Why visit Vietnam?

Offering varied landscapes, the charm of the country is undeniable, from the Mekong Delta in the south to the mountains of the north, populated by different ethnic groups, Vietnam will enchant you. There are rice fields galore, peaks of karst rocks sheltering some wonders. We can mention some very beautiful caves (including Hang Son Dong, the largest underground cavity in the world), but also the famous Halong Bay or Tam Coc, its “land” version.

Finally, even if the country remains less famous for this, like other countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has some beautiful islands and beaches bordering its coasts over more than 3 km which complete this range of choices as to the scenery that you can explore.

The hubbub of the lively and colorful streets and the many vestiges of the former kingdom complete the attractions of this country which remains one of the must-sees in Asia.

Vietnam, more commonly spelled in its "simplified" form Vietnam , however, has a heavy past, which is sometimes felt in contact with the inhabitants. Everyone has the war in mind Vietnam , which began in 1955 and ravaged the country particularly between 1965 (with the controversial entry into the war of the United States) until 1975.

The consequences are still visible today and the conflict still claims indirect victims, following the abundance of bombings containing Agent Orange. The country also has a shared history with France, Vietnam having been the first Asian lands conquered in what would become Indochina for almost a century (1858-1954).

This does not prevent the country from moving forward and tourism is developing rapidly nowadays. In 2017, Vietnam was among the Top 3 countries with the fastest growth in foreign tourists and reached 15,5 million visitors in 2018.

Even though there is still a lot to see, it is one of the countries that we know best for having visited it for the first time from the south going up towards the north and then returning exclusively in the northern mountains for an epic motorcycle tour.

We know that feelings generally divide people. Some find the Vietnamese colder and less welcoming than some other Southeast Asian countries. It is certainly not the most "smiling" country overall, but nonetheless, we have had some great encounters there and a general feeling that remains positive about its population.

Here is a summary of some essential information to know before any trip to Vietnam.

No. But it depends on the length of your stay. Since July 2018, French people are exempt from visas if the stay does not exceed 15 days. The measure has now been extended until 2021 after an initial trial period since 2015.

Since January 2019, 24 countries have benefited from this exemption, including the Swiss and Belgians... (see the list here). After oYes, two weeks is quite short, but may be enough for many holidaymakers. However, the government is studying the possibility of increasing to 30 days. This is particularly the case for certain countries such as Thailand, which already benefit from this 30-day exemption.

Certificate of entry into Vietnam with visa exemption.

It exists a priori an exception with the island of Phu quoc, bordering Cambodia. If you plan to stay only on the island, whether you arrive by plane or cruise ship (this does not work if you arrive by land, however, via a regular boat), then you will get a 30-day residence permit, whatever your nationality.

If this visa exemption already "helps out" quite a bit, it also has its constraints. In addition to the duration itself, the exemption is not renewable or cumulative. So it is not possible to leave and come back hoping to get another 15 days (unlike Thailand where it remains possible although limited) since you have to allow at least a month to be able to return without a visa.

If you plan to stay more than 15 days, you will then need to obtain a visa in advance. Note in all cases that you must have a passport with a validity of at least 6 months after the date of entry.

Getting an e-visa for Vietnam

To do this, since February 2017 you can do the process online by requesting an e-visa. The latter costs $ 25 and allows a stay up to 30 days.

The request is made via Vietnam National Immigration Portal website (it's the only official one, the others are fakes and it's only available in English) and the visa itself is obtained from a dedicated counter upon your arrival in Vietnam.

In this case, the main international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Phu Quoc, but also 4 others) as well as several input ports (7 in total including that of Danang, Ho Chi Minh City or even Dental Page) and finally around ten land border posts including:

• From China: Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province), Huu Nghi (Lang Son province), Dong Dang (Lang Son province), Lao Cai (Lao Cai province)
• From Laos: Cau Treo (Ha Tinh province), Lao Bao (Quang Tri province), Chao Lo (Quang Binh)
• From Cambodia: Moc Bai (Tay Ninh province), Son Tien (An Giang province).

You will find the up-to-date and complete list of Possible entry points with e-visa here.

Screenshot for e-visa application on official website.

The application is quite “standard” if you are already familiar with e-visas. You will need to have your passport, which you scan, as well as an identity photo. Attention if you don't know precisely your entry date, if you are for example on a long-term trip (world tour, Asia). Because in the form, you will have to enter the dates from which your visa will be valid. In doing so, it is impossible to arrive before this date and each day that passes after that if you arrive later, you will lose the duration of your stay there.

The answer is usually obtained within three days. You will then receive a confirmation email with a document to be printed which will be presented upon your arrival at Vietnam .

