Vietnam: Chaos, Coffee, and the World's Best Food
From Hanoi’s electric streets to Ha Long Bay’s impossible limestone — plan your trip here.
Vietnam hits different. The food alone is worth the flight — we’re talking world-class pho for less than a pound, egg coffee you didn’t know you needed, and banh mi that’ll ruin every sandwich you eat after. But it’s not just the food. It’s Hanoi’s Old Quarter at 7am when the city wakes up and immediately starts shouting. It’s motorbikes everywhere, all the time, somehow nobody crashes. It’s Ha Long Bay looking exactly like the photos (which almost never happens). And it’s one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, which means you can do all of it without worrying about your bank balance. This guide covers the lot.
11–12 hrs
From the UK
Oct – Apr
Best time
Vietnamese
Main language
VND (Dong)
Currency
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See Vietnam in 60 Seconds
Best Time To Visit
Spring (March to May): Ideal for cultural and nature exploration. Mild weather (20°C to 30°C) perfect for trekking in Sapa and sightseeing in cities like Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.
Summer (June to August): Hot (up to 35°C), great for beach activities in Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc Island. A season rich in tropical fruits and vibrant beach life.
Autumn (September to November): Cooler temperatures (25°C to 30°C) and less rainfall. Optimal for visiting heritage sites like Hue and enjoying beautiful landscapes, including golden rice fields.
Winter (December to February): Cool in the north (around 10°C), warmer in the south (20°C to 25°C). Suitable for city explorations in Hanoi and urban experiences in central and southern regions.
A detailed Guide: Best Time to Visit Vietnam
What To Expect
20°C
- Temperature
Capital: Hanoi
Population: 97.47 million (2021)
Language: The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese
Currency: The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong. 1 USD is 24550 Dong. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You won’t have a problem finding ATMs in Vietnam’s big cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Most ATMs accept Visa cards, but you might struggle to find one that accepts Cirrus and Maestro. A lot of places will now also accept contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google pay.
Plugs: The plugs in Vietnam are types A, C, and F. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Issues related to violent crimes, such as armed attacks and robberies, are at a low level. Vietnam is also evaluated as a safe destination.
Why Visit? Vietnam is a hidden gem where the unexpected thrives—think sipping a steaming bowl of pho in a bustling Hanoi alley as scooters whizz by, then escaping to the tranquil countryside where rice paddies stretch endlessly under the sun. The jaw-dropping beauty of Ha Long Bay, with its emerald waters and towering limestone peaks, feels like stepping into a painting. The people, with their genuine smiles and stories of resilience, make you feel right at home.
Vietnam Travel Guides
Hanoi street food, Ha Long Bay cruises, sleeper buses south — here’s how to plan the whole thing.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do (coming soon)
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Vietnam Cost?
One of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia — and the food is better than most places ten times the price.
🎒
Backpacker
~£19/day · ~$24 · ~€22 · ~600,000 VND
- Hostel dorms from £4/night
- Street food pho and banh mi
- Local buses and motorbike taxis
- Free temples, markets, and beaches
🍜
Mid-Range
~£46/day · ~$56 · ~€52 · ~1,400,000 VND
- Private rooms and boutique hotels
- Local restaurants and seafood spots
- Grab rides and motorbike rental
- Boat tours, caves, and cooking classes
🏨
Upscale
