Vietnam Travel Guide - What You Need To Know

Everything you need to know about Vietnam for your trip — from best time to visit, visa tips to cultural etiquette, transportation, safety, budgeting, and more.

With Free Haggle Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Vietnam

A Complete Travel Companion for First-Time Visitors and Curious Explorers

Vietnam is a country that stirs the senses — where bustling cities meet serene rice paddies, street food competes with fine dining, and ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life. Whether you're trekking through the misty mountains of Sapa, cruising Ha Long Bay, or slurping pho in a roadside stall, this ultimate Vietnam travel guide will give you everything you need to plan your journey with confidence.

Quick Overview

• Capital: Hanoi not Ho Chi Minh!

• Major cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

• Language: Vietnamese (English widely spoken in tourist areas) But take Google Translate as more than in any other country, the Vietnamese will whip out their phone an translate everything so don't be shy. It's a god send.

• Time Zone: GMT+7

• Religion: Predominantly Buddhist with Taoist, Catholic, and animist influences

Visa & Entry Requirements - Full Guide Here

• Visa-free: Many nationalities (like UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) can enter visa-free for up to 15 days.

• E-visa: Available for 80+ countries. Valid for 30 days, single entry. Apply online via Vietnam Immigration: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

• Visa on arrival: Only available for those with pre-approval letters (usually via travel agencies).

• Always check the latest entry rules, especially for longer stays or multi-entry needs.

Best Time to Visit - Full Guide Here

Vietnam’s climate varies by region, so timing depends on where you’re going:

• North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay): Best from Oct–April (cool, dry).

• Central (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An): Best from Feb–May (avoid typhoon season Sept–Nov).

• South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): Best from Dec–April (dry season).

If you're traveling the whole country, March to April and October to November are ideal.

Getting There & Around

International airports:

• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)

• Hanoi (HAN)

• Da Nang (DAD)

Domestic flights: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, Bamboo Airways offer cheap, frequent flights.

Trains: The Reunification Express runs from Hanoi to HCMC — a scenic (and slow) way to see the country.

Buses: Sleeper buses are popular for budget travel — comfortable enough for long distances.

Scooters: Rent one if you're experienced. Traffic is intense in cities but manageable in rural areas.

Grab app: Like Uber — essential for safe, cheap rides in cities.

Where to Stay

• Budget: Hostels from $5–10/night (especially in HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang)

• Mid-range: Boutique hotels and homestays $25–50/night

• Luxury: Resorts and 5-stars $100+ (Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Ha Long Bay)

Top Places to Visit - Check out our Full Guide here

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

• War Remnants Museum

• Cu Chi Tunnels

• Street food in District 1

• Day trips to the Mekong Delta

Hoi An

• Ancient Town (UNESCO)

• Lantern-lit river evenings

• Tailor-made clothing

• An Bang Beach

Da Nang

• Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills)

• Marble Mountains

• My Khe Beach

Hue

• Imperial Citadel

• Tombs of Nguyen emperors

• Perfume River cruise

Hanoi

• Old Quarter and street food

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

• Train Street

• Temple of Literature

Sapa

• Rice terrace trekking

• Local hill tribes (Hmong, Dao)

• Fansipan Mountain (Vietnam’s highest peak)

Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay

• Overnight cruise

• Kayaking and limestone caves

• Floating fishing villages

Phu Quoc Island

• Beach resorts and snorkeling

• Night markets

• Island hopping by boat

Food & Drink

Must-try dishes:

• Pho (noodle soup)

• Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich)

• Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles)

• Cao Lau (Hoi An specialty)

• Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls)

Drinks:

• Egg coffee (Hanoi specialty)

• Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da)

• Local beers: Bia Saigon, 333, Hanoi Beer

Street food is safe — just look for busy stalls and fresh-cooked items.

Budgeting & Money Tips

• Currency: VND — 100,000 VND ≈ $4 USD

• Cash is king: Credit cards are accepted in hotels, but small shops, taxis, and food stalls use cash.

• ATMs are everywhere — but withdraw in chunks to avoid multiple fees.

• Daily budget range:

  • Budget: $25–35/day

  • Mid-range: $50–100/day

  • Luxury: $150+/day

SIM Cards & Internet

• Buy a local SIM at the airport or convenience stores (Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone).

