Vietnam rewards a first visit with variety along one long coast: the lakes, temples and street food of Hanoi, an overnight cruise among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, and the palaces, markets and war history of Ho Chi Minh City. The three cities sit far apart, so most travelers link them with one- or two-hour domestic flights, while Ha Long Bay is about two and a half hours by road from Hanoi.
This page starts with our ranked picks for a first trip, best first, each with a practical tip on timing, booking or etiquette. Below them you will find every sight we cover in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, city by city, and then answers to the questions travelers ask most.
The 18 best things to do in Vietnam
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- 1Hoi An
Wander Hoi An's old town as the lanterns glow
Hoi An was a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, and merchants from China, Japan and later Europe left their mark on its streets. Its decline in the late 1800s kept the old town remarkably intact: more than 1,100 timber frame buildings in tight rows, with shopfronts on the street and backs opening to the Thu Bon River. Start at the wooden Japanese Bridge, which has a small pagoda built onto it, then visit Tan Ky House and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. The town is pretty by day, but it comes into its own after dark, when thousands of lanterns light the lanes and reflect on the river.
Tip: Buy the Ancient Town ticket that covers the old houses and assembly halls, and if your dates fall on a full moon, walk the riverbank after dark to see the moon and lanterns reflected on the water.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (official dataset); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism₫[fee]; Ancient Town ticket - 2Ha Long Bay
Cruise overnight among the islands of Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay and the neighboring Cat Ba Archipelago hold 1,133 limestone islands and islets rising straight out of the sea, the world's best-known example of tower karst flooded by the ocean. UNESCO first listed the bay in 1994. Cruises sail between the karsts and stop at caves you can walk through, such as Surprise Cave, while kayaks let you slip into quiet lagoons and past floating fishing villages. An overnight trip gives you the best of it: sunset from the sun deck, then a calm morning among the islands. Boats leave from Tuan Chau and Bai Chay ports, about two and a half hours by road from Hanoi.
Tip: Book with a well-reviewed cruise company rather than the cheapest offer, and aim for September to November, when the days are usually clear and calm.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (official dataset); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official) - 3Hanoi
Walk Hanoi's Old Quarter to Long Bien Bridge
Hanoi's Old Quarter packs 36 streets into about a square kilometer. Since the 15th century, each street has been home to craftspeople who traded the goods it was named for, so you can still wander from silver to silk to bamboo within a few blocks. Begin with an egg coffee, a Hanoi creation of drip coffee topped with whipped egg yolk, then walk up Hang Dao Street to Dong Xuan Market and the wholesale spice and fruit stalls around it. Keep going past Long Bien Station to Long Bien Bridge, the iron bridge that was the city's main supply line in wartime. From its narrow walkway you look down on farms and homes along the Red River.
Tip: Walk back across the bridge on the other side for a different view, and save the evening for the Old Quarter, when the street food stalls are busiest.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of TourismFree to visit - 4Hanoi
Cross the red bridge to Ngoc Son Temple
Hoan Kiem Lake, at the southern edge of the Old Quarter, is the heart of Hanoi. Legend says a golden turtle living in the lake gave an emperor a magic sword to defeat the Ming invaders, then dove down with it once the war was won. A red wooden bridge, the Huc Bridge, crosses to a small tree-shaded island on the north side, where Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of the Jade Mountain, honors the scholar saint Van Xuong and the national hero General Tran Hung Dao. Renovations in 1884 added the parallel couplets you see on its walls.
Tip: Come early in the morning, when locals do tai chi and exercise along the water's edge, and when the lakeside promenade is at its calmest.
Search tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of TourismFree to visit - 5Hanoi
Visit Vietnam's first university at the Temple of Literature
King Ly Thanh Tong founded the Temple of Literature, Van Mieu, in 1070 to honor Confucius, and in 1076 the Imperial Academy, Quoc Tu Giam, opened beside it as the country's first university. From 1484, doctoral steles were raised here to record the country's successful scholars; 82 of them are now National Treasures, and UNESCO lists them in its Memory of the World register. The temple spreads over five courtyards, a quiet break from the traffic outside, and its stone turtles are said to bring students luck in their exams.
