Vietnam
One long country, countless journeys
Travel Vietnam for high-energy cities, mountain loops, limestone bays, layered history and some of Asia's most memorable food.
The honest overview
Get to know Vietnam before fixing the route.
Vietnam is famed for its limestone bays and mountains, an intense street food scene, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's constant rush of scooters, attracting backpackers, food-focused travellers and digital nomads alike from all corners of the world. Vietnam is known for being one of the best-value legs of a wider Southeast Asia trip, thanks to low daily costs, a well-worn north-south route by sleeper train and open-tour bus, and a food culture that rivals anywhere in the region, making it a reliable stretch most backpackers build a big chunk of their itinerary around.
Part of the joy of backpacking in Vietnam is deciding what deserves more time. Keep space for weather changes, longer travel days and recommendations from people you meet on the road.
Cash still runs the country outside major cities – ATMs are widespread and reliable, but carry dong for markets, local buses and smaller guesthouses, and expect a surcharge of a few percent wherever cards are accepted at all.
There's no single route you have to take, but the geography does most of the planning for you – Vietnam is long and thin, so most backpackers run it top to bottom (or bottom to top) rather than looping. The classic line runs Hanoi – Sa Pa – Ha Giang - Halong Bay – Ninh Binh – Hue – Hoi An/Da Nang – Nha Trang – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta, usually over three to five weeks depending on how many stops you slow down for. Sleeper trains and open-tour bus tickets both cover this route end to end, and you'll bump into the same faces at each stop if you're moving at a similar pace to everyone else.
Season by season
What each season means for your trip
Vietnam's weather can change sharply by region and elevation. These are planning patterns, not guarantees.
Seasonal conditions
Vietnam's length means the north, centre and south often sit in completely different seasons at the same time – check the region you're heading to, not just the month.
Drier travel window
The north is cool, dry and often grey, 15–20°C in Hanoi and colder still in the mountains (Sapa regularly drops below 10°C, with light frost possible). The centre and south stay warm and dry, 25–30°C, making this the best window for Hoi An, Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta.
Wetter travel conditions
The north warms into spring, 20–25°C, with humidity starting to build. The central coast stays dry and increasingly hot. The south is at its hottest and driest before the rains arrive, up to 35°C.
Wetter travel conditions
The north's hot, humid rainy season sets in, 28–33°C with regular afternoon downpours. The central coast (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An) is generally dry and very hot in this window – its wet season runs opposite to the rest of the country. The south enters its own rainy season too, with predictable afternoon showers rather than all-day washouts.
Wetter travel conditions
The north turns pleasant and drier, 20–28°C, one of the better times for Hanoi and Halong Bay. The central coast hits typhoon season, with its heaviest rain and flood risk concentrated in October and November – build slack into any Hue or Hoi An leg during these months. The south's rainy season tapers off as November closes out.
Check the forecast for the exact region and elevation on your route, then leave room to change outdoor plans when conditions move.
Cost of day to day travel
Build a budget around the route
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia to travel through. £15–20 a day covers a dorm bed, street food, local transport and the odd beer comfortably across most of the country.
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia to travel through. £15–20 a day covers a dorm bed, street food, local transport and the odd beer comfortably across most of the country.
Long transfers, specialist tours and headline activities can change the daily total quickly.
Cash still runs the country outside major cities – ATMs are widespread and reliable, but carry dong for markets, local buses and smaller guesthouses, and expect a surcharge of a few percent wherever cards are accepted at all.
Average the full trip rather than forcing every day into the same number. Keep emergency funds separate from daily spending.
Key backpacker routes
Find the route that feels right for you
There is no single route you need to follow. Let your timeframe, interests and season shape the journey through Vietnam.
Start with the natural route Core journey
There's no single route you have to take, but the geography does most of the planning for you – Vietnam is long and thin, so most backpackers run it top to bottom (or bottom to top) rather than looping. The classic line runs Hanoi – Sa Pa – Ha Giang - Halong Bay – Ninh Binh – Hue – Hoi An/Da Nang – Nha Trang – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta, usually over three to five weeks depending on how many stops you slow down for.
Add the region that earns your time Build depth
Sleeper trains and open-tour bus tickets both cover this route end to end, and you'll bump into the same faces at each stop if you're moving at a similar pace to everyone else. For those continuing a wider trip, the north connects into Laos via Dien Bien Phu or Sapa, and the south connects into Cambodia via the Ha Tien or Chau Doc border crossings, the latter often done as a scenic Mekong boat journey rather than a straight bus.
Main destinations and attractions
Where to spend your days
Pick a connected group and leave room for hostel friendships and changing plans. Vietnam rewards depth more than a checklist of stops.
Vietnam's regions feel like different countries stitched together. Photo: Daniel Mennerich / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0.Vietnam's regions feel like different countries stitched together
here's a region-by-region rundown of the essentials:
Hanoi and the North. Photo: Peer.Gynt / flickr, BY-SA 2.0.Hanoi and the North
Hanoi's Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets, street food stalls and constant scooter noise, best explored on foot with no fixed plan.
