Vietnam at a Glance: Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its stunning beaches, Buddhist shrines, lush mountains, sleepy rural villages, and bustling cities, Vietnam has everything for every type of traveler.
- Hanoi: bustling city in the north of the country with lots of character
- Sapa: small mountain town known for rice terraces and homestays
- Halong Bay: take a boat cruise through these stunning rock formations
- Hoi An: this beautiful UNESCO town is located in the middle of the country and has a charming architecture and a laidback vibe
- Danang: Da Nang is the commercial and educational centre of Central Vietnam,
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): modern and busy city in the south of the country
- Nha Trang: is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa Province, on the South Central Coast of Vietnam.
Currency in Vietnam: Vietnamese dong | 1 USD to VND = 23,195.18 (rate as of 12.05.2019)
Tipping in Vietnam: In Vietnam, tipping is not customary but it is highly appreciated. The locals don’t have a habit of tipping unless you go to upscale restaurants or get a massage from spas. You could say that the tipping culture here is at its infancy.
However, most of the tourist cities including Hanoi, Saigon, Hoi An and others are becoming more familiar with tipping. Some high-end services may add a service fee to your bills from 5 percent to 15 percent.
Language & Helpful Phrases: Vietnamese
- Hello = xin chào
- Thank you = Cám ơn
- Beer = bia
- Delicious = Thơm ngon
- Bathroom = Phòng tắm
- How much? = Bao nhiêu
- Too expensive = Quá đắt
- Don’t want = Không muốn
NO ONE in Vietnam speaks proper English. Like literally no one. So you must use google translator or some sort of app converting English to Vietnamese.
Religion and Culture: More than 70 percent of Vietnam’s population are Buddhists. Other official religions recognized by the government are Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Hoa Hao, and Cao Dai. Most of the religion in Vietnam has been greatly influenced by the Tam Giáo, also known as triple religion – Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
Transportation around Vietnam: When you’re in Vietnam, your transportation will depend on your budget, time, flexibility and love for adventure. The safest and best way to go around Vietnam is by car. Buses, on the other hand, can either be delighted or unpleasant. It depends on your expectations. There are also trains running along Vietnam’s coast. Always book ahead if you are planning on traveling during the weekend. Also in the major cities, Gojek and Grab (both ride sharing platforms) are available. These platforms also offer food delivery.
Visas for Vietnam
2 Week, E-Visa, 3 Month, Multiple Entry and More
Vietnam isn’t as easy as other countries in South East Asia when it comes to visas and it’s one of the more expensive countries to enter. You can’t just turn up at the borders empty handed and expect a visa on arrival unless you’re on a two week holiday. Vietnam requires a little forward planning for long-term travellers. Please read the information below and do your own research for your country. We’re as current as we can be, but for Vietnam the regulations seem to change by the hour. You’ll find a search box below ( an affiliate) for what we think is a trustworthy visa company.
Visitors to Vietnam can visit a Vietnamese embassy to buy their Visa, or arrange an e-visa approval online which they must then produce on arrival. Some links are given below.
https://www.ivisa.com/vietnam-e-visa
https://www.vietnam-evisa.org/
The agencies don’t actually issue the visas but give you an authorization letter from the Vietnamese immigration department which allows you to receive a visa on arrival. Airlines are strict and won’t let you on the plane without either a full visa or authorization letter, ours was checked at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka. You pay a small fee to the agency to get the letter emailed to you. The agency will apply for multiple travellers so when you get your letter don’t be surprised that it contains other people’s details such as name, date of birth and passport number.Our visas were handled very professionally by Travel Booking Bangladesh Limited (TBBD). Mr. Oneak Mohammed (Phone +8801670392111) had been the most decent tour executive one can imagine. He handled everything very smoothly. I will highly recommend their service. Me and my family are used to going around arranging everything ourselves but since getting the approval letter was difficult, I had to go through the agency. Of course it increases the costs since agencies here in Bangladesh have collaboration with agencies in Vietnam so you will end up paying way more than had it been all done by you.
After receiving the approval letter, one can travel to Vietnam by air and you then need to pay the stamping fee on arrival in Vietnam where you receive a sticker visa in your passport. This ranges from $20 for a single month to $25 for a three month single entry visa. The multiple entry visas attract a higher stamping fee approximately $50 US. All the stamping fees need to be paid in cash in US $. The approval letter looks something like this.
