- Ideal trip length
- 10 to 14 nights
- Best time to go
- February to April
- Time zone
- GMT+7 (Indochina Time)
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
Entry update
Vietnam's e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days. Use the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, and avoid look-alike sites that charge extra.
About Vietnam
Vietnam is best travelled from end to end. Hanoi has tree-lined boulevards, lakes and a street-food culture that rewards early starts and late nights. A night on Lan Ha or Ha Long Bay brings limestone islands rising from calm water. In the centre, Hoi An's old town glows with lanterns, and Da Nang's beaches hold some of the country's best resort hotels.
Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many, is the energetic south, with rooftop bars, French-era landmarks and the Mekong Delta nearby. Domestic flights make the journey easy, and I keep the pace gentle, with two or three nights in each place. For a slower finish, I add a beach stay on Phu Quoc island or in the quiet bays near Nha Trang.
When to go
Vietnam's long shape means three climates. February to April is the sweet spot for a full north-to-south trip. From September to December I avoid the central coast because of storms and flooding, while Hanoi is at its best in autumn.
Places to go
Hanoi
Lakes, leafy boulevards and a celebrated street-food culture, plus the gateway to Ha Long Bay.
See hotelsHoi An
A lantern-lit old town of tailors, river boats and yellow merchant houses, loveliest at dusk.
See hotelsDa Nang
Long beaches and polished resorts, within easy reach of Hoi An and the Marble Mountains.
See hotelsHo Chi Minh City
The energetic south: rooftop bars, French-era landmarks and day trips into the Mekong Delta.
See hotelsHa Long Bay
Limestone karsts rising from emerald water, best seen on an overnight cruise in Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay.
Ask me about hotels herePhu Quoc
Island beaches and resort calm in the far south, ideal for ending a trip slowly.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in Vietnam
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam
1 MICHELIN KeyForbes Recommended
IHG Destined
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
Da Nang, Vietnam
1 MICHELIN KeyForbes Four-Star
Hyatt Privé
Park Hyatt Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Virtuoso
Capella Hanoi
Hanoi, VietnamBefore you go
Arriving
Getting there
Hanoi's Noi Bai and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat are the main international gateways. Da Nang also has direct flights from across Asia.
Getting around
Short domestic flights link north, centre and south. For shorter hops, such as Da Nang to Hoi An or Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, a private car is easiest.
Visa and entry
Singapore passports get 30 days visa-free and UK passports 45 days; US and Australian travellers apply for an e-visa of up to 90 days. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
Cash is still common at markets and small eateries, though cards work in hotels and better restaurants. The dong has many zeros, so check notes carefully.
Tipping
Not traditionally expected, but increasingly appreciated. Small tips for guides, drivers and good restaurant service are a kind gesture.
Local customs
Dress modestly at pagodas and temples, and remove shoes where asked. Use both hands when offering something to an elder.
On the ground
Language
Vietnamese. English is spoken in hotels and tourist areas, less so in the countryside, where translation apps help.
Plugs and power
Mostly flat two-pin Type A and round two-pin Type C plugs. Many hotels have universal sockets.
Safety
Vietnam is generally safe. Cross busy streets slowly and steadily, and keep phones away from the kerb, where bag snatching by motorbike can happen.
Vietnam: quick answers
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
February to April. Vietnam's long shape means three climates. February to April is the sweet spot for a full north-to-south trip. From September to December I avoid the central coast because of storms and flooding, while Hanoi is at its best in autumn.
How long should I spend in Vietnam?
10 to 14 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in Vietnam?
My picks are Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Da Nang), Park Hyatt Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Capella Hanoi. Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Singapore passports get 30 days visa-free and UK passports 45 days; US and Australian travellers apply for an e-visa of up to 90 days. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
More ways to experience Vietnam
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Boutique river and bay cruises in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, with Indochine-inspired style.
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ExploreI plan Vietnam north to south around each region's weather, with two or three nights per stop and short, simple flights.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.