The Ultimate Vietnam Guide with Insider Tips

Here you will find everything you need to know about Vietnam at a glance. Whether it's geographical challenges, travel planning questions, visa information, or weather - you will find answers to it all.

Where is Vietnam located?

Vietnam is a long coastal country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Cambodia, Laos, and China to the north. The capital is Hanoi in the north of the country, while the largest and economically most significant city is Ho Chi Minh City.

Planned tour or classic backpacking?

Ultimately, this is a personal decision. If you feel more secure booking all your accommodations in advance, you should definitely do that. However, if you book your accommodations, transportation, and tours on-site, comparing prices and negotiating can generally save you a lot of money!

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

The best time to travel to Vietnam? That's a bit complicated! A cloud pass between Da Nang and Hue splits the country into two zones - the tropical south and the subtropical north. This means that from November to May, it is somewhat cooler and drier in the north. However, in the south, it is hot all year round. Therefore, we recommend avoiding the rainy season from May to October. In general, Vietnam is a great destination year-round!

How do I get to Vietnam?

Many airlines fly from major airports in the U.S. to this wonderful country in Southeast Asia. Our tip: Book open-jaw flights to Ho Chi Minh City in the far south of the country and return from Hanoi in the north - or vice versa. This way, you can comfortably travel the length of the country. You can find suitable flights in our flight search.

For U.S. citizens, a stay of up to 45 days is possible without a visa. However, if you plan to spend several months in Vietnam as a backpacker, apply for a visa before your trip! You will need to fill out an online application and submit it to the Vietnamese embassy. You can find all further information on the homepage of the Foreign Office.

Do I need special vaccinations before entering?

There are no vaccination requirements for travelers from the U.S., but you should still consult your doctor beforehand - and definitely pack a travel pharmacy. In case of emergency, you don't need to worry because hospitals and clinics in major cities are modern and equipped to international standards. We recommend you definitely get travel health insurance.

How can I pay locally and communicate?

During your trip in Vietnam, you will pay in the currency called Dong (VND), with 1€ being roughly 25,500 Dong. ATMs are widely available in cities and provinces, so no worries. In most restaurants and hotels, you can even pay with U.S. dollars. For communication: Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam. The advantage for us Americans is that the language is based on the Latin alphabet - although it is quite altered. This way, we can at least read the street names.

Once you arrive in Vietnam, you will quickly notice that one thing is ever-present - motorcycles! They are the primary mode of transport, family vehicles, and mobile shops for street vendors. The traffic rules can be explained quickly: Whoever honks the loudest has the right of way! You can rent or even buy motorcycles and scooters everywhere in Vietnam. A driver's license is usually not required. Traveling by motorcycle is probably the most authentic and personal way to explore this country with over 3,000 kilometers of coastline.

Still, we recommend this adventure on two wheels only for experienced and brave riders, as there are frequent tragic motorcycle accidents involving tourists. A safe and inexpensive way to reach your next stop on your tour through Vietnam is by bus. For long distances, we recommend booking a night bus. This way, you can at least get some rest and use the whole day to explore this wonderful country. You can easily search and book tickets for such trips at 12Go.Asia.

You can rest easy: In Vietnam, they do not eat dogs or cats! However, the Vietnamese cuisine is rich in meat and fish. But don't worry, even vegetarians among you won't go hungry. Many restaurants - especially in tourist areas - offer meatless alternatives.

Soup fans will find paradise in Vietnam: The national dish Pho is a spicy soup with rice noodles, meat, and vegetables, seasoned with chili, cilantro, a bit of fish sauce, and lime juice. It is sold at any time of day or night in Vietnam and is actually regarded as a classic Vietnamese breakfast. Follow your nose, and you will find the best soup in the small street kiosks and food stalls!

You also need to try Banh Mi, the Vietnamese version of the classic sandwich, or delicious spring rolls and their un-fried counterparts - summer rolls. The exotic fruits are clearly the best: You can't imagine how delicious a ripe, freshly picked pineapple or mango is!

Now for the liquid nourishment: In Vietnam, there is a special beer called Bia Hoi or Fresh Beer. This light pilsner is brewed fresh and contains no preservatives and should ideally be consumed the same day. A glass costs a fabulous 5,000 Dong, which translates to about 20 cents! Coffee lovers, take note: Be sure to try Vietnamese iced coffee. It is typically brewed directly over the glass and served with very sweet, thick condensed milk.