Tip: Visit in the morning before the tour groups arrive, or come back for the evening program held on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday nights, which has its own tickets.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Van Mieu, Quoc Tu Giam (official); Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activity Center; Vietnam National Authority of TourismStandard adult: ₫70,000 (about $3) · Pay at the gate; night tours are separateLast verified
- 6Hanoi
Eat pho, bun cha and egg coffee in Hanoi
Hanoi's street food is famous around the world, and the best way in is a low plastic stool on the pavement. Try pho, the noodle soup with beef or chicken in an aromatic broth, and bun cha, charcoal-grilled pork patties and belly with rice noodles, herbs and a warm dipping sauce. Cha ca, turmeric fish fried with dill and spring onions, is another Hanoi classic. In the evening, head to the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen in the Old Quarter for bia hoi, fresh local draft beer, and snacks. For something different, walk to the Ngu Xa island food streets by Truc Bach Lake for pho cuon, fresh rice noodle rolls.
Tip: Pick stalls with a steady crowd of locals, since busy places turn food over fast, and keep a supply of small notes for street vendors, who usually take cash.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of TourismPay as you go - 7Hanoi
Pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square was built from 1973 to 1975 to hold the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the leader Vietnam honors as its greatest. Vietnamese visitors and travelers queue every morning to file past the glass sarcophagus. The square in front hosts a flag-raising ceremony early in the morning and a flag-lowering ceremony in the evening. Around the complex, you can see Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts and, a short walk away, the One Pillar Pagoda, a small wooden shrine built in 1049 on a single stone pillar in a lotus pond and shaped like a lotus rising from the water.
Tip: The mausoleum opens only in the morning and is closed on Mondays and Fridays, so go early, and cover your shoulders and knees, as you would at any temple.
Search tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of TourismFree to visit; mausoleum hours are limited - 8Hanoi
Trace a thousand years at the Imperial Citadel
The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was built in the 11th century by the Ly dynasty, on the remains of a 7th-century Chinese fortress, and it stayed a seat of power for almost 13 centuries. UNESCO listed its central sector in 2010. Walk through the restored Doan Mon Gate to the old palace grounds, then cross to the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site, where digs have uncovered archaeological layers from one dynasty after another. The site reflects influences from China to the north and the Champa kingdom to the south, a meeting of cultures that shaped the Red River Delta.
Tip: For a different view of the grounds, book the citadel's night tour ahead through the booking line on its official website.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (official dataset); Thang Long Imperial Citadel (official, Thang Long Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center); Vietnam National Authority of TourismAdult: ₫100,000 (about $4) · Pay at the gateLast verified
- 9Hanoi
Learn the history inside Hoa Lo Prison
The French colonial government built Hoa Lo Prison in 1896 on the site of a village of potters, and it became one of the largest prisons in French Indochina. Thousands of Vietnamese patriots and revolutionaries were held here, including five future general secretaries of the Communist Party. From 1964 to 1973, it held American pilots shot down over the north, who nicknamed it the Hanoi Hilton. In 1993, most of the site was handed over for redevelopment, and the remaining southeast section was restored as a historic site, with a memorial to the patriots and revolutionaries who died here. Expect some hard material.
Tip: The prison is open every day, including holidays, and its evening night tour is a more atmospheric way to see the cells.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Hoa Lo Prison Relic (official); Hoa Lo Prison Relic (official); Vietnam National Authority of TourismAdult, daytime: ₫50,000 (about $2) · Day ticket; night tours are separateLast verified
- 10Ho Chi Minh City
Face the war's legacy at the War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum is the most affecting history stop in Ho Chi Minh City. Over three floors, it tells the story of the war through artifacts and often graphic photographs, including Nick Ut's Pulitzer Prize-winning image known as The Terror of War. Out in the courtyard, decommissioned planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters stand on display. It is a somber visit, but one that stays with most people, and it gives important context before a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Like the Independence Palace, it is in easy walking distance of the center, so the two make an easy pair for a day of modern history.
