Plan your Vietnam journey

Vietnam Travel Guide & Practical Tips

A few practical details can make your Vietnam trip much easier. We have brought our general travel advice together here, from money and power plugs to local customs and planning a private car journey. For sights, food and routes in a particular place, start with the destination guides below.

Before you go: entry and documents

Check the entry conditions for your passport, travel purpose and dates before paying for a trip. Visa exemptions and e-Visa eligibility are different questions. Use the official Vietnam e-Visa portal and the Vietnamese embassy responsible for your country. Save an offline copy of your approval and check that its details match your passport.

Money and payments

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND, or ₫). Keep small notes for markets, snacks and short local journeys. Card acceptance varies, so check before ordering or booking. Count the zeros carefully, especially when paying with similar-coloured notes. For a transfer, confirm the currency, total, deposit and remaining balance in writing.

Our local tip: prepare some VND before leaving a city for villages or rural stops. Read the national tourism authority’s currency and payment advice.

Power plugs, mobile data and Wi-Fi

Vietnam’s mains supply is 220 V. Check the input label on each charger; a plug adaptor changes the shape of a plug, not the voltage. Socket designs vary between properties, so bring an adaptor and ask your hotel if you are unsure.

Before buying a SIM or eSIM, check that your phone is unlocked and supports the service. Confirm the data allowance, validity and whether calls are included. Download maps and save your hotel address and driver’s contact offline before a longer journey.

A few useful Vietnamese phrases

Xin chào: Hello
Cảm ơn: Thank you
Bao nhiêu tiền?: How much is it?
Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?: Where is the toilet?
Không cay, làm ơn.: Not spicy, please.

A smile and a saved address can help when pronunciation is difficult. For more examples, see our Vietnamese greetings and expressions guide.

Culture, food and everyday manners

Dress respectfully at religious sites and follow the signs about shoes, photography and quiet areas. Ask before taking close-up photos of people. If you are invited into a home, follow your host’s lead rather than assuming every family has the same customs. Tell restaurants clearly about allergies and dietary needs.

Transport, safety and private cars

Choose transport for the journey you actually need. A city taxi ride, an intercity transfer and a sightseeing day with waiting time are different services. For a private car, send your dates, exact pickup and drop-off points, passenger count, luggage and planned stops. Ask whether tickets, meals, waiting time and a sightseeing guide are included.

A driver handles transport; a licensed sightseeing guide provides guided visits. Confirm which service you are booking. Use seat belts, allow time for traffic and weather, and save the agreed meeting point. Explore our private car transfers and day tours.

Weather and when to travel

Vietnam does not have one weather pattern for the whole country. Check each region on your route, then check the local forecast close to departure. A beach day, a cave visit and a mountain drive may need different plans in the same week.

Start with our guides to the best time to visit Hue, Hoi An’s seasons and Phong Nha’s weather. Around Tet, confirm opening times and travel arrangements early; see how to book a private car during Tet.