10 Vietnam Travel Tips No One Tells You
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Looking for helpful Vietnam travel tips? After some three weeks exploring the country, we’re spilling the secrets that guidebooks and travel blogs don’t tell you.
Buckle up – Vietnam is full of extremes and surprises!
With 100 million people (including 52 officially recognized ethnic minority groups) living in a country that stretches over 1,000 miles and spans multiple climates, it’s a land of contrasts.
One day, you’re wilting in the heat of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly “Saigon”); the next, you’re zipped into a puffy coat in Hanoi. Locals slurp noodles on tiny plastic stools on crowded sidewalks as swarms of motorcycles buzz by, yet just around the corner, Michelin-starred dining elegance awaits at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
Expect grit alongside grandeur – grime and garbage one moment, then the surreal emerald landscapes of Trang An the next.
Here are 10 essential things to know before visiting Vietnam. Go with eyes wide open. Vietnam will keep you on your toes!
1) Don’t make the visa mistake we made
If you’re visiting Vietnam from the U.S. or Canada, chances are you’ll also hop over to Siem Reap (Cambodia) to see the legendary Angkor temples – which means you might enter Vietnam twice. And that’s where visas can get tricky.
Here’s the deal on Vietnam’s visa requirements:
- Travelers from the U.S., Canada and Australia must get a visa for Vietnam.
- If you’re from the UK, France, Italy, Germany or Spain, you can enter visa-free for up to 15 days.
- If you fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, then visit Siem Reap before returning to Vietnam – like we did – you’ll need a multiple-entry visa.
We had a 30-day visa and thought we were fine. But upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, a fellow passenger in the customs line with a multiple-entry visa clued us in – our visas said, in the teeniest print, that they were only single-entry visas. Oops!
To make things worse, you can’t apply for a visa from inside Vietnam.
Luckily, the concierge at our hotel connected us with a travel agent who arranged an urgent online visa while we were in Siem Reap, letting us re-enter Vietnam to carry on with our trip.
You can apply for your Vietnam visa in advance online through the official government of Vietnam website.
2) Use fast-track service at Ho Chi Minh Airport
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is notoriously busy and chaotic, with painfully long customs and security lines. It’s easily one of the most dreadful airports we’ve ever gone through.
When we arrived, clearing immigration took us just 30 minutes, but wait times often stretch to 90 minutes or more.
Leaving for Siem Reap though – an international flight – was worse.
Before going through airport security, we had to clear immigration again to leave the country. After waiting in line for more than 90 minutes, we were told our Vietnam Airlines mobile boarding passes weren’t good enough – we needed printed boarding passes. Cue a mad dash back to the airline counter, pleading our way to the front of the line for printed passes, then begging officials to help us bypass immigration.
Even with a three-hour buffer, we still nearly missed our flight.
The solution?
Book a fast-track service for SGN airport – available for both arrival and departure – to skip the long stressful lines. It’s worth every penny! (When we returned to Vietnam after Siem Reap, the fast-track service whisked us through in no time.)
3) Maybe don’t try to see the whole country at once?
Vietnam is long and spread out, meaning multiple internal flights or long-haul train rides to see it from end to end.
One of the hardest parts of such a trip for us turned out to be the hassle of flying – airport lines, wait times and worrying if our carry-on bags were under the strict limits.
After taking four Vietnam Airlines flights to get from Ho Chi Minh City (south Vietnam) to Siem Reap and back, then to Hue and Hoi An (central Vietnam) and finally to Hanoi (north Vietnam), we were nearly wiped out.
If you’d rather skip some flights but still see lots, consider:
- A deluxe Mekong River cruise – Explore southern Vietnam (and Cambodia) in style with Aqua Expeditions, Uniworld or Scenic.
- Luxury train travel – Ride The Vietage by Anantara (between Da Nang and Quy Nhon or Nha Trang) or the new SJ Luxury Train (between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi).
- A sleeper train – The Da Nang to Hanoi route (16 to 20 hours) isn’t fancy, but it’s said to be an adventure! (Book through the official Vietnam Railway site or 12Go.)
- An ocean-going cruise – Sail Vietnam’s coast with lines like Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises or Silversea. (Check CruiseDirect for deals.)
4) Visit Hoi An early in the morning for a more authentic feeling
If you’re visiting central Vietnam, you likely have Hoi An in your sights.
The ancient town of Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – laced with canals, ancient Chinese shophouses and French colonial buildings and featuring the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
It’s undeniably beautiful and the restaurants are fantastic. (And, yes, you can get a suit or silk dress tailor-made in 24 hours).
But the Old Town is also packed with tourists, literally rubbing shoulders, at night. And the glowing lantern-lit streets and souvenir-laden alleys give it a slightly Disneyesque feel – something we didn’t expect.