Visa on arrival for Vietnam

If for x reasons (long-distance travel once again, according to the constraint mentioned just above), you cannot/want to apply for an e-visa in advance, it is still possible to apply for a visa on arrival.

On the other hand, proceeding in this way requires obtaining a letter of invitation to present to the immigration services beforehand... This letter can be provided to you by a travel agency or specialist organisation for a fee of course (in general this service is charged at $12 to $20, to which must be added the cost of the visa itself of $25 on site).

You will find several serious agencies allowing this:

• ivisa
• Visa Online Vietnam
• Vietnam Visa
• Vietnam Visa Center
• Visa to Vietnam

Only one agency is in French to my knowledge, Cape Vietnam but overpriced…(yet in partnership with Action-Visa which also has a good reputation).

The visa on arrival can allow a stay of 30 days, but also 90 days with a single entry if the request is made. If your stay is split into several parts, it is possible to obtain a multiple entry visa on arrival, each stay of which cannot exceed 30 days, but allows you to enter and exit without having to reapply for an invitation letter.

If your visit is for other than tourist purposes, you should inquire and apply for the appropriate visa.

Classic Visa

Last option, if you are more of the “foresighted” type and prefer to obtain your visa in good and due form before your arrival in Vietnam , know that this is the most expensive option… In fact, in this case, the rates are divided as follows: suit :

• Single entry 1 month: €85
• Multiple entries 1 month: €115
• Single entry 3 month: €115
• Multiple entries 3 month: €165

The request is then made "classically" to the nearest embassy (although it can also be done by mail). The time to obtain it is between one and two weeks (although the latter can be obtained in 3 working days via an express procedure which is therefore more expensive than normal).

carry-over

Whether it is a 15-day visa exemption or a visa (including e-visa), it is possible to extend the duration of your stayIn this case, you must call on an agency on site which will take care of the process with the authorities (the amount being normally $30).

This service is therefore mainly available in major cities (Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hue or Hanoi). With the visa exemption, you can extend it by an additional 15 days.

If you entered with a visa or e-visa on arrival, then you can extend it once, either by 30 days or 90 days depending on the type of visa obtained.

In case of excess

Don't mess around with visa overstays and expect to get away with just the $25 per day fine. Le Vietnam  is quite strict and it is better to take steps to extend your visa rather than risk administrative complications or more. If you cannot extend because you have already done so, report to the authorities as soon as possible rather than waiting for a possible check on the day of departure to resolve this timing issue.

Customs regulations

The biggest constraint concerns the import of medicines. Including opiate substitution products (kind Subutex), which are strictly prohibited from importation, even for a conso personal.

Vietnamese legislation is strict regarding the transport of certain pharmaceutical products, the distribution of which is ensured by the State. Even "classic" drugs like Lexomil can lead to convictions if forgotten in your medical kit…

However, this is only valid in the case of too “large” a quantity. If you are currently taking antidepressant treatment, keep the prescription from the prescribing doctor and only carry with you the doses necessary for the duration of your stay, remembering to report this upon your arrival.

Coming to Vietnam

There are several international airports allowing arrival at Vietnam . But since the country is generally visited from north to south or vice versa, the two most likely points of arrival will be Ho Chi Minh City in the south, near the Mekong Delta, and Hanoi in the north.

And if Hanoi is the capital of the country, it is Ho Chi Minh City (still known by its old name, Saigon) which is the largest city in Vietnam. It is therefore from there that you will get the best options for rates and choice of companies.

At Hanoi airport.

Flight Paris – Saigon

In particular, the national company, Vietnam Airlines, which has a rather good reputation and offers a direct flight between Paris (CDG) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in 12 hours there (13h30 on the return).

While doing my tests with Skyscanner (my reference for comparing prices), I find direct flights at around €680, which is very reasonable considering the distance. For cheaper options, we find the Chinese companies China Southern with flights from €517 (with a stopover) or Air China, at a similar price but with a longer stopover.

Still for an arrival in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon and a stopover, we find interesting prices with good companies:

• Cathay Pacific, a safe bet (from €636).
• Qatar Airways, another world reference (from €676).

I'm talking about a round trip here, by the way, because it's usually more advantageous, because if you plan to arrive in the north and leave from the south or vice versa, this should influence the best price mentioned here.

Flight Paris – Hanoi

Although Hanoi can also be reached directly from Paris with Vietnam Airlines, the price is significantly higher (€850 minimum for a slightly faster flight of 11 hours on the outward journey and 12 hours 35 minutes on the return journey).