~£95+/day · ~$120+ · ~€110+ · ~3,000,000+ VND
- Luxury resorts and boutique stays
- Fine dining and rooftop cocktails
- Private drivers and domestic flights Exclusive
- Ha Long Bay overnight cruises
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £4–8 / $5–10 / €4.50–9 / 120,000–250,000 VND
- Hostel private: £12–24 / $14–28 / €13–26 / 350,000–700,000 VND
- Budget hotel: £14–30 / $16–36 / €15–34 / 400,000–900,000 VND
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £28+ / $32+ / €30+ / 800,000+ VND
- Boutique hotel: £40–80 / $50–100 / €45–90 / 1,200,000–2,500,000 VND
- Luxury resort: £95+ / $120+ / €110+ / 3,000,000+ VND
City Travel
- Local bus: £0.25–1.70 / $0.30–2 / €0.30–1.90 / 7,000–50,000 VND
- Grab motorbike: £0.80–2.50 / $1–3 / €0.90–2.80 / 25,000–75,000 VND
- Taxi per km: £0.40–0.70 / $0.50–0.90 / €0.45–0.85 / 12,000–20,000 VND
Long Distance
- Intercity bus: £3.50–17 / $4–20 / €3.75–19 / 100,000–500,000 VND
- Train (Hanoi–HCMC): £25–55 / $30–65 / €28–60 / 750,000–1,700,000 VND
- Domestic flight: £20–50 / $25–60 / €22–55 / 600,000–1,500,000 VND
Eat Cheap
- Street food meal: £1.40–2.80 / $1.60–3.20 / €1.50–3 / 40,000–80,000 VND
- Supermarket basics: £0.70–2 / $0.85–2.40 / €0.80–2.20 / 20,000–60,000 VND
- Vietnamese coffee: £0.85–2 / $1–2.50 / €0.95–2.30 / 25,000–60,000 VND
Eating Out
- Mid-range meal: £4–10 / $5–12 / €4.50–11 / 120,000–300,000 VND
- Seafood restaurant: £7–17 / $8–20 / €7.50–19 / 200,000–500,000 VND
- Bia hoi (draft beer): £0.20–0.50 / $0.25–0.60 / €0.22–0.55 / 5,000–15,000 VND
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: £1–3.50 / $1.25–4 / €1.20–3.75 / 30,000–100,000 VND
- Cooking class: £20–50 / $24–60 / €22–57 / 600,000–1,500,000 VND
- Motorbike city tour: £14–35 / $16–40 / €15–38 / 400,000–1,000,000 VND
Big Experiences
- Ha Long Bay cruise: £40–120 / $50–140 / €47–132 / 1,200,000–3,500,000 VND
- Phong Nha caving: £35–200 / $40–240 / €38–225 / 1,000,000–6,000,000 VND
- Sapa trekking tour: £15–40 / $18–48 / €17–45 / 450,000–1,200,000 VND
10 Ways to Save Money in Vietnam
💧 Bring a filtered water bottle — tap water isn’t safe, and bottled water adds up fast
🍜 Eat where the locals eat — street stalls with plastic stools are where the best food is
🚶 Take free walking tours — available in Hanoi and HCMC, tip-based
🚌 Use local buses over taxis — city buses cost under £0.30/$0.40/€0.35 per ride
🏠 Stay in hostels or homestays — dorm beds start at £4/$5/€4.50 per night
🌙 Travel by sleeper bus — saves a night’s accommodation and covers long distances
🛵 Rent a motorbike for rural areas — £3.50–8/$4–10/€4–9 per day
📱 Use Grab, not metered taxis — cheaper and no scam risk
🗓️ Visit in shoulder season — Apr–May or Sep–Nov means lower prices, fewer crowds
🆓 Hit the free stuff — Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Da Nang beaches all cost nothing
Getting Around Vietnam
Vietnam is long and thin, which actually makes it pretty simple to navigate — you basically go north or south. Here’s how.
Domestic Flights
Best for Hanoi to HCMC and other long hauls. Vietnam’s a 1,650km country — flying saves you 30+ hours on the road.
✅ Cheap if booked early (from £20/$25/€22)
✅ VietJet and Bamboo have frequent routes
❌ Airports aren’t always close to city centres
Motorbike Rental
Best for rural exploration and the Ha Giang Loop. The most Vietnamese way to travel — and genuinely one of the best things you’ll do.
✅ Total freedom, from £3.50/$4/€4 per day
✅ Essential for places like Ha Giang and Dalat
❌ You need an IDP with motorbike endorsement
Grab & Taxis
Best for getting around within cities. Grab is Vietnam’s ride-hailing app — cheaper than taxis and no arguing about meters.
✅ Grab bikes are incredibly cheap
✅ Fixed prices, no scam risk
❌ Surge pricing in rain and rush hour
Reunification Express
Best for the full north-to-south experience. The train from Hanoi to HCMC is one of Southeast Asia’s great rail journeys.
