VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE

Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is located in Southeast Asia, a well-known tourist destination for its glorious history, rich culture, and fascinating landscapes. With an estimated 96.2 million inhabitants as of 2019, it is the 15th most populous country in the world.

Vietnam shares its land borders with China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west. The capital city is Hanoi, while its most populous city is Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam, Asia's leading tourist destination in 2018, is an amazing country to travel

The country is long North-South (3260 km coastline, 1650 km in straight flight) with 3 regions:

+ Southern (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc Island…)

+ Central (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phong Nha…)

+ Northern (Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa,...)

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES/  VISA ON ARRIVAL

Most visitors to Vietnam require a visa to enter the country and all travelers must have a passport valid for 6 months after their planned exit from Vietnam.

More on Visa Exemptions click vietnam-visa-exemptions

Vietnam Visa need to know: Vietnam has officially extended its visa waivers! This policy choice is great news for certain countries who can enter without any previous paperwork. For some travellers the Vietnam visa waiver means exemption from having to go through the visa process for a visit that lasts 15 days or less. So you can enjoy two weeks of exploring Vietnam without having to pay a fee or wait for processing on arrival, if eligible! Find the details of Vietnam’s visas below.

 1. Who is eligible for the 15 to 30 days waiver?   NO need Visa, just your passport for checking

- Citizens of Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland are eligible for a visa exemption until the 31 of December 2019. (15 days)

- Nationals of Belarus are eligible from July 1 2018 until the 6 of June 30 2020. (15 days)

- Travelers from the United Kingdom*, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy are eligible for the waiver from July 12018 until June 30 2021. (15 days)

- Citizens of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore (30 days), Philippines (21 days) Myanmar and Brunei (14 days) are eligible exemption visa to Vietnam.

*British National Overseas (BNO) individuals are not eligible.

 2. What credentials do I need to qualify?

Aside from being from any of the countries listed above, you must adhere to the following conditions:

- Passport must be valid for at least six months from your entry date in Vietnam.

- This waiver will not apply if it is your second entrance within 30 days of your last departure from Vietnam.

- Your stay must be for a maximum of 15 - 30 days (you may have to provide proof of departure).

 3. What do I do when I arrive?

Skip the visa queue! Instead of having to provide paperwork and a stamping fee at the visa desk, travelers from the above-listed countries can simply proceed straight to passport inspection.

 4. Do I still get exempted if I cross the border by land?

This visa waiver applies to those entering by land, sea or air! Whether you enter Vietnam by plane, train or automobile, the waiver still applies at designated entry points. or access https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents

 5. What if I’m not from those countries?

If you are a national from a different country, you have two options: the Vietnam E-visa or the visa on arrival.

 6. The Vietnam E-Visa

Vietnam's e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries: 

• Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and Macau passports), Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Salomon Islands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Western Samoa.

 The process takes up to 3 business days and costs 25 USD for processing. 

Click here or access https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents   to see if you qualify! The E-visa is fast, easy to apply for and directly available with a guide of what you’ll need on the government’s  official site  https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest

>>> How to Apply for Vietnam's e-Visa:

Step 1: Prepare the required materials: 

• One 4x6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses
• One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page
• Passport valid for at least six months
• Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit 
• Debit or credit card for payment 

Step 2: Click this link or access www.immigration.gov.vn and go to 'E-visa Issuance' then click on the link for 'Outside Vietnam foreigners'.  

Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form. 

Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided.  

Step 5: Within three working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, you can also run a search for your e-Visa at this link. 

Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety. 

TIP: Travellers with an e-Visa can go directly to immigration counters at their point of entry and do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters. 

 7. The Vietnam Visa on Arrival

Vietnam Visa on Arrival

If you are planning a multiple-entry visit or a stay of more than 30 days, you will want to apply for a visa on arrival. To do this you'll need:

A 4x6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses

A filled-out visa application form  or access https://visa.mofa.gov.vn/_layouts/registration/ApplicationForm

A passport or substitute ID valid for six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam

Payment (25 USD to 50 USD) for visa fees, and

A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you are picking up your visa at the airport)

If you are near a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you can submit your photo, application form, passport, and visa fee in person. This website  or access https://visa.mofa.gov.vn/Homepage will guide you through the process. 

If you are unable to reach a Vietnamese embassy or are short on time, there are trusted services online who can provide you a valid Letter of Approval for a fee. Bring this letter and together with a visa application form and your other documents to the Visa on Arrival counter at the airport when you land. 

