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InternationalTravel.ai > Vietnam

Vietnam

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Fall

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Ha Long Bay limestone karsts, Mekong Delta waterways, Ancient Hoi An town, Mountain trekking in Sapa

Train Access: Yes (vietnam railways, relatively safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Vietnam National Coach Services (Vexere), Mai Linh Express, Phuong Trang (Futa Bus Lines), relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders receive 90 days visa-free entry for tourism. Vietnam also offers e-visas valid for 30 or 90 days, processed online within 3 business days for approximately $25. Travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended departure date.

Vietnam stretches 1,600 kilometers along Southeast Asia's eastern coast, offering limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, rice terraces in the Mekong Delta, and colonial architecture in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers navigate the Red River Delta in the north, trek through Sapa's mountain villages, kayak through Halong Bay's 3,000 islands, explore the ancient town of Hoi An, and cruise the Mekong Delta's waterways. Regional cuisines vary dramatically: pho and egg coffee in Hanoi, banh mi and fresh herbs in central Vietnam, and tropical fruits in the south. Experiences range from motorbike journeys on mountain passes to water puppet theater in Hanoi, silk weaving workshops in Hoi An, and visits to Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Vietnam

Weather: Vietnam experiences a tropical and subtropical climate with distinct seasonal variations. The country has a monsoon season from May to September bringing heavy rainfall, particularly in the north and central regions, while the dry season runs from October to April with cooler, more pleasant temperatures. Northern Vietnam experiences more pronounced seasonal changes with cooler winters, while southern Vietnam remains warm year-round. Typhoons can occur during the monsoon season, particularly affecting coastal and central areas.

Festivals: Tet Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Hoi An Lantern Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival

Best Destinations for Kids: Saigon Zoo in Ho Chi Minh City houses tigers, elephants, and primates. Suoi Tien Theme Park in Ho Chi Minh City combines water rides with Vietnamese cultural sculptures. Ha Long Bay boat tours allow children to explore caves and swim in designated areas.

Hidden Gem: Ninh Binh province, south of Hanoi, features limestone karsts, river caves, and ancient temples with far fewer tourists than Ha Long Bay, accessible by train or bus from Hanoi.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget guesthouses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cost $8-15 per night; mid-range hotels run $25-50. Street food meals cost $1-3, while sit-down restaurants charge $3-8 per dish. Overnight buses between regions cost $10-20; domestic flights run $30-80. Motorbike rentals average $5-8 daily. A solo traveler can live on $25-35 daily outside major cities.

Accessibility: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have improving accessibility in newer hotels and shopping centers, but sidewalks are narrow and uneven throughout the country. Public buses lack wheelchair lifts; taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab) are more accessible options. Temples, pagodas, and historical sites often have steep stairs and limited facilities for mobility-limited visitors.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel in Vietnam is straightforward; the country has extensive backpacker infrastructure, particularly in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Public buses, trains, and ride-hailing apps enable independent navigation. Female solo travelers report general safety but should exercise standard precautions in crowded areas and avoid isolated nighttime travel. Joining organized tours or staying in social hostels provides community for those seeking it.

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Start in Hanoi (2 days) for Old Quarter exploration and water puppet theater, then travel to Ha Long Bay (2 days) for kayaking and cave tours. End in Hoi An (2-3 days) for ancient town walks, lantern-making workshops, and nearby My Khe Beach. This covers northern and central Vietnam's signature experiences.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Spend 10 days in northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa's mountain villages. Allocate 8 days to central Vietnam: Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Da Nang beaches. Dedicate 10 days to the south: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, and Mekong Delta boat tours through Can Tho and Chau Doc. Reserve 2 days for overland travel between regions via bus or train.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: The Quiet American, Indochine, Good Morning, Vietnam

Popular Foods: Vietnamese cuisine is known for its balance of five taste elements. Pho, a flavorful beef or chicken noodle soup, is one of the most famous dishes. Banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich that combines a French baguette with various savory ingredients, is a popular street food. Spring rolls, both fresh (Goi Cuon) and fried (Cha Gio), are common appetizers or meals, often served with a side of peanut or fish sauce. Desserts often include sweet soups like Che or tropical fruits such as dragon fruit and lychee.

Unusual Eats: One unusual food is Balut, a fertilized bird egg (usually duck) which is incubated for a period before being boiled and eaten. Another is Tiet Canh, a traditional dish made with fresh animal blood that has been mixed with fish sauce and peanuts.

Popular Sports: football (soccer), badminton, table tennis, volleyball, martial arts

Popular Teams: Vietnam national football team, Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, Hanoi FC

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: Pointing with your finger is considered rude in Vietnam; it's better to gesture with your hand. It's also impolite to touch someone's head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body. Visitors should avoid public displays of affection, as these are frowned upon, especially in more conservative or rural areas.