Central Vietnam. Photo: www.SamAntonioPhotography.com / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0.Central Vietnam
Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital, and the Citadel and royal tombs are worth a full day. Hoi An's Ancient Town is a UNESCO-listed riverside old town of lantern-lit streets and custom tailors – beautiful, but it's also the most tourist-saturated stop on the route, so go early morning or evening to enjoy it without the crowds.
South Central Coast and Highlands. Photo: Daniel Mennerich / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0.South Central Coast and Highlands
Nha Trang is Vietnam's main beach resort city, popular with package tourists and increasingly built up – it's a fine stop for a couple of days by the water but doesn't have much of an independent backpacker scene left.
Ho Chi Minh City and the South. Photo: Eustaquio Santimano / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0.Ho Chi Minh City and the South
Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is faster and more commercial than Hanoi, with the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh Market as the core stops, alongside a solid rooftop bar scene.
To get a feel for the cities you're exploring, we'd recommend booking a free walking tour via Guruwalk – you pay what you think it's worth at the end. Our Outpacker chatbot is available to help you plan and build out your itinerary to make the most of your trip.
Getting around
Compare time, comfort and cost
Vietnam's transport network is cheap and covers the whole country, though comfort varies a lot by option.
Taxi/Rideshare
Grab covers every city on the main route and is the easiest way to avoid meter-tampering by unlicensed taxis.
Bus
Open-tour bus tickets let you hop on and off along the main north-south route at a fixed low price, and overnight sleeper buses save a hostel night on longer legs.
Train
The Reunification Express runs the full length of the country from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with sleeper cabins on overnight legs.
Plane
Domestic budget airlines (VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways) make the long Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City hop cheap and fast if you're short on time, and are worth it for skipping the longest overland legs.
Download offline maps, keep key booking details available without data and avoid placing an international departure immediately after a fragile overland transfer.
Make sure you've got an eSIM or local SIM set up for Grab and maps, and download offline maps for any motorbike or trekking legs where signal drops out.
Culture and events
Events worth knowing about
Dates can shift, so verify the current programme before building a trip around an event in Vietnam.
Vietnam's biggest holiday by a wide margin, marking the lunar new year with family gatherings, fireworks and street decorations across the country.
A national festival honouring Vietnam's legendary founding kings, centred on Phu Tho province with processions and ceremonies at the Hung Temple complex, though the public holiday is observed nationwide.
A recurring local festival rather than a single annual date: on the night of the full moon, Hoi An's Ancient Town switches off electric lighting in favour of coloured silk lanterns, with boats and candle-lit lanterns released along the river.
A Buddhist festival honouring ancestors and departed spirits, marked with temple offerings, incense and paper offerings burned for the deceased – a quieter, more reflective event than Tet.
A harvest and lantern festival celebrated especially by and for children, with mooncakes, lion dances and lantern parades filling the streets of the Old Quarters in Hanoi and Hoi An after dark.
Confirm the official programme, accommodation pressure and transport changes before committing non-refundable plans.
Vietnamese food
Discover the flavours that make Vietnam memorable
Vietnam's food is one of the best reasons to visit on its own – fresh, herb-heavy and built around regional specialities that change as you move from north to south.
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Phothe classic beef or chicken noodle soup, eaten any time of day, best in Hanoi where it originated.Photo: avlxyz / flickr, BY-SA 2.0 -
Banh mia French-influenced baguette sandwich stuffed with pork, pate, pickled veg and coriander.Photo: PiktourUK / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Bun chagrilled pork patties served in a sweet-sour broth with rice noodles and herbs, a Hanoi speciality.Photo: avlxyz / flickr, BY-SA 2.0 -
Cao lauHoi An's own noodle dish, made with water drawn specifically from local wells, topped with pork and greens.Photo: avlxyz / flickr, BY-SA 2.0 -
Banh xeoa crispy turmeric pancake filled with pork, prawns and beansprouts, wrapped in lettuce and herbs.Photo: saragoldsmith / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Bun bo Huea spicier, lemongrass-heavy beef noodle soup from the old imperial capital.Photo: Hanoi Mark / flickr, BY-NC 2.0 -
Com tambroken rice served with grilled pork chop, a Ho Chi Minh City staple.Photo: tuey / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Egg coffee (ca phe trung)a Hanoi original, whipped egg yolk and condensed milk over strong Vietnamese coffee.Photo: BrandontheMandon / flickr, BY 2.0
Visible turnover is a useful guide. Explain allergies carefully and carry a translated note when an ingredient could cause a serious reaction.
Night markets and dedicated food streets are the easiest way to sample a lot of this in one sitting – most cities and towns on the route run at least one worth building an evening around.
Hostels
Choose the atmosphere, not just the bed
Vietnam has a solid hostel scene concentrated in the main backpacker stops, generally social rather than quiet.