Before your trip, you should outline a rough plan of what you absolutely want to see! To make your selection easier, we will show you our top 10 stops on our journey through Vietnam. A little tip: Vietnam is a narrow, long country stretching over 3,000 kilometers from north to south! This makes it particularly suitable to travel from top to bottom - or vice versa! Our route goes from south to north, starting in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Hanoi and Halong Bay!

Ho Chi Minh City is huge, colorful, flashy, chaotic, and a must on your trip! Here, the vibrant city life of Vietnam lives as you would imagine. About seven million people share this space with just as many motorcycles. During your travels, you will often hear the name Saigon, the city's original name. With the reunification of North and South Vietnam, the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the Vietnamese revolutionary of the same name. Many locals still refer to the city north of the Mekong Delta by its original name.

Make sure to visit the backpacker's district between Pham Ngu Lao and De Thám Street in District 1. Here, you'll definitely not be bored! Stroll through the small alleys that lead off from the larger main street during the day. Observe locals in their businesses, and try various Vietnamese delicacies in street kiosks. In the evening, the streets fill up, and you might meet backpackers from all over the world. Bars spill out onto the street; stall owners lay out old newspapers or blankets on the sidewalks for seating and sell delicious Saigon beer.

For literature lovers, we have a great tip - in HCMC (short for Ho Chi Minh City), there is an entire street dedicated to books! On Nguyen Van Binh Street, also in District 1, bookshop after bookshop lines the street. Many books are written in Vietnamese, but you can also find numerous titles in English. Looking for souvenirs? Check out Ben Thanh Market, the largest market in the city. In a sprawling building, you will find stalls with everything you can imagine. Absorb the sights and smells, and wander through the narrow alleys.

In our opinion, a trip to Vietnam also includes engaging with the country's history. For instance, visit the War Remnants Museum in HCMC. However, we must warn you that the exhibition is not light-hearted, as the aftermath of the so-called Agent Orange - a chemical used by the U.S. for widespread defoliation - has devastating effects on both people and nature. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can also take an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The intriguing tour through Vietnam's history is unforgettable. You will see and experience how Vietnamese people survived in tunnel systems during the war. If you suffer from claustrophobia, though, you might want to avoid crawling into the earthen holes.

Phu Quoc is an island paradise! Anyone who has ever visited this beautiful piece of earth would surely agree. The largest and southernmost island of Vietnam is located in the sunny Gulf of Thailand, about 40 kilometers offshore. Enjoy the sun on the fine sandy beach, jump into the crystal-clear water, and go snorkeling to the An Thoi Islands or watch colorful fish while diving!

The main town of the island, Duong Dong, is where the vibrant life is located. Locals offer various foods at the harbor market. The probably most famous and touristy beach on the island is Bai Truong Beach on the west coast, also known as Long Beach. Here, you will find many resorts, hotels, and restaurants right on the beach - and more is in the planning stages. Too much bustle at Long Beach?

Our tip: Explore the beaches on the east coast. Bai Sao is in our opinion the most beautiful beach on the island. Want a bit more action? Ride through the almost untouched nature in the middle of the island on the roads and dirt tracks and enjoy the lush green rainforests. Large parts of the island have been declared a national park.

Many refer to the island as 'Koh Samui, but 30 years ago.' Yet tourism is booming! The island wants to soon play among the major Southeast Asian holiday destinations. In the west of the island, construction is booming with grand hotel palaces underway. Therefore, we advise you as your guru: Visit this island paradise before it's too late! The island can be reached fastest by plane from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Round-trip flights are available for just €29, and prices for hotels in Phu Quoc are usually affordable.

The region where the Mekong spreads its river arms and flows into the sea is known as the country's food supplier, often referred to as the 'rice chamber of Vietnam'. During your visit, you will see rice fields as far as the eye can see! Immerse yourself in the life of the locals, cycle through non-touristy areas, paddle along the small river arms and canals with typical Vietnamese hats on your head, and admire the lush greens of the plants. The usually hectic country shows its calmer side here! Have you ever heard of floating markets, like those in Thailand? On these floating markets, locals trade exotic fruits, vegetables, and rice from boat to boat. The store on the boat dates back to a time before goods could be transported by truck over roads.