Otherwise, you will have to fall back on companies with at least one stopover. We then find Qatar Airways in the interesting rates (as a reminder, the stopover is then at Doha ) with flights from €617.

The other company that comes back the most in the 600 € c'is Aeroflot, a Russian company that does not always have an excellent reputation, but which from my own experience has improved and remains very correct. To get past the €600 mark, you have to fall back on the Chinese company China Southern again.

Note a very good report price quality with the Thai company Thai Airways offering flights with a stopover in Bangkok for €663 or Emirates also for €660. Finally, a quick mention for Eva Air from €726 which is also a very good company (stopover in Taiwan).

Flying over the mountains in northern Vietnam, near Hanoi.

To summarize, your best options for a Paris – Hanoi flight are:

• Aeroflot (Russian company), best price, below €600.
• China Southern (Chinese company), still below €600.
• Qatar Airways (Qatari company), from €617.
• Thai Airways (Thai company), from €660 with a fairly short stopover (so it’s good).
• Emirates (United Arab Emirates airline), around €670 but be careful of the length of the stopover.
• Eva Air (Taiwanese company), around €720
• Vietnam Airlines (Vietnamese company), €850, but only direct option.

I mentioned it for Emirates and Thai Airways, but yes, besides the price, don't forget to look at the journey times, if you see any 20 hours and some, it is that the stopover is quite long so it can be restrictive.

Getting around Vietnam

The road network is not as good overall as in Thailand, but it is still better than its neighbor Laos. It is worth noting that it is at least paved and particularly in the north of the country, we encountered a lot of work to improve the network, if not to widen it.

Although the driving style is different from Thailand, it is nonetheless chaotic. The major difference remains in the overall speed of the people, much more relaxed and flexible than among the Thais whose disrespect for the code I have the misfortune to observe every day truck (that specific code ?? Yeah, that was the dig of the day because they told me tired). Vietnam is a country where two-wheelers dominate by far, so you will have to put up with seeing them swarming everywhere.

In terms of public transport, there is a bit of everything: buses, trains, taxis and local transport, mainly motorbike taxis, of course. 

Road transport

The buses

For long journeys, I have a hard time finding reliable information to be honest. Some local companies only have their website in Vietnamese (Such as May Linh express), others, do not have a very good reputation (like Hoang Long). The one very often cited, mainly used by and for tourists being The Born Tourist.

This is the one we used when we first came to the country, one of the reasons being their "open bus" system. This implies that you can take a package in terms of destinations, to be defined in advance, but frees you in terms of dates, it's a bit like a bus in " hop one; hop off ».

It must be admitted that this is practical, because it gives flexibility in its timing, even if there are at least two drawbacks.

1. Destinations are chosen in advance, so if you decide to include an unplanned stop, you will have to pay for it separately.
2. The quasi-monopoly of this company is often criticized, because they impose higher prices than a normal journey with a local bus.

Typical bus for intercity connections in Vietnam.

Specifically, they use a "segment" system, rather than a number of cities, to determine the cost of the package. Those included in this ticket are:

HO CHI MINH – DALAT – MUINE – NHA TRANG – HOI AN – DANANG – HUE – HANOI

In bold, these are important hubs, it is mandatory to transit there to reach the next city, in other words, you cannot go to Hoi An from Mui Ne without going through Nha Trang with these buses.

In our case, we took package 3 visible on this page: https://www.thesinhtourist.vn/download/OpenBus-SG.pdf

This allowed us to cover the country well for a first visit (knowing that we had made a detour to Dalat independently of this “imposed” journey).

If you are interested in this solution, here is their site:

• The Sinh Tourist

They have offices all over the country to pick up tickets if you buy them in advance.

Note that for long journeys, they have special night buses, with sleeper beds. However, these are not designed for larger sizes and are quite uncomfortable. (yet, I do "that" 1m78).

On a night bus from Nha Trang to Hue.

Apart from these buses, there remains the “classic” system. On site, by going to the corresponding bus terminals, you will find what you need in the main cities to reach your next stop. An example, when we came back to Hanoi and were going to Tam Coc, we had to go to a small terminal outside the city reaching this destination via local buses.

These are the local buses that you will mainly encounter when moving around the north if you use public transport.

A bus station in Hanoi.

Taxis and pedicabs

Taxis (cars) are mainly found in big cities, otherwise, you will find motorcycle taxis everywhere, waiting at the bus exits to escort you to your hotel, even with your big luggage, real tightrope walkers we tell you!

To get around the old quarters of cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An or Hanoi, you will also have the opportunity to try one of the emblems of Vietnam, the cyclo-pousse, a cross between the good old rickshaw and a bicycle.

