Vietnam tours & holidays
Experience Vietnam up close with street eats and local meets
Wherever we travel, it’s the flavours we remember best. A crusty bánh mì or streetside pho, seafood cù lao hotpots and (scarily addictive) coffee with condensed milk. Vietnam tours are tasty, plain and simple. We won’t just drop you in Halong Bay and call it a day. Our local leaders will introduce you to rice farmers in Sapa and fishermen on the Mekong Delta. They’ll guide you through the Cu Chi Tunnels, take you to the best beaches and on a street food crawl through Ho Chi Minh City. Bring an appetite - Vietnam's flavours are calling.
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Vietnam at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Hanoi
POPULATION
Approximately 98 million
CURRENCY
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
LANGUAGE
Vietnamese
TIME ZONE
(GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
CALLING CODE
+84
ELECTRICITY
Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type C (European 2-pin)
Learn more about Vietnam
Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam’s diverse climate makes it a year-round destination. March and April hit the sweet spot with low to no rainfall and milder temperatures across the country. Northern areas like Hanoi and Halong Bay see cold, dry winters (December to February) and enjoy warm, sunny days from spring to autumn – ideal for those sweeping mountain views.
Central Vietnam (think Hue and Hoi An) enjoys sunny skies from February to August, though August to November brings typhoon season along the coast. Down south in Ho Chi Minh City and the lush Mekong Delta, temperatures are warm year-round, with a dry season from December to May. Even during the June to November rains, brief bursts of showers bring the countryside to life in vivid green.
History and culture
Vietnam’s story stretches back to prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence of structured societies as early as the 1st millennium BC. Early life centred around agriculture, guided by local dynasties, until Chinese rule began to shape its identity. By 938, Vietnam reclaimed its independence, entering a new era of self-governance. Centuries later, the country fell under the influence of French colonizers, but in 1954, Vietnam regained control.
Vietnam’s resilience extends to its economy. In 1986, the shift to a free-market system paved the way for rapid growth rooted in agriculture and expanding industry, with tourism now playing a growing role. The economic shift has fueled social progress, as seen in improved literacy and health across the country.
Culturally, Vietnam’s identity is deeply layered and influenced by the Chinese, Khmer, French and even American interactions. Family bonds hold special importance, with most festivals, such as Tet (Vietnamese New Year), Reunification Day and Tet Trung Thu, celebrated together with rituals, feasting and ancestral respects. Religion in Vietnam is an interesting mix of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, reflecting a balance between spiritual tradition and daily life.
Eating and drinking
Things to try in Vietnam
Pho
Vietnam’s iconic street food, pho (pronounced “fuh”), is a broth-based rice noodle dish topped with beef or chicken, fresh herbs and veggies. It’s a dish with regional flair: in the north, pho bac keeps it simple, focusing on a hearty, meaty broth and fewer add-ins, while southern pho Sai Gon brings a sweeter broth and piles on the herbs.
Banh mi
Banh mi is Vietnam’s iconic sandwich: a crispy baguette packed with marinated meat, fresh coriander, pickled daikon or green papaya and spicy condiments. With French roots and Vietnamese flavours, it’s a popular grab-and-go choice for locals and travellers alike.
Bun cha
For a true taste of Hanoi, try bun cha: juicy, grilled pork patties in a light broth served with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs and greens. It’s a balanced, flavourful dish that’s all about smoky meat and fresh sides.
Banh xeo
Banh xeo, or “sizzling cake”, is Vietnam’s crispy, savoury pancake that lives up to its name with an unmistakable sizzle when it hits the pan. Made from turmeric-spiced rice flour batter, it’s filled with shrimp, fatty pork, bean sprouts and green onions. This crepe-like delight is served with a fresh lettuce wrap to add a little crunch.
Ruou can (rice wine)
Ruou can is a sweet, low-alcohol rice wine brewed in a large earthenware jug from rice and herbs. Traditionally, it’s enjoyed communally through long bamboo straws.
Learn more about what to eat in Vietnam
Learn more about what to drink in Vietnam
Geography and environment
Vietnam stretches along a strip of the Indochinese peninsula, bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia. The country’s landscapes span from misty northern mountains to central coastal plains, all the way down to the Mekong Delta. In the north, steep highlands dominate, while the central region mixes sandy shores with rolling hills.
As you head south, the mighty Mekong River flows into the delta, a lush network of rice paddies, rivers and floating markets. This delta region is the agricultural heart of Vietnam, making it as essential to the country’s culture as it is to its economy.
Top places to visit in Vietnam
1. Hạlong Bay
Glide through emerald-green waters with hundreds of towering limestone karsts looming over your boat on a trip to Halong Bay. Known for its surreal landscape, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers tropical adventures like a traditional wooden junk boat ride, kayaking to hidden coves, or diving right in for a snorkel or swim session.
2. Hue
Jam-packed with imperial sites, Hue is one for the history buffs. Explore the Citadel with its ruined Forbidden Purple City before embracing your inner emperor and taking a dragon boat cruise down the Perfume River.
3. Ho Chi Minh City
Still known as Saigon to most, HCMC is a city on the go. It's fast-paced, exciting and full of amazing sites. Temples and markets collide with churches and skyscrapers for a heady mix of traditional and modern.
4. Hanoi
Vietnam’s buzzing capital is where chaos meets charm with narrow streets overflowing with shops, cafes and sizzling street food stalls. A city where history and modern life weave together with motorbikes piled high with people, produce and even animals zipping through the streets of Hanoi.
