Planning Your First Trip to Vietnam 2023

Check your Passport

You should have a valid passport when traveling abroad according to the “6-month-rule”.

It means that your passport does not expire six months before your arrival date. You may get declined boarding your flight if your passport is not valid.

So check your passport carefully and renew it if needed.

Arrange Your Visa Before Arriving in Vietnam

All nationalities outside of Southeast Asia require some type of visa or preapproval letter before arriving in Vietnam.

Steps for Obtaining a 30-Day Single-Entry E-Visa

If you want a 30-day, single-entry e-visa you should proceed and pay all directly on this link https://visaonlinevietnam.com/apply-vietnam-visa-form.

And then send more information to email sales@visaonlinevietnam.com

• Copy passport in color with straight – clear – FULL COVER page information
• One your photo size 2*3 cm or 3*4 cm or 5*5 cm. Please note photo with white background and without glasses
• Address in Vietnam you will stay or hotel address

We will process visa and send it by email to you. You print E-visa out and use it for check in airlines and check through Immigration counter for entry Vietnam, on arrival you not need wait to get visa and pay visa stamping fee again.

We have 4 services for processing E-visa:

• Normal service: We guarantee delivery of approval letter in 2 – 3 working days by email based on the Immigration Department working hours. If you apply from 14:30 PM every day from Monday to Friday or on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, it will be processed the next business day. Stamping fee extra.
• Urgent 1-2 working days: It is effective for who needs visa in urgent. We will send the approval letter or E-visa by email in from 1-2 working days for 1 month. If you apply from 14:30 PM every day from Monday to Friday or on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, it will be processed the next business day. The extra charged is from $18 to $69usd/person and stamping fee extra.
• Emergency (From 4 – 8 hours working hours): Similar to the urgent option it only takes from 4 – 8 working hours based on the Immigration Department. The extra charge is from $49 to 237usd/person. You should call our hotline (+84) 968.18.77.18 to confirm the application has been received and acknowledged to process. You are required to pay more visa stamping fee. Please note this service use in the morning to 14:30 from Monday to Friday depending on how rush you need.
• Immediate service case in Time off, Sat, Sun or Holidays: You need to choose this option if you are flying out on a weekend or holiday or time off. However, you will be charged more from 270 USD to 455usd/person, airport fast track fee and visa stamping fee in this case (details flight is required). You should call our hotline (+84) 968.18.77.18 to confirm details flight arrival, the application has been received and acknowledged to process immediately. We send guarantee letter around 30 minutes to 1 hour after your payment all completed. We will have an associate obtaining the visa for you at the airport before your arrival.

E-visa just used for 80 countries on the list from Vietnam Immigration. For clear you can check clear on link https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/Vietnam-Evisa-nation-list.pdf/21e0f88f-d8a0-48b8-bfdb-a0f82b0853e2

 The Steps to Obtaining a 30-day or 90-day Visa on Arrival

1. Find an online service like https://visaonlinevietnam.com/apply-vietnam-visa-form or one of the countless other options
2. Complete the visa application
3. Pay the fee
4. Depending nationality that the processing longer( we clear it on website you can check it) we will process and send approval visa letter by email to you
5. Print the approval letter out for check in airlines on board.
6. Get passport photos taken if you don’t have them already. Don’t forget your passport photos, otherwise, they will take the photos and you will be charged an extra amount for it on arrival time.
7. Pack your approval letter, passport photos, and cash. Make sure they are all in your carry-on/hand luggage!
8. At the airport, you’ll pay a stamping fee – either $25 for single visa entry or $50 to 135usd depending on the length of visa you’re applying for multiple. Payment must be made in cash in USD or VND (Credit cards might not be accepted and there are no ATM machines within the customs area) and may change with advanced notice.

Buy travel insurance

You should never travel without travel insurance. Because sometimes there are unexpected things when traveling in Vietnam or anywhere.

With travel insurance, you’ll be covered if anything goes wrong. Travel insurance will cover your needs: sightseeing, city break, vacation, or adventure travel.

Best time to visit Vietnam

July and August are busy months in Vietnam as this is the high season. Prices are higher than usual. The weather is hot and humid with occasional rain showers.

