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Vietnam
The complete guide

Vietnam

Everything you need to plan a great trip — from Hanoi's Old Quarter to the Mekong Delta — without the guesswork.

Flight time 9–24h depending on originFrom $600–1,400 round-tripVisa E-visa (90 days) for all nationalities; some countries visa-free up to 45 days*Time zone GMT+7

Vietnam rewards a north-to-south route: 10 days minimum, 14–21 days ideal. Combine Hanoi (2–3 days), Ha Long Bay (1–2 days), Hoi An (2–3 days), and Ho Chi Minh City (2–3 days), connected by short flights or trains. Weather varies by region and season — the north has real winters, the south stays hot year-round — so check the calendar for your specific route. Most travelers need Vietnam's e-visa (90 days, $25–50, apply online); some nationalities get 30–45 days visa-free. Budget from $25/day backpacking, $60–120/day mid-range.

Vietnam has a way of rearranging your expectations. It's cheaper than you'd guess, the food is better than the hype, and the pace of a place like Hanoi's Old Quarter or Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 takes about a day to click into and then becomes genuinely addictive. It's also long — properly long, over 1,000 miles north to south — which means the trip you plan should follow a route, not a checklist.

This guide covers everything: where to go, how many days, when to fly, what it actually costs in USD, and the visa rule for your specific passport — not a generic one-size-fits-all answer. Written to be genuinely useful, and updated through the season.

Destinations

All Destinations ←
Hanoi
Destinations

Hanoi

2–3 days in the Old Quarter, and the jumping-off point for Ha Long Bay and Sapa.

Hoi An
Destinations

Hoi An

2–3 days, a UNESCO old town, and Vietnam's best custom tailoring.

Ho Chi Minh City
Destinations

Ho Chi Minh City

2–3 days, still widely called Saigon — Vietnam's biggest, fastest city.

Beaches & Islands

All Beaches & Islands ←
Ha Long Bay
Beaches & Islands

Ha Long Bay

An overnight cruise through nearly 2,000 limestone karsts — not a beach trip.

Phu Quoc
Beaches & Islands

Phu Quoc

Vietnam's tropical beach island, near Cambodia, with a special visa-free entry rule.

Attractions

All Attractions ←
Vietnam's Best Attractions
Attractions

Vietnam's Best Attractions

What's genuinely worth the detour — spread across a very long country.

Food

All Food ←
Vietnamese Food: What to Eat and What It Costs
Food

Vietnamese Food: What to Eat and What It Costs

Must-try dishes, real prices, and how to eat safely.

Practical Info

All Practical Info ←
Vietnam Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Practical Info

Vietnam Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)

The real answer, broken down by passport — not one generic rule.

Money, Safety & eSIM in Vietnam
Practical Info

Money, Safety & eSIM in Vietnam

Cash, cards, real safety risks, and staying connected.

Articles & Comparisons

All Articles & Comparisons ←
Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: Which Vietnam City Fits You?
Articles & Comparisons

Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City: Which Vietnam City Fits You?

An honest head-to-head — not just 'both are great.'

Questions people actually ask

How many days do I need in Vietnam?
10 days is a reasonable minimum if you focus on one region (the north around Hanoi, or the south around Ho Chi Minh City). 14 days is a strong balance that runs the classic north-to-south route (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City). 21 days lets you add Sapa, Ninh Binh, or the Mekong Delta without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
There's no single answer — Vietnam spans three climate zones. The north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) is coolest and driest November–April, with a genuine winter chill December–February. The center (Hoi An, Da Nang) is best February–July, before the autumn typhoon season. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) has a dry season roughly December–April and a wet season May–November with short, heavy afternoon showers. If your route covers all three regions, expect to hit at least one imperfect-weather window somewhere.
How much does a trip to Vietnam cost?
Backpacker budget: from $25/day (guesthouses, street food, local buses). Mid-range comfort: $60–120/day (a 3–4-star hotel, restaurant meals, day tours). A two-week trip for two people, flights included, typically runs $2,200–$3,800 mid-range, or considerably more at the luxury end. Vietnam remains one of the most affordable major destinations in Asia.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport — see our full visa & entry guide. As of mid-2026, Vietnam's e-visa is open to virtually all nationalities (90 days, $25–50, apply online at evisa.gov.vn), while roughly 38 countries — much of Europe, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN nations — currently get visa-free entry for 30–45 days. US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand passport holders need the e-visa.
Is Vietnam safe to visit?
Yes, very much so — violent crime against tourists is rare, and Vietnam is considered one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia. The main real risk is road traffic: crossing streets and riding motorbikes both deserve genuine care, and bag-snatching from passing motorbikes happens occasionally in busy tourist areas. Minor scams (unmetered taxis, commission-paying shop stops on cheap tours) are easy to avoid once you know they exist.
Hanoi first, or Ho Chi Minh City first?
Either works, and both are major international gateways. Most travelers prefer starting in Hanoi and traveling south, ending on Ho Chi Minh City's faster, more modern energy as a natural closer — but flying the route in reverse works just as well. See our full Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City comparison for a direct breakdown.
Which is better, Ha Long Bay or Phu Quoc?
They're not really comparable — Ha Long Bay is a scenic overnight cruise through limestone karsts, not a beach trip; Phu Quoc is an actual tropical beach island. Most itineraries include Ha Long Bay for the scenery and add Phu Quoc only if there's time for a dedicated beach stop.
Does eSIM work well in Vietnam?
Yes — Airalo and Holafly offer data plans from about $5–15 for 7–15 days with solid coverage in cities and along the main tourist route. A physical local SIM (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone) is just as easy to set up on arrival and similarly priced, with Viettel generally having the strongest rural coverage.