- E-visa (US$25, valid 90 days, single or multiple entry) available online for most nationalities — apply at least 3–5 working days before travel
- Outstanding value: one of Southeast Asia's cheapest destinations, with exceptional food quality relative to price
- The Reunification Express train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (35h total) or shorter routes can be broken into stages — book at seat61.com or Vietnam Railways
- North Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa) is best September–November; Central (Hoi An) and South (Ho Chi Minh) best November–March
Vietnam stretches 1,650km from north to south and packs extraordinary variety into that distance: the chaotic energy of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the faded French-influenced elegance of Hoi An, the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, the rice terraces of Sapa, and a food culture so regionally distinct that pho in Hanoi barely resembles pho in Saigon. It's affordable in a way that makes generous travel possible without compromising on quality, and it remains genuinely vivid and surprising in a way that more heavily touristed neighbours sometimes no longer manage.
Cost of Living
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's best-value destinations. Budget travellers in hostels and street food stalls can live on €20–35/day. Mid-range travel — comfortable guesthouses, restaurant meals, guided day trips — runs €50–90/day per person. A bowl of pho from a street stall costs 40,000–60,000 VND (€1.50–2.30); a full dinner at a popular local restaurant for two is €8–18. Upscale boutique hotels in Hoi An and Hanoi's Old Quarter run €80–180/night. Ha Long Bay cruises range enormously: budget day trips (€30–50, crowded and rushed) to 2-night luxury cruises (€200–400/person, well worth it).
Housing
Hanoi's Old Quarter is the most visited accommodation area — good guesthouses and boutique hotels from €30–80/night; upscale hotels €100–200/night. Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 has the widest range: budget options from €20–40/night, mid-range €50–130/night. Hoi An is the standout for accommodation value — beautiful Heritage Quarter boutique hotels from €50–120/night; resort properties along the An Bang beach strip from €80–200/night. Sapa's trekking lodges offer valley views and cool mountain air from €40–100/night.
Visa & Entry
Vietnam's e-visa scheme (launched and expanded through 2023) allows most nationalities to apply online for a 90-day visa (single or multiple entry) for US$25. Processing typically takes 3–5 working days. Eligible countries include all EU member states, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most Western nations. A small number of nationalities are exempt from any visa requirement for shorter stays — check the Vietnam Immigration Portal for the current list. Apply well before travel; last-minute applications occasionally take longer.
Expat Life
Ho Chi Minh City has the largest expat community, particularly in Districts 1, 2 (now Thu Duc), and 3 — significant American, European, Korean, and Japanese populations with strong service infrastructure. Hanoi is smaller and more traditionally Vietnamese but has growing expat communities in Tay Ho (West Lake). Digital nomad communities are active in both cities and in Hoi An. Vietnam's business environment has improved significantly but bureaucracy remains complex for long-term residents and business founders.
Vietnam is ideal for food-obsessed travellers who want maximum variety and authenticity at minimal cost, history enthusiasts (the American War museums in Ho Chi Minh City, the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the ancient town of Hoi An), adventure travellers who want motorcycle routes or cave trekking in Phong Nha, and anyone building a 3–4 week Southeast Asia itinerary.
Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is genuinely intense — crossing the road requires confidence (walk slowly and steadily, traffic flows around you). Scam taxis (unlicensed, poorly marked) cluster around airports and tourist areas; use Grab or ask your accommodation to arrange transport. The souvenir market areas (Hanoi's Dong Xuan, HCMC's Ben Thanh) involve significant bargaining pressure — know your prices or browse the fixed-price alternatives.
Practical Tips
- Apply for your e-visa at the official Vietnam Immigration Portal (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn) — not through third-party websites that charge extra fees for the same service.
- Use Grab for all motorbike and car rides in cities — it's reliable, safe, and eliminates the fare negotiation that makes street-hailed taxis stressful. Vietnam is otherwise a cash-primary society; carry dong (VND) for markets, street food, and smaller towns.
- The Hanoi–Hoi An–Ho Chi Minh City 'banana pancake trail' remains excellent, but consider breaking off to Ninh Binh (inland Ha Long), Phong Nha (the world's largest cave systems), or the central highlands around Da Lat for landscapes beyond the tourist circuit.
- Book Ha Long Bay cruises through reputable operators (Bhaya, Indochina Junk, Au Co) rather than the cheapest day-trip options — the bay is spectacular but the budget day trips are crowded and rushed. Two nights on a proper cruise vessel gives you the experience after day-trippers leave.
- North Vietnamese food (Hanoi) and south Vietnamese food (Ho Chi Minh City) are genuinely different — bun cha in Hanoi, banh mi from Hoi An, and hu tieu in Saigon are regional dishes worth seeking specifically. Ask locally rather than going to tourist restaurants.
- Motorbiking Vietnam's northern mountain roads (particularly the Ha Giang Loop near the Chinese border) is one of Southeast Asia's great adventure travel experiences — rent a semi-automatic in Ha Giang and allow 4–5 days. Roads are improving but require genuine motorbike experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Most Western nationalities including EU, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online for US$25, valid for 90 days (single or multiple entry). Apply at the official government portal at least 3–5 working days before travel. Some nationalities have shorter visa-free periods — check the Vietnam Immigration Portal for your specific passport.
What is the best itinerary for Vietnam?
The classic north-to-south route works well: Hanoi (2–3 days) + Ha Long Bay (2 nights cruise) → Hue (1–2 days) → Hoi An (3–4 days) → Ho Chi Minh City (2–3 days) + Mekong Delta day trip. For longer trips, add the Phong Nha caves, Sapa rice terraces, or the Ha Giang Loop. Flying between cities is faster than the train but loses the landscape experience.
How do I get around Vietnam?
Domestic flights on VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways connect major cities cheaply (Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from US$25–60 booked in advance). The Reunification Express train is slower but scenic and comfortable in sleeper berths — Hanoi to Da Nang (near Hoi An) takes 16–18 hours. Open-bus 'hop-on hop-off' tickets cover the main tourist route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh for €30–50. Within cities, use Grab.
Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
Vietnam is generally very safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare. The main concerns are traffic (genuinely dangerous — take care crossing roads), petty theft in busy areas (particularly in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 and Hanoi's Old Quarter), and scam services around tourist sites. The overall safety record for travellers is excellent.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-11