VIETNAM
Welcome to Vietnam! This country, located in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. Vietnam has it all. You can lounge on the beach with a coconut, ride a motorbike through the mountains, or immerse yourself in history all day long. It's a perfect destination for the adventurous soul or the leisurely vacationer. There's something for everyone! Besides being an ideal spot for a short trip, Vietnam is also a great place to kick off your backpacking adventure. Explore authentic Asia before it becomes too touristy!
WELCOME TO VIETNAM!
| TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best time to visit
Weather
Itineraries
Accommodation
Food/Culture/Religion
Transportation
Safety
Budget
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Vietnam is a large country, so it's challenging to pinpoint the best time to visit as it varies depending on the region. The temperature difference between the north and south can be significant. However, it's commonly described that November through April is a favorable time to visit Vietnam. This period marks the end of the rainy season and offers the most pleasant temperatures.
To fully explore Vietnam, I recommend dedicating at least 4 to 6 weeks of your time. For the best experience, I suggest starting your journey in the north around late September or early October and gradually moving southward. This way, you can enjoy pleasant weather while exploring the mountains in Sapa and experiencing the Ha Giang loop. Next, continue your journey to Hoi An, where the weather can be either sunny or rainy. I visited Hoi An in late October and the weather was brilliant. However, it's important to note that heavy rainfall and flooding can occur in the area. If Hoi An is your desired destination in Vietnam, I recommend considering visiting during a different month to avoid any potential weather-related issues. Finally, you can wrap up your trip in Ho Chi Minh City, where the dry season starts in December. However, the weather in October and November is still pleasant, with occasional afternoon showers.
WEATHER
North Vietnam: In the northern region of Vietnam, which includes cities like Hanoi and Sapa, there are four distinct seasons. Summers, which last from May to September, are warm and humid with regular rainfall, particularly in July and August. Winters, which last from November to March, are cooler and drier, but can still be misty. Spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) are often considered the most pleasant seasons, with milder temperatures and less precipitation.
Central Vietnam: Central Vietnam is home to cities like Hue and Hoi An, and is known for its tropical monsoon climate. The dry season lasts from February to July, during which the temperatures are warm and there is little rainfall. The rainy season lasts from August to January, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between September and December.
South Vietnam: In areas such as Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, a tropical climate with two seasons is predominant. The dry season runs from December to April, while the rainy season lasts from May to November. In the south, rainfall typically comes in the form of short, intense showers followed by sunny intervals.
ACCOMODATIONS
While in Vietnam, you can choose to stay in luxury hotels, mid-range apartments, or hostels and homestays. In my experience, staying in hostels and homestays was the most enjoyable option. They provide clean and affordable accommodation, and you get to meet so many likewise travelers. When backpacking through Southeast Asia, you may notice that hostel prices can vary from 5 to 25 euros per night. In Vietnam, you can find the cheapest and best hostels with prices ranging from 5 to 10 euros per night. With that price, you often get free breakfast as well. Hostels also offer facilities like laundry services, family dinners, well-arranged transportation to your next destination, and fun excursions.
ITINERARIES
Vietnam is a long, narrow country, so you may start either in the south or in the north. So the following itineraries can be reversed. Instead of starting in Hanoi, you might begin in Ho Chi Minh City. Many people recommend traveling from the south (Ho Chi Minh City) to the north (Hanoi). The northern part of Vietnam is incredibly beautiful, with high mountains, rice fields, and small villages. Personally, I enjoyed traveling from north to south because otherwise, you might rush through the southern part of Vietnam just to get to the north quickly, assuming it's "prettier." I found every place in Vietnam to be unique and beautiful, and I can't say I would have wanted to do it differently.
