insurance

Travel insurance is absolutely essential for Vietnam regardless of your travel style or plans. If you’re thinking about hiring a motorbike or cycling , trekking in the national parks or doing any water activities, then you definitely need a good policy that will cover you in case of an accident.

I recommend SafetyWing for longer trips – check out my detailed review to learn more about inclusions and exclusions.

3. Pick the right season to visit

Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies drastically between the north and the south. Many travellers don’t realise this and mistakenly think the weather and temperature will be uniform for their entire trip.

Generally speaking, spring (March to April) and autumn (September to early December) are the most pleasant times to visit Vietnam. It’s not too cold yet in the north, and not too hot in the south or on the coast.

Remember the weather is unpredictable and can bring anything from freezing temperatures and frequent downpours to intense heat and evening storms.

In order to pick the right season, you should first have a firm idea of where you want to travel. If you only have a specific window of time when you can travel, then you might need to adjust your itinerary based on the weather.

4. Be selective with your itinerary – don’t try to fit too much in

As an advocate of slow travel I always recommend moving through a country at a steady pace – especially if it’s your first visit. You need at least three full days to do the big cities such as Hanoi and Saigon justice. Take advantage of Vietnam’s best day trips to see more of the country while using the cities as a base.

It takes time to get to know Vietnam, its culture, traditions and food – and every region is different. If you try to fit too much in and rush through, your experience might not be as fulfilling.

Another thing to keep in mind: Vietnam may look small on the map, but don’t let that deceive you. It still takes time to travel around the country, especially if you’re relying on trains and buses. Incorporating a few domestic flights is a great way to save time and see more.

5. Pre-book your airport transfer (my top Vietnam travel tip!)

Using taxis in Vietnam can be overwhelming, which is why I recommend buying a local sim card and downloading a taxi app as soon as you get to your first destination.

My biggest tip if you want to hit the ground running is to pre-book your airport transfer so that you don’t have to worry about getting to your first hotel. I am a frequent traveller to Vietnam but I still pre-organise my airport transfer every time I go – cars are very reasonably priced and it makes life so much easier.

→ Book a Hanoi airport transfer here

→ Book a Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer here

6. Learn a few key Vietnamese phrases

Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam but English is widely spoken – especially in popular tourist areas and among the younger generations. However, if you want to have a more holistic experience and demonstrate your respect for the local culture, it’s nice to know a few basic phrases.

Even if it’s just a few words, people will appreciate that you’ve taken the time to learn some Vietnamese. It might even open doors to you that are normally closed to outsiders.

Here is a great resource for learning traveller’s Vietnamese .

7. Plan your budget carefully

Don’t make the mistake of thinking everything in Vietnam is ‘cheap’. While it’s true that Vietnam is incredibly good value for money (especially when it comes to accommodation and food), there are still some things that are worth splashing out on, for example a quality Halong Bay trip from Hanoi .

Cash is still king in Vietnam, so make sure you carry plenty of dong (the official currency) with you. Street food stalls, markets, taxis and small hotels and homestays (especially in rural areas) might only accept cash.

8. Understand the tipping etiquette

Tipping is not compulsory in Vietnam but it is very much appreciated. Tipping tour guides and drivers is best practice – I recommend 10-20% depending on how satisfied you are with the service.

Note that some restaurants and cafes will add a 10% service fee to your bill.

9. Pack the right clothes

The humidity in parts of Vietnam is intense, so you need breathable clothes that you can wash and dry overnight. Natural materials such as cotton or linen are preferable. Most locals cover up in hot weather so if you want to blend in, carry a light scarf or long-sleeved throw over that you use to protect your arms from the sun.

Warm gear is absolutely essential if you’re travelling to the north in the winter months. It’s always a good idea to have a travel raincoat and umbrella with you no matter the season.

Conservative dress is required for temples and religious sites. I recommend a scarf for women and long, lightweight pants for men.

10. Don’t forget your camera!

Vietnam is nothing if not photogenic. From Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the dreamy landscapes around Dalat , it’s one beautiful landscape after the next.

Remember to be respectful when practicing street photography and always ask for permission before taking someone’s portrait. This is especially important in rural areas.

BONUS: Use an eSIM to get online

eSIM technology makes it easier than ever to get online in Vietnam and stay connected during your travels. There are some great plans available for Vietnam and the region, with easy set up and competitive prices.

Learn more about the different Vietnam eSIM options here in my detailed guide .

How to apply for the e-Visa to travel to Vietnam

Within three working days, you can get your e-Visa in three simple steps. Remember the visa is valid for 30 days. Here’s how to apply for an e-Visa for Vietnam.

1. Confirm your eligibility

The Vietnam e-Visa is available to passport holders from 81 countries. Double-check to see if your country is included on the list – otherwise you will need to apply for a different visa.

2. Get your documents ready

You will need a JPG photo, a passport with six months’ validity, an international credit or debit card, and a temporary Vietnam address (the address of your first hotel will do, so make sure you’ve booked at least one night’s accommodation). You need to provide your entry and exit dates.

3. Start your application

Go to Vietnam’s e-Visa official website and upload the required documents. Then supply the required information about your journey. After payment, you will receive a registration code. Keep this number safe as you might need it later. If approved, you will be able to visit the website and download your e-Visa after three working days.

Have you been to Vietnam? What is your top Vietnam tip for first-time travellers?

Vietnam essentials

Here are the booking sites and services I personally use whenever I travel to Vietnam .

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Vietnam using Skyscanner .

VIETNAM VISA: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Vietnam and apply for an expedited e-visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation if required.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Pre-book a private hotel transfer from Hanoi Airport or Ho Chi Minh City Airport via Get Your Guide.

SIM CARD: Buy an eSIM and data package for Vietnam online before you go. My top choice is the Asia Link Regional eSIM by Airalo (10 GB for 30 days).

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best hotel deals in Vietnam on Agoda or book a Vietnam hostel .

TRAIN TICKETS: Reserve your Vietnam Rail tickets for the train to Sapa , Da Nang, Hue or Saigon via 12GoAsia.

BUS TICKETS: Buy your domestic bus or plane tickets in advance using 12GoAsia or Bookaway .

FOODIE EXPERIENCES: Find the best cooking classes and foodie experiences in Vietnam on Cookly. Here are my top 15 Vietnam food experiences to help you decide.

DAY TOURS: Find the best city tours and day excursions in Vietnam on Get Your Guide. Check out my top 10 best Vietnam day trips for more inspiration.

HALONG BAY: Consult my comprehensive Halong Bay guide to find the best cruises & tours.

VIETNAM GUIDEBOOK: Pick up a copy of the latest Lonely Planet guidebook for Vietnam .

More Vietnam travel resources

• Off the beaten track in Northern Vietnam – hidden gems & local favourites
• Where to go in Southern Vietnam – 5 must-sees
• The best things to do in Dalat
• How to spend 3 days in Hoi An
• How to get from Danang to Hoi An – transport guide
• How to visit the abandoned dragon waterpark in Hue
• Where to buy authentic Vietnamese souvenirs in Hanoi
• The best national parks to visit in Vietnam – for trekking & more
• Waterwheels & rice fields in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
• Cycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Phong Nha
• Homestays in Da Bac village
• Halong Bay alternatives – where to go beyond the bay
• How to travel to Halong Bay from Hanoi – transport guide
• How to travel to Sapa from Hanoi – transport guide
• Where to stay in Sapa, Vietnam – best homestays & more
• Visiting Bac Ha Market near Sapa
• Guide to Ha Giang in far-northern Vietnam
• Guide to visiting Ninh Binh
• Exploring colonial architecture in Hai Phong city
• Day trip from Hanoi to Duong Lam Ancient Village

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50+ Essential Vietnam Travel Tips You NEED Before You Go

I decided to sweat it out on a beach on the island of Phu Quoc to pass on my top Vietnam Travel Tips, via video.

My travel tips for Vietnam haven’t come lightly though. I’ve spent over six weeks there, have written 15 posts on this blog, and right now Google deems my two-week Vietnam itinerary so good I’m at number one if you search ‘two-weeks in Vietnam’ or similar. I’m also pretty high for my post on things to do in Vietnam – thanks to the bloggers I’ve featured.

So yeah, I like to think I know Vietnam, as much as you can after cycling through it from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City , and visiting twice.

I’ve had a think about everything you need to know before you travel Vietnam and it’s all here, with links to some of my other Vietnam advice from the last three years too. Honestly? One of my favourite countries.

Let’s do this…

My Vietnam Travel Tips

(Just hover over the bar and move the player to get to where you want to go)

• Airports (0:32)
• Money (1:37)
• Costs (2:07, bit more at 14:20)
• Hotels (2:45)
• Traffic (3:10)
• Overnight Trains (3:48)
• Mopeds (4:06)
• People (4:49)
• Westerners (6:00)
• Women (6:34)
• Family Life (7:28)
• Karaoke (7:56)
• Language (8:35)
• Tourism (9:44)
• Food (10:23)
• Booze (11:54)
• Shopping (12:47)
• Beauty (13:26)
• Where to Go (14:57)
• Wi-Fi (17:00)

Vietnam travel tips: airports

1. Sort your visa before you arrive for the quickest exit. You can spend 15 days in Vietnam visa free if you’re from the UK, any longer and you need to get a visa.

READ MORE VIETNAM ADVICE

Click here to read all my advice on travelling to Vietnam . I’ve got over 30 posts, so you’ll be well prepared! 

Interesting Facts About Vietnam to Know Before You Go

2. Make sure to use a Mia Linh or Vinasun taxi when you exit the airport. They’re the most recommended and they’re reliable. You can just hail them off the street – anyone who does it for you will charge.

3. If you’re coming into Hanoi, a taxi will be about 300,000 Dong into the Old Quarter and will take 45 minutes. It’ll probably feel like a really long way.

4. Coming into Ho Chi Minh City? It’ll be about 150,000 and 15 minutes to Pham Ngu Lao – the main backpacker area.

5. I found getting in and out of the airports I used – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc – very easy. Arriving two hours before was fine.

Vietnam travel tips: money

6. You need to get to know the colours and value of the notes… money in Vietnam comes in thousands . Right now it’s about 40,000 dong to the pound, meaning you’re a millionaire with just £40. This is VERY confusing when it comes to paying and working out which notes to hand over.

7. Vietnam can be SO cheap, but of course you’re trading off time and comfort for that. How much you’re willing to sacrifice totally depends where you are in your travel life.

8. If the price you’re given, for anything, isn’t written down then it’s negotiable. Get your haggle on!

Accommodation in Vietnam

9. You can get hostel beds in the cities for around $5 – I can’t vouch for how good they are seeing as I’ve stayed in hotels, where a room starts at $13. Time to treat yourself right?

10. There are some incredible hotels in Vietnam – if you’re willing and able to spend £20 each a night, if there are two of you, your can live it up! Check out this post on some of the most unique places to stay in Vietnam to suit your budget. 

11. If it’s important to you, make sure to check your hotel has a lift. Most of the places I stayed in didn’t. Cue me wheezing as I climbed up six flights of stairs with my 20kg bag.    

Travelling Vietnam advice

12. One of the first things you’ll notice in travelling Vietnam is that the traffic is crazy, it’s tough to cross the road. In the cities you just need to go and trust that the motorbikes will go around you. Practice will give you confidence.

13. Overnight trains run up and down the country and they’re a fun way to get around. I’d definitely recommend you give one a try but please make sure you take your own pillow case. I was horrified to see that they don’t change them in between people – after I’d slept there for 12 hours, with a terrible cold.

Sorry next person .

READ MORE VIETNAM ADVICE

‘Sleeping’ on the Overnight Trains in Vietnam

14. Seems like everyone in Vietnam has a motorbike and you can rent one too. Personally I wouldn’t recommend them in the cities, but Hoi An would be fun and if you go to Phu Quoc you definitely should. So much fun.

15. The roads in Vietnam are crazy with cows and all sorts. Don’t be surprised if you have to divert round an ox as you try to get from A to B.

Vietnamese people (travel tips )

16. I’ve seen a few comments on blogs and sites about ‘scammy’ Vietnamese people and I absolutely wholeheartedly disagree . In my experience, everyone I met was so friendly. I’ve just done a two-week cycle ride with Intrepid through the Vietnamese countryside and people would come out with their children to say hi to us, absolutely no strings attached.

17. Generally, Vietnamese people are much smaller than Westerners, in fact they’re the smallest in South East Asia. So don’t be offended if you hear people refer to ‘Western size’.

“Average height of Vietnamese people aged 22-26 is 1.642 meters in men and 1.534 in women” – Prof. Dr Nguyen Cong Khan , head of the Science, Technology and Training Department under the Health Ministry. “The average man in England is 5ft 9in (175.3cm) tall and the average woman is 5ft 3in tall (161.6cm).” – BBC News

16. Women do it all in Vietnam. Apparently it’s starting to change but you’ll see the women carrying, caring, cleaning and working. Life as a woman in Vietnam is very hard and they die much earlier than men. As one male tour leader told us, ‘from exhaustion’. This is all down to a Chinese teacher and philosopher called Confucius . Read up on him if you want to know more, but from what I’ve heard he’s a sexist, psychotic, megalomaniac.

17. Different generations of families all live together as standard. The youngest son is expected to stay with his family, bringing his wife and kids into the home, while the oldest one would traditionally go and serve the country.

18. Vietnamese people love karaoke. Love it . Even in the deepest countryside you’ll find karaoke places. In Ho Chi Minh City in particular I saw older guys with their own karaoke machines going up and down the street singing at the top of their lungs, totally tunelessly without a care as to whether anyone was enjoying it or not.

19. Women wear twinsets pyjamas by day. I’m not entirely sure they are pyjamas but that’s the best way to describe them. Very matchy matchy, they look super comfy.

Vietnamese travel tips: language 

20. You’re going to have to get your best pointing finger out because English is not widely understood here. I mean, you’ll get by, don’t worry, but don’t expect any long D&Ms. Our Intrepid tour leader was awesome and I learnt a lot about Vietnam from him, but I didn’t really meet anyone else to talk to.

So, if you want my Vietnam advice, I’d say you need to learn some Vietnamese.

21. Vietnamese language is all about the intonation – the same written word without all the accents could mean a number of things which can get confusing.

22. The longest word is only 5 letters long, except for Nguyen – half of the Vietnamese population have this as a surname.

23. How to say ‘thank you’ – ‘cam on’ (like cam as in Camembert and on as in on, watch the video above to avoid making a mistake!)

24. How to say ‘hello’ – ‘Xin Chao’ (said like zin chow).

25. Oh and ‘yum yum’ means ‘I’m horny’, so I was told. Be careful.

Tourism in Vietnam 

26. Tourism is the big business in Vietnam, and it’s only getting bigger. So go now . Tourism in January 2017 is up 23.6% on January 2016. That’s crazy! There are big plans by the government to get Vietnam up in the leagues of Thailand. In 2016 there were 10 million tourists to Vietnam, while Thailand had 32.6 million – still a way to go, but with all the development, it’ll happen.

27. Given the positioning and length of Vietnam, there’s a lot of coastline to explore. And other countries are interested in having some presence there too. Vietnam’s coastline is being redeveloped with loans coming in from all over the place – mainly Russia. When it comes to booking try and choose Vietnamese places to keep the money with the locals.

READ MORE: Where to Go in Vietnam

28. Wi-Fi is everywhere in Vietnam. On my Intrepid Cycle Vietnam trip I’d be in the middle of nowhere and there’d be a connection from a local garage or house that’d left it open. The cities have public connection too – strong enough for your Facebook and Instagram updates.  

Food and drink in Vietnam

29. Banh mi and pho are the most popular dishes for tourists visiting Vietnam, but check out my article on the top things to eat in Vietnam to widen your palate. Save the article to your phone so you have it ready for action.

30. Do a street food tour in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to experience more of the Vietnamese foody repertoire. Do it at the start of your trip so you have more time to go back to the places you liked the best. Get your money’s worth!

31. It’s rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Vietnam. Speaking of breakfast, if there’s ever a Western option I’d recommend you avoid it. It won’t be the croissant and delicious muesli you dream of, guaranteed. Go East, it’s what you’re there for.

32. Some of my favourites Vietnamese foods for you to try:

• Try Bao Xeo – shrimp and beansprouts wrapped in a pancake.
• Fresh spring rolls – shrimp and veggies wrapped in rice paper
• BBQ – choose your meats and cook them in front of you, or ask the waitress to do it ,
• Egg coffee – coffee, with egg…
• Claypots, we’d call them stews or curries

– it’s all DELICIOUS .

33. You can get a glass of beer for 5,000 VND in Vietnam, that’s about 20p . You need to look out for the signs for ‘bia hoi’. This is their fresh beer that’s brewed that day and needs to be used that day too. It’s good stuff!

If you prefer to drink out of bottles than kegs you’re looking at around 20,000 VND, still less than a £1 for a Hanoi or Saigon beer.

34. Every region has its own fare to try so if in doubt when you’re in a restaurant, ask what the local dish is and go for that.

35. Wine is horrible in Vietnam. Well, the Dalat wine I tried was. Undrinkable. Stick to beer. Or it’s super sugary questionable cocktails for you.

36. Don’t drink out the taps. A 500ml water is 6,000 Dong in the shops, around 21p, and 10,000 if you take it from your mini bar. Try and drink the bigger 1.5 litre bottles to save money and on plastic waste.

37. I didn’t use any public toilets, but I did just walk into hotels I wasn’t staying at and use theirs. No one minded. Sometimes toilets will be long drops but most of them now are Western style.

Shopping and spending in Vietnam 

38. There are cash machines everywhere and if you’re sticking to the main cities you’ll have no problem. They charge around 30,000 Dong to withdraw from (£1) plus your bank fees.

39. You can get a pair of ‘Nikes’ for 200,000 (£7) sports branded bags for 100,000 (£3.50) and tailor made shirts for 300,000 (£10.62). If you want to know the best souvenirs to buy in Vietnam, click here.

40. In Hoi An you can get shoes, suits and other clothes tailor made. Check out my post on my blog on how much I spent in Hoi An (coming) to find out what I paid. If you have a particular pair of trousers, or any item of clothing, you really like, you can take it along and they’ll replicate it.

41. Beauty treatments are so cheap in the cities. I paid 200,000 (£7) for an 80-minute hot stone massage, 180,000 (£6.37) for a shellac, and 50,000 (£1.77) for a pedicure. Go nuts!

42. You can get your laundry done in Ho Chi Minh City for 10,000 a kg (35p).

43. Most historical and cultural attractions are either free or around 40,000 (£1.42) to get in.

Where to go in Vietnam advice

44. Wait till you get to Vietnam to book your tours and excursions, you’ll get them a lot cheaper.

45. There are a few sides to Vietnam I’d love you to include in your itinerary – beach, city and countryside. Make sure you get all three in yeah?

46. There’s so much diversity in the locations in Vietnam. Here’s a super quick run down of what each place has to offer…

Hanoi is an old city, Ho Chi Minh is new. Hue has a huge palace, Hoi An a strong influence from the French and some would say too touristy, I say lovely.  Phu Quoc is where the Vietnamese go on holiday, Mui Ne where the kite surfers go. Nha Trang is another holiday place, popular for its mud baths while Qui Nhon is super modern. Sapa is for hikers, Halong Bay to sail and Mai Chau  for the home stays.

Here are the top Vietnam landmarks to include in your trip.

Check out my two-week Vietnam itinerary on my blog to find out more, or just ask me in the comments below – always happy to help!

Check the prices for your Vietnam buses , trains, flights and ferries here… 

Pin these Vietnam travel tips for later

More blog posts on Vietnam

If these Vietnam travel tips haven’t quite quenched your thirst for knowledge, or answered your questions, then check out some of my other posts on Vietnam here…

• Where to Go in Vietnam
• Two-Week Itinerary for Vietnam
• Halong Bay: The Most Beautiful Place in the World?
• Best Things to Do in Vietnam According to 11 Travel Bloggers
• My Friend is Not a Sex Tourist
• What Vietnam Was Like, For Me
• Ever Drank Weasel Poo Coffee?
• ‘Sleeping’ on the Overnight Trains in Vietnam
• Visiting the Egg Mud Baths in Nha Trang
• 9 of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Vietnam for Sunbathing
• The Craziest Things I Saw in Hanoi

Related Posts:

• My Tips for Travelling Vietnam Solo
• The Ultimate Vietnamese Adventure: Hiring a Motorbike
• Unique Places to Stay in Vietnam
• 9 Most Beautiful & Best Beaches in Vietnam for Sunbathing
• 12 Interesting Facts About Vietnam to Know Before You Go

Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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Vietnam Travel Guide

Where street food rules, the history is rich, and breathtaking landscapes are some of the world's best.

Best time to visit Vietnam

Best places to visit in vietnam, best things to do in ninh binh & tam coc (vietnam), 14 things to do in hoi an, vietnam, trekking in sapa: balancing on the borders of the ricefields, ha long bay: how to visit & things to do, map of vietnam, weather in vietnam.

The weather in Vietnam varies massively depending on where you are in the country. The north embraces distinct seasons, with hot, humid, and wet summers from April to October and cold, dry winters. Meanwhile, the south has perpetual heat and a distinct rainy season between May and October.

All destinations

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• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find Hostels via Hostelworld
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Vietnam via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via Viator
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
• Get a Visa via iVisa
• How to pack light for your trip
• How to plan your trip our tips

Why is Vietnam worth visiting?

Vietnam is an unmissable destination, from Ha Long Bay’s stunning natural wonders to Hue’s cultural gems! With diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, rich history, and world-famous, irresistible cuisine, all offering unique and enriching experiences, who wouldn’t want to visit?

Is Vietnam cheap to visit?

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world to travel in. You can enjoy delicious street food, affordable accommodations, and cultural experiences without breaking the bank, making it a budget traveler’s paradise.

Can I drink tap water in Vietnam?

Avoid drinking tap water during your time in Vietnam. Keep hydrated by filtering water using a reusable water bottle with an in-built filter system, or indulge in a delicious fresh coconut instead.

Do I need a visa for traveling in Vietnam?

While some countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and the UK get 45 days of visa-free entry to Vietnam, most other visitors need a visa for their stay. The good news is that this can now be obtained online, allowing a 90-day stay and multiple entries. Make sure to check your entry requirements well ahead of time

What language do they speak in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, the official language is Vietnamese. While English is widely spoken in all tourist areas, enhance your travel adventure by learning a few basic phrases and immersing yourself in the local culture through meaningful interactions with friendly residents.

Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?

Travel insurance is an absolute must for all your travels! It covers everything from medical emergencies to unexpected travel hiccups, ensuring you can explore Vietnam worry-free and allowing you to focus on creating incredible memories.

Is Vietnam safe?

Vietnam is a very safe country to travel through. However, always exercise caution, keep your belongings secure, and stay vigilant against pickpockets and scams. If you’re navigating the chaotic traffic on a motorbike, prioritize safety—wear a helmet and protective gear and ensure you have comprehensive insurance coverage.

What power plug type does Vietnam have?

Vietnam mainly uses Type A, C, and F plug types but can also use types B and D. Because you can never be sure which plug type will be available, it’s worth bringing or purchasing a universal plug adapter, which will enable you to keep your devices charged throughout your Vietnam adventure.

Why do people love Vietnam?

People adore Vietnam for its captivating mix of stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, warm and genuine locals, characterful cities, mouthwatering cuisine, and distinctive coffee culture, which can all be experienced without breaking the bank. A vacation in Vietnam is definitely worth it!

Travel to Vietnam 

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam’s enchanting landscapes and vibrant cultures. This Southeast Asian gem, adorned with tropical forests, limestone cliffs, and dynamic cityscapes, promises an immersive travel experience. Nestled between the bustling cities are remnants of a rich history, showcasing Vietnam’s resilience and cultural diversity. A key highlight is the delicious street food, making Vietnam a flavorsome paradise for food enthusiasts.

How to plan your trip to Vietnam

Dreaming of the perfect vacation in Vietnam ? Explore our Vietnam travel guides . Whether you’re looking to discover all the best things to do in Vietnam by motorbike , wondering how to visit Ha Long Bay on a budget , or the ‘emerald island’ of Phu Quoc , we have you covered. 

For the ultimate adventure around the country, exploring limestone cliffs, vibrant cities, fascinating history, exhilarating mountain roads, pristine beaches, and diving into delicious street food, we recommend spending 3 or 4 weeks in Vietnam . 

The climate in Vietnam varies from north to south, allowing you the flexibility to choose the best time for your visit, depending on where you’re planning to travel in Vietnam.  

North Vietnam: In the northern regions, including the bustling capital Hanoi , summers are hot and humid, while winters bring a cooler, drier atmosphere. The best window to explore iconic destinations like Ha Long Bay is during the spring months of March to May or the fall season between September and November. During these periods, the weather is mild, and the landscapes are adorned with lush greenery, offering a picturesque backdrop for your explorations.

South Vietnam: Moving south, these regions experience a more consistent tropical climate throughout the year. The dry season from November to April is the best time to visit Vietnam to explore the southern landscapes, encompassing the Mekong Delta and the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh. The central regions, including Hoi An and Hue , also benefit from this dry period.

Public Holidays: It’s worth avoiding visiting Vietnam during public holidays such as TET and the Vietnamese New Year in late January or early February, as prices will be much higher and transport and transport services will be significantly reduced. 

Coastlines and beaches in Vietnam

Vietnam’s enchanting landscapes extend beyond its bustling cities and historical sites, offering a coastline adorned with pristine beaches and breathtaking natural wonders. Hoi An , a place most known for its lantern-lit streets of the old town, is home to An Bang Beach, a 4-kilometer stretch of golden sand. Lined with deckchairs and beach bars, it provides the perfect setting to unwind while gazing at the ocean. 

Just 30 minutes from Hoi An is the dynamic city of Da Nang, with delicious eateries, architectural marvels like the Dragon Bridge, and some of Vietnam’s finest beaches. Da Nang has so much to offer, whether it’s the 32-mile-long beach, My Khe, or Non-Nuoc beach, surrounded by the Marble Mountains. 

In the North, Ha Long Bay , a UNESCO -listed marvel, is an iconic destination for those seeking a surreal seascape. Limestone karsts rise from the ocean, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty. Hop on a kayak and explore the bay’s many white sandy beaches, most of which are uninhabited, giving that desert island feeling.

Further down the coast, Mui Ne attracts water sports enthusiasts with its reputation as a kitesurfing hotspot. The beaches come alive with colorful kites during the day, offering a spectacle for both participants and spectators. As the sun sets, Mui Ne transforms into a tranquil haven, perfect for watching the sunset over the glistening waters.

For an island escape, head to Phu Quoc, close to Cambodia. Its white-powder beaches, turquoise waters, palm tree forests, and vibrant markets make it a paradise for nature lovers. Make sure to stop by Phu Quoc, one of the best beaches in the area.

Food, culture and religion in Vietnam

Whether you’re an adventurous backpacker, a history enthusiast, or simply someone with an appetite for new experiences, the rich culture, flavors, and experiences will capture your heart throughout your Vietnam holiday !

Culture: Vietnam’s culture goes back thousands of years, influenced by indigenous people and those from China, France, and other Southeast Asian countries. Respect for the land, sea, and people is instilled from a young age, where family bonds are treasured, art is shared, and lively rituals take place. 

Cuisine: Food plays a vital role in Vietnamese culture , focusing on fresh, healthy, locally sourced ingredients full of flavors, textures, and aromas. The most well-known is Pho, a savory noodle soup that balances sweet, salty, and sour tastes, and the Banh mi, a French-inspired baguette filled with fresh ingredients. 

Religion: Religion plays a significant role in Vietnamese life, with the population mainly following either Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Catholicism, or Cao Dai, peacefully living happily together.  For a look at some of the most breathtaking religious sites, Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, peacefully nestled on an islet of West Lake, and the vibrant Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh province are both worth visiting.

Why you should travel to Vietnam

Vietnam offers an adventure like no other! It’s easy to see why this Southeast Asian treasure is such a popular backpacking destination. With diverse landscapes that’ll leave you in awe, a history that comes alive, out-of-this-world budget-friendly experiences, and the warmth from locals, you’ll feel like you’ve found a home away from home.

Whether you’re cruising through the breathtaking Ha Long Bay , navigating the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike, traversing the vibrant terraced rice fields of Sapa , relaxing on an untouched island paradise, or exploring the underground remnants of the Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnams diversity is what sets it apart. 

Let’s not forget the food – it’s a flavor explosion! From steaming bowls of pho to the crunch of fresh spring rolls washed down with delicious tea or coffee, Vietnam boasts some of the best cuisine on the planet. Your taste buds are in for a treat!

Safety and Travel Advice Vietnam

When venturing into Vietnam’s captivating landscapes and vibrant cultures, it’s crucial to prioritize safety to ensure you have the most amazing travel experience.

Natural Disasters: While Vietnam is generally safe from natural disasters, staying informed is wise, especially in regions prone to occasional typhoons and flooding. Registering with your embassy for emergency updates can be invaluable, offering real-time information to navigate any unforeseen challenges during your stay.

Crime and Safety in Vietnam: Vietnam is known for its warm hospitality, yet, like any destination, visitors should exercise caution against petty theft. Keep your belongings secure, avoid isolated areas at night, and opt for well-lit, populated spaces. Vigilance enhances your overall safety and ensures a trouble-free exploration of this captivating country.

Learn more about travel safety .

Traffic in Vietnam: Navigating Vietnam’s hectic roads may involve contending with bustling traffic, steep mountains, and poorly maintained roads. If you plan to ride scooters or motorbikes, wear a helmet, protective clothing, and great travel insurance to cover unexpected accidents.

Travel Insurance: Prioritize your safety by securing comprehensive travel insurance before embarking on your vacation in Vietnam . Beyond covering potential accidents, insurance safeguards against unexpected scenarios like flight cancellations or lost baggage. This ensures you can fully immerse yourself in Vietnam’s beauty, knowing you have a safety net in place.

Find the best travel insurance for your trip . 

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20+ Travel Tips for Vietnam: Things to know before you go!

Last updated on March 15th, 2024

Heading to Vietnam soon? We’re sharing 20+ travel tips for Vietnam to help you have an amazing trip , especially if it’s your first time in Vietnam! Visiting a new country can be extremely daunting. Despite traveling full time, our experiences outside of North America have been pretty limited. So when we decided to head to Vietnam for 6 weeks, we felt quite a bit of anxiety. We had only ever heard incredible things about Vietnam, but it was our first trip to Asia and we had no idea what to expect. However, through tons of research, an open minded attitude, and a desire for adventure, we had the BEST time in the country! That’s not to say we didn’t make some mistakes or learn a thing or two along the way, though. 😃

Watch our entire video series for Vietnam, which shows us visiting different areas across the country, checking out caves, motorbiking in North Vietnam, and so much more!

In this post we’re sharing 20+ travel tips for Vietnam that we learned throughout our 6 weeks in the country. We hope that these Vietnam tips can help you feel better prepared for your own Vietnam adventure. For even more insight into the country and things to know before you go, read our guide to planning a trip to Vietnam , plus check out our Vietnam eBook , which includes all of our tips, detailed destination guides, itinerary options, and so much more!

• Looking for even more Vietnam tips? Check out these other Vietnam guides:

1. Don’t try to do too much

2. plan for enough time to get around the country, 3. travel from south to north, 4. get your e-visa before you go, 5. buy travel insurance, 6. know when tet is, 7. learn a few vietnamese phrases, 8. get a sim card, 9. always have cash handy, 10. make sure to carry toilet paper, 11. learn how to cross the street, 12. use grab instead of taxis, 13. understand the tipping culture, 14. download offline google translate & maps, 15. don’t be afraid of street food, 16. only drink purified water.

• 17. Interact with local ethnic minorities 

18. Respect the culture

19. learn about common scams, 20. prepare to haggle, 21. use whatsapp, 22. download a vpn, 23. book tours with local guides, 24. understand motorbike laws, 25. learn about vietnam’s history, heading to vietnam soon, 20+ travel tips for vietnam.

Vietnam is a large country! It spans 1,025 miles from south to north and there is SO much to see and do. Even with one year to spend, it would be impossible to do it all! So with that said, don’t try to do too much! We spent almost 6 weeks in the country and still missed so much . While we could’ve squeezed in a couple more spots, we also didn’t want to feel rushed in the places we were visiting. If you’re feeling unsure how much you can fit into your trip, here is a general guideline based on our experience:

• One week: if you only have one week, we’d suggest sticking to one region and exploring it more in depth. Northern Vietnam has a lot to offer for one week!
• Two weeks : if you have two weeks, we’d suggest focusing on two regions of Vietnam. Read our 2 week Vietnam itinerary .
• Three weeks : if you have three weeks, you could spend 1 week in each region of Vietnam (North, Central, and South). Check out our 3 week Vietnam itinerary .
• Four weeks or more: with a month or more, you can experience 1-3 destinations in each region of Vietnam.

Check out our guide to 12 of the best cities to visit in Vietnam to see what you can add to your itinerary!

Another big reason that you don’t want to do too much is because it takes a while to get around Vietnam. There are many modes of transportation to get between destinations, including buses, limos (which are vans), trains, and flying. And sometimes you’ll have to take multiple in one day! Flying is the quickest way to get around, but for some destinations there is not an airport to fly to and you’ll have to take one of the other options. We personally loved the trains! They gave us the chance to see more scenery, felt safer than a bus or limo (drivers in Vietnam are a bit wild!), and we had more room to spread out. If you want a very memorable experience, you can take an overnight train as well! You can watch how our 17 hour overnight train went here . I am not sure it’ll convince you to take it, but for us, it was something we won’t forget. And we would probably do it again someday. 😀 When booking travel in Vietnam, we used 12Go . On this site you can put in your origin and destination and it tells you if there are buses/limos, flights, or trains. It’s a great resource to compare options! You can also book transportation directly on their website.

During our trip we started in Ho Chi Minh City and ended in Northern Vietnam and it was the best decision! While we loved Ho Chi Minh City, the scenery gets progressively better and better the further north you go. So by starting in the south and ending up north, you get to save the best views for the end!

A crucial Vietnam tip is to not only know if you need a visa, but to get it before you go. As American citizens, we were required to get a visa. At the time of our visit, we could only get one for 30 days, but they have brought back their 3 month visa. But depending on your nationality and length of visit, you may not need one.  And while you can get a visa upon arrival, getting an e-visa in advance is much easier! To get an e-visa you will want to go to this website . Yes, it looks a tad outdated and sketchy, but this is the website run by the Vietnamese government. There are other websites that you can get your visa from, but they may charge more.

The e-visa costs $25 USD per person, which can be paid by credit card. You will need to provide your passport information, arrival and departure dates, and entry and exit points. You also have to provide a passport photo. We used this app to take photos at home. After filling out the information, you will likely hear your results within 3 business days. We suggest planning for longer, just in case. Once approved, make sure to print it to bring with you! Since our visa was only for 30 days and our trip was 6 weeks, we had to go on a visa run. This meant we had to leave Vietnam part way through our trip and then return on a new visa. It was a good excuse to finally get some khao soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

Check out our Vietnam packing list for everything else you’ll need to have in Vietnam!

One big travel tip not just for Vietnam, but any international destination is to get travel insurance.  For our recent trips to Mexico and Vietnam we purchased insurance with SafetyWing for the duration of our trips, which was affordable and gave us a ton of peace of mind. SafetyWing is travel medical insurance that will cover you outside of your home country for however long you need it. We purchased their Nomad Insurance plan, which not only gave us travel medical insurance, but also provided coverage for lost baggage and travel delays! Thankfully we didn’t have to use any of it!

For our cameras and electronics we have personal article policies with State Farm that works worldwide. This came in handy when Adam took a spill on the motorbike trip and one of our bags, which had one of our cameras in it, hit the pavement. The lens on the camera no longer worked properly, which was a bummer. But thankfully all we had to do was let State Farm know and they sent a check the next day. 

One very important Vietnamese event to be aware of when planning your trip to Vietnam is the Tet holiday. This is the most important celebration in the country and marks the first day of the Lunar New Year. It typically occurs in January or February and is a huge week-long celebration across the country.  Cities and towns across the country are decked out in flowers and decorations. And while visiting during Tet can provide a unique glimpse into Vietnamese culture, it can also be more challenging.  This holiday is all about family, so many Vietnamese return to their hometowns during this time. Transportation and lodging tend to be in high demand, so you may pay a higher price and have to book further in advance. Also, many businesses shut down for days to celebrate, so you may struggle to find dining options and activities open.

Vietnamese is the main language in Vietnam and it is a tough language to learn. It is very tonal, which means that how you say it is important. There can be one word that means three different things depending on your tone and inflection. A common question we were asked was how much English was spoken in Vietnam. The answer varies! In the larger cities, we encountered quite a few people who spoke English, but in more rural areas, little to no English was spoken. We were able to get by just fine though! Most Vietnamese, even if they don’t speak much English, will understand key words, like “toilet,” and you can also gesture with your hands to get your point across. Google Translate also has a feature where you can speak into the phone and it’ll translate.  While it’s unlikely you’ll become fluent in Vietnamese before your trip, we suggest learning a few common phrases. Here are some to get you started! To see even more, check out our ultimate guide to planning a trip to Vietnam .

• Xin chào (Sin chow): Hello
• Chào (Chow): A less formal way to say hello. Our guides told us this is more of the local way to say it.
• Cảm ơn (Gam un): Thank you 
• Dạ/Không (Dza/Kong): Yes/No
• Xin lỗi (Sin loy):  I’m sorry
• Tạm biệt (Tam biet): Goodbye
• Một, Hai, Ba, YO!: 1, 2, 3, Cheers! (This is done A LOT on tours!)

Cell service in Vietnam was so much better than we expected. Even in remote areas of Ha Giang and Cao Bang , we still had service. It was pretty incredible!  On previous international trips, we tried to just get by with an international plan from our cell phone provider. But this can get pretty expensive and you may be limited on data. Instead, get an eSIM from Airalo ! This is a SIM that you can download to your phone. It saves the hassle of having to get a physical SIM in every country you visit! You can get an eSIM for a specific country or for an entire region, making it extra easy to use if you plan to hop between countries. During our time in Vietnam, we got physical SIM cards and it was a hassle when we ran out of data. Now we use Airalo for our international trips and it is a much easier experience!

While some places do take credit cards, we found that many restaurants, street food stalls, public restrooms, and even homestays will only take cash. You can find ATMs all over town and we suggest going to a bank ATM for the best rates.  Want to avoid ATM fees? We have a Charles Schwab checking account specifically for international travel. They refund ATM fees from ANY ATM worldwide! This gave us lots of freedom to use whichever ATM was most convenient.

When we could use a credit card in Vietnam, we used one of our travel credit cards to earn points and miles for future trips. Curious which ones we use? Learn more about our favorite travel credit cards .

This may be one of our most important Vietnam tips. If you don’t follow it, you may end up in a crappy situation…literally. Make sure to carry some toilet paper (or tissue) while out and about in Vietnam. We found bathroom conditions to vary a lot. And sometimes they either did not have toilet paper or you had to pay for it. One thing you will see in almost every bathroom, both in public and in lodging, are bum guns. These are basically spray gun bidets. While these can do the trick without toilet paper, you may want something to dry off. Don’t ask how we know…

Vietnam’s streets are chaotic. There are tons of motorbikes weaving all around and a lack of crosswalks most of the time. And even if there are, crosswalks don’t always mean anything. I know this from experience when a motorbike went right through a red light and I ran into them while crossing at a crosswalk. So one important safety tip for Vietnam is to understand how to cross the streets. Locals told us that the best way to cross the street is to just start walking. Look for a small window in traffic and walk at a consistent pace (don’t run or stop). The motorbikes will go around you.  It seems so unnatural at first, but you will get the hang of it! Another thing to be aware of is that motorbikes sometimes will hop onto the sidewalk or pop out of alleyways. So always be alert, even when not in the actual street.

Grab is a rideshare app, just like Uber, and is an affordable and safe choice to get around cities in Vietnam. Unlike taxis, you can confirm the rate you’ll be charged before pickup, which reduces any scams. The prices are so cheap for Grab that we used it a lot! We paid between $2-$5 for each ride around HCMC and Hanoi, including a tip (not required). We even used Grab to get food delivery, which is something we never do in the US because of how expensive it is.

It is not customary to tip in Vietnam. This is a weird concept coming from the US, where you tip for most services. But in Vietnam it’s not expected. However, we did tip as much as we could. We would often give a slightly larger bill for our meal and leave the change. People seemed to really appreciate this! We also always tipped our Grab drivers, food delivery drivers, and especially our tour guides. For tour guides, we always tipped a minimum of 20%.

Even if you have a Vietnamese SIM card, make sure to download offline Google Translate and Google Maps ! This will come in handy if for some reason you do not have service or if you get a small data plan. 

The #1 question we were asked by viewers while in Vietnam was “did you get sick from the food?” Street food can have a bad reputation, but it was our favorite way to eat in Vietnam! Don’t be afraid of trying street food, but make sure to read reviews and use your best judgment. Every street food spot we visited, minus a night market in Hoi An, was researched beforehand or recommended by a local guide. We rarely ever go to places on a whim.

Getting sick from food can happen anywhere in the world and even at the fanciest restaurants. Part of the food culture in Vietnam is sitting on the sidewalk in a tiny chair and at a tiny table, watching a local cook up your food right in front of you. The food is delicious and so affordable! But to answer the #1 question, we did not get sick from the food. At least we don’t think so. We both did get sick our first week in Vietnam with a stomach bug, but we got sick days apart, so we think it may have been a virus from traveling. Besides that, we felt great!

Check out our guide to the 10+ foods to try in Vietnam (& where to get them!)

While we highly suggest street food, tap water is a big no no in Vietnam. It’s not safe for both locals or tourists to drink, but thankfully purified water is super easy to find. Our only complaint is that we had to buy tons of plastic bottles and we aren’t fans of that. We traveled with a Hydro Flask bottle , but there weren’t really any places to fill it up.

17. Interact with local ethnic minorities 

Vietnam is home to 54 different ethnic minorities. If you can, try to visit different ethnic minority villages and stay at homestays while in Vietnam. You’ll get to witness a different way of life, learn about their resourcefulness, and gain a deeper understanding of the country. These experiences were the most memorable and impactful of our trip. Two popular areas to interact with ethnic minorities are Sapa and Ha Giang. You can arrange tours to visit different villages with a local guide, which is recommended, as they likely will not speak any English.

You will likely visit a variety of cultural sites while in Vietnam. Please always make sure to follow the rules and respect the culture! When visiting temples, make sure to cover your knees and shoulders. Don’t do what I did and bring a thick cardigan (it got real hot !). Pack something lightweight instead!

We felt incredibly safe in Vietnam, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t scams to be aware of. Here are a few that we heard of or witnessed.

Parking Scams

This is very common in Ninh Binh . Locals will try to force you to park well before you actually need to. They will walk out right in front of your bike and try to demand that you park there and overcharge you. If this happens to you, just keep biking and ignore them. We learned about this from reading reviews, so try to read recent reviews for places to learn about any scams!

You’ll often see people holding baskets with fruits, flowers, or other items while walking around. They will let you hold it and get the photo, but then try to demand money afterwards. As cool as some of these photo opportunities may be, don’t fall for it unless you want to pay.

Duplicate businesses

Some restaurants will try to copy a popular restaurant to trick people into going to them instead. These restaurants will usually all be right by each other, making it hard to know which is the true one. This can also happen with tour companies trying to trick people by using a similar name to a popular, reputable company. 

Tourist prices

We hear sometimes that restaurants will charge tourists more than locals, but I don’t think we personally experienced this. If you go to a restaurant and do not see prices, this could be a sign that they’ll try to overcharge you.

Ahh, haggling. This is an important Vietnam tip, yet one we have not quite mastered. When shopping along the street or at markets, it is standard to haggle. The owners expect it, but for us, it’s super awkward and we aren’t sure what is too much or not enough. We hear that shooting for 50% of what they are asking for is a good starting point. They will always come down in price and likely meet you in the middle. One tactic we used was to not have all of our money bundled together. That way, we could play the “this is all I have” card.  We also shopped around to see how much different shops were charging for a “Patagonia” fanny pack I wanted. This helped us get a better idea of how much we could ask off!

WhatsApp is the go-to app for communicating while in Vietnam. Many lodging and tour companies use it to book things and communicate with you. Make sure to download it in advance and give any guides your number! 