✅ Scenic coastal views through central Vietnam
✅ Sleeper berths are comfortable
❌ 30+ hours for the full route
Sleeper Buses
Best for budget long-distance travel. Reclining beds, WiFi, overnight routes. You wake up in a different city.
✅ Cheapest way between cities
✅ Overnight trips save on accommodation
❌ Quality varies wildly — book reputable operators
Boats & Ferries
Best for Ha Long Bay, the Mekong Delta, and island hopping to Phu Quoc and Cat Ba.
✅ The only way to see Ha Long Bay properly
✅ Mekong Delta boat tours are unforgettable
❌ Can be touristy and overpriced without research
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring one city
Grab bikes and walking
North to south on a budget
Sleeper buses, maybe one flight
Ha Giang or rural areas
Rent a motorbike
Want to see everything
Fly between Hanoi/Hue/HCMC, bus the rest
Quick Tips
📅
Book Trains Early
Sleeper berths on popular routes sell out days ahead
🛡️
Use Grab, Not Street Taxis
Mai Linh and Vinasun are OK, but Grab removes all the hassle
📱
Get a Local SIM or eSIM
Data is dirt cheap — a tourist SIM costs under £3/$4/€3.50
🏍️
IDP Before You Go
You legally need an International Driving Permit for motorbikes
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. UK, EU, and US citizens can get 45-day visa-free entry (extended from 30 days in 2023). For longer stays, apply for an e-visa online through the Vietnamese immigration portal — it costs about £20/$25/€22 and takes 3 working days. Always double-check the latest rules before you fly, because Vietnam has changed its visa policy several times in recent years.
Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
Yes, it’s one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. The main risks are petty theft (bag snatching from motorbikes in HCMC especially), traffic (crossing the road is an art form), and the occasional tourist scam. Keep your phone in a zipped pocket, don’t flash expensive gear, and you’ll be fine. The locals are genuinely welcoming.
How long do I need in Vietnam?
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip — enough to cover Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City without rushing. Three weeks lets you add Sapa, Phong Nha, or the Mekong Delta. If you only have 10 days, pick either north-to-central or central-to-south rather than trying to cram the whole country in. Vietnam is 1,650km long. That matters.
What's the best time to visit Vietnam?
There’s no single perfect time because the country spans so many climate zones. For the south (HCMC, Mekong, Phu Quoc), December to April is dry season. For the north (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay), October to April is cooler and more comfortable. Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang) is best from February to May. If you’re doing the whole country, aim for March or April.
Is Vietnam expensive?
No. It’s genuinely one of the cheapest countries in Asia. You can eat incredible street food for £1.40/$1.60/€1.50 a meal. Hostel dorms start at £4/$5/€4.50. A bia hoi (fresh draft beer) costs about £0.20/$0.25/€0.22 in Hanoi. Budget travellers can comfortably get by on £19/$24/€22 per day. Even mid-range travel with private rooms and restaurant meals sits around £46/$56/€52. The only things that cost real money are tours (Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha caves) and domestic flights.
Do I need travel insurance for Vietnam?
Yes, absolutely. Vietnamese hospitals will treat you, but the cost hits you at full price and medical evacuation is eye-wateringly expensive. If you’re renting a motorbike (and you probably will), make sure your policy specifically covers two-wheeled vehicles — loads of standard policies don’t. Check our Travel Insurance hub for recommended providers.
Can I drink the tap water in Vietnam?
No. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Vietnam. Bring a filtered water bottle (LifeStraw or Grayl work well) or buy bottled water. Ice in restaurants and cafes is generally fine in cities — it’s made from purified water. But use common sense in very rural areas.
Should I rent a motorbike in Vietnam?
If you’re comfortable on two wheels and have an International Driving Permit with a motorbike endorsement, absolutely yes. It’s the best way to see places like Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, and the coast near Hue. If you’ve never ridden before, Vietnam’s traffic is not the place to learn. Stick to Grab bikes for city travel instead. And always, always wear a helmet.
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