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Hanoi (1 day)
Cat Ba Island (1/2 days)
Hoi An (2/3 days)
Ho Chi Minh City (1/2 days)
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Hanoi
Sapa
Ha Giang Loop
Cat Ba Island/Ha Long Bay
Tam Coc/Ninh Binh
Phong Nha
Hoi An
Dalat
Ho Chi Minh City
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Hanoi
Sapa
Ha Giang
Ban Gioc
Cat Ba Island/Ha Long Bay
Tam Coc/Ninh Binh
Phong Nha
Hue
Da Nang
Hoi An
Dalat
Mui Ne
Ho Chi Min
Mekong Delta
FOOD / CULTURE / RELIGION
Food
Vietnam boasts one of the best cuisines in Asia! With influences from both French and Asian culinary traditions, you'll experience some of the most unique and flavorful combinations. One of the interesting aspects of Vietnamese food is that it often does not include dairy products, as they are not traditionally used in the country's cuisine. Instead, Vietnamese cooks rely on a combination of eggs, meat, and locally-sourced vegetables to create their delicious dishes. Get ready for plenty of noodles, rice, spring rolls, and Banh Mi sandwiches! Have you practiced eating with chopsticks yet?
Want to learn more about the must-try foods in Vietnam? Check out this blog on the best Vietnamese cuisine!
Culture
The culture in Vietnam is shaped by a rich history, which you can still see reflected today. Following the country's division in the 1950s and 60s due to the Vietnam War, distinctions between the North and South persist. In the North, you may notice that people speak less English and dress more traditionally. They often wear long sleeves and pants, and tattoos and piercings are less common. The South tends to exhibit a more forward-looking attitude. English is spoken more readily, and the younger generation often dresses more casually. What remains consistent throughout the country is the respect for others. Vietnamese people are very helpful, and I have never felt unsafe here. The country has deep roots in Buddhism, which plays a significant role in people's daily lives.
Religion
In Vietnam, a blend of diverse beliefs coexists, yet a significant majority of people adhere to folk religion. This entails worshipping their ancestors or certain nature deities like water, forests, or fire gods. As a result, one can often spot temples or altars scattered across Vietnam, whether nestled in nature or found within homes or shops. Additionally, approximately 14% of the population upholds Buddhism. From visiting temples for meditation and worship to participating in Buddhist festivals and ceremonies, Buddhism continues to thrive as a vibrant and active religious tradition in the country. Other religions practiced in the country are Christianity, Hinduism, and Caodaism.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Vietnam is very easy; you can take domestic flights, go by train, or choose buses. The cheapest option (and sometimes the most adventurous) is the bus. Buses in Vietnam run multiple times a day between cities. You can choose between standard, luxury, or ultra-luxury buses. The buses have compartments where you can lay your seat flat like a bed or keep it upright like a regular chair – super convenient! Traveling Vietnam involves covering significant distances. Sometimes, the bus is particularly nice if you can sleep well overnight and wake up at your destination. However, if you prefer to arrive quickly, you might choose a train or domestic flight. Another common option in Vietnam is Grab. If you need to move from one place to another within cities, you can simply open the Grab app and book a car or scooter for just a few euros. Within minutes, a driver will arrive to take you to your destination. This isn't just convenient but also a safe way to get from point A to point B.
SAFETY
Besides the need to be cautious when crossing the street in Vietnam, watching out for the numerous scooters and chaotic traffic, it is very safe! As a solo female traveler, I had no trouble walking around with my big expensive camera or returning to my hostel after dark. Yes, I stayed in larger cities or backpacker areas, but even so, I never felt unsafe on the streets. However, I often told taxi drivers that I was traveling with my boyfriend and that he would be waiting for me at the destination when they asked if I was traveling alone. Personally, I didn't perceive this as unsafe, but it did stop the taxi drivers from asking further questions. Overall the Vietnamese were always very respectful and genuinely nice.
BUDGET
How to budget for Vietnam? Although this is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia, I ended up spending a bit more than the average. Personally, I would say that if you're going to Vietnam for a month, €1000 should be enough. With that amount, you'll cover your accommodation, the activities you want to do, transportation, and food. Going over this budget might happen if you frequently dine expensively in hostels instead of choosing local food. Eating in your hostel is often convenient, but if you just look a little further for food, you'll often find even nicer spots and much cheaper options Additionally, shopping can also dent your budget. However, what most impacts your budget is alcohol. Because it's so cheap, you tend to drink more without much thought. If you're a budget-conscious backpacker, I would budget between €800 and €1200 for a month of travel in Vietnam.
For a brief indication of where your money goes in Vietnam, you can look at the pie chart to the right
