Vietnam travel guide for first-time visitors

For a first trip to Vietnam, plan on 10 to 14 nights to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with stops at Ha Long Bay, Hue and Hoi An. Check whether your nationality is visa-exempt (UK and many European passports get 45 days as of November 2026) or needs the official e-visa, carry some Vietnamese dong, and use internal flights for the long hops between regions.

Who Vietnam suits

Vietnam is a strong choice for travellers who like variety: history and food in Hanoi, limestone seascapes, imperial monuments in Hue, tailor shops and lanterns in Hoi An, and river life in the Mekong Delta. It suits culture lovers, food-focused travellers and active couples, and families with older children who enjoy cycling, kayaking and boat trips. Beach time on the central coast or Phu Quoc makes an easy finish.

Entry and visa overview

Entry requirements depend on your nationality. As of November 2026:

• Visa-free for 45 days: citizens of 25 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket.
• E-visa: available to all other nationalities for stays of up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Apply only via the official Vietnam Immigration Department e-visa portal, allowing 3 to 5 working days for processing.
• Phu Quoc: a 30-day visa-free stay applies to visitors flying directly into Phu Quoc, valid on the island only.
• Passport condition: the UK government advises at least 6 months' validity, 2 blank pages and no damage.

Gateway airports

Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) are the main long-haul gateways. Da Nang (DAD) is the airport for Hoi An and the central coast, Hue has its own domestic airport (HUI), and Phu Quoc (PQC) has some international flights. Arriving in Hanoi and leaving from Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way round, avoids backtracking.

Money, language and time

Getting around

• Domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City in around an hour or two, and are the best use of limited time.
• The north-south railway is a scenic option for shorter legs, such as Hue to Da Nang.
• Road transfers are best for Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and the Hai Van Pass between Hue and Da Nang.
• In cities, use metered taxis from larger companies or book ride-hailing rides fully in the app; the UK government warns of fake drivers posing as app staff.
• Avoid hiring a motorbike unless you are experienced and correctly licensed; you need your licence plus a 1968 International Driving Permit, and helmets are compulsory.

Suggested routes by trip length

Weather affects routing more in Vietnam than in most destinations, because the north, centre and south have different seasons. Our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam explains which months suit each region, and our Vietnam trip cost guide covers budgets and fees.

Etiquette and culture

• Dress modestly at pagodas, temples and memorial sites, covering shoulders and knees; the UK government gives the same advice.
• Remove your shoes when entering homes and some temple buildings.
• Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic minority villages in the north.
• Avoid political discussions in public, and do not photograph military sites.
• Use both hands when giving or receiving something from an elder, and keep your voice calm in disagreements; losing your temper is frowned upon.

Health and safety

See a travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you go. The UK government lists dengue, Zika, malaria and Japanese encephalitis among mosquito-borne risks, and recommends insurance that covers full medical treatment and air ambulance. Use repellent, drink bottled or filtered water, and take care in the heat during the rainy season.

For safety, watch for bag snatching from passing motorbikes, keep your passport secure and carry a copy, and only accept transfers you booked in advance. The UK government also warns of methanol in some drinks, severe drug penalties and a ban on vapes, and advises staying on marked paths in former battlefield areas of central Vietnam because of unexploded ordnance. Read the full UK travel advice for Vietnam or your own government's equivalent.

Practical tips

• Cross busy streets slowly and steadily; traffic flows around predictable pedestrians.
• On Ha Long Bay, choose a reputable cruise and check life jackets before departure.
• Allow time in Hoi An for tailoring, which usually needs two or three fittings.
• Download maps offline and save your hotel's address in Vietnamese.
• Around Tet, book internal flights and trains well in advance.

Ready to plan your first Vietnam trip? Customise a route with a specialist or send us a custom request for something more unusual.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism — Overview of Vietnam entry requirements
2. GOV.UK — Vietnam travel advice: entry requirements
3. GOV.UK — Vietnam travel advice: safety and security
4. GOV.UK — Vietnam travel advice: health
5. GOV.UK — Vietnam travel advice: getting help