Vietnam · AsiaVietnam
Ancient villages, emerald bays & the world's best street food
from $30/day Very safefoodculture
Quick Facts
Capital
Hanoi
Largest city
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Length
1,650 km north to south
Best airports
HAN (Hanoi), SGN (Saigon)
Avg temp
25–35°C depending on region
Safety
Very safe
Vibes
foodcultureadventurebudgethistory
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months This month
Daily Budget
Backpacker
$30
per day
Mid-range
$70
per day
Luxury
$200
per day
Top Experiences
⛵$100–250
Ha Long Bay Cruise
Sail through 1,600 limestone karsts on a 2-day junk boat with kayaking and caves
🏮Free
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Ancient trading port glowing with hundreds of silk lanterns on the full moon
👑$10
Hue Imperial Citadel
Vietnam's last royal dynasty: 7km of walls, moats, and ornate palaces
Must-Try Food
Pho
The national dish - slow-cooked bone broth with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and beef
Bánh Mì
Vietnamese baguette stuffed with pâté, chili, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs
Bún Bò Huế
Spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup from Hue - more complex than pho
Getting Around
🚌
Open Bus Ticket$35 whole route
North-to-south hop-on bus for backpackers - Hanoi to Saigon for $35
🚗
Grab (rideshare)$1–5
Vietnam's answer to Uber - safer than flagging taxis
🚆
Overnight train$20–50
Reunification Express from Hanoi to Saigon - scenic and romantic
🛵
Xe Om (motorbike taxi)$1–3
Negotiate a price and hop on the back - the local way
Cultural Tips
Always remove shoes before entering homes and many shops
Avoid raising your voice or showing strong emotions in public
Don't point feet at people or altars - use your hands instead
Ho Chi Minh is called 'Uncle Ho' with deep affection - be respectful
Bargain cheerfully at markets but not in restaurants with fixed prices
Traffic in Hanoi and HCMC has no discernible rules - just walk steadily and the motorbikes flow around you
Hidden Gems
Ninh Binh - the 'inland Ha Long Bay': limestone karsts rising from rice paddies, best explored by rowboat
Mù Cang Chải - remote mountainous terraced rice fields that turn gold in September harvest season
Côn Đảo Islands - pristine national park with sea turtles, old French prison, and zero mass tourism
Going beyond the trip?
Explore the Vietnam country profile
Cost of living, visas, healthcare, taxes, expat life and everything you'd need to actually move and stay long-term.