You can explore the vast Mekong Delta in various ways. From simple day trips to multi-day boat tours with overnight stays on board, everything is possible. Most tours start from Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at local travel agencies and choose one of the many trips directly on-site! If this feels too commercial, you can of course also explore the delta on your own.

You will take a night bus from Ho Chi Minh City to the quieter town of Da Lat in the Vietnamese mountains. Once you step off the bus, you will quickly notice how pleasantly cool it is here! The city at 1,500 meters is a popular weekend getaway for Vietnamese tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the sweltering metropolis approximately 300 km away.

The cityscape features an interesting mix of colonial French villas and colorful Vietnamese buildings. Visit the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, the most famous structure in Da Lat with its colorful, almost kitschy ornamentation. At Xuan Huang Lake, you can observe couples in swan paddle boats gliding across the water - Da Lat is not without reason nicknamed Honeymoon City!

As night falls, we recommend visiting the bustling night market in the heart of Da Lat. Here you can also enjoy a delicious dinner! Treat yourself to a taste journey through the Vietnamese cuisine. The surroundings of Da Lat, with its numerous lakes, waterfalls, and forests, are perfect for hiking trips. Take a closer look; here, flowers, strawberries, and much more are grown - just no rice! Our insider tip is definitely the 100 Roof Bar! Describing this bar of a different kind calls for one's own words, as it is simply crazy. A labyrinth spread over several levels - sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors, sometimes reminiscent of a dripstone cave, other times an aquarium or rooftop jungle - here there's so much to discover that a single visit is not enough. Who among you has been here? Do you have a hidden gem in the most exciting bar in Asia?

We have another great tip for you: Da Lat is home to the Easy Riders. These are Vietnamese motorcyclists who take tourists on exciting tours. You will get the chance to immerse yourself in local life, chat about Vietnamese politics, culture, and traditions, and experience nature in the Central Highlands. You can plan your tour individually with the riders!

The main attraction in Nha Trang? The beach! In this tourist coastal town, you will find modern beach resorts, chic boutiques, and a lively beach promenade with vibrant nightlife. Take this opportunity to take a break from the exhausting and unglamorous backpacker life, perhaps even treat yourself to a luxurious hotel. The beach is truly beautiful with its numerous palm trees and crystal-clear water. Nha Trang has developed into the hotspot for diving in Vietnam. Be careful when selecting a diving tour provider, as safety precautions are still not up to international standards everywhere.

During our travels through Vietnam, one town stole our hearts in particular. Hoi An captivated us with its sleepy alleys, small shops, and pleasant restaurants. Once home to the largest port in Southeast Asia, today the historic old town of Hoi An is known as the only one that was not completely destroyed during the Vietnam War.

Therefore, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. After exhausting city sightseeing, you can relax and soak up the sun on the sandy beach. Just a short walk across the rice fields behind the city brings you to An Bang Beach! Hoi An is nicknamed 'City of Tailors'. Have you always wanted a custom-made dress or a perfectly fitting suit? No problem! It's best to bring a picture of your dream outfit, and they'll tailor it to your size. As you can see, we can't help but rave about it.

When visiting Hue, culture is at the forefront! The name Hue translates to 'Harmony'. This harmony is also shared by the city: Unlike other Vietnamese cities, life here moves along at a leisurely pace.

A must-see in Hue is the citadel with the Forbidden City! This cultural site was the former residence of the emperors of the Vietnamese Nguyen dynasty and includes the former imperial palace modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Forbidden City was only accessible to the emperor's family at the time - ordinary mortals were strictly forbidden from entering! About 80 of the original 300 buildings still remain today. But it is enough to get a glimpse of the former grandeur. If you have enough time, visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, about 12 kilometers southwest of the city, and admire its interesting architecture and gardens. While traveling, you can take advantage of the moment and undertake a little motorcycle tour.

However, we want to tell you a little about our journey to Hue: From Hoi An, we rode along the coast by motorcycle over the Cloud Pass to the city of Hue. If you want to embark on a special two-wheeled adventure, we highly recommend this tour. Leave early in the morning and dress warmly, as it gets cold over the high Cloud Pass! In Hoi An, some motorcycle rental companies offer that you can drop off the vehicle in another city. Some even transport your luggage for you!

