Vietnam – Needs to be seen to be believed

Whether you visit the old-style city of Hanoi, the more modern revamped Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, or any of the wonderful places in between, Vietnam is sure to stay deep in your heart when you eventually force yourself to leave. The food here is as good as you will find anywhere in the world. Vietnam has a reputation for trying to take every penny off its visitors. Although I encountered this a couple of times, this is by no means the status quo. In fact, I found the Vietnamese people to be extremely accommodating and friendly. All things considered, Vietnam is an excellent destination to visit. I hope this Vietnam Travel Guide goes some way towards helping you to plan your journey through this special country.

Currency Converter – 150,000 Vietnamese Dong = €5.65/£5.05/$6.50

Weather

Rainfall is quite common in Vietnam. Visiting in the Springtime gives you the best chance of avoiding it. In Spring and in Autumn, the temperatures are slightly milder. Hanoi and the north of Vietnam can experience bitterly cold winters for the region. In January, the average temperature is just 17°C. Yet in Ho Chi Minh down south, the lowest average temperature is 27°C in December. Temperatures jump to 29°C in Hanoi during the summer months but Ho Chi Minh stays at a steady heat for the year. Avoid the cold months up north and you will be fine.

Visa Policy

Passport holders from 24 countries do not require a visa to visit Vietnam. In this ruling, Chilean citizens get a 90-day visa exemption. French, Spanish, UK and German citizens, among others, are entitled to 15-day visa exemption. Another 46 nations are able to apply for an E-Visa which allows stays of up to 30 days, at a cost of $25. American, Canadian, Australian and Irish citizens are entitled to this visa. If you are not entitled to either of these visas, you must apply at a Vietnamese embassy in your country. For more information on Vietnam’s visa policy, click here.

Things to See and Do in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City – Located in the south of the country, the former Saigon is a city on the rise. This was my favourite place in Vietnam. I had originally planned on staying there for 5 days and it took me 3 weeks to leave, before returning for another 2 weeks before finally leaving the country. Street food here is plentiful and cheap and absolutely delicious. The city is packed with fun and informative things to do. The Cu Chi War Tunnels are an hour away from the city and accessible by public bus. They make for an amazing day out. The War Museum is also very eye-opening. Even without the attractions here, it is a great city to have a walk around and take in everything that is going on around you.

For my full Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide, click here

Dalat –  Dalat is a small town tucked away in the hills of Vietnam. Most travellers come here for the abseiling and adventure sports. I have heard from other travellers that these activities are brilliant and highly recommended. I found Dalat to be a really peaceful place that was great to just walk around and switch off. There is a very scenic cable car that runs over Dalat’s hills, offering amazing views. The botanical gardens were nice, and with hardly any visitors, it almost feels like you have them to yourself. Make sure you check out the bar known as 100 Roofs Café. It was like the Cu Chi Tunnels mixed with alcohol. A very unique place to go for a drink or a night out. If I try and explain it in detail I just won’t do it justice. It is something you have to experience for yourself!

Hanoi – Hanoi feels a lot older than its southern counterpart. To me, it was almost what you would expect a Vietnamese city to be like. The country’s capital is big, busy and noisy. The time I spent there was during the Lunar New Year. A lot of restaurants, bars and shops were closed for the holidays. It might not have been the best of times to really see the city. Honestly, I preferred Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. Maybe it was the colder weather or the fact that a lot of the city was closed. Maybe it was that I felt I was being overcharged for being a Westerner there. I didn’t dislike Hanoi though, far from it. I would love to return and see it again in all its glory.

Halong Bay – Just a bus journey from Hanoi is the natural marvel that is Halong Bay. It really is not to be missed. Sitting on the top deck of the boat as we sailed through the bay is one of my all-time favourite travel memories. Trips would nearly always be overnight. Some visitors spent the night on the boat, others stayed on Cat Ba Island. I stayed on the boat so I cannot speak for the island, but the boat was great fun. When you are docked somewhere as serene as Halong Bay, you will always feel happy and peaceful. Halong Bay is so picturesque, every time you try and photograph it, a different view will open up to you and you will be constantly trying to better your picture. Maybe it would be best to put the camera down and just take in the experience for yourself.

Hue – The old capital city of Vietnam, Hue doesn’t get the tourist trade that other places do and can be a lot quieter to visit. There are plenty of tombs in the city that you could spend time visiting. Each has its own individual entrance fee but a package deal can save you some money. The most popular and impressive is the Emperor’s Tomb, 6 miles outside of the city. Dating back to 1931, it is more of a monument to the Emperor Khai Dinh than a tomb, and is not to be missed. In my opinion, the best attraction to see is the Hue Citadel, located just north of the river. It is a great place to spend half a day exploring. It is slowly being restored and is a must-see, even in its current state.

Hoi An –  The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An is a former trading post of the 16^th and 17^th centuries. There is no way you can come to Vietnam and miss out on all that this place has to offer. From the lanterns that adorn the streets, to the yellow buildings that are almost identical on either side, this town seems like a fairytale of sorts. There is a great café culture in the city, which means little shops selling cakes and coffee are plentiful. Hoi An is also the tailoring capital of Vietnam. Suits and dresses can be made to measure there for next to nothing in comparison to other parts of the world. There are also a lot of Chinese temples and pagodas to wander in and around. Don’t miss the Japanese Bridge which is always packed with tourists.

Mekong Delta – The 60,000 kilometres of interconnected waterways that runs across three Vietnamese provinces is an excellent day trip from Ho Chi Minh City. Better yet, a great place to stay a night or two and really explore. Small villages, orchards and mangroves fill the area. There are also floating markets to take a look around. This is a once in a lifetime trip, so do not miss out on it!

