Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Vietnam

Vietnam is a vibrant, culturally rich country that's becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking adventure, history, amazing food, and natural beauty. Oh, and did I mention how affordable it is? From the bustling streets of Saigon to the incredible landscapes of Ha Long Bay and the history in Hue, Vietnam has something for everyone.
But before you hop on that plane and start planning your banh mi and pho tour, there are a few important things you need to know to make your first trip to Vietnam smooth, enjoyable and stress free!
Here's everything you need to know before traveling to Vietnam, including visa requirements, fast-track immigration tips, the best time to visit, and more!

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Vietnam

I planned and executed my very first trip to Vietnam in about five weeks! I don't generally plan international trips {or any trip for that matter!} on a whim, but this one was different. You can read more about how this trip happened here:
It started with this challengeI planned {and selected Vietnam} with these things in mindand here's a full review of how and why I chose a group tour {plus an honest review}

Do You Need a Visa to Enter Vietnam?

Yes! Most travelers will need some form of visa to enter Vietnam, but the process will vary depending on your nationality.

Visa Exemptions

Several countries are allowed visa-free entry for short stays {generally under 15 or 30 days}. Always double check the latest exemption list on the official Vietnam Immigration Department website or with your local Vietnamese embassy, as these visa rules change frequently.

E Visa for Vietnam

For many nationalities, including the United States, Canada, Australia and most European countries, Vietnam has a fairly easy e-Visa system.

Validity: The e-Visa has a validity of 90 days with single or multiple entry.Cost: $25 USD for single entry/ $50 USD for multiple entryProcessing Time: Usually 3 business days, though delays can occur, so give yourself time!Where to Apply: The official Vietnam e-Visa website 

Make sure that you only apply through the official government website. There are many third-party services that will charge you an inflated fee. It's not that difficult to apply. You can absolutely do this on your own!
My initial visa was declined because I didn't fill out the form correctly. NOTE: on the line that asks for your first name, if you also have a middle name, ADD that name as well. You are required to upload a copy of your passport and if your first and middle name are on your passport, you are required to add them to the line that says first name! Don't make the same mistake that I did!

Pro tip: While it's called an e visa and that seems to imply electronic, PRINT your visa. Immigration wants a hard copy of your visa and they will look at it!
They also need your boarding pass from your flight. They also like a hard copy of that {versus one on your phone} as well. 

Fast Track Immigration Services in Vietnam

Vietnam's international airports, especially in Hanoi {Noi Bai-HAN} and Ho Chi Minh City {Tan Son Nhat-SGN} can have LONG lines at immigration. I was on the fence about paying for a fast track service, but after talking to others who didn't, I think I made the right choice! A fast-track service is a great option if you're arriving after a long flight and you want to avoid the crowds. I wanted to hit the ground running and not miss a minute of my vacation, and I think it was worth the extra money!

What is Fast Track Immigration?

Fast-track immigration services allow travelers to be met at the aircraft gate {or just after} by an airport {or independent} representative who will assist with immigration procedures and help you bypass the regular lines. 
I arrived in the early morning, and saw that there were several other large aircraft arriving around the same time, so I knew the lines were going to be long. Once I saw them, I had no regrets. Many people said that it took them an hour or more to clear immigration services. For me, it took 13 minutes. You can see this video for more information. 

Types of Services

Standard Fast Track: Skip the lines at immigration and get expediated processing. This is what I did.
VIP Fast Track: Includes immigration fast track plus luggage assistance. I packed carry on, so this wasn't necessary.

Pro Tip: If you skipped to this section and didn't read about eVisa's, and were wondering if you needed a fast track for your Visa, the short answer is no. The long answer is, scroll up and read that last section you skipped! 

How to Book

You'll need to pre-book these services online through agencies or sometimes your hotel or tour company can help arrange them for you. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-$50 depending on the level of service, the airport, and even the time of day you arriving. 
I used Johnny Visa based in Hanoi, and I'd use them again! It was all very seamless!

Pro Tip: They will request that you send them a copy of your passport and your e-visa. Don't be alarmed! This is legit and they will be there to help you get out of the airport quick and on to your next adventure!

**This is when carry on luggage is ideal. If you do fast track but still have to wait for the luggage to arrive, it really doesn't save you much time. So learn how to pack with carry on only and travel light!
How to Pack Everything you Need in a Carry On10 Packing Tips from a Recovered Over Packer

Pro Tip: It's VERY easy {and quick!} to get laundry service in Vietnam. It's usually very inexpensive. At the time I did it, it was $50,000 VND {under $2} per kg. 