The authorization letter only works if you are flying into an international airport. It will not work at land crossings. For that you’ll need to have a visa in your passport from an embassy or you will only be entitled to the free 15 day visa on arrival (certain countries only)
Best Time To Visit Vietnam
CLIMATE IN VIETNAM
Vietnam’s weather differs between each region, so planning can be a bit tricky if you’re not careful.
Hanoi and The Northern Part of Vietnam:
- Hot and rainy season: May to October
- Cool season: December and January
- Dry season: November to April
Central Vietnam:
- Hot and dry season: January to August
- Rainy season: September to November
Southern Vietnam:
- Hot and dry season: November to April
- Rainy season: June to August
Peak season for tourists is during the summertime around June and July. However, this time is also the monsoon season so expect a lot of rain showers.
Times to avoid traveling in Vietnam
- It is best to avoid early February during the Tet or Vietnamese New Year, because the locals will be traveling as well and prices will be high.
- Ho Chi Minh City: Avoid May to November because of the heavy rain. Often, there is flood on the main streets so it is best that you do not travel during this time.
- Phu Quoc Island: Avoid the months June to October. This is often the time of strong winds and heavy rain.
- Danang: Da Nang has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: a typhoon and wet season from September to December and a dry season from January to August.
- Nha Trang: Expect that there will be a lot of rain from September to December.
- Hoi An: Heavy rains occur around August to December.
- Halong: Avoid the local summer holiday around June and July.
- Hanoi: Aside from the hot weather, May to September is the time of heavy rains and storms.
When in Vietnam, you have to eat all the food that you can. One of the best places to be in is Hanoi. It has some of the best and cheap street food in the world. Since we are muslim and we eat haalal food, we mostly had to eat sea food. But for those who crave for chicken and beef or mutton in Hanoi you can check out the following halal restaurents in Hanoi. Also food can be brought to your place of stay through Gojek food or Grab (like Ubereats). Download the apps so that you can move around using these two ride sharing platforms.
BATAVIA RESTAURANT & CAFÉ – Indonesian and Asian Halal Food
Address: 116 Ngoc Ha Street, Ngoc Ha Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Tel: (+84)24 3938 2525
NAMASTE HANOI – Indian Cuisine
Address: 46 Tho Nhuom Street,
Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, VIETNAM
Mobile: +84 903266997
TANDOOR RESTAURANT HANOI – The long-time Old Quarter destination for Indian and Halal cuisine.
Address: 24 Hang Be Street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 24 38245359
ZAIKA VIETNAM – Indian Restaurant
Address: 13 Hang Dieu – Cua Dong – Hoan Kiem – Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +842432008848
KHAZAANA HALAL INDIAN RESTAURANT – A complete treasure trove of Authentic Indian Cuisine.
Address: No 34 Đường Thành., Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Mobile: +84 989129440
LITTLE INDIA RESTAURANT
Address: 32 Hang Tre Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi , Vietnam.
Samer: +84 1217398114, Ismail: + 84 906115786
Typical Budget for Vietnam
Vietnam is such a big country that offers a lot of things to do and places to see. For travelers on a budget, Vietnam is a dream come true. For as low as $25 per day, you can survive and travel around the country.
Good to know: If you know how to drive a motorbike, you can buy a super cheap one and go on a motorbike adventure in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.
HOW MUCH TO BUDGET IN VIETNAM PER DAY
Budget traveler: If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, $20 – $30 could be a sufficient daily budget.
Mid-range traveler: If you want to have a few splurges and stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $30 – $50 per day.
Responsible Travel Tips in Vietnam
We are passionate about sharing tips anyone can use to travel more responsibly. Here are some easy ways you can travel better in Vietnam.
1. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY Well
Vietnam can be a tricky place to visit. If you want to see the best that the country has to offer, it’s best to avoid forcing everything on your itinerary. Allow at least 3 to 4 weeks to explore the Vietnam from North to South. Book tours with ethical companies throughout the country. Check out reviews and discover organizations that are giving back to their communities. You can check our one-month Vietnam itinerary to help you.
2. Go Easy on the HAGGLing
Prices in Vietnam are cheap but most things don’t have fixed prices so you can haggle. However, with prices so low, inform yourself of what a good price is and don’t argue over 50 cents. The local people need make a living and tourism helps support that.
3. SAY NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
When buying a drink, ask for no straw (không rơm in Vietnamese) and start reducing your plastic use. A single plastic straw may look convenient and simple but it contributes a lot of harm to our environment. It is one of the top five items that’s found in most beaches and adds to the millions of plastic wastes in the oceans.