Tip: Take your time in the photo galleries, and plan something light afterward, since many of the images are hard to take in.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)Standard ticket: ₫60,000 (about $2) · Pay at the gate or book onlineLast verified
- 11Ho Chi Minh City
Tour the presidential rooms of the Independence Palace
The Independence Palace stands where the French built the Norodom Palace from 1868. After the old building was badly damaged in a 1962 bombing, architect Ngo Viet Thu designed the present palace, which opened in 1966 as the home and office of the president of South Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, tanks broke through its gates, marking the end of the war. Today you can walk the T-shaped main building, with nearly 100 rooms, including halls and meeting rooms laid with red carpet, from the rooftop down to the basement, where the command center and war rooms are still in place.
Tip: Book your ticket online through the palace's official site to skip the counter queue, and leave time for the basement command rooms.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Independence Palace (official); Independence Palace (official); Independence Palace (official); Vietnam National Authority of TourismAdult: ₫80,000 (about $3) · Check notices for special closuresLast verified
- 12Ho Chi Minh City
Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels
On the northwestern edge of greater Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi District hides a network of more than 250 km of tunnels that Viet Cong fighters used to evade American and South Vietnamese forces during the war. Visits usually begin with an introductory film, then lead past booby traps, the remains of an American tank and bomb craters before you spend time crawling through sections of the tunnels. There are two sites: Ben Dinh, about 35 km from the city, and Ben Duoc, about 70 km away. It makes an easy morning trip, with time back in the city for the War Remnants Museum or the Independence Palace in the afternoon.
Tip: Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, since crawling through the tunnels is part of the visit.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official) - 13Ho Chi Minh City
Stroll Saigon's colonial landmarks to Nguyen Hue
Downtown Ho Chi Minh City still shows its French colonial past within a few walkable blocks. Start at the twin-spired Notre Dame Cathedral, built with materials brought from France, then cross the square to the Saigon Central Post Office, still a working post office, with a grand foyer, tiled floors, old wooden phone booths, historic maps and a large portrait of Ho Chi Minh. Walk down Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping street, to the Saigon Opera House, then cut across to Nguyen Hue Walking Street, which runs from City Hall to the Bach Dang Wharf on the Saigon River. Nguyen Hue is liveliest around sundown.
Tip: Do the walk in the early morning, when the cathedral looks its best and the heat is gentler, and return to Nguyen Hue in the evening.
Search tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of TourismFree to enter - 14Ho Chi Minh City
Grill seafood at your table on Vinh Khanh Street
Ho Chi Minh City eats out on the pavement, at metal tables and plastic stools, and the evening is the time to join in. In District 4, Vinh Khanh Food Street is as much a street party as a meal, with diners grilling meat and seafood on charcoal stoves at their tables and shellfish cooked with butter, garlic, lemongrass and chili. In District 3, Nguyen Thuong Hien Street is known for clams, sea snails, crab claws and oysters. By day, the food stalls at the back of Ben Thanh Market serve banh xeo, the crispy southern pancake, and freshly made banh mi. Other dishes to look for are com tam, broken rice, and bo la lot.
Tip: Go after dark, when the streets are at their busiest, and share several plates around the table, since that is how locals eat.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)Pay as you go - 15Hoi An
Explore the Cham tower temples of My Son
My Son Sanctuary was the religious and political heart of the Champa Kingdom, and its tower temples were built over ten centuries, from the 4th to the 13th. The Cham followed Hinduism from India, and most temples honor Shiva. The towers are made of fired brick with stone pillars and sandstone carvings of Hindu myths, set in a green basin ringed by mountains at the source of the Thu Bon River, the same river that flows past Hoi An. Many towers lie in ruins, and many were damaged during the wars of the 20th century, but walking among the surviving groups gives a real sense of a lost civilization.
