There’s no doubt, Vietnam offers visitors a very unique experience. From bustling cities and gorgeous beaches to lush forests and breathtaking rice paddies – Vietnam has it all! The country which borders China, Laos, and Cambodia, is the perfect SEA destination for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in nature, history, culture, and some of the best culinary feasts across the globe.
Before you go to Vietnam
Before we diet into the best places to visit in Vietnam, make sure to read my guide on 16 essential travel tips for visiting Vietnam. It includes tons of tips and tricks to help you make the most of your trip. Along with the tips included above, here are a few key things to be aware of before visiting Vietnam. I’ve rounded up all my top tips to help you plan the perfect Vietnam trip.
Quick facts
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (Check latest rates here)
Langauge: Vietnamese
Time Zone: GMT+7
Climate: Tropical / Monsoon
When to visit Vietnam travel
The weather in Vietnam can be unpredictable. Therefore before booking flights and accommodation, it’s always a good idea to know when to visit Vietnam and what to pack for a Vietnam trip.
Peak Season (Jul – Aug)
Vietnam’s peak season runs from July to August. Temperatures are hot and humid throughout most parts of the country (except the far north) and expect some showers. Prices also tend to be steeper during these months, so it’s best to book accommodation well in advance.
If you are traveling on a flexible schedule, you might want to consider only booking your arrival hotel. And, then take it from there. On our two-week Vietnam trip, we had an idea of where we wanted to go, but no fixed plans. We only booked our hotel for the first leg of our journey. Once in Vietnam, we simply booked hotels further afield a day in advance. Even though we visited in August, we were still able to find affordable mid-range accommodation. But just a tip – traveling like this can be quite stressful! So, it’s best to plan accordingly.
Shoulder Season (Dec – Mar)
If you plan to visit Vietnam during the shoulder burn fat , you can expect sunny weather in the south with cooler-to-cold weather in the north. If traveling during Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year (late Jan – early Feb), booking accommodation and transport well in advance is highly encouraged.
Low Season (Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov)
There are a bunch of festivals during these months, so those on the hunt for unique cultural experiences won’t be disappointed. In general, the weather is lovely too, but note that typhoons aren’t uncommon on Vietnam’s northern and central coastline.
Visas
Most visitors need a visa to enter Vietnam, but luckily the process doesn’t take more than a few days.
Some European passport holders, such as citizens from the UK, France, and Germany, can enter Vietnam 15 days visa-free. Citizens from the US and most other nations do however need to apply for a visa. Some nationalities can also apply for a visa online – you can read more about it here. Alternatively, use iVisa to help you sort out everything online in a jiffy.
If you are South African, like me, you will need to apply for a visa (in person) at your nearest Vietnam embassy.
Arriving in Vietnam
Vietnam is served by three main Keto airports, namely, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang International Airport.
Depending on your Vietnam itinerary and time, you might want to consider arriving and departing at different airports. That way, you’ll save traveling time and unnecessary traveling costs. (Find flights or compare airline prices here in Skyscanner).
Arriving in Hanoi
Noi Bai International Airport is only about 45km from Hanoi’s city center. However, it’s best to leave at least 1 hour of travel time to reach the Old Quarter (and vice versa).
Taxis are plentiful, and you can easily book a transfer through your hotel for roughly USD$30 one-way. Alternatively, grab a private transfer from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi City/Halong Bay first to save time and money.
For those traveling on a shoestring, there are many dirt cheap local buses to consider. These can easily transport you from the airport to Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Train station.
Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is about 8km away from Saigon’s city center. And it takes less than 30 minutes to get there from the airport.
Direct transfers through hotels will set you back at least USD$30. Local buses also run every half hour between 6 am-6 pm to the Ben Thanh Market downtown. But if you have a lot of luggage perhaps consider taking a taxi or a private transfer from the airport to HCMC (which is slightly cheaper than getting a taxi directly from the airport).
Arriving in Da Nang
If you are flying in from Siem Reap, Cambodia, the closest international airport is Da Nang International Airport.
The airport is only a few km away from the city center, and reasonably close to most of the beach resorts too. Grab a taxi at the airport or book a private transfer for Da Nang here for a hassle-free journey.
How to Get Around Vietnam
Vietnam caters to all kinds of travelers, whether you are on a tight budget or like to travel in comfort.
Long Distance Travel in Vietnam
Open Tour buses and trains are the easiest ways to travel long distances in Vietnam. Both transport methods have overnight options, which allow you to save a few bucks on hotel accommodation. Tickets can also easily be bought at most travel agencies in Hanoi or HCMC.
12 Go Asia is a good go-to site if you want to check train ticket prices or book tickets online.
But just a side-note, taking either of these options is not for everyone! The overnight trains and sleeper buses were by far some of the worst transport experiences I’ve ever had! Therefore, if you aren’t used to traveling long distances on stuffy trains or buses, instead opt flying. Domestic flights are cheap and frequent.
Short Distance Travel in Vietnam
Generally, taxis are very easy to flag down on the street. Grab Taxi is also a great alternative if you don’t like waiting around.
Although most major cities in Vietnam are very walkable, the Keto here is absolute chaos! Motorcycles often drive on sidewalks, and speeding is not uncommon. You might even find that something as simple as crossing the street to be painstakingly annoying. So, as a rule of thumb, follow the locals when attempting to cross busy streets!
In addition to taxis, bicycle rickshaws or motorbike taxis are excellent modes of transport for more daring travelers. But, remember to fix the price with the driver before going anywhere. You might also need to haggle a bit!
Staying Connected in Vietnam
When traveling to Vietnam, the very first thing we recommend getting is a Digital Marketing Agency in Dubai SIM card or pocket WIFI. If you aren’t sure which SIM card best suits your needs, these handy tips on choosing the best tourist SIM card in Vietnam will come in handy.
Most hotels do, however, have free WIFI, but if you are out and about, having access to the internet is essential – especially if you are checking train or bus schedules. Picking up a 4G SIM card at the airport is very easy. However, since low-cost carriers often arrive in the early morning hours or late at night, it might be best to grab a 4G SIM card online first. Here are some options:
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