If working remotely, you may want to download a VPN to be able to access specific websites while in Vietnam. We downloaded NordVPN while there once we realized that some websites blocked Vietnam traffic. We were able to connect to a server in the US and get access to what we needed.

Hands down the BEST thing we did in Vietnam was hire local guides for some experiences! Because of guided tours, we were able to experience the country’s history, eat delicious street foods , spend 3 days in caves, and motorbike all over Northern Vietnam. These guides heavily enriched our experience! The tours we hired guides for were:

• Private Cu Chi Tunnels tour
• 4 Day Wild Tu Lan Cave Explorer tour
• Hanoi Street Food tour
• 6 Day Motorbike tour through Ha Giang and Cao Bang (this trip is not listed on their site, but reach out to them to book it!)

Some tools that were helpful in finding tours and activities were:

• Tripadvisor : you can not only read reviews for tour activities, but you can also book them directly on Tripadvisor. And for ANY experience you book on Tripadvisor you can use our code APLUSK10 to get 10% off!
• Airbnb Experiences : this is a great resource to find local guides and smaller group tours.
• Klook : while we didn’t personally use Klook, we know it is popular to book activities in Asia.

One of our top legal travel tips for Vietnam: understand the motorbike laws. For years we envisioned ourselves renting a motorbike and traveling around Southeast Asia. But then we learned that legally, we cannot. Make sure to check motorbike laws for your country’s driver’s license. You will need an IDP, which is an International Driver’s Permit. However, only IDPs from countries under the 1968 Vienna Convention are legal.  Unfortunately for US, Canadian, and Australian citizens, your IDP will not qualify. Without an IDP the only way to legally drive a motorbike without a license is to drive one 50ccs or less. This may work in cities, but it will not be powerful enough in mountainous areas. While many people do drive motorbikes illegally, in places like Ha Giang , they are cracking down on illegal driving. You risk getting pulled over and having to pay a fine or bribe to the police or getting your bike taken away. Your health insurance will also not be valid.  Also, whether you drive or are a passenger, helmets are required by law in Vietnam for anyone on a motorbike. So make sure to wear one! 

Last, but certainly not least, our final travel tip for Vietnam: learn about Vietnam’s history.  Since starting our YouTube Channel , we spend many, many hours researching every place we visit. And this includes its history! While I am not really a history buff, learning more about the places we plan to visit has given us such a better understanding and appreciation while there. Vietnam has had many pivotal moments in its history, with two more recent being French colonization and the Vietnam War (called the American War by the Vietnamese). We highly recommend learning about these before you go. For the Vietnam War, the Ken Burns PBS documentary is phenomenal and shares all perspectives of the war.  While in Vietnam, make sure to visit the War Remnants Museum and Hoa Lo Prison .

PLANNING A TRIP TO VIETNAM? CHECK OUT THESE OTHER VIETNAM GUIDES:

• eBook: The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Vietnam
• 3 week Vietnam Itinerary
• 2 week Vietnam Itinerary
• 12 best cities to visit in Vietnam
• Vietnam packing list
• The top 10+ foods to try in Vietnam (& where to get them!)
• The ULTIMATE guide to visiting the Ha Giang Loop
• 3 days in Hanoi, Vietnam Itinerary
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Vietnam Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Vietnam travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Thanks to its stunning natural beauty in places Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta, bustling cities with incredible street food, and fascinating culture and history, Vietnam is an unmissable destination in Southeast Asia .

It’s also extremely affordable, and visitors will find that their money stretches far in Vietnam when it comes to food, hotels, and transportation.

Keep reading to dive into resources from Jessie on a Journey as well as its sister site Epicure & Culture that will help you with planning a trip to Vietnam.

Note: This guide to Vietnam travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Vietnam Map

Use this Vietnam travel map to begin planning your trip!

Click here for an interactive version of the above map.

Best Places To Visit In Vietnam

Learn about the top places to visit in Vietnam .

Stunning Images From The World’s Largest Cave In Vietnam

Solo Travel, Local Culture & Going Beyond The Guidebook In Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Advice

Use these Vietnam travel tips to plan the perfect trip.

My Unwanted Paparazzi Moment On Cat Ba Island In Vietnam (Important Lesson Included!)

Top 10 Vacation Destinations In Asia

Vietnam Food Trip

Explore the country on a virtual Vietnam food tour with these travel resources.

A Guide To Southeast Asian Culture Through Spices

The French Influence On Vietnamese Cuisine

Asia Travel Tips

This Asia travel advice can help you plan the perfect trip.

24 Best Places For Solo Travel In Asia

Top Vietnam Tours

Check out these fun tours in Vietnam from my affiliate partner, Viator:

• Cooking Class in Local Villa with Market Tour (Seasonal Local Wine Tasting) in Hoàn Kiếm
• Saigon Evening Food Tour By Scooter in Ho Chi Minh City
• Overnight Sapa Tour from Hanoi

These excursions will help you learn about Vietnam from a local!

Vietnam Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Vietnam tour. When visiting Vietnam — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Vietnam itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Vietnam Hotels

Click here to browse hotels in Vietnam!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local stays:

Renting A Car In Vietnam

Need a rental car for your Vietnam trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Vietnam Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling Vietnam .

Q: Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

Vietnam is a safe country for tourists to visit. In fact, it’s one of the best destinations for a solo trip to Asia .

There is very little violent crime; however, tourists should be vigilant when it comes to petty theft and scams, especially in popular tourist destinations.

Q: Is Vietnam cheap to travel?

Vietnam is a very budget-friendly destination! Like many places in Southeast Asia, your money will go far in Vietnam.

A typical backpacker budget is around $30 a day, while a mid-range traveler may want to budget $60-$75 a day.

If you’re on a budget while traveling Asia , definitely add Vietnam to your itinerary.

Q: Can you travel Vietnam by train?

Yes, train travel is one of the best ways to get around Vietnam!

Trains in Vietnam are comfortable, affordable, and scenic. Although they can be slow, they offer great views and a good value for money.

Q: What are some Vietnam travel do’s and don’ts?

Things you should do in Vietnam:

• Do dress conservatively, especially when visiting temples or pagodas
• Do keep an eye on your belongings at all times, especially in tourist areas
• Do learn a few basic phrases in Vietnamese, such as hello, please, and thank you

Things you should not do in Vietnam:

• Don’t take photos without asking for permission first, especially in rural areas or villages
• Don’t expect public restrooms to have toilet paper – always bring your own with you!
• Don’t miss out on trying Vietnamese street food

Q: Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Citizens of most North American and European countries will need a visa in order to visit Vietnam. Visas must be applied for in advance.

It’s recommended to view your country’s Vietnam International Travel Information page for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements. You can also contact the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Q: What are some must-try street foods in Vietnam?

Vietnam has some of the best street food in the world!

Experience Vietnam through delicious dishes like pho (a hearty noodle soup), xoi (sticky rice laced with various options like pork or fried egg), and banh mi (a tasty baguette sandwich).

Q: What are some great Vietnam tourist places?

When visiting Vietnam, some tourist spots not to miss include Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Phú Quốc Island, Mekong Delta (aka the Western Region), Vũng Tàu, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh, which is a town just an hour-and-a-half from Hanoi, which another great destination.

It’s also easy to get to other countries in Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia from Vietnam, like Hong Kong, Thailand, and Laos.

Q: What is the local currency in Vietnam?

The local currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese đồng.

What would you add to this Vietnam travel guide?

Enjoyed this guide to Vietnam travel? Pin it for later!

Asia , Tips & Inspo , Vietnam · July 8, 2021

16 Vietnam Travel Tips You Need to Know

Planning is an essential part of any trip, and just like elsewhere, there are certain things you need to know before visiting Vietnam – especially if you’re a first time visitor. While you won’t have too much to worry about in Vietnam, it’s always best to know what you’re getting yourself into before arriving at a new destination. To help you plan the perfect trip, here are my top 16 Vietnam travel tips so that you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying this fascinating country!

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Top Vietnam Travel Tips: What You Need to Know Before Visiting Vietnam

1. consider travel insurance.

Although Vietnam is a relatively safe country to visit, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. And that doesn’t just include petty theft. Food poisoning, getting injured during an adventure activity, losing your valuables, or even missing a flight are just some of the things that can really ruin your Vietnam trip.

So my first travel tip for Vietnam is to consider travel insurance for your trip. World Nomads  offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

2. Choose the right season to visit

Vietnam is a massive country spanning more than 1600 km from north to south. While the weather in Vietnam might not be at the top of your worry list, choosing the best time to visit Vietnam is an important part of planning the perfect trip. 

The country has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity throughout the year and rather unpredictable weather, including everything from typhoons to frequent downpours to relentless heat. Added to that, the temperature can vary drastically depending on where and when you visit. 

With that said, though, if you are planning to see a bit of everything, the best time to visit Vietnam is either in spring (March – April) or autumn (September – December) . During these months, expect pleasant temperatures throughout most of the country.

3. Don’t forget your visa

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Vietnam, except for several European passport holders, such as citizens from the UK, France, and Germany. If you’re from one of these countries, consider yourself lucky, because you can enter Vietnam 15 days visa-free.

For the rest, chances are high you’ll need to apply for a visa beforehand. While some countries’ citizens can apply for a visa online (read more about it here or use iVisa to sort everything for you), South Africans need to apply in person at the nearest Vietnam embassy. It’s definitely a bit of a mission, but the effort will be worth it – especially since you’ll get to experience one of the most beautiful places in Asia!

4. Know how to get in and out 

As already mentioned, Vietnam is a huge country packed with loads of beautiful places to go , ancient landmarks to explore , and amazing things to do. Choosing where to arrive and depart is, therefore, another important Vietnam travel tip to keep in mind.

Three main international airports serve Vietnam: Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport. If you’re planning to see a bit of everything, the easiest would be to arrive in the south and depart in the north (or vice versa). Search and compare flights here on Skyscanner .

No matter where you arrive, it’s straightforward to get from any of these airports to the city center. Buses and taxis are readily available and very affordable. Don’t feel like planning a thing? Grab a private transfer here: 

• Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi City/Halong Bay
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport to HCMC  
• Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An/ Hue or Da Nang  

5. Know how to get around efficiently

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia and getting around is super easy and affordable. As a result, it’s a great destination for budget travelers and backpackers. With everything from trains to buses, Vietnam has a vast and efficient transport network that can literally connect you to all its corners. 

Some of the best long-distance travel options include sleeper buses and overnight trains . These are especially ideal for travelers who want to cover large areas of land at dirt cheap prices. 12Go Asia is a great source to find and book tickets for  buses ,  trains and transfers . While you’ll undoubtedly be saving money, you should know that traveling by train or bus is not for everyone. Journeys are long, and it’s not exactly the most sanitary way of traveling. 

If that’s not for you, flying is your best bet. Vietjet is the country’s top low-cost carrier, and local flights are cheap and plentiful. 

6. Opt to use Grab Taxi 

Most cities in Vietnam are surprisingly walkable, but it’s always good to know you have other options when you are too tired to walk. (By the way, looking for cute and comfy travel sneakers? Check out my guide on travel sneakers for women ). 

Among the many ways to get around in the cities include taxis, local buses, bicycle rickshaws, and even motorbike taxis. Oh and travel tip – the latter might seem like a fun ride, but it’s not for the faint-hearted! 

All of the above options are generally quite cheap. But remember to agree on a fixed price with the driver beforehand. Vietnam’s taxi drivers are notorious for ripping off tourists!

The easiest way to avoid this unpleasantry is to use Grab Taxi instead. Grab is a popular ride share service, similar to Uber, where you book a ride using their app. The best part? You’ll know exactly how much your ride will cost and how long it will take to reach your destination.

7. Get a local Sim card

Whether you’re planning a 5-day Vietnam itinerary or staying a bit longer, getting a local SIM card or pocket wifi is highly encouraged (especially if you are a first-time visitor to Vietnam). 

Even though most hotels and posher eateries are likely to have free (and super fast) wifi, having access to all your favorite travel apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, and Grab Taxi 24/7 can help avoid unnecessary stress.  

The easiest way to stay connected on your trip is to grab a SIM card right upon arrival. You can book one online  here  or head straight to one of the various vendors on site. Alternatively, have one delivered directly to your hotel to save the hassle: 

• 4G SIM card delivered straight to your hotel in Hanoi
• 4G SIM delivered directly to your hotel in HCMC

8. Be aware of scams

One of the most important travel tips for Vietnam to know about is scams. Scams are plentiful in Vietnam and even more so in touristy spots like HCMC and Hanoi. I hate being ripped off, as I’m sure you do too. The easiest way to avoid feeling salty is not to let it happen. While that is probably easier said than done, especially when traveling in unfamiliar territory, the good news is that it’s possible!

The first Vietnam tip you need to know about is to try and book your tours or trips through a reputable website beforehand. I personally love Klook and book most of my tours through them. They have tons of options at reasonable prices. Plus, the reviews really help make choosing the perfect tour so much easier. 

Of course, booking activities through a local tour operator is also possible. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to turn a corner in any of Vietnam’s tourist hubs without spotting several of these companies! If you must use one of these services, then you’re definitely going to need my second most important Vietnam travel tip for booking tours. Shop around before committing to anything , because prices vary greatly from one operator to another. 

Most tour operators in Vietnam will gladly spend hours explaining different packages, tours, and trips. Don’t feel intimated or obliged to book a tour right then and there. Instead, thank them for their time and tell them you’ll think about it. Then move on to the next tour operator. After a visit to several different sites, you’ll have a good idea of which company offers the best package at the best price for your needs.  

9. Learn a few key Vietnamese phrases

The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, but English is widely spoken in more touristy places. While it’s unlikely that you’ll have any trouble with language barriers in the bigger cities, it’s always a good idea to know the basics. Here are a few key phrases that will make your trip a whole lot more enjoyable and perhaps even impress a few locals: 

Hello  – Xin chào

Goodbye  – Tạm biệt

Thank you  – Cám ơn

Sorry  – Xin Loi 

Please – Làm ơn

No  – Không

How much is it? –  Cái này giá bao nhiêu?

Please help me – Làm ơn giúp tôi

Where is the bathroom? – Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?

10. Carry enough cash with you

In general, cash is king in Vietnam, so make sure you carry enough cash with you, especially if you’re visiting markets or low-key eateries. Most hotels, tour operators, and fancier restaurants do, however, accept debit or credit cards, but remember service fees may apply,

If you run out of cash, you won’t have too much trouble finding an ATM. But not all banks accept foreign cards, so it’s best to try one of the bigger branches like HSBC and Citi Bank that accepts Visa or Mastercard. Also, keep in mind, it’s best to withdraw AND exchange money right at the airport, where you’ll get the cheapest rates. If you must use a local ATM, try to withdraw large sums at once to avoid hefty bank charges. The withdrawal limit typically ranges between 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND, with fees ranging from 22,000 to 99,000 VND. 

Just make sure your hotel room has a safe where you can keep your money locked up because you really shouldn’t be walking around with large sums of cash in Vietnam!

11. Learn to haggle (really fast)

If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, then you’re in for a real treat. Everything is dirt cheap, and haggling is standard practice at markets and hole-in-the-wall stores. 

With that said, though, you should know that prices (for tourists) are generally hugely inflated, and the only way to get a lower price is to haggle! Don’t be afraid to ask around first to get a good idea of the bargaining range. Decide on a price you’d like to pay and stick to it no matter what. 

If you’re not American like me, then another thing you’ll need to get used to very quickly is converting currencies! Most vendors only give prices in USD, so best to figure out the conversion rate before you make a trip to the market.  

It’s also a good idea not to flaunt any flashy belongings like watches, designer bags, and your fav pro camera because those also play a part in the initial price you’ll get. Another tip to know is, don’t shop near the entrance of a market. These stores are famous for asking steeper prices!

12. You don’t need to tip

Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, tipping is not really a thing in Vietnam. So whether you’re dining at  Hanoi’s best restaurants  or grabbing some sidewalk grub in Ho Chih Min City, leaving a tip is generally not required. However, if you decide to splurge on a fancy dinner or pop into a swanky eatery, expect a 10% service fee already worked in on your bill. 

As for hotel porters and tour guides, be prepared for the death stares if you do not give them a tip! It doesn’t need to be much, but it is the norm here. So, remember to keep some small change (ideally US dollars) handy.

13. Don’t drink the tap water 

Another big mistake to avoid in Vietnam is drinking the tap water. The tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink , and you’re almost guaranteed to get sick!

To avoid ruining your entire trip, rather buy bottled water. A 1.5 liter of bottled water costs less than a dollar and can be bought practically everywhere – from convenience stores to local restaurants to even your hotel. 

If you’re visiting Vietnam on a budget, another option is to invest in a good reusable water bottle that you can refill at your hotel’s water fountain.

14. Pack the right clothes

Knowing what to pack for a Vietnam trip is another important thing you need to know before visiting Vietnam. 

Since the humidity is quite intense in Vietnam, it’s best to pack lightweight, breathable clothes made of linen or cotton that won’t leave you sweaty or weigh you down. 

Unless you’re visiting during winter (mid-December – March), there’s really no need to pack a ton of warm clothing. Instead, opt for shorts, skirts, your favorite t’s, and summery dresses. With that said, it’s still a good idea to bring along one or two lightweight jackets, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts for the odd chilly day or if you intend to go hiking. No matter when you visit, though, don’t forget your raincoat! 

Also, if you’re going to visit Vietnam’s incredible religious sites, remember to to pack accordingly. A simple sarong will do in most cases, but just make sure that you can cover your knees and shoulders.

15. Don’t forget to bring bug spray and sunscreen

Although you won’t have to worry about malaria in the major tourist areas of Vietnam, dengue fever and the Zika virus aren’t uncommon. Make sure to protect yourself from any bites by packing a good mosquito repellant like this . 

Sunscreen is another essential item to pack when traveling in Vietnam. While you won’t have too much trouble finding sunscreen at a local grocery store or even in a convenience store, it’s important to know that most sunscreen brands in Asia contain whitening agents that can change your skin color. Make sure to bring your favorite brand along for a worry-free trip. If you’re a conscientious traveler, this reef-safe Banana Boat sunscreen spray is your best bet.

16. You might need a travel adapter

The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz, and the typical plug types are A (2 vertical pins), C (2 round pins), and F (Schuko plug ).

While these plug types are pretty standard in most countries, it’s important to check the voltage compatibility before trying to plug your device into a socket in Vietnam. If your device runs at a different voltage, it’s best to invest in a good travel adapter. This travel plug works in 150 countries and has four USB sockets, so you never have to worry about keeping your devices juiced up. 

There you have it – all my top travel tips for Vietnam! If you think I’ve omitted any must-know Vietnam travel tips, let me know in the comments below to keep this post updated! 

If you found these travel tips for Vietnam handy, please pin this post to your favorite board!

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October 27, 2021 at

hi, I really appreciated this information about Vietnam. My husband and I will plan to trip there. Let me know more information about Vietnam tourist

November 5, 2021 at

Great to hear that! Feel free to check out my other Vietnam posts for more ideas on what not to miss.

May 21, 2023 at

Thank you so much. So practical and well explained. Mush appreciated. Thank you

August 6, 2023 at

we are going to Vietnam and Cambodia in February 2024. Really looking forward to it. we are aged 68 and 72, and reasonably mobile. we are doing an 18 day tour. So any advice anyone can give us will be greatly appreciated

August 9, 2023 at

Thanks, this will be very helpful

Looking forward to our trip,

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

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20 genius vietnam travel tips – full guide 2024.

Table of Contents

In this article we are going to share 20 genius Vietnam travel tips in 2024. If you’re planning to travel to Vietnam read this article CAREFULLY to avoid making mistakes and missing important things. 

We absolutely love Vietnam and we can’t stop going back. Vietnam is an amazing country to travel. However, it does have some challenges and some things that you need to know before you go. As long term travelers and a FULL TIME travel family – we have made all the mistakes and had to develop ways to travel better. We are passionate about sharing our tried and tested top tips and travel secrets with you to help you make the most of your Vietnam trip. 

These Vietnam travel tips should help you have an amazing time in Vietnam. Please read this guide carefully if you’re planning to visit Vietnam as we think it will help you a lot.  

Summary of essential Vietnam travel tips

Brief summary of our Vietnam travel tips – KEEP READING for full details

• Get set up with a local SIM card
• Always check your change
• Watch out for ATM charges
• If you’re going rural take plenty of cash
• Avoid popular activities on public holidays
• Respect local customs and culture
• Look after your valuables
• Take care on the roads
• Make the most of the street food
• Download Google translate
• Use a taxi app to get around
• Plan your itinerary carefully
• Use offline maps to get around
• Get bigger water bottles
• Book trips and tours 
• Splash out on an amazing hotel
• Protect yourself from the sun
• Consider taking a luxury cruise
• Try bartering
• Don’t miss Sapa

What are the BEST places to visit in Vietnam?

Before we share out PRO Vietnam travel tips we just wanted to share a few recommendations for Vietnam.

If you are planning to visit Vietnam you may be considering a visit to Ho Chi Minh City and the South. There are lots of awesome things to do around Ho Chi Minh including boat trips to the Mekong Delta, day trips to the historic Cu Chi tunnels and plenty of epic temples. Ho Chi Minh is a great place to experience culture, history and amazing food.

We highly recommend a visit to Hanoi in the North. This city is also packed with culture and history and it is a great hub to explore other awesome destinations in the north of Vietnam. Whether it’s walking around Hanoi city exploring temples , or trying the epic Hanoi street food – this city doesn’t disappoint. 

If you get a chance we highly recommend a visit to Sapa. There are plenty of amazing things to do in Sapa . This is an awesome destination for stunning trekking in the hills around Sapa , cultural villages and authentic Sapa homestays . It is possible to take a night train from Hanoi to Sapa – this is a great experience. If the night train is not for you there are other ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa . 

We also highly recommend a visit to Ha Long Bay. If you are looking for superlative splashout opportunities consider taking a luxury cruise in Ha Long Bay . We loved Peony cruises and highly recommend their package. 

What are the BEST things to do in Vietnam?

