Vietnam – how to best plan your trip to this country?

How to plan a trip to Vietnam?

The key to a successful vacation is smart travel planning. This is especially important for countries such as Vietnam. Why? It is a long journey to another continent, with a climate different from that of Europe, and Vietnam itself is a country stretching over almost 2,000 kilometers – in order to plan your trip well and not waste time, it is worth taking a moment to learn a few details. The difficult-to-convert currency and incomprehensible language will not be an obstacle. Not even the chaos of scooters on the streets, for which Vietnam is famous! Read our guide on how to organize a trip to Vietnam and don't stress before going on vacation. Vietnam tourist guide – for more information before traveling to Vietnam, such as obtaining a visa, accommodation, the most important attractions, and more, see our article Vietnam tourist guide – visa, accommodation, attractions.

Purchasing a plane ticket to Vietnam

The first step in planning a trip to Vietnam is to purchase plane tickets. It is worth looking for bargains on airline websites or cheap ticket search engines, such as Skyscanner. A north-south (or vice versa) tour of Vietnam will be easier to complete if you decide to buy airline tickets for the route: departure point - Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - departure point (or vice versa). Choosing this flight arrangement makes it easier to see all the sights on your list of things to see in Vietnam and is ideal for traveling across the country without having to return to your point of departure.

Basics before traveling to Vietnam: visa, vaccinations, essentials

Before an exotic vacation, it is essential to know about local visa regulations and mandatory or recommended vaccinations. In the case of Vietnam, citizens of most European Union countries can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days without a visa for tourist purposes. It is best to check local government websites. What about vaccinations? Before traveling to Vietnam, it is recommended to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, and a booster dose for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). Additionally, depending on the length of your stay and travel style (rural areas, longer stay, contact with animals), consider vaccinations for rabies and Japanese encephalitis (JE), while also remembering basic routine vaccinations and prevention against dengue and malaria (through repellents). It is necessary to consult a travel medicine doctor 6-8 weeks before departure. As you can see, vaccinations are not mandatory, but they are definitely recommended, and I recommend getting them, as well as purchasing good travel insurance.

What about the necessary items? What to take with you to Vietnam? It is best to take a comfortable, larger backpack (not a suitcase if you are traveling on your own, as it is difficult to move around with it) and light, breathable clothing, as well as travel accessories such as power banks, comfortable shoes, and sunscreen. You don't have to fill your backpack to the brim with your belongings – it's worth visiting a local market and buying some clothes, which are cheap, good quality, and make great souvenirs.

Weather in Vietnam

What is traveling between northern and southern Vietnam like? When is the best time to visit Vietnam? These are basic questions, along with: what is the weather like in Vietnam? These questions appear in travelers' internet searches before departure. It is a complex topic, which we have described in our article: When to go to Vietnam? Weather and climate. Why complex? Because Vietnam is a very long country with different climate zones. In the summer, the differences may be small, but in winter, when it is hot in the south, it can be really cold in the north. Vietnam has a humid tropical climate in the north and a tropical climate in the south, and in the winter months (December to February), temperatures in the cooler northern regions average 10°C–20°C, while in mountainous areas they can drop below 0°C. This contrasts with the south, where the dry season lasts at the same time with constant temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C, while central Vietnam has the most pleasant weather from February to April, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 30°C. During the summer, from May to August, the North and Central regions experience extreme heat, reaching 35°C–40°C, and even during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October in the South, temperatures remain high, typically between 26°C and 34°C.

How to book hotels in Vietnam?

Accommodation and food are often the most important part of the trip for many people. After all, in addition to the attractions, you need to sleep well and comfortably, as well as eat delicious food, right? That is why we will start with accommodation first. The range of hotels and apartments in Vietnam is really wide, and it is one of the few places in the world where you can easily book accommodation on the same day or the day before and do not have to do it in advance. This is due to the favorable prices (accommodation in Vietnam is often of a high standard for a ridiculously low price, rarely more than €10 per person in basic, approximately 3-star hotels), there are many options, and you can book them on the street without having to make a reservation in advance. Booking portals such as Booking, Agoda, or Airbnb also work well, but in the case of Vietnam, I recommend Booking or booking directly at the hotel on site, as you can often get a better price.

Where to eat in Vietnam?

Where to start exploring Vietnam? With food, of course! Check out the list of the 10 most interesting dishes to try in Vietnam. And where is the best place to eat them? Vietnam offers a wide variety of cuisine, i.e. you will find authentic food on the streets, trying street food from small family-run establishments, mobile carts, small bars and local restaurants, as well as in larger restaurants or luxury establishments. I recommend street food, which in Vietnam is definitely one of the best in the world.

How to get around Vietnam

You already know that Vietnam is a very long country, so you will be traveling a lot during your trip. If you plan to visit the whole of Vietnam, you need to carefully consider transportation in Vietnam. After all, the distance between the north and south is roughly the same as the distance from Poland to Greece. How can you get around Vietnam? In Vietnam, you can use several means of transport during your trip: airplanes; this is the most popular means of long-distance transport in the country, and flights are relatively inexpensive; buses; the most popular means of transport for traveling around Vietnam, cheap, comfortable, and allowing you to travel longer and shorter distances; the so-called sleep buses with comfortable sleeping berths are particularly popular; trains; an exciting and quite comfortable means of transport between major cities in Vietnam; taxis; taxis come in the form of cars and scooters, with scooter taxis being the most popular; the best means of getting from point A to point B due to the lack of public transport and very low prices; rented motorbikes or scooters; a very popular form of transportation in Vietnam among tourists due to the popularity of two-wheelers in this country or due to the desire to travel through the north using this means of transportation, it gives a lot of freedom but I do not recommend it to people without experience (you MUST have a category A driver's license to ride a motorbike), a rented car or van with a driver; a good means of transport between regions in Vietnam when traveling in a larger group, public transport; Is it easy to get around Vietnam by public transport? It is only available in the largest cities and does not work very well. I recommend using it only when traveling from the airport or if the metro is available on your chosen route.

