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Travel and Tour World Laos Neighboring Nations Spark Record Breaking Visitor Surges Throughout For Ultimate Travel Discovery, Find Out NowTravel and Tour World Shenzhen Expands Southeast Asia Cruise Travel as Dream Opens New Homeport Season Across Five CountriesTravel and Tour World Vietnam Proves That True Travel Excellence Goes Far Beyond Standard Global Charts And Ordinary Statistics, All You Need To KnowThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Seattle – Hanoi, Vietnam. $789. Roundtrip, including all TaxesTravel and Tour World Vietnam Alongside Thailand and More in Strengthening Tourism Safety as Nha Trang Cracks Down on Illegal Travel ActivityTravel and Tour World Japan’s Changing Tourism Picture Reveals a Rise in American VisitorsTravel and Tour World Phu Quoc Aligns Ho Chi Minh City and Others as Vietnam Tourism Builds Momentum Despite Shorter Stays and Early Declines After Suffering HeavilyVisaVerge Students Rethink American Dream as Duration of Status and H-1B Environment TightenTravel and Tour World US Aligns With Vietnam and More As New 2026 Border Entry Rules Transform Global Aviation and Visitor trafficThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Los Angeles – Hanoi, Vietnam. $749. Roundtrip, including all TaxesThe Flight Deal Korean Air: New York – Hanoi, Vietnam. $805. Roundtrip, including all TaxesThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Washington D.C. – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. $936. Roundtrip, including all TaxesAtlas Obscura Ancient Hon Chuong Cham Tower in De Gi, VietnamIndie Traveller Debunked: 11 Common Misconceptions About Vietnam (From Someone Who Lives Here)Travel and Tour World Laos Neighboring Nations Spark Record Breaking Visitor Surges Throughout For Ultimate Travel Discovery, Find Out NowTravel and Tour World Shenzhen Expands Southeast Asia Cruise Travel as Dream Opens New Homeport Season Across Five CountriesTravel and Tour World Vietnam Proves That True Travel Excellence Goes Far Beyond Standard Global Charts And Ordinary Statistics, All You Need To KnowThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Seattle – Hanoi, Vietnam. $789. Roundtrip, including all TaxesTravel and Tour World Vietnam Alongside Thailand and More in Strengthening Tourism Safety as Nha Trang Cracks Down on Illegal Travel ActivityTravel and Tour World Japan’s Changing Tourism Picture Reveals a Rise in American VisitorsTravel and Tour World Phu Quoc Aligns Ho Chi Minh City and Others as Vietnam Tourism Builds Momentum Despite Shorter Stays and Early Declines After Suffering HeavilyVisaVerge Students Rethink American Dream as Duration of Status and H-1B Environment TightenTravel and Tour World US Aligns With Vietnam and More As New 2026 Border Entry Rules Transform Global Aviation and Visitor trafficThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Los Angeles – Hanoi, Vietnam. $749. Roundtrip, including all TaxesThe Flight Deal Korean Air: New York – Hanoi, Vietnam. $805. Roundtrip, including all TaxesThe Flight Deal Korean Air: Washington D.C. – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. $936. Roundtrip, including all TaxesAtlas Obscura Ancient Hon Chuong Cham Tower in De Gi, VietnamIndie Traveller Debunked: 11 Common Misconceptions About Vietnam (From Someone Who Lives Here)
Hue – VietnamHanoi – VietnamHa Long Bay – VietnamHoi An – VietnamHo Chi Minh City – VietnamPerfume Pagoda – Vietnam
📍 Hue📷 CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Asia🗓️ Best: Feb–Apr and Aug–Oct for a good balance across the whole country

Vietnam ✓

Ha Long Bay

Limestone bays, lantern towns and amazing street food

🕒 –:– local time13 stories this week5 sources 6 top placesCapital Hanoi

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Vietnam📸 Photo album · 8 photos · Ultra-HD
Vietnam📜 History of Vietnam

The story of Vietnam

Vietnam's story begins in the fertile Red River Delta, where the Dong Son culture cast magnificent bronze drums more than two thousand years ago and legend places the founding Hùng kings. In 111 BC the region came under Chinese rule, which lasted for about a thousand years and left a deep mark on language, Confucian learning and Buddhism. Repeated uprisings, including that of the celebrated Trưng sisters, culminated in 938 AD when Ngô Quyền defeated a Chinese fleet at the Bạch Đằng River and won independence.

Over the following centuries, dynasties such as the Lý, Trần and Lê built a strong state centred on Thăng Long, today's Hanoi, and famously repelled Mongol invasions in the 13th century. Meanwhile the Hindu-influenced kingdom of Champa flourished along the central coast, leaving the brick temples of Mỹ Sơn, and the Mekong Delta lay within the Khmer world. Vietnamese settlers gradually pushed south, and in 1802 the Nguyễn dynasty united the country with its capital at Huế.