There are absolutely loads of amazing things to do in Vietnam. In some ways it is hard to narrow it down. To help you you plan your trip here is a list of some of our TOP PICK things to do in Vietnam:

• Explore traditional Vietnamese temples 
• Take a Mekong delta boat tour (around $15 all inclusive from Ho Chi Minh)
• Visit the war Relics Museum (Ho Chi Minh)
• See a traditional water puppet show 
• Visit a Vietnamese market  (e.g. Ben Thanh market or Dong Xuan market)
• Try a traditional Vietnamese cooking course 
• Visit the Reunification palace (Ho Chi Minh)
• Get a Vietnamese massage (amazing prices – normally under $10)
• Visit the Cu Chi tunnels (Around $20 all inclusive from Ho Chi Minh)
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (Hanoi)
• See the iconic Tran Quoc Pagoda (Hanoi)
• Check out Hanoi train street 
• Explore the Temple of literature (Hanoi)
• Visit the Mua Cave and viewpoint (Trang An near Hanoi)
• Visit the summit of Fanispan (trek or take the cable car and mountain railway)
• Go trekking in Sapa and stay in an authentic homestay
• Take a luxury cruise of Ha Long Bay
• Explore Cat Ba island

1 Get set up with a local SIM card

Having a local SIM is very useful whether you’re booking a taxi online, communicating with a hotel or just scrolling through nonsense on a long bus journey. 

When you arrive in Vietnam we recommend that you get a local SIM card. One way to do this is to buy one in the airport when you first arrive (this is convenient but may be a little bit more expensive). Alternatively, wait until you’re in town and then find a SIM card. There are many SIM card companies available in Vietnam and the choice can be a little bit overwhelming. Different companies offer different packages with varying amounts of data, coverage and prices. Be aware that many SIM card deals only include data and not calls or text messages. You may struggle to make outgoing calls or send text messages, therefore we recommend that you connect with locals through WhatsApp. 

You can find some mobile network shops around towns and cities. One of the biggest network providers is Viettel. They generally have stores around towns and cities and offer a range of deals and packages. Viettel offers the best coverage – however their deals are generally quite expensive. Viettel 30 day packages tend to range between 150,000VND – 300,000VND and include a data limit (normally 10GB – 60GB depending on the package). You can find cheaper 30 day sim cards in small local corner shops and small tour offices.  We found Mobiphone offered good deals at competitive prices. The best way to get a good deal is shop around and barter. You can normally find deals for around 90,000VND – 150,000VND. Shoot for 30GB or more.

2 Always check your change

Here is one of our PRO Vietnam travel tips for being savvy. Start getting your head around the currency before you go. You may be able to get hold of some cash in advance or withdraw from an ATM in the airport. Alternatively bring some US dollars (or another local currency) and exchange in the airport to get you going. 

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). The Vietnamese dong is quite a challenge and currency because the notes are very large. In general you’re not likely to pay for anything that is less than 10,000VND (which is roughly £0.35 or $0.40). These large numbers can make it very difficult to convert currencies, work out prices and figure out how much change you need. We always recommend that you take time to check your change carefully and don’t feel rushed or flustered. Some travelers can be short changed because locals know that the currency is difficult to work with. 

3 Watch out for ATM charges

There are plenty of ATM machines available in all of the main towns and cities in Vietnam. Most ATM machines in Vietnam accept foreign cards including Master Cards, Maestro, Visa and Visa debit cards. However, your local bank may charge you for using your card overseas. Furthermore, Vietnamese ATM machines generally have a charge for using international cards. ATM machines in Vietnam will give you an option to do your transaction in English and they should tell you the withdrawal charges before you withdraw money. We found that Agribank had some of the lowest charges and they are quite widespread around Vietnam. We also recommend that you use a good international card such as Starling or Wise (minimal or no international fees). 

4 If you’re going rural take plenty of cash

Here is one of our Vietnam travel tips for going rural. If you are planning to go to a rural location in Vietnam make sure you take plenty of cash. For example, if you’re traveling to Sapa there are a few cash machines around town. However, as soon as you get out of town there are no cash machines for miles. Therefore, if you are visiting this area make sure you get plenty of cash before you disappear into the hills. Many of the islands in Vietnam are recently developed, however if you’re planning to visit any of the smaller and less developed Islands we recommend taking plenty of cash with you. 

5 Avoid popular activities on public holidays

In recent years domestic tourism has become very popular in Vietnam. increasingly Vietnamese people are traveling around Vietnam and enjoying their awesome country. However, this can make it challenging traveling Vietnam especially during public holidays and weekends. Popular activities in Vietnam can get very busy during public holidays and weekends. If you do need to take a long journey during a public holiday we recommend booking your tickets in advance as early as possible. If possible, we recommend planning your trip carefully so that your slower, “down days” fall on any public holidays or weekends in Vietnam. Also, you may notice that some attractions charge a little bit more during the weekends. Lose-lose, it is more busy and you pay more at the weekend! 

6 Respect local customs and culture

Vietnam is a very friendly, relax and respectful culture. Vietnamese people are generally quite reserved but they are also friendly and outgoing. One of the most important ways to respect local culture and customs is to make sure that you dress conservatively and respectfully when you are visiting temples and significant landmarks. In general, we recommend that you have shoulders and knees covered when you are visiting temples in Vietnam. 

7 Look after your valuables

One of our most important Vietnam travel tips is looking after yourself and your belongings. Crime rates are generally quite low in Vietnam. However, it is important to look after yourself and your belongings. Take care if you’re out and about at night, especially if you are on your own. Also watch your bags and belongings especially in busy locations like markets. We tend to use a dry sack inside of a valuables bag to keep cameras and valuables safe. This makes it more difficult for a thief to access and also protect your valuable electrical items in heavy rain. 

Vietnam also has night buses which is a cheap and convenient way to travel around. However, your valuables bag may be very vulnerable on a night bus. We recommend using a small padlock to keep your valuables bag secure and make sure it is not in a position that is easy to grab or access. Keep an arm through a stap.   

8 Take care on the roads

Vietnam has a reputation for hilariously busy roads. If you are visiting one of the biggest cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi be prepared for an ocean of motorbikes speeding down the streets. If you need to cross a road try to find traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. Many locals just walk slowly into the street keeping an eye out for bikes. Slow and steady movement allows the bikes to pass around them. Whatever you do, always take care around the streets and remain vigilant. 

9 Make the most of the street food

One of our top Vietnam travel tips is to make the most of the amazing Vietnamese street food. Street food in Vietnam is delicious, cheap and readily available. The awesome street food culture in Vietnam is an amazing part of the experience of traveling here. Many of the towns and cities in Vietnam had street food markets and plenty of small cafes and restaurants along the streets. If you get a chance, we recommend taking a street food tour.

Local guides will be able to show you the best places to eat and tell you about the food. We highly recommend that you try Bahn Mi in Vietnam (this is a french style baguette packed with meat, egg and pickled veggies). Pho Soup is also very common and popular. This noodle soup has a beautiful stock and it is served with sliced meats or prawns and a range of mouthwatering garnishes. Vietnamese spring rolls are also amazing – try them fresh for a crunchy healthy option. Most street food in Vietnam ranges between 30,000VND – 90,000VND. 

10 Download Google translate

Most people in Vietnam speak a reasonably good level of English, especially in the larger towns and cities. However, language can be challenging from time to time. We have found Google Translate to be an amazing language app. Google translate allows you to translate spoken language using your microphone and written text using your camera. In most cases Google Translate is able to help you make sense of documents, information and menus. It is also very good at picking up on spoken text in both Vietnamese and English. If you download Google translate on to your phone you can actually download offline languages so that you can translate without WI-Fi or mobile data. This is super helpful when you are visiting more rural areas with less English and weak wifi. 

11 Use a taxi app to get around

One of the most convenient ways to get around Vietnamese cities is to use local taxis. Due to the increase in use of taxi apps it is becoming very challenging to flag taxis at the side of the road. And if you do find taxis at the side of the road you will need to barter with taxi drivers for a reasonable price. A massive advantage of using taxi apps is that the price is fixed by the app. you will be given a fair local price for your journey without needing to barter. If you wish to use a taxi app in Vietnam you will need to have mobile data available on your phone. 

The main taxi apps in Vietnam are Grab and Gojek. In order to use a taxi app in Vietnam you will need to download the app from your app store. Once you have the app you can register for an account using your local phone number and email address. When you set up your account, allow it to access your phone’s location to book taxis. You can either enter your destination and allow the auto suggest to bring it up or you can use the map function.

Once you have booked your taxi it normally takes 5 or 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive. You are able to cancel your journey shortly after booking if you need to. Once a taxi has agreed to take you you will be given the registration plate and you will be able to message the driver over the app. watch out for your taxi and then just jump in and go. 

You can use both apps simultaneously to find the fastest taxi and cheapest journey. You can also select “pay with cash” when you book your taxi. We found this to be a very simple and convenient option. Most journeys around cities should cost 30,000VND – 150,000VND.

12 Plan your itinerary carefully

One of our most important Vietnam travel tips is to plan your itinerary carefully. Vietnam is actually a very large country and it takes over 24-hours to travel from the North to the south of Vietnam over land (the country is over 1,000 miles from north to south). Even if you choose to fly this can take up a significant amount of your precious travel time.

Therefore, we recommend planning your itinerary very carefully. Slow down if you can. Consider what things you wish to do before you visit Vietnam and make sure you have enough time to do all of the things you want to do.

In general if you have less than 10 days in Vietnam we recommend focusing on either the north or the South but don’t try to visit both. If you have 10 days or more in Vietnam it is possible to visit both the north and south of the country. However, if you are really wanting an epic trip that visits all of the must-see destinations in Vietnam, then we recommend taking at least two or three weeks for your trip. 

If you’re planning an itinerary that hits the north and south – it may be more efficient to fly into Ho Chi Minh and fly out of Hanoi. Or Fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh. This saves traveling up and down the country unnecessarily. Alternatively, you could travel into Hanoi, then travel down the country to Ho Chi Ming, then travel overland to Cambodia by bus. 

• Don’t miss our ULTIMATE 10 day step-by-step itinerary for Vietnam
• We also have a detailed 3 day itinerary for Ho Chi Minh
• You may also be interested in our 3 day itinerary for Hanoi

13 Use offline maps to get around

One of our top Vietnam travel tips is to get hold of some offline maps on your phone. We use an app called Maps.Me to download offline maps in advance. This app syncs up with your phone’s GPS and allows you to pin down your exact location. One of the things that we love about this app is the number of destinations that are listed in the app. You can use the app to search for things like ATM machines, restaurants, petrol stations and much more. Map.Me also allows you to drop pins to remember some of your favourite locations – perfect if you want to revisit places. This really is one of our favourite travel apps. Best of all Maps.Me is a FREE app. 

14 Get big water bottles

Getting drinking water in Vietnam can actually be challenging at times. Pack a refillable water bottle. It is not recommended to drink water directly from the tap in Vietnam. Therefore, you will need to buy bottles of drinking water. Some hotels and guest houses offer water filling facilities which is very useful.

Alternatively you can buy large bottles of water to refill your water bottle. In some cases you will need to buy 5 liter water bottles (these generally cost around 30,000VND and last for a few days). Alternatively, in some locations you can buy big reusable 15 liter bottles of filtered drinking water. This is a great way to fill your bottle if you’re staying somewhere for a longer stint (these 15 liter bottles are quiet heavy). A 15 liter bottle is likely to last around 1 week or more. This is an environmental and economical way of sourcing water in Vietnam. 

15 Book trips and tours 

If you are planning to visit some of the awesome attractions in Vietnam consider booking tours. Tours in Vietnam tend to be very cheap and a fun and convenient way to see local attractions and meet new people. In some cases it may be cheaper to book a tour than to visit independently. Many tours in Vietnam include hotel pickup and drop off, food, guides and other kit that you need. 

There are two ways to book trips and tours in Vietnam: You can either book online in advance or you can find a small tour operator and book directly with them. You generally need to book 1 or 2 days in advance. If you plan to book online in advance, we recommend using Klook to book tours in Vietnam . They have loads of awesome tours in Vietnam and offer very competitive prices. This allows you to read your whole itinerary, work out exactly what’s included, check reviews and find out about pickup and drop off details and timings. 

If you plan to book trips and tours with a local tour operator, you will find plenty of small tour offices located in travel hubs like Ho Chi Minh, the Hanoi old Quarter and Sapa town. Barter with local operators to get the lowest prices. 

The main disadvantage of booking tours is the lack of flexibility. We really enjoy traveling independently because this allows us to see things more cheaply and go at our own pace. However, it is fun to take tours – especially if you just want to relax and go with the flow. 

16 Splash out on an amazing hotel

This may not be one of our most savvy Vietnam travel tips but we really want to mention the amazing luxury hotels in Vietnam. If you have ever dreamed of splashing out on a luxury 5-star hotel, Vietnam may well be the best place to do this. Vietnam offers some of the best value for money accommodation in Southeast Asia (and perhaps some of the best in the world!)

You can find luxury 5 star hotel rooms in Vietnam starting at around £60 per night. Equivalent hotels in Europe would be likely to set you back around £250 per night. For £200 per night you can find some incredibly stylish and decadent properties. Another advantage of splashing out on a luxury hotel in Vietnam is the amazing staff. Not only are Vietnamese people incredibly hospitable and helpful, Vietnamese hotels tend to be very well staffed, much better than other parts of the world. So if you stay in a luxury hotel in Vietnam you can expect an impeccable level of service.

So if there is any part of you that wants to experience 5-star luxury, then Vietnam is probably one of the best places in the world to do this! 

BEST 5 star hotels in Ho Chi Minh

• The Reverie Saigon – SUPER stylish, amazing facilities & location. Book the Reverie on Agoda or Book the Reverie on booking.com
• Fusion Original Saigon Centre – UNIQUE and artistic beauty & amazing location. You can book Fusion on Agoda or Fusion on booking.com
• Vinapearl Landmark 81 – Luxury hotel at the top of a skyscraper – paradise in the sky. Reserve Viapearl on Agoda or reserve Vinapearl on booking.com

The Best luxury hotels in Hanoi

• The Oriental Jade Hotel Hanoi – Classy, amazing facilities & great location. Book the Oriental Jade on Agoda or Book the Oriental Jade on booking.com
• The Grand Mercure Hanoi – Very stylish, great views and excellent facilities. Book the Grand Mercure on Agoda or Book the Grand Mercure on booking.com
• The Capella Hanoi – Very decadent luxury boutique old quarter hotel. Book the Capella on Agoda or book the Capella on booking.com

TOP PICK luxury hotels in Sapa

• Laxsik Ecolodge – Dreamy luxury mountain lodge. Book Laxsik on Agoda or book Laxsik on booking.com
• Hotel De La Coupole – Beautiful classic style hotel with great facilities. Book Hotel De La Coupole on Agoda or book Hotel De La Coupole on booking.com
• The Silk Path Grand Resort – Breathtaking 5 star hotel. Book the Silk Path on Agoda or Book the Silk Path on booking.com

17 Protect yourself from the sun

Vietnam has a hot tropical climate. One of the most important Vietnam travel tips is to make sure that you protect yourself from the climate.  make sure you drink plenty of water and use sun protection. Sun cream in Vietnam is actually quite expensive. Therefore, we recommend packing some factor 50 suncream. If you are planning to be out during the hottest hours of the day, we recommend using suncream and a small umbrella for shade. A small travel umbrella is very useful because it can protect you from both the sun and the rain. If you are planning to be in the water during the heat of the day we recommend using rash guards that have UV protection. 

18 Use night buses and night trains

One of our top savvy Vietnam travel tips is to use night buses and night trains. This is a fun and very affordable way to travel around Vietnam. The advantage of taking a night bus or night train is that you do not lose any travel time to your journey. Furthermore, you will also save the price of a night’s accommodation elsewhere.

Whether you are planning to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi or from Hanoi to Sapa, you can take night trains with comfortable secure lockable cabins. This allows you to walk around the train, look out the window and enjoy the scenery. Vietnam also has some very cheap and very comfortable night buses available. Some night buses have big reclining seats and other night buses offer beds. Buses often have toilets on board and take stops for walking around and buying food and drinks. 

• Night bus journeys generally cost around $10 – $20
• Night train journeys generally cost around $30 – $80

If you’re taking a night bus or a night train in Vietnam we recommend bringing some food on the journey with you. Some trains and buses may have snacks available, however this is not reliable. Therefore it is important to bring some food along for the journey. Also we highly recommend that you check your arrival time and choose a service that doesn’t arrive too early in the morning! Some night buses and night trains have very early and unsociable arrival times. 

19 Try bartering

One of our budget Vietnam travel tips is to barter. Bartering is a fun and acceptable part of Vietnamese culture. It is not possible to barter for everything in Vietnam, however you can barter for some things. We recommend bartering if you are buying things in markets (especially in tourist areas). You can also barter for taxis (unless you’re using the taxi app). If you decide to book trips or tours through local travel operators you can barter for the cost of the trip. If you are traveling around Vietnam on a tight budget you can also barter for accommodation. Just turn up at a cheap guest house and barter. 

If bartering is done well it can be a very fun and friendly way to connect with locals. keep it in good humor and don’t insult the locals or their products. If you are not happy with the price you don’t need to buy it and if they are not happy with the price they don’t need to sell it. The best bartering is done in good humor and with a good rapport. Don’t miss our full guide on TOP TIPS for bartering in Asia . 

20 Get off the beaten track

If you are looking for Vietnam travel tips that will help you have a unique, memorable and meaningful experience then get off the beaten track. Try new food, connect with locals and disconnect from tech.  We lament the fact that travel has become such a tick box exercise. Vietnam is a stunning and incredible country with so much to offer. The best way to really experience authentic Vietnam is just to explore – no plan or preconceptions. Vietnam is truly an amazing country with incredible locals. If you are feeling brave and have the time, why not find a town on the map where there is not much information online and just go there? Some of our most intrepid, adventurous and memorable travel experiences have happened when we have just gone off script and explored places. Vietnam is packed with incredible scenery, beautiful towns, amazing people and unexplored areas. 

Where are the best places to stay in Vietnam?

We are very impressed by the quality and selection of hotels in Vietnam. In Vietnam your money goes a long way on hotels. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to splash out. If you have ever dreamed of staying in a luxury hotel, why not do it in one of the cheapest countries for 5-star Hotels? Another thing we love about hotels in Vietnam is the style and character. There are plenty of unique boutique hotels in Vietnam, stylishly decorated and packed with charm and character. 

1 Places to stay in Ho Chi Minh

If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh, the best area to stay is District 1, this is the central district with all of the main attractions. There are plenty of amazing hotels in Ho Chi Minh offering a wide range of rooms and suites for every budget range. There are also some amazing 5 star hotels in Ho Chi Minh . Here are our top pick hotels in Ho Chi Minh:

• Top Pick budget hotel in Ho Chi Minh: The Lovenote Home Studio (Find Lovenote on Agoda & Lovenote on booking.com )
• Best mid-range hotel in Ho Chi Minh: Leiden Homestay and Cafe (Find Leiden on Agoda & Leiden on booking.com )
• Top pick luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh: The Reverie Saigon (Find the Reverie on Agoda & Reverie on booking.com )

2 Places to stay in Hanoi 

If you are visiting Hanoi the best area to stay is the Old quarter, especially near Hoan Kiem lake. Most of the attractions, bars and street food can be found in the old quarter. There is a great range of Hotels in the Hanoi Old quarter . Whether you are looking for a budget Guest House, a stylish boutique hotel or a luxury 5-star hotel – the Old quarter has plenty to offer. There are so many luxury hotels to choose from in Hanoi we have a dedicated guide to the best 5-star hotels in Hanoi . 

• Top Pick budget hotel in Hanoi: Golden Time 3 Hostel (Find Golden Time on Agoda & Golden Time on booking.com )
• Best mid-range hotel in Hanoi: Royal Holiday Hanoi (Find the Royal Holiday on Agoda & the Royal Holiday on Booking.com )
• Top pick luxury hotel in Hanoi: The Capella Hanoi (Find the Capella on Agoda & the Capella on booking.com )

3 Places to stay in Sapa

If you are planning to visit Sapa you may well need a place to stay in the town before you start trekking. We have a dedicated article to the best hotels in Sapa town . Sapa is also an amazing place to stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel, we also have a guide on the best 5-star hotels in Sapa . And if you are visiting Sapa we highly recommend that you stay in one of the incredible authentic homestays around Sapa . This is an amazing way to experience Vietnamese mountain culture and food. 

• Top Pick budget hotel in Sapa: Sapa Capsule hostel (Find Sapa Capsule on Agoda & Sapa Capsule on booking.com )
• Best mid-range hotel in Sapa: Sapa Mountain Queen House (Find the Sapa Mountain Queen on Agoda & The Sapa Mountain Queen on booking.com )
• Top pick luxury hotel in Sapa: The Laxsik Ecolodge (Find the Laxsik Ecolodge on Agoda & Laxsik Ecolodge on booking.com )

What is the best time of year to visit Vietnam?

Although Vietnam is a tropical country that doesn’t have distinct Seasons. The best months to visit Vietnam are March and April. The temperatures in March and April are lower on average and there is less rainfall. If you visit Vietnam between May and September the weather is hot and dry. If you visit Vietnam between November and February the temperature is lower and there is more rainfall. Watch out for monsoons and flooding in the winter months. This can affect travel in Vietnam, and very severe pacific storms can be dangerous. 

Vietnam is more than 1000 miles in length from north to south. The average temperatures and climate varies massively across the country. If you are planning to visit the north of Vietnam, especially mountain areas like Sapa, be aware that it can actually be quite cold in the winter months between September and February. We recommend bringing some additional warm layers, especially if you are planning to stay in a homestay or go trekking. 

What are prices like in Vietnam? 

Vietnam is a relatively cheap country. In fact, Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. 

Food in Vietnam is very cheap and readily available. Street food can be found all around towns, cities and villages in Vietnam. Expect to pay around 30,000 – 20,000VND for local food (noodles, banh Mi or BBQ food). This is roughly £1 – £2 or $1.20 – $2.50. 

Hotels and guest houses are also very cheap in Vietnam. You can find dorm beds for around £5 or $7. Private rooms typically start at around £10 or $12. And even at this price the quality is very reasonable. Cheap rooms in Vietnam generally include air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with hot water. Luxury 5-star hotels normally start at around £50 or $70 per night. It is amazing what you can get for your money at the luxury end of the budget range. 

