Vietnam travel guide: trip costs, safety and exchange rates

It depends where you are going. March is the best month overall, but the north is best October to March, the central coast February to June, and the south December to March.

Population

102,300,000 GSO · 2025

International visitors

21,168,291 (2025) +20.4% YoY VNAT · Last updated: 2026

Annual visitors per resident

0.21× Annual international visitors divided by the population

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Language

Vietnamese, with English common in major cities and tourist areas.

Tap water

Bottled recommended

Time zone

GMT+7 (ICT)

Power plug

Type A / C, 220V

Dialing code

+84

Driving side

Right

Tipping

Tipping is not required or expected, but appreciated in tourist areas for good service.

Internet

Mobile internet is fast, affordable, and widely available in cities and tourist spots, with 4G covering 95% of populated areas.

Emergency

113 (Police), 114 (Fire), 115 (Ambulance)

• Tet closes the country for a week

  Late Jan to mid-Feb · lunar calendar

  Tet, the Lunar New Year, is the biggest holiday of the year. In the days before it, trains, buses and domestic flights sell out as people travel home. For about a week after, many family-run restaurants, shops and guesthouses close, and the places that stay open often add a Tet surcharge to the bill. The streets are quiet and the decorations are worth seeing, but if you want to eat your way through Hanoi or Saigon, come after the holiday.

  Go here instead:

  • Thailand Lunar New Year is not a national holiday in Thailand, so shops and transport run as normal.

• Floods on the central coast

  Sep to Dec · wettest Oct to Nov

  Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang get most of their year's rain in October and November, and typhoons come ashore here too. Hoi An's Old Town floods most years, with boats taking people along the streets where the motorbikes usually are. Beach days are rare, and roads and trains along the coast can close for a day or two. Go south to Phu Quoc instead, which starts its dry season in November.

• Storm season in the north

  Jul to Sep

  Summer in Hanoi is hot and humid, and the storms that reach the north in these months close Ha Long Bay to boats whenever a warning is issued. Overnight cruises are canceled at short notice. If the bay is the reason for your trip, book a flexible cruise or come between October and April.

• From Noi Bai International (HAN)

  45 to 60 min into central Hanoi

  Noi Bai is the main international gateway for northern Vietnam and the usual arrival point for Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh trips. Traffic into the Old Quarter gets ugly during evening rush hour, so airport buses or Grab often beat regular taxis on price.

  • Grab car to Old Quarter (~350000 VND)
  • Vietnam Airlines shuttle bus to Hanoi center (~50000 VND)
  • Public bus 86 to Hanoi Station and Old Quarter (~45000 VND)
  • Mai Linh or G7 taxi (~400000 VND)

• From Tan Son Nhat (SGN)

  30 to 60 min into District 1

  Tan Son Nhat handles most international arrivals into southern Vietnam and is surprisingly close to central Ho Chi Minh City. The problem is traffic, not distance. Late afternoon arrivals can crawl into District 1.

  • Grab car to District 1 (~150000 VND)
  • Official Vinasun taxi (~200000 VND)
  • Airport shuttle bus 109 (~20000 VND)
  • Private transfer booked through Klook or hotel

• From Da Nang International (DAD)

  10 min to Da Nang center, 45 min to Hoi An

  Da Nang airport is the easiest gateway for central Vietnam and far smoother than routing through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City first. Most travelers continue straight to Hoi An after landing rather than staying near the airport.

  • Grab car to Hoi An (~350000 VND)
  • Private shuttle to Hoi An hotels
  • Taxi to Da Nang beach districts (~120000 VND)
  • Shared minivan booked on 12Go

• Reunification Express Railway

  Main north-south rail route linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

  Vietnam's long-distance railway is slower than flying but far more comfortable than overnight buses if you book soft sleeper cabins. The best stretches are central Vietnam around Hue, Da Nang and the Hai Van Pass.

  • Soft sleeper cabin on Vietnam Railways
  • Private tourist carriage on Livitrans or Violette routes
  • Book through 12Go or Baolau
  • Day train between Hue and Da Nang

Vietnam still runs largely on cash, and the two ways travelers quietly lose money are the ATM fee and the exchange rate. Which bank ATM you use, and paying in dong rather than your home currency, matter more than most people realize.

