Vietnam: Essential Trip Planner & Travel Guide
Welcome to Vietnam, a must-visit country with breathtaking landscapes, rich history and culture, and delectable cuisine. With so much to see and so many incredible places to explore, trying to plan your trip can feel impossible and a bit overwhelming. To put your travel anxiety at ease, use this essential Vietnam trip planner to gather all of the necessary information you need for a stress-free trip. From visas and itineraries to safety tips and packing essentials, this is your one-stop Vietnam shop for everything you need to know!
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling please :)
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Vietnam: Trip Planner & Travel Guide
Visa:
This is country-dependent. British citizens can enter Vietnam free, for 45 days, but a tourist E-visa is required for US Citizens. As a US Citizen, you must apply for your Vietnam E-visa ahead of time here. You can pay for a 90-day visa with a single-entry electronic visa ($25 USD) or multiple-entry electronic visa ($50 USD). Once you have applied, the application will be processed within 3 business days BUT beware if anything is misspelled or misdated, they will send it back to you for correction which will take additional days.
Make sure to receive an entry and exit stamp within your authorized period of stay to avoid penalties.
Official Currency:
Vietnamese Dong
Official Language:
Vietnamese (Many people know English well for communication with tourists.)
Best Time to Visit:
Varies By Region…
North: November - April. Expect colder temperatures since you will be in Northern Vietnam. I was there in December and January and was always in long trousers and a sweatshirt or jacket.
South: December - May during the dry season. Expect colder temperatures in Northern Vietnam during this time. I was there in December and January and was always in long trousers and a sweatshirt or jacket.
Rainy season: June - Early November
Best Places to Visit:
If the city is bolded, it is a place I have been to! Otherwise, it is on my list.
Hanoi - One of the main cities.
Sa Pa - Sadly I have not gone yet.
Lan Ha Bay - The less touristy alternative to Halong Bay.
Ha Giang Loop - I have yet to go, but my boyfriend and friends have.
Ninh Binh (MY FAVORITE) - Best nature-esc spot.
Hoi An - A tourist hotspot.
Hue - Historical city.
Dalat - Highland region.
Da Nang - Beach City - was not my favorite place.
Nha Trang - A beach town.
Quy Nhon - A beach town.
Mũi Né - Epic sand dunes.
Ho Chi Minh City - Another main city (more modern).
Phú Quốc - An island off of Vietnam that US Citizens do not need a visa for.
How Many Days Do I Need:
This is destination specific and it all depends on your travel type and speed. Below are my suggestions for the time to spend in each place, although you can always add more days for places you feel more drawn to. I also have destination-specific information within each article for you.
Hanoi: 1-2 days, but add on days for each day trip you want to make (i.e. Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Sa Pa).
Ninh Binh: 1 day, but this was my favorite spot and I was sad to leave even after 3-4 days.
Hoi An: 2-3 days to experience the true essence, although you could have 1 jam-packed day.
Dalat: 1-2 days.
Da Nang: You could skip this one in my opinion or opt for a 1 day trip.
Ho Chi Minh City: 1 day to get a taste of the city, but 2-3 may be ideal depending on what your focus is.
The Best Travel Itinerary:
I recommend starting in either major city: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. From there add on geographically each place that interests you. I highly recommend not skipping Hanoi, Ninh Binh, or Hoi An! The list above is in geographical order!
How to Get to Vietnam:
Flying: You can fly internationally into Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Phú Quốc (PQC), Hanoi (HAN), Da Nang (DAD), and a few others. I recommend SGN or HAN to have more options.
Bus or Shuttle: This is a great option if you are in one of Vietnam’s neighboring countries such as Cambodia or Laos. 12GoAsia is my go-to for purchasing tickets.
Getting in Between Places in Vietnam:
Train: The train system in Vietnam runs from Ho Chi Minh City all the way to Lao Cai (West of the Ha Giang Loop up north). You can choose hard or soft seats or even a sleeper section with or without AC. If you are interested in a sleeper, be sure to book earlier than normal.
You can grab train tickets via 12GoAsia, the Vietnam Railways Website, or even at some of the hostels and hotel accommodations. Prices vary depending on the route you are taking but it tends to be a little more expensive than the bus and even flights sometimes. However, the views of Vietnam along the ride are unmatched.
Bus: The cheapest option for travel throughout Vietnam is usually by sleeper bus. I have done this as well and had no issues with it aside from some occasional hard stops and crazy driving, but that's Vietnam for you! My boyfriend on the other hand is 6 foot and was a bit cramped unlike me laying fully flat at 5 foot 2 :)
You can buy tickets on 12GoAsia, at the station, or even at some of the hostels and hotels. The ticket cost averages around $12 USD.
Flying: My preference is flying seeing as I used to be a Flight Attendant - quick and easy travel. Flights throughout Vietnam were surprisingly cheap, some even around $26 USD. Places like Hoi An, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City all have airports.
Mode of Transport Within each destination:
Taxi, Cyclos, Rideshare (GoJek or Grab), Walking (most places in Vietnam are walkable), motorbike, or bicycle for some.
Where To Stay?
Click each location below to find out the best areas and places to stay! (More coming Soon).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam Safe?
Is it Safe?:
Yes, most definitely. I traveled a lot of Vietnam alone and never felt unsafe. As always, follow common knowledge travel safety practices in addition to:
Always check vaccination requirements and travel advisories, and practice food and water cleanliness/safety. Do not drink tap water in Southeast Asia.
Like all places, watch out for travel scams and know how much things should cost
Secure valuables.
Be careful driving in Vietnam, it can be hectic and chaotic.
Emergency Contact Numbers: Fire: 114 | Police: 113 | Ambulance: 115
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Top Things to See?
Are there Vegan Food Options?
Easy peasy in Vietnam since a lot of people normally incorporate vegan foods into their diet. Think of lots of tofu dishes and spring rolls. Yummy!
Any Specific Packing Essentials?
Mosquito spray! Mosquito spray! Mosquito Spray!
A rain jacket, especially if you plan to travel on the tail-ends of the rainy season or plan to head to cooler places like Ba Na Hills.
Small bag for day trips.
Stop at an ATM after arrival— many places prefer cash (Vietnamese Dong).
Breathable clothing for the warmer humid climate. Keep in mind what time of year you are traveling when packing. I was in mostly longer pants and sweatshirts while in Hanoi during January.
I recommend packing sneakers for the cities since you will be doing lots of walking.
Beach essentials if you plan to head to Phú Quốc, Quy Nhon, etc. (Hoi An has some beaches as well).
