There’s a reason this place is always at the top of travelers’ wish lists; it has everything from bustling cities to peaceful landscapes, not to mention some delicious street food. Vietnam is a budget-friendly destination that encompasses the best of South East Asia, from its diverse landscapes to its food, history, and temples; you’ll never be far from some delicious street food, a heritage site, or a pagoda, and the expansive museums — many of which are in former palaces and government buildings — in monument-packed cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are fantastic places to learn about the country’s past.
Regulations for entering countries and other travel limitations
As of October 2022, it is still mandatory to wear a mask in public. No tests or proof of immunization are required for entry, therefore anyone can enter the country.
The Season to Visit Most Attractively
March and April are wonderful months to visit Vietnam because rainfall is typically low and temperatures are milder than at other times of the year. The months of July and August are the busiest, and they also happen to be quite hot and muggy. It recommended to reserve a hotel room in advance, as the cost may increase by up to 50%.
First-Rate Areas:
Ph Quc
Ph Quoc, a Vietnamese island off the coast of Cambodia, has become a well-liked winter getaway in recent years. Most visitors come to relax on the beach, so don’t come expecting vast wilderness or historical sites. However, the fish sauce factories and the Phu Quoc prison, where Vietnamese soldiers were once imprisoned (and tortured in various horrific ways) by French and American troops, are both worth seeing.
Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is much smaller and more rural in character than Ho Chi Minh City. Its center is filled with parks and lakes (such as Hoàn Kim Lake, which is home to the magnificent Ngoc Son Temple), and its lush lanes are dotted with historic landmarks. Hanoi’s gorgeous French-built Opera House and some of the city’s best street cuisine can both be found in the Old Quarter. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is by far the most popular tourist attraction in Hanoi.
Vietnam’s leader, Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is Vietnam’s largest and most prosperous city, and it is also home to the country’s finest hotels and tallest skyscrapers (also known as the Independence Palace). The city of Saigon fell in 1975 after North Vietnamese tanks broke through the city’s defenses. Former reception areas, the president’s private quarters, and the underground communications hub are all accessible to the general public. Visit the War Remnants Museum for an interesting (though distressing) look into the American invasion of Vietnam and to learn more about Vietnam’s history.
Baie de Ha Long
Despite the fact that the North East Vietnamese bay of H Long has gotten increasingly crowded in recent years, the impressive limestone islets and pillars that have made this area a UNESCO World Heritage Site are still hard to miss. The majority of tourists stay on Cat Ba Island, the largest of the region’s 1,600 islands. Day trips on the water, kayaking, and exploring caverns like Tien Ong, which has stone artifacts from 10,000 B.C., are also popular pursuits.
Sa Pa
Sa Pa is a charming Northern Vietnamese town, and many backpackers utilize it as a home base when exploring the mountains of Lào Cai Province. The Hmong people live in this area, and many of them work as guides. This area is close to the Chinese border. Despite its northern position in Vietnam, getting it is easy; there are frequent bus connections, however, we recommend the eight-hour sleeper train service that leaves Hanoi.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
You’ll discover this UNESCO-listed park in the Quang Binh province in north-central Vietnam. It is located on the same border as Laos and features a wide variety of landscapes, from limestone plateaus to tropical rainforests and caves with cathedral-like ceilings. Visitors typically stay at one of the many nearby homestays rather than a hotel.
My Son
Located in central Vietnam, My Son is a group of Hindu temples that have recognized by UNESCO. The temples, which constructed between the 4th and 13th centuries and known for their elaborate carvings, rediscovered by the French in the 19th century and suffered some damage from bombing during the Vietnam War. The site still highly recommended despite this.
Hu Hu constructed on a mountaintop by the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty and served as a feudal capital. Temples, pagodas, and monasteries abound in this chill city in central Vietnam; there are also numerous historic mansions to explore. It has an astounding variety of building styles; a pagoda and an art deco home could coexist on the same quiet street.
Ideal Courses of Action
Discover Hanoi’s fascinating train street
In the heart of Hanoi, you may relax with a cold Saigon Red beer at a makeshift table on the tracks while waiting for the train worker to sound the alarm (albeit very slowly). To make room for the train, street sellers and bar owners will hastily fold away their tables, only to replace them as soon as the train has rumbled by.
C Chi Tunnels are a must-see
You should take a guided tour to view the tunnels outside of Ho Chi Minh City. As you explore the tunnels made by the Viet Cong army, keep an eye out for the terrifying booby traps they set for the American “tunnel rats,” who are puzzled by the mysterious emergence and disappearance of the Vietnamese soldiers. You’ll also have the opportunity to crawl into one of these cramped tunnels. There is a firing range just a few meters from the tunnels for those who want to try their hand at firing an AK-47, and most tours include a stop at a rubber plantation.
Show respect by paying your respects to Ho Chi Minh
Regular re-embalming procedures have kept the body of Vietnam’s former president, which housed in a glass casket in the H Ch Minh tomb, in remarkably good condition. The site also houses the H Ch Minh Museum, which commemorates Vietnam’s heroic resistance against colonial powers.
In order to travel the country, passengers can take advantage of the many luxurious sleeper train services available across Vietnam, the vast majority of which offer a wide variety of compartment sizes and layouts. If you want to take an overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa, a popular trekking destination in the north, you can choose between the luxurious Sapaly Express trains with their wood-paneled, roomy cabins, the affordable and upbeat Dream Express trains, or the quaint and decorative Chapa Express trains.
The one-way cost for this trip might be anywhere from £31 to £140. One other option is to hire a coach who can help you out even though you’re miles apart. The cost of a coach ticket to any of the main cities is only about £12 for an eight-hour journey, making this mode of transportation a great value. The Sinh Tourist is a major provider of sleeper coaches in Vietnam; their buses travel to many different regions, and their passengers can recline in their seats like in an armchair.
Getting There
Direct flights to Hanoi (twice weekly) and Ho Chi Minh City (daily) are available on Air Vietnam (once a week, although a second route will launch in December 2022).
Bus
To get from Cambodia to Vietnam, you can take one of the numerous long-distance bus routes.
Hints for reducing expenses
We suggest using Vietnamese Dong, but US Dollars are accepted and extensively used among travelers in Vietnam. Since most costs are displayed in Dong, it will be less of a hassle to count out the exact changes and make a precise purchase.
FAQs
How’s the weather today, if you happen to know?
Extreme heat and humidity are typical from May through October in the north, whereas cooler, drier conditions prevail from November through April. It gets its coldest in the northern reaches of the United States around December and January. The southern hemisphere experiences two distinct seasons: a dry period from November to April and a wet period from May to November. Central Vietnam experiences its heaviest rainfall between the months of June and November.
Where does one find out what time it is?
GMT+7 in Indochina.
What kind of money do I require?
The Vietnamese currency unit.
What do you speak?
Native Vietnamese speakers are few, however; many others in the country also speak English.