8. What are the International Airports in Vietnam available for visa on arrival?

With the approval letter, travelers will have their visa stamped at below international airports in Vietnam:

- Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi – HAN)

- Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City – SGN)

- Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang – DAD)

- Cam Ranh International Airport (Nha Trang – CXR)

- Cat Bi International Airport (Hai Phong – HPH)

Please note Visa on arrival only available for air travel, if you want to enter Vietnam by border crossing/sea ports you need to obtain Visa before arrival at Vietnam embassy in your country.

9. Vietnam Visa Fees (Visa On Arrival)

11. What if I want to travel to Vietnam for longer?

If you are inclined to stay for more than 30 days, the Visa on Arrival is easily the best option available. There are a variety of lengths of stay as well as options for multiple or single entry, so be sure to check when you apply.

AIRLINES 

Domestic: 4 domestic airlines are currently operating in Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airlines, Jetstar-Pacific Airlines, and Viet Jet Air. The last 2 are low-cost carriers (LCC). All airlines are using a mixture of Boeing and Airbus planes and Vietnamese as well as foreign pilots. 

ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM 

BY AIR

Consult your local airline's ticket agent for routings, fares, and availability on flights to Vietnam. The website of airlines is also an easy way to check for airline tickets and booking; discount websites and flight search engines may offer some good deals. If you need our support, don't hesitate to contact Coco Vietnam Travel consultants, we will help you in finding the best air tickets.

- Major airlines flying to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi include Vietnam Airlines, Air France, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia, Philippines Airlines, China Air, Hong Kong Air, Cebu Pacific, Emirates, Etihad and many more.

-  Major airlines flying to Danang International Airport include Silk Air, Air Asia, and Dragon Air.

- Nha Trang’s Cam Ranh Airport and Phu Quoc are now International airports used for some long-haul charter flights.

- Can Tho Airport in Mekong Delta is also now International airports with many flights from South East Asia countries

Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City and Ha Noi (the capital city) are the biggest cities and tourism center of each region. For international tourists, the best way to access (and depart from) Vietnam are through the international airport in these cities:

  - Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City)

  - Da Nang International Airport (Da Nang City)

  - Noi Bai International Airport (Ha Noi)

  - Can Tho International Airport (Can Tho City, Mekong Delta)

BY LAND

Vietnam shares a border with China in the north (three border crossings), Laos in the west (five border crossings) and Cambodia in the south-west (three border crossings).

 From China:

Trains from Beijing to Hanoi pass by Nanning and Pinxiang in China and enter Vietnam at Dong Dang (north of Lang Son). There is also a road crossing known as Huu Nghi in Lang Son province. Transport coming from Kunming cross the border at Lao Cai, in northern Vietnam. From Guangzhou, you will cross the border at Mong Cai, a few hours drive from Halong and its spectacular Bay.

 From Laos:

South: Via Savannakhet and Sepon (Laos) to Lao Bao (Vietnam) and the central province

Central: Vientiane to Lak Sao (Laos) to Cau Treo (Vietnam) and the Ha Tinh Province

Central: Xieng Khuang or Phonsavan to Nam Can (Vietnam) and the Nghe An Province

North: Xam Neua Province (Laos) to Na Meo (Vietnam) and the Thanh Hoa Province

North: Muang Khua Province (Laos) to Tay Trang border (Vietnam) and Dien Bien Phu

 From Cambodia:

If you travel from Phnom Penh by speedboat, you will enter Vietnam at Chau Doc, in the Mekong Delta area. If you arrive from Cambodia by road into Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at Moc Bai, which connects Vietnam’s Tay Ninh Province with Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province. Border crossings at Prek Chak/Xaxia (close to Kep in Cambodia and Ha Tien in Vietnam) are now possible.

 Special Note: You cannot obtain a visa on arrival at land border-crossing points. If you enter Vietnam by land, you must obtain the visa before arrival. Refer to our VISA section below for more information.

CLOTHING

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat and umbrella are a good idea in the rainy season and an umbrella can also offer useful shade from the sun.

Evenings in the north and the center can be quite chilly so bring a sweater and a good jacket especially from November to February. Visitors should not wear shorts, short skirts or other revealing clothing when visiting pagodas and monasteries. Shoes must be removed before entering some religious building or a private home. It is, therefore, useful to wear shoes without too many laces and which can easily be taken off.