A cyclo pushes through the streets of Hanoi (and a taxi in the background).

On average, according to our accounts, we were getting by for 100 Dongs per trip (usually from our hotel to some point within 000 km), which is about 10 ฿ or €130. A concrete example, a taxi ride from the Ninh Binh bus station to our hotel in Tam Coc cost us 4 Dongs for 120 km.

Motorcycle and car rental

It should be noted that car rental is not very common in Vietnam, and even if the legislation has been relaxed in recent years (it was compulsory to convert your national license into a Vietnamese license, something normally only possible by being resident), making rental accessible to foreigners with an international license (Since 2015).

But the main reason is the call for caution given the chaos of traffic, it is better to be experienced in more chaotic driving styles before starting to drive in Vietnam. A car with driver is then the wisest solution.

On the other hand, the motorbike remains a particularly popular way to visit the country independently. However, caution is even more important since you are then more exposed in the event of a fall and/or accident. And since it is common here to see people going the wrong way, running red lights, etc., it is better to have some experience of Asia beforehand rather than launching yourself into the anthill of Vietnamese streets without experience.

For some time now, the international license has been recognized and normally allows you to ride two-wheelers legally. Note that the helmet is OBLIGATORY (same If there, like in Thailand, not everyone takes this trouble, do not imitate them under the pretext of "relaxing" abroad and wanting to imitate the locals) et that it is better to respect the speed limits in force. Namely, in town 40 km/h and outside, only 60 km/h! And yes, at Vietnam , we may be driving a little haphazardly, but we are driving slowly (not like in Thailand, which is much faster…).

Flamingo. The small agency doesn't look like much but the service is great!

Use a reputable rental company to avoid any problems in the event of an accident. When we had been in the north by motorbike, we had rented from Flamingo in Hanoi. We had a small 125c Honda new future (semi-auto) for barely $12 a day.

Another popular option, especially among those on long-term trips, is to buy a second-hand motorbike outright, sometimes continuing their trip outside Vietnam with the same vehicle (you must then ensure that you have the blue card when purchasing the latter, in order to cross borders).

During a photo break, with our fully loaded bike.

If English is not too much of a problem for you, there are two places that stand out for selling and buying motorcycles in Vietnam  : 

• Vietnam Backpackers Travel & Sales, a Facebook group dedicated to buying and selling motorbikes for travelers in Vietnam.
• Craigslist, popular site originally in the US and for English speakers, but now available throughout the world and therefore also available au Vietnam  (the direct link to the motorcycles available au Vietnam ).

Rail transport

My experience of the train is limited to a journey between Hanoi and Lao Cai to go up to Sapa with our freshly rented motorbike. However, with a line covering 1 km on the main north-south axis (also called the Reunification Line), there is enough to visit a good part of the country with this means of transport. In total, the railway network of Vietnam covers 726 km. For example, it is possible to reach Halong Bay from Hanoi by train, but also Haiphong (to go to Cat Ba Island).

However, you have to take into account that it is a very slow means of transport, with an average of only 40 km/h, yes yes. As a result, to make our journey between Hanoi and Lao Cai, it is 300 km, it takes 9 hours and is therefore done by night train! For a journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), it takes no less than 30 hours!

Hanoi train station.

While there was once talk of adding a high-speed train, the project is currently at a standstill due to the high production costs...

There are 4 types of classes on trains in Vietnam:

1. more comfortable berth (compartment of 4: 1st class sleeper or soft sleeper)
2. basic berth (compartment of 6: 2nd class sleeper or hard sleeper)
3. padded seat
4. wooden seat (yes, really)

Tickets range from $6 to $17 for a Hanoi – Lao Cai (Sapa) trip. Some private companies (such as Fansipan, Tulico Express, King Express, Viollete or Orient Express, which we took to get to Lao Cai) rent compartments from Vietnam Railways and then equip them differently. The fares are in this case more expensive than the “ordinary” carriages. In our case, it was a 2-bed compartment, our trip was then $33, because we wanted to arrive “fresh” for our first day.

Our train is approaching.

North-South Line (Reunification Line)

Note that there is no station for a popular destination like Hoi An, you have to stop in Danang, the nearest city (30 km) served by train.

Similarly, you have to stop at Binh Thuan to take the small secondary line and reach the seaside town of Phan Thiet 15 km away. From there, you can go by road to Mui Ne and its dunes (there are then 24 km).

Train schedules in the North-South direction (Hanoi → Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh City):

You can buy your tickets online in advance via these two options that I propose to you. Note that it is free for children under 6 years old if they share the same bed as a parent, the price being reduced between 6 and 9 years old (-25% for berths, -50% for seats). The price is full from 10 years old.

