Highlights of Vietnam
Vietnam tours have gained much popularity over the past few years as more and more people are opting for destinations that are ‘off the grid’ and this beautiful country has so much to offer, in terms of sights, flavours and experiences while still offering international top quality luxury standards. Whether you are deciding to choose Vietnam holiday packages that speak of opulence and sophistication, recovery and relaxation or one that is full of adventure, Vietnam offers them all.
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Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, located on the banks of the Red River, is known for its well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas and opera house.
With a population of 7.2 million people, and 5 million motorbikes, Hanoi is most certainly a city of motorbikes.
This French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts.
At its heart is the Old Quarter where travellers can find many household goods, street food, bars and easy access to Hanoi’s largest and most beautiful lake.
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Hanoi Street
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Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
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The Old Quarter
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Pho
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Bun Cha
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Banh My
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Sapa is a town in Lao Cai Province, a popular trekking base. Here is where you will find the Hoang Lien Son range of mountains which includes Fan Si Pan – the country’s highest peak. It is located about 350 km northwest of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border.
Majority of the town’s local population are hill tribes such as the Hmong, Tay and Dao.
Its well know of the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley which is climbable via a steep, multiday guided walk.
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Halong Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforest, covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies.
Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take travellers past islands named for their shapes.
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Trang An is a scenic area in Ninh Binh. On 23 June 2014, the Trang An scenic Landscape Complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s considered as Halong bay on land, attracts travellers thanks to its diverse system of limestone mountains, natural caves, valleys, rivers and dozens of historical sites.
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Hue is in central Vietnam was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty at the beginning of the 19th century, and during the Vietnam-US War some of the most intense conflicts occurred in this region.
A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater.
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Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port.
It’s a popular base for visiting the inland Bà Nà hills to the west of the city. Here the hillside Hải Vân Pass has views of Da Nang Bay and the Marble Mountains.
The main reason for most travellers staying here is its proximity to the well-known My Khe Beach, Lang Co Beach, Hoi An and My Son.
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Hoi An Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign. A mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.
You can take a day tour of snorkelling or cooking class.
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Nha Trang is a coastal city in southern Vietnam, offers a six-kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline with white sandy beaches, clear waters with an abundance of marine life and thriving reefs, verdant mountain ranges at each end, breath-taking structures that date back to the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, as well as natural hot springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls.
Its main beach is a long, curving stretch along Tran Phu Street backed by a promenade, hotels and seafood restaurants. Aerial cable cars cross over to Hòn Tre Island, and the nature reserves of Hòn Mun and Hòn Tằm islands, have coral reefs.
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About 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City are Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Together, these traditional fishing villages are fast becoming a popular leisure destination.
Resort-style developments have been rising along the coastline, though so far the lives of the fishing communities remain unchanged and Mui Ne’s long beach is quiet and serene, great for walks, jogging and spectacular sunsets.
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Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the business and financial hub of Vietnam. The French conquered Saigon, as it was then known, in 1859, and made it the capital of Cochin China in 1862, which resulted in numerous elegant architecture and broad boulevards that are still present to this day. In 1975, the North of Vietnam won the war and changed the name of Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City.
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Bui Vien Walking Street
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Independence Palace
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Central Post Office
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Can Tho is a city in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, it’s known for its canal network and nearby floating markets.
“Can Tho with white rice and clear water All who comes would never wish to leave” Can Tho has simple, poetic beauty with well-off villages under shade of coconut trees. It is wonderful to take a boat trip along the riverbanks on fine weather days.
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Phu Quoc Island boasts idyllic beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen forests, and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal holiday destination for travellers looking to escape bustling city life.
Located 45 kilometres west of Ha Tien in the far south of Vietnam. More than half of the island is part of UNESCO-listed Phú Quốc National Park, which features mountains, dense tropical jungle, hiking trails and wildlife.
There are plenty of luxurious resorts, bars, restaurants and quaint cafes along the southern coastline.
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FAQ
Where is Vietnam?
Located in South East Asia and bordering both Laos and Cambodia to the West, with China to the North.
Is Vietnam a safe country to travel to?
Vietnam is a safe country for travelers. The crime rate is generally low, and violent crimes against tourists are rare. However, like in any other destination, it’s advisable to remain cautious and take standard safety precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings, avoid isolated areas at night, and be cautious of common tourist scams.
When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?
There is no best time to travel to Vietnam, it depends on where you plan to go visit. For beach lovers, from June to August. The best time for trekking in the north could be: March, April, May, September, October.
Peak season in Vietnam stretches over two periods of time for most international visitors: Spring (March to May) and autumn/ winter ( October to December).
