Practical Travel Guides

Transport, costs, visa requirements, safety, and timing — everything you need to plan a Vietnam trip without guesswork.

Da Nang beach coastline and Hoi An Ancient Town lantern-lit streets at night
Practical

Da Nang vs Hoi An: Which Central Vietnam City Is Right for You?

Da Nang vs Hoi An compared: beaches, culture, food, cost, and which central Vietnam city suits your trip best.

Da Lat flower gardens and valley views alongside Sapa rice terrace hillside panorama
Practical

Da Lat vs Sapa: Two Mountain Escapes, Two Very Different Trips

Da Lat vs Sapa compared: climate, activities, food, cost, and which Vietnamese mountain destination suits your travel style.

Street scene comparing old Hanoi architecture with modern Ho Chi Minh City skyline
Practical

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: Which Should You Visit?

Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City compared: costs, food, culture, nightlife, and which city suits your travel style best.

Hoi An Ancient Town lanterns over the river and Hue Imperial Citadel gate at dusk
Practical

Hoi An vs Hue: Which Central Vietnam City Deserves More of Your Time?

Hoi An vs Hue compared: history, food, atmosphere, cost, and how long to spend in each central Vietnam city.

Turquoise waters and tropical beach comparing Phu Quoc island with Nha Trang coastline
Practical

Phu Quoc vs Nha Trang: Which Beach Destination Should You Choose?

Phu Quoc vs Nha Trang: beaches, costs, diving, nightlife, and which Vietnamese beach destination fits your travel style.

Rice terraces and mountain scenery comparing Sapa valley views with Ha Giang loop landscape
Practical

Sapa vs Ha Giang: Which Northern Vietnam Trek Is Worth Your Time?

Sapa vs Ha Giang compared: trekking, scenery, cost, accessibility, and which northern Vietnam mountain destination to choose.

Vietnamese street food scene and Cambodian Angkor Wat temple complex side by side comparison
Practical

Vietnam vs Cambodia: Which Southeast Asian Country Should You Visit?

Vietnam vs Cambodia compared: costs, culture, food, temples, beaches, and how to combine both countries in one trip.

Vietnam rice terraces and bustling streets contrasted with peaceful Luang Prabang temples in Laos
Practical

Vietnam vs Laos: Which Country Is Right for Your Southeast Asia Trip?

Vietnam vs Laos compared: culture, cost, food, nature, transport, and how to combine both on one Southeast Asia trip.

Bowl of Vietnamese beef noodle soup with fresh herbs, chilli and chopsticks
Practical

Essential Vietnamese Dishes: Pho, Banh Mi and What to Eat Where

The essential Vietnamese dishes — pho, banh mi, bun cha, cao lau and more, with north, central and south differences and where to try each one.

Busy street in Hanoi decorated with red banners and Vietnamese signs
Practical

Basic Vietnamese Phrases for Travellers

Essential Vietnamese phrases for travellers — greetings, directions, food and emergency words with pronunciation tips for navigating Vietnam's tonal language.

Aircraft approaching Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi
Practical

Flights to Vietnam — Booking Tips, Airlines & Best Deals

How to find cheap flights to Vietnam — airports, airlines, open-jaw routing, domestic connections, and when to book for the best fares.

Split image showing Vietnam's Ha Long Bay limestone karsts and Thailand's turquoise Andaman Sea waters
Practical

Vietnam vs Thailand: Which Southeast Asia Destination is Right for You?

Vietnam vs Thailand compared on cost, beaches, culture, food, and transport. Find out which Southeast Asian destination suits your travel style.

Colourful silk lanterns at a shop in Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam
Practical

Solo Travel in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know

Solo travel in Vietnam is easy — safe cities, cheap transport, and a traveller culture that makes meeting people effortless. Here's how to do it well.

My Khe Beach with city skyline and Marble Mountains, Da Nang — Vietnam in April
Practical

Vietnam in April: Weather, Regions and What to Do

April is one of Vietnam's best months. Warm across the country, low rainfall, and before the summer heat and monsoon arrive in full.

Hang Mua karst peak with pagoda overlooking Ninh Binh valley — Vietnam in August
Practical

Vietnam in August: Weather, Regions and What to Do

August in Vietnam means lush green rice terraces, busy central beaches, and monsoon in the south. The north is hot and stormy.

Ho Chi Minh City skyline and river from above — Vietnam in December
Practical

Vietnam in December: Weather, Regions and What to Do

December is peak season in southern Vietnam. Phu Quoc and HCMC are excellent. The north is cool. Christmas and New Year drive high demand.

Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower at night, Hanoi — Vietnam in February
Practical

Vietnam in February: Weather, Regions and What to Do

Vietnam in February: Tet (Lunar New Year) transforms the country. North and central Vietnam are cool. The south is ideal for beaches.