Option 1: Buy with 12GB

Option 2: Buy with Baulau.com

Cross-border trains

It is worth noting that it is possible to travel to various destinations in China directly by train from the Vietnam . You can therefore reach Beijing from Hanoi via Guilin et nanning (which is said Nam Ninh in Vietnamese). By changing trains in Nanning and then Guangzhou, you can even reach Hong Kong (then count 2 nights and a full day to reach the next train, i.e. a total of 3 days to arrive). There is also a train connecting Kunming in the extension of the line linking Hanoi to Lao Cai.

If you have time, you can even take the trip further since it is possible to do a London → Hanoi in 2 weeks by rail, using a good part of the famous Trans-Siberian, this is done in 3 stages:

• Step 1: London to Moscow. Several options possible, via Brussels, Cologne and Warsaw but also via Berlin which is then direct to Moscow. Daily departure, 2 nights minimum, from €300 one way with sleeper car.
• Step 2: Moscow to Beijing via Trans-Siberian Railway. Two trains per week, 6 nights, from €500 one-way with 4-bed sleeper car.
• Step 3: Beijing to Hanoi. Two trains per week as well, 2 nights, around €200.

Metro in Hanoi

Two metro lines are currently under construction in Hanoi, originally scheduled for completion in 2016… Postponed to 2019, the metro is still only in the test phase and has yet to be inaugurated. The first line in question is the 2A and normally has 12 stations. By 2023, the second line (line 3), currently under construction, should follow, also with 12 additional stations (and 14 more are planned for later). In total, the network is planned to expand by 8 additional lines by 2030.

Metro in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Here too, under construction for almost 10 years, the only line currently under construction has fallen behind schedule, but should be operational by the end of this year or during 2021. The latter will include 14 stations linking the Ben Thanh market located in the city center to the amusement park. Suoi Hold on to the east. During this year 2020, the construction of line 2 should be launched for an opening planned for 2024. Five other lines are currently planned, as well as a tram line and two monorails.

Shipping

With over 3 km of coastline, it goes without saying that the boat is a significant means of transport in Vietnam. If we only count the Mekong Delta area, offering several maritime "routes" and these numerous islands in the south of the country in particular, the ferry makes perfect sense.

Among the possibilities, from Ho Chi Minh City, it is possible to reach the seaside by ferry via the company Greenlines DP. You can then reach the coastal towns of Vung Tau or Can Gio. But I can summarize the main connections here.

Boat in Halong Bay.

Ferries in North Vietnam (Halong Bay Islands)

• • • Hai Phong → Cat Ba Island (1 hours)
    • Ha Long (Hon Gai) → Quan Lan Island (1h15)
    • Cai Rong (Van Don) → Quan Lan Island (45 min)
    • Cai Rong (Van Don) → Co To Island (fast boat via Manh Qaung company and slow ferry available, the latter taking 4 hours)
    • Tuan Chau → Cat Ba Island (tickets to be purchased on site – $8 for 1 hours crossing)

Ferries in Central Vietnam

• • • Hoi An → Cham Islands (30 min by speedboat for 400 VND and 000 hrs by public ferry at 2 VND + 150 entrance tax)
    • Quang Ngai (Sa Ky Port) → Ly Son Island (1h to 1h30, 95 VND)

Ferries in South Vietnam

• • • Ho Chi Minh City → Vung Tau (2h20 journey) – this journey has a bad reputation: see section “For your safety”
    • Soc Trang → Côn Dao island (approximately 2 hours journey)
    • Vung Tau → Con Dao Island (epic journey by night cargo ship, 12 hours – 100 VND for a seat, 000 VND for a sleeper)
    • Phan Thiet → Phu Quy Island (to see on site)
    • Ha Tien → Phu Quoc Island (230 VND for 000h1)
    • Rach Gia → Phu Quoc Island (350 VND for 000h2)
    • Rach Gia → Nam Du Island (stopover on Hon Son) (210 VND for 000h2)
    • Rach Gia → Hon Son Island (140 VND for 000h1)
    • Rach Gia → Hon Tre Island (70 VND for 000 min)
    • Hon Tre Island → Hon Son Island (70 VND for 000 min)

There is also an "international" connection since it is possible to reach the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, from the locality of Chau Doc, west of HCMV.

