Vietnam Travel Guide
Vietnam: Loud, Lush, and Full of Life
Vietnam grabs you from the first honk. It’s chaos and calm, incense and engine noise, mountains and motorbikes — all at once. One moment you're sipping egg coffee in a quiet alley, the next you're dodging scooters like a local. It’s wild, beautiful, and impossible to forget.
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Quick Facts
Capital: Hanoi
Population: Approx. 100 million
Language: Vietnamese (some English in tourist areas)
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND), cash is king – cards accepted in big cities
Time Zone: Indochina Time (ICT), UTC +7
Climate: Tropical in the south, subtropical in the north – dry season (Nov–Apr), wet season (May–Oct)
Visa Requirements: 15–45 days visa-free for some nationalities, or eVisa (check latest info)
Top Religion: Mahayana Buddhism, ancestor worship, and a dash of Taoism
Safety: Generally safe – beware of traffic chaos and pickpockets in crowded areas
Transport: Buses, trains, scooters, boats, and the occasional crazy intersection
Vibe: Lively, layered, poetic
Best for: Street food lovers, motorbike riders, history buffs, poetic souls
Top 5 Attractions (via TripAdvisor)
1. Ha Long Bay
A UNESCO World Heritage site of emerald waters and limestone islands. Take a boat, stay overnight, or just sit in silence as the mist rolls over the karsts like a poem in slow motion.
2. Hội An Ancient Town
Candle-lit lanterns, old temples, tailors on every corner. This town whispers stories with every step. Ride a bike, eat Cao Lầu, and let yourself slow down.
3. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park
Home to some of the world’s largest caves. Jungle trekking meets underground cathedral vibes. Adventurous, humbling, and mind-expanding.
4. Củ Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh area)
A window into the Vietnam War’s underground resistance. Crawl through history (literally), and come up feeling both moved and claustrophobic.
5. Ninh Bình (“Ha Long Bay on land”)
Towering limestone cliffs, rice paddies, and peaceful boat rides paddled by foot. Rural, cinematic, and soul-soothing.
Activities
Street Food Crawling:
Pho, bánh mì, bún chả, egg coffee – Vietnam is a walking buffet. Follow your nose, eat on tiny plastic stools, repeat.
Motorbike Journeys:
Rent a scooter and ride from Hội An to Huế or the winding roads of the Ha Giang Loop. Freedom never felt so raw.
Cultural Immersion:
Take a cooking class, visit a village homestay, or rise early for morning market chaos.
Temple Visits & Spiritual Spaces:
From the Perfume Pagoda to Cao Đài temples, Vietnam mixes the sacred and surreal in beautiful ways.
War & History Tours:
Museums, tunnels, and memorials that teach and move. Vietnam remembers loudly.
Culture & Etiquette
Respect Elders & Family Structures:
Hierarchy matters. Greet older people first, and speak gently.
Take Your Shoes Off:
When entering homes or sacred places, leave shoes at the door.
Don’t Touch Heads:
Like in much of Asia, the head is sacred – avoid patting kids or pointing your feet.
Be Calm in Conflict:
Avoid public arguments. Smile. Coolness is considered grace.
Clothing:
Modesty matters in temples. Cover shoulders and knees, especially in rural areas.
What Not to Do
Don’t talk politics casually – especially about war or government.
Don’t flush toilet paper – bins are there for a reason.
Don’t assume everyone speaks English – learn a few Vietnamese phrases.
Don’t disrespect local customs – observe, adapt, flow.
Tipping in Vietnam
Tipping in Vietnam isn’t expected — but it’s definitely appreciated, especially in the tourism industry. It’s one of those things that might not be part of tradition, but has slowly become part of modern practice.
💸 Here's what makes sense:
Restaurants:
If there’s no service charge on the bill, 5–10% is a kind gesture.
At street food stalls or local eateries: not expected — but rounding up is common.Hotels:
Porters: 20,000–50,000 VND per bag
Housekeeping: 50,000–100,000 VND for the stay
Fancy hotels? Consider a little more.Taxis / Grab / ride-hailing:
No tip expected — but round up or let them keep small change. Especially if they helped you dodge five lanes of scooters.Tour guides and drivers:
Definitely tip if you’re on a tour.
Guide: 100,000–200,000 VND per day
Driver: 50,000–100,000 VND per daySpa and massage:
5–10% if no service charge is included — hand it to the therapist directly if you can
🙏 How to tip:
Cash is preferred. Don’t make a ceremony of it — just a smile and a “cảm ơn” (thank you) will do.
✌️ Pro tip:
Even small tips go a long way in Vietnam. And while no one will glare if you don’t tip, the ones who go above and beyond will definitely remember when you do.
Cannabis Use in Vietnam (as of 2025)
Cannabis is illegal in Vietnam. Even possession of small amounts can lead to prison or deportation. Enforcement can be strict and foreigners are not exempt. Stay away, stay safe.
Important: Always respect local laws and avoid putting yourself or others at risk. Things are slower and more relaxed in Laos, but that does not extend to legal enforcement.
Destinations
North
Hanoi
Busy, soulful, and full of character. Lakes, temples, coffee shops, and buzzing street life. A city for thinkers and walkers.
Sapa
Terraced rice fields, ethnic minorities, misty mountains. Best with trekking shoes and an open heart.
Ha Giang
Motorbike heaven. Winding roads, epic peaks, and authentic tribal villages.
Central
Huế
Old imperial capital with ancient tombs, dragon boats, and melancholic charm.
Đà Nẵng
A city by the sea, with a mountain in the middle and a bridge guarded by a golden dragon.
Hội An
The heart of slow travel in Vietnam. Timeless and romantic.
Phong Nha
Jungle caves and limestone dreams.
South
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Fast-paced, full-throttle, and deeply alive. Rooftop bars, motorbike rivers, and history lessons around every corner.
Mekong Delta
Floating markets, coconut candy, and life on the water. Rustic and lush.
Phú Quốc
Island bliss. Beaches, seafood, and sunsets made for long silences.
Final Note
Vietnam is a storm of sensations — sweet, sharp, sacred, strange.
It doesn’t ask for your attention — it demands it.
And if you let it, it might just change how you listen, taste, and move through the world.