Read the full history

French forces arrived in 1858 and by the 1880s had absorbed Vietnam into French Indochina. On 2 September 1945 Hồ Chí Minh declared independence, leading to a war with France that ended at Điện Biên Phủ in 1954 and a division of the country into north and south. Decades of conflict followed, involving the United States and others, until reunification in 1975. Economic reforms known as Đổi Mới, launched in 1986, opened the country to the world and set off rapid growth.

Today Vietnam is one of Asia's most rewarding destinations. Travellers explore imperial Huế, lantern-lit Hội An and the ancient citadels and temples of Hanoi, cruise among the limestone islands of Hạ Long Bay, trek to hill-tribe villages in the north and drift through the Mekong Delta. Along the way, the country's world-famous street food, from phở to bánh mì, is reason enough to visit.

Timeline

  1. c. 1000 BCDong Son bronze-age culture flourishes in the Red River Delta
  2. 111 BCBeginning of around a thousand years of Chinese rule
  3. 938Ngô Quyền wins independence at the Battle of Bạch Đằng
  4. 1010Lý dynasty founds the capital Thăng Long (Hanoi)
  5. 1802Nguyễn dynasty unifies Vietnam with its capital at Huế
  6. 1887Vietnam becomes part of French Indochina
  7. 1945Hồ Chí Minh declares independence on 2 September
  8. 1986Đổi Mới economic reforms begin
Vietnam 🛂 Visa & entry

Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.

  • ASEAN – ASEAN member – many Southeast Asian citizens have easier short visits.

Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:

The latest visa and entry news for Vietnam appears below as soon as publishers report it.

Vietnam✨ 10 best things to do in Vietnam

Things to do in Vietnam

  1. Cruise Hạ Long BaySail overnight among thousands of jungle-topped limestone islands rising from emerald water.
  2. Eat street food in HanoiPerch on a tiny stool in the Old Quarter for steaming phở, bún chả and egg coffee.
  3. See Hội An by lantern lightWander the riverside old town as silk lanterns glow and paper candles float downstream.
  4. Explore imperial HuếRoam the walled Citadel and the elegant royal tombs scattered along the Perfume River.
  5. Trek around SapaHike through rice terraces and visit Hmong and Dao villages in the northern mountains.
  6. Ride the Hà Giang LoopTake a motorbike, with a local rider if you prefer, through some of Southeast Asia's most dramatic mountain passes.
  7. Cave in Phong NhaPaddle and walk into vast caverns in a national park home to some of the largest caves on Earth.
  8. Boat through Ninh BìnhBe rowed through flooded rice fields and caves beneath towering karst peaks.
  9. Float the Mekong DeltaVisit floating markets, fruit orchards and canal villages by sampan.
  10. Explore the Củ Chi TunnelsCrawl through part of the wartime tunnel network outside Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam🗺️ Where to visit in Vietnam

Where to go in Vietnam

  • HanoiNorth · capitalA captivating capital of lakes, temples, French-era boulevards and the buzzing Old Quarter.
  • 📍
    Hạ Long BayNortheast coast · seascapeA UNESCO-listed bay of limestone islands, best seen on an overnight cruise or kayak trip.
  • 📍
    Hội AnCentral coast · old townA beautifully preserved trading port with tailors, temples, beaches and superb food.
  • 📍
    HuếCentral · imperial cityThe former royal capital, with its Citadel, pagodas and imperial tombs.
  • Ho Chi Minh CitySouth · metropolisA high-energy city of rooftop bars, markets, museums and colonial landmarks.
  • 📍
    Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National ParkCentral · cavesA UNESCO jungle park riddled with spectacular caves and underground rivers.
  • 📍
    SapaNorthwest mountains · trekkingCool highland town surrounded by rice terraces and ethnic minority villages.
  • 📍
    Ninh BìnhNorth · karst landscapesOften called 'Hạ Long Bay on land', with boat trips, temples and cycling among limestone peaks.
Vietnam✨ Must-do experiences
  • Cruise Ha Long Bay overnight
  • Get clothes tailor-made in Hoi An
  • Ride a motorbike along the Hai Van Pass
  • Take a street-food tour in Hanoi
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Vietnam🍽️ Taste of Vietnam
  • Pho – beef or chicken noodle soup
  • Banh mi – crispy baguette sandwich
  • Bun cha – grilled pork with noodles and herbs
  • Cao lau – Hoi An's chewy noodles with pork
Vietnam🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Vietnam

Best time to visit Vietnam

Vietnam's long shape gives it three climates: a north with cool winters and hot, wet summers, a central coast with a late-year rainy season, and a tropical south that is warm all year with a distinct wet season. There is almost always somewhere with good weather.

BestFebruary to April and September to November – pleasant temperatures and lower rainfall across much of the country.
ShoulderDecember to January – cool in the north but dry and sunny in the south; May to August suits the central coast.
AvoidNo bad time – but central Vietnam gets heavy rain and typhoon risk from about October to December, and the south is wet from May to October.
19°☀️Jan
20°💧Feb
23°💧Mar
28°💧Apr
32°💧💧May
33°💧💧Jun
33°💧💧💧Jul
32°💧💧💧Aug
31°💧💧Sep
29°💧Oct
26°☀️Nov
22°☀️Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Hanoi (approximate averages).

