Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

Most travellers need an e-visa, which costs USD 25, is valid for 90 days, and allows single or multiple entry. Apply at the official Vietnam Immigration portal (evisa.immigration.gov.vn). Processing usually takes 3 working days. A small number of nationalities are exempt, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and several Southeast Asian countries.

What is the best time to visit Vietnam for first-timers?

February to April is the safest window for a north-to-south trip: Hanoi and Halong Bay are dry and mild, Hoi An and Hue are at their best, and the south is sunny before the May rains begin. Avoid late October to November if you plan to spend time in central Vietnam, as this is peak typhoon and flood season around Hoi An and Da Nang.

What currency does Vietnam use and can I pay by card?

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The rate is roughly 25,000 VND to 1 USD as of 2026. Card payments are common in hotels, modern restaurants, and chain shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but small eateries, markets, and rural guesthouses are cash-only. Always keep a stack of small notes (10,000, 20,000, 50,000 VND) for street food and taxis.

Is Vietnam safe for first-time solo travellers?

Vietnam is one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia for solo travel. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. The main concerns are motorbike bag-snatching in Ho Chi Minh City, overpriced 'tourist' taxis, and gem/tailor scams in Hoi An. Book taxis through Grab and use Vietcombank or Techcombank ATMs inside bank branches rather than standalone machines.

First-Time Visitor's Guide to Vietnam

Vietnam rewards first-timers who arrive prepared. The country spans 1,650 km from north to south, crosses five distinct climate zones, and mixes Buddhist temple etiquette with a fast-moving street-food culture. Sorting the basics before you leave home means you spend your first days exploring rather than troubleshooting.

Entry Requirements: Vietnam E-Visa

Most nationalities require a visa. Since 2023, the standard route is the 90-day e-visa, which covers both single and multiple entry and costs USD 25. Apply through the official Vietnam Immigration portal at evisa.immigration.gov.vn, not through third-party sites that charge double.

Processing takes approximately three working days, though applying five to seven days before departure is safer. Print a copy of your approval letter and keep it with your passport.

Visa-exempt nationalities (as of 2026, verified on the immigration portal) include the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and most ASEAN members for stays of 30 to 45 days. If your passport qualifies, you still need to complete an arrival card on the plane.

See our Vietnam visa guide for the full list of exempt nationalities and step-by-step e-visa instructions.

Best Time to Visit: Quick Climate Table

Vietnam’s weather is regional. There is no single “best” month that works for the whole country.

Region	Best months	Avoid
Hanoi + North	Oct to Apr (cool, dry)	Jun to Aug (hot, humid, heavy rain)
Halong Bay	Oct to Apr (clear skies)	Jul to Aug (typhoon risk)
Hoi An + Hue	Feb to Aug	Oct to Nov (typhoons + flooding)
Nha Trang	Jan to Aug	Sep to Nov (rough seas)
Ho Chi Minh City	Dec to Apr (dry season)	May to Nov (daily afternoon downpours)
Phu Quoc	Nov to Apr	May to Oct (monsoon, rough seas)

For a classic north-to-south first trip, February to April is the standout window: Hanoi and Halong Bay are clear, the central coast is calm, and the south is dry. Our best time to visit Vietnam page goes deeper on month-by-month conditions.

What to Pack

Vietnam covers both cool mountain highlands (Sapa sits at 1,600 m) and tropical lowlands. Layers matter.

Lightweight, quick-dry clothing in neutral colours; temples require covered shoulders and knees
A packable rain jacket regardless of season
Reef-safe sunscreen (many Vietnamese beaches request it; hard to find locally)
Flip-flops or slip-on shoes for easy temple removal
Motion sickness tablets for boat trips on Halong Bay and the Mekong
A padlock for guesthouse lockers and overnight train couchettes
Copies of your passport and e-visa stored separately from the originals

Our what to pack for Vietnam checklist covers this in full, including a seasonal packing breakdown.

Money and Currency Tips

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). At roughly 25,000 VND to 1 USD (rate as of 2026), mental arithmetic is easier if you lop four zeros off and halve the result: 200,000 VND is approximately USD 8.

ATMs: Vietcombank and Techcombank are the most reliable networks for foreign cards. Stick to machines inside bank branches rather than standalone ATMs in tourist areas, which have higher skimming rates. Withdrawal fees average 30,000 to 50,000 VND per transaction.

Cards: Accepted widely in cities and mid-range hotels. Below street-food stalls, local buses, and rural guesthouses are almost always cash-only.

Tipping: Not culturally expected but appreciated at restaurants (rounding up to the nearest 10,000 VND is sufficient) and massage places (20,000 to 50,000 VND).

See Vietnam currency tips for exchange rate trackers and how to avoid airport money changers.

Getting Around Vietnam

Domestic flights are the fastest way to cover long distances. VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways run Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City routes from around USD 30 if booked 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Vietnam Airlines costs more but has better baggage allowances.

The Reunification Express train is slower but genuinely scenic on the Hanoi to Hoi An (Da Nang) leg. Book soft-sleeper berths through Baolau or the Vietnam Railways website; a berth from Hanoi to Da Nang runs approximately USD 30 to 45.

Sleeper buses (Phuong Trang and Hanh Cafe are reputable operators) connect most major tourist cities for USD 10 to 20 and are a practical budget option.

Grab is Vietnam’s dominant ride-hailing app, covering taxis, motorbike taxis, and food delivery. It works in every major city and is safer than flagging unmarked taxis off the street.

Full breakdown at getting around Vietnam.

Cultural Etiquette

A few basics that first-timers frequently miss:

Remove shoes before entering temples, pagodas, and many homes. When in doubt, check whether shoes are stacked at the door.
Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites. Most major pagodas sell cheap scarves at the entrance if you arrive underprepared.
Use two hands when giving or receiving items (business cards, money, gifts) as a sign of respect. This applies particularly in formal settings and with older locals.
Do not touch anyone’s head, including children. The head is considered spiritually significant.
Pointing with a single finger at a person is impolite; gesture with a full open hand instead.
Haggling is normal at markets, but keep it light-hearted. Walking away mid-negotiation after agreeing on a price is considered very rude.

Health and Vaccinations

Consult a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Standard recommendations for Vietnam include:

Hepatitis A (from contaminated food and water, relevant everywhere)
Typhoid (especially if you plan to eat street food regularly)
Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio boosters if due
Hepatitis B for longer stays or adventure activities

Malaria risk is low in major cities and most tourist routes but exists in some rural highland areas. If your itinerary includes remote border regions, discuss prophylaxis with a doctor.

Dengue fever is present year-round, particularly in the south. Use DEET-based repellent at dusk and dawn.

Drinking water: Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Vietnam. Bottled water is available everywhere for around 5,000 VND (0.20 USD) for a 1.5-litre bottle.

See Vietnam health and vaccinations for clinic checklists and prescription requirements.

Pre-Trip Planning Checklist

Run through this before you depart:

Vietnam is a forgiving destination for first-timers once the visa and logistics are sorted. The food is excellent, transport links are reliable, and locals in tourist areas are well-practised at helping confused newcomers. Sort the list above before you leave, and the rest tends to fall into place on arrival.

First-Time Visitor's Guide to Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know