Vietnam travel guide

Vietnam Tourism | Vietnam Guide

You're Going to Love Vietnam

A destination of complex culture and history and the home of to-die-for cuisine, Vietnam is a feast for the senses.

Vietnam is the perfect destination for travelers seeking to combine historical sites with gorgeous natural landscapes.

What to do in Vietnam

1. Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year in Hoi An

Every year, Hoi An celebrates the New Year with the colorful and bright Lantern Festival. This one-week celebration is one of the top reasons travelers choose to visit Vietnam.

2. See the Rock Formations in Halong Bay

Over 1,000 limestone rock formations rise from the clear blue water in Halong Bay. This postcard-perfect spot is one of the must-sees in Vietnam.

3. Go on a Quest for the Best Pho

A Vietnamese staple dish, you can have pho at street food stalls or high-end restaurants. Find out who cooks it better.

4. Visit Sapa

Head to the hilly north to explore the town of Sapa and shop around the Saturday market.

5. Experience Ho Chi Minh City

Busy and chaotic, Ho Chi Minh City is the embodiment of Vietnam's vibe. It's the perfect place to learn to go with the flow.

1. Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year in Hoi An

Every year, Hoi An celebrates the New Year with the colorful and bright Lantern Festival. This one-week celebration is one of the top reasons travelers choose to visit Vietnam.

2. See the Rock Formations in Halong Bay

Over 1,000 limestone rock formations rise from the clear blue water in Halong Bay. This postcard-perfect spot is one of the must-sees in Vietnam.

3. Go on a Quest for the Best Pho

A Vietnamese staple dish, you can have pho at street food stalls or high-end restaurants. Find out who cooks it better.

4. Visit Sapa

Head to the hilly north to explore the town of Sapa and shop around the Saturday market.

5. Experience Ho Chi Minh City

Busy and chaotic, Ho Chi Minh City is the embodiment of Vietnam's vibe. It's the perfect place to learn to go with the flow.

When to visit Vietnam

Vietnam in October
Estimated hotel price
$120
1 night at 3-star hotel
Vietnam in October
Estimated hotel price
$120
1 night at 3-star hotel

Every two years in April, Vietnam holds its largest cultural event: Hue Festival. If you can't make it in time for this event, plan your trip between December and March when the weather is milder.

How to Get to Vietnam

Entry Requirements

Nationals from some European and Asian countries can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay from 15-30 days. Travelers from other countries need to apply for an e-visa before their trip.

Plane

Most international flights to Vietnam will land at one of the three international airports: Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Local airline Vietnam Airlines operates most of the nonstop flights.

Train

The only way to get into Vietnam by train is from China. There are regular daily connections to the capital Hanoi.

Passengers are requested to disembark the train and pick up their luggage at the border for customs inspection, and board again once they cross into Vietnam.

Car

In theory, it's possible to drive into Vietnam from Laos, Cambodia, and China, but check the latest updates regarding this way of crossing the border. Bureaucracy and different rules at different borders can make the process quite difficult.

Bus

There are regular bus connections between Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia, Hue and Laos, and Hanoi and China.

Passengers must disembark the bus with their luggage at the border for customs processing, and board again on the Vietnamese side.

Boat

You can enter Vietnam by fast boat from Cambodia via the Mekong River.

Entry Requirements

Nationals from some European and Asian countries can enter Vietnam without a visa and stay from 15-30 days. Travelers from other countries need to apply for an e-visa before their trip.

Plane

Most international flights to Vietnam will land at one of the three international airports: Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Local airline Vietnam Airlines operates most of the nonstop flights.

Train

The only way to get into Vietnam by train is from China. There are regular daily connections to the capital Hanoi.

Passengers are requested to disembark the train and pick up their luggage at the border for customs inspection, and board again once they cross into Vietnam.

Car

In theory, it's possible to drive into Vietnam from Laos, Cambodia, and China, but check the latest updates regarding this way of crossing the border. Bureaucracy and different rules at different borders can make the process quite difficult.

Bus

There are regular bus connections between Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia, Hue and Laos, and Hanoi and China.

Passengers must disembark the bus with their luggage at the border for customs processing, and board again on the Vietnamese side.

Boat

You can enter Vietnam by fast boat from Cambodia via the Mekong River.

Popular airlines serving Vietnam

Lufthansa
Good (7,181 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,361 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,829 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,667 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,842 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,963 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,682 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (848 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,555 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,554 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,942 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,363 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (7,885 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,324 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,337 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,235 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,388 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,915 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (893 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (779 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Vietnam

In popular tourist destinations, it's easy to find budget-friendly hostels, all kinds of hotels, and family-owned guesthouses.

Where to stay in popular areas of Vietnam

Most booked hotels in Vietnam

The Anam Cam Ranh
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 2108 reviews)
$133+
Amiana Resort Nha Trang
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 1705 reviews)
$132+
Fusion Resort Cam Ranh
5 stars
Excellent (9.2, 1547 reviews)
$211+
Tms Hotel Da Nang Beach
5 stars
Excellent (9.1, 2460 reviews)
$57+
Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort
5 stars
Excellent (9.1, 1122 reviews)
$210+
Furama Resort Danang
5 stars
Excellent (8.9, 1964 reviews)
$123+

How to Get Around Vietnam

Public Transportation

Most cities are served by a network of city buses, metered taxis, and inexpensive motorcycle taxis ("xe om").

Although slowly disappearing, you can still find cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) in some cities in Vietnam. It's one of the cheapest modes of transportation, costing approximately 12,000-25,000 VND (0.50-1.10 USD) for a short-distance trip.

Trains

Vietnam Railways operates the network of reliable and comfortable trains, ideal for long distances. SE class trains are usually faster and better equipped than the TN class trains.

Bus

Due to traffic, traveling by bus is not the fastest option. However, most destinations in Vietnam are connected by several bus routes that allow travelers to reach more remote locations.

The main cities are connected by comfortable, high-end buses. Local buses are used mostly by locals for short distances.

Car

Renting a car in Vietnam always means hiring a driver. If you're planning to drive around Vietnam in your own vehicle, you'll need an International Driving Permit and local insurance.

Plane

Domestic flights between the main cities in Vietnam are a faster and, in most cases, a cheaper option to get around. Flights are operated by local airlines, including Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Airways.

Public Transportation

Most cities are served by a network of city buses, metered taxis, and inexpensive motorcycle taxis ("xe om").

Although slowly disappearing, you can still find cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) in some cities in Vietnam. It's one of the cheapest modes of transportation, costing approximately 12,000-25,000 VND (0.50-1.10 USD) for a short-distance trip.

Trains

Vietnam Railways operates the network of reliable and comfortable trains, ideal for long distances. SE class trains are usually faster and better equipped than the TN class trains.

Bus

Due to traffic, traveling by bus is not the fastest option. However, most destinations in Vietnam are connected by several bus routes that allow travelers to reach more remote locations.

The main cities are connected by comfortable, high-end buses. Local buses are used mostly by locals for short distances.

Car

Renting a car in Vietnam always means hiring a driver. If you're planning to drive around Vietnam in your own vehicle, you'll need an International Driving Permit and local insurance.

Plane

Domestic flights between the main cities in Vietnam are a faster and, in most cases, a cheaper option to get around. Flights are operated by local airlines, including Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Airways.

The Cost of Living in Vietnam

ATMs are widely available, and locals prefer payments in cash, but debit or credit cards can be used in large hotels and restaurants. A local transportation ticket costs approximately 7,000 VND (0.30 USD). A daily run to the grocery store can cost around 100,000 VND (4.30 USD).