Sapa – Located north of Hanoi, very close to the Chinese border, Sapa is an excellent and very photogenic trekking area. It is best to visit during summer, as the winters can be bitterly cold here. Sapa is famous for its stunning mountains, hill tribes and fantastic hiking trails. The best way to visit Sapa is to come here for four or five days and slow down from the frantic lifestyle of Hanoi. Go hiking or rent a bike and go out exploring the beauty of this region.

What To Eat in Vietnam

Pho – Pho is by far, the most commonly known Vietnamese dish worldwide. Pho is a noodle soup named after the flat Pho noodles used in cooking. Noodles are added to a clear broth with some vegetables and a meat of your choice. Pho is easily found all over Vietnam. Simple yet brilliant, any Pho you might have had elsewhere will not compete with the taste of a real Vietnamese Pho.

Bun Bo Hue – Originating from its namesake in the centre of Vietnam, this was my favourite dish in the country. Pho gets all the plaudits around the world but this is the ultimate Vietnamese bowl of noodles. The dish is slightly spicy and sour with strong hints of lemongrass. The choice of meat to accompany the noodles was either pork or beef. You also get the option to add in herbs, chillies and vegetables to suit your taste buds. It was so delicious. Although it can be found all over Vietnam, don’t miss the chance to try it in its birthplace, Hue.

Bun Cha – This Hanoi based noodle dish came to the world’s attention when Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama sat down and enjoyed a bowl together in the Vietnamese capital. A bowl of ground and grilled pork comes in a sweet sauce made with fish and soy sauce, among other things. On the side is the rice noodles that you add to your sauce before eating. You will also get a plate of vegetables and herbs to add at your leisure. Regardless of its new-found fame, this has always been a classic must-try dish in Hanoi.

Banh Xeo – Known as a Vietnamese pancake, Banh Xeo translates to Sizzling Pancake. Rice batter is fried up in a wok with a host of fillings. My favourite was prawns and beansprouts. It is then folded and served with a bowl of greens. I was taught to break some off, stuff it inside a lettuce leaf with some herbs and eat it that way. You can commonly find them sold as street food. In my experience, they were quite greasy and tasted better when eaten in a restaurant.

Banh Mi – Baguettes filled with a whole host of ingredients. Street carts selling Banh Mi are a regular sight all over the country. Meats, pâté and sometimes egg, are packed inside a fresh baguette with some shredded vegetables and cucumber. Then the baguette is finished with fresh herbs. Cheap, easy to find and delicious. If you are unsure of a Banh Mi stall look for ones with a queue of locals waiting. The Vietnamese eat these on a regular basis and know where to get the best ones.

Helpful Phrases

Hello = Xin Chao (Pronounced Sin-Chow)

Thank You = Cam on (Pronounced Kahm-Uhn)

Sorry = Xin Loy (Pronounced Sin-Loy)

Goodbye = Tam Biet (Pronounced Tarm-Byeet)

How Much? = Bao Nhieu (Pronounced Baow-Nyew)

Too Expensive = Mac Qua (Pronounced Mac-wa)

Yes = Vang (Pronounced Vang)

No = Khong (Pronounced Khom)

What Is It? = Cai gi vay? (Pronounced Kai-zi-vai)

Typical Costs in Vietnam

Accommodation – You can get a hostel pretty much anywhere in Vietnam for as little as 145,000VND. Of course, if you wish to pay more than that you can but this will get you a decent, standard hostel. A hotel room for two people should cost you less than 300,000VND. Vietnam is one of the rare countries where private rooms for two people tend to cost less than two dorm beds.

Food – Street food can be found for less than 30,000VND. Though for something more substantial, allow 50,000VND per meal. If street food is not your thing, a sit-down meal in a local restaurant will cost close to 100,000VND. If you wish to go more high-end or eat western food (don’t!!), expect to pay in the region of 200,000VND.

Transport – The bus will be your primary mode of transport throughout your time in Vietnam. They are quite uncomfortable and take what feels like ages to get anywhere but they are very budget friendly. Most buses will cost you less than 300,000VND. If you plan to skip through Vietnam quite fast, missing out on certain towns and cities, I would suggest flying. Low-cost airlines charge less than the Vietnamese trains often do for internal flights. Flights can be found for as little as 600,000VND.

How To Save Money in Vietnam

Night Buses – A lot of travelling in Vietnam is done over long periods of time. Why sit on a bus all day when you can do the same journey, for the same price, at night? This will mean you do not have to pay for your accommodation that night. It is probably best for your sanity anyway that you do not see just how crazy the driving is here.

Street Food – As always, if you want to save money on your food bills, it is best to get out of the restaurants. Get mixing with the locals on the thousands of street stalls which adorn the Vietnamese towns and cities. These offer up some of the best food in the country. The food is safe and well cooked and I don’t know anyone that has had issues with it. People, I talk to always have good things to say about street food, especially in Vietnam!

Hostel Staff – People in Vietnam are very helpful and friendly. The staff at your accommodation are generally great to talk to as a way of getting an idea of prices for certain things. Take advantage of this when looking for good and cheap places to eat and also the best things to see in the place you are visiting. I made good friends with a member of staff in Ho Chi Minh, and my time, stomach and wallet were certainly better off for it.

It might be difficult to put your finger on what makes Vietnam so special. During my time there, I tried and tried to make sense of why I loved it so much, yet consistently failed. The country is flawed in so many ways. There’s pollution, rats that are everywhere after dark, consistent traffic, to name a few. Yet when you are there, none of this seems to matter. The food is too good, the people too friendly and the country, so beautiful that all the negativity is pushed to one side. The dark history and the country’s rise since those times demand respect. This Vietnam Travel Guide will hopefully help you to plan your journey there. I am confident that you will see for yourself just how amazing this country is!