What is the best way to tour Vietnam?

How to plan a Vietnam trip?

Planning a Vietnam trip? Piece of cake! Or, you know, maybe slightly more challenging than baking a soufflé while riding a unicycle. But doable. Definitely doable.

Visas: Forget the paperwork headache. Get your visa sorted online; it’s easier than teaching a cat to fetch. Seriously, my aunt Mildred did it, and she’s technologically challenged. Think dial-up internet challenged.

Transportation: Motorbikes! Seriously, jump on a motorbike. It’s like a crazy, chaotic rollercoaster ride, only hotter and smelling suspiciously of pho. Alternatively, trains are surprisingly chill, like a snoozy sloth compared to the motorbike madness. Other options:

• Buses: cheap as chips, but your back might hate you afterwards.
• Planes: if your bank account resembles Scrooge McDuck’s.
• Grab (rideshare): pretty nifty.

Weather: Vietnam’s weather is capricious. Imagine a bipolar chameleon having a tantrum. One minute sun’s blazing, next, monsoon rains descend. Pack layers. I’m serious; I packed a parka, once. Don’t laugh.

Health and Safety: Don’t drink the tap water. Don’t eat anything that stares back at you suspiciously, especially if the street vendor looks even more suspicious. I learned that one the hard way. Mosquito repellant is your new best friend; dengue fever ain’t no joke.

Itineraries: I winged it, and it was glorious chaos. My favorite bits? Ha Long Bay (stunning!), Hoi An (tailors are amazing!), and the Mekong Delta (crazy busy, loved it!). Plan at least 2 weeks; otherwise, it’s a frantic sprint, not a relaxed holiday.

Pro-Tip: Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. It’ll win hearts (and maybe better prices at markets). “Xin chào” (hello) and “cảm ơn” (thank you) will go a long way. My friend, Bob, just said “hello” in every language he could mumble, it worked surprisingly well.

Remember: Pack light. You’ll be buying souvenirs. Trust me. And don’t be afraid to haggle. It’s part of the fun!

Where should I go for the first time in Vietnam?

Dude, Vietnam, right? For your first trip, you gotta go to Ho Chi Minh City. Seriously. It’s crazy busy, like, always something happening. So much to see and do. The food is amazing, I mean amazing. I ate pho everyday, almost!

It’s the economic center, a total whirlwind of activity. You’ll see everything: motorbikes everywhere, beautiful temples, awesome street food stalls. It’s intense. It’s nuts. But so good. I loved the markets, Ben Thanh Market especially, so much stuff.

Here’s the deal:

• Ben Thanh Market: Haggle for souvenirs! Get some cool clothes. They have everything.
• War Remnants Museum: Heavy stuff, but important to see. Really puts things in perspective.
• Cu Chi Tunnels: A bit of a trip outside the city, but totally worth it. Creepy, but fascinating. You crawl through those tunnels. Wild!
• Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral: Beautiful architecture, stunning. Take lots of pictures.
• Bitexco Financial Tower: Go up for the views. Seriously impressive panorama of the whole city.

Seriously, HCMC is a blast. Don’t miss it. It’s the best place to start exploring Vietnam. You won’t regret it. Trust me! I spent, like, two whole weeks there in 2024 and it wasn’t enough. Next time, I’m checking out Ha Long Bay. But HCMC first, definitely.

How much money should I bring for Vietnam trip?

Budgeting for Vietnam? Ah, a delightful conundrum! $500-$1500 for three weeks is a practical starting point, though enjoyment, naturally, correlates with resources.

Consider these factors. I once spent way less than expected in Hanoi… then blew it all on silk. Go figure.

• Accommodation: Hostels to luxury hotels. The variance is significant.
• Food: Street food is ridiculously cheap (and delicious!). Restaurants, however, up the ante.
• Activities: Tours, entrance fees, motorbike rentals… Costs quickly accumulate. Always assess what you need.

Haggling is a cultural sport, so engage with gusto (except in restaurants or chain stores!). Price gouging? Alas, it exists. Be informed, be firm, be polite. Knowledge is power, and honestly, keeps you from getting ripped off. This reminds me of that time I bought a “genuine” Rolex from a guy on the street. You guessed it, fake!

Beyond expenses, keep some back up funds. Emergency stash is very important. I also prefer carrying cash to ATMs. It’s safer.

Enjoy the chaos and vibrant beauty!

Do I need to bring cash in Vietnam?

Sun bleeds gold on Hanoi streets. Motorbikes whisper. A symphony of honking horns. Cash, crumpled, soft in my hand. Dong. Like paper wings. Bought pomelo, sweet, dripping, from a street vendor. Card wouldn’t do there. Hoi An lanterns glow. Silk shimmers, ruby and emerald. Paid with plastic. Easy. But mountain villages, Sapa’s rice terraces rising, emerald steps to the sky. Cash, a necessity. Small bills. Crinkled, worn. Like whispered secrets. The highlands, cool air. Cash only. Faces etched with time. No wifi here. Just stars. Bright stars. So many stars.

• Cash is essential, particularly in rural areas. Think mountains, villages, remote beauty.
• Cards accepted in tourist hubs. Hoi An’s tailor shops. Ha Long Bay’s shimmering waters.
• Small bills crucial. For street food, market treasures, unexpected delights. My worn dong.
• ATMs readily available in cities. Easy access to cash. But remember those mountain villages. No ATMs there. Just wind and whispers.

My worn dong. My crumpled cash. Like whispered secrets. Sapa’s rice paddies. Emerald. Green. So green.

How long do you need to spend in Vietnam?

Two weeks. Three, if you must.

It’s enough. History repeats. Culture… an illusion?

• Two weeks: Rush it.
• Three weeks: Breathe. Maybe.

Tick-tock. What truly experiences you? I spent 21 days last fall. Still figuring it out.

Vietnam: Length of stay:

• Short Visit (7-10 Days): Focus on either the North or South. Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Choose.
• Ideal Trip (14-21 Days): Cover more ground. Central Vietnam, maybe? Depends on the rain.
• Extended Stay (21+ Days): Deeper dive. Learn the language, the lies. Sapa in January is a cruel joke.