Vietnam Travel Guide
Vietnam Facts
- Location: the eastern part of the Indo-China Peninsula in Southeast Asia, bordering China in the north, Laos and Cambodia in the west. The South China Sea lies to the east and south.
- Official Language: Vietnamese
- Capital: Hanoi
- Population: 98.5 million(2021)
- Currency: Vietnamese Dong , 1 US Dollar =22,962 Vietnamese Dong(2022)
- Time Zone: UTC +7
Why you should visit Vietnam
Vietnam welcomed 18 million international tourists in 2019. Here is why:
Unique culture: Vietnam has a long and fascinating history. Although Vietnamese culture was heavily influenced by Chinese culture, they also retain their own features. Its architecture was influenced by the Western style and China during the colonial era, Vietnam boasts its unique share architectural elements too.
Breathtaking landscape: Vietnam is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary subterranean landscapes. Terraced rice fields in Sapa and Halong Bay cannot be missed.
Beautiful Beaches: With its 3000 km of coastline, Vietnam is full of stunning beaches and numerous lagoons just waiting to be discovered. Crystal-clear waters, perfect spots for water sports and breathtaking sunset views make Vietnam an ideal destination for a beachgoer.
Delicious Food: Eat the world-famous Pho, One of the best meals that you can ever have in your life and perhaps one of the cheapest that you can possibly purchase is Pho! You can also find western style food like Bánh mì, or Vietnamese baguettes as they are known to those outside of the country.
Affordability: Like Thailand, Vietnam tours are well-known for its affordability. You can travel on a budget of US$40-50 per day in Vietnam. Of course, there are also luxury hotels if your wallet allows it.
The Best Time to Travel in Vietnam
In general, the best time to visit Vietnam is between November and April. This is when the country experiences the least amount of rain.
If you look at the map of Vietnam, you’ll find its long, narrow shape means that the three primary regions (north, central, and south) experience different types of seasons and weather events throughout the year. The south (Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Nha Trang,Cần Thơ,Phan Thiết etc) generally receives more rain and enjoys a tropical climate, however, north part like Hanoi and points farther north have cooler winters than many travelers expect. The area is one of the few places in Southeast Asia you can really feel cold without going to higher elevations.
Top Things to do in Vietnam
Visit the capital city -Hanoi, its old quarter is very old-fashioned, stuck in the past with its French colonial history entrenched in its pavement cafes, architecture and wide tree-lined boulevards. Take a ride in one of the thousands of tuk-tuks swarming through the city’s streets to get a sense of the daily buzz.
Don’t miss Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon); you can visit the French colonial architecture like The Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the National Theater. Saigon served as the capital of Vietnam during Vietnam war, so it is good place to learn more about the war, you can visit War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Halong Bay is one of the reasons why you should visit Vietnam: shimmering turquoise waters punctuated by mossy rocks rising steeply out of nowhere. Taking a two-night trip on a Junk Boat on Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay is simply one thing that cannot be missed.
Hiking in Terraced rice fields in Sapa. Terraced rice fields in Sapa were one of the most beautiful and impressive ones of Asia, It is an ideal place for hiking.
Visit Hoi An Ancient Town, one of the most charming and atmospheric towns in Vietnam. As a prosperous trading port from the 15th-19th centuries, many traders from China and Japan lived here , that why you can find its architecture combines elements from the Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese cultures.
Visa to Vietnam
The Vietnamese Government on Tuesday (Mar, 15, 2022) agreed to resume its unilateral visa exemption policy for citizens from 13 countries as Vietnam seeks to reopen inbound tourism after nearly two years of closure.
Citizens from Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. are allowed to visit Vietnam for up to 15 days without a visa regardless of passport type and entry purpose.
In case you are required to get a tourist visa to enter Vietnam, please make sure:
Your current passport is valid for at least 06 months following your arrival date (temporary passport is not accepted);
Your current passport has at least 02 blank pages for visa and immigration stamps;
Your Vietnam visa photo.
Vietnam COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Travelers entering via air: Present a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result (except for children under 2 years old) using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before entry into Vietnam. Or have a negative rapid test result within 24 hours before departure, certified by the competent authority of the country where the test is performed.
Travelers entering via land, rail and sea routes: Present negative test results as mentioned in the section above. In case not presenting proof of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified above, entrants are required to undergo a SARS-CoV-2 test at the border gate before entry (using RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2). Upon receiving a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result, they are allowed to enter and join tour activities. If the RT - PCR test result returns positive, they must follow strictly the regulations of the health authority.
Children under 2 years old are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2. Having not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or having never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 before, they are allowed to enter and to join outdoor activities with their parents and relatives.
Proof of valid medical/travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment. Minimum cover USD10, 000.
Downloaded PC-Covid mobile app (Apple/Google Play) which must be presented to enter all VN establishments.