• Cards, cash and VietQR

  Visa and Mastercard cover hotels, malls, chains and larger restaurants in the cities, but cash is still king for street food, markets, taxis and anywhere rural. VietQR is everywhere locally, but it needs a Vietnamese bank account, so it rarely helps a visitor.

• Avoid expensive ATM and exchange fees

  The old advice to use TPBank is out of date, and most banks now add a fee and a low withdrawal cap. Picking the right ATM and declining currency conversion can save you more than most people expect over a trip.

Best option for most travelers: an eSIM you set up before you arrive. You'll be online the moment you land, with no airport line and no tourist pricing.

Prefer a local SIM?

Vietnam's mobile networks are good enough for constant maps, Grab rides, video calls and HD streaming across most of the country. 5G is live in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major urban corridors, while 4G coverage is solid along the coast, main highways and tourist routes. Coverage weakens in the far north around Ha Giang and Cao Bang, deeper stretches of the Central Highlands and smaller islands away from Phu Quoc. Foreign travelers can buy prepaid tourist SIMs easily at airports and carrier stores with a passport scan.

• Viettel

  Viettel has the strongest national network and the best rural reach by a clear margin. It performs well in the Ha Giang loop, central coast highways and smaller Mekong Delta towns where other carriers drop to weak LTE. Tourist prepaid packages commonly include 15GB for 30 days for around VND 150000.

• Mobifone

  Mobifone is reliable in major cities and beach destinations and usually delivers fast urban LTE speeds. Coverage weakens in remote northern mountain roads and parts of the western Central Highlands compared with Viettel. Tourist SIM plans commonly offer 20GB for 30 days for around VND 200000.

• Vinaphone

  Vinaphone works well for travelers staying mostly in Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. Coverage along populated coastal routes is strong, but remote stretches near the Laos border and northern hill regions can become patchy. Prepaid tourist bundles often include 18GB for 30 days for around VND 180000.

• Vietnamobile

  Vietnamobile is the budget option and works best for short city stays with heavy data use. Speeds can be inconsistent outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and coverage drops fast once you leave major tourist corridors. Cheap prepaid data packs often include 20GB for 30 days for around VND 120000.

Getting to Vietnam is easier than staying. The cost of living is low and the cities have real energy, but the long-stay visas are narrow and there is no retirement route.

Planning & moving around

• Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

  Many passport holders can enter visa-free for short stays, while others need an e-visa. Vietnam's e-visa system allows stays of up to 90 days with single or multiple entries. Airlines frequently check for proof of onward travel before boarding.

• How long should I spend in Vietnam?

  Two to three weeks lets you see the north, center and south without spending half the trip in airports, stations and buses. With 10 to 14 days, most travelers are better off focusing on one half of the country. Vietnam looks compact on a map but travel days add up quickly.

• What are the best cities for a first-time visitor to Vietnam?

  Hanoi offers the strongest street-food culture, older architecture and easy access to nearby highlights. Ho Chi Minh City feels faster, hotter and more modern, with stronger nightlife and dining scenes. Da Nang works well if you want beaches, shorter transfers and easy access to Hoi An.

• What apps should I use for getting around in Vietnam?

  Grab is the default app for cars, scooters and food delivery across most of the country. Be is another useful local ride-hailing option. Google Maps works well in cities, though small alleyways and rural roads are not always mapped accurately.

• Do I need a VPN in Vietnam?

  Most tourists can use the internet normally without one. A VPN is useful for privacy, remote work and occasional access issues, but everyday browsing usually works fine. Public Wi-Fi is everywhere, though it is not especially secure.

  See our recommended VPNs →

• What's the biggest mistake first-time visitors make in Vietnam?

  Trying to cover the entire country in one short trip. Vietnam stretches much farther than many people expect, and transport days quickly eat into sightseeing time. Pick one region or one half of the country and travel slower.

Safety & medical

• Is Vietnam safe at night?

  Vietnam is one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia for walking around after dark. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, but phone snatching and bag theft do happen, especially in larger cities. Avoid using your phone near busy roads where motorbikes can pass close to the sidewalk.

• What are the most common scams in Vietnam?

