Vietnam Travel Advice: Everything You Need To Know Before Planning A Trip To Vietnam

Vietnam is an amazing destination that caters to all types of travelers, from luxury seekers to budget backpackers. This vibrant country offers a diverse range of activities, ancient cities, mouth-watering cuisine, strong cultural heritage, and a deep history. Whether you’re an adventurer, foodie, or history buff, Vietnam has something to offer to everyone. In this blog, you’ll find essential information about Vietnam, including weather, visa requirements, general travel tips, and money-saving strategies to help you get the most out of your trip. Be sure to check out my 1-month Vietnam Itinerary for a budget-friendly adventure that takes you from the bustling cities of the south to the serene landscapes of the north.

Best Time to Go Vietnam

Vietnam is a large country which means the weather can vary significantly from North to South. In the North, you’ll encounter a monsoonal climate with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In contrast, the South enjoys a tropical climate with consistent warmth throughout the year, characterized by just two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. The peak travel period across Vietnam typically runs from mid-December to the end of March, so expect larger crowds in the major cities during this time.

Avoid visiting Vietnam during “Tết” aka Vietnamese New Year, which usually happens at the beginning of February and lasts for a week as not much is usually open during this period.

Below are the best times to visit the following regions based on good weather:

• South: December-May (dry season)
• Central: February-August (warmer temperatures and sunshine)
• North: March-April (spring) & September-November (autumn)

Visa Requirements

Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required to enter Vietnam. It’s crucial to check the specific requirements for your passport, as Vietnam has strict entry regulations. Be mindful that overstaying your visa can result in significant fines.

• E-Visa: Available online through the official Vietnam Immigration website. You can apply for a visa up to 90 days before your trip, with options for single or multiple entries. The process may take up to a week, so avoid leaving it to the last minute.
• Visa on arrival: This option requires a pre-approval letter from a Vietnamese travel agency. Do NOT assume you can obtain a visa upon arrival without prior preparation, make sure you have all necessary documentation before traveling.
• 5 Year Vietnam Visa Exemption: If you have a Vietnamese spouse, are a child of overseas Vietnamese, or are a Vietnamese citizen, you may be eligible for a 5-year visa exemption. This allows you to travel to Vietnam without applying for a visa for five years, with each visit allowing a stay of up to 180 days.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Vietnam is still a third world country, therefore the food and water hygiene are not regulated.

• Vaccinations: It is recommended to get vaccinations for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Rabies before traveling to Vietnam. Typhoid and Hepatitis A are still prevalent due to food and water quality. Additionally, there are many stray animals in all regions of Vietnam, making the rabies vaccine a wise precaution as well.
• Tap water: Avoid drinking tap water. It’s best to use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Be cautious with fresh vegetables, as they may be washed with tap water, which could carry contaminants.
• Ice: Avoid ice for your drinks unless you have confirmed with the vendor that it is filtered water ice.
• Food Hygiene: Exercise caution with street food by choosing vendors with high turnover and freshly prepared dishes. Opting for hot noodle soups like pho, bun bo hue, hu tieu, bun rieu, or banh canh is a safer choice since the boiling broth can kill bacteria, preventing food poisoning.
• Probiotics: Take probiotics at least two weeks prior to your travels as this helps in seeding the helpful bacteria in the gut.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an absolute MUST when visiting Vietnam, and here’s why: accidents can happen, especially if you’re riding a moped through the busy streets or trekking in the countryside. And let’s not forget the possibility of getting sick or dealing with food poisoning which are common issues for foreigners in Vietnam. Medical care isn’t always as accessible as you’d like, and while treatment costs might be cheaper than in the US or Australia, they can still add up quickly—sometimes even hundreds for just a consultation. Plus, insurance covers other unexpected hiccups like lost luggage or sudden plan changes. It’s a small investment for the peace of mind that lets you fully enjoy your adventure, without worrying about unexpected bills draining your bank account when things go wrong.

I’m lucky to have never gotten sick, injured, lost luggage, or dealt with any unexpected mishaps overseas, but I still ALWAYS make sure to have travel insurance when I go abroad. The small price is like having a safety net: you hope you never need it, but you’re relieved it’s there just in case. That’s why I highly recommend SafetyWing as they offer reliable basic insurance without breaking the bank for people all over the world starting with only $2.01 USD per day (minimum purchase of 5 days). Select the “specific travel dates button” to insert your travel dates to get the cost calculations.