Transport in Vietnam is also very cheap. all of the big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have a local bus network. It can be a little bit challenging and intimidating to use the local transport system – but locals are very helpful so this can be a lot of fun. If you are using a local city bus expect to pay around £0.50 or $0.70. There are also plenty of taxis in Vietnam. Use a taxi app (we will share more about getting taxis soon). Expect to pay around 30,000VND – 150,000VND for most short taxi journeys in Vietnam. It is very cheap to travel around Vietnam. you can travel across the length of the country for around $50 – $100. Short inter city journeys by bus in Vietnam generally cost as little as $10 – $15. 

What is Wi-Fi like in Vietnam? 

In Vietnam many places offer free Wi-Fi, especially in cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.  Most hotels, guest houses and homestays offer free Wi-Fi. It is worth being aware that although Wi-Fi is often available the network may be slow or weak. If you are planning to travel into more rural areas such as the mountains of the north or two remote islands you may struggle to find any Wi-Fi connections. Therefore we recommend sorting out all of your online business before you go. If you are using data on a local SIM card you may find that the signal is weak or non-existent in more rural areas. This is the perfect chance to disconnect from tech and reconnect with nature! 

Is Vietnam a good country for family Travel?

Vietnam is a great country for family Travel. The Vietnamese people are very welcoming towards families and children. There are loads of amazing things to do in Vietnam with kids . Most attractions and transport offer reduced price for kids or FREE entry. We also found the food in Vietnam was child-friendly. Typically street food is not too spicy and there are often options which are great for kids. However, if you’re traveling with a baby it is worth being aware that baby changing facilities are rare in Vietnam. The best place to find baby changing facilities is in large malls or supermarkets.

You can often buy supplies like snacks, baby milk and nappies from small convenience stores. However, if you’re traveling into more rural areas we recommend taking plenty of supplies with you. 

What things should you pack to visit Vietnam?

Hopefully our Vietnam travel tips have been helpful. Here is a packing list for Vietnam. 

• A dry sack for valuables
• Clothes, toiletries and some wet wipes or tissues
• Swimming kit and a travel towel
• Suncream (SPF50+)
• Mosquito repellent (DEET)
• Loose light fitting clothing 
• Sandals of Flip flops
• Trainers or trekking shoes
• Phone, valuables, cameras, chargers, travel documents
• Travel adaptor plug  (plug type A,C and F)
• Water bottle
• A small torch (especially useful for trekking & homestays)
• A warm layer or two, very useful if you are visiting the mountains of the North or taking a train or bus 
• A waterproof layer
• Consider a travel first aid kit (especially if you’re going rural)
• Consider a small travel umbrella – protection from sun and rain

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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• Plan your trip

What are the Vietnamese like?

A guide to e-Visas in Vietnam

How to travel responsibly in Vietnam

Beginner's guide to Vietnam now

5 reasons to try a homestay in Vietnam

Your holiday in vietnam may be an adventure, but planning it should be a breeze..

Below you'll find all the practical information you need to prepare for your trip, including visas for Vietnam, transportation within the country, and basic Vietnamese phrases. If you need help with something specific, try our  Frequently Asked Questions ; and for inspiration for your itinerary, check out our Recommended Trips  for first-time visitors.

travel tips

Read up before you go

Itineraries

practicalities

Get ready for your visit

Vietnam's unit of currency is the Vietnamese đồng (VND) , represented by the '₫' symbol. You can find notes in denominations of 200₫, 500₫, 1,000₫, 2,000₫, 5,000,₫ 10,000₫, 20,000₫, 50,000₫, 100,000₫, 200,000₫, and 500,000₫. For newcomers it can be helpful to ignore the final three zeros until you get the hang of the conversion.

Cash is generally used for small purchases, however, most establishments will accept payments from major credit card providers such as Visa. In addition, hotels, tour operators, boutiques, restaurants, and grocery stores generally accept international debit and credit cards.

If you need to change money, currency exchange counters are available at airports, banks, and official exchange centers. However do note it can be very difficult to purchase dollars once you’re in Vietnam. For most travellers we recommend using ATMs instead of currency exchange points. ATMs are widely available across the country. Maximum withdrawals for foreign cards are usually two or three million per transaction. Below are some banks with higher withdrawal limits:  

Bank maximum withdrawals:

• ANZ: 5 million VND
• Citibank: 10 million VND
• HSBC: 5 million VND
• Commonwealth: 10 million VND

Taxi services

Vietnam has modern, efficient taxi services to help you get around. To avoid scams and haggling, we recommend sticking with the reputable Vinasun and Mai Linh taxis only. There are plenty of these taxis in Vietnam’s tourism destinations. Other taxi companies you can take are Hanoi Taxi Group and SaigonTourist. 

Whichever taxi company you take, always ask to use the metre. In most cities, you can also use call the operator numbers for Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis for a pickup from your location. 

Ride-sharing applications such as Grab are also available for cars and motorbikes in Vietnam's main cities. You will need a local SIM card to use these apps. Click here for more information about transport in Vietnam.

Public holidays

Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) is the biggest holiday of the year, and takes place in late January or early February. Travellers should be aware that most businesses and restaurants shut down during this holiday, as Vietnamese travel home to be with their families. Public transport hubs are full to overflowing in the days leading up to Tet. Any transportation booked over the Tet period should be confirmed well in advance.

You can find a full list of public holidays in Vietnam here , and a round-up of Vietnam’s best festivals here .

Government agencies work eight hours a day from 8am to 5pm, with a one-hour lunch break. Working days are from Monday to Friday. 

Most banks in Vietnam open from 7:30am or 8am to 4:30pm, with a break for lunch. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings from 8am to 11:30pm.

Power plugs

The voltage supply in Vietnam is 220 volts. Most sockets accommodate plugs with two round prongs. If you need adaptors you can find them at any electrical shop, or ask your hotel for assistance. Power cuts and surges are not common but can happen from time to time depending on the location.

SIM cards & helpful numbers

Getting a local SIM card in Vietnam is fast and inexpensive. There are three major GSM network operators in Vietnam, and all have good coverage

You can buy prepaid SIM cards on arrival at major airports, as well as from countless shops across the country. You will need to show your passport to register your SIM card. Prices for SIM cards, SMS messages and phone calls are extremely affordable within Vietnam. You can load your phone credit in increments from 20,000 VND to 100,000 VND on most networks. Data-only SIM cards may cost 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND depending on the amount of data purchased. 

Here are few numbers you may need while in Vietnam: International Dialing Code: +84 Domestic Calls (within Vietnam): 0 + Area code + Telephone No. International Calls (outside Vietnam): 00 + Country code + Area code + Telephone No.

The following is a list of useful telephone numbers to have on hand when visiting Vietnam: +84: International Dialing Code 101: Domestic Long Distance Telephone Service 1080: Social and Cultural Information 110: International Telephone Service 113: Police 114: Fire Brigade 115: Ambulance

Internet and postal services

Vietnam is well-wired and in most destinations you can easily find a connection in cafes, spas, shops, hotels and restaurants. Free public Internet access is available in several tourist hubs and major airports. Local 3G and 4G packages are an affordable option if you plan to visit remote areas or need to be online frequently. The Vietnamese postal service is generally reliable, although packages can take longer to arrive than expected and are often held at the post office for pick-up. Mailboxes are uncommon. If you are sending postcards home, give them to your hotel to mail or send them directly from a post office.

Vietnam’s major cities have excellent clinics and hospitals ready to serve travellers, with English-speaking doctors and staff. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best places to go if you need medical help. We highly recommend buying travel insurance before coming to Vietnam.

COLUMBIA ASIA

No. 8, Alexandre de Rhodes, Bến Nghé, District 1, Bến Nghé, Vietnam +84 8 3823 8888 www.columbiaasia.com/vietnam  

FAMILY MEDICAL HCMC

Add: Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam +84 8 3822 7848 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com  

FV HOSPITAL

No. 6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Tân Phú, District7, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam +84 8 54 11 33 33 www.fvhospital.com/en  

INTERNATIONAL SOS

No.167A Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, district 3, HCMC, Vietnam +84 8 3824 0777 www.internationalsos.com

YERSIN INTERNATIONAL

No. 10 Truong Dinh - Ward 6 - District 3 - HCMC +84 8 3933 66 88 www.yersinclinic.com  

VICTORIA HEALTHCARE VIETNAM

152 Nguyen Luon Bang, Tan Phu, District 7, HCMC, Vietnam +84 8 3910 4545 www.victoriavn.com  

FAMILY MEDICAL DANANG

 96-98 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Hai Chau District, Danang, Vietnam +84 236 3582 699 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com

HOAN MY DANANG HOSPITAL

161 Nguyễn Văn Linh, Thạc Gián, Q. Thanh Khê, Da Nang, Vietnam +84 236 3650 676 www.hoanmy.com

FAMILY MEDICAL PRACTICE HANOI

Van Phuc Compound, 298 Kim Ma Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam +84 4 3843 0748 www.vietnammedicalpractice.com

HONG NGOC HOSPITAL

55 Yen Ninh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam +04 8 39 275 568 www.hongngochospital.vn

L’HOPITAL FRANCAIS DE HANOI

No.1 Phuong Mai, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam +84 4 3577 1100 www.hfh.com.vn  

INTERNATIONAL SOS HANOI

51 Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Vietnam + 84 4 3934 0666 www.internationalsos.com

VIET DUC HOSPITAL

40 Trang Thi Street, Hanoi, Vietnam +84 4 3825 3531 www.vietduchospital.edu.vn

VINMEC INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL

458 Minh Khai Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam +84 4 3974 3556 www.vinmec.com

Embassies and consulates

Embassies and consulates of foreign countries in Vietnam can be found in the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. For easy reference, below is a full list of embassies in Vietnam and Vietnamese embassies abroad.

Ha Noi Add:  13 Phan Chu Trinh St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel:   (84-4) 3825 3865 Fax:   (84-4) 3826 0830 Email:   [email protected]

Ha Noi Add:   A19 - 21, D5 Vuon Dao St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel:   (84-4) 6258 3559 Fax:   (84-4) 6258 3504

Ha Noi Add: 63 To Ngoc Van Road, Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3829 4999 Fax: (84-4) 3829 4997 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi Add: 298B Kim Ma St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3845 3379 Fax: (84-4) 3845 4977 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi Add: 9 Chu Van An St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3734 5586 Fax: (84-4) 3734 5589 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi Add: 305 – 308, A2 Bulding, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298 Kim Ma St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 6268 4888 Fax: (84-4) 6269 4999

Ha Noi Add: Villa No 44/1 Van Bao St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3726 3610 Fax: (84-4) 3726 3615

SOUTH AFRICA

Add: 3rd floor Central Buiding, 31 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3936 2000 Fax: (84-4) 3936 1991 Email: [email protected]

Ho Chi Minh City  (Consulate)

Add: 80 Vo Van Tan St., Dist.3 Tel: (84-8) 3823 8556 Fax: (84-8) 3823 8557 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi  (Consulate) Add: 9B Da Tuong St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3942 9266 Fax: (84-4) 3942 9249

Add: 61 Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3718 5911 Fax: (84-4) 3718 5910 Email: [email protected]: 194 No Trang Long St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: (84-8) 3516 5062 Fax: (84-8) 3516 5072

Add: 194 No Trang Long St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: (84-8) 3516 5062 Fax: (84-8) 3516 5072

Ha Noi Add: Room 401, 4th floor, Sentinel Place,  41A Ly Thai To St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3831 5262 Fax: (84-4) 3831 5288 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi Add: D6-D7, 14 Thuy Khue St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3843 2544 Fax: (84-4) 3843 2542 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi  (Consulate)

Add: 31 Hung Vuong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel:  (84-4) 3734 5000 Fax: (84-4) 3734 5049 Email: [email protected]

Ho Chi Minh City  (Consulate)

Add: Suite 1002,  235 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3827 9899 Fax: (84-8) 3827 9935 Email: [email protected]

Ha Noi  

Add: 121A, 38th St., Dist. 2 Tel: (84-8) 3743 2717 Fax: (84-8) 3743 2716 Email: [email protected]

Add: 14th floor, Corner Stone Building,  16 Phan Chu Trinh St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3936 5318 Fax: (84-4) 3936 5319 Email: [email protected]

Add: 65A Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3942 4775 Fax: (84-4) 3942 2426 Email: [email protected]

Add: 45 Phung Khac Khoan St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3829 7350 Fax: (84-8) 3829 5293 Email: [email protected]

Add: 44/4 Van Bao St.,Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 7107 8888 Fax: (84-4) 3726 5408 Email: [email protected]

Add: 9th floor, Hanoi Central Office Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3936 5213 Fax: (84-4) 3936 5214 Email: [email protected]

Add: 7A Le Thanh Ton St., Dist.1 Tel: (84-4) 3825 0334 Fax: (84-4) 3823 6447 Email: [email protected]

Add: Suite 1402, 14th floor, Corner Stone Building, 16 Phan Chu Trinh St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3936 3082 Fax: (84-4) 3936 3081 Email: [email protected]

Add: 30 Le Ngoc Han St., Hai Ba Trung Dist. Tel: (84-8) 3972 9867 Fax: (84-8) 3972 9992 Email: [email protected]

Add: T11 Building, 14 Thuy Khue St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3847 0948 Fax: (84-4) 3847 0949 Email: [email protected]

Add: 11 Tra Khuc St., Tan Binh Dist.

Add: 407 Au Co St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3718 5747 Fax: (84-4) 3718 8049 Email: [email protected]

Add: 7 Lang Ha St., Dong Da Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3850 5000 Fax: (84-4) 3850 5010

Add: 4 Le Duan St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3520 4200 Fax: (84-8) 3520 4244

Add: 111 Trich Sai St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3759 2788 Fax: (84-4) 3759 2728 Email: [email protected]

Add:  73 D5C Vuon Dao St., Tay Ho Dist. Email: (84-4) 3758 5228 Fax: (84-4) 3758 5229 Email: [email protected]

Add:  8th floor, Prime Center, 53 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem Dist. Add:  (84-4) 3943 3050 Fax: (84-4) 3943 3055 Email: hanoi-obbmeia.gv.at

Add:  12/140 Nguyen Van Thuong St., Dist. 2, Tell: (84-8) 3519 3128 Fax: (84-8) 3519 3122 Email: [email protected]

Add:  66 To Ngoc Van St., Tay Ho Dist. Email: (84-4) 3719 2974 Fax: (84-4) 3719 7125 Email: [email protected]

Add:  9th floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3934 6179 Fax: (84-4) 3934 6183 Email: [email protected]

Add:  105 Duong Van An St., Dist. 2 Email: (84-8) 6281 8001 Fax: (84-8) 6281 8010 Email: [email protected]

Add:  5 Nui Truc St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3845 2908 Fax: (84-4) 3846 0856 Email: [email protected]

CZECH REPUBLIC

Add:  13 Chu Van An St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3845 4131/2 Fax: (84-4) 3823 3996

Add:  28 Mac Dinh Chi St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3829 0585 Fax: (84-8) 3822 6043 Email: [email protected]

Hai Phong  

Add:  2 Pham Minh Duc, Ngo Quyen Dist. Tell: (84-31) 3836 539 Fax:(84-31) 3737 618  Email:[email protected]

Add:  7th floor, BIDV Tower, 194 Tran Quang Khai St., Hoan Kiem Dist Email: (84-4) 3823 1888 Fax: (84-4) 3823 1999 Email: [email protected]

Add:  Suite 505, 5th floor, Centec Tower, 72 - 74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 3 Email: (84-8) 3821 9373 Fax: (84-8) 3821 9371

Add:  34 Nguyen Thi Nghia St., Dist. 1, Tel/ Fax: (84-8) 3925 7276 Email: [email protected]

Add:  24th floor, Lotter Center Hanoi, 54 Lieu Giai St.,  Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3826 6788 Fax: (84-4) 3826 6766 Email: [email protected]

Add:  Suite 501, 5th floor, Sailing Tower,  111A Pasteur Rd., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3827 2029 Fax: (84-8) 3823 4436 Email: [email protected]

Add:  57 Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3944 5700 Fax: (84-4) 3944 5717 Email: [email protected]

Add:  27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3520 6800 Fax: (84-8) 3520 6819 Email: [email protected]

Add:  29 Tran Phu St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3845 3836 Fax: (84-4) 3845 3838 Email: [email protected]

Add:  126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Dist. 3 Email: (84-8) 3829 1967 Fax: (84-8) 3823 1919 Email: [email protected]

Add:  27 - 29 Au Co St., Tay Ho Dist. Email: (84-4) 3715 2254 Fax: (84-4) 3715 2253 Email: [email protected]

Add:  44 Hoang Dieu St., Dist.4 Email: (84-8) 3940 0726 Fax: (84-4) 3825 4278

Add:  9th floor Hanoi Lake View, 28 Thanh Nien St., Tay Ho Dist. Email: (84-4) 3771 5714/5 Fax: (84-4) 3715 0694 Email: [email protected]

Add:  21th floor, Lim Tower, 9 -11 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist.1 Email: (84-8) 0909 991731 Email: [email protected]

 Add:  9th floor, The Vista, 628C Hanoi Highway, Dist.2 Email: (84-8) 3827 4462 Fax: (84-8) 3827 4461

Add:  2th floor, Sentinel Place, 41A Ly Thai To St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3974 3291 Fax: (84-4) 3974 3295 Email: [email protected]

Add:  9 Le Phung Hieu St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3825 6256 Fax: (84-4) 3826 7602 Email: [email protected]

Add:  10th floor, President Place Building, 93 Nguyen Du St., Dist.1 Tel: (84-8) 3827 5445/46/47 Fax: (84-8) 3827 5444

Add:  6th floor, Thu Do Building, 72 Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 6654 2197 Fax: (84-4) 3928 8901

 Add:  12th floor, Petro Viet Nam Tower, 1-5 Le Duan St., Dist.1 Tel: (84-8) (84-8) 5404 6868 Fax: (84-8) (84-8) 5404 6969

Add:  Room 1603B, Prime Centre Building, 53 Quang Trung St., Hai Ba Trung Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3562 6500 Fax: (84-4) 3562 6501 Email: [email protected]

NETHERLANDS

Add:  7th floor, BIDV Tower, 194 Tran Quang Khai St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3831 5650 Fax: (84-4) 3831 5655 Email: [email protected]

Add:  Suite 901, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan St.,Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3823 5932 Fax: (84-8) 3823 5934 Email: [email protected]

Add:  8th floor, Hanoi Tower, 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3974 8900 Fax: (84-4) 3974 3301 Email: [email protected]

Add:  21- 23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3822 1696 Fax: (84-8) 3827 2696 Email: [email protected]

Add:  3 Chua Mot Cot St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3845 2027 Fax: (84-4) 3823 6914 Email:  [email protected]

Add:  31 Pho Duc Chinh St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 9075 6860 Fax: (84-4) 3926 3926 Email: [email protected]

Add:  66/11 Pham Ngoc Thach St., Dist. 3 Email: (84-8) 3820 0623 Fax: (84-8) 3820 0623 Email: [email protected]

Add:  5 Le Hong Phong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3845 2014 Fax: (84-4) 3843 0922 Email: [email protected]

Add:  Villa 33/5A Dang Van Ngu St., Phu Nhuan Dist. Email: (84-8) 3991 0896 Fax: (84-8) 6292 8226

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Add:  191 La Thanh Rd., Dong Da Dist. Email: (84-4) 3833 6991 Fax: (84-4) 3833 6995 Email: [email protected]

Add:  40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St., Dist. 3 Email: (84-8) 3930 3936 Fax: (84-8) 3930 3937 Email: [email protected]

Da Nang City  (Consulate)

Add:  22 Tran Phu St. Email: (84-511) 3822 380 Fax: (84-511) 3818 527 Email: [email protected]

Add:  666 Ground Floor, The Manor Towers, Me Tri Rd., Tu Liem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3794 9999 Fax: (84-4) 3794 6666

Add:  12 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3734 7601 Fax: (84-4) 3734 7603 Email: [email protected]

Add:  64 - 68 Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3829 8888 Fax: (84-8) 3827 7999 Email: [email protected]

Add:  4 Le Hong Phong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3771 5207 Fax: (84-4) 3771 5206 Email: [email protected]

Add:  2 Nui Truc St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3726 0400 Fax: (84-4) 3823 2195 Email: [email protected]

Add:  186 Nguyen Van Huong St., Dist. 2 Email: (84-8) 3519 2335 Fax: (84-8) 3519 2337

SWITZERLAND

Add:  15th floor, Central Office Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Email: (84-4) 3934 6589 Fax: (84-4) 3934 6591 Email: [email protected]

Add:  37th floor, Bitexco Financial Tower, 2 Hai Trieu St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 6299 1200 Fax: (84-8) 6299 1222

UK AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Add:  4th floor, Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist.  Email: (84-4) 3936 0500 Fax: (84-4) 3936 0561 Email: [email protected]

Add:  25 Le Duan St., Dist.1 Email: (84-8) 3825 1380/1 Fax: (84-8) 3822 1971

Add:  6 Le Hong Phong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Email: (84-4) 3734 4492 Fax: (84-4) 3734 4497 Email: [email protected]

Add:  22 - 24 Nguyen Van Thu St., Dist. 1 Email: (84-8) 3910 4054 Fax: (84-8) 3910 4053 Email: [email protected]

Add: 8 Dao Tan St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3774 0100 Fax: (84-4) 3774 0111

Add: 20th floor, Vincom Center, 47 Ly Tu Trong St., Dist.1 Tel: (84-8) 3521 8100 Fax: (84-8) 3521 8101 Email: hcmc.vietnam.embassy.gov.au

NEW ZEALAND

Add: Room 504, 5th floor , 63 Ly Thai To St., Hoan Kiem Dist.

