Vietnam
Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City
North to south by train and bus, with the stops I would do again.
Best time: February, March and April
Good to know
- Capital
- Hanoi
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Language
- Vietnamese
- Say hello
- Xin chàoThank you: Cảm ơn
- Plugs
- Type A and C
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered water
When to go
- January: good
- February: best
- March: best
- April: best
- May: good
- June: good
- July: good
- August: good
- September: good
- October: low season
- November: low season
- December: good
Vietnam is long, so the weather changes as you go south. For one trip down the whole country, February to April works best. Hue and Hoi An get heavy rain and floods in October and November, and Hanoi is chilly in December and January.
Where to go in Vietnam
Visa & entry
- UK passports and some EU ones (including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Finland): visa-free for 45 days, until March 2028.
- Everyone else, including US and Indian passports: e-visa online, valid for up to 90 days.
General info for the most common passports, checked November 2026. Rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
Vietnam FAQ
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam is long, so the weather changes as you go south. For one trip down the whole country, February to April works best. Hue and Hoi An get heavy rain and floods in October and November, and Hanoi is chilly in December and January.
What currency does Vietnam use?
Vietnamese dong (VND).
What language do they speak in Vietnam?
Vietnamese. Hello is "Xin chào" and thank you is "Cảm ơn".
Can you drink the tap water in Vietnam?
Drink bottled or filtered water.
What plugs does Vietnam use?
Type A and C. Pack a universal adapter if yours are different.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
UK passports and some EU ones (including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Finland): visa-free for 45 days, until March 2028. Everyone else, including US and Indian passports: e-visa online, valid for up to 90 days. Rules change, so check the official site (https://evisa.gov.vn/) before you book.