Vietnam is an incredible destination known for its rich history, delicious food, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming people. Whether you’re after bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, serene rice terraces, or idyllic beaches, Vietnam has it all!
✈️ Getting to Vietnam
Main International Airports
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) – Hanoi (North)
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) – Ho Chi Minh City (South)
- Da Nang International Airport (DAD) – Central Vietnam (Hue/Hoi An access)
Flight Prices (Round Trip Estimates)
- From the USA: $700–$1,200
- From Europe: €500–€1,000
- From Asia (Singapore, Thailand): $100–$300
💡 Tip: Look for flights on Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet Air (budget).
🚗 How to Travel Around Vietnam
1️⃣ Domestic Flights ✈️
- Best for long distances (Hanoi ↔ Ho Chi Minh City)
- Prices: $30–$80
💡 VietJet Air often has promos—cheap but be ready for delays!
2️⃣ Trains 🚆
- Scenic, safe, and budget-friendly
- Hanoi ↔ Da Nang: $30–$60 (Soft Sleeper recommended)
- Reunification Express is the main line
💡 Overnight trains save on a hotel night!
3️⃣ Buses & Sleeper Buses 🚌
- Comfortable long-distance travel
- Hanoi ↔ Sapa: $12–$20
- Ho Chi Minh ↔ Nha Trang: $15–$25
💡 Open Tour Buses allow flexible stops (Sinh Tourist & Phuong Trang are reliable).
4️⃣ Motorbikes & Scooters 🛵
- Popular for short and long trips!
- Rental: $5–$10/day
- Epic road trip: Hai Van Pass or the Ho Chi Minh Trail
💡 A Vietnamese or International Driver’s License is legally required.
5️⃣ Taxis & Ride Apps 🚖
- Use Grab (ride-hailing app) for cars and scooters
💰 Short trips: $2–$5 in cities
💡 Metered taxis are common but confirm they’re legit (Mai Linh, Vinasun).
🌍 Best Ways to Travel for Popular Destinations
🏙️ Hanoi
🚶 Explore Old Quarter + Grab for rides
🗺️ Must-Sees: Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
💰 Budget: $30–$70/day
🏞️ Sapa
🚂 Overnight train or sleeper bus from Hanoi
🗺️ Must-Sees: Rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, Fansipan Mountain
💰 Budget: $40–$100/day
💡 Best time: September–November (harvest season)
⛵ Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay
🚐 Shuttle + Cruise
🗺️ Options: Day trip or 1–2-night cruise
💰 Cruises: $40–$200+ (depends on luxury)
💡 Lan Ha Bay = fewer crowds!
🌴 Hoi An
🚶 Bicycle or walk the Old Town
🗺️ Must-Sees: Ancient Town, Japanese Bridge, An Bang Beach
💰 Budget: $40–$80/day
💡 Lantern Festival every full moon—don’t miss it!
🌊 Nha Trang / Da Nang / Phu Quoc
🚗 Local taxis + Grab
🗺️ Must-Sees: Beaches, diving, island hopping
💰 Budget: $50–$120/day
🌇 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
🚶 Walking + Grab
🗺️ Must-Sees: War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Cu Chi Tunnels
💰 Budget: $40–$100/day
💰 Budget & Travel Costs in Vietnam
| Traveler Type | Daily Budget |
|---|---|
| Backpacker | $25–$50 USD |
| Mid-range | $60–$100 USD |
| Luxury | $150+ USD |
Accommodation
- Hostels: $5–$15/night
- Budget hotels: $20–$40/night
- Mid-range hotels: $40–$80/night
- Luxury: $100+/night
Food & Drink
- Street food: $1–$3
- Restaurant meal: $5–$15
- Local beer (Bia Hoi): $0.50!
💡 Must-try dishes: Pho, Banh Mi, Cao Lau, Bun Cha
☀️ Best Time to Visit Vietnam
🌸 North Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay)
- Best: October–April (cool, dry season)
☀️ Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An)
- Best: February–August (dry, sunny)
🌴 South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc)
- Best: November–April (dry, hot)
✅ Travel Tips for Vietnam
✔️ Visa: Most nationalities need an e-visa ($25, 30 days). Apply at Vietnam Immigration.
✔️ Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
✔️ ATMs: Widely available. Withdraw in chunks to avoid fees
✔️ SIM Cards: Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone ($5–$10 for 15GB+)
✔️ Safety: Vietnam is safe, but watch out for petty theft in tourist areas
✔️ Tipping: Not required, but appreciated (round up bills)
✔️ Power Plugs: Type A, C, and D (220V)
🍜 What to Eat in Vietnam
- Pho Bo (Beef noodle soup)
- Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich)
- Goi Cuon (Fresh spring rolls)
- Bun Cha (Grilled pork with noodles)
💡 Street food heaven: Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Saigon’s District 1
🛍️ What to Buy in Vietnam (Souvenirs)
- Ao Dai (traditional dress)
- Coffee (Vietnamese drip or weasel coffee)
- Lacquerware
- Conical hats (Non La)
- Hand embroidery & silk scarves
💡 Best shopping in Hanoi’s Night Market and Hoi An’s tailor shops!
🛶 Adventure Activities in Vietnam
- Trekking in Sapa
- Caving in Phong Nha (world’s largest cave!)
- Kayaking in Halong Bay
- Diving in Nha Trang or Phu Quoc
- Motorbiking the Hai Van Pass
💡 Guided tours from $10–$50 depending on activity.
