Việt Nam

Việt Nam
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LESS PLANNING, MORE VIỆTNAMING

Vietnam is an easy country to over-plan and a very rewarding one to let just happen to you. The big cities are loud and fast, the old towns reward wandering, the food is the real daily structure, and the best trips will balance the frenetic energy with slow time to sit still, drink coffee, and watch the street life happen around you.

At a Glance

Region South East Asia Language Vietnamese Currency Vietnamese đồng (VND) Capital Hanoi Time Zone ICT / UTC+7 Neighbours China, Laos, Cambodia Coastline 3,444 km Nighttime street view of illuminated commercial buildings and vibrant city lights in Ho Chi Minh City. The shape of the country

Start with these places

 Orientate Yourself

Vietnam is long and thin — each section has its own weather, food, pace and transport logic. Think north to south: the capital, the mountains and bays, the cave country, the heritage coast, the southern city and the delta.
Northern capital

Hanoi

Old Quarter streets, lakeside mornings, coffee culture, markets, museums and the natural base for beginning in the north.

Mountains & bays

The North

Ha Long Bay, Ninh Bình, Sapa, Hà Giang and the rice-terrace country beyond the capital.

Caves & war history

North Central Vietnam

Phong Nha, Đồng Hới, jungle caves, quiet beaches, Vĩnh Mốc tunnels and the less-polished overland stretch toward Huế.

Old towns & coast

Heritage Coast

Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, the Hải Vân Pass, lantern streets, imperial history, beaches and the central food corridor.

Southern Base

Ho Chi Minh City

Still Saigon to locals. Sprawling, commercial, colonial and scarred, but bursting with very proud people.

Nine Dragons

Mekong Delta

Floating markets, fruit farms, river towns, slow boat trips and the greener, wetter edge of southern Vietnam.
Before you go

Vietnam in practice

A few simple things shape most days here: cash, language, transport, and how much energy you have left after the heat.
Money

You will need cash

Cards can be used in some shops, but small notes will make everything smoother.

Carry cash for markets, street food, and smaller family-run places. Bigger hotels, tour operators, and some restaurants will take card, but Vietnam is much smoother when you have Vietnamese đồng ready.

 Language

A little Vietnamese helps

Of course, you can travel with English; but a few small phrases go a long way.

English is common in major tourist areas, but not universal. Learn hello, thank you, and some numbers if you can. It makes ordering coffee, asking prices, and being polite much easier.

 Pace

Leave room to pause

Vietnam rewards wandering more than box-ticking.

The heat, traffic, and noise can be tiring. Build in slow mornings, coffee stops, and nights where nothing is booked. That is usually where the best parts of the trip happen.

Get to know the basics

The sleeper bus, the overnight train, and other Vietnam-wide essentials that make the rest of the trip a little les chaotic

Ho Chi Minh City

Old Saigon, street food corners, colonial landmarks and the loudest, fastest introduction to Vietnam you can get.

Central Coast & Heritage Corridor

Three UNESCO sites, the Hải Vân Pass, ancient towns, cave country and the best food corridor in the country.
Han Travels Slow For curious travellers