What to Pack for Vietnam
When going to Vietnam, loose-fitting, layers and lightweight stuff are what you should go for. Don’t overpack. It’s impractical to bring all of those home comforts with you.
Here are some Vietnam-specific items we’d recommend packing:
- bug repellant (solids are the way to go)
- insulated water bottle
- reef safe sunscreen
- insulated water bottle
- reusable straw & reusable bag (say no to single-use plastic!)
- loose, lightweight clothes & layers
- rain jacket (it can rain during any season, so you’ll want to be prepared!)
- swim suit
- diarrhea treatment (in case you get hit by a stomach bug)
- a quick-dry towel
- small first aid kit
- Chaco sandals (we’d recommend these instead of hiking boots as they are less bulky and are good for walking through water)
Destinations in Vietnam
There are a million places to visit in Vietnam and I can’t possibly put them all on this page. Let’s just start here with a few popular destinations. For more detail you’ll have to find the dedicated post on this site. Just follow the links or use the search box at the top of our side bar.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Saigon refers to the inner city area of Ho Chi Minh City. Renamed after the war in honor of the North Vietnamese leader. The area that most people end up in is District 1 where you will find backpacker accommodation and agencies selling tours and transportation to just about anywhere in Vietnam.
One of the best tours from Saigon would be to the Chu Chi tunnels which are located about 50 km west. This tour can include a Cau Dai temple visit, this religion is unique to Vietnam and was founded in 1912.
The biggest draw card in Saigon itself is the War Remnants Museum and the Old Palace build by the South Vietnamese rulers but not used since tanks drove through its gates in 1975 to officially end the war.
Saigon also boasts French Period architecture, abundant great food and fascinating markets.
To book your Cu Chi Tunnels tour in advance ( recommended), check here . To Book Cu Chi, with the additional Cau Dai Temple Tour, look here.
Hoi An
This incredibly picturesque riverside city is something of a tourist hot spot these days, combing the charms of the Old Town with it’s ancient buildings, tailor’s shops and Hoi An central market with nearby rice paddies and beaches.
Hoi An food is world famous and central Vietnam is a big producer of quality sea food.
Around town there are various places of interest to keep you busy, throw a pot at the pottery village, take a free Vietnamese lesson or one of the many local eco tours. My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountain are a short day trip from Hoi An and Hue is accessible by tour, bus or train.
The nearest large city, Danang, is about 45 minutes away and is another beach-side tourist draw, popular with family holiday-makers
Hanoi
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam is a delightful city to walk around in, if you like people watching and shopping as I do. Personally, I don’t like museums and usually give them a skip if I have very little time in a city. I love markets and other places that are crowded with locals because they give me a feel of what I like to think of as the ‘pulse’ of the city and on that front, Hanoi has a lot to offer. It is noticeably cleaner than other Asian capitals like Delhi or Dhaka. The population density in Hanoi is much less than these cities. However the number of motorbikes that come at you from all directions can make crossing the street a bit nerve wrecking. The best thing is to keep up with locals crossing the street and you will most likely be safe. Of course it takes many days to truly get to know a city, but if you’re here only for a day or two, apart from visits to the famous sites such as the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Complex, here’s my list of what to do in Hanoi.
Hoan Kiem Lake
It’s hard to miss the beautiful lake, especially if you’re staying in the Old Quarter as most tourists do. I find it fascinating to see such a beautiful lake in the middle of the city like that (we don’t have any in Dubai). The area around the Hoan Kiem Lake looks serene and beautiful at all times of the day. I enjoyed walking by it, occasionally sitting down at one of the many benches and people watching. There are usually many tourists, locals and expats jogging around the perimeter, young couples drawn to the romantic setting of the lake and women selling cheap eats and souvenirs.
There is a bridge from one side of the lake to the Ngoc Son Temple, right in the center of the lake, which is also worth a visit. The lake is lit up beautifully at night with the colorful lights reflecting off its waters to create a twinkling fairytale setting. There are a couple of restaurants overlooking the lake and needless to say, these have great ambience and prices to match.
Water Puppet Show
This is an old art form in Vietnamese culture and is an absolute delight to watch. The theatre is located right opposite the Hoan Kiem Lake in the Old Quarter and there are several shows in a day. That said, being very popular with tourists and locals alike, the shows get sold out pretty quickly. So it’s best to buy tickets a day or at least a few hours in advance. The show consists of a series of short folk tales and music by highly talented folk singers to which the water puppets dance. It’s a spectacular display of colors, puppetry and folklore which is high up on my to do list when in Hanoi.
Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnam brings out the coffee lover in me. Vietnamese Coffee is really rich and also kind of chocolaty in my opinion, which is why I like it so much. The coffee is a ‘filter’ coffee which could be with or without milk. Sit down at any one of the cafes in the Hoan Kiem Lake area to enjoy this little cup of joy.
Vietnamese Cuisine
Hanoi is a great place to start with if you’re looking to fall in love with local cuisine. There are some very good restaurants and street kitchens in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area where you can find local delicacies such as Pho (noodle soup with meat and herbs), and Bun cha (grilled beef served with a wholesome broth, green papaya and rice noodles with herbs) among many many others.
Vietnamese Pho. Phở or pho is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles called bánh phở, a few herbs, and meat, primarily made with either beef or chicken.
Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodle, which is thought to have originated from Hanoi,
Gỏi cuốn, Vietnamese spring roll or cold roll, is a Vietnamese dish traditionally consisting of pork, prawn, vegetables, bún (rice vermicelli), and other ingredients wrapped in Vietnamese bánh tráng (commonly known as rice paper or cold roll)
Shopping in the Old Quarter
Hanoi is truly a shopper’s paradise, mainly for two reasons- you will be literally spoilt for choice with the numerous shops selling wide varieties of clothes, shoes, bags, scarves, handicrafts, Vietnamese jewellery, paintings, fabrics and trekking gear, winter clothes and sportswear and most of these are very attractively priced. There are many stores selling ‘The North Face’ clothes and gear as well as McKinley, Columbia and The North Face trekking shoes and brightly coloured Nike trainers for as low as 15-20$. My wife bought Palazzo for a reasonable price of just 3$. I also bought 4 pieces of oil painting for a very bargain price of 65$. It was much cheaper compared to the paintings I bought in Bali, Indonesia.
There are also boutiques selling high fashion clothes and tailored outfits with price tags that read three million dong and upwards. An important thing to remember is to bargain well. A good way to do this is to start with 50% of the price quoted by the seller and gradually work your way upto 70% of the price and not pay more than that.
When shopping in the Old Quarter, it is helpful to know that almost every street specializes in selling one kind of product. For example, on Hang Dau street, you will see all the shops selling shoes of every kind, Nike and Adidas trainers, The North Face trekking shoes, sparkly pumps and heels etc and on Lan Ong there are shops selling traditional herbal medicines. On Hang Bong and around are many boutiques selling fashionable western clothes. So get a map, get organized and head to your streets of interest, or wander about if you prefer. Shopping in the Old Quarter and exploring its many streets, can even take you two to three days if you do it at a leisurely pace, shopping and sampling the street food on the way.
Halong Bay
The dramatic karst scenery of Vietnam’s Halong Bay is no stranger to the ‘Top Places…’, ‘Must See…’ and ‘Top 10…in Asia’ lists that dominate much of the travel blogosphere. One look at the images of these mighty limestone structures rising in the middle of the sea and I knew that I had to go, even though I was pressed for time and the weather wasn’t particularly cooperative. Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay’s scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty and, unsurprisingly, northern Vietnam’s number one-tourism hub.
Sprawling Halong City (also known as Bai Chay) is the bay’s main gateway, but its high-rises are a disappointing doorstep to this site. Most visitors opt for cruise tours that include sleeping on board within the bay, while a growing number are deciding to eschew the main bay completely, heading straight for Cat Ba Island from where trips to less-visited but equally alluring Lan Ha Bay are easily set up. All visitors must purchase entry tickets for the national park (40,000d) and there are also separate admission tickets for attractions in the bay, such as caves and fishing villages (30,000d to 50,000d).
I chose an overnight stay on board the Viola Cruise. It was honeymoon suite. The boat is a traditional Vietnamese wooden boat that is about to undergo renovation in late May, 2019. There are hundreds of other cruises available. The service was very good. At lunchtime, we were served an excellent lunch of spring rolls and an assortment of seafood, chicken, tofu, rice and noodle dishes. There was really nothing to complain about and that was a relief considering how many horror stories and unpleasant accounts of Halong Bay tours can be found online.
The day began early and it did not look very promising with the sun wrapped up nice and cozy in a thick cloud of fluff. After everyone was picked up from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the bus was finally on its way, stopping briefly at a huge souvenir store selling overpriced items.
