Vietnam – Travel Guide
Vietnam, a country of breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, beckons travelers with its vibrant cities, ancient temples, and serene countryside. Hanoi, the capital, is known for its historic Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and bustling street markets. Ho Chi Minh City dazzles with its French colonial architecture, vibrant nightlife, and bustling markets. The tranquil beauty of Ha Long Bay, with its limestone islands and emerald waters, offers a unique cruising experience. Vietnam`s delicious cuisine, diverse ethnic communities, and historical sites like the Cu Chi Tunnels make it a captivating destination for exploration.
All about Vietnam
Vietnam FAQ
What is Vietnam known for?
Vietnam is a fascinating country with a deep ancient history, a diverse culture, and some of the most dramatic and breathtaking landscapes. Vietnam is famous for its simply stunning beaches, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and the perfect mixture of modern and traditional worlds. It is one of Asia`s most spectacular destinations boasting fantastic delicacies found in locations such as Hue which is famous for its imperial cuisine and Hoi An featuring regional specialties. The vibrant markets in Vietnam are a pleasure to explore with the famous Ben Thanh Market, the most famous market in the South field with friendly people and colorful images. The Mekong Delta Floating Market is a unique experience in Vietnam with locals selling anything and everything from traditional wooden boats.
The war history in Vietnam runs deep with sights and attractions such as the Son My Memorial Monument and museum which is dedicated to those who died during the epoch-changing massacre. Visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Khe Sanh Combat Base and explore the somber site of the Ba Chuc Tomb Skulls and bones from the gruesome Khmer Rouge. Check out the tombs and temples of Vietnam such as Tu Duc and Minh Mang both spectacular monuments and the impressive My Son, a famous Cham site with its breathtaking hilltop location.
See some of Vietnam`s impressive architecture in the Po Klong Garai Cham Towers impressive monuments on the north-south trail. Old Town Hoi An is simply a charming ancient port town decorated by the 16th century traditional Japanese Bridge and cobblestone streets with colorful shophouses. Beautiful beaches are bountiful in Vietnam and should not be missed, Phu Quoc Island boasts secluded bays and rocky coastlines with stunning scenery.
What are the best places to visit in Vietnam?
Ho Chi MInh or `Saigon` is Vietnam`s largest city once known as the `Diamond of teh East`. An exuberant metropolis with a deep war history and a fascinating culture that can be uncovered down ancient lanes and alleyways filled with street markets, cafes and food stalls. There is a vibrant nightlife scene along with world class cuisine to be discovered. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam boasting a rich political history and deep ancient culture. There are beautiful temples, interesting museums, monuments and citadels spread throughout the various districts. Narrow winding streets in the Old Quarter are lined by traditional shophouses. The city is set along the Red River which is dotted with lakes and bridges such as Hoan Kiem lake and the wooden red Huc Bridge. Hue is one of the most interesting and charming cities in teh country, set in the heart of Vietnam along the banks of the Perfume River, it was the capital for 143 years. Hue has a long illustrious history and was once the main royal capital, exploring the history, culture and nature of this beautiful city.
How many days should I spend in Vietnam?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Vietnam?
Whatever your pleasure, transportation in Italy is modern, easy to navigate and fits a variety of budget ranges. The best way to travel in Italy ultimately depends on your goals: Do you want to travel by train in Italy, or, maybe you want to visit as many cities as possible or exploring the tiny villages dotted throughout the country; if so, driving may be the way to go.
By Boat: There are many boat trips available on Vietnam`s large number of rivers with the Mighty Mekong and its tributaries being the most important. There are many scenic boat day trips offered in areas such as Hoi An, Nha Trang, Danang, Hue, Tam Coc, and Hoi Chi Minh City. Island hopping through the magical waters of Halong Bay is also a favorite pass time for those visiting northern Vietnam. Cham Islands set in the heart of Vietnam are a fun excursion. The popular fast boat trip from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc is fun for tourists wishing to visit Vietnam and Cambodia.
By Train: Vietnam Railways is the country`s national train operator with dependable services and a relaxing way to travel the country. There is plenty of breathtaking scenery to take in on Vietnam`s train rides. There are many different classes of services and the highest level offers comfy overnight compartments with bunk beds and even come with air conditioning.
By Bus: There is an extensive bus network in Vietnam traveling to the farthest corners of the country connecting passengers with major cities and remote villages. Privately operated buses are usually the preferred choice of most tourists and are often known as `open tour` buses with an `open` ticket option to get on and off along the Hanoi-Saigon route. These buses operate on a fixed schedule with a limited number of passengers and offer air conditioning.
What is the currency of Vietnam?
The units of currency in Vietnam are the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars are accepted but it is always better to pay in VND. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Vietnam.
Do people speak English in Vietnam?
The official language spoken in Vietnam is Vietnamese. Most Vietnamese speak enough English for tourists` needs, and it is common for hotels, restaurants, and shops that are aimed at tourists to use the English Language. We suggest you get a good English-Vietnamese guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.
Best time to visit Vietnam
The country of Vietnam experiences three distinct geographical and climate zones, the north, south and central regions which all experience different weather throughout the year. Due to the differentiating climatic regions, Vietnam is a year-round destination.
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The country offers temperatures ranging from hot and humid in the summer to cool in the mountains and highland areas, as well as a tropical sunny coastline. The tropical monsoon climate is different in the north, south and central areas, with the southwest monsoon season running from May through September and the northeast monsoon season from October to April. The southwest summer monsoon usually brings warm, humid and wet weather to the two deltas and west-facing slopes, where as the northeast cold winter monsoon season brings cold weather and moisture to the central coast and the eastern edge of the central highlands.
