What to Know Before Travelling to Vietnam: A Complete Guide

If you’re after an unforgettable trip, Vietnam has so much to offer for everyone – think bustling cities, stunning landscapes, mouth-watering food, and beautiful beaches… and most importantly all VERY budget-friendly – yay!

This guide contains essential tips you should know before you go to Vietnam, making sure you get the most out of your journey to this fantastic country.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

The first question on most minds before planning any trip – including our own – is, “When should I go?” This can become a little harder when considering large countries with varying climates, like Vietnam, so the best time to visit often depends on where you’re heading.

• North Vietnam (e.g. Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay): The best time is from October to April, when the weather is cool and dry. Avoid May to September as it can get hot and humid, with occasional heavy rains.

• Central Vietnam (e.g. Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang): February to May is ideal, with pleasant temperatures and minimal rain. Beware of the rainy season from September to December, when flooding can occur.

• South Vietnam (e.g. Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta): The dry season from December to April is perfect for exploring. The wet season from May to November is hot, but rain showers are usually short and refreshing.

• If you’re planning on hitting all three of the above, January to April offers ideal weather for exploring the entire country.

To give you an idea, we visited Vietnam for almost the entire month of January. In the north, we needed warmer clothing (think jumpers and trousers) because it was a little cooler in the evenings or mountainous regions, like Sapa. However, by the time we hit the south of the country at the end of the month, we were wearing flip-flops and summer clothing – it was HOT.

Most visitors explore multiple regions of Vietnam like this – and we highly recommend you do the same, Vietnam has so much to offer and it would be a shame to only stay in one place! You can discover the perfect itinerary for your Vietnamese adventure in our guide. 

How Long Should I Spend in Vietnam

Wondering how much time you need to fully enjoy Vietnam? Honestly, the answer depends on how much of the country you want to see, your travel style and your interests.

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Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

• 1 Week: If you’re short on time, you can still experience plenty of Vietnam’s highlights. Focus on just one area, either the north (Hanoi, Sapa & Ha Long Bay) or the south (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta). This is perfect for a taste of the culture and scenery without diving too deep.

• 2 Weeks: This gives you a better chance to explore more regions. You can combine the north and central regions (like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An) or mix the south with the central region (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, and Hue). You’ll get a richer experience and can enjoy a more relaxed pace.

• 3 Weeks or More (*Recommended): With three weeks (or more), you can cover nearly the entire country at a comfortable pace. Travel from end to end and dive into various local experiences, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to a serene Mekong Delta homestay. This length of time is ideal if you want to soak up the full range of Vietnam’s wide range of offerings.

We spent just over 3 weeks in Vietnam, which felt like a perfect amount of time for us! If you want to steal our ultimate 3 week itinerary, you can get it for FREE here.

North to South vs South to North: Best Direction to Travel Vietnam

Choosing the direction of your journey in Vietnam isn’t that important, since your experience will likely be very similar either way – just in reverse. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

North to South

While the whole of Vietnam is fairly cheap, the north can be slightly cheaper. Starting here can help ease you into the trip economically before moving on to more expensive areas. Beginning in Hanoi and moving south also allows you to experience Vietnam’s historical and cultural evolution. You’ll start with the ancient capital, rich in history and tradition, and gradually move towards the more modern, bustling vibe of Ho Chi Minh City.

If you’re headed to Cambodia after your exploration of Vietnam – a popular backpacking duo – then ending in the south is more convenient and budget friendly.

It’s also more convenient if you’re coming from popular Laos destinations like Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng, since it’s a quick flight to get into Hanoi.

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South to North

If you’d prefer to start in the warmer, tropical climate of the south, then consider travelling in this direction. By the time you reach the north, the weather will be cooler, which can be a refreshing change.

When coming from Cambodia, this direction also works the best – both for convenience and budget reasons!

Ultimately, either direction has its perks. You should make a choice that best aligns with your travel goals and interests (or if you’re like us – wherever Skyscanner flights are cheapest!) Whichever route you choose, Vietnam’s charm and beauty are sure to make your trip unforgettable.

How to Get Around in Vietnam: 12Go Asia

Vietnam has a reliable and affordable transport network, but it can be a bit daunting to navigate on your own. This is where 12Go Asia comes in. It’s an easy-to-use platform for booking trains, buses, and ferries across all of Asia, and is a traveller’s best friend in countries like Vietnam.

Vietnam’s long, thin shape means travel times between destinations can be lengthy. Flying is an option, but can be costly. Overnight buses offer a budget-friendly alternative – you’ll get your own bunk and even have the ability to upgrade to more luxury classes. Not only do they save you the cost of a hotel for the night, but you also maximise your time by arriving at your destination without having to burn a day to travel!

