Travel tips for a first time visitor in Vietnam
Vietnam had been on my bucket list for a very long time and when I turned 30, I finally decided to give myself the best present I could think of: a trip this wonderful country.
I knew I was going to like it… but I didn’t expect to LOVE it as much as I did. The landscapes, the energy, the food, the warmth of the people: it all exceeded every expectation. We spent only two weeks there and it wasn’t nearly enough. I would have happily stayed a full month (or more!) to explore all the places I had on my list but had to skip simply because time ran out. But…That’s the perfect excuse to go back, right?
Vietnam is a country of contrasts: rice terraces and misty mountains in the north; ancient towns and lantern-lit streets in the centre; tropical islands, river life and vibrant chaos in the south. Vietnam has something for everybody.
Before planning any itinerary, I always like to look up some general information about the country I’m going to visit, so in this post I collected some information that I hope will be useful for you, if you are planning to visit Vietnam for the first time.
Best Time to Go & What to Pack
Because Vietnam stretches from near-temperate mountains in the north to tropical delta and coastlines in the south, weather and seasons vary a lot depending on region. So my advice would be to pack for all kinds of weather.
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North (Hanoi, highlands, mountains): October–April is generally cooler and drier, good for hiking or boat-trips. Mountains (like around Sapa) can even get quite chilly, so bring layers and some warm clothes.
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Central (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue): February–August tends to be drier, making it ideal for beaches and coastal exploration. Beware September–November, since typhoons and heavy rain can hit.
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South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, islands): November–May tends to be dry and sunny, great for delta cruises, island time, or city exploration. June–October brings rain but often short downpours; still manageable, especially if you’re flexible.
Packing & Preparation: Because of this variety, pack smart: breathable summer clothes, plus a light jacket or sweater for cooler northern regions or evenings. Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen), comfortable shoes, and modest-ish clothes if you plan to visit temples.
Visa & Entry
As many travel guides note, there are different visa options: depending on your nationality and stay duration, you might get away with visa-free entry or use an e-visa / visa-on-arrival. Always check the latest visa rules before booking flights, since requirements change from time to time, and processing/entry points might differ.
For example, I didn’t need a visa, since Italian citizens can enter Vietnam and stay for up to 45 days without one. However, if you need one, you can apply for it here (this is the only official website).
Passport validity and blank-page requirements remain standard: make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond entry.
Getting Around
Because Vietnam is long and varied, travel between regions takes time. Rushing through the whole country in 2 weeks can feel exhausting. Many guides and blogs recommend selecting region(s) rather than trying to see all at once. Taking the sleeper trains and overnight buses is part of the experience of travelling in Vietnam. However, if you also only have limited time, you can still visit the whole country by taking some internal flights.
Ways to get around:
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Sleeper trains and overnight buses: For long distances, these are popular and can double as overnight accommodation, saving time and money.
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Flights: Internal flights can save time for big jumps. We had to use these twice, since we decided to cover the whole country North to South, plus and island, in only two weeks.
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City travel & local transport: In cities use trusted ride-hailing apps, like Grab, rather than random unmarked taxis. That helps avoid scams/meter issues.
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Crossing streets & traffic: Traffic can be intense, especially motorbikes. When crossing roads, walk steadily, avoid sudden stops, don’t hesitate; locals often keep moving and expect pedestrians to follow a flow.
Health & Safety
Overall, I thought Vietnam was a very safe country, and there was no place where I ever felt like I was in danger, even when walking in the streets late at night.
Like everywhere, there some general tips that you can also find on popular travel guides, for example:
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Water & food hygiene: Tap water shouldn’t be drunk. Street food is part of the charm, but stories of people getting sick after eating it are common. I tried some food from small food shops in Hanoi and food from the market in Hoi An and I was okay (however, I don’t eat animal products, so that might have helped).
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Vaccinations: If you’re going to rural or remote areas, the Tropical Medical Bureau recommends some basic vaccinations, however, since we checked ours only 5 years ago, we decided not to do it again. Bring bug-repellent!
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Use common sense in crowded or touristy places: Like in a lot of big cities and touristy places, there can be pickpockets, so make sure you stay vigilant for that.
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Travel insurance: Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Medical facilities in major cities are good but for foreigners, emergency care and evacuation can be expensive
eSIM & Connectivity
Basically all cafés, hotels and guesthouses offer free Wi-Fi, but having a SIM / eSIM gives more freedom, especially if you want to travel off-the-beaten path. There are plenty of options for getting an e-sim, which I think it’s great because you can pre buy before arrival and it’s great to have, for booking a taxi, getting directions to your hotel, etc… especially if you land late or want connectivity straight away. I got Holafly and it worked well.
Cultural Respect, Etiquette & Responsible Travel
Traveling is a privilege, and while it’s impossible to do it in a completely sustainable way, it’s deeply important to me to do my best, by respecting local culture and people, and by being a responsible, mindful traveler.
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Dress modestly when visiting temples or rural/village areas: cover shoulders and knees; modesty is a sign of respect. Shoes/hats may need to come off in sacred spaces.
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Avoid taking pictures of people and if you really want to do that, always ask permission first.
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Make choices that support local businesses, choose locally-run restaurants or homestays.
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Avoid buying wildlife souvenirs, some items may be illegal or ethically problematic.
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Follow these extra tips to be a more sustainable traveller.