Tel: (84-4) 3824 1481

Fax: (84-4) 3824 1480

Email: [email protected]

Add: Suite 804, 8th floor, Metropolitan Building, 235 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1

Tel: (84-8) 3822 6907

Fax: (84-8) 3822 6905

Add: 6A Le Hong Phong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3737 9011 Fax: (84-4) 3737 9013 Email:  [email protected]  

Add: 675 Lac Long Quan Rd., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3771 6625 Fax: (84-4) 3771 6628 Email: [email protected]  

Add: 312 Lac Long Quan St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3726 2003 Fax: (84-4) 3726 2010 Email: [email protected]

Add: 71 Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3942 4788 Fax: (84-4) 3942 3225 Email: [email protected]

Add: 41 Phung Khac Khoan St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3829 2751 Fax: (84-8) 3822 2773 Email: [email protected]

Add: 46 Hoang Dieu St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3823 5569 Fax: (84-4) 3734 1181

Add: 175 Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3822 1327 Fax: (84-8) 3829 5009

DPR. OF KOREA

Add: 25 Cao Ba Quat St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3845 3008 Fax: (84-4) 3823 1221 Email: [email protected]

Add: 58-60 Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3824 4989 Fax: (84-4) 3824 4998 Email:  [email protected]

Add: 55 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3823 7050 Fax: (84-8) 3823 7047 Email: [email protected]

Add: 50 Ngo Quyen St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3825 3353 Fax: (84-4) 3825 9274 Email: [email protected]

Add: 18 Phung Khac Khoan St., Dist.1 Tel: (84-8) 3825 1888 Fax: (84-8) 3829 9493 Email: [email protected]

Add: 54 Tran Phu St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3823 2068 Fax: (84-4) 3823 2120 Email: [email protected]

Add: 66 Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3942 4141 Fax: (84-4) 3942 4055 Email: [email protected]

Add: 10th floor, Hanoi Tower Building, 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3843 3140 Fax: (84-4) 3843 5760 Email: [email protected]  

Add: 27 Lieu Giai St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3846 3000 Fax: (84-4) 3846 3043 Email: [email protected]

Add: 261 Dien Bien Phu St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3933 3510 Fax: (84-8) 3933 3520 Email: [email protected]

Add: Villa No 51, Ho Tay Villa Compound, 10 Dang Thai Mai St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3718 0777 Fax: (84-4) 3718 6777

Add: 28th floor, Lotte Center Hanoi Building, 54 Lieu Giai St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3831 5110 Fax: (84-4) 3831 5117 Email: [email protected]

Add: 107 Nguyen Du St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3822 5757 Fax: (84-8) 3822 5750 Email: [email protected]

Add: 10 Le Hong Phong St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3848 9955 Fax: (84-4) 3848 9988 Email: [email protected]

Add: 24 Phung Khac Khoan St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3827 0555 Fax: (84-8) 3827 0111 Email: [email protected]

Add: 40 Quang Trung St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3942 4576 Fax: (84-4) 3822 8414 Email: [email protected]

Add: 93 Pasteur St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3829 7667 Fax: (84-8) 3829 9272 Email:  [email protected]

Add: 43 - 45 Dien Bien Phu St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3734 3849 Fax: (84-4) 3734 3832 Email: [email protected]

Add: 2nd floor, Me Linh Point Tower, 2 Ngo Duc Ke St., Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3829 9023 Fax: (84-8) 3829 9027 Email: [email protected]

Add: Villa No 6 Van Phuc St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3845 3009 Fax: (84-4) 3845 4954 Email: [email protected]

Add: 298A Kim Ma St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3845 3369 Fax: (84-4) 3845 2404

Add: 74 Trich Sai St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3759 2700 Fax: (84-4) 3753 6666

Add: 44/2 Van Bao St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3726 2251 Fax: (84-4) 3726 2253 Email: [email protected] or

Add: Room 201 - 301, Building E4b, Trung Tu Diplomatic Compound, 6 Dang Van Ngu St., Dong Da Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3852 4013 Fax: (84-4) 3834 9696 Email: [email protected]

PHILIPPINES

Add: 27B Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3943 7948 Fax: (84-4) 3943 5760 Email: [email protected]

Add: 12 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3821 0033 Fax: (84-8) 3821 0026 Email: [email protected]

Add: Villa 43, Tran Hung Dao St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3943 0222 Fax: (84-4) 3944 0148 Email: [email protected]

AUDI ARABIA

Add: 48A Tran Phu St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3726 4373 Fax: (84-4) 3726 4374 Email: [email protected]

Add: 41 - 43 Tran Phu St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3848 9168 Fax: (84-4) 3848 9178 Email: [email protected]

Add: 65 Le Loi Boulevard, Dist. 1 Tel: (84-8) 3822 5174 Fax: (84-8) 3914 2938 Email: [email protected]

Add: 55B Tran Phu St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3734 1894 Fax: (84-4) 3734 1897 Email: [email protected]

Add: 26 Phan Boi Chau St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3823 5092 Fax: (84-4) 3823 5088

Add: 77 Tran Quoc Thao St., Dist. 3 Tel: (84-8) 3932 7637/ 8 Fax: (84-8) 3932 6002 Email: [email protected]

TIMOR - LESTE

Add: 51 Nguyen Du St., Hai Ba Trung Dist. Tel: (84-4) 6278 2972 Fax: (84-4) 6278 2973

Add: 14th floor, Central Office Building, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Hoan Kiem Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3822 2460 Fax: (84-4) 3822 2458 Email: [email protected]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Add: 20 Quang An St., Tay Ho Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3726 4545 Fax: (84-4) 3726 2020 Email: [email protected]

Add: 22/9 Dao Tan St., Ba Dinh Dist. Tel: (84-4) 3766 5203

2. Consulates Overseas:

IN AUSTRALIA

Add: 6 Timbarra Cres., O'Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 Tel: (61-2) 6286 6059 Fax: (61-2) 6286 4534 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : Suite 205, Level 2 Edgecliff Centre, 203 - 233 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff - NSW 2027 Tel: (61-2) 9327 2539 Fax: (61-2) 9328 1653 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : Level 8, 16 St., Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 P O Box 3122, East Perth, WA 6892 Tel: (61-8) 9221 1158 Fax: (61-8) 9225 6881 Email: [email protected]

IN NEW ZEALAND

Add: Level 21 Grand Plimmer Tower, 2-6 Gilmer Terrace Po Box 8042 Wellington Tel: (644) 4735 912 Fax: (644) 4735 913 Email: [email protected]

Add: Villa 101& 102, St 27, Sector 24, Al Mushrif. Abu Dhabi – The U.S.E, P.O Box: 113038 Tel: (971-2) 4496 710 Fax: (971-2) 4496 730 Email: [email protected]

IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Add: No 9, Spg 148-3 jalan Telanai  BA 2312, BSB Tel: (67-3) 2651 580 Fax: (67-3) 2651 574 Email: [email protected]

IN CAMBODIA

Add: 436 Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh Tel: (855-23) 726 274 Fax: (855-23) 726 495

Consulate : Rd. No.3, Battambang Tel: (855-53) 6888 866 Fax: (855-53) 6888 866 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 310 Ekreach, Khan Mittapheap, Sihanouk City Tel: (855-34) 933 466 Fax: (855-34) 933 669 Email: [email protected]

Add: Guang Hua Lu, No 32, Beijing.100600 Tel: (86-10) 6532 1155 Fax: (86-10) 6532 5720 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : No. 155 Beijing Rd., Kunming  Tel: (86-871) 351 5889 Fax: (86-871) 351 6667 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 15/F, Great Smart Tower, 230 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai, Hong Kong Tel: (85-2) 2591 4510 Fax: (85-2) 2591 4539 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 1st  floor, Touzi Dasha 109 Minzu Avenue  - Nanning Tel: (86-771) 551 0562 Fax: (86-771) 553 4738 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 2nd floor, B Building north, Landmark Hotel, Qiaoguang Rd. (Haizhu square), Guangzhou

Tel: (86-20) 8330 5916 Fax: (86-20) 8330 5915 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 3F No. 65 Sung Chiang Road, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: (886-2) 25166 626 Fax: (886-2) 25041 761 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 3F, Huachen Financial Mansion, No 900, Pudong Ave, Shanghai Tel: (86-21) 6855 5871 Fax: (86-21) 6855 5873 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : B-306 Oberoi chamber, New Link road, Andheri (w) Mumbai 400 053 Tel: (91-22) 2673 6688 Fax: (91-22) 2673 6633 Email: [email protected]

IN INDONESIA

Add: No.9 JL. Pekalongan, Menteng, Jakarta-Pusat 10310 Tel: (62-21) 3190 7255 Fax: (62-21) 3190 6642 Email: [email protected]

Add: No. 6 East Ordibehesht, Mardani Sharestan 8th. St. Pey Syan. St. M.Ardabili Valiyear Ave. Tehran Tel: (98-21) 2241 478 Fax: (98-21) 2241 6045 Email: [email protected]

Add: 4th floor.Beit Asia, 4 Weizman Str. Tel Aviv, Israel Tel: (972-3) 6093 704 Fax: (972-3) 6966 243 Email: [email protected]

Add: 50-11, Motoyoyogi-cho Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Tel: (81) 3466 3313 Fax: (81) 3466 3391 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 4-2-15 Ichino-cho Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka 590-0952 Tel: (81-72) 2216 666 Fax: (81-72) 2216 667 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 4th Floor, Aquahakata, 5-3-8 Nakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan 810-0801 Tel: (81-92) 2637 668 Fax: (81-92) 2637 676 Email:[email protected]

IN KAZAKHSTAN

Add: No 6 Xary-Arka - A-xta-na Tel: (7-7172) 990 375 Fax: (7-7172) 990 379 Email: [email protected]

IN KOREA (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC)

Add: 7 Munsu Street, Pyongyang Tel: (850-2) 3817 358 Fax: (850-2) 3817 632 Email:[email protected]

IN KOREA (REPUBLIC)

Add: 28-58, Samchong - Dong, Chongno-Ku, 110-230, Seoul Tel: (82-2) 7382 318 Fax: (82-2) 7392 064 Email: [email protected]

Add: Block 10, St.19, Villa 96 - Ku Wait Tel: (965) 2531 1450 Fax: (965) 2535 1592 Email: [email protected]

Add: Thatluang Rd, Vientiane Tel: (856-21) 413 409 Fax: (856-21) 413 379 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 31 Ban Pha Bat, Pakse, Champassak Tel: (856-31) 212 827 Fax: (856-31) 212 058 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 118 Sisavangvong Rd., Khanthabuly Dist., Savanakhet Tel: (85-6) 212 418 Fax: (85-6) 212 182 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : No 427- 428 Ban That Bosot, Luang Prabang Town, Luang Prang Province Tel: (856-71) 254 748 Fax: (856-71) 254 746 Email: [email protected]

IN MALAYSIA

Add: No.4, Persiaran Stonor 50450, Kuala Lumpur Tel: (60-3) 2148 4534 Fax: (60-3) 2148 3270 Email: [email protected]

IN MONGOLIA

Add: Enlchtaivany Urgunchulur 47-Ulaan Baatar Tel: (97-611) 454 632 Fax: (97-611) 458 923 Email: [email protected]

Add: Building No.70-72, Thanlwin Rd., Bahan Tsp, Yangon Tel: (95-1) 501 992 Fax: (95-1) 514 897 Email: [email protected]

IN PAKISTAN

Add: 1117, St.11 Sector E7, Islamabad Pakistan Tel: (92-51) 2655 785, ext: 103 Fax: (92-51) 2655 783 Email: [email protected]

IN PHILIPPINES

Add: 670 Ocampo Pablo Malate, Manila Tel: (63-2) 5216 843 Fax: (63-2) 5260 472 Email: [email protected]

Add: Villa No.8 (Near Saha 109 Street), West bay Lagoon. P.O.Box: 23595 Doha Tel: (974) 4412 8480 Fax: (974) 4412 8370 Email: [email protected]

IN SAUDI ARABIA

Add: 23  Al-Dhiyafah St,  Al-Nuzha District, Riyadh Tel: (9661) 4547 887 Fax: (9661) 4548 844 Email: [email protected]

IN SINGAPORE

Add: 10 Leedon Park, Singapore 267887 Tel: (65-6) 4625 938 Fax: (65-6) 4689 863 Email: [email protected]

IN THAILAND

Add: 83/1 Wireless Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: (66-2) 2515 836 Fax: (66-2) 2517 201 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 65/6 Chatapadung, Khonkaen 40000 Tel: (66-43) 242 190 Fax: (66-43) 241 154 Email: [email protected]

IN BANGLADESH

Add: Vintage Building, Plot 07, Road 104, Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212 Tel: (880-2) 8854 051 Fax: (880-2) 8854 052 Email: [email protected]

IN SRI LANKA

Add: 30/5 Ward Place, Colombo-7 Tel: (94-11) 2696 050 Fax: (94-11) 2692 040 Email: [email protected]

Add: No.30, Rue Chénoua, Hydra - Alger Tel: (213-21) 608 843 Fax: (213-21) 693 778 Email: [email protected]

Add: Via AL4, Lotes 4-5, Bairro Talatona-Luanda Sul, LUANDA CP 1774 Tel: (244-222) 010 697 Fax: (244-222) 010 696 Email: [email protected]

Add: 110, Sudan str.Mohandesseen, Cairo Tel: (202) 3762 3841 Fax: (202) 3336 8612 Email: [email protected]

Add: Al Hadba Al Khadra – Tripoli Libya P.O. Box: 587 Tel: (218-21) 4903 664 Fax: (218-21) 4901 499 Email: [email protected]

IN MOZAMBIQUE

Add: Av.Francisco Orlando Mabunbwe 1048/1026 Caixa Postal: 4051 - Maputo Tel: (258) 2149 7912 Fax: (258) 2149 1992 Email: [email protected]

Add: No.9 River Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja Tel: (234-9) 8703 678 Email: vnemb.ng@m

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Add: 87 Brooks Street, Brooklyn, P.O. Box : 13692 Hatfield 0028 Pretoria Tel: (27-12) 3628 119 Fax: (27-12) 3628 115 Email: [email protected]

IN TANZANIA

Add: Plot 11, Bongoyo Road, Oysterbay, PO Box: 9724 Dar Es Salaam Tel: (255-222) 664 535 Fax: (255-222) 664 537 Email: [email protected]

Add: Felix-Mottl - Strabe A - 1190 Vienna Tel: (43-1) 3680 755 Fax: (43-1) 3680 754 Email: [email protected]

Add: 220040 Minsk, Mozajskovo St, house No 3 Tel/Fax: (37-51) 7237 4879 Email:[email protected]

Add: Boulevard General Jacques 11050 Bruxelles Tel: (32-2) 3792 731 Fax: (32-2) 3749 376 Email: [email protected]

IN BULGARIA

Add: Sofia 1113 Ul. Jetvarka No 1 Tel: (359-2) 9632 743, ext: 201 Fax: (359-2) 9633 658 Email: [email protected]

Add: Plzenská 214 - 150 00 - Praha 5 Tel: (42-02) 5721 1540 Fax: (42-02) 5721 1792 Email: [email protected]

Add: Gammel Vartov Ve 20-2900 Hellekup Copenhagen Tel: (45) 3918 3932 Fax: (45) 3918 4171 Email: [email protected]

Add: Kulosaarentie 12, 00570 Helsinki Tel: (358-9) 6229 900 Fax: (358-9) 6229 902 Email: [email protected]

Add: 61 rue de Miromesnil, 75008 Paris Tel: (33-1) 4414 6400 Fax: (33-1) 4524 3948 Email: [email protected]

Add: Elsenstrasse 3, 12435 Berlin - Treptow Tel: (49-30) 5363 0108 Fax: (49-30) 5363 0200 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : Villa Ha Noi, Kennedy-Alle 49, Frankfurt/M Tel: (49-69) 79533 650 Fax: (49-69) 79533 6511 Email:[email protected]

Add: Iereos Dousi St. 54, Marousi 15126 Tel: (30-210) 6128 733 Fax: (30-210) 6128 734 Email: [email protected]

Add: 1146 Budapest – Thokoly Ut 41 Tel: (36-1) 3425 583 Fax: (36-1) 3528 798 Email: [email protected]

Add: Via Clitunno 34 00198 Roma Tel: (39-06) 6616 0726 Fax: (39-06) 6615 7520 Email: [email protected]

IN NETHERLANDS

Add: Nassauplein 12, 2585 EB, The Hague Tel: (31-70) 3648 917 Fax: (31-70) 3648 656 Email: [email protected]

Add: St. Olavs Gate 21C, 0165 Oslo Tel: (47) 2220 3300 Fax: (47) 2220 3301 Email: [email protected]

Add: UL Resorowa 36 02-956 Warszawa Tel: (48-22) 6516 098, ext: 50 Fax: (48-22) 6516 095 Email: [email protected]

Add: St.C.A. Roseth Nr.35 Sector 2, Bucaest Tel: (4021) 3110 334, ext: 50 Fax: (4021) 3121 626 Email:[email protected]

IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Add: Bolshaya Pirogovskaya,13 Moscow Tel: (7-499) 2451 092 Fax: (7-499) 2463 121 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : 107/1, Pushkinskaya St., Vladivostok Tel: (7-4232) 226 927 Fax: (7-4232) 261 496 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 411 - DIVS-22, Karla Libknhesta - 620075, Ekaterinburg Tel: (7-343) 2530 280 Fax: (7-343) 2530 282 Email:[email protected]

IN SLOVAKIA

Add: 15 Dunajska, Bratislava,  Slovakia - PO 81108 Tel: (421) 25245 1263 Fax: (421) 25245 1273 Email: [email protected]

Add: Avenida Alfonso XIII, No.5 – 28016 Madrid Tel: (34) 91510 2867 Fax: (34) 91415 7067 Email: [email protected]

Add: Orby Slottsvag 26125 ALVSJO - Stockholm Tel: (46-8) 5562 1071 Fax: (46-8) 5562 1080 Email: [email protected]

IN SWITZERLAND

Add: Schlosslistrasse 26-3008 Bern Tel: (41-31) 388 7878 Fax: (41-31) 388 7879 Email: [email protected]

Add: Koza, No 109, G.O.P, Ankara Tel: (90-312) 4468 049 Fax: (90-312) 4465 623 Email: [email protected]

Add: 12-14 Victoria Rd., London W8 - 5rd Tel: (44-20) 7937 1912 Fax: (44-20) 7565 3853 Email: [email protected]

Add: 51 Tovarna –St 01103/ Kiev Tel/Fax: (380-44) 2845 5442 Email: [email protected]

IN UZBEKISTAN

Add: Rashidov-St-100, Tashkent-700084 Tel: (998-71) 1356 493 Fax: (998-71) 1206 265 Email: [email protected]

IN ARGENTINA

Add: Calle 11 de Setiembre 1442, C.P (1426) - Capital Federal Tel: (54-114) 7831 802 Fax: (54-114) 7820 078 Email: [email protected]

Add: SHIS, QI 09, Conj10, Casa 1, Lago Sul, CEP: 71.615-070 – Brasil Brasilia/DF Tel: (55-61) 3364 5876 Fax: (55-61) 3364 5836 Email: [email protected]

Add: No.55 MacKay Street Ottawa, K1M 2B2 Tel: (1-613) 2361 398 Fax: (1-613) 2362 704 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : #800-605, Robson Street, Vancouver B.C V6B5J3 Tel: (1-604) 6290 189 Fax: (1-604) 6812 906 Email:[email protected]

Add: No. 5ta.Avenide #1802, esquina a 18, Miramar,Playa, La Habana Tel: (53-7) 2041 502 Fax: (53-7) 2041 041 Email: [email protected]

Add: Avenida Eliodoro Yasasnsnez 2897 – Providencia, Santiago de Chile Tel: (56-2) 2244 3633 Fax: (56-2) 2244 3799 Email: [email protected]

Add: No. 255 Sierra Ventana 255 lomasde Chapultepec Delegation -Miguel Hidalgo CP.11000 Tel: (52-55) 55401 632 Fax: (52-55) 5401 612 Email: [email protected]

Add: Edificio St. Georges Bank (Antiguo Banco Atlantico), Piso 2, Local 1, Entre Calle 50 y 53, Obarrio, Ciudad de Panama Tel: (507) 2642 551 Fax: (507) 2656 056 Email: [email protected]

Add: 1233, 20th Str., N.W, Suite 400 - Washington DC 20036 Tel: (1-202) 8610 737 Fax: (1-202) 8610 917 Email: [email protected]

Consulate : Suite 430, California Street, San Francisco, CA. 94109 Tel: (1-415) 9221 707 Fax: (1-415) 9221 848 Email:[email protected]

Consulate : 5333 Westheimer Rd., Suite 800 Houston, TX 77056 Tel: (1-832) 2667 068 Fax: (1-713) 8100 159 Email: [email protected]

IN VENEZUELA

Add: 9ta Transversal, entre 6ta y 7ma Avenidas, Quinta Las Mercedes, Altamira, Chacao 1060-025 D.F, Caracas Tel: (58-212) 6357 402 Fax: (58-212) 2647 324 Email: [email protected]

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Ultimate VIETNAM Travel Guide

Vietnam is a country located in the Southeast Asia.  Hanoi is the capital, a city that offers an abrupt introduction to a fascinating country. Our Vietnam travel guide is here to take the guesswork out of your planning.

After many years of war and closure to the outside world, Vietnam opened its doors completely to tourism in 1997 and since has worked hard to develop its tourism industry.

The country has recovered into a diverse, beautiful destination with great food, natural wonder and overwhelming culture.

After talking with friends who had visited, we weren’t sure we would like Vietnam. So we headed in with plans to only spend a week. Well,  we stayed for 3 weeks  and can’t wait to get back!

Vietnam turned out to be one of our favorite countries in  Southeast Asia .

Destinations

Vietnam travel: quick tips, don’t visit vietnam without:.

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

GET A GUIDEBOOK

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO VIETNAM!

Where to stay in vietnam.

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Vietnam. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN VIETNAM

Anyone looking to travel to Vietnam will likely fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and connect to the other airports across the country. From these major cities, it is possible to use public transportation to see the city or take buses further afield.

Many people choose to engage in group tours or day tours to get around and see things in Vietnam. It is also possible to rent a motorbike and plan a road trip that takes you further afield and out of the city.

TOP VIETNAM TOURS

Classic vietnam.

10 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Visits: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

BEST OF VIETNAM

15 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Visits: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City

EXPLORE VIETNAM – NAT GEO

13 Days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Visits: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, & Ho Chi Minh City

TRAVELING ON A BUDGET?

Vietnam travel: booking resources, vietnam travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Vietnam and start planning your dream trip.

21 Unmissable Things to Do in Hanoi

30 epic things to do in vietnam, simple guide to vietnamese food, vietnamese traditional water puppet show in hanoi, how to choose a halong bay cruise, backpacking vietnam: 3 week recap & travel tips, hue to hoi an vietnam motorbike adventure, imperial city of hue vietnam: photo essay, colors of the mekong delta: photo essay, the vietnam snake man, immersion into the vietnam war, vietnam’s great adventure: the buffalo run, adventure on the high sea: 3d/2n halong bay cruise.

