Vietnam
Vietnam stretches some 1,650 km from the karst mountains of the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, and a north–south journey is one of Asia's great trips. Cruise Ha Long Bay, wander Hoi An's lantern-lit old town and Hue's imperial citadel, trek between ethnic-minority villages near Sa Pa, and eat brilliantly and cheaply all the way.
Overview
Vietnam's long, thin shape makes route-planning simple: most first trips run between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City over two to three weeks. In the north, add Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay, the karst scenery of Ninh Binh and the terraced valleys around Sa Pa or Ha Giang. The centre holds the caves of Phong Nha, the old imperial capital of Hue, the Hai Van Pass and Hoi An. The south brings Ho Chi Minh City's energy, the waterways of the Mekong Delta and island beaches on Phu Quoc.
Travel is easy and very good value: sleeper trains, cheap domestic flights and the Grab app make getting around simple, and street food is often the best food. Weather is the main complication, because the north has a cool, grey winter while the centre's wet season peaks from September to December, so few months suit the whole country perfectly. Crowds concentrate in Ha Long, Hoi An and Sa Pa. Vietnam suits first-time Asia travellers and food lovers alike; visitors are often surprised by how chilly Hanoi can feel in January.
Map of Vietnam
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Ha Long Bay
Around 1,600 limestone islands and pillars rise from the Gulf of Tonkin in this UNESCO-listed bay. Overnight cruises explore caves and kayak through hidden lagoons; neighbouring Lan Ha Bay is often quieter.
- 2History
Hoi An Ancient Town
A well-preserved trading port of ochre merchants' houses, Chinese assembly halls and the Japanese Covered Bridge, best seen early or after dark when lanterns light the riverside. Tailors can make clothes overnight.
- 3Architecture
Hue Imperial City
The walled citadel of the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam's last emperors, with palace gates, temples and the Forbidden Purple City under restoration. Visit the royal tombs along the Perfume River by boat or bike.
- 4Nature
Sa Pa rice terraces
Mountain trails from Sa Pa lead through terraced valleys and Hmong and Dao villages, greenest from June and golden in September. Fansipan, Indochina's highest peak, rises above and can be reached by cable car.
- 5Culture
Mekong Delta
A watery world of canals, orchards and rice paddies in the far south. Base yourself in Can Tho to visit the Cai Rang floating market at dawn, then cycle or boat through quieter villages.
Biggest cities
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's largest and most commercial city, still called Saigon by many: visit the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace, eat at street kitchens and markets, and day-trip to the Cu Chi tunnels.
Hanoi
The capital's Old Quarter of tube houses and guild streets is the place to stay; add Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and an evening of bia hơi.
Da Nang
A modern beach city with a long sandy coastline, a dragon-shaped bridge and the Marble Mountains; most visitors use its airport as the gateway to Hoi An, Hue and the Hai Van Pass.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Vietnam
Best time: Feb–Apr.
Average climate in Hanoi
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebTết Nguyên Đán
The Lunar New Year is Vietnam's biggest festival: cities fill with peach blossom and kumquat trees, families travel home, and many shops and restaurants close for up to a week.
- Jan–DecHoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival
On the fourteenth day of each lunar month, Hoi An's old town dims its electric lights in favour of silk lanterns, and candle-lit paper lanterns are floated on the Thu Bon River.
- Sep–OctMid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)
Held on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, with lion dances, lanterns and mooncakes; Hanoi's Hàng Mã street and Hoi An are especially atmospheric.
How much does Vietnam cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Phở
Rice-noodle soup in a long-simmered beef or chicken broth scented with star anise and charred ginger; Hanoi's version is clear and restrained, Saigon's comes with heaps of herbs.
Bún chả
Hanoi's lunchtime favourite: smoky grilled pork patties and belly in a sweet-sour dipping broth, eaten with rice vermicelli and fresh herbs.
Bánh mì
A crisp baguette, a French legacy, stuffed with pâté, cold cuts or grilled pork, pickled vegetables, coriander and chilli; Hoi An's versions are especially celebrated.
Getting around
Vietnam Airlines and budget carriers such as VietJet make hops between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City quick and cheap. The Reunification Express railway runs the length of the coast with sleeper berths, and open-tour sleeper buses cover similar routes. In cities, Grab and Xanh SM handle cars and motorbike taxis, and both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now have metro lines.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AC220V — bring a UK-to-A/C adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +84
- Time zone
- UTC+7 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditionally expected, but small tips for guides, drivers and spa staff are appreciated; upmarket restaurants may add a service charge.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in temples and pagodas, remove shoes where others do, keep your temper in disputes to avoid causing loss of face, and hand over money or cards with both hands.
- Main airports
- Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi; Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City; Da Nang International Airport (DAD), Da Nang
Visas & entry for Vietnam
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. On arrival, your passport will be stamped with an entry and exit stamp (the date you have to leave by). Check that the date given is 45 days from your arrival date, as Immigration will not change this after you have left the airport/land border.
If you want to stay longer than 45 days, you can:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria in the southern part of the country in the provinces of Tay Ninh, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum, and other rural areas of Vietnam: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Vietnam
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 24 Nov 2026 | Vietnam Cultural Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 4 Feb 2027 | 29 of Lunar New Year |
| Fri 5 Feb 2027 | Lunar New Year's Eve |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Lunar New Year |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Second Day of Lunar New Year |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Third Day of Lunar New Year |
| Tue 9 Feb 2027 | Fourth Day of Lunar New Year |
| Wed 10 Feb 2027 | Fifth Day of Lunar New Year |
| Fri 16 Apr 2027 | Hung Kings' Commemoration Day |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Liberation Day/Reunification Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | International Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | International Labour Day (observed) |
| Thu 2 Sep 2027 | National Day |
| Fri 3 Sep 2027 | National Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Vietnamese
| English | Vietnamese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chào | sin CHOW |
| Thank you | Cảm ơn | gahm UHN |
| Please | Làm ơn | lahm UHN |
| Excuse me | Xin lỗi | sin LOY |
| How much is this? | Cái này bao nhiêu tiền? | kai NAY bow nyew TYEN |
Know before you go
- Use Grab or Xanh SM rather than street taxis or cyclos to avoid inflated fares, and agree prices in advance for anything without a meter.
- Check notes carefully when paying: the blue 20,000 and 500,000 đồng polymer notes look similar, and mix-ups, accidental or otherwise, are common.
- Avoid travelling in the week of Tết unless you want to experience it: transport books out weeks ahead, prices rise and many restaurants and shops close.
Vietnam travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
The best time to visit Vietnam is generally Feb–Apr. Peak months are February, March and April. Average highs in Hanoi range from 19°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Vietnam cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £160+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Vietnam?
Vietnamese đồng (VND).
What plug type does Vietnam use?
Type A and C sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Vietnam?
Traffic drives on the right in Vietnam, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Vietnam?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Vietnam before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Vietnam?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