5. Hoi An
Hoi An is a dreamy riverside town where relaxed vibes meet a shopper’s paradise. Its car-free Old Town is perfect for a leisurely bike ride, with charming streets packed with more tailors, boot makers and handicrafts than you could explore in a lifetime. At night, colourful lanterns light up the cozy streets, adding a little magic to the bustling markets and heritage sites.
6. Sapa
Head to the hills and see the colourful villages of Vietnam's minority groups - the Zay, and the Blue and Black H'mong. The area is remote so the best way to experience it is on an overnight trek, spending the night as a guest of a local family.
7. Mekong Delta
This massive area of floating markets, emerald rice paddies and lush islands is home to some of the friendliest people on earth. Take a boat trip to one of the sleepy islands to get a front-row view of life on the Delta, and meet the people who call it home.
Money matters
The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Major credit cards are widely accepted by large shops, hotels and restaurants in Vietnam, typically with a 1-3% service fee. However, they may not be accepted by small vendors such as family restaurants, market stalls or in remote towns and rural areas. Make sure you carry enough cash, just in case!
ATMs are found widely throughout Vietnam, although there are cases when the machines run out of cash or are out of service. Your safest bet is to take out the cash you need for at least a few days when you have access to a working ATM. Some smaller villages and rural areas may not have ATM access, so prepare for this before venturing too far from a city or major town.
Vietnam travel FAQs
Most nationalities need a visa to enter Vietnam. Some nationalities are exempt from visas for a stay of a maximum of 15 days. An e-visa is available for some nationalities and is valid for a single entry for a maximum of 30 days. For more information, please visit the government of Vietnam’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
To enter Vietnam, you may also need:
A passport issued within the past ten years
A passport valid for at least six months beyond departure
Proof of onward or exit travel
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
While tipping isn't mandatory in Vietnam, leaving 5-10% of the bill at restaurants is becoming more customary. If you’re happy with the services provided by waiters, drivers and other service workers, leaving a small tip is a good way to show your appreciation.
Note: The Vietnamese Dong is made up of bills and no coins. You will often use plastic bills (higher amounts), while paper bills are very low in worth and essentially like coins. When tipping, only leave plastic bills; leaving paper bills can be considered rude.
What you pack will depend on when you travel!
While the tropical climate lends itself to layered, breathable clothing all year round, if you are taking a tour in the north, cold winters mean you might need to bring a fleece or jacket.
When packing, be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
It is generally not safe to drink the tap water in Vietnam. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead. Your leader will periodically provide filtered water and you can always ask them where additional filtered water can be found. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks; however, if a restaurant or shop has ice with a hole through the centre, it means it was made with factory-filtered ice and is OK to drink. It is also recommended to peel fruits and veggies before eating.
Internet access is widely available in tourist areas and big cities, which have many internet cafes. Internet access is less frequent in rural and remote areas.
You will be able to use your mobile phone in most urban areas of Vietnam, although remote and mountainous areas may not have network coverage. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your mobile carrier before you leave home if you wish to use your mobile while in Vietnam.
The standard toilet in Vietnam is a squat toilet, although Western-style toilets can be found in hotels and tourist areas. It's highly recommended to carry toilet paper or tissues with you, as they are not always provided.
The LGBQTIA+ community is gradually gaining recognition in Vietnam, with gay pride parades becoming a regular occurrence and a lift on same-sex marriage bans in 2015. With that said, Vietnam is still a conservative culture and many still hide their sexuality from their families. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have some gay-friendly bars and events. It's generally recommended that both gay and straight couples resist showing public displays of affection.
For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Vietnam directly support our foundation partners, Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, Vun Art and Save Vietnam's Wildlife.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Blue Dragon Children's Foundation
Blue Dragon Children's Foundation is helping disadvantaged youth in Vietnam, fighting the causes of human trafficking and (where possible) reuniting homeless or trafficked children with their families. Donations from our trips help their team of social workers, psychologists, teachers, and lawyers to offer individualised support to every child rescued.
Find out more or make a donation
Vun Art
Vun Art empowers people with disabilities in Vietnam through vocational training and employment opportunities. They teach traditional folk painting using recycled materials which provides job opportunities, helps to preserve the ancient artform and cares for the local environment all at once. Donations from our trips support Vun Art's capacity-building programs for people with disabilities, including trainees' allowance, transportation, and equipment.
Find out more or make a donation
Save Vietnam's Wildlife
Save Vietnam's Wildlife are on a mission to protect critical animal ecosystems and rescue, rehabilitate and release animals trafficked for illegal wildlife trade. Donations help secure wildlife habitats and support their rescue centres which provide medical care, food, and shelter for animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Despite having a high population of people with disabilities, accessible infrastructure and facilities are still limited in Vietnam. Chaotic traffic and pavements blocked by parked motorbikes and street stalls, uneven footpaths and high curbs add to the challenges of getting around for travellers with mobility or vision disabilities. Most entrances to hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist sites will have steps and many doorways will not be able to accommodate wheelchairs wider than 60cm. Some sights and destinations will not be fully accessible (ie. Ha Long Bay boats, Cu Chi Tunnels) but other places such as Hoi An are flat and much more wheelchair-friendly. There are likely to be situations where travellers with disabilities may need to rely on local people to help. Taxis are readily available and an affordable way to get around for travellers who are not confident in exploring independently on foot.