Vietnam Land of the Ascending Dragon

Why Vietnam?

Vietnam is a country full of surreal natural beauty and landscapes that are unmatched in all of Southeast Asia. That and their unique, complex, and diverse culture mix to form a country that is both beguiling and breathtaking in every sense of the words. Hospitable local tribes, modern cities, and untouched natural phenomena make Vietnam a name on the map of must-see places. And the cuisine – think Pho, salad rolls, grilled pork, and iced coffee – is world-renowned and definitely worth trying while there.

Good to know

At a glance

Flag

Georegion

South-Eastern Asia

Population

95.5M

Capital

Hanoi

Largest city

Ho Chi Minh City

Official language

Vietnamese

Time zone

UTC+07:00

(local time)

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

1 USD = 1
1 EUR = 1.1

Daily budget

$50 or less

(category: budget )

Driving side

Right

Solo female travellers

LGBTIQ+ friendly

Where to stop

Tours

No tours available yet for this destination.

What to do

Experiences

Grid view

Map view

When to go

Best time to visit

Vietnam stretches along a peninsula and each section of the country experiences different weather patterns than their counterparts, however, you can count on at least two things while visiting: heat and humidity. If you want a dreamy, mild climate in order to comfortably tour cities and towns, but something still warm and clear enough to swim in the ocean, then you have to consider which season you go in. The simplest way to figure out what time of year to go to Vietnam is to break up the country into three zones: northern, central, and southern.

The North

The northern zone encompasses Sa Pa, Ha Long Bay, and the city of Hanoi. The best time to visit this area is during the spring months of March to April, and the autumn months of September to November. These are the times where the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for enjoying the bay and hiking to the summit of Fan Si Pan.

The Center

The central zone is made up of Hue and Hoi An, and the best time to visit these cities is anytime between February and August for warm, sunny temps while also dodging the rainy monsoon season. However, do note that in the summer temperatures can reach up to 30°C / 86°F.

The South

The southern zone holds cities like Ho Chi Minh City and areas like Mekong Delta. You can travel to the southern zone during any time of the year as it has the mildest temperatures with only a mild rainy season. However, it is worth noting that March to May is prone to having high temps reaching 40°C / 104°F on most days, so you may want to avoid those months.

From A to B

Getting around

Flying

As a traveler, you will probably arrive at the international airport in HCMC or Hanoi. Depending on how much time you spend in Vietnam, you may also want to take domestic flights for longer distances. The route between HCMC and Hanoi in particular is worthwhile and takes about 2 hours by plane (compared to 30+ by train). Both the national carrier Vietnam Airlines and budget carriers like Jetstar Pacific or Air Asia offer affordable tickets and frequent flights between all major cities.

Trains

With a railway network of more than 2,600 km / 1,600 mi and 7 railway lines connecting all major cities, trains offer a comfortable way to travel around Vietnam. While you get to see more of the countryside, you should also expect to pay more compared to buses. You shouldn't be short on time, either, as the tracks are outdated and the service is slow. The trip from Hanoi to HCMC (or vice versa) can take anywhere between 30 and 40 hours. We recommend to choose the soft seat or soft-sleeper carriages on longer routes and to book in advance (e.g., on Baolau), especially on weekends or holidays.

Rental Car or Bike

While it is virtually impossible to rent a self-drive car in Vietnam, it is very easy to rent a car with a driver. Prices start at around $50 / 43€ per day. On the other hand, despite the sometimes alarming traffic conditions, it is very common for tourists to rent a motorbike to explore the more remote areas of the country. Expect to pay less than $10 per day, but make sure you have a written contract outlining the details of the rental.

Buses

Buses are the preferred mode of transportation for most budget travelers in Vietnam. While the national bus service connects even the smallest towns, the buses are not very comfortable and stop frequently. Therefore, many travelers opt for one of the private companies that offer more luxurious, so-called "open-tour" buses with air-conditioning and fixed schedules that run on all main tourist routes. These buses allow you to stop along the way, hence the name. If you need even more flexibility, private minibuses are also readily available. Negotiate the price before boarding.

Taxi & Last Mile

For last mile trips, you have the choice between a conventional taxi and motorbike taxis. Car taxis are available in the larger cities and they are quite affordable. Most of them also have a taxi meter, but be prepared to have the right amount of cash on hand, as many drivers don't have (or pretend not to have) change. However, the first choice for cheap transportation and the best way to get around the city are motorbike taxis called "xe om". With Grab, a popular ride-hailing app, you can get a price quote before your ride and pay conveniently via app.

Boats & Ferries

With a coastline of over 3,000 km / 1,864 miles, there are numerous ways to explore Vietnam by boat. The highlight for many travelers is by far a boat tour around the islands of Ha Long Bay. Other popular islands accessible by boat include the Cham Islands near Hoi An, the popular Con Dao islands in the southeast, or Phu Quoc in the southwest. As for river cruises, don't miss a ride on a dragon boat on the Perfume River in Hue, a Sampan cruise on the waterways of Ninh Binh, or a visit to one of the floating markets in the Mekong Delta.

Know before you go

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Travel and safety information

Make sure to check your home country's latest travel advisory for Vietnam before you book (DE | US).

Visa information

Not sure if you need a visa to enter Vietnam? You can usually find your visa requirements and the links to apply for your visa on the website of your foreign office (DE | US ). Or you can ditch the stress of handling the visa process yourself and instead

use iVisa's fast and easy application process

Travel confidently

Unfortunately, bad things can happen even on vacation. To make sure you're covered for all eventualities, it is therefore advisable to have a good travel insurance in place before you go. Since 2002, World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers. They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently.

Visit World Nomads

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads . This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Stay connected

Are you one of those who desperately search for free WiFi when traveling? Look no further, it has never been easier to stay connected even when abroad. If your mobile device supports eSIM, check out Airalo. They offer digital SIM cards for 190+ countries at a fair price.

Get your eSIM now

Explore the details

It's always handy to have a travel guide that covers the details for each of your stops. We've had good experience with Lonely Planet and Rough Guide guidebooks when traveling and can recommend both. When in doubt, go for the most up-to-date one.

Lonely Planet Vietnam (Oct 2023) The Rough Guide to Vietnam (Feb 2023)

Vietnam Tour Planner

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