SnapStay Hoi An
Hoi An, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Saigon Chill Hostel
Ho Chi Minh, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →The Oversleep Cat Ba Hostel & Pool Bar
Cat Ba Island, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Mooka's Home
Da Lat, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Rom Casa Hostel Da Nang
Da Nang, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
Hanoi, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Amy House
Ninh Binh, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Phong Nha An An Homestay
Phong Nha, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Life's A Beach
Quy Nhon, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →The Cuckoo's Nest Hostel and Bar
Hoi An, VietnamProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →What you need to pack
Pack for the route, not every possibility
The gear you need depends on the time of year and how far north or south you're travelling, so run your dates through our trip planner – it'll build you a kit list based on exactly where and when you're going.
Climate and clothing
Vietnam's real packing challenge is the range, not just the heat: the south and centre are hot and humid most of the year, while the north (especially Hanoi and Sapa in winter) can get properly cold, with a warm layer, a light waterproof shell and proper closed shoes all doing real work if your route includes December–February in the mountains.
- A packable warm layer – essential if your route touches the north between December and February, easy to skip otherwise.
- Padlocks – for hostel lockers and securing bags on overnight buses and trains.
- Run all of this through the trip planner to build your full kit based on your specific route and dates.
Rain and terrain
For the hot stretches, cotton is the one to avoid for anything worn day to day – it soaks up sweat and stays damp for hours in the humidity.
- DEET mosquito spray – malaria risk exists in some rural areas of the country; discuss the risk for your exact route with a GP or travel clinic.
- A basic first aid kit – plasters, rehydration sachets and something for an upset stomach.
Hostels and travel days
Hostels typically offer laundry at a low cost, and local laundrettes are common and quick too, so you can pack light either way.
- A dry bag – for Halong Bay boat trips, motorbike rides and Mekong Delta boat crossings.
- A reusable water bottle with a filter – tap water isn't drinkable here, and this cuts down on buying plastic bottles daily.
Activities and health
Add specialist equipment only for booked activities and current health guidance.
- A universal travel adapter and a power bank – Vietnam runs mainly on Type A/C sockets at 220V.
- A modest outfit – some temples and pagodas expect covered shoulders and knees, even outside the main tourist circuit.
Language
A few local phrases go a long way
English is spoken to a reasonable level in the main tourist areas and hostels, but drops off fast outside them, so a handful of Vietnamese phrases go a long way.
Vietnamese
| English | Say it in Vietnamese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chào | sin-chow |
| Goodbye | Tạm biệt | tam-byet |
| Yes / No | Vâng (vuhng) / Không | khohng |
| How much? | Bao nhiêu tiền? | bow-nyew-tee-en |
| How are you? | Bạn khỏe không? | ban-khweah-khohng |
| Please | Làm ơn | lam-uhn |
| Do you speak English? | Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? | ban-co-noy-tee-eng-anh-khohng |
| Help, please | Giúp tôi với | zoop-toy-vuhi |
| Where are you from? | Bạn đến từ đâu? | ban-den-tu-dow |
| What is your name? / My name is... | Bạn tên là gì? / Tôi tên là... | ban-ten-la-zee / toy-ten-la... |
| Thank you | Cảm ơn | gahm uhn |
Note the "gi" sound (as in "giúp") is pronounced closer to a "z" in the north and a softer "y" in the south – don't worry too much about getting it perfect, being understood matters more than the accent.
Visa requirements
Check the rule for your passport
Entry rules depend on nationality, journey and length of stay. Confirm the current rule before booking, then check it again shortly before departure.
Check your exact requirements
Use Sherpa to review entry requirements for your passport and journey. Also confirm passport validity, permitted stay, proof of onward travel and any current arrival-form requirements.
Vaccinations
Make the advice fit your route
Vaccination and health advice depends on your route, duration, medical history and activities.
Review current CDC guidance
Read the current CDC Vietnam traveller guidance, then discuss personal recommendations with a qualified clinician.
Arrange appropriate travel insurance and keep policy details available offline. Consider the practical risks created by climate, altitude, insects, animals, water activities and road travel on your specific route.
Safety and common scams
Standard caution, specific habits
Vietnam is a safe country to travel through, including solo, and there's no recent history of terrorism to be concerned about.
Meter tampering
Unlicensed taxis, especially around airports and tourist hubs, sometimes run rigged meters that click up far faster than the distance covered. Use Grab or XanhSM instead and you'll see the fare upfront.
Motorbike rental deposits
Some rental shops ask for your passport instead of a cash deposit, then claim pre-existing damage later to avoid returning it. Photograph the bike before you ride off and pay a cash deposit where you can.
Short-changing and two-tier pricing
Street vendors and market stalls will sometimes quote tourists a higher price than locals, or short-change you in the confusion of a fast transaction. Check prices before you order where you can, and count change on the spot.
Cyclo and shoe-shine overcharging
Agree a price before you get in or hand over your shoes, not after – both are common enough that no price agreed upfront usually means a much higher one at the end.
None of it should put you off
Vietnam handles a huge amount of independent tourism every year, and most trips through it go by without any of the above coming up at all.
Beyond that, the scams here are mostly low-stakes hassle rather than anything dangerous:
Sources and feedback
Help us keep this guide useful
Travel information changes. Verify current entry, health, safety and transport guidance before booking or travelling.
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