Best Vietnam Tours & Holiday Packages

Due to its special shape, Vietnam is divided into 3 regions with different climates and has it owned most wonderful time to visit:

Vietnam weather from North to South

Best time to visit Vietnam

For anyone who expects a North-to-South trip in Vietnam, from March to April and October to November is the best time to travel to Vietnam. During this time, the whole country has amazingly nice weather which is very cool and has less rain, suitable for enjoying every activity here from sightseeing to adventure.

Owning 64 provinces and cities from North to South, different in geography, climate, culture, history, all places in Vietnam are worth visiting. Below are the 5 top highlighted for any tourist:

Hanoi - the 1000 year old capital

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is one of the most ancient cities here, over 1000 years old. For visitors who are passionate about culture and history, Hanoi is the exact place with a huge number of temples & pagodas, relics, museums, and cultural shows.

• The best area to stay: Hanoi Old Quarter (price from 20 USD/night)
• Must-visit places: Hanoi Old Quarter, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature... (entrance fees from 2 USD/attract)
• Must try Hanoi street food: Pho (Noodle Soup), Bun Cha, Crab paste vermicelli soup (Bun rieu cua) (Price from 2 USD/meal)
• Travel duration: 2 - 3 days

One Pillar Pagoda - a must visit place in Hanoi

Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

As a UNESCO Natural Heritage, the gorgeous beauty of Halong Bay can't be found anywhere else in the world - making it a place that people have to visit once in a lifetime. 

• The best area to stay: Overnight on Cruise (price from USD 125/person/night)
• Must-visit places: Sung Sot Cave, Cat Ba Island, Titop Island... (ticket included on overnight cruise)
• Must try food: Pho (Noodle Soup), Bun Cha (Price from 2 USD/meal)
• Travel Duration: 2 - 3 days

Halong Bay cruise - a must-try experience in Vietnam

Hoi An - An ancient mixed-culture little town

For any tourist, who is fond of learning about mixing culture and architecture - Hoi An is a perfect place! Was a crowded harbor since the 16th century where businessmen from around the world (mostly from China, Japan, India, and Europe) came and traded until 300 years later.

• The best area to stay: Old Town Center (price from USD 20/night)
• Must-visit places: Japanese Bridge, My Son Sanctuary... 
• Must try Hoi An street food: Banh Mi Hoi An, Chicken Rice... (price from 1 USD/meal)
• Travel Duration: 3 - 5 days

Hoi An ancient town - a must-see place in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's unsleeping beauty

This is the most crowded and populated area in Vietnam. For anyone who seeks all-night excitement, the unsleeping city is the ideal destination. This city is a mix of traditional culture with fast-paced nightlife where you can visit relics, museums, and pagodas, and also get drunk at bars and pubs overnight.

• The best area to stay: Dist.,1 or Dist., 3 (price from 30 USD/night)
• Must-visit places: Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Cu Chi Tunnel...
• Must try Hanoi street food: Broken rice, Clear rice noodle soup (Hu Tieu) ... (price from 3 USD/meal)
• Travel Duration: 2 - 3 days

Mekong Delta - Life of a floating land

Along the Mekong River, this delta is the most fertile place that provides the main amount of rice for export, grows many types of delightful tropical fruits, and has a unique local lifestyle where local life is stuck with rivers.

• The best area to stay: Homestay in Ben Tre/ Can Tho, Riverside Ecolodge, Mekong Cruise
• Must-visit places: Handicraft factory, Cai Rang Floating Market
• Must try Hanoi street food: Fried Elephant-ear fish, Coconut Candy... (price from 3 - 5 USD/meal)
• Trave Duration: 1 - 3 days

Mekong Delta - a perfect place to experience of floating life

Taste Hanoi Street food

• Price: from $2
• Dishes: Bun Cha, Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Rieu, Banh Cuon

Good foods can be found everywhere at any time on streets in Hanoi at super cheap prices. Also, the choice for Hanoi street food is varied, guarantee that you can have different meals each day exploring this city.

Stay overnight with Halong Bay Cruise

• Travel duration: 2 days 1 night /3 days 2 nights
• Price from: $120/person/night

Halong Bay cruise is worth trying for every type of tourist as there are many routes to choose from whether for leisure or adventure purposes. Also, the price for this outstanding service is reasonable for a 2-day cruise including 4 meals and many other interesting activities.

Trek in North Vietnam

• Tour duration: 3 - 8 days
• Price: from $400

North Vietnam is famous for its special terrain with a complicated system of hills and mountains of different heights, creating many amazing trekking routes from easy to difficult with stunning views covering the mountainous area here.