50 Vietnam Travel Tips I Wish I Would’ve Had

Here are all the best Vietnam travel tips I could think of based on my own trips within the country. Let this be your one stop guide to one of the coolest countries in Asia!

One of my favorite things about slow travel is how familiar you become a place that was once completely foreign. Even though I’d planned my own Vietnam itinerary before, I really got to know the country well when I accidentally found myself calling it home for sixteen months! While there, I learned about more places than I could possibly visit and my bucket list grew exponentially. I’ve written quite extensively about specific spots, but I’ve been meaning to write a huge, practical tip guide similar to my Korea Travel Tips post.

If this is your first time visiting the country, here are ALL the tips and advice you’ll need to know.

I’ve divided it up into:

• Things to know before visiting
• How to travel in Vietnam
• Where to stay
• Itinerary tips
• Major things to do
• What to eat
• Safety and hygiene
• Souvenir shopping
• Random travel tips

Things to Know Before Visiting Vietnam

1. learn some vietnamese.

For the most part, it’s fairly easy to travel Vietnam knowing only English. However, I do think it’s always good to know some Vietnamese, even if it’s as simple as “hello” and “thank you.”

Here are some phrases to help you out:

• xin chao : hello
• cam on : thank you
• oi: used to get attention – combine with “em (younger), anh (older male), or chi (older female)” – “anh oi!”
• troi oi: omg, Vietnam-style
• dung lai o day : stop here
• mot, hai, ba: 1, 2, 3
• – o dau? : where is -?

I actually wound up taking Vietnamese lessons and loved it. If you’re living in Saigon, I can’t recommend Co Kim enough! Check her Facebook page for upcoming sessions.

2. Learn a bit of Vietnamese history

Vietnam has a very long and complex history that explains a lot of what you’ll see today! Like why are there so many French colonial buildings? What actually happened during the Vietnamese War? Who exactly was Ho Chi Minh? What are ethnic minority tribes. Is there royalty in Vietnam?

It’s actually such an interesting history, and the more you see, the more you’ll be curious about! I’d start with a few Youtube videos to get an overview and then find some cool movies to watch and books to read!

3. Know where you’re flying in

There are two main airports for international visitors: Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCMC. If you’re living in Asia, you could also probably fly into Da Nang International Airport as well.

Since Hanoi and HCMC are at opposite ends of Vietnam wherever you fly in pretty much just depends on your itinerary! When I came for 2 weeks, I flew in to HCMC from Seoul and then out of Hanoi back to Seoul. I don’t remember the prices being that different.

In case you were wondering:

• Noi Bai – 40-50 minutes from Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• Tan Son Nhat – 15-20 mins from D1 in HCMC, 40ish minutes from Thao Dien
• Da Nang – 10 mins or less into town

4. Make sure to pick up a SIM card

The wifi and data in Vietnam are pretty good all things considered! I distinctly remember having a SIM card and watching the entirety of Brooklyn on my train ride from HCMC to Da Nang with no issues.

You can get them easily at any airport if you have an unlocked phone or dual SIM card holders, or you can order ahead of time here . Make sure you get a phone with calling capabilities because a lot of places will ask you to list your phone number and Grab drivers will always try to call.

Pro Tip: To top off on the go, use Ding.com ! Works really well and is good about returning your money if it doesn’t work for whatever reason. You can also pay via Paypal.

5. Understand Vietnam’s very vast geography

Of all my initial Vietnam travel tips, the biggest one is this — realize just how long this country is. Like longer than you’d think when planning your trip. If you want to travel efficiently, you’re going to want to fly in between places or be prepared to be on a train or bus for hours. Even when distances seem fairly short, you have to factor in the roads and mountains, and often it’s much slower getting to and fro than you’d think (RIP my mental stability during the 8 hours to Mu Cang Chai ).

I would very much plan out where you want to go and check the map AND check airplane or train routes before you book anything. One mistake my friend and I made was thinking we could fly from Quy Nhon to Hue before realizing there were no flights even to Da Nang! We wound up booking private transport and it took us all day to get there.

6. Know the seasons of Vietnam (and how the regions vary!)

I know you think southeast Asia, must mean it’s hot, humid, and sunny for most of the year. WRONG. It definitely gets cold up north and in the Central Highlands during the winter and early spring. While it does stay quite humid and hot along the central coast and southern regions, you do want to be wary of monsoon season. It can start in April or May and last until October. I didn’t find it too terrible to plan around, and it made the weather so slightly cooler. Just be sure to buy some waterproof sandals (I liked having the Birkenstock Gizeh sandals ).

7. Tips for Clothing and What to Wear in Vietnam

Overall, Vietnam isn’t a super conservative. There are just some things to keep in mind. Like you want to cover up slightly more in Hanoi than in Saigon, and it’s always good to have shoulders and knees covered in at temples and when meeting minority tribes! Otherwise you want to dress to be as comfortable as possible in the tropical climate (unless you’re somewhere colder in the winter). I cannot emphasize how much nicer cotton and linen in lighter colors or black will feel! Avoid colors that show sweat because you will most likely sweat a lot. I pretty much lived in linen dresses!

8. Exchange + Money Matters

Since I have Citibank, I mainly used the Citi ATMS around HCMC to take out cash. Here are the main locations:

• In Vincom Center near the Zara entrance
• The Citi building on Nguyen Hue
• At the airport near the exit
• At AIS Sports Centre in Thao Dien

Otherwise you can use just about any ATM to take out cash, though most have smaller limits and will charge a certain fee.

Note: Vietnam is NOT credit card friendly. While most luxury hotels and foreign food restaurants and cafes take card, you can almost guarantee that smaller restaurants, local guesthouses, and tours will not. I even know friends who have issues using Grab with their cards, and I personally used cash the whole time.

9. How much a Vietnam trip can cost…

It’s no secret that Vietnam is probably one of the cheapest countries to visit if you’re coming from a Western country. You could very easily travel for $25 or less a day if you were on a strict budget. That said, I think it’s important to acknowledge that you are probably coming from an economically stronger country, and it’s honestly in poor taste to nitpick over a few 100,000 VND. Obviously, don’t let some restaurant take you for a fool and charge you 10x what they’d charge someone else, but don’t sit there and bargain over a few dong that you know you can afford and would probably pay way more for in your home country.

10. Tipping in Vietnam

Tipping is Vietnam is weird! Overall, no you don’t tip nearly as much as you do in the US. I’d say the main places to tip are with salon services. Otherwise, I just rounded up when I pay for food and delivery.

How to Travel in Vietnam

11. how to book local buses and trains.

Easily the cheapest (and slowest and most sustainable way) of traveling Vietnam is via its local buses and trains. When I first went, we took all sleeper trains! If you want to make sure you have a spot, use booking sites like Baolau or Bookaway . Otherwise, you can buy when showing up at the bus or train station. I personally don’t recommend showing up at the bus stations to buy a ticket because they’re absolutely bonkers. Like a million people yelling at you at once. Even I got overwhelmed!

12. Sleeper Trains vs Sleeper Buses

So if you’re not familiar with these… intere s ting forms of transport, they’re essentially buses or trains built to sleep on! For buses, you don’t have seats but you have 3 rows of essentially beds. Everyone takes their shoes off before they got on board. It’s actually not too bad unless you’re on a mountain getting swung about. Sleeper trains are split between hard sleepers, soft sleepers, soft seaters, and hard seaters. When we took a soft sleeper train from Da Nang to Ha Noi, it was 4 beds to one room.

Sleeper buses are very hit or miss, and if you have trouble sleeping these will be absolute hell. The trains are much steadier. I’ve done the bus twice from HCMC – Vinh Long and Ha Noi – Mu Cang Chai. The south was fine because it’s a relatively flat road but Ha Noi – Mu Cang Chai was probably the most miserable 8 hours of my life. For 7 1/2 hours you’re on mountainous road and just getting swung about!

13. Grab is king within cities

The way everyone gets around if they don’t have their own motorbikes is via Grab (or one of the other iterations of it). Grab is SE Asia’s Uber or Lyft, and it’s also used for food delivery. You can book either a motorbike or a car. The car is safer, of course, but the motorbike is so much faster. If you’re really concerned about safety, I would recommend buying your own helmet that goes all the way around your face and over your ears. The grab helmets are pretty useless if you get into a crash.

14. Flying is super easy in Vietnam

Honestly, the best and easiest way to get around Vietnam is flying. It’s usually not much pricier than the trains and it’s so much faster. For airports, I also recommend booking a driver or Grab car because motorbikes usually can’t drop you off at the entrance. They have a designated spot and it’s a pain in the ass to get from that spot to the departure area.

Pro Tip: Leave off going to the smaller airports until like 30-45 minutes before. Usually they don’t even let you check in until then and there isn’t that much to eat or drink.

Where to Stay in Vietnam

15. where should you base yourself out of:.

I like to split Vietnam into 3 – southern, central, and northern. HCMC is the main city of the south, Da Nang in the center, and Ha Noi in the north. If you’re the type of person that would rather book somewhere for an extended period and travel from there, then those are the three cities to look in!

16. The best way to book anything? Facebook and Instagram!

Yep! While I do love all the normal booking and tour sites, usually the best option is to just contact properties, tours, and even restaurants via Facebook and Instagram DM. I swear Facebook is how Vietnam interacts the most! Every time I wanted to book a hotel, I usually just Facebooked the hotel and had a reservation. Heck, in Saigon if I wanted to order from somewhere, I sometimes skipped over Grab and just Facebooked them!

With most places, you’ll pay at the end of your stay. While you shouldn’t have issues using a credit card, some smaller spots may only take cash.

17. Staying at homestays

One of the fun, more unique things to do in Vietnam is to stay at a homestay. This is more common in the more countryside areas like in the Mekong. Da Lat, or Sa Pa. You basically stay with a local family or person. It’s not glamorous but it’s a nice way to get more insight into the region! Some home stays are more built for visitors while others you’re literally in someone’s guest room.

18. Picking between hotels and hostels

Because Vietnam is a big backpacker spot, there are an abundance of hotels and hostels with high ratings. I remember looking at Hoi An and having a ton to choose from with a rating of 9 or higher. I’d say to help you choose, look at reviews of customer service and where the hotels/hostels are located. I’ve had some of the loveliest experiences at hostels here and some of the worst at nicer hotels!

19. Indulging in luxury in Vietnam

If you’re a hotel buff, you’re going to love all the incredibly-designed hotels throughout Vietnam. Bill Bensley himself has design quite a few, but I’ve only stayed at Da Nang Intercontinental so far. A number of luxury brands have properties here including Azerai, Aman, Anantara, MGallery, Four Seasons, Six Senses, and much more. Not to mention the boutique hotels like Pilgrimage Village in Hue, Poulo Condor in Con Dao, or the Mia in Saigon. I will also say from my luxury stays, I’ve had nothing but amazing customer service, so if you’re looking to indulge, this is the country to do it.

20. What is Airbnb like in Vietnam?

Airbnb does exist in Vietnam! I used it to find a more long term place when I was coming for a month. Now that I think about it, though, after that first time I hardly used it. When you stay long enough, it’s better to try to rent an apartment, and there are just so many hostels, hotels, homestays, and resorts that Airbnb becomes an afterthought.

Vietnam Itinerary Tips

21. first things first, be mindful traveling around tet.

Vietnam has a few holidays throughout the year, but by far the most important is Tet, aka Lunar New Year! When you visit during this time, be prepared for sold out trains, flight prices being much more expensive, and some intense city pollution in the days leading up to the holiday! When I first visited, I made the horrible mistake of booking hard sleepers in our train from HCMC – Da Nang but when I tried to switch to soft sleepers, they were totally booked out. We did manage to at least get some soft seaters, but definitely not a fun journey!

On the flip side, if you do visit Hanoi or Saigon during the actual holiday, it’s pretty much the quietest and cleanest those cities will be all year round! Nguyen Hue Street and a lot of nearby spots are fully decked out for Tet, and the traffic is next to nothing as everyone has gone to their hometowns!

22. Should you book a tour or DIY?

I think tours can make things incredibly easy (which is why I’m roughly planning some TSGA tours for 2023 ;)!). However, Vietnam is a lot easier to visit than it gets credit for. It’s definitely not the breeziest country to visit (Korea and Taiwan are tied for that!), but it’s not some jungle of a country that’s hoping to get back at the imperialist Americans your parents are probably imagining either.

Part of why I believe Vietnam gets SUCH a bad wrap is that in the early ages of travel blogging, pretty much every budget backpacker wrote about it negatively and their posts are what people found. Even when I went in 2016, I remember reading post after post to be wary of scams and how scary the traffic can be. Frankly a lot has changed and in the last decade, and I’d take any post written before 2015 with a grain of salt.

However, Vietnam is very doable to DIY even if you want to go to the more remote areas. I’d say it’s even possible to do solo as a female traveler! As with any country, keep your wits about you, be smart, and find guesthouses and hotels where you can lean on the owners for advice.

23. Where to go if you have…

While you could squeeze in a pretty hectic trip from north to south in a week, you’ll really only skim the surface of Vietnam. You’ll probably have time for Ha Noi, Ha Long or Hoi An/Da Nang, and then some time in HCMC and the Mekong. I would instead pick between northern, central, and southern and explore from there.

For northern Vietnam, try to include Ha Noi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, and Sa Pa. In central Vietnam, do Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue. If you’re feeling extra adventurous try going between Hue and Phong Nha, which is where the old DMZ is! In southern Vietnam, enjoy the hustle of Saigon, go down to the Mekong Delta, and enjoy one of the beaches areas in Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, or Con Dao.

This is much more doable for a full country trip and what I did on my first trip. Start in Hanoi or HCMC and fly out of the opposite. Include HCMC, the Mekong, Hoi An, Ha Long, and Hanoi. We spent too long in both Hoi An and Ha Long, so you could probably squeeze in Ninh Binh or Sa Pa in that same time frame!

4 Weeks / 1 Month

Here’s where you can really enjoy Vietnam! Though if you’re anything like me and the people I met, the longer you stay, the more you wind up adding to your list of places to see. I would say one month gives you a lot of time to really enjoy the country and lets you slow travel a bit!

I say first start in the north as the top things to do and see are more active and might have you hiking or trekking. Hit up Sa Pa, Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long. If you want to see more, try Ha Giang Pass (on my list!) or Yen Tu and Binh Lieu, two areas in the same province as Ha Long.

If you want to try riding a motorbike (or can drive one!), then here’s how I’d recommend doing central Vietnam. Fly into Dong Hoi to see Phong Nha. Talk to the owner of Phong Nha Farmstay about doing a motorbike tour from there down to Hue where you’ll stop over at the DMZ. Then check out Vietnam’s royal history in Hue before going to the very picturesque Hoi An. Take a moment to enjoy Da Nang and fly out from here to HCMC.

In HCMC, check out the many things to do (at least one day for the main sites and one day for temple hopping in Cho Lon) before making your way to the Mekong Delta. Most people do a day trip which shows you one area, but if you don’t mind staying overnight, check out Vinh Long or Can Tho. To end your trip, pick either Mui Ne, Con Dao, or Phu Quoc for a little beach getaway!

Major Things to Do in Vietnam

I mean this section alone needs to be its own post (working on it, promise). There are so many things to do in Vietnam, but over all here are the big, ore general ones:

24. Take some motorbike lessons…

Why not?! I signed up for a class with Ride with Me Saigon and loved it! Find an instructor who will take you somewhere quiet (so not dropping you in the middle of the city) and patiently get you driving.

25… so you can explore Vietnam’s major loops and highways!

Vietnam is covered in some seriously scenic place best seen via motorbike. The two most famous are Ha Giang Loop super far north and Hai Van pass between Da Nang and Hue. But beyond that there are just so many! When you’re not in the major cities, you’ll find yourself just wanting a motorbike to get around. I never *got* why a lot of people liked motorcycles, but once I started driving I could see why. There’s just something so freeing about it that you don’t get in a car.

26. Cafe hop like your life depends on it

Guys, the Vietnamese cafe scene might actually have Korea beat! I know , I’m shocked. There’s just so much coffee in this country, I wouldn’t be shocked if someone came out with a statistic that people purchased more iced coffees than water bottles here.

On one level, you’ve got your ca phe su dua stands where you can just walk up and get your iced coffee to go complete with a little carrier bag. Then you’ve got the more local places that are wide open and lots of people are just chilling and smoking from the low chairs and tables. Milano Coffee is basically a chain of this. Then you’ve got your wonderfully trendy cafes that just make my heart sing. I promise I’m working on some blog posts to give you specific recommendations (for now they live on my Instagram highlights!).

I know I drank way too much coffee here because my eye started twitching at different times and when I Googled why, I was told it could be from caffeine and a lack of sleep!

27. Learn more about Vietnam’s various ethnic minorities and religions

This recommendation may seem a bit odd as 85% of Vietnam is Vietnamese and 74% is atheist, but the country has a really interesting history with ethnic minorities and various religions! When it comes to ethnic minority tribes, you’ll find many of them in the mountains especially Mu Cang Chai, Sa Pa , and the Central Highlands. If you go trekking, the main thing to do is to meet with some tribes and learn more about their culture within Vietnam.

Religion-wise, Vietnam feels like temple central! Seriously, in Cho Lon , Saigon’s Chinatown, alone, you could spend all day visiting each Buddhist temple. There is also a small presence of Catholicism around the country, so you’ll still find some beautiful Indochine cathedrals and churches.

The coolest thing I learned about though, was Caodaism. It’s a religion wholly unique to Vietnam and its version of the Vatican is in Tay Ninh. Once you see its temple style once, you’ll recognize it when you see it throughout the country.

28. Explore Champa ruins

Once upon a time, central and south Vietnam were part of the Champa Kingdom. As in from the 100s AD to 1832! Today what’s left of their rule are the Chams, now an ethnic minority mainly in Cambodia and Vietnam, and some incredible archeological ruins. The most famous is Mỹ Sơn near Hoi An, but you can find small ones throughout Vietnam like in Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Binh Dinh, and more. Plus quite a few museums house some Champa artifacts like both the Fine Arts museums in Hanoi and Saigon!

29. Look for the remaining French influences in Vietnamese culture

French had control over Vietnam through the 1800s and early 1900s, and their presence is still felt throughout in the form of architecture and design. It’s kind of funny. I found Vietnam still loved the aesthetics of French colonial rule even though it’s, you know, related to French colonial rule.

You’ll see a lot of places use Indochine designs, and much of the French buildings are still standing and in use. Kind of like the people decided, “We don’t want your oppressive colonialism, but you guys did have good style, so we’ll keep that.”

30. Plan to hike or trek at least once

Even if you’re not a hiker, you’ve got to go at least once in Vietnam. The mountains are just too beautiful! The best places to do this are up in the ricefields of Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai or the caves of Phong Nha. Of course, there are also various mountains you can do, but many of them have cable cars too, like Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin) and Fansipan.

31. Get to know Vietnam’s coast

If you look at a map of Vietnam, you’ll notice it has a lot of coastline. Ha Long Bay is the most famous area to visit and Da Nang is the best coastal city, but really there are a ton of towns and islands I hadn’t even heard of before I visited. Con Dao has my heart forever, and while I haven’t been to Phu Quoc yet, many of my friends love the resorts there (not so much the trash issue). For the Saigonese, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are incredibly popular. I also loved Quy Nhon, especially staying at the Anantara there, and I have friends who stayed further south at Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô and loved it too.

Really, I’ve only scratched the surface of what there is to see along Vietnam’s coast, but I’ve seen enough to know you don’t want to skip out on it!

What to Eat in Vietnam

30. the best vietnamese food is found on the sidewalks while you sweat over plastic chairs.

If there is one tip you take from all these Vietnam travel tips, this is the most important! Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of fantastic fine dining in Vietnam. But if you want the most authentic and delicious versions of these dishes, you will find them outside on the sidewalks and buried in neighborhood markets. If they have an actual building, it’s open air and you’re still probably sitting on plastic chairs!

29. It’s good to know a few food terms

The one time I remember totally freezing up is when I first started venturing out to the random food stalls to look for lunch or dinner. Beyond pho and banh mi , I had no idea what to look for! Here are some good terms to know:

• pho: the ultimate soup dish
• bun : noodles
• ga : chicken
• thit : meat
• banh mi: bread, but also a baguette sandwich
• mam : fish sauce
• nuong : fried
• ngọt : sweet

Beginner’s Tip: If you’re in Saigon, I recommend going to Ben Thanh Market first or booking a food tour. The food market there is very used to foreigners, so they have photos on their stalls! And, of course, if you do a food tour they can help explain the dishes and terms in person.

24. Let’s talk about coffee for a minute

I know I went into the cafe scene above, but let’s talk about the coffee itself! Did you know Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee exporter?! As you might guess, it was the French who introduced coffee to the country and began building plantations.

Today, coffee is truly a part of Vietnamese life. The most classic thing to get is a ca phe sua da, or iced milk coffee (it’s always listed as Vietnamese iced coffee in other countries). You fill a cup with ice and condensed milk, and then you drip your coffee over top. Mix and let the ice melt (easy to do in the tropics). When it’s melted just enough and your glass is sweating with condensation, that is the time to start drinking!

Of course, there are plenty of other variations, and in most trendy cafes you can get your classic lattes, cappuccinos, etc. But just once, while traveling sit down and get a nice big bowl of beef pho and an almost too-strong cup of ca phe sua da!

Variations: Some other variations of Vietnamese coffee to look for: cà phê trứng (egg coffee), more popular in Hanoi; cà phê muối (salt coffee) in Hue, and coconut coffee pretty much everywhere (start with the many Cong Caphes around the country).

31. More drinks to try in Vietnam

I actually have a whole list of Vietnamese drinks to try! There are a lot of cool fruit juices, regional beers, and more worth trying while you’re here. I’m quite partial to lychee iced tea and nuoc mia (sugarecane juice)!

31. How vegetarian and vegan friendly is Vietnam?

Actually, I’d say it’s easier to find vegan and vegetarian-friendly food in Vietnam than I remember it being in Korea, especially in the cities. In the countryside, you’re pretty much shit out of luck, but in the cities big and small, there are also some really good vegetarian options! Try looking to see if there are practicing Buddhist monasteries around too and if they have a restaurant as Buddhist monks are all vegetarian, I believe!

