Vietnam
Vietnam Travel Guide: Planning details
Budget notes, transport, where to stay, ideal trip length, and local tips for your trip.
Vietnam
Plan smarter in Vietnam
Ha Long Bay, Hoi An lanterns, and street food a compact first-timer guide for North to Central Vietnam.
North Nov–Mar: 15–25°CCentral coast: 22–32°C
Live weather
Hanoi
26°C
Light drizzle
Humidity 97%Wind 6 km/h
Typical climate
Tropical monsoon climate. North Vietnam has cooler winters; central coast is great for beach towns; south stays warm year-round.
Map
Hanoi
Quick budget notes
- Street food and local buses keep costs low.
- Ha Long cruises vary widely-compare inclusions.
- Hoi An tailor shops-agree price and timeline upfront.
Getting around
- Grab works in major cities; trains for Hanoi–Da Nang.
- Book Ha Long transfer with cruise operator.
- Rent bicycle in Hoi An for countryside loops.
Where to stay
- Hanoi Old Quarter for food walks.
- Hoi An ancient town for atmosphere (can be busy).
- Da Nang for beach + day trips.
Ideal trip length
- 7–9 days: Hanoi + Ha Long + Hoi An.
- 10–12 days: add Da Nang or Ninh Binh.
Must book ahead
- Ha Long cruises in Dec–Jan and Tet holidays.
- Train berths on popular routes in peak season.
- Hoi An stays during lantern festival weekends.
Local tips
- Cross streets slowly and steadily-traffic weaves around you.
- Try pho, banh mi, and egg coffee early in the trip.
- Carry tissue and hand sanitizer for street stalls.
Safety & common scams
- Confirm taxi/motorbike fare before starting.
- Count change carefully at busy markets.
- Book tours through reputable operators for Ha Long.
Connectivity & money
- ATMs common in cities; cash for small vendors.
- Cards accepted at hotels; cash for street food.
- Download offline maps for bay and rural day trips.