Best Time to Travel to Vietnam

Vietnam's geography spans over 1,000 miles from north to south, resulting in diverse climates depending on the region and season. I traveled in May at the beginning of monsoon season. It rained minimally and didn't affect my trip at all. However, just a few days difference brought flooding to Saigon just after I left, so you never know!
Here's the thing, travel when you can, and adapt when needed! BUT, if you want to plan based on weather, here are some things to keep in mind.

In General: 

The best overall months are March-April and September-November, these shoulder seasons offer pleasant weather across most of the country. 

Regional Breakdown:

Northern Vietnam {Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa}

Spring {March-May}: Mild and dry, great for hiking and outdoor adventuresFall {September-November}: Cool and dry with beautiful golden rice fieldsWinter {December-February}: Cold! Especially in the mountains-pack a jacket!Summer {June-August}: Hot and humid, with heavy rains and potential flooding

Central Vietnam {De Nang, Hoi An, Hue}

Dry season: February-August: great beach weather!Rainy season: September-November: heavy rains and occasional flooding, especially in Hoi An.

Southern Vietnam {Saigon, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc}

Dry season: December-April: Sunny and hot, ideal for island hoppingWet season: May-November: Tropical downpours, but still warm and travel-friendly

If your itinerary includes all three regions, March or April will likely be your best bet so that you get the best weather across the country.

Health and Safety Tips

Recommended vaccines: Check with your healthcare provider! It is recommended that you have Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and routine vaccinations like Tetanus and MMR before travel.
There are mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever present in Vietnam. Make sure you bring repellent with you that contains DEET, especially is you are visiting rural or forested areas. 
This is our favorite mosquito spray. We took it with us on safari to Africa as well.
These sting relief wipes are easy to pack and easy to use. I got a bite just before I got to the airport on my way home. I had this in my purse and used it and the itch was immediately gone and the bump went away. 

Pro Tip: summer brings out jelly fish in the water! One of my travel mates was stung, and I'm glad I had the sting relief wipes with me, because she said those helped her as well! 
Bottled water is widely available-avoid drinking the tap water. Even for brushing your teeth! Some drinks are served with ice. If the ice has a hole in it, it's generally been made with filtered water and is safe!

Pro Tip: I love cold water! At every hotel I stayed at {mostly budget hotels}, there was a refrigerator with a freezer on top. I would put my water bottle in there at night so I could enjoy cold water in the morning. 

Don't forget your reusable water bottle!

Money Matters

Currency: Vietnamese Dong {VND}

$1 USD is approximately 25,000 VND {but exchange rates vary!}

Tips:

If you have an iPhone, don't forget to use the convert feature in your calculator app. This video will tell you how! It saved me!
Cash is king! Credit cards are accepted in hotels and at upscale restaurants, but small vendors, taxis and rural areas will only accept cash! And cash in small bills!

Pro Tip: Bring crisp NEW $100 USD bills. Find a gold or currency exchange as soon as you arrive to exchange your money.

ATMs are widely available, but some charge high withdrawal fees or have maximums set for the day, which could leave you needing more. If you don't have one already, get a no-fee international credit card.
Count your zeros! The prices can be confusing with so many zeros. Many times, they leave zeros off of the price tag! Be careful when paying!
Tipping isn't standard or even expected, however, it's always welcome! 

Helpful Apps to Use in Vietnam

Make sure you download these apps before your trip, so that you are ready to use them when you arrive!
Grab: like Uber, it's widely used in the cities for motorbike and car rides. It's a great way to get transport from the airport to your hotel
Daytrip: I used Daytrip to create a customized itinerary for myself as soon as I arrived. In all honesty, I hired a friend for the day! Daytrip is a customizable private car transfer with English-speaking guides that offers curated stops. My new friend, met me at the airport and was a friendly face waiting when I arrived. I told my driver that I wanted him to show me around Saigon like I was an auntie visiting from the states! 
He helped me get settled at my hotel, before he took me to the best place to exchange my cash. Then he helped me avoid all the tourist traps and took me to a local coffee shop to have egg coffee {delish!} and we chatted about what life was like for him growing up in Vietnam. He showed me around the city, helped me get comfortable crossing the streets {the traffic is no joke!} and we spent time at one of the local museums. He even took me to a few of his favorite places in the city that I would have never found on my own. Halfway through our walk around the city, I told him I was thirsty and was looking for a fresh juice. Within minutes, we made a bee line for a juice shop! He even helped me order my first of many Banh Mi sandwich. 
My hired friend was with me for about five hours and it cost me {with airport transport!} around $58 USD! It was a priceless way to get acclimated to a new country! You should hire a friend too! 
Google Maps: many people don't know that even if you don't have service that you can still have access to google maps IF you have downloaded them offline! This was such a huge help for me as I wandered the streets alone!
Whats App: As an American, I always forget how much other countries use Whats App to communicate. It's easy for me to send a quick text, but not so much for them. Download Whats App for quick communication!
Klook: this app has a lot of deals for tours and experiences that you can book through the app. I used it often to see what was available in the area and to read reviews, however, I rarely used it because everything I did didn't seem to need an advance purchase, so I didn't bother. 
Google Translate: English isn't widely spoken in Vietnam. It was however, easy to use google translate to have a conversation with someone I was trying to receive a good or service from. This is another app you can download off line so you don't need an eSim or service.