CREDIT CARDS

Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Not all hotels, commercial centers, shops, and restaurants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier before making any purchases.  

Bear in mind that in some places a surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases: VISA and MasterCard approx 2.2%, JCB: 2.75% surcharge, American Express: 4% surcharge.

NOTE: Surcharges can change without prior notice. Check the percentage charged before you pay.

ELECTRICITY

Vietnam mainly uses 220V but in some areas, 110V is also used. A mixture of flat and round 2-pin outlets are used throughout the country. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor.

ENTERTAINMENT

There are plenty of entertainment options in Vietnam and restaurants/bars and nightclubs open until late at night/early in the morning. A wide variety of restaurants are on offer with everything from Vietnamese, Asian, Italian, French cuisine, etc. to fast food.

FOOD

The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try included pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio (nem in northern dialect), deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available however more so in Southern Vietnam.

HEALTH

No vaccinations are mandatory except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However, visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions, especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are limited and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed.

Consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial tablets, and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Vietnam. Some vaccination courses may need time to be completed. If you plan to take anti-malarial tablets, you usually need to start one week before arrival. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses).

HOURS OF BUSINESS

Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:30. Some offices also open on Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week.

INTERNET & DATA SIM CARD

Majors hotels (3*-5*) have Business Centers with PCs connected to the Internet. All of them have free wifi access in rooms or public areas. Cybercafés are available everywhere and are easily found in major towns and cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1 per hour. Most Internet cafés are equipped with webcams, headsets, and microphones. Vietnam has an exceptional amount of cafés and restaurants offering free WIFI connections if having a meal or a drink internet fees are waived.

There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Vietnam: Vietel, Mobifone and VinaPhone. For your continuously connection, you can buy a prepaid 4G data sim card when you arrive at the airport or in the city center. The sim card usually valids for about 30 days and cost from 8$ -12$ with the options only data or data & call.

LANGUAGE

The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. In big cities and in places with many tourists, people will speak basic English. The younger generation will be more adept at speaking English, while the older generation still speaks some French. Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.

 Some Vietnamese phrases:

 - Xin chào! /Sin chow!/: Hello

 - Cảm ơn /gauhm uhhn/: Thank you

 - Tạm biệt /tam byet/: Good bye

 - Bao nhiêu? /bow nyew/: How much?

 - Tôi tên là ___ /Toy ten la ___./:  My name is ___.

 - Không /kaumng/: No

 - Có /co'h/: Yes

 - Đúng /doong/: Yes (correct)

 - Khỏe không? /kweh kohng?/: How are you?

 - Bao nhiêu tiền? /bahw ngew tee-uhn.../: How much (money) is this?

 - Đắt quá /daht?! kwahh?/: That's too expensive

 - Tôi không hiểu /toy kohng hugh/: I don't understand

 - Phở /foh/: Pho - Vietnamese famous beef rice - noodle soup

 - Bánh mì /bann mee/: Vietnamese baguette/bread/sandwich (famous street food)

 - Tôi ăn chay /toy ann chai/: I am vegetarian

MONEY

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US Dollars and Euros are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops. Please note that they are not normally allowed to collect foreign currency. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 05:00 and some on Saturday morning. In the major cities, there are some exchange offices open long hours near places frequented by tourists and most hotels will change US Dollars and Euros at very reasonable rates.
You receive a slightly better exchange rate for $100 and $50 notes than for smaller denominations.

Vietnamese Dongs come in the following forms: Bank notes: 200; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20.000; 50,000; 100,000; 200,000;500,000.

ATMs for withdrawing Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns, and capitals of provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language version. Ask your tour guide for help when you need to locate an ATM.

POSTAL MAIL 

Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. A postcard to Europe costs ~VND 11,000 (0.5 USD) to send and can take up to two weeks to reach the country of destination

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RELIGION

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam usually combined with elements of Confucianism and Taoism. About 10% of the country"s population is Catholic and there are also communities of Protestants and Muslims. Vietnam is also home to a unique religion called Cao Dai, a religious cocktail of all the world"s major faiths

SAFETY

Petty Theft

Vietnam is a relatively safe country, however petty theft is a legitimate concern, especially in the big cities. Refrain from extending cameras and cellphones on busy streets and corners: most robberies are drive-by snatchings. When taking pictures on sidewalks, keep your camera close to your body and away from the flow of traffic.

