Before you go
Vietnam travel essentials
The practical things that make a trip smoother — written by people who live here. Rules and prices change, so always check official sources for visas and entry requirements before you travel.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Visas
- Visa-free for 45 days: citizens of the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, among others (also Japan and South Korea). Your passport needs at least six months' validity.
- Everyone else — including US, Canadian and Australian citizens: apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, single entry (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50). Processing usually takes 3–5 working days.
- Apply only on the official government site, evisa.gov.vn. Many look-alike sites charge extra "service fees" — the official domain always ends in .gov.vn.
- Check the details on your e-visa (name, passport number, dates, entry airport) carefully — mistakes can mean being refused boarding.
Money & prices
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND); one US dollar buys roughly 26,000 dong (check the current rate). Notes look alike — the 20,000 and 500,000 notes are both blue — so check before you pay. Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and many restaurants in cities, but street food, markets and small towns are cash only. ATMs are everywhere; some charge a fixed fee per withdrawal.
Typical prices
| Item | VND |
|---|---|
| Bowl of pho at a street stall | 40,000–80,000 |
| Banh mi from a cart | 20,000–40,000 |
| Vietnamese coffee at a local café | 20,000–50,000 |
| Local beer at a street bar | 15,000–35,000 |
| Short Grab motorbike ride (2–3 km) | 15,000–30,000 |
| Grab car, Noi Bai airport → Hanoi Old Quarter | 250,000–400,000 |
| Grab car, Tan Son Nhat airport → Saigon District 1 | 120,000–200,000 |
| Tourist SIM with data, 30 days | 150,000–300,000 |
| Simple guesthouse room, per night | 300,000–700,000 |
| Comfortable mid-range hotel, per night | 800,000–2,000,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices. Expect more in tourist streets and resort areas, less in small towns.
Tipping isn't expected, but it is appreciated for good service — rounding up, or 5–10% in nicer restaurants, spas and for guides. Bargaining is normal in markets, not in shops with marked prices.
Getting around
- Ride-hailing: Grab (and local rivals such as Be and Xanh SM) works in all big cities for cars and motorbike taxis, with prices fixed before you ride.
- Domestic flights are cheap and frequent between Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and regional airports — the quickest way to cover long distances.
- Trains run the length of the country on the North–South line. Slow but scenic, especially Hue–Da Nang over the Hai Van Pass. Book sleeper berths ahead.
- Sleeper buses connect almost everywhere cheaply. Comfortable enough for short overnight trips if you're not too tall.
- Riding a motorbike yourself: legally you need a licence valid in Vietnam — an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Convention, or a Vietnamese licence. US-issued IDPs (1949 Convention) aren't recognised. Without a valid licence your travel insurance may not cover you. Helmets are compulsory. Riding pillion with an experienced local driver is the safer choice.
SIM & internet
Mobile data is fast and cheap. Buy a tourist SIM from Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone at the airport (bring your passport — SIMs must be registered), or install an eSIM before you fly. Wi-Fi is free in nearly every hotel and café.
Scams to know about
Vietnam is a safe country and most people you meet are honest. These are the tricks that do catch visitors out:
Fake taxis and "Grab" drivers
Unlicensed drivers wait at airports and stations, sometimes claiming to be your booked ride. Only get into the car whose plate matches the one in your app, or use the official taxi rank.
Rigged meters
Some taxis have meters that run fast. Book through Grab or another app for a fixed price, or use well-known taxi companies.
The fruit-basket photo
A street vendor hands you her shoulder pole "for a photo", then demands money or that you buy fruit at inflated prices. Smile, say no thanks and keep walking.
Motorbike rental damage claims
A shop "finds" pre-existing scratches when you return the bike and holds your passport until you pay. Never leave your passport as a deposit, and photograph the bike before you ride.
"Your hotel is closed"
A driver tells you your hotel has closed or is full and takes you to a "partner" instead. Call the hotel yourself if in doubt.
Shoe-shine and cyclo add-ons
A free shoe repair that ends with a big bill, or a cyclo ride whose price changes at the end. Agree prices clearly — ideally written down — before anything starts.
Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in pagodas, temples and mosques, and take your shoes off where locals do.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic minority villages.
- Keeping your cool goes a long way — raising your voice rarely helps and causes loss of face.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — late January or February — is the biggest holiday of the year. Transport and hotels book out weeks ahead and many shops and restaurants close for several days. It's a wonderful time to see family traditions, but plan around it.
Health & safety
- Don't drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is everywhere. Ice in restaurants and cafés is generally made from purified water.
- Busy street-food stalls with high turnover are usually the safest bet.
- Crossing the road: walk at a slow, steady pace and don't stop or run — traffic flows around you.
- Bag snatching from passing motorbikes happens in big cities; carry your phone and bag on the side away from the road.
- Take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. International clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon are good but expensive.
- Emergency numbers: 113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance.
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