For a quieter, more authentic experience, visit early in the morning.
You can also get off-the-beaten-path and discover another side of Hoi An on this easy scenic bicycle ride through the surrounding countryside.
5) Stay at least 2 nights in Hue (don’t rush it as a day trip from Hoi An)
Speaking of Hoi An…
One of our top tips for traveling to Vietnam is not to squeeze the UNESCO monuments of Hue (known as the Imperial City) into a day trip from Hoi An. That’s a big mistake – it means at least six hours of driving there and back for a whirlwind visit.
A Singaporean friend warned us, so we pivoted last minute, shortened our Hoi An stay and booked two nights in Hue. We’re so glad we did, as it gave us a full day to explore Hue properly.
Private guided Hue tours
There are plenty of tour options, like this top-rated private Hue city tour with an English-speaking driver.
We booked a private full-day tour with Peter Pham of Hue Private Excursions, so we had both a driver and an expert English-speaking guide to experience:
- A dragon boat ride along the Perfume River
- Thien Mu Pagoda
- Citadel and Imperial City
- Khai Dinh’s mosaic-covered mausoleum
- Minh Mang’s serene tomb and gardens
If we could do it again, we’d stay three nights in Hue, devoting:
- Half a day to the Imperial City
- A day to a dragon boat ride, Thien Mu Pagoda and three royal tombs (Khai Dinh, Minh Mang and Tu Doc)
- Time to a massage, poolside lounging and relaxing dinners
Bottom line?
Hue is worth it. Don’t rush it.
6) Brace yourself for garbage and grime
When planning a trip to Vietnam, you can expect stunning scenery – but also a fair share of dirt, litter and debris. It’s not all picture postcard-perfect.
Hoi An’s An Bang Beach – where we lazed about for a day – is hailed by Lonely Planet as one of the best beaches in Vietnam.
But we couldn’t ignore the plastic bags, bottles and other trash scattered along the back edge of the beach (though thankfully not at the water shoreline). And even the most stylish beach clubs looked worse for wear, with tired furniture and a rundown feel.
We’re big beach lovers, but An Bang didn’t win us over for a return the next day.
In Ninh Binh, a simple wipe of water splashed on our hotel bathroom floor turned a white facecloth dark brown.
Motorbike (and vehicle) pollution in the cities is a daily reality. Bike-riding locals don medical masks to shield themselves from the fumes.
Unlike Thailand, Sri Lanka or even Myanmar, Vietnam’s grime, pollution and garbage struck us as more noticeable, with dust-covered streets and black weathered buildings.
Bring lots of antibacterial wet wipes and hand sanitizer, plus a scarf or mask if you’re sensitive to dust and pollution.
And while it can be hard, try not to let the grittiness overshadow the good – Vietnam’s magic still shines through.
7) Bed down in Vietnam’s 5-star hotels (luxury for less!)
Vietnam’s luxury hotels deliver world-class comfort at a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe or Hawaii. Think top-tier service, stylish rooms and lavish amenities – all for about a third of the cost.
The warm and attentive service is exceptional too.
Staff go above and beyond, and sometimes even sent us off with small farewell gifts – a shell-lined bowl here, a hotel-branded bag with bottled water there (and we were just regular guests who’d booked through Booking.com).
So don’t stint on your accommodation. Vietnam’s 5-star hotels offer outstanding value, making them well worth booking!
Here are a few standouts from our trip:
- Caravelle Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) – We upgraded to an Executive Suite at the centrally located Caravelle Saigon. We loved the Signature Lounge with its extensive array of evening hors d’oeuvres (quiches, cheese, lemongrass chicken skewers, exotic fruits and more) – plus unlimited French wine. It was so good we skipped dinner out more than once!
- anHill Boutique Hotel (Hue) – The lovely aNhill Boutiqe Hotel blends contemporary elegance with Vietnamese artistry. Koi-filled ponds, an inviting pool and a serene indoor-outdoor restaurant make it an oasis of calm. Unbelievably, our spacious four-poster king room with breakfast cost just over $150 USD a night in peak season!
- La Siesta Hoi An (Hoi An) – Our Club Wing suite at La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa featured colonial-style furnishings, a veranda overlooking rice paddies and a clawfoot tub. Just a 15-minute walk from the ancient town, the hotel also boasts four stunning pools – including an infinity pool we made good use of after sightseeing.
- Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel (Hanoi) – Tucked away in the Old Quarter, the Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel is a stylish hideaway with French-meets-Asian design, a rooftop bar, a spa, an outdoor pool and impeccable service.
8) Be smart crossing the roads
Any decent Vietnam travel guide will warn you that crossing the street here isn’t for the faint of heart.