Women in particular should be warned to keep a tight grip on their bags and purses when walking in Ho Chi Minh City. When riding a motorcycle, place your bags in the seat compartment or hook them in the front of the bike. Bags carried around the shoulder or in bike baskets can easily be snatched.

When staying in hotels and guesthouses, place your valuables in the safe or lock them in your bags before leaving your room. It is a good idea in general to be mindful of your valuables, keep a close eye on your bags and not to flaunt large amounts of cash or expensive gadgets in rural areas.

Unfortunately, if you find yourself the victim of theft, little can be done by law enforcement to recover stolen belongings.

Taxi Scams

Taxi scams in Vietnam take the form of rigged meters, overcharging, confusing currency and fixed prices. Two trusted companies you can rely on are Mai Linh and Vinasun in Ho chi minh city - Taxi Group and Mai Linh in Hanoi . Both of these taxi companies have new vehicles and sealed metres, they also have a pick-up service that works in most Vietnamese towns and cities. You can look for them as soon as you land in Vietnam's international airports. Best to ask for price clearly before buying/using any services on the street.

Tourist Scams

Vietnam is constantly improving its tourism services, however there are still some agents and independent operators who flout the rules. When booking cruises on Halong Bay, always go with reputed companies. For tours around Vietnam, book with vetted travel agents as opposed to hole-in-the-wall establishments to avoid being scammed.

For Female Travellers

Vietnam is generally a safe country to travel and female travellers will find themselves welcome. The Vietnamese are still quite conservative, so it's best to respect the local culture by not baring too much skin. Solo female travellers can expect to be approached with questions about why they are travelling alone. The enquiries are usually harmless and borne out of curiousity. Crime against women is uncommon in Vietnam. Nonetheless it's wise to not be alone on the streets late at night, and to take a taxi if you're heading back late. 

SHOPPING

Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics, and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewelry, antique watches, and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the center of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

TIME

Vietnam is GMT + 7 and does not operate a daylight-saving system.

TIPPING

Tipping for good service is always appreciated in a country where the average annual income is quite low compared to Europe for example. It is customary to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped. Tipping should from 5$ - 10$ per day/pax for different services, size of your group; our travel consultants should give you more details info on tipping. 

TRANSPORTATION

Vietnamese law does not allow foreigners to rent and drive a car. Traffic and road conditions may be very different from what you are used to.

TRAVELER CHECKS

Banks such as CitiBank, ANZ Bank. HSBC and Vietcombank can change your Travelers Checks for VND or US Dollars but a commission applies (1% to 2%). Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept Travelers Checks.

NOTE: Travelers Checks can be difficult to change outside of major cities.

WEATHER

Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have distinct winter and summer seasons. The mainly dry winter lasts from December to March with average temperatures of 18-20°C but it can drop to as low 10’s at times. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30°C. Hue and Danang, in the center of the country, have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30"s Celsius, but can experience some heavy rainfall between September and January. Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28°C and a warm rainy season from May to November. In the rainy season, most rain comes in short, heavy bursts.

There is good weather somewhere in Vietnam all year round! Vietnam stretches over 2000 km from North to South. The climate differs all year round from one region to another. The North can be chilly during winter months (December to March). North and Central Vietnam can encounter tropical storms and typhoons from October to January. Overall, the north of Vietnam experiences more marked seasons than the rest of the country with two distinct seasons: wet and dry.

The South, including Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, benefits from sunshine and warm weather all year round. However, the rainy season lasts from May to November (with showers once or twice a day in general) and a dry season from December to April. The Central Highlands can be chilly. Nha Trang has warm – sometimes hot - weather all year round, with a rainy season from the end of September until December.

Unless you intend to visit friends, relatives or your family, we do not recommend visiting Vietnam during the Lunar New Year, Tet holidays (Vietnamese New Year falls between late January and February). The Tet holiday is the most important period of the year for Vietnamese people who take time off to visit their families in the countryside. All hotels, buses, trains, and flights are full, and there is almost no activity in the markets and shops. Some hotels and restaurants are understaffed and in some cases, the quality of the service may suffer. This period of reduced activity may last from a week before and a week after the Tet period. It is also impossible to get a “visa authorization letter” processed during this period.

NOTE: As a reminder, the peak season lasts from October to May. To avoid disappointment because hotel rooms or domestic flights are fully booked, reserve your travel arrangements early. Contact us to discuss your travel plans.

WATER

It is not advisable to drink tap water but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. All hotels provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks are generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when traveling in exotic countries. Bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhea medicine.