Check-in at Golden Bridge

• Location: Ba Na Hills, Da Nang, Central Vietnam
• Cable car ticket price: from $47 /pax

The Golden Bridge is the most trending attraction in Vietnam that has been requested by most tourists since its opening in 2018. People flock here to observe the beauty of the masterpiece awarded by many reputable worldwide architecture contests and have an Insta time inspired by movie scenery.

Visit Cai Rang floating market

• Tour price from: USD 220
• Duration: 2 days

Floating markets in Mekong is a traditional culture that might disappear one day. Cai Rang, a floating market in Can Tho, is the biggest and most famous one that you can visit at present, as it is now still a place for trading among fruits and vegetable wholesalers.

Depending on personal demands and available time for the holiday, travel duration in Vietnam can be separated into 3 most popular options :

7 Days: a quick trip to 1-2 regions, north/south/central or the combination for 2 of them.

10 - 12 Days: a brief for all 3 regions in Vietnam from north to south by domestic flights.

2 Weeks: for a trip to explore Vietnam inside out or have a combination of 2 countries (with Cambodia or Thailand).

3 Weeks: top-recommended options for tourists who seek triple-country tours.

Suggested itinerary:

*This is a reference price based on standard class, you can visit the tour and see details in the price tab.

Visa Requirement

Vietnam exempt visas for citizens from 25 countries and territories including citizens from 9 countries in Southeast Asia and below:

E-Visa

Tourists who are not citizens from countries in the “Vietnam Visa Exemption” list must apply for a visa to enter this country. There are 80 countries and territories that citizens can apply for E-Visa to Vietnam:

For applying E-Visa, please send the below documents to your travel consultant:

• A photo of your passport
• Your 4x6 passport photo
• Cost: 40 USD/person (including service fees)
• Processing time: 3 - 5 working days

Note: If your citizenship is not on the above list, and also not in the Visa Exemption list below, please contact the Vietnam Embassy /Consulate in your country for detailed directions on applying for a Vietnam Visa.

>>> For more information about Vietnam Visa, you may refer to Vietnam Visa Information: Complete Guide for Visa Type & Fees 2024

Here are some do's and don'ts travelers coming to Vietnam should keep in mind:

DOs

• Dress properly when visiting temples, pagodas, and tombs (shirts with sleeves and knee-length pants/dresses/skirts)
• Take your shoes off when visiting temples, pagodas, or someone’s home
• Be respectful to local customs and culture
• Bargain politely when going shopping in the local markets and street vendors
• Be brave and decisive when crossing the street

DON’Ts

• Talk loudly or raise your voice in public, it’s considered to be impolite or aggressive
• Disrespect to national flags and money; according to the law, it’s crime
• Stand chopsticks in the middle of rice bowl; locals believe that action is like dedicating your rice to the deaths
• Use any service without asking and negotiating for the price
• Drink tap water, it’s only for hand washing and doesn’t save enough for drinking

Exchange rate 

For reference only, the rate changes every day, please check the daily exchange rate with your travel consultant or bank.

Denominations of money

Places to exchange money

Banks: Being considered a reliable and secure choice. Bank branches are easy to find in major cities and remember to bring your passport.

Airports: Exchange counters at the airports may not offer a good rate as gold shops.

Hotels: It's advisable to inquire about the rates and any applicable fees as the exchange rates may not be as favorable as those at banks.

Gold shops: You can find good exchange rates here, however, you should ensure that the shop you choose is reputable and trustworthy before conducting any transactions.

What should you pack?

• Clothes & Accessories: waterproof jacket, sports shoes (better if waterproof), hat, small umbrella
• Cosmetics & cosmeceuticals: sunscreen, personal insect repellent spray
• Medicines: bring along your ones, especially if there’s any requested prescription sale
• Travel document: passport, visa, travel insurance, and any receipt/booking code of book-in-advance services with a photocopy of each above document.

Plugs & Voltages

The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V at 50 Hz, and Type A, C, and F are the 3 most common plug types used in the country.

Travel Insurance

The insurance cost may range from US $20 - 50 per pax for a trip from 10 - 15 days.

Internet Access

• Mobile Data: Major mobile network operators you can opt for are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone, price of US $8/sim
• WiFi: Available in most hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Money Tips

• Change the money before your trip or at the bank for the best exchange rate.
• Though ATMs are only available widely in big cities and you can be charged 3-5% for using your cash internationally, just bring along as much cash as you need for particular outings.
• Don't store all your cash in a wallet. Separate your cash and keep it in your money belt /zipped pockets of your clothes, don’t leave any in the hotel room.

>>> Discover essential tips for traveling to Vietnam here.