Vietnam has over 77 million motorbikes – one of the highest rates globally. Ho Chi Minh City, the “scooter capital of the world,” has nearly 8 million scooters for 10 million people. Swarms of motorbikes weave dangerously between buses, ride the wrong way and even climb up on narrow sidewalks – honking nonstop.
Pedestrians don’t have the right of way and at white zebra-striped pedestrian crossings, traffic won’t stop for you. Even at traffic lights, rogue motorbikes sometimes ignore red signals.
We often felt we were taking our lives in our hands just walking to a restaurant!
Some say you should simply walk steadily across the road without stopping, and let bikes maneuver around you. But we’re far from convinced that’s actually safe.
Instead, use common sense:
- Raise an arm to boost your visibility. (We’d make a big “Stop” gesture with our hands.)
- Look both ways – even on one-way streets!
- Cross in groups – traffic slows more for a crowd. (We’d stick close to locals or fellow tourists when attempting to cross.)
- Take it step by step – find a gap, get halfway, then reassess.
- Stay sharp – watch for wrong-way bikes and sidewalk-riding scooters.
Be patient waiting for a slowdown in traffic, stay alert at all times and don’t take unnecessary risks.
9) Lock in the only luxury stay in Ninh Binh before it’s gone
We didn’t include Ha Long Bay in our Vietnam itinerary after hearing that it’s overcrowded with boats, polluted and underwhelming.
Instead, we visited Ninh Binh, a 2½-hour drive from Hanoi. It’s dubbed “Ha Long Bay on Land” for its towering limestone karsts rising up from rice paddies.
Why visit Ninh Binh?
The main reason to go is a three-hour boat ride in the UNESCO-listed Trang An River and cave complex.
A local woman rowed us through three caves (one over 3,200 feet long, where we often had to duck!) and to three massive Buddhist temples (only accessible by boat).
It was a totally awesome and one-of-a-kind experience!
But here’s what the guidebooks don’t tell you…
Outside Trang An’s protected area, you’ll see busy roads and construction sites creeping into the landscape. It’s not the untouched wilderness the photos suggest.
Moreover, Tam Coc town is more muddy streets than charm, with only basic eateries.
Only one hotel is a winner
If you go, stay at Tam Coc Garden Resort – the only luxury option.
It was unfortunately fully booked when we planned our Vietnam visit. But we had a delightful alfresco candlelight dinner there and peeked into a room. With eight bungalows housing 16 rooms built from bamboo, stone and wood, it’s full of character – and the only place we’d recommend in Ninh Binh.
Our hotel (supposedly the second best in the area) felt a bit too basic for one of us (despite its lush setting and appealing pool), and we ended up canceling our third night to spend an extra day in Hanoi.
10) Vietnamese food is delicious – try it all!
Don’t think the bland Vietnamese food you find at home. It’s bursting with flavor in Vietnam!
Some of our favorites:
- Hue’s beef noodle soup (Bun Bo Hue) – A fragrant broth with lemongrass, bone marrow and beef chunks
- Crispy fried spring rolls – Crunchy on the outside, bursting with savory goodness on the inside
- Green mango (or papaya) salad – Fresh, tangy and packed with shredded mango (or papaya), peanuts and chili
- Vietnamese sizzling pancake (Banh Xeo) – A crispy, turmeric-infused rice flour pancake stuffed with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, served with fresh herbs and fish sauce for dipping
- Banhi Mi – Crusty French-style baguette filled with pate, pork, pickled veggies and chili sauce
Oh, and the country’s coffee culture is next level – and coffee shops abound!
You must try Vietnamese salt coffee – a unique sweet-salty mix, with condensed milk at the base, coffee in the middle and a thick layer of cream on top.
We couldn’t get enough of the iced version! Stir it up and the salt enhances the coffee’s bold flavor while balancing its bitterness with creamy sweetness.
That’s its for our list of top Vietnam travel tips
Vietnam is full of contradictions – messy yet mesmerizing, exhausting yet exhilarating.
It’s a developing country, where its 5-star hotels are a welcome escape from the energy outside. The Citadel and royal tombs of Hue are remarkable and Hoi An is oh-so picturesque.
It’s also affordable, offering great value for money. And the people are welcoming, friendly and hospitable.
But here’s some honest Vietnam travel advice – this isn’t an undiscovered paradise.
Expect crowds, motorbike fumes and plastic waste alongside the beauty. Look beyond the chaos, though, and you’ll discover a country that’s rich in culture, history and unforgettable moments.
Some more of our Southeast Asia posts
- 15 Most Romantic Love Nests in Bali for Couples
- Kandy Travel Guide: 9 Amazing Places to See
- Lombok’s 7 Top Attractions (From Rice Terraces to Pink Beaches)
Pin this guide on travel tips for Vietnam!
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is perfect for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Cruises: CruiseDirect offers amazing deals on cruises (including Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn and other lines we’ve reviewed).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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