Guide to Vietnam
When to visit?
Dry season
December to May but more expensive and busy
Rainy season
June to November cheaper and quieter but does rain often. I travelled in July to August and it rained every few days but didn’t last long and cleared up within a hour or less.
Shoulder season
April to June and September to November
Best time to visit?
The best time to visit northern Vietnam is during spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November), when days are generally warm and sunny.
If you are planning to visit locations throughout Vietnam, then the best times to go are January through April or October and November.
Grab my interactive downloable Vietnam map packed full of recommendations for things to do, where to stay, where to eat and drink
Where to visit?
Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences.
Here you will see the famous Note Coffee Cafe and train street. Hanoi makes a great base to take a sleeper bus to Ha Giang to ride the Ha Giang bike loop.
Sapa
Sa Pa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley,
Ha Long Bay
Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.
The best thing to do here is spend a night on one of the boat cruises which often includes activities like kayaking, swimming and boat tours.
Nihn Bihn
Desceibed as Ha Long bay on land thanks to its magical riverine landscape, with sheer limestone mountains rising up from the paddies. The best way to get a sense of this UNESCO-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers, and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks.
Phong Nha
Phong Nha is home to the world's largest cave, Although this is Vietnam’s top adventure destination, Phong Nha is still in the early stages of development.
Hue
Hue is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and culture lovers. With its rich imperial heritage, Hue offers a unique glimpse into Vietnam's past, showcasing magnificent palaces, temples, and tombs that are steeped in centuries of history.
Hoi An
One of the oldest cities in Asia, Hoi An is a town in central Vietnam which was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Located south of Danang, Hoi An translates to 'a peaceful meeting place'. It is culturally and historically one of Vietnam's most important towns and also one of the richest.
Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC's dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future. This city has many well-known attractions, including the War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, and Ben Thanh Market.
How to get around?
Grab taxi
Within the cities it is best to use the Grab taxi app to get around easily and avoid being scammed.
You can order a car, bike and food using this app.
You will need to be connected to internet to use it and you can set up card payments to avoid having to use cash.
Sleeper bus
This is the main option to travel longer distances between the bigger towns and cities. There are to options of a standard sleeeper bus and a VIP sleeper bus. VIP sleeper buses have individual cabins which gives you more privacy and hopefully a better chance to sleep.
Train
Not used as commonly as the buses but another option for getting around. Most commonly you will take the sleeper train due to the distances between the places you are likely to visit.
Transport can be booked easily through sites like 12Go Asia
Where to stay?
There are different options in accommodations that you can stay in. In cities you will find hotels and hostels easily. In more rural areas home stays will also be common.
Where to book accommodation?
Hostelworld
Booking.com
Agoda
Apps to download
Grab
12Go Asia
Google translate
Converter
E-sims like Holafly or Airalo
What to eat?
Bahn Mi
In Vietnamese cuisine, bánh mì or banh mi is a short baguette with thin, crisp crust and a soft, airy texture. It is often split lengthwise and filled with meat and savory ingredients like a submarine sandwich and served as a meal,
Pho
Phở or Pho is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, sometimes chicken. Phở is a popular food in Vietnam where it is served in households, street-stalls, and restaurants country-wide
Bún chả
Bún chả is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodles, which is thought to have originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. Bún chả is served with grilled fatty pork over a plate of white rice noodles and herbs with a side dish of dipping sauce.
Bánh xèo
Bánh xèo is a crispy, stuffed rice pancake popular in Vietnam. The name refers to the sound a thin layer of rice batter makes when it is poured into the hot skillet. It is a savoury fried pancake made of rice flour, water, and turmeric powder. It can also be called a Vietnamese crêpe.
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