VIETNAM
TRAVEL GUIDE
Your Ultimate Travel Vietnam Journey
Explore the diverse wonders of Vietnam through our detailed Vietnam travel guide, where ancient traditions blend with modern charm against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. From bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to serene landscapes in Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam captivates with its rich history, vibrant cuisine, and warm hospitality. Whether you seek cultural immersion, culinary delights, or adventure, our guide ensures you make the most of your journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian gem.
Vietnam Itineraries
Top 5 Things To See & Do In Vietnam
Need To Know - Vietnam Travel Guide
- Vietnam has an excellent, inexpensive transport system which while may seem chaotic actually works well. Buses are the most common and efficient way to get around the country.
- Nationals from most countries need a Pre-arranged visa to enter the country. See the Visa tab for more information.
- It is illegal to take photos of some government buildings or military installations – be careful when you are taking photos and ask before hand if you are not sure.
- English is spoken in major cities and town and in tourist areas, in remote areas there is little English spoken. It is always advisable to learn a few basic words and phrases when travelling.
- Avoid mosquito bites. While Vietnam has pretty much eradicated malaria especially in main cities some cases have popped up along the Laos border in recent years. Dengue is found throughout Vietnam peaking in the summer months. Use a repellent with deet in it and cover up in light coloured clothing to avoid mosquito bites.
Vietnam is long and thin and has several different climate zones.
North Vietnam
The North has four distinct seasons, with cold winters (temperatures can get down to 15°C in Hanoi and below freezing in the mountains), a hot and wet summer and warm sunny Spring and Autumn.
Central Vietnam
In the Central regions the Hải Vân Pass separates two different weather patterns of the North starting in Lăng Cô (which is hotter in summer and cooler in winter) from the milder conditions South starting in Đà Nẵng. North East Monsoon conditions September – February with often strong winds, large sea swells and rain make this a miserable and difficult time to travel through Central Vietnam. Normally summers are hot and dry.
Southern Vietnam
The South has three seasons: hot and dry from March to May/June; rainy from about June/July to November; and cool and dry from December to February. April is the hottest month, with mid-day temperatures of 33°C. During the rainy season, downpours occur during the afternoon, and flooding is not uncommon. Mosquitoes are most numerous in the rainy season so take precautions to stop bites.. December to February is the most pleasant time to visit, with cool evenings down to around 20°.
Thai currency is the Vietnamese Dong. ATM’s are widely available across the country in larger towns and cities. If travelling remotely it is advisable to carry some cash.
Border Crossings
Vietnam shares borders with;
- Laos
- Cambodia
- China
Vietnam / Laos borders
Dansavanh / Lao Bao
The first land border between Laos and Vietnam to open for international travellers, and once the most popular. This crossing is best if heading to for Hue in Vietnam and Savannakhet in Laos. Lao visas are available and buses from Savannakhet to Hue run daily.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa.
Bo Y / Ngoc Hoi
Open to foreigners and convenient if travelling to Attapeu in Laos and Kontum in Vietnam, this border can be a challenge to cross at. In Attapeu (Laos) catch a mini-bus for Bo Y which leave in the morning. It’s 119km from Attapeu to Bo Y once everyone is processed the mini van continues on to the town of Ngoc Hoi, 18km on the other side of the border. The entire process from Attapeu takes about three hours.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa
Sop Hun / Tay Trang
A bus leaves Muang Khua on the Lao side for Dien Bien Phu on the Vietnamese side 3 times a week at 7 am. As seats are limited it is recommended getting to the bus station early to secure a seat.
In the opposite direction buses leave three times a week from Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua at 05:30AM.
A valid Vietnamese visa is required. Laos visa available on arrival.
Na Maew / Nam Xoi
From Vietnam, this crossing offers access into the Hua Phan province. It is a short ride from the border to Sam Neau. Buses run from Sam Neua to Thanh Hoa in Vietnam taking 10-12 hours. If you don’t want through transport, there are songtheaws to the border from Sam Neua but be aware there is little transport on the Vietnamese side of the border.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa
NamCan / Nam Khan
A busy and popular crossing and convenient if travelling between Phonsavan (Laos) and Vinh (Vietnam). Buses run from Vinh to Phonsavan departing at 6:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The trip is 403 km and should take about 12 hours. Through buses to Luang Prabang leave at 06:00 as well, on Wednesdays and Sundays only an is a 690 km journey.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa. Lao visas on arrival are available.
Nam Phao / Cau Treo
Another populat crossing connecting Lak Xao (Laos) and Vinh (Vietnam). From Lak Xao (Laos) catch a bus 34 km to the border is 34 km and then walk 500m across to the other side. Once you enter Vietnam catch a bus to Vinh which is about 100 KM away.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa.
Vietnam / Cambodia Borders
Bavet / Moc Bai
The first border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia to open to foreign travellers and still the most popular. Daily buses run regularly between Saigon and Phnom Penh and the service is both fast and affordable. Cambodian visa on arrival is available here,
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa.
Kaam Samnor / Ving Xuong
This one is a popular river crossing that connects Phnom Penh in Cambodia with Chau Doc in Vietnam with both fast and slow boats making the journey. When you arrive at the border crossing it is common for a ‘fixer’ to collect all passengers passports and take them to immigration to complete all the paperwork.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa
Phnom Den / Tinh Bien
Open to foreigners this crossing is halfway between Ha Tien and Chau Doc and not quiet as straight forward as the 2 crossing listed above. The closest town in Cambodia is Kampot which is a couple of hours away. There are buses from Ha Tien in Vietnam to the border however transport on the Cambodian side is irregular so if you are going to use this crossing it is advisable to do it early in the day to give yourself time tome find transport. Cambodian visas are available on arrival.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa
Prek Chak / Xa Xia
This border crossing is a 20 minute moto ride from Kep (Cambodia) entering Vietnam at the Prek Chak / Xa Xia crossing. You will need a valid Vietnamese visa to enter Vietnam. Cambodian visas available on arrival.
Le Thanh / O Yadao crossing
Remote and tricky this crossing takes about 6 hours to complete and connects Ban Lung in northeast Cambodia to Pleiku in Vietnam. From the Vietnamese side, buses run from Pleiku to Duc Co, then transfer to an xe-om for the last 20km to the border. From the border to Ban Lung is a trip of about 70km.
You need a valid pre-arranged Vietnamese visa
Vietnam / China Border
Mong Cai / Dong Hung
The Mong Cai Border Gate is in the northeast of Quang Ninh Province, 176km from Halong City, 327km from Hanoi. From Halong City, head along highway 18 to Mong Cai Town, and then across the Mong Cai Border Gate to China.
Pr-arranged Visas for both China and Vietnam are required.
Dong Dang/Ping Xian
Catch a Taxi a taxi to Ping Xian and a bus to Nanning. On the Vietnam side shared taxis run from the border to Lang Son where you can pick up a variety of buses or the train to Hanoi.
Pr-arranged Visas for both China and Vietnam are required.
Lao Cai / Hekou border
The closest border crossing to Sapa and Kunming, some nationalities, including Australians and some Europeans, can buy one-month Chinese visas on the spot on the Vietnamese side of the Lao Cai / Hekou border with processing taking about an hour. Other nationalities need to get their visas in Hanoi, although it is best to check this before arriving or alternately have a per-arranged visa .
Pr-arranged Visas for Vietnam are required.
