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Boats in Halong Bay, Vietnam
🇹🇭 Southeast Asia · 99M people

Travel to Vietnam: the complete 2026 guide

Buzzing Hanoi, iconic Halong Bay, Hoi An lanterns, frantic Saigon. Vietnam is the antithesis of sanitized Thailand — rougher, more authentic, with more varied landscapes from the karst North to the Mekong Delta. Our complete 2026 guide.

📅 When to go? 🗺️ See itineraries

Vietnam at a glance

Capital

Hanoi

Language

Vietnamese

Currency

Dong (₫)

Time diff

+5h / +6h

Flight from Paris

~12h via Asia

Average / day

€30-90

Visa

Best season

Nov-April (South) or March-May (North)

Photo : Ammie Ngo / Unsplash

In 30 seconds

Why visit Vietnam

  • 1

    Three climates, three countries in one

    1,650 km North to South. Hanoi has 4 seasons, Hoi An is dry tropical, Saigon is equatorial. A North-South trip = 3 distinct trips.

  • 2

    Unbeatable value in Asia

    €2 meals, 3★ hotels at €25, overnight train €30 over 1,000 km. 14 days backpacking < €1,200, flight included.

  • 3

    Unrivaled gastronomy

    Pho, bun cha, banh mi, ca phe sua da. Anthony Bourdain considered Hanoi his favorite city in the world to eat.

  • 4

    Simple e-visa since 2023

    All online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for $25. 90-day validity, single or multi-entry.

  • 5

    More varied landscapes than Thailand

    Halong and Ninh Binh karsts, Sapa terraced rice fields, My Khe beaches, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne dunes.

Calendar

When to go to Vietnam

Vietnam stretches 1,650 km North to South — there's NEVER a perfect period everywhere. For a full North-South, target October-December or March-April.

Full when-to-go guide →
Ideal Fair Avoid · Click for details

01

Jan

🌡 17-25 °C

02

Feb

🌡 18-26 °C

03

Mar

🌡 21-29 °C

04

Apr

🌡 24-32 °C

05

May

🌡 26-34 °C

06

Jun

🌡 27-34 °C

07

Jul

🌡 27-33 °C

08

Aug

🌡 27-33 °C

09

Sep

🌡 26-32 °C

10

Oct

🌡 24-30 °C

11

Nov

🌡 21-28 °C

12

Dec

🌡 18-25 °C

Detailed programs

Recommended itineraries

1 week

1-week itinerary

📅 1 week 💰 📍 Da Nang · Hoi An · Hue
See itinerary →
2 weeks Best-seller

2-week itinerary

📅 2 weeks 💰 📍 Hanoi · Halong · Ninh Binh · Hue · Hoi An · Saigon · Mekong
See itinerary →
1 month

1-month itinerary

📅 1 month 💰 📍 Hanoi · Sapa · Halong · Ninh Binh · Hue · Hoi An · Dalat · Saigon · Mekong · Phu Quoc
See itinerary →

Destinations

Cities & islands of Vietnam

Lively Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam North

Hanoi

Capital, old quarter
Skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam South

Ho Chi Minh City

Frantic Saigon

By traveler profile

Which trip suits you?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Families

Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang) ideal for kids. Calm beaches, decent infrastructure, short distances.

💑

Honeymoon

Private Halong cruise (traditional junk €250/night), Hoi An tailoring + lanterns, Phu Quoc 5★ resort.

🎒

Backpacking

The quintessential backpacking country. €8 hostels, €30 overnight Hanoi-Hue train, €15 sleeper buses.

👤

Solo travel

Great solo destination, decent English in tourism, active backpacker community. Beware of transport scams.

🥂

Luxury & refinement

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (1901 colonial palace), Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Amanoi in Phan Rang.
🏔️

Trek & adventure

Sapa and Mai Chau (North): 3-5 day trekking with homestays with Hmong, Dao ethnic groups. Dry season March-May.

In pictures

Vietnam in photos

Boats in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Vietnam

 Lively Old Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi

 Skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

Must-do

Signature experiences

✨

Halong Bay cruise

1 or 2 nights on junk
✨

Sapa trek

Rice fields + ethnic groups
✨

Hoi An by night

Lanterns on the river
✨

Cycling in Ninh Binh

Karsts + caves
✨

Overnight train Hanoi-Hue

4-bunk sleeper
✨

Cooking class

Hoi An (the best)
✨

Cai Rang floating market

Mekong at dawn
✨

Cu Chi tunnels

Vietnam war history

Plan your trip

Practical info

📄

Vietnam visa 2026

French citizens get a 45-day visa exemption for Vietnam. Beyond that, the official e-visa at 25 USD allows a 90-day stay. Requirements and process for 2026.

