Where to stay Updated 28 July 2026
Where to Stay in Hanoi
Where to stay in Hanoi: the Old Quarter versus the French Quarter versus the lake districts, which streets are too loud to sleep on, and how to pick.
Come for the street food stay for the lantern lit nights
A local's guide to Vietnam from the Hanoi old quarter to the Mekong delta and every noodle stall in between
The night market of your trip: sort it all from home
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My trip
One real day from a schedule our planner builds. Yours is built from your answers.
Every hour worked out, every place open
Day 2 · Hanoi · 5 stops- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 09:00-10:30
- Cafe Dinh 11:00-12:00
- St Joseph's Cathedral 14:00-15:00
- Phở Bò Gốc Gạo 15:30-17:00
- Hanoi Street Food Scooter Tour 17:30-19:30
closes 21:00
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Where to light up?
Four worlds of Vietnam, pick a lantern.
Must reads before you fly
The core guides to start from.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 28 July 2026
Two Weeks in Vietnam, a Complete Itinerary
Two weeks in Vietnam, planned properly: the classic north-to-south route day by day, what to cut when you are short, and three versions to suit you.
Money, safety & practical Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam on a Budget, What Things Really Cost
What Vietnam actually costs: where the money goes, the three budget tiers explained honestly, why cash still matters, and the expenses that double a trip.
Trip planning Updated 28 July 2026
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam, Region by Region
Vietnam runs three climates at once, so there is no single best month. What the north, centre and south do all year, and how to build a route around it.
Getting around Updated 28 July 2026
Getting Around Vietnam, Flights, Trains and Buses
How to travel the length of Vietnam: when to fly instead of the sleeper bus, what the trains are like, how bus classes differ, and the motorbike question.
Trip planning Updated 28 July 2026
Vietnam Visa and Entry Rules, Passport by Passport
How Vietnam's entry system works: the official e-visa portal, who gets visa-free entry, passport validity, and the mistakes that get people turned away.
The Vietnam map
Every city, bay, beach and stall from our guides, on one map.
Destination
More than 600 of the best places in Vietnam, in one guide with photos and tips.
Latest
Getting around Updated 20 October 2026
Vietnam's New Metros: Riding Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's Lines in 2026
Ho Chi Minh City has a metro line to Ben Thanh, the Opera House and Thao Dien, and Hanoi has two. What is open, how to pay, and which stations matter.
Money, safety & practical Updated 18 October 2026
Vietnamese Etiquette: The Things Worth Knowing
Shoes, hands, heads and feet, what saving face means, chopstick rules that matter, where bargaining is expected and the drinking custom of night one.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 13 October 2026
Central Vietnam Itinerary: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Phong Nha in One Loop
A practical 7 to 10 day central Vietnam route linking Phong Nha, Hue, the Hai Van Pass, Da Nang and Hoi An, with notes on flood season and transport.
Trip planning Updated 11 October 2026
A Honeymoon in Vietnam: Bay, Lanterns and an Island
The three-part route that works, why a private bay cruise beats the crowded one, where the quiet luxury is, and the season problem a long country creates.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 6 October 2026
Three Weeks in Vietnam: The Full North-to-South Route, Done Slowly
A 21-day Vietnam itinerary from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, with the northern mountains, Phong Nha and the central coast. Realistic pacing, night trains.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 4 October 2026
Vietnam in 1 Week: Three Realistic Routes (and the One Mistake First-Timers Make)
Seven days is not enough for all of Vietnam. Three single-region routes that work, north, centre and south, plus what to skip and the classic mistake.
By topic
Browse everything by what you are planning.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Most visitors need an eVisa, issued online in advance through the official portal for around 25 USD and valid for up to 90 days. It is worth applying about a week before you fly and keeping a printed copy for the border check.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam is long and the weather changes by region. In general, March to April and October to November are comfortable across most of the country. The north is cool in winter (December to February), while the south is tropical and warm all year.
How much does Vietnam cost and how do I pay?
Vietnam is one of the cheapest destinations in Asia. The currency is the dong (VND), and it is best to withdraw cash from ATMs. Cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants, but markets, street stalls and drivers need cash. A street meal runs about 2 to 4 USD.
Is Vietnam safe for a first trip to Asia?
Yes. Vietnam is considered a safe and friendly destination, hugely popular with first-time visitors to Asia. Take care crossing the road (dense scooter traffic), drink bottled water and travel with valid insurance.
How do I get around Vietnam?
Cheap domestic flights connect the north, centre and south. Within cities you can use the Grab app (car and scooter), metered taxis or a tuk-tuk. Between nearby cities there are sleeper trains and sleeper buses.
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