Vietnam travel guide
Vietnam rewards travellers who like a journey with a strong sense of place. In one trip you can cruise between limestone islands in Ha Long Bay, drift through the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, eat noodle soup on a stool in Hanoi and watch traders haggle from boats on the Mekong Delta. Few countries pack so much landscape and flavour into such a narrow shape. The country is long and varied, so it helps to choose a route. The north offers Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa and Ha Long Bay; the centre brings together Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An, with the caves of Phong Nha nearby; the south is the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, the beaches of Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Mui Ne, and the cooler highlands of Da Lat. There is rarely a bad moment somewhere in Vietnam, since the weather differs from region to region. Spring and autumn are good for the north, and the dry months from about December to April suit the south. It suits first-timers, families, foodies and independent travellers alike. You can plan the itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Hanoi.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Vietnam
- Currency
- VND ₫
- Emergency number
- 113
- Plug type
- Type A, C
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- VND 50,000-66,000 (TPBank often free)
Cities in Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City As the country's largest metropolis, it is a fast-paced economic and cultural hub. It features iconic French colonial landmarks like the…
- Hanoi The vibrant capital of Vietnam blends ancient history and French colonial architecture. The heart of the city is the bustling Old Quarter…
- Hoi An Located on the central coast, Hoi An is renowned for its remarkably preserved ancient town. Laced with canals and lit by colorful lanterns,…
- Phu Quoc Vietnam's largest island — a tropical paradise of turquoise waters, white sand beaches and dense jungle in the Gulf of Thailand. Home to…
- Da Nang Known as one of the most livable cities in Vietnam, Da Nang serves as a gateway to the central region. It pairs beautiful, sprawling…
- Ha Long City Located on the country's northern coast, this is the main launchpad for exploring the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long…
- Nha Trang A premier coastal city, Nha Trang is often called the "Pearl of The East Sea". It features stunning beaches, vibrant offshore islands, and…
- Da Lat Nestled in the Central Highlands, Da Lat is known as the "City of Flowers" or the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its cool mountain…
- Sapa Perched in the Hoang Lien Son mountains, this "City in the Mist" is a stunning highland town. It is the premier base for trekking through…
- Can Tho Located in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is famous for its intricate network of canals and vibrant floating markets, such as Cai…
- Hue The former imperial capital is a deep dive into Vietnam's royal history. Situated along the Perfume River, it is home to a massive…
- Ninh Binh The "Ha Long Bay on land" — a UNESCO landscape of limestone karsts rising from rice paddies. Row through Tam Coc and Trang An grottoes,…
- Mui Ne A 20 km beach strip famous for extraordinary red and white sand dunes, the Fairy Stream canyon and ancient Cham towers. Southeast Asia's…
- Vung Tau Ho Chi Minh City's weekend beach escape — a peninsula 90 minutes south by speedboat. Two beaches, the Giant Christ statue, lighthouse…
- Hai Phong Vietnam's third-largest city and most important port, gateway to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay. Known for French colonial architecture,…
- Con Dao Vietnam's most pristine island archipelago — 16 islands 230 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Con Dao National Park protects sea turtle nesting…
- Buon Ma Thuot Vietnam's coffee capital — gateway to Dak Lak Province's plantations, elephant conservation in Yok Don National Park and Ede/M'nong ethnic…
- Dong Hoi Capital of Quang Binh Province and the launch point for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park — home to Son Doong (Earth's largest cave),…
- Quy Nhon An emerging off-the-beaten-path coastal city with pristine beaches (Ky Co, Bai Xep), ancient Cham towers and an authentic seafood market.…
- Phan Thiet The provincial capital of Binh Thuan, famous for producing Vietnam's finest fish sauce, Cham Po Sah Inu towers and a scenic seafront…
Frequently asked questions about Vietnam
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly. Stay: 90 days, single/multiple entry options. Fee: USD 25 (processing fee, e-visa). Processing: Around 3 business days. Apply: Before departure. Apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn.
- What currency is used in Vietnam?
- The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (₫). ₹1 is about 270 ₫.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Vietnam?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Typical ATM fees: VND 50,000-66,000 (TPBank often free). Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Vietnam?
- Tipping in Vietnam: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Vietnam?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Vietnam use?
- Vietnam uses Type A, C plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Vietnam?
- Emergency: 113. Police: 113. Ambulance: 115. Tourist helpline: 1800-599-920.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Vietnam?
- SIM and eSIM available in Vietnam.
- What is the capital of Vietnam?
- The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi. Time there: IST + 1 h 30 min.