Read the guide →
💰

Vietnam budget 2026

Plan 30 to 90 € per day in Vietnam depending on your travel style. Breakdown of accommodation, food, transport and activities for a realistic 2026 budget.

Read the guide →
📄

Language in Vietnam 2026

Vietnamese is the official language, a tonal language with 6 tones depending on the region. English stays limited outside tourist areas. Useful phrases and the best apps.

Read the guide →
📄

Vietnam airport 2026

Vietnam's 3 main international airports: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang. Transfers, distances, new 2026 online registration.

Read the guide →
📄

Vietnam power plug 2026

Vietnam mixes several plug types (A, C, E, F, G) at 220 volts. A universal adapter is more reliable than a single-type one. What you need to know.

Read the guide →
📄

Vietnam safety 2026

Vietnam stays safe for violent crime. Snatch theft, tourist scams and road safety: what actually deserves attention in 2026.

Read the guide →
📄

Vietnam time difference 2026

Vietnam is 6 hours ahead of Paris in winter and 5 hours in summer, because the country never changes its clocks. How to calculate it, jet lag tips, and the best times to call.

Read the guide →
📄

Vietnam vaccines 2026

No vaccine is mandatory to enter Vietnam. Here are the vaccines recommended by health authorities depending on your itinerary.

Read the guide →
🛡️

Travel insurance

International hospitals only in Hanoi and HCMC. Medical repatriation recommended.

Compare →
📡

Vietnam eSIM

Excellent coverage, data from €5. Essential for Grab and navigation.

Compare →
📋 See all practical info →

How much

Vietnam budget

💰 Calculate my budget →

Backpacker

€1,100

  • ✈️ Flight: €700
  • 🏨 Hostel/Guesthouse: €8/night
  • 🍜 Street pho: €5/day
  • 🚌 Sleeper buses + train: €100
Recommended

Comfort

€1,800

  • ✈️ Flight: €750
  • 🏨 3-4★ hotel: €45/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed restos: €20/day
  • ✈️ Domestic flights: €100

Premium

€4,200

  • ✈️ Business flight: €1,800
  • 🏨 5★ + private junk: €200/night
  • 🍽️ Starred restaurants: €50/day
  • 🚖 Private driver: Included

Combine with

Combine with

Angkor temple overgrown by silk-cotton tree roots in Siem Reap 🇰🇭

Cambodia

Land border, classic combo
Longtail boat between limestone cliffs in Thailand 🇹🇭

Thailand

2h flight, end at the beach
Green terraced rice fields in Bali 🇮🇩

Indonesia

Direct flight to Bali
Japanese pagoda under blue sky near Kyoto 🇯🇵

Japan

Cultural stopover

Vol direct depuis Séoul, contraste tropical

Aerial view of Palawan turquoise lagoons, karst cliffs and bangka boats 🇵🇭

Philippines

Vol 3h, gastronomie

FAQ

FAQ

When to go to Vietnam for North AND South? +
October-December and March-April are the most versatile periods. Summer (May-August) very hot everywhere + monsoon in North and Center.
Do you need a visa for Vietnam? +
Yes, but e-visa has been online since 2023. Price: $25 for 90 days single or multi. Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (official site, beware of intermediaries).
What budget for 2 weeks in Vietnam? +
Backpacker: €1,100-1,400 flight included. Comfort: €1,800-2,200. Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in SE Asia, even cheaper than Thailand.
Halong cruise: how many nights? +
Minimum 1 night, ideal 2. Prefer traditional junks (Indochina Sails, Au Co, Heritage Line). Plan €120-300/person for 2 days/1 night.
Vietnam or Thailand for first Asia trip? +
Thailand for easy comfort and safety. Vietnam for a more authentic, cheaper experience. Vietnam is more demanding but more memorable.
Should you take domestic flights? +
For a 14-day North-South, yes (1 or 2 flights). VietnamAirlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet. €50-100 per segment.

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist

Last updated: May 25, 2026.

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