Holidays to Vietnam
Top destinations in Vietnam
Hanoi
Visit the traditional Dong Xuan Market, speed down waterpark slides, bargain in Old Quarter shops or eat seafood at Michelin-starred restaurants in Vietnam’s capital city.
Ho Chi Minh City
Perched on the Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant metropolis of colonial buildings, bustling markets and fascinating historical relics.
Hoi An
Picturesque, tranquil and steeped in history, Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s top destinations. Admire colourful houses from its lantern-lit waterfront or lose yourself in its maze-like Old Town.
Vietnam: fast facts
| Language | Vietnamese |
|---|---|
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (₫) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
Vietnam holiday highlights
Feast on street food
Eating street food is one of the most iconic things to do in Vietnam. In bustling Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, you’ll find hawkers cooking up dishes like ‘bahn mi’ (Vietnamese sandwiches), ‘cao lau’ (thick noodles with pork) and ‘com tam’ (broken rice). Take a street food tour to find sought-after spots, or simply seek out stalls packed with locals.
Explore sacred temples
Vietnam has a diverse religious history spanning thousands of years. Stroll past terracotta-coloured shrines at My Son, a UNESCO-listed Hindu temple complex built between the 4th and 13th centuries. Marvel at the ornate facade of Cao Dai Holy See in Tay Ninh, dedicated to one of the world’s youngest faiths. Or discover a whale-worshiping religion at Van Thuy Tu Temple, home to an enormous whale skeleton.
Visit hilltop villages
Whether you’re biking through the mountain passes of Ha Giang or sipping local coffee in Dalat, Vietnam’s highlands blend nature, culture and adventure. Don’t miss the former French hill station of Sapa, known for its gorgeous rice terraces. For an underrated yet beautiful mountain escape, head to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, with its hilltop villages and rice paddies surrounded by misty peaks.
Things to do in Vietnam
Top attractions
Explore the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town, where restaurants, tailors and museums occupy timber-frame houses along a maze of streets. The historic palaces, pavilions and temples of the walled Hue Imperial City are a cool window into Vietnam’s architectural heritage and dynastic past. Discover towering limestone karsts, caves and floating villages on cruises and kayaking tours around Ha Long Bay.
Beaches
This country brims with beautiful beaches. An Bang is famous for its soft sands and calm waters dotted with traditional Vietnamese basket boats. Further south, Phu Quoc and Con Dao are two lush, tropical islands with some of the best beaches in Vietnam. For a tranquil escape near Ho Chi Minh City, head to Mui Ne, a palm-fringed shoreline flanked by striking red dunes.
Nature
One of Vietnam’s most famous natural wonders is Ha Long Bay, with its towering limestone formations. Book an overnight cruise to enjoy this popular spot without the day trip crowds. Explore a labyrinth of underground caves at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the world’s largest cave, Son Doong. Or enjoy off-the-beaten-track adventures in the evergreen forests, waterfalls and lakes of Ba Be National Park.
Culture and museums
You’ll find some of the best museums in Vietnam in Hanoi. The Vietnam National Museum of History is housed in a French-Chinese-inspired building and offers insight into the country’s legacy. At the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, hear the chilling stories of inmates during the Vietnam War. And in Ho Chi Minh City, don’t miss the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels — underground networks used by Vietnamese soldiers.
Cuisine
Don’t leave without trying a steaming bowl of ‘pho’, a rich, fragrant noodle soup that originated in northern Vietnam during French colonial times. Other Vietnamese staples include ‘banh xeo’ (crispy, savoury crepes), ‘bun cha’ (meatballs) and ‘goi cuon’ (spring rolls made with rice paper). Beyond street food, innovative restaurants in Vietnam’s biggest cities, like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang, are putting modern twists on traditional fare.
Family friendly
On Phu Quoc island, VinWonders Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s largest theme park, featuring roller coasters, waterslides, live shows and parades. Enjoy views of rolling mountains from the Golden Bridge, a pedestrian walkway held by giant hand sculptures in the Ba Na Hills. In Hanoi, folkloric tales come to life to a soundtrack of traditional music at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.
Find the best time to visit Vietnam
Weather in Vietnam
May – October: The rainy season is marked by hot and humid days with heavy afternoon downpours. Typhoon season starts in June, mainly affecting the central and northern regions of the country. Demand for flights and hotels peaks in coastal cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang between July and August.
November – April: The dry season brings cooler temperatures and less humidity to the north, while the south stays warm. This is the best time to visit Vietnam’s northwestern highlands for hiking, though snow sometimes falls in Sapa during winter months. Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in January or February is a national holiday, so hotel and transport costs often rise.
Events in Vietnam
Tet Nguyen Dan (January or February): Lunar New Year is one of the biggest nationwide events in Vietnam. Marking the arrival of spring in the Vietnamese calendar, it’s a time for family gatherings and ancestral worship.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (June to July): Watch as pyrotechnic teams from around the world put on themed fireworks displays set to music along Da Nang’s Han River.
Tet Trung Thu (September or October): The nationwide Mid-Autumn Festival features processions with star-shaped lanterns, lion dancing and mooncake feasts.
Hoi An Lantern Festival (monthly): On the 14th day of every lunar month, Hoi An Ancient Town transforms into a fairy-tale scene with the riverside lit up by the moonlight and hundreds of lanterns.
Know before you go
Local etiquette
Vietnamese people are known for their modesty and politeness. Practice the local custom of ‘saving face’ by maintaining dignity and showing respect in public and social situations. Always remove your shoes and hat when entering a temple or someone’s home, and avoid stepping over family altars. Keep your hands above the table while eating, and never point your chopsticks at others.
Health and safety
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Vietnam. Air pollution can be high in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so consider wearing a face mask. Follow local advice if visiting areas affected by heavy monsoon rains or typhoons. And always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
LGBTQ+ travel
LGBTQ+ travellers will likely have a hassle-free trip to Vietnam, although public displays of affection should be avoided between all couples. You’ll find the biggest queer communities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are also the main locations for the annual VietPride festival, held in September. The events in Hanoi include movie screenings and a bike parade.
Budget
A cheap holiday to Vietnam is simple. You can find a budget meal for around 50,000 Vietnamese dong (₫), a local beer for about ₫25,000 and a coffee for around ₫45,000. Travelling around the country is also relatively affordable. A short taxi ride should only cost about ₫80,000.
Getting around Vietnam
Public transportation
Buses: Buses offer affordable services to all corners of the country. ‘Open Tour’ options are multi-stop, overnight routes between major cities. Leading companies include Mai Linh Express and Sinh Tourist.
Trains: Vietnam Railways is the main operator, with 2,600 kilometres of track connecting the north and south. There are four main classes — hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper (six-berth cabin) and soft sleeper (four-berth cabin). Book a ticket on the Reunification Express line for a cross-country ride between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Boats: Access Vietnam’s tropical islands by ferry, with services connecting Ha Tien to Phu Quoc and Vung Tau to Con Dao. Passenger ferries and ‘sampans’ (flat-bottomed wooden boats) travel around the Mekong Delta waterways.
Domestic flights
Flying is a great option if you’re pressed for time. Choose from a wide network of destinations with carriers like Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air. The country’s main airports are located in Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Driving
You’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a temporary Vietnamese driving licence to hire a car here. Heavy traffic can make navigating big cities stressful, so consider hiring a car with a local driver instead.