SIM Card & Internet

I recommend getting an eSIM if your device is compatible, as it’s incredibly convenient. You can purchase and activate it before your trip, allowing you to have connectivity as soon as you land. If you prefer, you can also buy SIM cards or eSIMs at the airport upon arrival. The best network provider in Vietnam is Viettel, known for its fast speeds and excellent coverage throughout the country. However, if you’re on a big South-East Asia backpacking trip and visiting other nearby countries for a long period, it might be cheaper to buy a regional sim card such as from Airalo – you can click on my link here for 10% off all eSIMS (discount is auto-applied).

Currency & Money Exchange ($)

Cash is king in Vietnam, only some restaurants accept card and almost all street stalls will only take cash so it’s super important to understand the currency. This means it’s also super important for you to choose your method of withdrawing cash wisely by paying the minimum in exchange and ATM withdrawal fees.

• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND).
• ATMs: Tpbank, HSCBC, Nam A Bank, and VP Bank does not have any withdrawal fees. If you’re an Australian, I recommend using a travel card like Wise when withdrawing money from the ATM for best exchange rates.
• Gold Shops: For the best exchange rates, consider bringing crisp $50 or $100 AUD or USD notes to gold shops. These shops typically offer better rates, especially for $100 bills.

Getting Around in Vietnam

• Grab: You can hail a car or a moped using the Grab app, making it a super cheap and convenient way to get around the city.
• Sleeper Bus: This is a cost-effective way to travel between cities, with most journeys taking place at night. This can save you the cost of one night’s accommodation and they’re super comfortable as the seats are in a reclined position. Make sure to book the VIP sleeper buses to ensure you get to have your own cabin which also comes with curtains for privacy! You can easily book it on 12GoAsia.
• Plane: Vietnam’s main airports are in Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), and Da Nang (DAD). If you’re not on a tight budget and prefer flying, it’s recommended to fly into these airports and then use a sleeper bus or taxi to the next destination.

Essential Apps in Vietnam

Grab: To book rides within the city AND to get food delivered to you like UberEats.

Whatsapp: Used to communicate and contact hotel reception and tour guides if you don’t have a Vietnamese number.

Google Translate: Helpful for communicating with locals, as many people do not speak English.

12GoAsia: To book sleeper buses or trains between cities.

GetYourGuide: Great place to book tours where they offer a wide variety of options. They are very transparent with price and itinerary so you get what you expect!

Klook: Excellent platform to buy tickets for various attractions (sometimes even cheaper than price at entrance of attraction).

Safety & Security

Vietnam is generally very safe for solo travelers, including females, but like anywhere else, it’s important to stay vigilant. Avoid trusting strangers too quickly and always confirm the identity of any vehicle you get into through a reputable app.

• Taxi Scam: This usually happens at the airport. Always confirm prices before leaving on your journey, otherwise just book a ride via Grab where you can see the price beforehand and it’s also safe as the app tracks where the vehicle is heading.
• Tourist Price Scam: In popular tourist areas such as Benh Thanh Market, some vendors may try to overcharge tourists, so it’s wise to research prices beforehand. Be cautious and avoid getting pressured into buying overpriced items. Sometimes they charge at least 5X the price so don’t be scared to bargain 1/5 of the price.
• Personal Belongings: Keep your valuables secure and be especially mindful of pickpockets in larger cities. Phones are a common target, so hold onto your electronics tightly. A tip from locals is to wear your bumbag under an outer layer, as some thieves may cut your bag from behind and snatch them while riding past on motorbikes.
• Bus Luggage: If you’re taking the sleeper bus, you will likely need to leave your big bag in the bottom of the bus. These sleeper buses usually have multiple stops before your final destination which puts your bag in a risk of getting stolen. Hence I would heavily recommend putting tags in all your luggage.
• Traffic: Vietnam’s traffic is the most chaotic in the world, with everyone ignoring traffic signals. When crossing the street, raise your hand and walk steadily at the same pace; motorbikes will navigate around you.

Language

English is widely spoken in big cities but less common in rural region, nonetheless Vietnamese is the official language so I recommend learning basic phrases and to have Google Translate downloaded. The locals really appreciate it when you try to speak even just basic Vietnamese, so practice before you come!

• Hello: Xin chào (sin chao)
• Thank you: Cảm ơn (gauhm uhhn)
• Sorry: Xin lỗi (sin loy)
• How much?: Bao nhiêu (bao new)
• 1, 2, 3, Cheers!: Một, hai, ba, dzô! (mot, hai, ba, yo)