33. Is it easy to get takeout?

Takeout culture is a big thing in the cities here! It’s almost too good, and I admittedly got very lazy. The easiest thing to do is order via Grab (other apps exist but Grab is the most reliable). However, I also found that many restaurants were easily reachable via Facebook and could arrange their own delivery drivers, so I did that whenever possible.

Safety and Sanitary Concerns

34. how safe is it to travel in vietnam.

Over all, Vietnam is fairly safe. The biggest thing you want to worry about is someone on a motorbike swiping your wallet or phone or motorbike accidents (which are pretty rare considering how hectic driving is here). Just keep your things close to your body and have a firm grip on your phone if you pull it out near the road. I always do this thing where I turn against a wall if I look at my phone so it’s harder for someone to come up and grab it.

35. Does Vietnam hate the US and France?

I know what you might be thinking. As an American or French person, should I be worried Vietnamese people will actually hate my guts? Shockingly… no. I remember a friend once saying the US had higher approval ratings amongst Vietnamese than Americans!

Actually, I’d say the one country Vietnam has the most animosity towards is China. It’s similar to Korea and Japan right down to an island dispute (theirs are the Spratly Islands).

36. How are the bathrooms?

Bathrooms range but over all aren’t too bad! I didn’t use them too often, but obviously the more Westernized restaurants and shopping centers have nice, clean ones. I would say the grossest ones are probably on the trains.

37. Wtf is a bum gun?

Guys, let me tell you about the bum gun. I’m mad at myself for not using them sooner but I was apprehensive! Korea bidets are attached to the toilet seat, so you literally just sit there and hit some buttons on the side. Wouldn’t a bum gun be kind of gross and get everywhere? Also how would I get my butt?

Ok, so fear not. All you have to do is open your legs wide and spray front to back. It doesn’t get on the back of the toilet lid and will get all your crevices. If you want to, you can use a little toilet paper to dry or just sort of squat and shake a bit before pulling your bottoms back up! Remember: if your dog pooped on your hand, would you use toilet paper to wipe it off or wash it in water?

39. How clean is Vietnam?

I’m not going to lie to you guys, Vietnam is definitely not the cleanest place I’ve been. Obviously the countryside areas are pretty nice, but the cities can get quite dirty. Recycling is nonexistent and littering is definitely a problem. There always seems to be construction going on, so there are sometimes sparks flying and just a pile of rubble for weeks on end. Sidewalks are nonexistent outside of District 1, and the air pollution is notoriously horrendous.

Chances are if you’re not living in the cities, you won’t notice it as much as a traveler. But it’s just something to be mindful of!

What to Buy for Souvenirs

40. anything related to coffee.

Back to coffee! But seriously coffee beans, drip coffee, the delicious instant coffee packets… Just know you can’t ship coffee beans!

41. Clothes that are tailor made

Vietnam is home to a ton of talented tailors especially in Hoi An! I’ve written about getting clothes tailored here . I was definitely spoiled while living there and had a ton of things custom-made and/or tailored. I already know when I go back, I’m going to have some more things made like suits and silk dresses! If you’re in HCMC, go to TuyetLan Orchids Tailor , and if you’re in Hoi An, go to Izi !

42. Any local boutiques and brands

There are some really cute brands that have sprung up in Vietnam. The ones I love the are Metiseko , Dynasty the Label , and Kilomet 109 !

43. Anything Vietnamese themed

I mean once you get here you’ll see all the cute Vietnam-themed souvenirs in the most random places. My favorite is this Obama bun cha magnet I found in a bookstore in Go Vap! I’ve also picked up some cute illustrated books and postcards and just a lot of cute things I can’t wait to decorate with.

Random Little Vietnam Travel Tips

44. really make sure the person knows what you’re asking.

So one slightly annoying thing I discovered is that Vietnamese people will say, “Yeah, yeah, okay” when they don’t know what you’re saying or they don’t know the answer. This will happen a lot in cafes and restaurants. They’re not actually confirming anything! I try to use my card as much as possible, so I’ll ask if card is okay, and without fail they’ll say “Yeah, yeah, it’s okay,” when it’s definitely not. So if you’re not sure, double and triple check, pull out Google Translate, or, in a credit card case, your actual card and make sure they’re actually saying yes. I remember one time I asked twice and then it was when I physically pulled out my card, they finally said “Oh no, cash only.”

45. There’s a bit of a culture difference between the north and south

I don’t know that I really noticed this on my first trip, but I do distinctly remember liking southern Vietnam way more than northern Vietnam. Most people I’ve talked to prefer the south as it has nicer weather year round and it’s a lot less conservative. For example, I just found out Hanoi still has a curfew left over from the wartime!

46. Is it Saigon or HCMC?

You know how a lot of places have changed names over the years? “So if you’ve a date in Constantinople, she’ll be waiting in Istanbul”? Well, Ho Chi Minh City is the same! Until 1976 when the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established, HCMC was known as Saigon. Actually if you really want to get into it, there’s a whole article on this regions’ naming history.

So, what’s the “right” thing to call this city? Well, it depends ultimately who you’re talking to, but from my experience and asking local friends here, both are used interchangeably. Saigon obviously rolls off the tongue a lot easier than Ho Chi Minh City and it’s easier to call someone Saigonese, like you’d call someone Hanoian, than it is to say “Ho Chi Minhian” or “Ho chi Minhese” (don’t even think those are things).

On this blog, I use HCMC in my titles, etc but in my actual text I might go back and forth!

47. You’ll meet more than teachers!

I think it’s because I didn’t live in Seoul or Busan while in Korea, but I feel like all the expats I knew were there because they were on an E-2 teaching visa or married. However, in Saigon, I’ve met people doing all sorts of things. The entrepreneurial spirit is really alive here (both expat and Vietnamese) which I think gives the city a really fun energy. Seriously besides teachers I’ve met people who work in furniture manufacturing, alternative energy, ecotourism, fitness, fashion, export/import… the list goes on really! If you’ve got the same spirit, then I think Vietnam is a really cool place to be.

48. Animal welfare has a long way to go.

If you’re a sensitive animal lover, I’m going to warn you that Vietnam is going to be a hard country to enjoy. Animal welfare is improving, but it’s still not at a level you’d probably hope for. And it’s not unusual for dogs to get stolen, so you have to be REALLY diligent if you intend to adopt.

If you do want to get involved in helping out, there are animal volunteer groups! ARC Vietnam Animal Rescue & Care is a good place to start and, of course, fostering is always an option! Another great place doing a lot for animals is R House .

49. How communist is Vietnam?

Yes, Vietnam is communist and has been since the end of the war. It’s not something that I find affects day to day life too much, but I also don’t recommend going around with anti-communist books or questioning the government. And I really, really do not recommend shouting out anything inflammatory against Bac Ho unless you want to get make your embassy’s life a living nightmare!

50. Facebook group are key for finding friends and advice!

I’ve found Facebook groups to be incredible sources of information and just for finding a bit of community. When I first came, I joined Fexpats in HCMC , and it’s remained a great source. The Hanoi equivalent is, I believe, Hanoi is Beautiful, but I couldn’t find it last I checked. If you want to make friends or are confused about anything just search there or ask. Lots of women in there have been here for a few years at least and it’s very chill.

Other good groups I’m in include Vietnam is Awesome, Vietnam Creative Circle, and [VN Legal] Vietnamese Legal!

And that’s all the Vietnam travel tips I have you for you! Let me know if you have questions or comments below!

For more Vietnam travel, read these posts next:

General vietnam.

• How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam
• 22 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Vietnam
• How to Plan the Ultimate Leaving Vietnam Trip

Northern Vietnam

• The Best Things to Do in Hanoi
• What to Do in Halong Bay + Travel Tips
• Hanoi to Halong Bay: How to Get There
• A Day Cruise Along Halong Bay
• Mu Cang Chai Travel Tips
• A Secluded Sapa Itinerary
• Hiking & Herbal Baths with the Red Dzao

Central Vietnam

• Historical Things to Do in Hue: Ultimate Guide
• Hue in One Day: A Speedy Itinerary
• Azerai La Residence Hue Review: A Luxury Stay
• A Semi-Relaxing Phong Nha Travel Itinerary
• Quirkiest Things to Do in Dalat
• How to Visit Yok Don National Park
• Top Things to Do in Hoi An
• How to Spend 3 Days in Hoi An
• Hoi An Tailors: Tips for What to Get Made
• The Vietage: A Luxury Train in Vietnam
• Anantara Quy Nhon Villas: A Luxury Review

Southern Vietnam

• Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: A Bucket List
• A Guide to 15B Hem Le Than Thon: Little Japan Saigon
• Where to Go in District 5 & Cho Lon of Saigon
• Best Things to Do in District 1, HCMC
• What to Do in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
• Anantara Mui Ne: Best Resort for a Girls’ Getaway
• Mekong Delta Day Trip: What to Expect
• A Guide to Vinh Long in the Mekong
• Con Dao: An Island Travel Guide
• Azerai Can Tho: A Luxury Stay in the Mekong
• Odys Boutique Hotel Review: A Chic Mid-Range Stay in HCMC

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Vietnam Travel Tips - What to Know Before Visiting Vietnam

I f you’re planning to travel Vietnam, there are a few things you need to be aware of. As a first time visitor it can be stressful not to know what to expect. There were a few things I wish I’d known before I went. So if you’re going to Vietnam, check out my top Vietnam travel tips to help you prepare!

1. Get Your Visa in Advance

If you’re visiting Vietnam, you’re going to need a visa to enter. Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to get and you can do it before your trip. In fact, airlines won’t even let you fly to Vietnam if you don’t have your visa ready. One person in our group had the wrong date (1 day later) on her visa and had to stay in the airport and buy a new flight. So make sure you get dates and airports right when you apply.

Also, be sure your application name matches your passport. I forgot to enter my middle name on my visa and had to redo it after it got rejected for not matching my passport.

You can apply for the Vietnam e visa here .

It looks a little sketchy, but I promised it worked. The cost of the Vietnam visa is $25 for single entry . After your application is approved, your visa will be emailed to you.

When you arrive at the airport in Vietnam, there will be a line to show your passport and visa. You can save it on your phone or print it out. I did both, just to be safe, but showed them my paper visa.

2. Go at the right time

Ok, there’s no wrong time to to Vietnam, but you might want to go at the time that’s right for you ! I went to Vietnam in January and February and our weather was fantastic. Hot in Hoi An, warm in Hanoi, and warm in Halong Bay, but chilly at night. We were also there during Tet (Lunar New Year), Vietnam’s most important celebration, so it was incredible to see all the decorations and preparation for the New Year! Here are some weather guidelines for each area of Vietnam.

North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa)

• Best Time to visit Northern Vietnam : September to November (Autumn) and March to April (Spring)
• Why? : The weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures and less rain, making it ideal for exploring the bustling streets of Hanoi, cruising through Ha Long Bay, or trekking in Sapa.

Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An)

• Best Time to visit Central Vietnam : January to August
• Why? : Central Vietnam has warm weather during these months, perfect for visiting the ancient town of Hoi An, the beaches of Da Nang, or the historical sites in Hue. The rainy season starts in September and can bring heavy downpours and occasional typhoons, especially in October and November.

South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta)

• Best Time to Visit South Vietnam : December to April (Dry season)
• Why? : The weather is warm and dry, ideal for exploring the vibrant life in Ho Chi Minh City or venturing into the Mekong Delta. The rainy season from May to November can see short, heavy showers, but travel is still possible during these months.

3. Visit More than One City

Vietnam is probably a lot bigger than you realize. And it’s very long, so destinations are quite spread out. Many people make the mistake of only visiting one large city in Vietnam and not doing any day trips or visiting another area of Vietnam. It is very affordable to get around Vietnam and you can get a cheap flight within the country, so it’s worth seeing more than one destination in the country.

major cities

4. Download the Grabb App

If you plan to get around by car in Vietnam, you should download the Grabb App. It’s like UBER or Lyft for Asia and it works really well. I used it all over Vietnam and Thailand without any issue. If you’re not in the mood to barter with taxi drivers or don’t have a lot of cash, this is a good way to go. It felt safer and easier to do this.

5. Pack Layers

The weather in Vietnam is really varied. When you look at a map you can see why…it’s a very LONG country at over 1,000 miles long! So the weather in Northern vietnam and Southern Vietnam can be very different. We spent a few days in Hoi An, a few days in Hanoi, and a few days in Halong Bay, and the weather on the Bay was much cooler than the rest of our trip.

I packed sun dresses, pants, and jackets and I was glad to have them all! Just be sure to check the weather of each destination in Vietnam. Trips are always better when you have the right clothes!

6. Bring an Extra Bag for Souvenirs

I’m not normally a huge shopper when I travel, but there were some great things I wanted to bring home in Vietnam. Luckily I had this great packable duffel that has been with me on many trips! It is HUGE and holds so much and is super sturdy!

Some things that I purchased in Vietnam:

• Lanterns – So many lanterns! One that I made in this class , and a bunch more that I purchased from a local shop.
• Silk Paintings – Probably my most favorite souvenir from Vietnam was the silk painting I purchased from a man disabled from the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical used to clear vegetation during the Vietnam War. Vietnam is famous for its silk paintings, which are embroidered on fabric and absolutely beautiful! They come in all sizes and different levels of detail made by local people. They can be anywhere from $5 USD to $500 USD depending on where you buy yours, how detailed it is, and how long it took to create. They are stunning though!
• Custom Clothing – Hoi An in particular is famous for its custom clothing tailors. You can get just about anything sewn to your liking while you’re there. Some tailors specialize in suits and some specialize in formal ware. Check reviews on Google before picking your tailor. We chose Rosa Tailor, mostly because she was across the street from our hotel and had a 5-star review on Google! I had two custom linen sets and two custom skirts made in just a few hours. It was so much fun to experience it and I love my clothes!

7. Have Cash on Hand

When traveling Vietnam, be sure to get cash out when you get to Vietnam or bring Vietnamese Dong from your bank with you. We needed a lot of cash in Vietnam. A few places took cards, but mostly it was cash only, especially in the local markets and for street food. I think I took about $300 Vietnam Dong out at the ATM and that lasted me about a week.

8. Drink Safe Water and Eat Safe Food

Food and water safety are always a concern of mine when traveling. And while I want to try all of the delicious food at the street food stalls and experience the local culture through food, I also don’t want to be sick for the rest of my trip (been there, done that)!

Try not to eat any raw vegetables fruit with a skin that could have been washed in contaminated water. Examples are lettuce, raw carrots, apples, etc. Peeled fruit and cooked vegetables are usually safe.

A good way to experience Vietnamese food is to take a cooking class from a reputable company where you have control over how the food is prepared and the water being used. Most classes will cater to a western audience and understand water concerns. Here is a list of good cooking classes.

• Hoi An Cooking Class https://www.getyourguide.com/hoi-an-l831/hoi-an-tra-que-herb-village-cooking-class-t518142/?partner_id=67O18VU&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=VietnamTips
• Hanoi Cooking Class https://www.getyourguide.com/hanoi-l205/hanoi-traditional-cooking-class-learning-5-famous-dishes-t563666/?partner_id=67O18VU&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=VietnamTips
• Ho Chi Minh Cooking Class https://www.getyourguide.com/ho-chi-minh-city-l272/4-course-hands-on-vietnamese-cooking-lesson-in-small-group-t125720/?partner_id=67O18VU&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=VietnamTips

Another concern is water. This is probably one of the most important Vietnam travel tips. Don’t drink the tap water! Water can be tricky in Vietnam. You should avoid drinking tap water. Either only use sealed drinking water or bring a good filter water bottle. This is the one I use.

Despite all your best efforts, you may still get sick. I recommend asking your doctor for any meds that might help with bacterial sickness in case you do get sick. I take prescribed antibiotics with me whenever I travel, but my doctor travels to India frequently and gets it! Another option is to see a travel nurse, although any time I go they seem to go overboard and end up scaring me with all the possibilities of my inevitable death!

I also highly recommend getting travel insurance for your trip, because you never know!

9. Be Prepared for Some Hard History

Americans visiting Vietnam should be aware of the country’s complex and difficult history.

When traveling to Vietnam, be prepared to face some hard history. Visiting Vietnam as an American can be a deeply moving and eye-opening experience, given the country’s complex past, particularly concerning the Vietnam War (known in Vietnam as the American War or the Vietnam American War). This period from the late 1950s to 1975 left indelible marks on both nations, shaping their histories, cultures, and peoples in profound ways.

The hardest part for me was seeing victims of Agent Orange, which was a chemical used during the war to clear the jungle vegetation. This chemical affected the genetics of people living in Vietnam, and in turn their children who wouldn’t be born for years to come. I think we will see these lasting effects for a while. It was hard to see this, knowing that my country was part of the cause, but they were all very friendly and welcoming to us as Americans.

10. Book Activities Before You Go

My last Vietnam travel tip is to book ahead. While some people can visit Vietnam and wing their activities, I like to have things planned and scheduled, I like to arrange trips to nearby places, and some tours do book up during busier times, so I think it’s a good idea to have at least a few things planned and booked ahead of time, especially for your first time visit to Vietnam. Here are some of the activities I recommend planning ahead for to avoid unnecessary stress:

• Hoi An Jeep Tour
• Lantern Making Class
• Ninh Binh Day Tour
• Ho Chi Minh Cooking Class

Frequently Asked Questions

1. can americans visit vietnam.

Of course! Americans are welcome in Vietnam with a visa. There are some hard things to see from the war, but its part of both of our histories. I found everyone to be friendly and welcoming towards us as Americans.

2. Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Yes, you need to apply for an e-visa before visiting Vietnam. I suggest applying at least 2 weeks before. Be sure to put your correct name, entry date, and port of entry on your application.

3. Can I use US dollars in Vietnam?

While some hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas might accept US dollars, it’s more common to use Vietnamese Dong (VND) for everyday transactions. It’s advisable to carry local currency, especially when traveling outside major cities or shopping at local markets.

4. What is the etiquette for visiting temples and religious sites?

Dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees) and remove your shoes before entering temples or pagodas. It’s also respectful to avoid loud voices and keep a serene demeanor.

I hope these Vietnam travel tips have been helpful for you. Don’t stress too much about the differences. Vietnam is a beautiful and very welcoming country and you’re going to have the best time!

The post Vietnam Travel Tips – What to Know Before Visiting Vietnam appeared first on Wanderlust Crew .

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19/03/2024   08:28 (GMT+07:00)

Solutions for Vietnam's tourism development in 2024

By 2024, vietnam's tourism industry aims to cater to 17-18 million international arrivals and around 110 million domestic visits, up 30% and 2%, respectively..

To make the goal attainable, Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh presented seven breakthrough solutions at a tourism conference entitled "Solutions for the Tourism Sector to Achieve Breakthroughs" held recently in Ho Chi Minh City.

The solutions include completing the Tourism Master Plan for the 2025-2030 period, with a vision for 2045. Once the plan is approved by the Prime Minister, the tourism industry will set the direction for implementation. The sector will foster connectivity, develop green and sustainable destinations, and focus on the tourist experience.

Khanh said the sector would propose content and innovative commercial promotion methods based on these segments: community-based tourism, wellness tourism, rural tourism, MICE tourism, golf tourism, and railway tourism. In addition, Vietnam will set up trade and tourism promotion offices abroad, with Vientiane (Laos) as the first planned location.

Meanwhile, he said it's needed to develop tourism products based on potentials and advantages to attract domestic and foreign tourists and, more importantly, to retain them with suitable products.

"It's necessary to research and propose solutions to remove obstacles for localities and tourism businesses, especially investment and tax issues.

Sixthly, to work with local authorities to manage destinations to ensure the safety of tourists, and step up digital transformation and develop tourism databases," said Khanh.

According to VNAT statistics, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, exceeding the annual target of around eight million, and catered for around 108 million domestic arrivals.

Speaking at the conference, Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said HCMC topped the list of all 63 localities contributing to Vietnam's tourism sector in 2023, both in terms of arrivals and tourism revenue.

Ho Chi Minh City welcomed nearly five million international visitors and served 35 million domestic travelers last year, generating revenues of over VND160 trillion ($6.5 billion) in 2023. The city has set a target of welcoming six million international visitors and earning VND190 trillion (US$7.8 billion) in tourism revenue this year.

“On the other hand, to develop the tourism sector, Ho Chi Minh City also focuses on solutions to develop human resources and new, characteristic tourism products. Specifically, each district has perfected one characteristic product to draw tourists. As for promotional activities, the city's tourism sector has organized various tourism and promotion events...”, he added.

At present, Vietnam's promotion of its tourism abroad is effective; in particular, the new visa policy has had a strong impact. The department had been using the media and actively promoting destinations even before the policy was introduced, so the results achieved are commendable, the VNAT executive said.

Regarding Hanoi's tourism industry, Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department, said the department has drawn up a tourism development plan for 2024 with several groups of special tasks and solutions, including several groups of prioritized breakthrough solutions. Regarding the strategic management of tourism activities, the department has consulted with the city government to issue a separate conclusion on the city's tourism development in the new situation in 2024-2025.Concerning the groups of breakthrough policies to comprehensively develop tourism in the capital in the coming period, the department has proactively researched, advised, and submitted to the Hanoi People's Council a number of specific mechanisms and policies to support the development of tourist destinations, as well as models of community-based, agro and rural tourism in the capital.

"We are also working with organizations and experts at home and abroad to conduct surveys and censuses to perfect the system of statistical indicators and the database of the capital's tourism industry. This will help us design strategies to develop tourism products that meet the new needs of tourists," said Nguyen Hong Minh.

Regarding new product development, Hanoi's tourism sector will focus on offering unique and attractive products to groups. It will also develop a comprehensive, professional program to promote the city on strategic international media and television channels such as CNN, CNBC, or TikTok.

Pham Quy Huy, CEO of Kiwi Travel, said that with the current relatively high price of domestic air tickets, Vietnamese travelers often choose to travel abroad rather than domestically. While Vietnam strives to attract international visitors, this trend among Vietnamese tourists is a major obstacle to linking and developing long-term inbound tours.

To improve the experience for travelers, he recommended that the tourism sector not only attract visitors but also realign the peak travel season for each region, such as the central coastline or the northwestern mountains. Tourism businesses should also look at ways to work together more effectively to promote domestic travel and attract overseas tourists.

• Two ministries consider expansion of visa waivers to promote tourism
• Tourism industry still craves visitors
• Sluggish formulation and implementation of policies hold back tourism: experts

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