• • • Chau Doc → Phnom Penh (Cambodia) (approximately 5 hours journey)

For most southern connections, in addition to the reservations possible via the links that I give you, there is a company that seems reliable, it is Superdong whose site is here (in English): https://superdong.com.vn/en/

You will find the main docks and ports for the connections mentioned here on this map (made by the north vietnam site)

Air transport

There are now 5 international airports in Vietnam, which can serve as a hub if you continue your stay beyond the country:

1. Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport – HAN)
2. Da Nang (Da Nang International Airport – DAD)
3. Can Tho (Can Tho International Airport – VCA) — opened in 2011
4. Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (Tan Son Nhat International Airport – SGN)
5. Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc International Airport – PQC) — commissioned at the end of 2012

Apart from these larger airports, there are 6 domestic airports, which you are unlikely to use during a "standard" 15-day stay in Vietnam . But in case or, Here is the list:

1. Hai Phong (Cat Bi Airport – HPH) — 2 hours from Hanoi and 1 hours from Halong Bay
2. Hue (Phu Bai International Airport – HUI) — although it has kept its “title”, it is no longer international, located 20 minutes from the historic city
3. Nha Trang, (Cam Ranh Airport – CXR) — 35 min from the seaside town
4. Dalat (Lien Khuong Airport – DLI) — 45 min from the center of Dalat
5. Vinh (Vinh International Airport – VII) — international in the making thanks to its new terminal. Located 15 minutes from the city center
6. Con dao (Con Dao Airfield – VCS)

Among the domestic airports of interest from a tourism point of view, we can mention that of Hue, Dental Page et Dalat. Any Phong remaining close to Hanoi, little chance that you will go there and that of Con Dao being an airfield, I think the ferry service is more than adequate if you are passing through the area.

The country is very long so among the only interest of a domestic flight is to visit the Mekong Delta in the South and skip the Center by going straight back to Hanoi to focus on the North. Below, I detail the main local companies serving these airports:

• Vietnam Airlines, la national company. It is the main airline serving all destinations worldwide from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport. It also has a branch called VASCO (for Vietnam Air Services Company) which operates at small secondary airports such as Con Dao, with ATR or Antonov type aircraft.

For internal flights we can mention these three Vietnamese companies:

• Jetstar Pacific, a private Vietnamese low-cost airline founded in 1991. It is based in Ho Chi Minh City. Quantas, large Australian airline holding 18% shares has integrated it into its commercial network of JetstarIn addition to domestic flights, it offers flights throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
• Vietjet Air, a private Vietnamese low-cost airline founded in 2009. It is based in the north of the country in Hanoi and offers internal flights within Vietnam as well as international flights to neighboring countries including Thailand.
• Bamboo Airways, latest born private airlines, the product of a private Vietnamese real estate conglomerate. The fleet consists of 14 Airbus and 2 Boeing and serves the country's main airports. Since the site is apparently only in Vietnamese, I deduce that it focuses on this clientele only...

With 18 million tourists in 2019, the Vietnam  is a country that attracts and is therefore sufficiently equipped to accommodate all these people. I am still amazed by the quality of the establishments encountered even in small isolated towns in the northern mountains.

In short, no need to imagine sleeping in uncomfortable dives, you will always find something to get a good night's sleep. (the whole thing is to recognize and find the said hotels, that isis to say that is " Home Suspicion", which roughly translates to "holiday home" and "Khách San" for hotel). The only downside is that the mattresses tend to be rather hard. As for the prices, they are still very attractive (depending on the region obviously), varying around €15 for a range of simple hotels.

Below are some good tips we found during our last stay:

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance can often be a game changer in the event of an unexpected mishap while traveling abroad. Especially in a country like Vietnam where exploring by motorbike is popular. And especially if you are going on a multi-month trip to Asia, good insurance can be more than welcome, as credit card insurance is limited.

The maximum amount for healthcare costs covered by traditional credit cards may prove insufficient (around €10 compared to €000 for dedicated travel insurance) and does not cover civil liability.

I advise you ACS Travel & Expatriation Insurance Solutions.

I would like to point out that if you subscribe to the insurance via the link, I would receive a small commission. This is a simple way to help keep the site running, as insurance is preferable anyway and will therefore be beneficial to both you and me.

What vaccines and what do I need to know for my health?

We find practically the same recommendations as for many other Asian countries, namely basically, no compulsory vaccinations, but several are recommended depending on the conditions of the stay.

Be sure to keep your regular vaccinations up to date (DTP for adults, MMR for children).

Recommended vaccines:

• HEPATITIS A
• HEPATITIS B
• RAGE
• TYPHOID
• ANTITUBERCULOSIS
• JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS

Vaccination against rabies and Japanese encephalitis is preferable in the event of a prolonged stay in a rural area. Since the latter is transmitted by mosquitoes, protection against them is particularly important.

