Vietnam Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Colomboh is an AI travel assistant that helps you explore Vietnam — from must-see destinations like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An to getting around, money tips, food, and staying safe. Ask anything in plain language and get clear, local-style answers, plus links to official Vietnam sources so you can verify the details yourself.
Top places to visit in Vietnam
- Hanoi
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Da Nang
- Hoi An
- Nha Trang
- Dalat
- Sapa
- Phu Quoc
Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam is long enough that no single month suits the whole country. The north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long) is best from October to April, though January and February can be cold and misty. The centre (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An) is driest from February to August and floods in October and November. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) has a dry season from December to April and afternoon downpours from May to November.
Getting around Vietnam
The Reunification Express railway runs the length of the country — the Da Nang–Hue coastal stretch is worth doing for the scenery alone. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet and Bamboo cover the long hops for little more than a sleeper bus. In cities, Grab and Xanh SM (electric taxis and bikes) are cheaper and less hassle than street taxis, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now both have working metro lines.
Money & currency
The local currency is the VND (₫). Cash dominant is the norm, and the VietQR QR system is widely used. Max 5,000,000 VND per withdrawal. Fee varies by bank. Carry 500,000-1,000,000 VND cash for daily expenses.
Safety basics
Vietnam recorded about 17.5 million international arrivals in 2024. Violent crime against visitors is rare; the practical issues are traffic (crossing roads and renting motorbikes), bag-snatching from scooters in central Ho Chi Minh City, and taxi meter and money-swap scams. Typhoons affect the central and northern coasts between roughly August and November.
Visa & entry
Vietnam issues a 90-day e-Visa to all nationalities — USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry — usually approved in about three working days at the official site evisa.gov.vn. Citizens of a number of countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, may enter visa-free for up to 45 days.
What a trip to Vietnam costs
Budget travel runs about USD 25–40 a day with hostels, street food and sleeper buses. Mid-range is roughly USD 55–90 a day, and high-end resorts in Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Ninh Binh start around USD 180 a day. A bowl of pho is typically VND 40,000–70,000.
Vietnam travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam is long enough that no single month suits the whole country. The north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long) is best from October to April, though January and February can be cold and misty. The centre (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An) is driest from February to August and floods in October and November. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) has a dry season from December to April and afternoon downpours from May to November.
Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?
Vietnam issues a 90-day e-Visa to all nationalities — USD 25 single entry or USD 50 multiple entry — usually approved in about three working days at the official site evisa.gov.vn. Citizens of a number of countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, may enter visa-free for up to 45 days.
What are the top places to visit in Vietnam?
Popular destinations in Vietnam include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang. Tell Colomboh how long you have and what you enjoy, and it can suggest a route that fits your time and interests.
How much does a trip to Vietnam cost?
Budget travel runs about USD 25–40 a day with hostels, street food and sleeper buses. Mid-range is roughly USD 55–90 a day, and high-end resorts in Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Ninh Binh start around USD 180 a day. A bowl of pho is typically VND 40,000–70,000.
Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
Vietnam recorded about 17.5 million international arrivals in 2024. Violent crime against visitors is rare; the practical issues are traffic (crossing roads and renting motorbikes), bag-snatching from scooters in central Ho Chi Minh City, and taxi meter and money-swap scams. Typhoons affect the central and northern coasts between roughly August and November.
How do I get around Vietnam?
The Reunification Express railway runs the length of the country — the Da Nang–Hue coastal stretch is worth doing for the scenery alone. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet and Bamboo cover the long hops for little more than a sleeper bus. In cities, Grab and Xanh SM (electric taxis and bikes) are cheaper and less hassle than street taxis, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now both have working metro lines.