When we finally arrived at Halong Bay, the sun had slowly started to appear, making the group a little optimistic. Once we were sailing, the clouds cleared up and we could see the beautiful landscape dotted with many boats just like ours. It’s no secret that Halong Bay is very touristy and this puts many people off. But I did not mind this, I could easily see why it’s so popular and I’m generally not fussy about these things. After all, regardless of what we like to call ourselves, sometimes we’re all tourists.
Tips:
There are a number of operators offering similar day cruises but the quality varies according to price. As warned by travelers in internet forums, you do get what you pay for. So to really enjoy the experience, I recommend avoiding the cheapest options. The route and itinerary followed by cruise ships on the day tour are the same, the difference lies in the condition of the boats, the service and the quality of the food served onboard.
I only had a day to explore and did not have the option to spend the night on islands like Cat Ba that came highly recommended by other travelers for an ‘off the beaten track’ experience. I suppose that it’s an option to explore if you have a few days to spend around the area.
Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and on a budget? Then, this Vietnam travel guide is just for you!
Traveling in Vietnam will take you to rice terraces, caves, several food trips, and some of the most beautiful landscapes. The locals are friendly and will make you feel at home.
Vietnam offers a plethora of flavors, sounds, landscapes, and people. Once you visit this place, you’ll never want to leave.
Danang
Da Nang is one of the five largest cities in Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Haiphong, and Cần Thơ in terms of urbanization and economy. Located on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River, it is one of Vietnam’s most important port cities. It is about an hours flight from Hanoi and also same from Ho Chi Minh City.
Da Nang is the commercial and educational centre of Central Vietnam. It is located within 100 km (62 mi) of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Hue, the Old Town of Hoi An, and the My Son ruins.
Mỹ Sơn is an archaeological site dating back more than a thousand years, in Quang Nam. Located in a remote forested valley some 70 km west of Da Nang.
The Marble Mountains are rocky limestone outcrops jutting out of the beach just south of Da Nang. Paths lead to the top of the forested cliffs, providing views of Non Nuoc Beach and the South China Sea.
Non Nuoc Beach is a white sandy beach on the outskirts of Đà Nẵng that is renowned for its history as an R&R destination for American troops during the Vietnam War. Today, the beach, along with Mỹ Khê beach to the north, are home to expensive resorts, surfing and entertainment facilities.
Haalal restaurents in Danang,
Mumtaz Indian Restaurant Da Nang
We reached Danang through Vietnam Airlines flight which took about 1 hour. Vietnam Airlines was surprisingly cheap and they are apparently four star airlines. They belong to SkyTeam. I wouldnt rate them four stars only for the fact that, they havent provided any snacks or a meal on board the flight other than just a glass of water or coke. Also, they are plagued by delays, atleast their internal flights are. However, their maintenance is top notch and the pilots are very professional good at doing their job. All the take offs and landings were real smooth.
Ba Na Hills is a mountain resort with a 5 km-long cable car system which carries guests up to Ba Na’s peak at 1487m above sea level. Son Tra Mountain, just some miles away from the city centre with some wild streams and resorts along the seaside. It had French village, Garden of Love, Ling Ung Pagoda with statue of a White Buddha
In Danang, we stayed in a beautiful boutique hotel called Santori Danang Bay Hotel. It was just opposite the beach and the room was very comfy.
Sapa
Phu Quoc Island
Azure-hued water. Soft, white-sand beaches. Palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze. Deliciously fresh seafood. For most Westerners who’ve never been to the island of Phu Quoc, these aren’t exactly images we would typically equate with Vietnam.
But the rapidly developing resort island in the Gulf of Thailand offers all that and more at a price point that even perpetually underemployed and overdebted millennials can afford. Imagine seaside resorts for $20-$60 a night, freshly caught and prepared seafood for a few bucks and a full body massage right on the beach for less than the price of a single cocktail in an American city.
A relatively new international airport and relaxed visa rules for Phu Quoc visitors make this paradise resort island the most accessible to Western tourists it’s ever been. And with the monsoon rains of summer now in the rearview, the island comes alive for the dry season from November to March, when the humidity drops and average daily temperatures hover around a pleasant 80 degrees.
Finally thank you for visiting my blog. Hope you have a wonderful and safe travel to Vietnam. Do share my link with your friends so that they can also get benefitted from the information given here. Till next time, adios!
Tulan Hayat 
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