Against mosquitoes

A good mosquito repellent is a must in Vietnam, it is the best way to avoid a viral infection transmitted by these pests. Prevention against mosquito bites remains your best asset, so protect your skin, but also your clothes, by smearing yourself with repellents. Favor pants over shorts, long sleeves in the forests or at nightfall.

We find all the "classic" crap for Asia, namely first of all malaria (or malaria) for which some travel doctors will surely recommend a preventive treatment (often Malarone). It should be noted that these treatments sometimes cause side effects (headaches, nausea) that are not always pleasant, without guaranteeing 100% protection. Mosquito repellent should therefore be used even in this case. However, there are no cases of malaria in the city and even better, if we look at the map below, we see that the entire coast and the north of the country present little or no risk:

Another nasty thing is dengue fever, which has symptoms similar to those of the flu. (high fever, joint pain, headache). There is currently no preventive treatment for this infection. In case of fever, it is always better to consult quickly, they will be able to quickly detect the origin of the feverish state. (after a few questions about your previous destinations). The treatment is primarily symptomatic: Healing just requires time, rest, combined with taking paracetamol-based painkillers.

Two other viruses are also present in Vietnam , as can now also be found around the Mediterranean... First of all Chikungunya, for which there is also no preventative treatment and Zika, especially those that can have consequences for pregnant women and can involve neurological complications. Otherwise, symptoms of the disease are usually mild. (fever, headache, joint pain, rash) although similar to dengue fever, so double check what infection is causing you these kinds of symptoms if ever.

Hygiene in Vietnam

Hygiene conditions are average for South Asia. That is to say, below European standards without being particularly bad. This does, however, mean that people with sensitive stomachs will need to be more careful if you are not used to changing your diet. There are always hygiene precautions to take to avoid any problems.

• Wash your hands frequently before each meal (possibly with an antimicrobial solution since it is used without water).
• Tap water is not drinkable. Drink only capped bottled water or, if this is not possible, water boiled for 30 minutes and then filtered (Lifestraw straws can be an alternative).
• Meat and fish/shellfish must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

And general hygiene rules:

• Avoid swimming in stagnant water (risk of parasitic infection).
• Do not pet animals you meet on the street, even if they do not seem aggressive.
• Remember to wear a seat belt (if possible), wear a helmet on two wheels, this is valid everywhere in the world.

Note the outbreaks of bird flu, which is still present in Vietnam. The following precautions are therefore recommended:

• Avoid contact with live or dead uncooked birds and poultry, and more generally with wild and farmed animals (especially poultry and pigs).
• Avoid areas where animals are bred and markets (and even zoos). Above all, avoid contact with their droppings.

Useful in your kit:
– antiseptics
– treatments for intestinal disorders
- mosquito repellent
– sun creams
– creams for burns

For your safety

Overall, crime remains quite low in Vietnam and remains a safe country to travel in. The biggest risk in my eyes is if you rent a two-wheeler, which remains a classic in Asia but Asian driving is particular and tends to be chaotic, it is not recommended if you are a beginner (I know, the call of freedom to be strong).

Scams, fraud and crime 

Big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will be more prone to possible scams and tourist areas like Sapa and Dental Page, report some cases of pickpocketing and snatch thefts (often on a motorbike).

To avoid disappointment, do not keep all your cash in one place, keep your passports in hotel safes if they have them and wear with you a photocopy of cand last.

From our personal experience, we did not feel any particular danger nor did we encounter any problems.

The mess on the streets of Hanoi.

Risk areas

Several risks specific to Vietnam can be distinguished:

• Natural hazards. Vietnam experiences the monsoon every year, so storms can sometimes be violent and rains heavy.
• Maritime transport. Safety on boats touring Halong Bay is not always great, with fires and collisions occurring regularly (although there are generally few casualties). The sea route between Ho Chi Minh and Vung Tau is the most prone to accidents, as the boats are overloaded and old.