• 4G is fast and widespread.

• WiFi is available in nearly all cafés, hotels, and even buses.

What to Pack

• Lightweight, breathable clothes

• A rain jacket (especially in the north/monsoon season)

• Modest clothing for temples

• Reusable water bottle (many hostels offer refill stations)

• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent

Cultural Tips & Etiquette

• Respect elders and use two hands when giving/receiving items.

• Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples.

• Don’t point your feet at people or religious objects.

• Avoid touching heads — it’s considered sacred.

• Bargaining is normal in markets — do it politely.

Safety & Scams

Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, even solo travelers. That said:

• Watch your bags in crowded areas (snatch theft happens).

• Use Grab instead of unmetered taxis to avoid scams.

• Agree on prices upfront for tours, bike taxis, or markets.

• Cross streets slowly and confidently — traffic flows around you!

Responsible Travel Tips

• Stay in eco-friendly homestays or hotels.

• Use refillable water bottles.

• Support local businesses and artisans.

• Don’t ride elephants or support animal shows.

Vietnam is a country that stays with you. It’s bold, beautiful, flavourful, chaotic, and deeply soulful. Whether you're navigating the buzzing streets of Hanoi or enjoying a peaceful boat ride through Ninh Binh, each moment adds to an unforgettable journey.

Free Quick Guide to Haggling in Vietnam

Where haggling is expected:

• Street markets (e.g., Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Xuan in Hanoi)

• Souvenir shops

• Small clothing or accessory stalls

• Motorbike taxi rides (if not using Grab)

• Some local tours or transport if prices aren’t posted

Where haggling is NOT appropriate:

• Supermarkets or convenience stores

• Chain stores and shopping malls

• Cafés, restaurants, or food stalls with fixed menus

• Ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek

How to Haggle Like a Pro in Vietnam

1. Smile and stay polite

• Friendly, respectful conversation goes a long way.

• Start by asking: “Bao nhiêu?” (How much?)

2. Counter with 50–70% of the asking price

• Vendors often quote high prices to tourists.

• Offer about half, then settle somewhere in the middle.

3. Use the walk-away technique

• If they say no to your price, thank them and politely walk away.

• Often, they’ll call you back with a lower offer.

4. Know when it’s not worth the battle

• Sometimes, we’re negotiating over a $1 difference.

• If you’re happy with the price, just go for it.

5. Cash is king

• Haggling works better when you’re paying in cash, especially in smaller denominations.

Tip:

Learn a few Vietnamese numbers or phrases — locals appreciate the effort and it often leads to better deals:

• Một trăm (100)

• Rẻ hơn được không? (Can you make it cheaper?)

• Đắt quá! (Too expensive!)

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I hope you found this post of everything that's good to do when visiting Vietnam helpful. Let me know in the comments when you next go to Vietnam and if i've missed anything off this list that you think is an absolute gem. Also, Don't forget to keep up with our daily updates of our full time travel life below and use our handy travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more:

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On YouTube:

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💡HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR VIETNAM TRIP WITH KIDS 💡

✈️ - FLIGHTS WITH KIDS - We use this flight checker to search the best flight tickets fall or our Vietnam flights. We used this flight checker to get flights from Bali to Ho Chi Minh and then internally from Ho Chi Minh (formally Saigon) to Danang. Then again from Da Nang to Phu Quoc with the best prices at the time. Overall we love Skyscanner and cam't fault it for offering the cheapest options.

🚌🚆🚇 - TRAVEL WITH KIDS - We took the overnight sleeper train from HCMC to Da Nang check out our vid of that experience here. Booked via 12Go.

🏨 - ACCOMMODATION WITH KIDS - We Love to Stay at this hotel when in HCMC but we also use this hotels checker to search hotels and accommodation for our Vietnam trip. Use to check dates and costs to hotels and hostels in Vietnam now or go to our Accommodation Planning Page for more

🧭🗺️👣 - VIETNAM TOURS & GUIDES WITH KIDS - We use Get Your Guide for all of the trips in Vietnam. But we also love Klook too. TIP: Use both to compare offerings as trips will be different.

Trips in Ho Chi Minh

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