Tip: The site opens at 6:00 AM every day, so arrive early to beat the midday heat, and stay for a Cham dance performance at the site's performance hall, held several times a day.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre (official dataset); My Son Cultural Heritage Management Board; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)Foreign adult: ₫150,000 (about $6) · Vietnamese adult: ₫100,000 (about $4) · Pay at the gateLast verified
- 16Hoi An
Cycle to Tra Que village and the rice fields
Hoi An's countryside starts just outside the old town, and the easiest way to see it is by bicycle, which you can rent from your hotel or a rental shop in town. Ride out toward Cam Thanh and Cam Chau past vegetable gardens, duck ponds and rice paddies. Tra Que vegetable village grows many of the fresh herbs used in Hoi An's cooking, and it was named one of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism in 2024. The village offers farming experiences where visitors can join in the work. Back in town, finish with a boat ride on the Thu Bon River, leaving just before sunset for the best light.
Tip: Ride in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, and agree on the price of a river boat at the ferry quay before you board.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)₫[fee] for garden visits; check what admission covers - 17Hoi An
Climb the Marble Mountains, then swim at My Khe
The Marble Mountains are five limestone and marble outcrops about 7 km from central Da Nang. Thuy Son is the best known, with caves where Hindu and Buddhist shrines have been kept for centuries, pagodas on its slopes and sweeping viewpoints. You can take the stairs or the elevator, then follow shaded paths between the sanctuaries. Afterward, head for My Khe Beach, the broad stretch of sand that runs south from the Son Tra Peninsula, where locals swim at sunrise and gather for fresh seafood in the evening. Back in town, Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water on weekend nights.
Tip: Go to the Marble Mountains as early as you can manage to beat the heat and the crowds, and catch Dragon Bridge's fire and water show at 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Da Nang City Tourism Promotion CenterThuy Son adult entry: ₫40,000 (about $2) · Am Phu Cave adult, separate: ₫20,000 (about $1) · Lift, per ride, separate: ₫15,000 (about $1) · Thuy Son ticket; Am Phu Cave and lift charged separately; ticket signs at the foot of the hillLast verified
- 18Mekong Delta
Take a boat into the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta makes the classic day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. It is about a two-hour drive to Ben Tre, a province known for its coconuts, where boats carry you along wide rivers lined with stilt houses and then into narrow canals shaded by palm fronds. Tours usually add a stop at a coconut candy workshop, a cycle along village lanes past orchards and rice fields, and a family-style lunch such as fried elephant-ear fish rolled in rice paper. With a night to spare, go further to Can Tho, about three hours by road, to see the Cai Rang floating market at dawn.
Tip: Choose a small eco or cycling tour to avoid the crowds, and plan boat trips for the dry season from December to April.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)
Every sight, city by city
Ba Dinh Square
The broad square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, with flag ceremonies at dawn and in the evening.Entry: Free to visit; mausoleum hours are limitedSearch tours on KlookBa Trieu street stalls
Sidewalk cafes and food stalls south of Hoan Kiem Lake serving pho and chicken fried rice.Entry: Pay as you goDong Xuan Market
Hanoi's big wholesale market, selling fabric, souvenirs and snacks in its halls and surrounding lanes.Entry: Pay as you goHanoi Old Quarter
A maze of narrow trading streets north of Hoan Kiem Lake, busy from morning until late.Entry: Free to visitHoa Lo Prison Relic
Preserved cells and exhibits of a colonial-era prison that was later used during the war.Entry: Day ticket; night tours are separateSearch tickets and tours on KlookHoan Kiem Lake
A lake at the heart of central Hanoi, ringed by a shaded path and crossed by a red bridge.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookImperial Citadel of Thang Long
The UNESCO-listed royal citadel site, with gates, palace foundations and excavated layers of the old capital.Entry: Pay at the gateSearch tickets and tours on KlookLong Bien Bridge
An iron bridge over the Red River with a narrow walkway, river views and stairs to Banana Island.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookNgoc Son Temple