Practical information

– Emergency numbers –

• Police: 113
• Fire brigade: 114
• Medical emergencies: 115

Hospitals in Hanoi

• French Hospital: Phuong Mai, Dong Da
  Emergency number: +84 24 35 74 11 11
  Tel.: +84 24 35 77 11 00
• SOS International: Vietnam: 51 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho
  Emergencies: +84 24 39 34 05 55
  Tel.: +84 24 39 34 06 66

Ho Chi Minh City:

• Franco-Vietnamese Hospital: 6, Nguyen Luang Bang Street, Phu My Hung, District 7
  Tel: +84 28 5411 33 33 (Emergency 24/24)
• International Medical Center (CMI – Alain Carpentier Foundation): 30, Pham Ngoc Thach D3 HCMV
  Tel: +84 28 3827 23 67, +84 28 3827 23 66

French Embassy in Vietnam:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on Vietnam

Here is a map to locate and summarize all the destinations and places of interest in Vietnam:

Banknotes used in Vietnam: The notes range from 500 to 500 Dongs, which means you can quickly become a millionaire in Vietnam! The following notes are found: 000, 50000, 2, 000, 5, 000, 10, 000, 20 and finally 000 Dongs, yes, all of that. You should know that the 50 notes are rarer and are mainly used for offerings given their small value.. There are also coins of 1, 000 and 2 but they are very rarely used.

Visa or Mastercard credit cards are generally accepted in cities, especially at mid- and high-end hotels and restaurants, but expect an additional $1 to $2 fee.

ll You should know that currencies like the Euro (€) and the US Dollar ($) are also accepted, more widely in the case of the 2nd. The American dollar having become democratized for a time in the daily use of the Vietnamese people. THEEuro may just be accepted as payment currency in some hotels or at the airport.

Generally speaking, and this remains increasingly true, it is necessary to favor cash payments in the local currency.

With a current rate of around €1 = VND25 the conversion is pretty easy, basically you divide the first two digits by 000 then multiply by 10 (For example something at 170 VND is therefore worth 1,7 x 4 = €6,8).

Please note that prices will often be displayed for simplicity without the last 3 zeros. So if you see something on the market marked 550, rest assured, it will probably not be 550 Dongs, but 550 D.ngos.

You will find ATMs (ATM) in many cities, but beware of possible fees if you withdraw money rather than exchange money. Also note that there is generally a withdrawal limit of VND 2. (a little less than €100). Only ANZ and HSBC banks allow withdrawals of up to 10 Dong.

Finally, tipping is not obligatory at Vietnam , but like everywhere, if you enjoyed a particular service, $2 or $3 is always nice.

When it comes to hospitality, the Vietnam  is one of the cheapest countries in Asia, by far. However, this does not mean that you will lose any comfort. Hotels are generally cheap, even for boutique hotels, and the value for money is unbeatable outside of tourist areas.

In hostels, you should be able to find beds from €3 per night! (around 70 Dongs). For single rooms for two, you should easily find them for less than €000. If you want more comfort, expect to pay around €15 (from 20 Dongs) for a double room.

Below, I summarize the price range for you:

SOME POINTS OF REFERENCE:

• For basic hotel double room, around 300 VND (000 €)
• For mid-range, more cosy hotels, expect to pay around 500 VND (€000)
• For the highest end, expect at least 1 VND (800 €)

While Vietnamese food is generally renowned, there is some disparity in choice across regions. In this case, when we visited the north the second time, we found a great weariness with a choice that boiled down to a Pho or some kind of fried rice lacking in flavor... However, it is not a ruin and in this case we compensated with sandwiches without weighing down the meal budget.

SOME POINTS OF REFERENCE:

• A small bottle of water costs on average 10 VND (000 €), 0,4 for Coke and soda (20 €)
• A basic meal (Pho, Bun Cha) costs on average 35 VND (000 €) per person
• For a slightly more elaborate meal, expect to pay between 50 and 000 VND (€100 – €000) per person.
• Coffee: 20 VND (0,8 €) is the median price to get your caffeine fix
• A 0,5 liter local beer – 20 VND (000 €)

Transportation is also cheap. The train was comfortable, the night buses less so, the day buses are mini almost and furious, but not always. Taxis remain cheap and I haven't really felt any excessive prices in the city.

Afterwards, we most often used motorcycles, which remained our preferred means of getting around a point and simply getting around when we traveled in the north of the country. We are still in Southeast Asia, so a budget that can be easily controlled in transport without spending thousands and hundreds.

SOME POINTS OF REFERENCE:

• Renting a motorbike: expect to pay between 100 and 000 VND/day (€150 to €000) – 4 VND if you have a better bike
• Gasoline: around 20 VND/litre (000 €)
• Bus: for intermediate journeys, expect to pay 150 VND (€000) per person
• For city buses and local routes, expect to pay around 7 VND per trip (€000)
• Taxi: depending on distance, 50 to 000 VND (100 to 000 € for around 2 to 4 km) – from an airport, bus station to the centre, expect to pay around 4 €
• Train journey (depending on distance), example Hanoi – Lao Cai, 295 to 000 VND in a sleeper (hard 400 or soft 000 €) per person

Any opinions, suggestions? Leave me a comment!