Vietnam
Vietnam for first-time visitors: what to know before you go
First-timers should pick two of Vietnam's three regions (North, Centre, South) for 10–14 nights and fly the long legs rather than lose days to overnight buses. Hanoi is the northern base, Hội An the easiest place to slow down. Change the plan if you have under 10 nights: stay north only.
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Key facts
- Nights that work
- 10–14 for two regions; 7 for north plus Hội An; add one spare night per week
- Fly, don't bus, the long legs
- Hanoi–Đà Nẵng–Saigon; an overnight bus costs a day
- Visacheck
- E-visa or exemption depends on nationality; Phú Quốc has a 30-day island exemption
- Cash
- Vietnamese đồng; carry small notes for markets, taxis and street food
- Cards and ATMs
- Accepted in hotels, malls and mid-range restaurants; markets and street food are cash
- Weather
- Regions differ: north Oct–Apr, centre Feb–Aug, south Dec–Apr
- Tết
- Late Jan–Feb: many shops and buses stop; book transport and stays early
- English
- Common in hotels, tour desks and city cafés; less so in markets and rural areas
Details
Vietnam is long and thin, so the first decision is which regions to combine. The North (Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hạ Long, Sa Pa, Hà Giang) is history, karst and mountains. The Centre (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Phong Nha) is imperial tombs, beaches and the easiest cycling. The South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phú Quốc) is markets, war museums and delta canals. Two regions in 10–14 nights is comfortable; three means two domestic flights and a faster pace.
Book the first two nights in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before you fly, then leave the rest loose. Domestic flights on VietJet, Bamboo and Vietnam Airlines cover Hanoi–Đà Nẵng and Đà Nẵng–Saigon in about 1 h 20 m each; trains and sleeper buses are cheaper but eat a day or a night. Within cities, ride-hailing apps (Grab) work in Hanoi, Saigon, Đà Nẵng and Hội An and remove the need to negotiate a fare.
Money: the đồng is the only currency; prices are usually quoted in thousands, so 50,000 đồng is about $2 (2026 estimate). Carry small notes — many stalls and some taxis cannot break a 500,000 note. Cards work in hotels, malls and mid-range restaurants; markets, street food and small guesthouses are cash. Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for guides and drivers.
Practical rules that catch first-timers: agree the taxi fare or use an app before you get in; check the meter is running; keep your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photo; and buy travel insurance that covers motorbike riding if you plan to rent one. Motorbike rental without a Vietnamese licence or an accepted international permit can void cover — check before you ride.
Language: English is common in hotels, tour agencies and city cafés, and less so in markets, rural areas and bus stations. A few Vietnamese words (xin chào, cảm ơn) go a long way, and a translation app covers the rest.
Summary table
| Topic | What to know | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Length of trip | 10–14 nights for two regions; 7 for north plus Hội An | Confirmed |
| Getting around | Fly Hanoi–Đà Nẵng–Saigon; Grab in cities; trains and sleeper buses for shorter legs | Confirmed |
| Visa | E-visa or exemption depends on nationality; Phú Quốc has a 30-day island exemption | Check |
| Cash and cards | Đồng cash for markets and street food; cards in hotels and mid-range places | Confirmed |
| Weather | North Oct–Apr, centre Feb–Aug, south Dec–Apr; storms can shift plans | Confirmed |
| Tết | Late Jan–Feb: closures and full transport; book ahead | Confirmed |
| English | Common in tourism, limited elsewhere | Confirmed |
Prices and rules change; confirm visa and insurance details with official sources before you travel.
Tips
- Pick two regions, not three, unless you have 14+ nights.
- Fly the long legs; an overnight bus costs a full day of sightseeing.
- Book the first two nights only, then decide the rest on the ground.
- Carry small đồng notes for markets, taxis and street food.
- Use a ride-hailing app instead of hailing a taxi on the street.
- Check your travel insurance covers motorbike riding before you rent one.
- Around Tết, book transport and accommodation weeks ahead.
Questions people ask
What should first-time visitors know about Vietnam?
Pick two of the three regions for 10–14 nights and fly the long legs. Hanoi is the northern base, Hội An the easiest place to slow down. Carry small đồng notes, use a ride-hailing app, and check your visa and insurance before booking.
How many days do I need in Vietnam?
10–14 nights covers two regions comfortably; 7 nights works for the north plus Hội An. Three regions need 14+ nights and two domestic flights. Add one spare night per week for storms or delays.
What are the biggest mistakes tourists make in Vietnam?
Trying to see three regions in a week, taking overnight buses instead of flying, carrying only large notes, hailing taxis without agreeing a fare, and renting a motorbike without checking insurance cover. Booking only the first two nights avoids most of these.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVietnam National Authority of Tourism
- officialVietnam Immigration Department
- secondaryWikivoyage – Vietnam