Eyes open: Here is our ultimate Vietnam insider tip! In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, we saw the most impressive natural scenery, wandered past water buffalo, and explored small villages and caves. Researchers have even discovered the largest cave in the world here!

During your time in this exciting national park, make sure to take a boat tour into the Phong Nha Cave. You will glide over the underground river for several hundred meters into the rock masses. Another tip is Paradise Cave. Dive into a dream world of bizarre rock formations. You can explore Paradise Cave on foot via a wooden walkway. Both caves are touristically developed and even have lighting. Many other caves are still being explored and are closed to tourists. New caves are continuously being discovered! Who knows, maybe even more caves will be open to visitors by the time you visit! Skilled motorcyclists can explore the park at the border with Laos on two wheels. Otherwise, hostels and guesthouses offer fantastic tours.

A trip here is not for those of you who can't live without a warm shower and a hairdryer. There may sometimes be power outages at your accommodation. Although we generally recommend booking your accommodations on site, we advise you to organize your sleeping arrangements before arriving in the national park. There are only a small number of accommodations directly in the park.

After your time in the unforgettable caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, you will surely be looking forward to some civilization. In Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, urban life, sightseeing, and a vibrant nightlife await you. Party with fellow international backpackers and locals until the early hours. The fact that there is a Bia Hoi intersection in Hanoi speaks for itself!

While walking through the Old Quarter, you will pass many pagodas and temples. And although many tourists visit the Old Quarter, you still see the authentic Vietnamese life here. You share the narrow streets with scooters and motorcycles, market stalls, and food stalls, where you can sit on small plastic chairs.

Immerse yourself in Vietnamese history and pay a visit to the notorious Ho Chi Minh himself. His body lies in a mausoleum at Ba Dinh Square for visitors to pay their respects. You can get a perfect view of the colorful sunset over Hanoi at the shores of the Red River. The best view, in fact, is from the old Long Bien Bridge. And for the early birds among you: Early in the morning, many locals come to the park at Hoan Kiem Lake to meditate during Tai Chi. If you are in Hanoi on the weekend, be sure to visit the night market and find souvenirs for your loved ones back home. After all this sightseeing, Hanoi is primarily one thing on your trip: the starting point for an unforgettable boat tour through Halong Bay!

In the far north of Vietnam lies the mysterious Halong Bay. Towering limestone cliffs rise from turquoise to green waters, some reaching hundreds of meters high. We have never seen anything so fascinating! First, however, you need to decide how long you want to stay in paradise. Book your trip from Hanoi and compare the offerings of local travel agencies. We recommend a two-day mini cruise through the picturesque bay.

You will leave early in the morning by bus to the harbor in Halong City, and then it's time to board the ship. Together with many other tourist ships, you will sail out of the harbor into the vastness of Halong Bay. Soon, you won't be able to stop marveling! You'll sleep in cabins usually shared with another guest. To our surprise, the rooms were well-furnished with private bathrooms - which is pure luxury for a backpacking trip through Vietnam! While the boat sails further across the sea, the crew will pamper you with delicious fish dishes and other Vietnamese specialties. However, soon you'll be going ashore again.

Behind some high rock walls hide impressive caves like the Thien Cung Cave. But if you have heeded our advice and visited Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, this cave might seem small in comparison. From the viewpoint of the island, you have a breathtaking view over the bay. Visit a floating fishing village and paddle a kayak among the rocks. Many tours also stop at the largest island, Cat Ba. In the evenings, the sun sets slowly, and on many nights a mystical fog blankets the sea surface. You may wonder why we only speak of tours in Halong Bay, even though we usually love individual adventures? That's because it's nearly impossible to organize an excursion among the rocks on your own.

And were we right? Vietnam is truly an impressive country, and your jaw will drop at many places - if it hasn't already while reading our article. But joking aside - Vietnam is definitely worth a trip. Make sure to get detailed information beforehand, plan as much as possible, and immerse yourself in the adventure in Southeast Asia. Did you know that the area can also be wonderfully explored on a cruise? With Vietnam as your destination, you will never forget your holiday!