A temple on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by the red The Huc Bridge.Entry: ₫[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookNgu Xa island food streets
Lakeside streets on Truc Bach island known for pho cuon and other rice noodle dishes.Entry: Pay as you goOne Pillar Pagoda
A small pagoda raised on a single pillar within the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.Entry: ₫[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookSt. Joseph's Cathedral
A twin-towered Catholic cathedral facing a small square west of Hoan Kiem Lake.Entry: Active church; respect servicesSearch tickets and tours on KlookTa Hien Street
An Old Quarter street whose corner with Luong Ngoc Quyen fills with bia hoi drinkers at night.Entry: Pay as you goTemple of Literature
A temple to Confucius and home of the country's first university, laid out as walled courtyards.Entry: Pay at the gate; night tours are separateSearch tickets and tours on KlookTruc Bach Lake
A small lake beside West Lake, with the lakeside Thanh Nien road running between the two.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookVietnamese Women's Museum
A museum on women's lives, crafts and roles in Vietnamese history, open daily.Entry: ₫[fee]Search tickets and tours on KlookBach Dang Wharf Park
A riverfront park at the end of the Nguyen Hue walking route, with views over the Saigon River.Entry: Riverfront walkSearch tickets and tours on KlookBen Thanh Market
A landmark central market selling produce, hats, coffee and crafts, with food stalls at the back.Entry: Free to enter; pay as you goBinh Tay Market
A wholesale market at the heart of Cho Lon, the Chinese Quarter.Entry: Pay as you goIndependence Palace
The former presidential palace of South Vietnam, with state rooms and a basement command center.Entry: Check notices for special closuresSearch tickets and tours on KlookJade Emperor Pagoda
A Taoist pagoda in the old Da Kao area, full of carved figures and incense smoke.Entry: Active place of worship; dress modestlySearch tickets and tours on KlookNguyen Hue Walking Street
A wide pedestrian boulevard running from City Hall toward the river, busiest around sundown.Entry: Free to visitNguyen Thuong Hien seafood street
A District 3 street of seafood stalls serving clams, sea snails, crab claws and oysters.Entry: Pay as you goNotre Dame Cathedral
A twin-spired cathedral built in the late 1800s at the head of Dong Khoi Street.Entry: Check whether the interior is openSearch tickets and tours on KlookSaigon Central Post Office
A working post office with a vaulted hall, historic maps and old wooden phone booths.Entry: Free to enterSearch tours on KlookSaigon Opera House
A French-era theater facing Lam Son Square at the top of Dong Khoi Street.Entry: Exterior view; performances ticketedSearch tickets and tours on KlookThien Hau Pagoda
A Chinese assembly hall and temple on Nguyen Trai Street in Cho Lon, hung with incense coils.Entry: Active place of worship; dress modestlySearch tickets and tours on KlookVinh Khanh Food Street
A District 4 street where diners grill meat and seafood on coal stoves at their tables.Entry: Pay as you goWar Remnants Museum
A three-story museum of war artifacts and photographs, with aircraft and vehicles in the courtyard.Entry: Pay at the gate or book onlineSearch tickets and tours on KlookCon Market, Da Nang
One of the largest markets in Da Nang, with an indoor food court and an outdoor street food area.Entry: Pay as you goDragon Bridge, Da Nang
A dragon-shaped road bridge over the Han River that breathes fire and water on weekend nights.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookHai Ba Trung approach to An Bang Beach
Hai Ba Trung leads toward An Bang Beach; the map marks the street approach, not the sand.Entry: Street approach; continue to the signed beach accessHan Market, Da Nang
Da Nang's central market by the Han River, a good place to start a street food lunch.Entry: Pay as you goHoi An Central Market
The riverside market, whose food hall serves cao lau and other Hoi An dishes.Entry: Pay as you goHoi An Night Market
An evening market on Nguyen Hoang Street across the river, with snacks, lanterns and souvenirs.Entry: Pay as you goJapanese Bridge
A covered wooden bridge at the western end of the Ancient Town and one of Hoi An's emblems.Entry: ₫[fee]; Ancient Town ticketSearch tickets and tours on KlookMy Khe Beach, Da Nang
A broad golden beach running south from the Son Tra Peninsula, popular for swims and seafood.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookMy Son Sanctuary