Top attractions in Vietnam

Vietnam is a destination full of wonderful attractions, such as interesting cities with museums and history, phenomenal nature, including rice terraces, mountains, karst bays, and tropical forests, as well as modern attractions such as observation decks and party streets. Which cities are worth visiting in Vietnam? Where can you see the most beautiful nature? These are key questions for planning your trip, so I have selected some of the best places to visit in Vietnam: Ha Long Bay is a true masterpiece of nature, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 1,600 limestone islands. Hanoi is a bustling capital with the narrow streets of the Old Town, the iconic pho soup, and Hoan Kiem Lake. Sa Pa has mountain rice terraces that look like green stairs and is home to ethnic minorities. Hoi An is a magical, charming town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its colorful lanterns and excellent tailoring. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the dynamic metropolis of the south and the business capital of Vietnam, full of contrasts, delicious food, and French architecture. The Mekong Delta is the breadbasket of Vietnam, a labyrinth of rivers and canals, famous for its floating markets and lush greenery. Ninh Bình is called the Ha Long Bay of the land, with limestone hills rising from rice fields. Hue is the former capital with the Imperial City, the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Fansipan is the highest peak in Indochina (3,143 m), offering spectacular mountain views and accessible by cable car. Ha Giang Loop is a legendary motorcycle loop, offering the adventure of a lifetime amid rugged peaks and gorges.

In a country like Vietnam, an itinerary is essential due to the complexity and logistics of getting around. That's why I've prepared a short 2-week sample itinerary that can serve as inspiration for further planning. Vietnam in 2 weeks sample plan: Days 1 and 2 landing and sightseeing in Hanoi, Days 3 and 4 cruise with overnight stay in Ha Long Bay, Days 5 and 6 Ha Giang loop on scooters or trip to Sa Pa, Days 7 and 8 flight to Da Nang and sunbathing, Day 9: sightseeing in Hoi An, Day 10: the mountain town of Da Lat and tea plantations, Days 11 and 12: arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and sightseeing, Day 13: Mekong Delta trip, Day 14: return.

Top tips for visiting Vietnam

You have now learned the most important tips for visiting Vietnam and planning your trip to this country. Remember that you can plan many things, but once you are there, it is worth getting lost sometimes, getting to know the local culture and traditions, shopping at local markets and street markets, and not just chasing the most popular tourist attractions and places to tick off your sightseeing list. Vietnam is unique thanks to the Vietnamese people and their hospitality, so it's worth taking a break from your holiday rush and relaxing under the palm trees, drinking coconut juice and eating pho soup.

If you are planning a vacation in Vietnam, you cannot miss other interesting destinations on this continent. One of them is the United Arab Emirates, and in particular Dubai, which is very often a stopover city on the way to Vietnam. You can opt for a short sightseeing tour during your layover or a longer stay while traveling with the travel agency Two Continents, which offers the best attractions in Dubai, accommodation in Dubai in private apartments, and trip packages to Dubai, including accommodation, a package of attractions, travel insurance, and tour guide assistance throughout your stay. Combine Dubai with Vietnam and experience the unforgettable vacation of a lifetime!

Questions and answers (FAQ):

• How many days does it take to see the most important places in Vietnam?

It is not easy to determine how many days it takes to visit Vietnam. There are so many interesting places in this country that you always have to skip something. To see the most important places in Vietnam, you need at least 2 weeks (14-16 days), which will allow you to visit the key regions: North, Center, and South, and this is the most recommended length of stay. A shorter trip (7-10 days) is possible, but then you will focus on 1-2 regions, e.g., the North or South. A longer trip will allow you to get to know the culture and less touristy places more deeply. Personally, I recommend going for a month, as this is the ideal time to get to know the whole of Vietnam.

• Is it better to visit Vietnam on your own or with a travel agency?

The choice between exploring Vietnam on your own or with a travel agency depends on your personal preferences. Vietnam is a very cheap country to travel to, which travelers can easily explore on their own, seeing all the most important attractions. In a country like Vietnam, independent sightseeing and exploration is possible and guarantees an amazing adventure. During your vacation, you can opt for a trip with a travel agency or book guided tours on your own to learn more about the history of the places you visit in Vietnam.

• Is Vietnam a safe country for tourists?

Yes, Vietnam is considered a safe country for tourists, with friendly locals and a low rate of serious crime, but common sense is required, especially when it comes to petty pickpocketing (especially in Hanoi and Saigon), scams (taxis, markets), and extreme weather conditions during the rainy season. It is essential to be cautious in crowds, keep an eye on your valuables, and be careful on the roads, which are characterized by chaotic scooter traffic.

Vietnam's most interesting attractions – find out what you need to see in Vietnam in our article: What to see in Vietnam? Sightseeing plan.