Asia

Vietnam

Boats among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay

Limestone bays, night buses and the best noodle soup you will ever eat, for a few dollars a day.

Vietnam runs 1,650 kilometres from the rice terraces of the far north to the Mekong Delta, and most backpackers travel it in one direction. Start in Hanoi, loop the Ha Giang mountains by motorbike, then work south through Hoi An and Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City.

It is one of the cheapest countries in Asia to travel in. Dorm beds cost a few dollars, street food costs less than a coffee back home, and sleeper buses save you a night of accommodation.

Good to know

Time zone
GMT+7
Plugs
Types A, C and F, 220V
Emergency numbers
113 police, 115 ambulance
Tap water
Drink bottled or filtered
Traffic drives on the
Right
Tipping
Not expected, but leaving the small change for a guide or driver is appreciated.
SIM cards
Viettel and Mobifone SIMs with plenty of data cost around 150,000 dong at the airport.

When to go to Vietnam

Best months to go: February to April and October to November. Pick a month to see what it’s like.

Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.

September

Typhoon risk rises on the central coast. Rice terraces turn gold in the north.

Daytime high
31°C
Rainfall
260 mm
Crowds
Quiet

What Vietnam costs

Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.

How do you travel?

Dorm beds, street food and public transport.

14 days

$406for 14 days, about $29 a day (₫10,300,000 in total)

Bed$7$98
Food and drink$10$140
Getting around$5$70
Things to do$4$56
Everything else$3$42

Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.

What things cost

  • Bowl of pho₫45,000, about $1.77
  • Bánh mì from a street cart₫25,000, about $0.98
  • Iced coffee with condensed milk₫25,000, about $0.98
  • Bottle of local beer₫20,000, about $0.79
  • Hostel dorm bed₫180,000, about $7.09
  • Night bus, Hanoi to Hue₫400,000, about $16
  • Scooter hire for a day₫150,000, about $5.91

Routes through Vietnam

Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.

14 nights, 5 stops

The north and the centre at a comfortable pace, with a sleeper train in the middle.

Find a tour to join on the way

  1. Hanoi

    3 nights

    Old Quarter street food and egg coffee by the lake.

  2. Ha Giang

    3 nights

    Loop the mountain passes by motorbike or with an easy rider.

  3. Ninh Binh

    2 nights

    Row through limestone caves at Tam Coc.

  4. Hue

    2 nights

    The old imperial citadel and tombs along the Perfume River.

  5. Hoi An

    4 nights

    Lantern-lit old town, tailors and bike rides to the beach.

Getting around

  • Bus

    $10–25 for a long overnight trip

    Sleeper buses link every backpacker stop. Cheap and slow; bring earplugs.

  • Train

    $25–45 for a sleeper berth

    The Reunification Express runs Hanoi to Saigon. Book a soft sleeper for the long legs.

  • Motorbike

    $5–10 a day to hire

    The best way to see the north. You need a valid licence for your insurance to cover you.

  • Flight

    $30–70 one way

    Budget airlines connect Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon in about an hour.

What to eat and drink

  • Phở

    Beef or chicken noodle soup, eaten for breakfast at plastic tables.

    ₫45,000, about $1.77

  • Bún chả

    Grilled pork and noodles dipped in sweet fish sauce. A Hanoi lunch.

    ₫50,000, about $1.97

  • Bánh mì

    A crisp baguette stuffed with pâté, pork, pickles and chilli.

    ₫25,000, about $0.98

  • Cao lầu

    Chewy noodles with pork and greens, only really found in Hoi An.

    ₫40,000, about $1.57

  • Cà phê sữa đá

    Strong drip coffee over ice with condensed milk.

    ₫25,000, about $0.98

  • Bia hơi

    Fresh draught beer, brewed daily and poured on street corners.

    ₫10,000, about $0.39

Say it like a local

A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.

  • Hello

    Xin chào

    sin chow

  • Thank you

    Cảm ơn

    gahm uhn

  • How much?

    Bao nhiêu tiền?

    bow nyew tyen

  • Too expensive

    Đắt quá

    dat wah

  • No chilli, please

    Không cay

    kohng kai

  • Delicious

    Ngon quá

    ngon wah

  • Cheers!

    Một, hai, ba, dô!

    mote, hai, bah, yo

Tours in Vietnam

See all tours in Vietnam

  • Vietnam, 4 days

    Ha Giang Loop by motorbike

    Four days on the most dramatic road in Vietnam: limestone passes, the Nho Que river and nights with Hmong and Dao families.

    Next date

Questions travellers ask

Is it safe to ride a motorbike?

Thousands of backpackers do, but traffic is chaotic and most insurance only covers you with a valid motorbike licence. If you are not confident, ride pillion with a local easy rider.

Do I need cash?

Yes. Street food, buses and small guesthouses are cash only. ATMs are everywhere; withdraw larger amounts to limit fees.

What is Tết and should I avoid it?

Tết is the lunar new year, in late January or February. It is a wonderful time to see, but transport sells out and many businesses close for a week.

How do I cross the road?

Walk slowly and steadily, and do not stop suddenly or run. Traffic will flow around you.

Which way should I travel?

Either works. North to south suits a trip starting in winter, when the south is dry and warm by the time you arrive.