Vietnam

Overview

Vietnam stretches more than 1,600 km from north to south, and the national tourism board is clear that this creates large regional climate variation rather than one national season. March–May is one of the few windows that works reasonably well countrywide; beyond that, the north, the central coast and the south each run different rainy and dry periods. Daily costs are among the lowest in the region, domestic flights and trains are cheap, and the country covers cities, karst landscapes, heritage towns, beaches and mountain trekking within a single trip.

Climate: Strongly regional. The north has a cooler winter and a hot, wet summer; the central coast has a distinct late-year rainy period; the south is tropical year-round with a dry season and a wet season of afternoon downpours.

Plan 12–21 days to see Vietnam without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Vietnam will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Vietnam fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Vietnam

• Rated 10/10 for food (editorial score)
• Rated 10/10 for backpacking (editorial score)
• Rated 9/10 for nature (editorial score)
• Very affordable for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 12–21 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach8/10
• Nature9/10
• Food10/10
• Nightlife7/10
• Culture9/10
• Adventure9/10
• Romance8/10
• Family8/10
• Backpacking10/10
• Luxury7/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Vietnam is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Resort areas such as Da Nang and Phu Quoc and boutique stays in Hoi An run above the national average; northern towns and street-food-led travel run below it.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Vietnamese; English is common in tourism businesses and cities, limited in rural areas

Currency

Vietnamese dong (VND)

Power

Type A/C/F, 220V

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; traffic is the main everyday hazard, and normal precautions apply with bags and valuables in busy areas

Tipping

Not traditionally expected; small tips are increasingly common in tourism services

Entry

Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Vietnam

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Hanoi

City

The northern capital: Old Quarter lanes, lake walks, coffee culture and street food.

Explore Hanoi

Ha Long Bay

Coast

Thousands of limestone karst islands, usually seen on an overnight boat.

Explore Ha Long Bay

Ninh Bình

Region

Inland karst valleys, rice fields and river rowboats — the 'Ha Long on land'.

Explore Ninh Bình

Hội An & Da Nang

Coast

Lantern-lit heritage town, tailoring streets and a long beach city next door.

Explore Hội An & Da Nang

Huế

City

Former imperial capital: citadel, royal tombs and a distinct regional cuisine.

Explore Huế

Ho Chi Minh City

City

The fast southern metropolis and the gateway to the Mekong Delta.

Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Sapa & Ha Giang

Mountain

Far-north rice terraces, hill-tribe villages and the Ha Giang mountain loop.

Explore Sapa & Ha Giang

Mekong Delta

Region

River channels, floating markets and homestays south of Ho Chi Minh City.

Explore Mekong Delta

When to go to Vietnam

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• North to south classic

  15 days

  Hanoi, karst country, the central coast and the delta.

  Route: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hội An & Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

• Northern Vietnam

  9 days

  Capital, karst valleys and the far-north mountains.

  Route: Hanoi → Ninh Bình → Sapa & Ha Giang

• Centre and south

  10 days

  Heritage towns, a beach base and the Mekong.

  Route: Huế → Hội An & Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta

Getting around Vietnam

• Cheap domestic flights make the long north–south axis practical on a two-week trip
• The north–south railway is slow but scenic, with sleeper services between the main cities
• Sleeper and day coaches connect almost everywhere, including mountain routes
• Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are the easy option inside cities
• Boats matter for Ha Long Bay, the Mekong Delta and island transfers

Major airports

• SGN · Ho Chi Minh City

  Tan Son Nhat International — the busiest gateway, in the south

• HAN · Hanoi

  Noi Bai International — main northern gateway

• DAD · Da Nang

  Da Nang International — central coast and Hoi An

• CXR · Nha Trang

  Cam Ranh International

• PQC · Phu Quoc

  Phu Quoc International

Vietnam guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Vietnam

  When to go to Vietnam: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Vietnam cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 21-day trip to Vietnam at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Vietnam

  Matching Vietnam's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Vietnam on a budget

  How to travel Vietnam cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  21 days in Vietnam: itinerary

  A realistic 21-day route through Vietnam with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Vietnam in March

  What Vietnam is like in March: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.