Are you thinking about going to Vietnam?
Then you need to know the essentials.
Keep reading to find out what you need to know if you are thinking about going to Vietnam (but, spoiler alert, you ABSOLUTELY should visit!)
This is a country of mountains, beaches, history, food, coffee, cities, incredible rivers and seas – it’s truly unique.
Fleewinter’s resident specialist Carly shares her thoughts on what everyone who is thinking about going to Vietnam should know.
Planning a trip to Vietnam can seem daunting. After all, it’s a long way from home, and all the places begin with H… (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, we can go on!)
But it is also the place to marvel at endless caves and cruise around huge limestone islands poking out of the sea in Halong Bay. To drink the best coffee of your life. To sample fresh local beer, Bahn Mi and Pho on every street corner in the cities, between historic stops. To design your own suit and have it tailor-made overnight in Hoi An. To sink your toes into the white sandy beaches on the islands of the south coast.
To spark your interest, this email includes a brief overview of things to think about before embarking on a journey to Vietnam – but you might prefer to just drop Carly a quick email and arrange a call!
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Halong Cruises Vietnam
As a long skinny country, you have to expect variation as you journey around. Vietnam is almost a year-round destination but it depends on your preferences of how you want to spend your time. If you’re thinking about going to Vietnam, and have somewhere in mind you’d like to visit especially, then planning when in the year is a step not to be overlooked.
If you’re booking to visit several regions in one go, like in our tip-to-tail Grand Tour, then your best bet across the board is January – April.
The centre is glorious in June – August, and our Summer Holiday in Vietnam is the perfect family-friendly holiday. And you just can’t beat December for our lazy Southern Beach Trail!
For more details month by month check our Vietnam Weather page, or just call Carly!
Two key highlights of the country include cruising the incredible Halong Bay in the north on a traditional wooden junk, and visiting the quaint city of Hoi An in the centre, which has it all – quaint architecture, fabulous tailors and shopping, incomparable food and a great beach. If you only have a week in Vietnam we’d recommend combining these two with a day or two in the beautifully chaotic capital of Hanoi.
If you have a few more days or a second week you could also visit the fascinating hill tribe communities and endless rice paddy terraces of the north in Sapa or Mai Chau – or you could head to the Mekong Delta in the south, where miles of canals, rivers and streams blur into one big watery mass of floating markets, mangroves and succulent fruits. You may also wish to stop off at Hue, in the centre, which is the country’s old Imperial capital boasting dozens of Royal tombs and the impressive Imperial Palace.
Of course no trip to Vietnam would be complete without a little bit of beach time. Depending on time of year and budget you can choose between the islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc, off the south coast of Vietnam, or sleepy Mui Ne, Da Nang and other spots on the central coast.
Browse more ideas here but we will put together the ideal itinerary just for you so that you can savour every moment in style and at your pace.
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Ho Chi Minh City skyline and the Saigon River, Vietnam
You want:Â A little bit of everything!
First timers in Vietnam will probably be drawn to our Classic Tour, beginning in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and ending in modern Saigon with some countryside biking, Halong Bay cruising and restful beach time in between.
You love:Â History, beaches and minimal travelling
10 days or more, taking in the bright lights and fascinating history of Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant river life on the mighty Mekong Delta, and a luxury tropical island stay too…
You want:Â To pair with Cambodia
Flights from Vietnam to Cambodia are easy, so bolting on a few nights in Siem Reap to see the majestic Angkor Temples is a popular choice.
Psst… The hotels in Siem Reap are some of Carly’s favourites of all time…
Direct flights are available from London to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines, taking around 12 hours. Additionally there are numerous with a short stop in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong etc.
A sneaky tip for 2025 – we’ve noticed the Paris – Hanoi return with Vietnam Airlines is often very competitively priced at the moment, requiring just a short Uk – Paris connection, ideal for regional airports.
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Asia is a phenomenal destination for families - plenty to see and do, and internal transfers are quick and easy.
To jump between north, central, southern Vietnam (plus the islands) requires internal flights. Vietnam Airlines domestic flights go multiple times a day and are generally very reliable. They also thoughtfully have generous baggage allowance to match up with International limits – and allow for inevitable holiday shopping.
For fun, you can consider adding an overnight train or a ferry if you have the time.
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busy Street at duskSilk Lanterns in Hoi An an ancient city in Vietnampeople and scooter in motion blur
VISA – British Passport holders visiting Vietnam for up to 45 days don’t need a visa. Truly hassle free travel!
Other passports often do need one, and will not be able to fly without. Always check before booking.
MONEY – Expect to interact with a mix of US dollars (which comes out the cash machines) and local currency the Vietnamese Dong. This can be hard to change back so use it all up in final days.
LANGUAGE – Even in the most touristy areas, you may struggle to find anyone who speaks English outside of your hotel, and the tonal nature of the language is hard to understand too. Your guides for walking tours and trips will be happy to help you – and even for an airport transfer, we will include an English speaking guide to support you.
FESTIVALS – Vietnam has many festivals and holidays which are incredible to experience. The biggest of which is TET in late January – early February each year – which can cause some delays, but may be worth it to see the spectacle.
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Awesome view of cozy street decorated with colorful silk lanterns at sunrise. Scenic traditional old yellow houses of Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam. Hoian is a popular tourist destination of Asia.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FROM Carly …
It’s such a pleasure to help our customers discover the vibrant, varied beauty of Vietnam in a smooth, safe way.
As well as there being so much to see – enough for a week or even four! – there are exquisite hotels, high service levels, and incredible food to sample. If you’re thinking about going to Vietnam, ask me any questions – and then hop on the plane. I’m certain you’re going to love it.
Browse our sample itineraries for inspiration (keeping in mind every trip is tailored to you and your travel companions) and just get in touch with Carly to get planning!
Top Travel Tip
“Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are amazing standalone – but a combination of the two is an addictive pairing. 10 days exploring the highlights of Sri Lanka hits culture, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and incredible food at a good pace, and then you can wind down with a few nights of luxury on the most perfect beaches in the world” – Carly, Asia Specialist