Vietnam🎉 Festivals & events in Vietnam
  • January/February
    Tết (Lunar New Year)Vietnam's biggest celebration, with family gatherings, peach blossoms, flower markets and fireworks.
  • September/October
    Mid-Autumn FestivalChildren parade with lanterns, lion dancers fill the streets and everyone shares mooncakes.
  • Monthly (full moon)
    Hội An Full Moon Lantern FestivalThe old town dims its electric lights and glows with lanterns and floating candles.
  • February to April
    Perfume Pagoda FestivalPilgrims travel by boat to a cave temple complex near Hanoi in one of the country's largest pilgrimages.
  • March/April (lunar calendar)
    Hùng Kings CommemorationA national holiday honouring the legendary founders of the nation, centred on temples in Phú Thọ.
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Vietnam🧭 Vietnam itinerary ideas

How many days in Vietnam?

7 daysNorthern classic 7 days

Days 1-2 explore Hanoi's Old Quarter, temples and street food. Days 3-4 cruise Hạ Long Bay, and Days 5-7 move to Ninh Bình for boat trips and cycling, or head up to Sapa to trek.

14 daysNorth to south 14 days

Days 1-4 cover Hanoi and Hạ Long Bay, then Days 5-6 fly to Huế for the Citadel and royal tombs. Days 7-9 are for Hội An and nearby beaches, and Days 10-14 finish in Ho Chi Minh City with trips to the Củ Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam🎒 Backpacking Vietnam – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $25–35 a day

  • Sleeper buses and the north-south railway are cheap ways to cover long distances; book train berths ahead at busy times.
  • Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hội An, Huế and Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 backpacker streets have plenty of hostels.
  • Eat where locals eat – street stalls and family 'cơm' canteens serve delicious meals at very low cost.
  • Ride-hailing apps for motorbike and car taxis make fares transparent in cities.
  • Buy a local SIM card on arrival for cheap data, maps and translation.
Vietnam🛡️ Safety & money in Vietnam

Stay safe

  • Vietnam is generally safe, but watch for bag-snatching from passing motorbikes and keep phones away from the roadside.
  • Traffic is the biggest danger: cross streets slowly and steadily, and wear a helmet on motorbikes.
  • Agree prices before using cyclos or unmetered taxis, and use reputable companies for tours and cruises.
  • Check typhoon and flood forecasts if travelling in central Vietnam late in the year.

Money

  • The currency is the Vietnamese đồng; ATMs are widespread in cities, but carry cash for markets and rural areas.
  • Cards are accepted in hotels, malls and many restaurants, and QR payments are common for locals.
  • Tipping is not traditional but is appreciated for guides, drivers and good service.

Emergency: 113 police · 115 ambulance · 114 fire

Vietnam🛬 Getting to Vietnam

The main international airports are Nội Bài in Hanoi, Tân Sơn Nhất in Ho Chi Minh City and Đà Nẵng in the centre. Land borders connect Vietnam with China, Laos and Cambodia, and boats run along the Mekong to Cambodia.

✈️ Cheap flights to Vietnam: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Vietnam💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Vietnam
  • Hang Sơn Đoòng in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is considered the world's largest known cave passage, with its own jungle inside.
  • Vietnam is one of the world's largest coffee producers, second only to Brazil.
  • Vietnamese is written in a Latin-based alphabet with tone marks, developed with the help of 17th-century missionaries.
  • Water puppetry began in the flooded rice paddies of the Red River Delta centuries ago.
  • The country has more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline.
Vietnam❓ Vietnam travel FAQ

Vietnam travel questions

Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

Vietnam is very safe for travellers, with low levels of violent crime. The main risks are traffic and petty theft, so take care on the roads and keep valuables secure.

What is the best time to visit Vietnam?

Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to November) are great for most of the country. Because the climate varies north to south, there is good weather somewhere all year.

How many days do you need in Vietnam?

Two weeks lets you travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with stops in Huế and Hội An. One week is best spent focusing on one region.

Do I need a visa for Vietnam?

It depends on your passport – check the official government site or your nearest embassy before you travel, as rules can change.

What food should I try in Vietnam?

Try phở, bún chả, bánh mì, fresh spring rolls and Hội An's cao lầu noodles. Street food is a highlight and generally safe at busy stalls.

Vietnam💰 What a trip costs
$price level
$25–35backpacker / day
$60–110mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Vietnam🚌 Getting around

Domestic flights, sleeper buses and the north–south railway connect the country. In cities, Grab motorbike taxis and cars are cheap and easy.

Vietnam🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Perfume Pagoda – Buddhist cave shrine reached by boat, busy with spring pilgrims
  • Thien Mu Pagoda – Seven-storey pagoda on the Perfume River in Hue
  • Bai Dinh Pagoda – Huge Buddhist temple complex near Ninh Binh
Vietnam🤝 Local etiquette
  • Dress modestly when visiting temples and pagodas
  • Use both hands when handing things to elders
  • Avoid public anger – stay calm and polite

📰 Older Vietnam stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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