If you’re only going to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, I recommend visiting these places during December – March: the perfect excuse to escape winter in Europe and North America! Hanoi will be cold at this time for sure but Ho Chi Minh City will be sunny and not too hot!

The low season in Vietnam is from April to June and September to November. During these months, all areas of Vietnam have good weather, and prices are cheaper.

Whom are you traveling with?

• Do you travel with your partner, friends, or family? Or are you traveling solo to Vietnam?
• If you’re a solo traveler, it’s best that you can rent a motorbike for a trip from the North to the South of Vietnam or vice versa or join tours.
• Traveling in Vietnam by bus or train is an excellent option with friends or family.

Prepare money

• In Vietnam, Cash is a King. The Vietnamese currency is Vietnam Dong (VND) and can be exchanged in banks or jewelry shops.
• Depending on your budget and travel style, the amount of money needed for your Vietnam trip may vary.
• There are several ATMs and banks in big cities, so withdrawing some cash will not be a big issue. Then you can exchange your currency for Vietnamese Dong.

Getting Around trip to Vietnam

Vietnam is a surprisingly large country with a lot of amazing places to visit and fun things to do. We recommend spending at least a month in Vietnam which gives you time to explore a bit of Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay), Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, and Hoi An), and Southern Vietnam (Saigon, Dalat, Mui Ne, the Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc).

Vietnam is a large and quite long country, so going from the north pole to the south pole of the country is quite difficult. We often find that moving between big cities like Saigon, Da Nang, and Hanoi is best done by plane.

VietJet is a low-cost airline with hundreds of low-cost flights throughout Vietnam; However, our experience is that flights are often delayed – sometimes several hours. You will also have to pay a fee for any checked baggage on VietJet and if you check a lot of luggage it can be quite expensive.

Vietnam Airlines is a bit more expensive, but you’ll get two checked bags in the fare and you’ll more than likely get to your next destination on time.

We have extra services such as booking air tickets or contacting us to book tours at the website https://transoceantourist.com/ or https://transoceanservice.com/ . Please contact us for advice, we are here to support you

The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

1. Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is the second-largest city in terms of population (Ho Chi Minh City is number one). It is the jumping-off point to visit the beautiful surrounding areas of Sapa, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh, but it’s worth spending a few days in this bustling city as well.

Hanoi is a big city but it’s also full of charm. Hoàn Kiếm Lake sits in the center of the Old Quarter and it’s an idyllic place for an afternoon stroll. There are parks and local markets to explore as well as plenty of tourist hot spots.

2. Sapa

The Sapa region (sometimes spelled Sa Pa) is home to several minority groups who earn a living through farming and tourism. The town is perched high on a hill and the views of the Muong Hoa Valley below are quite incredible. Lush green rice terraces stretch across the landscape as far as the eye can see.

Most people travel to Sapa to go trekking through the remote villages. But, there is so much more to see and do here than most people realize. You can take a cable car ride up to the top of Fansipan Mountain. At over 10,000 feet, is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula. You can also do a self-guided (downhill) trek to the Cat Cat tourist village. Then, catch a motorbike taxi back up.

3. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is one of the most picturesque (and touristy) areas in Vietnam. Many travelers have Halong Bay at the very top of their list of places to visit in Vietnam. Cruising on a liveaboard boat through the limestone cliffs of Halong Bay is an experience that you won’t soon forget.

4. Ninh Binh

This beautiful region, just two hours south of Hanoi, is full of lush green rice paddies in the shadow of massive towering limestone cliffs. Life moves a bit slower here. The people are friendlier. You’ll feel all around happier, relaxed, and more at peace.

You’ll want to rent a motorbike in Ninh Binh since it’s the easiest way to get around. You can hike up to the Mua Caves where the view of the landscape below is absolutely breathtaking. And you can enjoy the scenery from the water on a slow boat ride. The countryside surrounding Ninh Binh is also full of countless picturesque temples and pagodas.

5. Phong Nha

One of the most unique places to visit in Vietnam is the Phong Nha region. It is famous for its massive national park – Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, it is home to the oldest karst mountains in Asia. There are hundreds of massive, complex cave systems as well.

Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, and Black Cave are the most popular and easily accessible caves in the area. You can visit all 3 on your own – no need to hire a tour guide.