You can book your overnight buses on 12Go.

How to Hire a Scooter in Vietnam

Renting a scooter is one of the best ways to explore Vietnam, giving you the freedom to go where you want, when you want. We absolutely loved it, and every chance we got to drive ourselves around, we did!

Here’s our quick tips to riding scooters safely (and legally) in Vietnam:

• Riding Legally: To legally drive a scooter in Vietnam, you’ll need an appropriate International Driver’s Permit (IDP). Police checkpoints are common, so don’t risk it without one! Only drive if you are legally allowed to do so, and follow the local rules and regulations on the road.

• Where to Rent & How Much Is It: Scooters can be rented from many shops in every city, but the best option is to ask your hotel for recommendations – they might even have their own selection of scooters available. Expect to pay around $5-$10 per day.

• Check The Bike BEFORE Riding: Always check the bike’s condition and take photos  and videos before you ride. We heard of the occasional horror story relating to disagreements about when scratches on the bike were made, resulting in arguments and high fees.

• Safety: Always ensure you get a helmet – and wear it every time you ride. Road safety standards are much lower in Vietnam than in places like Europe or USA, so taking safety seriously is a must.

• Deposits: If a deposit is required, NEVER give over your passport – cash is normally a suitable option.

Remember – just because you can get a scooter with very little legal verification, doesn’t mean you should. Many tourists decide to hop on a scooter with little to no experience and end up injured. You’ll see a lot of tourists with scrapes and bruises from scooter related incidents, and 9 times out of 10 it’s down to inexperienced drivers.

SIM Cards in Vietnam: Options and Recommendations

Staying connected in Vietnam is super easy and cheap. You can grab a SIM card at the airport or at many local shops or mobile stores, so you’ll have plenty of choice.

• Top Providers: Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone are the most reliable. Viettel has the best coverage, especially if you’re venturing into rural areas.

• Cost: Expect to pay around $5-$10 for a SIM card with 5-10 GB of data.

If you’re like us and you don’t want to worry about finding a SIM card in person, then consider getting an eSIM. We love using Nomad for our trips abroad – most of the time you can purchase packages that cover multiple countries, which means even LESS stress! This was perfect for us because we were travelling around a handful of countries in South East Asia and only needed to worry about buying the one eSIM.

There are many different packages on offer from 1 – 60 days, so you can find the perfect plan for you. The app will keep you updated with how much data you have used on the go, which is really handy.

The cost might be slightly more than a local sim card, but for us, it was much more convenient having both your regular phone number active as well as the local data package. This meant we could use our phone number for tour bookings and hotel confirmations (typically tied to your account when you book), and the eSIM for mobile data on the move.

Booking Activities: Get Your Guide

If you’re planning on taking part in activities in Vietnam like visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels or taking a cooking class in Hoi An, we’d recommend using Get Your Guide. It’s easy to use, and the reviews help you pick the best experiences. Plus, you’ll often find deals and discounts that aren’t available if you book in person.

Cash vs. Card: What You Need to Know

Vietnam is still very much a cash-based country, especially outside major cities. You should always have enough cash on hand, especially in rural areas. When travelling around Vietnam, we would typically carry enough cash to cover us for 3-4 days.

ATMs are widely available, but keep in mind that some charge high withdrawal fees. Get yourself a debit card from a bank suited for travelling abroad, such as Monzo or Chase (we use Monzo). These typically allow you to avoid transaction fees (up to a certain amount per month), which can save you a lot of money when added up!

Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some restaurants, and certain shops in big cities. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. Be aware, however, that some places might add a 3-5% surcharge for card payments – another reason to carry plenty of cash!

Recommended Apps for Travelling in Vietnam

Before we wrap up this guide on things to know before you go to Vietnam, there’s a few handy apps we’d like to recommend which can make your trip much smoother and more enjoyable:

• WhatsApp: The familiar wifi/data messaging service is used by many tour operators to communicate with you about your activities, so make sure you’ve got this!

• Grab: Southeast Asia’s equivalent to Uber. It’s the best way to get around cities, whether you’re hailing a car, motorbike taxi, or ordering food delivery.

• Google Translate: A lifesaver for overcoming any language barriers you come across. Download the Vietnamese language pack for offline use.

• Maps.me: Great for offline navigation, especially in areas where Google Maps might not be as accurate or with poor service.

Final Thoughts

With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be well-prepared for your Vietnam adventure as you navigate the ins and outs of travelling in this incredible country. 

If you are looking for recommendations on the ultimate itinerary, we’d recommend you read our dedicated post where we’ve spent the time to research, organise and share the best things to do and see – so you don’t have to!