  Taxi overcharging, fake ride-hailing drivers and inflated tourist pricing are the most common issues. Phone snatching is often a bigger risk than outright scams. Using Grab and established taxi companies cuts out most problems.

• Can you drink the tap water in Vietnam?

  No. Most locals either boil water or buy filtered and bottled drinking water. Ice from established restaurants and cafes is usually fine, and many travelers brush their teeth with tap water without issues, but drinking it straight is not worth the risk.

• What are common health risks for travelers in Vietnam?

  Stomach bugs, dehydration and mosquito-borne illnesses are more common than serious medical emergencies. Dengue exists throughout the country, including major cities. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended, especially for longer trips.

• Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?

  Yes, especially if you plan to ride scooters or travel beyond major cities. Private hospitals and international clinics can be expensive without coverage. Many budget policies exclude motorbike accidents, which travelers only find out after a crash.

  Read our travel insurance guide →

• How bad are mosquitoes in Vietnam?

  They are a real annoyance in humid cities, river areas and rural regions, especially around dawn and dusk. Dengue exists throughout the country, including major urban areas. Air-conditioned accommodation reduces the problem significantly.

Laws & local norms

• Do you need a license to ride a scooter in Vietnam?

  Yes. Vietnam requires the correct motorcycle license and a valid International Driving Permit recognized under the 1968 convention for most foreign visitors. Rental shops often ignore this, but insurance companies may reject claims if your paperwork is not valid.

  Read our travel insurance guide →

• What are the drug laws in Vietnam?

  Vietnam treats drug offenses extremely seriously, including possession of small amounts. Penalties can include lengthy prison sentences, and trafficking offenses carry some of the harshest punishments in the region. Tourists are not treated differently under the law.

• Is vaping legal in Vietnam?

  Leave vapes at home. Vietnam banned e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products from January 2025, covering import, sale and personal use, so carrying one in or using it can land you in real trouble. Older travel advice that treats vaping here as a gray area is out of date.

• What is the digital nomad visa situation in Vietnam?

  Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers rely on tourist visas and leave before expiry rather than building long-term plans around visa runs. Immigration policies change often enough that loophole-based strategies are risky.

• What is the dress code for visiting temples and pagodas in Vietnam?

  Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites. Swimwear, crop tops and gym clothes are often seen as disrespectful in temples and pagodas. Shoes are usually removed before entering prayer areas.

• What are important dining etiquette rules in Vietnam?

  Sharing dishes is normal and meals are often communal. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice because it resembles funeral incense offerings. Tipping is optional in casual restaurants but more common for guides and higher-end services.

Money & costs

• Should I use cash or card in Vietnam?

  Cash still handles a large share of everyday spending, especially at local restaurants, markets and smaller businesses. Visa and Mastercard work reliably in larger cities, though some businesses add a surcharge. Paying in Vietnamese dong is almost always cheaper than accepting dynamic currency conversion.

Culture & etiquette

• Is Vietnam LGBTQ+ friendly?

  Vietnam is more socially relaxed than many visitors expect. Same-sex relationships are legal and major cities are generally welcoming, though attitudes remain more conservative in rural areas. Same-sex marriage still lacks legal recognition.

• What is the etiquette for taking photos of people in Vietnam?

  Ask before photographing people, especially in rural communities and ethnic minority areas. Some people are happy to pose while others expect a tip or simply prefer not to be photographed. A quick conversation usually gets a better result than taking pictures from a distance.

• What does almost every tourist get wrong about Vietnam?

  Many visitors expect Vietnam to feel broadly similar from north to south. In reality, the differences in food, climate, pace of life and even local attitudes are large enough that parts of the country can feel like different destinations. Planning around those regional differences usually leads to a much better trip.

Families & kids

• Is Vietnam a good place to travel with kids?

  Yes, if you keep a realistic pace. Vietnamese families are welcoming toward children and larger cities have decent facilities, shopping centers and pharmacies. The biggest challenge is avoiding exhausting transport schedules and long overnight journeys.

• Is Vietnam stroller-friendly?

  Not particularly. Pavements are often uneven, blocked by parked scooters or disappear altogether. For places like Hanoi's Old Quarter, a baby carrier is usually much easier than a stroller.