🇹🇭 Southeast Asia · 99M people

Travel to Vietnam: the complete 2026 guide

Q: 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.

Q: 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).

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: Should you take domestic flights?

For a 14-day North-South, yes (1 or 2 flights). VietnamAirlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet. €50-100 per segment.

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

Jan

🌡 17-25 °C

Feb

🌡 18-26 °C

Mar

🌡 21-29 °C

Apr

🌡 24-32 °C

May

🌡 26-34 °C

Jun

🌡 27-34 °C

Jul

🌡 27-33 °C

Aug

🌡 27-33 °C

Sep

🌡 26-32 °C

Oct

🌡 24-30 °C

Nov

🌡 21-28 °C

Dec

🌡 18-25 °C

Detailed programs

Recommended itineraries

1 week

Destinations

Cities & islands of Vietnam

North

Hanoi

Capital, old quarter

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

Vietnam

Hanoi

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 e-visa

All online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, $25, 90-day validity.

Read 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 →

💉

Vaccines

Hepatitis A practically mandatory, typhoid + Japanese encephalitis for rural areas.

Read guide →

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

Our picks

Prepare your trip to Vietnam

Our tested and updated comparisons for a smooth trip to Vietnam.

🏢

Best travel agency for Vietnam

Tailor-made agencies, organized tours, free quotes. Our selection for Vietnam.

See comparison →

🛡️

Travel insurance for Vietnam

Medical coverage, repatriation, cancellation. The best insurance for Vietnam.

See comparison →

📡

eSIM for Vietnam

Data plans, network coverage, pricing. The best eSIM to stay connected in Vietnam.

See comparison →

Combine with

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

🇰🇭

Cambodia

Land border, classic combo

🇹🇭

Thailand

2h flight, end at the beach

🇮🇩

Indonesia

Direct flight to Bali

🇯🇵

Japan

Cultural stopover

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

🇵🇭

Philippines

Vol 3h, gastronomie

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.

Travel to Vietnam: the complete 2026 guide

Why visit Vietnam

When to go to Vietnam

Recommended itineraries

1-week itinerary

2-week itinerary

1-month itinerary

Cities & islands of Vietnam

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

Which trip suits you?

Families

Honeymoon

Backpacking

Solo travel

Luxury & refinement

Trek & adventure

Vietnam in photos

Signature experiences

Halong Bay cruise

Sapa trek

Hoi An by night

Cycling in Ninh Binh

Overnight train Hanoi-Hue

Cooking class

Cai Rang floating market

Cu Chi tunnels

Practical info

Vietnam e-visa

Travel insurance

Vietnam eSIM

Vaccines

Vietnam budget

Prepare your trip to Vietnam

Best travel agency for Vietnam

Travel insurance for Vietnam

eSIM for Vietnam

Combine with

Cambodia

Thailand

Indonesia

Japan

Philippines

FAQ