Vietnam doesn't ease you in. You'll hear five types of horns before breakfast, order coffee that tastes like dessert, and discover that half the population is on a motorbike at any given moment. Street corners double as kitchens. One afternoon you're drifting past limestone cliffs; the next you're deep in a war museum that leaves you quiet for hours. It's full-on — and completely worth it.
Here's what our team has learned from guiding travelers through Vietnam, so your first trip feels less overwhelming and more like the adventure it's meant to be.
When to go — think in zones, not seasons
Vietnam's weather changes as you move north to south. There's no single best month — pick the season that suits your route.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay): October to April is cooler and drier — good for boat trips and mountain hikes. December and January get genuinely chilly in the mountains. May to September brings heat, humidity, and afternoon downpours, though misty views on Ha Long Bay have their own quiet beauty.
Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An): February to August is dry and ideal for beaches and motorbike riding. Typhoon season runs September to November, flooding streets and disrupting travel plans.
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): November to May means dry days and bright skies — best for floating markets and island escapes. June to October brings rain, usually short-lived, always warm.
How much does Vietnam cost?
Vietnam is still one of the better-value destinations in Southeast Asia. A budget of $25–40/day is comfortable if you stick to guesthouses, bánh mì lunches, and sleeper buses. A bowl of bún chả in Hanoi will cost less than your morning coffee back home.
With a mid-range budget of $60–90/day, you can move between cities by plane instead of overnight bus, stay in boutique guesthouses, and join the occasional guided tour or cooking class.
Splurges add up fast in specific spots: multi-day Ha Long Bay cruises, private beach resorts, rooftop bars in Saigon. Budget accordingly rather than being caught off guard.
Getting a visa
Rules vary by passport. Many Western European nationalities — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK — qualify for visa-free entry up to 45 days. Southeast Asian passport holders often get 30 days or more.
US, Canadian, and Australian travelers need a visa. The easiest route is the e-visa, available to citizens of over 80 countries, valid for 90 days (single or multiple entry), and typically approved within 3–5 working days. Cost runs $25–50 depending on entry type. Apply directly at evisa.gov.vn — no agency needed.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from entry, and that you're arriving through an approved port (most major airports and key land borders qualify).
How to get around
Vietnam is long and narrow — travel between regions takes time. Build in buffer days rather than booking tight connections.
Internal flights: affordable and fast between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Book early during Tet or summer holidays.
Trains: scenic and relaxed, especially the overnight Hanoi–Hue run. Worth it for the views and the slow pace.
Buses: cheap but variable in quality. Stick to established companies like Futa or The Sinh Tourist.
Motorbikes: the real Vietnam experience in rural areas. In big cities, the traffic density makes it less practical unless you're experienced.
Grab: the easiest option in any city or large town. Metered, safe, and cashless if you set it up.
For city-to-city hops under 300km, trains usually beat buses on comfort. For anything longer, a short domestic flight saves a day.
Cultural etiquette
Vietnamese culture is warm and relaxed on the surface, but a few unwritten rules matter.
At temples and in rural areas: cover shoulders and knees. This isn't formal — a light layer and loose trousers work fine. Remove shoes before entering any temple or pagoda.
Greetings: A smile and a slight nod are universally understood. If someone extends a hand, take it — if not, don't force it. Use titles like Anh (older brother) or Chị (older sister) when addressing someone. Pass items with both hands, or your right hand supported by your left.
Eating: Meals are communal. Wait for a "mời ăn" before starting. Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice — it echoes funeral imagery. Slurping is fine; playing with your chopsticks isn't.
Street crossing: Don't wait for a gap that never comes. Step in steadily, maintain your pace, and let the scooters flow around you. Erratic moves are the only real danger.
Tipping: Not mandatory, but appreciated. Round up at restaurants, leave a few dollars for guides and drivers who went the extra mile, and round up on Grab.
Staying healthy
A few basics make a real difference. None of this is complicated — it's just worth doing before you land.
Before you go: Speak to a travel clinic about Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus — all relevant in a country where street food and outdoor activities are central. Rabies is worth considering if you'll be trekking or around animals in remote areas.
Mosquitoes: Dengue fever is the main concern, especially during the rainy season and in lowland cities. There's no vaccine for travelers — repellent with DEET or picaridin, long sleeves at dusk, and a screened or air-conditioned room are your defenses.
Water: Don't drink from the tap. Bottled water is everywhere and cheap. Use it for brushing your teeth too.
Food: Vietnamese street food is generally very safe — hot, fast-cooked, and high turnover. Be more cautious with cold dishes, unpeeled fruit, and anything that's been sitting out in the heat.
Pharmacies (look for Nhà thuốc) are common even in small towns. Pack prescription medications you need, plus basics like rehydration salts and antidiarrheals.
The best places to build your itinerary around
Hanoi — Chaotic, charming, and full of character. The Old Quarter's maze of streets, egg coffee on a tiny stool, and the calm of Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn. A natural base for trips north to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
Ha Long Bay — Limestone karst formations rising from green water. Yes, it's popular — but for good reason. An overnight cruise gives you kayaking, swimming, and sea caves without the day-trip crowds. Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long are quieter alternatives with the same geology.
Ninh Binh — Often called the inland Ha Long Bay: river cruises through karst valleys, ancient temples tucked into cliffs, and cycling routes past water buffalo. Calmer and less known than it deserves to be.
Hue — Vietnam's imperial city, slower-paced and historically rich. Royal tombs along the Perfume River, spicy central Vietnamese cuisine, and cycling distance from ancient pagodas.
Hoi An — Lantern-lit streets, riverside cafés, and the best tailors in Southeast Asia. An Bang Beach is a short bike ride away. It's photogenic but also genuinely liveable — most travelers end up wishing they'd stayed longer.
Da Nang — Modern, comfortable, and coastal. Good for families, useful as a central hub, and an easy jump-off point for Hoi An and the Marble Mountains.
Phong Nha — A cave system on a scale that puts most others to shame. Hang Son Doong (permit required) is the world's largest cave. Even the more accessible options — Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave — are genuinely spectacular.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — Fast, dense, and buzzing. War museums, covered markets, rooftop bars, and food around the clock. It's the right place to end a north-to-south trip, not rush through.
How long to spend
Five days is enough for one region done properly. Seven days covers a full region comfortably — Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and a Ha Long Bay cruise, or Hoi An with day trips. Ten days is the sweet spot: two regions connected by a short flight. Fourteen days opens up a proper north-to-south journey with time to breathe.
The honest advice: whatever you plan, add two days. Vietnam rewards the travelers who don't sprint.
A few things that catch people off guard
Coffee isn't just a drink — it's a ritual. Whether it's egg coffee in Hanoi or coconut coffee in Saigon, sitting down for a cup is how people slow down, watch the street, and connect. Skip the chain cafés and find a street-side vendor. Order cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) like a local.
Night markets are where real life happens after dark. Every town has one. Come hungry, bring small bills, and don't be in a rush.
Money: Vietnam runs largely on cash outside city centres. ATMs in major cities are reliable — stock up before heading rural. Use machines at established banks (Vietcombank, Techcombank, ACB) for best reliability. Cards work at most mid-range hotels and restaurants.
Ready to plan? Our team knows every route in Vietnam firsthand — reach out and we'll help you build an itinerary that fits how you actually want to travel.
Vietnam Travel Tips Every First-Timer Should Know | GetGo Travel