Cultural Etiquette and Tips

Dress Modestly

Vietnam is relatively conservative. While shorts and tank tops are fine in tourist areas, cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples or rural villages. 
I had a short dress on in Hanoi {a few inches above my knees} and when I got a haircut, the hairstylist covered my legs with a thin sheet while she shampooed me. I mistakenly pulled it up thinking I was supposed to protect my clothes from water, but she pulled it down and made some comment in Vietnamese about being covered below!
Another travel partner had her bra strap showing from under her top and our female guide tucked it in for her.

Wear a Hat

I can't tell you the number of times I either got asked if I had a hat with me, or someone quickly placed a hat on my head! The Vietnamese people are very concerned about sun exposure, and will be like an old well-meaning grandma reminding you to "wear a hat"!

Take Off Your Shoes

It's customary to remove your shoes when entering someone's home and even some shops and buildings. Many stores will have signs on the door asking for you to remove your shoes and you will simply slip them off and walk barefoot in the store! Or at the spa, they will often have plastic shoes for you to slip on. 
And just like in the TSA line, you will run into shops that don't require you to take your shoes off and you'll start slipping them off and they will tell you to keep them on! Err on the side of caution and be respectful!

Learn a Few Phrases

The Vietnamese language is so complex and really hard to learn! I was very intimidated by it! But like all places, it's nice to learn a basic greeting since you are in their country!
Hello: Xin Chao {sin chow}Thank you: Cam On {calm earn}
Why You Should Learn a Few Phrases Before You Travel Internationally

Must Try Vietnamese Foods

Vietnam has some of the best foods I've ever eaten! It's fresh and delicious and CHEAP!Don't leave Vietnam without trying these foods:
Pho: noodle soup with beef or chicken {it's mostly eaten as a breakfast food}Banh Mi: French inspired baguette sandwich with various pateBun Cha: Grilled pork with noodlesGoi Cuon: Fresh spring rollsVarious Coffee:Vietnam is one of the largest exporters of coffee and their coffee is delicious! They have several regional versions that are worth trying. Most menus will have salt coffee, egg coffee and coconut coffee. Various Juices & Teas: I had some of the best and freshest teas and juices while in Vietnam. I could have an IV of passion fruit juice hooked to me! It's almost always fresh squeezed and made while you wait.
Street food is a must to try, but make sure you go to a place that's busy! That means it's getting made quickly and is freshest!
Better yet, take a food tour! Many are inexpensive and will give you the perfect taste of just about everything!

To Try the Viral Locations or Not

As a content creator, I saved plenty of reels and TikToks before I went. Must try this and you have to do that, and I get it...many viral places are viral for a reason! 
BUT, if there's one thing I can say about my experience and time in Vietnam, it's that there are LOTS of places that haven't been discovered and they are just waiting for you! Don't waste your time trying to track down the viral places.
I found the most aesthetic coffee shop after I wandered down an alley. I got lost on the streets and found my favorite shop with local craftsman made items. I ducked into spas and asked for their services menu and had the best massage {for under $10 USD!}. There are plenty of places to explore and find without bookmarking a handful of "the best of". Plus, you might find yourself surrounded by locals and not tourists!
PIN THIS FOR LATER:

I knew I'd love Vietnam, but I didn't realize just how much I would fall in love with Vietnam! It really is an unforgettable destination for first-time visitors and I was not disappointed in the warmth and grace shown to me by the locals.
With a little preparation, you are going to be able to dive right into the colorful chaos and natural beauty and experience everything that makes this country so special. I can't wait to go back again!


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