Ruined Cham brick temple towers in a forested valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Entry: Pay at the gateSearch tickets and tours on KlookNguyen Phan Vinh dining streets, An Bang
Dining lanes near An Bang Beach, with seafood restaurants and cafes around the Nguyen Phan Vinh approach.Entry: Pay as you goPhuc Kien Assembly Hall
An ornate assembly hall and temple built by the town's Fujian Chinese community.Entry: ₫[fee]; Ancient Town ticketSearch tickets and tours on KlookThuy Son, Marble Mountains, Da Nang
Thuy Son has caves, pagodas and viewpoints; ticket access is at the foot of this Marble Mountains peak.Entry: Thuy Son ticket; Am Phu Cave and lift charged separately; ticket signs at the foot of the hillSearch tickets and tours on KlookTra Que Vegetable Village
Herb and vegetable plots farmed by villagers between the Ancient Town and An Bang Beach.Entry: ₫[fee] for garden visits; check what admission coversQuestions travelers ask
What are the best things to do in Vietnam for a first trip?
Most first trips cover the north, center and south. In Hanoi, walk the Old Quarter, see Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature, and eat on the street. Spend a night on a Ha Long Bay cruise. In Hoi An, wander the lantern-lit old town, cycle into the countryside and visit the My Son temples. In Ho Chi Minh City, tour the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum, crawl into the Cu Chi Tunnels and take a boat into the Mekong Delta.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of TourismHow many days do you need in Vietnam?
Plan on at least 10 days for a first look. The national tourism board's Vietnam Highlights trip runs 10 days and 9 nights, from Hanoi and a Ha Long Bay cruise through Hoi An, My Son and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta. The country is long, so fly between regions to save time. Allow two or three days each for Hanoi, Hoi An with Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, plus a night on the bay.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)When is the best time for sightseeing in Vietnam?
It depends on the region, since the weather varies a lot from north to south. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are at their best from September to November, when days are clear and dry. Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta are best in the dry season from December to April. Central Vietnam is pleasant from about March to May, but Hoi An and Da Nang can see storms and floods from September to November. Around Tet, the Lunar New Year, many businesses close for several days.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of TourismWhich Vietnam attractions should you book ahead?
Book your Ha Long Bay cruise ahead, and choose a well-reviewed company rather than the cheapest deal. Train tickets sell out around Vietnamese holidays, so buy them well in advance, and book open-tour bus seats at least two weeks ahead over holidays. The Independence Palace sells tickets online, which saves queuing. Evening programs, such as the Temple of Literature night tour and the Imperial Citadel night tour, have their own tickets, so reserve those before you go.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Independence Palace (official); Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activity Center; Thang Long Imperial Citadel (official, Thang Long Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center)How do you get around Vietnam?
Fly between regions: one- or two-hour domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, while the Reunification Express train takes well over a day end to end. In cities, use ride-hailing apps such as Grab, Be or Xanh SM, or metered taxis from trusted companies like Mai Linh and Vinasun. Hoi An is small enough to cover on foot or by bicycle. For Ha Long Bay, the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi, most travelers join a tour with transfers.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official); Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)What should you know about money and manners in Vietnam?
The currency is the Vietnam dong (VND), all in notes, and the blue 20,000 and 500,000 notes look alike, so check before paying. Carry cash for street food and markets; hotels, restaurants and tour operators generally take cards. Tipping isn't expected, but it is appreciated, and gentle bargaining is normal in markets. Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and keep phones and bags away from the road, where snatch thefts from motorbikes happen.
Sources: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (vietnam.travel, official)