The weather in Vietnam differs between the south and north.
Up to the north, cool to cold seasons: November to March. Warm seasons: April to September. Avoid typhoon season Jul- Aug, it affects Halong Bay cruise tour.
Down to the south from Danang, generally it is warm the whole year, average temperature is around 25-30 degree celsius. Avoid the flooding season Sept – Oct.
Do Vietnamese speak English?
Vietnamese is the official language however English is understood by most people in big cities.
Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?
For most nationalities, you must have a valid passport and a visa (or pre-approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank visa page.
An eVisa is available for some nationalities including passport holders from Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China,Hong Kong, Macau, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithiuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Norway, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Solomon Islands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor Leste, United Kingdom, United States of America, The U.A.E., Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Western Samoa valid for a single entry of a maximum of 30 days stay in Vietnam. You can apply yourself at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home
You don’t need a visa for 30 days stay if you are one of these countries passport holder: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Chile.
You don’t need a visa for 21 days stay if you are from The Philippines.
You don’t need a visa for 14 days stay if you are one of these countries passport holder: Myanmar, Brunei.
How long should I spend in Vietnam?
You should spend 2 weeks or 3 weeks, enough to see most of the highlight of Vietnam or 4 weeks that will allow you more time to enjoy the beach. Depending on how you are travelling and how strict your plans are.
If you are searching for a vietnam itinerary 14 days, we recommend you to visit north to south vietnam 14 days including must-visit destinations in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoian, Ho Chi Minh, Nha Trang/ Phu Quoc or choose to go visit the area for each visit: The North Vietnam tour such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa/ Pu Luong/ Ha Giang, Ninh Binh. Central: Da Nang, Hoian, Hue. The South Vietnam tour : Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc.
Halong Bay and Hoian are top tourist attractions in Vietnam.
Are there direct flights from Australia to Vietnam?
Yes, there are direct flights from Australia to Vietnam. Many airlines offer direct flights between major Australian cities and various airports in Vietnam.
Qantas: Offers direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to both Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi.
Vietnam Airlines: Operates direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. They also offer direct flights from Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City.
Jetstar: Provides direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City.
Virgin Australia: Operates direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City.
Bamboo Airways: Provides direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but not everyday
Vietjet Air: Operates direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City but not everyday
The flight time from Australia to Vietnam is 8 to 10 hours, depends on the departure city and destination in Vietnam.
Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City: Around 8 to 9 hours.
Sydney to Hanoi: Around 9 to 10 hours.
Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City: Around 8 to 9 hours.
Melbourne to Hanoi: Around 9 to 10 hours.
Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh City: Around 9 to 10 hours.
How much does it cost to travel to Vietnam from Australia?
The cost of traveling from Australia to Vietnam vary depending on the time of year, airline, travel class, accommodation choices, duration of stay, and personal preferences.
Flights: The cost of round-trip flights from Australia to Vietnam can range from around AU$ 500 to AU$ 1,500 or more, depending on the airline, season, and how far in advance you book.
Accommodation: On average, mid-range hotels budget can range from AU$ 50 to AU$ 150 per night. 5 star hotels or resorts can cost AU$ 150 and above per night. It can vary depending on the type of accommodation you choose, ranging from 3 star to luxury hotels.
Food: You can find delicious street food and local restaurants where a meal can cost anywhere from AU$ 4 to AU$ 10 per person. Dining in higher-end restaurants or touristy areas may cost more but generally quite affordable.
Sightseeing and activities: The cost of sightseeing and activities in Vietnam can vary widely. Entrance fees to popular attractions, such as museums or historical sites, can range from a few dollars to around AUD 10 or more. Prices for guided tours or adventure activities can vary depending on the type and duration of the activity.
Can I drink the water in Vietnam?
No, not water from the tap, its also advisable to avoid ice in drinks. You can buy water bottle or ask your guide for where filtered water can be found.
Is WIFI generally available?
Free internet access is widely available in tourist areas and big cities at cafes, restaurants, hotels… although remote and mountainous areas may have weak signal.
Are international credit cards accepted in Vietnam?
Major international credit cards are widely accepted by big shops, hotels and restaurants in cities in Vietnam. However, they may not be accepted by small family restaurants and shops, market stalls or in remote towns and rural ares. So some cash for purchases would be recommended.
Are ATM’s available in Vietnam?
ATMs are found widely throughout Vietnam. Some smaller villages or rural areas may not have ATM access so prepare for this if you want to buy something too far from a city or main town.
Do I need travel insurance before traveling to Vietnam?
Purchasing Vietnam travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself from unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies or lost luggage. Click here to book Vietnam travel insurance with Youin Travel.
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