Vietnam currently offers visa exemptions from 15 to 30 days for citizens of 22 countries. Find out if you qualify for a Vietnam visa exemption here. 

Overseas Vietnamese and foreigners who are spouses or children of overseas Vietnamese or Vietnamese citizens are exempt from visa requirements to enter Vietnam. Visitors in this group are allowed to stay visa-free for up to 6 months.

Read more: Vietnam Visa Requirements

Foreigners and Vietnamese people holding foreign passports are allowed to stay in Phu Quoc Island for no more than 30 days without a visa. Foreigners who transit via an international entry point into Vietnam (by air or sea) and then directly onwards to Phu Quoc Island can also take advantage of this 30-day visa-free policy.

Read more: Vietnam Visa Requirements

Visas granted on arrival are only given to travellers holding a pre-approval visa letter. This letter can be arranged within a few days via your local embassy or a third-party travel agent before your trip.

Vietnam also offers e-visas for stays of up to 30 days to citizens of 46 countries. 

Read more: An Official Guide to e-Visas for Vietnam

You can read all about the e-Visa application process on this page. For a short version of how to apply for Vietnam's e-Visa online, see the steps below.

Documents for e-Visa application:

- 4x6cm digital front facing, white background photo without glasses
- Scan of passport details page (passport for at least 6 months more)

Step 1: Access https://www.immigration.gov.vn and fill in required information, upload your passport data page image and photo.

Step 2: Receive your document code and pay the e-Visa fee.

Step 3: Receive your e-Visa or related information within 3 working days from the submission of application and payment.

Step 4: Use your document code to check the result and print your e-Visa.

Read more: Vietnam Visa Requirements

Vietnam is one of the safest destinations for solo female travellers in the region. Vietnamese people are for the majority, non-confrontational, and are quite shy around foreigners. That being said, use your judgement wisely. In cities especially Ho Chi Minh City, women should look out for bag snatching from motorists driving by.

Read more: Health and Safety
 

Most likely, the worst you'll come home with is the common cold or some minor stomach woes. Heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration can be an issue in the hot season. Stay vigilant about hydration and applying sunblock.

Read more: Health and Safety

The risk of contracting malaria is heightened in the rural highlands. Consider taking anti-malarial medication before traveling to remote region. A more common mosquito-borne disease is dengue fever, which has been more frequent throughout the nation over the last few years. The best preventative measure is to wear bug spray at all times and cover your ankles and arms early in the evening, around sunset.

Read more: Health and Safety

A round-trip taxi from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport should cost between 120,000 VND to 170,000 VND and last about from 30 to 50 minutes. An airport taxi from Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport is fixed at 330,000 VND may take you about 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Read more: Transport Within Vietnam

Unfortunately taxi scams are a concern for travellers in Vietnam. Use only reputable taxi companies, such as Taxi Group in Hanoi (red and blue horizontal stripes), Vinasun in Ho Chi Minh City (white taxis) and Mai Linh in both cities (green taxis). Grab, Bee and GoViet are also available for booking rides in Vietnam's major cities if you have a Vietnamese SIM card.

Read more: Transport Within Vietnam

The official commercial airline, Vietnam Airlines, flies to 21 destinations across the country and is a reliable option. If you are on a budget, Vietjet, Jetstar and newcomer Bamboo Airways are affordable options but have a reputation for delays.

Read more: Transport Within Vietnam

While the Reunification Express makes stops in Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet (Mui Ne) and Ho Chi Minh City, if you were to stay onboard the whole journey, it would technically take you 36 hours. A slow, but memorable journey, five Reunification Express services run daily (7:30PM; 10PM; 6AM; 9AM; 1:10PM) from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Read more: Transport Within Vietnam

While you’ll find rental shops in almost every city, travellers should take care if planning to travel by motorbike in Vietnam. Rental prices depend on the quality of the bike. On average, most bikes go from 6 to 12 USD/day. You may be asked to deposit your passport at the motorbike company or leave a monetary deposit if renting a vehicle for more than a week. Always wear your helmet on roads.

Read more: Transport Within Vietnam

The climate in the northern region of Vietnam is temperate so be prepared for cold weather in the winter months from December to March. The months of April and May offer sunshine and a refreshing breeze, while September to October are favoured for their cooler temperatures and clear skies.

Read more: Weather and Climate in Vietnam

The months of April and May can be extremely hot. Some areas, such as Central Vietnam, experience storms and floods in the late rainy season. Also, during the Tet festivities many businesses tend to be closed, which can be an inconvenience to travellers with a shortage of time.

Read more: Weather and Climate in Vietnam

An exhilarating way to experience the Sapa highlands is via motorbike. For the less adventurous, a Dao herbal bath makes for a soothing experience, or you can ride the cable car up to the summit of Mount Fansipan. You can also explore the cultures of the region's ethnic groups at colourful markets and handicraft classes.

Read more: Sapa
 

Phong Nha has recently exploded in popularity due to the opening of the Son Doong, the largest cave system in the world. If you don't have the funds or the patience to wait for the two-year-long queue, Phong Nha has a number of alternatives that are equally thrilling, and more accessible. You can take a boat from town along the river into Phong Nha Cave for a few hours or set off on a multi-day trek in the national park.

Read more:  Phong Nha

Keep it simple. Xin chào (hello/goodbye) and cảm ơn (thank you) are a good place to start. For a selection of helpful phrases check out the link below.

Read more: Vietnamese Phrases

When visiting religious sites, the countryside and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you should dress modestly with your shoulders and knees covered. Remember to remove your hat when entering a temple or pagoda.

Read more: Basic Etiquette for Vietnam

There are a seemingly infinite variety of cooking classes in all major destinations of Vietnam. Experiences vary, from modern cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City, traditional ones in Hoi An and local ones in Hanoi's Old Quarter. To get started we recommend Morning Glory in Hoi An.

Vietnam is one of the most vegetarian-friendly countries in the world. Vegan dishes can be more challenging to find (as Vietnamese love their fish sauce) but desserts are often vegan by default.

Read more: A Vegetarian Guide to Vietnam