Vietnam covers such as a vast area of land and over 2,000 miles of coastline, typically the country`s weather is warm and Autumn (Sept-Dec) and Spring (March and April) are the most favorable seasons. November through April are often peak travel months with the least amount of rain occurring in the country, and the temperatures are moderate. The weather patterns can differ dramatically throughout the year, for example, it can be warm and sunny at the south beaches with temperatures in the 80`s, and at the same time, the far northern mountains can be covered in snow.
January – April
The beginning months of the year can be a busy time in the country with celebrations for the Lunar New Year which is the biggest festival of the year and the Tet holiday (Christmas and New Year), which brings large crowds and sold out accommodations and transport. When traveling to Vietnam in February, visitors may find that many of the restaurants, shops, and museums close down for a week during the Tet holiday.
January and February are the cooler months in the country, the weather in the day can be quite pleasant and dry but temperatures tend to drop during the evenings and early mornings, especially in the north. The temperatures begin to heat up in February and most of the country will experience warm, dry weather although it is not advised to visit Halong Bay during these months as it covered in mist and quite hazy.
In the month of March, temperatures start to heat up and the beaches become a popular destination, Mui Ne, Con Dao and Nha Trang all offer good weather during this time. Hoi An and Halong Bay start to clear up towards the end of the March through the month of May and offer clear blue skies and pleasant temperatures in the 60`s without the haze.
Events and Festivals
– Lunar New Year/Tet – (dates vary but normally held in January or February) – The biggest festival and celebration of the year with Christmas and New Years rolled into one. Usually lasting for a whole week when locals travel to visit family and businesses close.
May – September
Summertime runs from May to September when the weather is warm and humid with frequent afternoon showers starting at the end of May, especially in the northern and southern regions. Central Vietnam is perfect during this time of year with blue skies and long days filled with sunshine, Hoi An Is the perfect beach destination in the summer. Hanoi gets hot and humid in the summertime and average temperatures soar in the 90`s with spurts of heavy tropical downpours in the afternoons. Most of the cities experience consistently nice weather during the summer months which also make it peak travel season with the cost of accommodations and travel being at their highest and selling out fast.
Events and Festivals
-Tet Trung Nguyen Feast – (August) – a time to pardon condemned souls with offerings of food that is given to the homeless, animals and birds are released.
-Mid-Autumn Festival – (during the full moon that occurs between Sept and Oct) – A harvest festival that celebrates `gathering`, `Thanksgiving` and `praying` with live street parades and performances and lighting lanterns.-Vietnam National Day (Sept 2nd) – A National Holiday celebrating the country`s independence from Fran in 1945.
October – December
Autumn in Vietnam brings the cooler weather as well as rain and fog with daily average temperatures ranging from 60 – 70F degrees during the months of October and November and the colder temperatures creeping up in December through to February. The city of Hue is very wet during these months with extremely heavy rainfall that can even cause flooding. Hanoi is a great place to visit during the months of October and November with dry weather and average temperatures reaching around 70F degrees which are perfect for sightseeing.
Tipping in Vietnam
The questions `when?` and `how much?` can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. Sometimes restaurants will even display signs which read `Tips Not Accepted` or display it in their menus, and if this is the case, respect the establishment`s wishes and do not tip.
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In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades.
This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
In Vietnam tipping is not part of the countries culture, but tipping is becoming more common. Visitors are not required to tip for services but tips are greatly appreciated by workers in the service industry, salaries are low for most workers in the country, therefore, tips provide a way for them to earn extra money. US dollars are accepted in Vietnam and can be used for tipping along with the Vietnamese currency the dong. Many services orientated businesses have started adding a service fee to bills that range from 5 – 15% which most likely will not make it to the staff member providing you with their service.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars?
The units of currency in Vietnam are the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars are accepted but it is always better to pay in VND. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Some restaurants and cafes today will add a service charge to your bill, this amount ranges from 5 -10% and most of the time will not make it directly to the person that waited on you. Leaving a tip directly with your waiter/waitress is a nice gesture if you have received excellent service, a tip of VND 50,000 – 100,000 (USD$2 – 4) is appropriate but not required. You can also round up the bill to the nearest dollar or leave the change depending on what type of restaurant and their prices. If you are visiting one of the popular street food vendors in Vietnam it is usually recommended to leave a small tip of around VND 20,000 (USD$0.88).
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Today in hotels it is common for the establishment to add a service charge to your bill ranging from 5 – 15% that will normally go straight to the hotel and not to the employee. You are definitely not obligated to tip at hotels but if you receive good service leaving a few dollars for the housekeeper and bellman would be appropriate.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
The common practice for tipping taxi drivers in Vietnam is to round up to the nearest dollar or leave the change, a few dollars is appropriate if you received good service. Always remember when traveling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
In Vietnam tour guides are underpaid and tips are a part of the livelihood. So when taking a tour be sure to tip the guide as well as the driver. A suggested amount is between USD$10 -15 per person and around half that amount for the driver.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Tipping in a spa is recommended; services are a lot cheaper here than in the US. A service charge may be added in some upscale spas but leaving an additional tip for the masseuse/therapist is greatly appreciated anywhere between VND 50,000 – 100,000 or 15 – 20% of the total cost of the services received.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower in France than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in Vietnam
More cities in Vietnam
A – Z
What to expect while traveling
