Vietnam At A Glance

If there is one place you should go before you die it is Vietnam! It is an exhilarating, heartwarming, spiritual, and friendly country, with some of the most incredible scenery.

The chaotic streets, smiling locals, insanely delicious food, and colourful buildings left a long-lasting impression on me. The cities are as modern as any in the West, the beaches are never-ending, and the mountains and rivers are majestic.

This Vietnam At A Glance post has all the basic information you must know before you visit, and also some blog posts I wrote during my time there.

What To Expect

Language

The language is Vietnamese, however, in big cities, the locals have basic English. Many restaurants will have an English menu. Learning some basic phrases will always be appreciated though!

Religion

Vietnam is officially an atheist nation. However, citizens are religious, the three most practised religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Currency

The currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Cash is mostly used, especially at street vendors. Larger restaurants and cafes will accept card but always carry cash on you in Vietnam. Find the HSBC ATMs as they do not charge an ATM fee!

Plugs

Vietnam uses plug types A, C, F, and G.
The voltage is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz.

Visa Requirements

Citizens from all countries and territories can apply for a 90-day e-visa.

You should apply 2 weeks before your trip, applications are via the official Vietnam immigration website.

Sim Cards

I find the best option is an e-sim, Airalo never let me down during my time in Thailand.

You just download the app, choose the amount of data, and install the sim. It allows you to keep your home sim on your phone.

If you decide to use Airalo get $3 off with my code TARA1104.

Insurance

Do not take a chance, purchase travel insurance just in case you run into any medical issues. The best clinics for tourists in Vietnam are the international ones. I had a great experience with Raffles. However, these clinics are very expensive if you do not have insurance.

I use SafetyWing, I have had to claim a few times over the last three years, each time they were reliable with great communication.

Vaccines

It is advisable to get the following vaccines prior to arriving in Vietnam. Hep A, Hep B, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Also, consider the rabies vaccine, unfortunately, monkeys and stray dogs can carry this.

You can get these vaccines from your GP, Boots, or a travel clinic in your town.

Best Time To Visit Vietnam

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season.

Typhoon season in north Vietnam is during June and July, while typhoon season in central Vietnam occurs during September and October.

The best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region
North Vietnam: for cool and dry weather visit October – April
Central Vietnam: for warm temperatures, and less rainfall visit February – May
South Vietnam: for dry and less humid weather visit December – April

If you plan to visit the entire country September to December, along with March and May, are your best options for favourable weather.

How To Travel Around Vietnam

Vietnam is all about the bike, it is actually fascinating to watch the locals wizz around, there is chaos to it, but it is organised. The best and most efficient way to get around cities is by ordering a grab or gojek bike, the driver will arrive at your door, you just put on the helmet and hop on the back, and he will drive you wherever you entered on the app!

If you are travelling across the country, Vietnam is well connected by train. The trains are quite slow, there are no high-speed trains but they have sleeper carriages, and are very scenic. You can book trains on 12GoAsia. I wrote about my experience with Vietnam sleeper trains here.

In addition to trains, there are many sleeper buses that travel throughout the night. Some are actually really nice and comfortable, they are also the cheapest option. You can also book these buses on 12GoAsia.

If you have time constraints then domestic air travel is really affordable. Vietnam Airlines is the national carrier, I found it to be excellent, budget carrier VietJet Air is also another great option. Check Skyscanner for the best options for your dates.

You can check out my experience with VietJet here and Vietnam Airlines here.

Apps To Download

Gojek or Grab: these are the best apps to order bikes from, they also deliver food
12GoAsia: book train and bus travel
GoogleMaps: the best app for directions, saving places you’d like to visit, and checking reviews
BusMap: check accurate, real-time information on local buses in major cities
Klook or GetYourGuide: book tickets to attractions here from reputable agencies

Vietnamese Food To Try

Pho: rice noodles, fresh herbs, chicken or beef, in a delicious broth…this is my absolute favourite dish
Bun Cha: grilled pork meatballs, rice noodles, and vegetables, with a tangy dipping sauce
Banh Mi: crispy baguette filled with meats, fresh vegetables, herbs and spicy sauce
Banh Bo Hue: rice noodles with beef in a sweet and salty broth
Bánh xèo: stuffed rice pancake, usually with prawns, lettuce and vegetables
Spring Rolls: minced pork and vegetables, wrapped in rice paper, and deep-fried
Vietnamese coffee: the coffee in Vietnam is the best in the world (in my opinion), try traditional iced coffee, egg coffee, salted coffee, and coconut coffee.

Vietnam Blog Posts