Food
Culture
Beach
Southeast Asia
Vietnam
Current status
Safe to travel
Safety
Very safe
Vietnam is generally safe for travelers, but petty theft, traffic risks, scams, and weather disruption need attention in busy areas.
- Keep phones and bags secure in markets, nightlife areas, beaches, stations, and crowded tourist streets.
- Use reputable taxis or ride-hailing apps, and be careful with motorbike rentals because licence and insurance rules matter.
- Check current advice from Travel.State.gov before remote, border, or storm-season travel.
Police
113
Fire
114
Ambulance
115
Entry Information
Vietnam entry rules depend on nationality, and many travelers need a visa or e-visa before arrival.
- Use the official Vietnam e-visa portal and avoid lookalike agency sites.
- Passport details must match your visa exactly, and 6 months validity is commonly expected.
- Some air arrivals may need pre-arrival information through the official immigration pre-arrival site.
Vaccination
Recommended
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Japanese encephalitis
Rabies
Regional Weather
Mild
Dry
Peak Season
Mild
Dry
Peak Season
Mild
Dry
Shoulder
Hot
Dry
Shoulder
Hot
Rain
Shoulder
Hot
Rain
Off Season
Hot
Rain
Off Season
Hot
Rain
Off Season
Hot
Rain
Shoulder
Mild
Dry
Peak Season
Mild
Dry
Peak Season
Cold
Dry
Peak Season
Prices
Level 1
Budget
$$$$
$$$$
Must Know
Vietnam is good value for most travelers, though beach resorts, private tours, domestic flights, and boutique hotels raise costs quickly.
- Street food, local cafes, buses, and simple guesthouses keep daily budgets low.
- Prices rise around Tet, major holidays, and popular coastal areas.
Travel Hack
Carry cash for street food, markets, small shops, taxis, buses, and rural areas. Cards work best in hotels, malls, and higher-end restaurants.
Tipping Guide
Restaurants
10%
Cafes
No tips
Taxis
No tips
Hotels
No tips
Must Know
Tipping is appreciated but not required in Vietnam, especially outside tourist restaurants, hotels, spas, and guided tours.
- Round up small taxi or cafe bills when service is helpful.
- Use small Vietnamese dong notes for hotel staff, guides, drivers, and local businesses.
- Street food stalls usually do not expect tips.
Pro Tip
Check restaurant bills in tourist areas because a service charge may already be included.
Currency
Vietnamese Dong
VND
US Dollar Rate
$1 = ₫26.5K
Euro Rate
€1 = ₫30.2K
Select currency...
Pro Tip
Vietnamese dong cash is still important, especially for street food, markets, small shops, local buses, taxis, and rural areas.
- Use bank ATMs where possible, and keep smaller notes because large bills can be hard to break.
- Cards are most reliable in hotels, malls, airports, and higher-end restaurants.
- If a card terminal offers conversion, pay in Vietnamese dong rather than your home currency.
Traditional Food
Phở
Rice noodle soup with beef or chicken
Bánh mì
Crisp baguette sandwich with pickles and herbs
Bún chả
Grilled pork with noodles, herbs and dipping broth
Bún bò Huế
Spicy beef noodle soup with lemongrass
Bánh xèo
Crispy turmeric rice pancake with herbs
Gỏi cuốn
Fresh rice paper rolls with shrimp and herbs
Cao lầu
Hoi An noodles with pork and crisp toppings
Power
Vietnam uses 220V electricity at 50Hz.
Type A
Type C
Type F
Transport
Direction
Right side
Vietnam is easiest without driving, using domestic flights, trains, buses, ferries, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and local city transport.
- Use Vietnam Tourism transport guidance for the main ways to move between regions.
- Flights save time on long north-south routes, while the train is slower but scenic between Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Book early around Tet, National Day, and popular beach periods.
- Motorbikes are common but risky, and rental insurance may not cover unlicensed riding.
Language
Vietnamese is the main language, while English is useful in tourist areas but less reliable in local markets, rural places, and smaller towns.
English language level
Moderate
Official
Common
Useful words and phrases
Xin chào
Hello
Cảm ơn
Thank you
Xin lỗi
Sorry or excuse me
Bao nhiêu tiền?
How much is it?
Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
Where is the bathroom?
Tôi ăn chay
I am vegetarian
Không cay
Not spicy
Tạm biệt
Goodbye
