Vietnam Travel Guide
This post contains affiliate links, meaning EVERLASTYING will earn a commission if you purchase through our link at no extra cost.
Read my disclosure for more information. I appreciate your support 🤍
From the chaotic energy to peaceful islands — this is how Vietnam stole my heart.
When we first landed in Vietnam, I didn’t expect to fall in love so fast. What seemed like pure chaos at first (hi, nonstop scooters and crazy traffic!) quickly turned into a beautiful rhythm.
We started in Da Nang, zipped through Saigon (which many of you know it by Ho Chi Minh City, but locals still call it Saigon), spent two peaceful days on the Con Dao Islands, and circled back to Saigon to reconnect with an old college friend of mine!
From streets that flow like schools of fish 🐟 to meals filled with laughter, fresh greens, and no fast food in sight — Vietnam brought people together in a way that felt intentional and real.
The locals? So kind. The food? Next-level delish. The history? Way deeper than I ever expected.
This Vietnam guide is your starting point. I’ll share personal stories + must-know tips, advice I got from actual locals, and travel insights I’ve gathered over time!
I’ll keep updating this guide as I explore more — so make sure to bookmark it or subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest updates! 💾 Let’s dive in.
where to go
Click on the images to dive deeper!
getting to know Vietnam
Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam borders China, Laos, and Cambodia, and is home to over 100 million people, making it the 16th most populous country in the world.
HERE’S A QUICK TIMELINE
111 BC
Northern & Central Vietnam were ruled by China’s Han Dynasty (which explains those Chinese characters you’ll spot in caves and ancient towns).
17th – 18th centuries
The country was split between Đàng Trong and Đàng Ngoài.
1883
Vietnam becomes part of French Indochina.
1945
Ho Chi Minh declared independence after WWII.
1954
Vietnam defeated France in the First Indochina War!
1975
North Vietnam wins the war, reunifies the country.
1986
Vietnam shifts to a market economy — continuously booming and rapidly developing!
TODAY
Vietnam today is a fascinating mix of ancient history, colonial influence, and a booming modern-day hustle.
know before you go!
🕒 TIME ZONE
Vietnam runs on Indochina Time (ICT)
💬 LANGUAGE
The official language is Vietnamese. But, what’s also spoken are English (young locals), French (older generation), Chinese, Russian, and minority languages like Khmer, Tày, and H’Mông
🗣️ HELLO: xin chào | THANK YOU: cảm ơn | GOODBYE: tạm biệt
💸 CURRENCY
Vietnamese Dong (₫ / VND)
PRICING
The tax amount is included in the prices displayed, which means that the price shown on the tag is what you'll pay at the register!
💵 TIPPING
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but it is appreciated in services such as restaurants, hotels, spas, and tour guiding. A small tip of approximately 10,000 - 20,000 VND is a polite gesture for good service. In upscale establishments, consider tipping around 5% to 10% of the total bill if the tip is not already included.
🚗 DRIVING
Drive on the right side of the road.
🚨 SAFETY
🚦CROSSING THE STREET
Crosswalk signs are slowly being introduced in larger cities like Saigon. If you encounter a non-functioning crosswalk (it’s there but not turning green), use the "froggy" technique: cross slowly and carefully while looking left and right.
The drivers will slow down and navigate around you, so try to make eye contact with them to make sure they see you. It may feel intimidating initially, but drivers usually maintain a safe speed.
🚱 TAP WATER
Don’t drink it. Stick to bottled water only (or bring a filter bottle if you’re extra prepared).
PETTY THEFT/SCAMS
While many claim that scams and petty theft are common in large cities, we haven't encountered that issue (yet *knock on wood). The only incident we faced was being charged a HIGH price for a coconut from a local truck at Con Dao.
Other than that, I would recommend keeping your belongings close to you to stay safe, just as you would when you’re walking outside anywhere.
📞 EMERGENCY NUMBERS
111: Child protection | 112: Rescue | 113: Police | 114: Fire | 115: Ambulance
plan your trip (#plan)
🗓️ BEST TIME TO VISIT
Spring (March–April) and Fall (September–November) = ideal weather
May, June, and September = fewer crowds + still great conditions
Lunar New Year (Jan/Feb) is culturally rich but pricey and crowded
📋 VISA REQUIREMENTS
Many countries, including the US, require a visa to enter Vietnam. U.S. citizens can obtain an eVisa from the official website (which is slow and outdated, but works). Make sure that all your passport information is accurate and apply months in advance, as approval can take time, and a fee is required.
Also, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your departure date before traveling.
🧳 TRAVEL INSURANCE
I recommend Insubuy for flexible plans — especially if you’re adventuring to islands or more remote spots.
🔌 POWER PLUG TYPE
Types A, C, and F. Bring a universal adapter just in case!
📱 SIM CARD / WIFI
Use Airalo to grab an eSIM before your flight, so you don’t have to worry about finding a SIM card after landing and can just activate it right away! Most cafés and hotels have free Wi-Fi, but don’t count on it for navigation.
📲 APPS TO DOWNLOAD
Grab (Vietnam’s Uber)
Google Maps + Translate
WhatsApp (many tour guides prefer using this to communicate with you beforehand!)
save & book your flight to Vietnam!
where to stay
— 🔎 Find Your Perfect Stay in Vietnam —
where to explore
tours you might like
where to dine
helpful guides
-
Wikipedia: Vietnam
World Atlas: Languages Spoken in Vietnam
Worldometer: Countries in the world by population (2025)
TIA Wellness Resort is where relaxation meets serenity. 🌴 From private pool villas to an infinity pool with breathtaking views, gourmet dining, and a 24-hour breakfast menu (yes, you read that right!), this 5-star gem has it all.