If you enjoy adventurous cave explorations, then you should definitely add Phong Nha to your Vietnam bucket list!

6. Hue

History buffs will love the Imperial City of Hue. It was the seat of Nguyễn Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945. There is also a beautiful walled complex to explore. Hue has so much history to learn about and gain a greater understanding of the history of Vietnam.

7. Da Nang

It’s also the southern gateway to the spectacular drive over the Hai Van Pass. But there is so much more to see and do in this busy city so plan on spending a few days here during your trip. You can hike through the Marble Mountains, see a dragon bridge breathe fire, sample the delectable cuisine, or just lounge on the beach.

The city of Da Nang (also known as Danang) is full of lavish beachfront resorts and is the perfect place if you’re looking to get a little rest. Da Nang is getting more and more visitors of late with the construction of the Golden Bridge – a giant bridge that appears to be held up by two hands.

8. Hoi An

Hoi An is a darling little touristy town in central Vietnam that is a must-visit during your trip! The pedestrian-friendly downtown area is famous for the beautiful yellow French colonial-style buildings that line the streets.

Plus, it’s full of cute boutiques, quaint coffee shops, and delicious restaurants. In the evenings, the riverfront comes alive with vibrantly colored lanterns and a lively night market.

9. Quy Nhon

Most tourists tend to visit Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue during their visit to Central Vietnam. One place that should be on the list is Quy Nhon (Quy Nhon or Qui Nhon in Vietnamese).

Located in Binh Dinh province, halfway between Hoi An and Nha Trang, Quy Nhon is a quiet coastal city with beaches, delicious seafood, scenic spots, historical landmarks, and very few tourists. It has plenty of activities to offer all visitors.

It’s surprising that tourism is not developed here so it really is a hidden gem. There are only a handful of tourists here in the main city area and on the beach. It was nice to be in an atmosphere with a small city feel. You can get here as soon as possible before this city becomes too popular.

10. Nha Trang

Nha Trang’s endless sunshine smiles on it all. Outside the tourist hotspots, you’ll find waterfalls, pagodas, and countryside lanes, plus plenty of gorgeous beaches screaming, ‘Dive in!’

Nha Trang has always been known to visitors from all around the world for its beautiful beaches and islands, richness in aquatic life, and an active nightlife. If Nha Trang isn’t on your Vietnam bucket list, your trip to Vietnam will surely be a miss.

11. Da Lat

Da Lat city is located in the central highlands of South Vietnam. This is the perfect place to visit if you want cooler temperatures and outdoor activities. You will find Da Lat has a fresh atmosphere.

It’s also where you’ll find beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and gardens. Although the weather in Da Lat is generally colder than in other parts of Southern Vietnam, you’ll want to spend most of your vacation enjoying the great outdoors.

12. Mui Ne

Mui Ne is a little beach town that is incredibly popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders. It has perfect windy conditions and a sandy beach break. Even if you aren’t into water sports, Mui Ne boasts a beautiful sandy beach and nearby sand dunes. Here, you can enjoy the sunrise, a lovely hike through a stream, and ancient ruins to explore.

Mui Ne is the perfect place for a relaxing beach getaway during your vacation in Vietnam!

13. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Saigon (officially “Ho Chi Minh City”) is a bustling urban city in the South of Vietnam. It has a great food scene.

Ho Chi Minh City, or HCMC as it is commonly called, has a large international airport. This is often the starting point for exploring other parts of the country.

Ho Chi Minh City has several tourist attractions, including the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. But we think the best things to do in Saigon involve coffee, food, beer, and shopping! You can easily see the highlights of the city in just a few days that you are here.

14. The Mekong Delta

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is an area in Southern Vietnam that covers over 15,000 square miles. It is where the many rivers provide ideal farming conditions. Many of the fruits and vegetables that are sold in markets around Vietnam come from the Mekong Delta. Tourists love to visit the Delta to see the famous floating markets where the locals buy and sell fresh produce.

15. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is an island off the southern coast of Vietnam. Here you’ll find white sandy beaches, ideal diving and snorkeling conditions, delicious seafood, and several fun activities to keep you busy. Rent a motorbike and cruise around the island, stopping along the way to explore the temples and enjoy an iced coffee on the beach.