Vietnam

Vietnam Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Vietnam is one of Asia’s most exciting countries to visit right now—beautiful landscapes, fast-changing cities, incredible food, and very good value for money. You can cruise past limestone towers in Ha Long Bay, wander the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, explore imperial history in Hue, scoot through Ho Chi Minh City’s energy, and finish on beaches in Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc. At the same time, Vietnam is long and skinny, trains and buses can take time, and weather varies a lot from north to south—so smart planning helps. This guide is written for first-time tourists who want practical, SEO-friendly information on money, visas, SIM cards, transport, and common scams, so they can make confident decisions and focus on enjoying Vietnam’s culture, food, and people.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Hanoi (north): Historic capital, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh complex, excellent street food, day trips to Ninh Binh/Tam Coc.
Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay: Iconic karst landscape—usually visited on an overnight or 2-night cruise.
Sapa & Ha Giang (north mountains): Terraced rice fields, ethnic minority villages, trekking, motorbike loops (Ha Giang loop is popular—go with a reputable guide/driver).
Hue: Former imperial capital with the Citadel, tombs, and pagodas.
Da Nang & Hoi An: Da Nang for beaches and modern vibe; Hoi An for lantern streets, tailor shops, rice paddies, and cooking classes.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Fast-paced southern city, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, rooftop bars, great cafés.
Mekong Delta: Floating markets (more authentic with early-morning or multi-day trips), rural villages, river life.
Beaches & islands: Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc for relaxing, diving, and water activities.

Good to Know

When to go: Vietnam spans multiple climate zones. Oct–Apr is good for the north; Feb–Aug is nice for central beaches; the south is warm year-round with a drier period Dec–Apr.
Shape of the country: Because it’s long, most travelers go north–to–south (Hanoi → Hoi An → HCMC) or the reverse.
Food safety: Eat where it’s busy and turnover is high—Vietnamese street food is worth it.
Motorbikes: Vietnam runs on motorbikes. Crossing the street means walking slowly and predictably so scooters can flow around you.
Public holidays: Tet (Lunar New Year) is Vietnam’s biggest holiday—book early and expect some closures and higher prices.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often in the range of 24,000–25,500 VND, but it moves—check a live rate before you go.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 25–45 USD/day – hostel/guesthouse, street food, buses/trains, group tours.
Midrange: 55–110 USD/day – nice hotel, domestic flights, river or Ha Long cruise, better restaurants.
Luxury: 140–280+ USD/day – 4–5 star or boutique hotels, private drivers/guides, premium Ha Long or Lan Ha cruises.

Tipping: Not strictly required, but 5–10% in restaurants/tours is appreciated; tip cruise staff, drivers, and guides.

Credit card acceptance: Very good in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and tourist restaurants/hotels. Small shops, markets, taxis, and rural areas prefer cash.

ATMs: Widely available in cities and tourist hubs. Some banks have lower withdrawal fees or higher limits—try a few (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, ACB). Use a no/low-foreign-fee card if possible.

Best way to get local cash: Withdraw VND from bank ATMs in cities, then pay by card in hotels/restaurants where accepted. Avoid unlicensed money changers; use banks or reputable gold/jewelry shops if you must exchange cash.

Language & Communication

Official language: Vietnamese.
English: Widely spoken in hotels, tour offices, cafés, and by younger people in major tourist areas; less in rural towns—learn a few basics.
Useful phrases: Xin chào (hello), Cảm ơn (thank you), Bao nhiêu? (how much?).

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Viettel, Vinaphone, and MobiFone.
Where to buy: Airports (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang), official stores, and many convenience shops—bring your passport for registration.
Tourist eSIM: Very convenient—buy online before landing and activate on arrival.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and main tourist hubs; can be weaker in mountains (Ha Giang, Sapa) and remote islands—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 220V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Primarily Type A, C, and sometimes F; many hotels have multi-sockets. Bring a universal adapter.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: The fastest way to cover long distances (Hanoi–Da Nang–HCMC, plus Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hue). Book early for Tet and summer.
Trains: The Reunification Line (Hanoi–Hue–Da Nang–Nha Trang–HCMC) is scenic and comfortable in soft-sleeper; slower than flying but memorable.
Buses & sleeper buses: Very common and affordable; quality varies—use reputable/open-tour companies.
In cities: Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Be) are best for short rides—cheap, fast, and you see the price upfront. Choose cars if you’re not comfortable on bikes.
Motorbike rental: Popular in places like Da Nang, Hoi An, and Phu Quoc—always wear a helmet and make sure your travel insurance covers riding.
Boats/cruises: For Ha Long/Lan Ha, Mekong Delta, and some islands—book with established operators.

Safety

Overall: Vietnam is considered safe for tourists; violent crime is rare.
Petty theft: The main issue is bag/phone snatching, especially in HCMC and some beach towns. Keep bags closed and on the non-street side; do not wave your phone near traffic.
Road safety: Traffic is hectic—cross slowly and predictably. If riding a bike, wear a helmet and avoid night riding.
Health: Drink bottled/filtered water, be cautious with ice in rural areas, and use repellent in mosquito season.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Taxi/tuk-tuk overcharging: Use Grab/Be or reputable taxi companies (Mai Linh, Vinasun). Avoid unmetered rides.
Meter tricks: Some taxis run a “fast” meter—stop the ride and switch to a different cab.
Street vendor price swaps: Confirm the price clearly before ordering, especially in touristy spots.
Fake tours / cheap Ha Long cruises: Very low prices can mean poor boats or safety—book through your hotel or a well-reviewed agency.
Money change shorting: Count your cash before leaving the counter.

Do north–to–south (Hanoi → Ha Long → Hue → Hoi An → HCMC → Mekong) or the reverse, build in a beach or island stop, and Vietnam will give you landscapes, culture, and food that punch way above the budget.