Major city · Vietnam
Mong Cai
Skip Mong Cai unless you need to cross the China–Vietnam border here; one night is enough if you stop. The beach at Trà Cổ is a half-day detour.
Mong Cai is a border town with a 15-km beach on the Trà Cổ Peninsula and a Gothic church, but no major sights. Most travellers use it as a crossing point between Dongxing (China) and Ha Long Bay. One night covers the beach and a walk across the border.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, rainy), Dec–Feb (cool, overcast)
- Airport
- VDH
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mong Cai113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mong Cai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyMong Cai is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckVDH Van Don International Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) south; taxis and minibuses connect to Mong Cai (check)).VDH Van Don International Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) south; taxis and minibuses connect to Mong Cai (check)).
- Getting aroundMotorbike taxis (xe ôm) and local buses cover the town and Trà Cổ.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (U-Tea near border)₫30,000 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Motorbike taxi (short ride)₫20,000–50,000 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₫250,000 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₫400,000 (≈ US$16)
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₫600,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫300,000 (≈ US$12) · Mid ₫600,000 (≈ US$25) · High ₫1,200,000 (≈ US$50)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VDH Van Don International Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) south; taxis and minibuses connect to Mong Cai (check))VDH Van Don International Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) south; taxis and minibuses connect to Mong Cai (check))
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (18 rain days), driest Dec (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mong Cai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Motorbike taxis (xe ôm) and local buses cover the town and Trà Cổ. Walking is fine for the border area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dongxing, China
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Walk across the border; motorbike taxi to the crossing
Border formalities on both sides; check visa requirements for China.
Ha Long Bay
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Bus or minibus via Van Don, about 3–4 h
Mong Cai is a common stop on the overland route from China to Ha Long.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the border crossing
Several hotels within a few blocks; prices from about ₫250,000 (check)
Trà Cổ town
Less than 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mong Cai; beachfront hotels and restaurantsLess than 6.2 mi (10 km) from Mong Cai; beachfront hotels and restaurants
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫300,000–500,000 (≈ US$12–20) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫500,000–1,000,000 (≈ US$20–40) excl. bed
- High
- ₫1,000,000 (≈ US$40)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × ₫800,000 | ₫800,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₫600,000 | ₫1,200,000 |
| Motorbike taxi to Trà Cổ (return)2 × ₫100,000 · check | ₫200,000 |
| Coffee at U-Tea2 × ₫30,000 · check | ₫60,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫226,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫1,243,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫2,486,000≈ US$95 |
2026 estimate in VND; border crossing fees and transport to/from China excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (U-Tea near border) | ₫30,000 (≈ US$2) |
| Budget hotel room | ₫250,000–500,000 (≈ US$10–20) |
| Motorbike taxi (short ride) | ₫20,000–50,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The border crossing closes at 22:00 (check); plan your arrival.The border crossing closes at 10:00 PM (check); plan your arrival.
- Chinese Renminbi is accepted, but change is often given in VND.
- Trà Cổ beach has no lifeguards; swim with care.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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Mong CaiMong Cai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mong Cai → Trà Cổ (motorbike taxi): about ₫50,000–100,000 (≈ US$2–4) (check)
- Mong Cai → Van Don Airport (taxi): about ₫800,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$35–50) (check)
Say or show
- Xin chào — Hello (sin chow)
- Cảm ơn — Thank you (kam un)
- Bao nhiêu? — How much? (bow nyew)
- Bãi biển ở đâu? — Where is the beach? (bai bien uh dow)
- Cửa khẩu — Border crossing (kua kow)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mong Cai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, rainy), Dec–Feb (cool, overcast) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mong Cai
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