🗓️ Sample 10-Day Vietnam Itinerary
📍 Day 1-3: Hanoi + Halong Bay (Old Quarter, street food, overnight cruise)
📍 Day 4-5: Sapa (trekking, homestay)
📍 Day 6-7: Hoi An (Ancient Town, beach, lantern festival)
📍 Day 8-10: Ho Chi Minh City + Cu Chi Tunnels + Mekong Delta
✅ How to Save This Guide as a PDF
- Copy this guide into Google Docs or Microsoft Word
- Click File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf)
- Done! Your Vietnam Travel Guide PDF is ready! 🇻🇳✨
Want a custom Vietnam itinerary, local tour recommendations, or budget planner? Let me know! 😊
Absolutely! Here’s a Travel in Vietnam: FAQ 🇻🇳✈️—simple, clear, and packed with useful tips to help you plan your trip. You can copy and save this as a PDF, or let me know if you want a customized version!
🇻🇳 How to Travel in Vietnam: FAQ ✈️🚆🛵
Everything You Need to Know Before You Go!
✈️ Getting to Vietnam
1️⃣ Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
✅ Yes, for most nationalities!
- Visa-free entry: Some countries (15–30 days), e.g. Japan, South Korea
- E-visa available for 80+ countries (USA, UK, Australia, Europe)
💰 E-visa fee: $25 (single entry, valid for 30 days)
🕒 Apply online: Vietnam E-Visa Official
🚆 Getting Around Vietnam
2️⃣ What’s the best way to travel between cities?
✅ Domestic flights: Fast & cheap (Hanoi ↔ Ho Chi Minh City from $30)
✅ Trains: Scenic (Reunification Express line), popular for Hanoi–Da Nang or Hue
✅ Buses: Sleeper buses for long distances
✅ Motorbikes: Adventurous option!
💡 Book transportation easily on 12Go Asia
3️⃣ Is public transport good in Vietnam?
🚶 City travel: Grab (ride-sharing app), taxis, and motorbike taxis
🚇 No metro yet (under construction in Hanoi and HCMC)
💡 Taxis: Use Mai Linh or Vinasun (reliable)
💰 Money & Budget
4️⃣ What currency is used in Vietnam?
- Vietnamese Dong (VND)
💵 $1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND
💡 ATMs everywhere; some charge withdrawal fees (3–5 USD)
5️⃣ How expensive is Vietnam?
✅ Very budget-friendly!
- Street food: $1–$3
- Hotels: $10–$30 (budget)
- Daily budget:
- Backpacker: $25–$50
- Mid-range: $60–$100
- Luxury: $150+
🏨 Accommodation
6️⃣ Where should I stay in Vietnam?
- Hostels: $5–$15/night
- Guesthouses/Hotels: $20–$50/night
- Luxury resorts: $100–$300/night
💡 Top areas: - Hanoi Old Quarter
- Hoi An Ancient Town
- Ho Chi Minh City (District 1)
🕐 Best Time to Visit Vietnam
7️⃣ When is the best time to visit?
✅ North: October–April (cool & dry)
✅ Central: February–August (sunny & dry)
✅ South: November–April (dry season)
💡 Avoid typhoon season in Central Vietnam (October–November)
🍜 Food & Drinks
8️⃣ What are must-try foods in Vietnam?
- Pho (noodle soup)
- Banh Mi (baguette sandwich)
- Bun Cha (grilled pork noodles)
- Goi Cuon (spring rolls)
💰 Street food: $1–$3
💡 Local beer (Bia Hoi): $0.50!
9️⃣ Is street food safe?
✅ Yes, if it’s hot and freshly cooked!
💡 Look for busy stalls (popular = fresh!)
🏖️ Top Places to Visit
🔟 What are Vietnam’s must-see destinations?
- Hanoi: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake
- Halong Bay: Cruises, kayaking
- Hoi An: Ancient town, lanterns
- Hue: Imperial City
- Sapa: Rice terraces, trekking
- Ho Chi Minh City: War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels
- Mekong Delta: Floating markets
💡 Don’t skip Phu Quoc for beaches & snorkeling!
🛡️ Safety & Health
1️⃣1️⃣ Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
✅ Yes!
- Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas
- Avoid scams (fake taxis, rigged motorbike rentals)
💡 Emergency number: 113 (police) / 115 (ambulance)
1️⃣2️⃣ Can I drink tap water?
🚫 No.
✅ Always drink bottled water
💡 Ice is usually okay in restaurants
📱 SIM Cards & Internet
1️⃣3️⃣ Do I need a SIM card?
✅ Highly recommended!
- Providers: Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone
💰 Tourist SIM: $5–$10 (10–20GB data)
💡 Free Wi-Fi is everywhere (cafes, hotels, airports)
🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs
1️⃣4️⃣ What should I buy in Vietnam?
- Ao Dai (traditional dress)
- Coffee (Vietnamese drip!)
- Lacquerware
- Silk scarves
- Conical hats (Non La)
💡 Best markets: Ben Thanh (HCMC), Night Market (Hoi An)
✅ Quick Tips Recap
✔️ Visa: E-visa for most nationalities
✔️ Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
✔️ Transport: Grab App + Trains + Buses
✔️ Tipping: Not required, but appreciated
✔️ Respect culture: Dress modestly at temples
✔️ Power plugs: Type A, C, D (220V)
🎉 Final Thoughts
Vietnam is a diverse, affordable, and friendly country with so much to offer—from bustling cities and cultural treasures to stunning landscapes and beaches!
Need a custom travel plan, motorbike routes, or hidden gems in Vietnam? Let me know! 😊
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