Colourful silk lanterns in Hoi An Ancient Town — Vietnam in January
Practical

Vietnam in January: Weather, Regions and What to Do

Vietnam in January: dry and cooler in the north, sunny season in the south, and Tet preparations beginning. One of the best months to visit.

Terraced rice fields in the northern highlands of Vietnam — Vietnam in July
Practical

Vietnam in July: Weather, Regions and What to Do

July is peak domestic holiday season in Vietnam. Central beaches are at their best, the north is hot and wet, and the south is mid-monsoon.

Golden and green aerial rice terraces in northern Vietnam — Vietnam in June
Practical

Vietnam in June: Weather, Regions and What to Do

June is peak summer in Vietnam. The north is hot and humid, the south is rainy, and the central coast is dry and popular. Busy with domestic tourists.

Turquoise water and white sand beach at Phu Quoc — Vietnam in March
Practical

Vietnam in March: Weather, Regions and What to Do

March is excellent in Vietnam. The north warms up beautifully, the south is still in dry season, and the central coast recovers from its wet season.

Aerial view of a tropical beach with lush forest, southern Vietnam — Vietnam in May
Practical

Vietnam in May: Weather, Regions and What to Do

May brings the start of the rainy season to the south but the best conditions of the year to central and northern Vietnam.

Woman on a wooden boat at the Mekong Delta floating market — Vietnam in November
Practical

Vietnam in November: Weather, Regions and What to Do

November starts the dry season in southern Vietnam. Phu Quoc beaches return, the north is cool, and the central coast is still wet.

Vietnamese city streets seen from above at night — Vietnam in October
Practical

Vietnam in October: Weather, Regions and What to Do

October brings the rice harvest peak to northern Vietnam and typhoon season to the central coast. Pick your region carefully.

Vietnamese woman rowing on the Mekong Delta — Vietnam in September
Practical

Vietnam in September: Weather, Regions and What to Do

September brings golden rice terraces, National Day celebrations, and rising typhoon risk. A rewarding month for the north.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
Practical

Is Vietnam Safe for Tourists 2026? Honest Safety Guide

Is Vietnam safe for tourists? Honest assessment of petty theft, motorbike safety, scams, solo female travel, and the actual risk level for visitors in 2026.

Ho Chi Minh City skyline and river from above — flight delay compensation
Practical

Flight Delay Compensation: Your Rights on Flights to Vietnam

EU261 pays up to €600 for delays on flights to Vietnam. Which delays qualify, how long they must be, and how to claim through AirHelp or Compensair.

Getting around Vietnam
Practical

Getting Around Vietnam: Transfers, Trains, Buses and Domestic Flights

How to travel around Vietnam — airport transfers, the Reunification Express, open-bus tickets, domestic flights and what to know.

Aerial view of a tropical beach with lush forest, Vietnam — SIM card and eSIM guide
Practical

Best eSIM for Vietnam: Airalo Guide for 2026

How to get an Airalo eSIM for Vietnam — coverage on Viettel and Mobifone, plan recommendations and how to activate.

Terraced rice fields in Sapa, northern Vietnam — travel insurance guide
Practical

Travel Insurance for Vietnam: What Every Visitor Should Know

Why travel insurance matters for Vietnam, what VisitorsCoverage covers, and the activities that need specialist policy cover.

Street scene in Vietnam
Practical

Best Time to Visit Vietnam 2026: Month by Month Weather Guide

Best time to visit Vietnam — month-by-month weather breakdown for the north, central coast, and south; when each region is at its best and what to avoid.

Vietnam street scene
Practical

Vietnam Budget and Costs 2026: How Much Does Vietnam Cost to Travel?

Vietnam travel costs 2026 — daily budgets for backpacker, mid-range and luxury travel; accommodation, food, transport and activity price breakdowns.

Working remotely in Vietnam
Practical

Digital Nomad Vietnam 2026: Best Cities, Visas and Where to Work

Digital nomad Vietnam — best cities for remote work (Da Nang, HCMC, Da Lat, Hoi An), visa options for long stays, coworking spaces, and cost of living.

Vietnam
Practical

Vietnam Health and Vaccinations 2026: What You Need Before You Go

Vietnam health and vaccinations — recommended vaccines, malaria risk zones, food and water safety, medical facilities, and what to pack in a travel health kit.

Vietnam street scene
Practical

Vietnam Currency 2026: Vietnamese Dong, ATMs and Money Tips

Vietnam currency guide — Vietnamese Dong (VND), ATM locations and fees, exchange rates, best ways to carry money, and tipping etiquette in Vietnam.

Hanoi, Vietnam
Practical

Vietnam Visa 2026: E-Visa, Visa on Arrival and Exemptions

Vietnam visa guide — e-visa for most nationalities (90 days), visa exemptions, visa on arrival process, and Phu Quoc's 30-day visa-free entry for all.