Traveling Vietnam

Vietnam Visit Guide

When to go traveling to Vietnam

Climate is complicated by regional differences and two monsoons – the northern three-quarters of traveling Vietnam get wet and cool October-March, while the south is warm and dry; a summer monsoon affects most of the country from April to October, bringing hot and humid conditions.

The northern spring (April and May) and early autumn are probably the most comfortable (and not too crowded) times to visit.

International airports

Noi Bai Airport (HAN) is 35km north of Hanoi. Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) is 7km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Getting around in Vietnam

Domestic flights link the main centers, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Danang, and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.

A range of buses – from small (and often packed) minibusses to large, comfortable air-con coaches – comprise an extensive network around the country at very reasonable prices, thus helping you with your traveling to Vietnam.

There’s one main railway line that runs along the coast between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, branching out to a few more destinations around the north. Hiring a car (often with a driver) or a motorcycle allows more flexibility – but be aware of poor road safety.

Vietnam accommodation

Hostels, guesthouses, and hotels are all part of the accommodation scene (though not, largely, camping). Homestays are increasingly popular and can offer great opportunities for living among the minority peoples of the central and northern highlands.

Vietnam food & drink

Vietnam’s cuisine is diverse and delicious. Best known flavors include pho bo (beef noodle soup), spring rolls – either translucent or fried – and the ubiquitous nuoc mam, a powerful fermented fish sauce.

The French colonial influence means tasty breakfasts with strong coffee and baguettes. Bia hoi – glasses of beer served on tap from barrels – is the most common hooch, tea the rival to coffee for a most-common daytime drink you will find while traveling Vietnam.

Health & safety in Vietnam

Consult your GP or travel health clinic to check the appropriate vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. As well as malaria, which is a problem in some rural areas, dengue fever afflicts parts of Vietnam; as much as a possible cover-up and use insect repellent, particularly in the evenings.

Avoid drinking tap water, and ensure eggs and other potentially risky foods are well cooked. Be wary of venomous snakes in remote regions.

There is a risk of crime in big cities, but in general, Vietnam is not a dangerous place; one thing to be aware of, though, is the continuing risk from unexploded ordnance remaining from the war.

Take local advice on walking trails, and never touch any war relics you find while traveling Vietnam.

Saigon

Living by the line!

I came from Cambodia (after a brief visit back to the UK) to Nam and stayed 7 months mainly in Saigon for a base with regular trips to Mui Ne and Vung Tao, both seaside resorts and spectacularly different in my view!

My first point of call after landing from Manchester, England on a long 13-hour flight at Tan Son Nhat International Airport was to finalize my 3-month visa with my approval letter, which I obtained online via https://www.vietnam-evisa.org.

This was an easy accomplishment and very cheap which would help me with traveling Vietnam for a longer period.

So before I could collect my luggage from the carousel, I had to hand in my approval form, passport, and $50 dollars process fee, so in total if I remember correctly. it was $75 in total for a 2-month extension as you’re guaranteed 1 month on arrival.

Once stamped you’re on your way to the lovely warm-hearted madness of Saigon.

I had already pre-booked my accommodation, as usual, this time though I was sharing,:) this was with the lovely and educated Vietnamese Julie and Katie, both professional young ladies in a fabulous apartment with stunning views of District one and the biggest tower landmark 81.

Also, what blew me away was the central park opposite 81. A must for anyone to see, day or night, sunny or rainy!

I was lucky enough to see both the Worldwide NY and Chinese NY in Vietnam. The latter being the most prominent one, where Saigon goes quiet and lots of shows and fireworks alight the skies…

Why not jump on a ship for a NY evening meal and stunning views of the river as we did at the last moment, we somehow just paid for the meal after tipping the entrance fee guy to let us on when it was just about to sail.

Spur of the moment idea with the lovely Nahn to have dinner on it:) Set sail around 7 pm for two hours.

I’m starting to love traveling in Vietnam.

Vung Tau

This is a popular weekend escape from HCMC for the locals, when we were there it was really quiet during the week, Vung Tau rocks at weekends when beach-starved locals and ex-pats descend in numbers, this time we stayed in accommodation within a development.

This included a pool and sea view, unfortunately, the pool was only available at certain times, the walk to the beach was short though once you knew the cut-throughs. The city enjoys a spectacular location on a peninsula, with the ocean on three sides; the light and sea air make it a refreshing break from sultry Saigon.

We did though have a spot of bother one night, most hot countries have a balcony for doing their washing and the washer is usually placed on it and obviously a door to get in and out.

Must remember though if it’s an automatically locking door, to take your keys with you.

We had our door half-open and wham the wind got up and closed the door, hence we were stuck on a balcony, 17 floors up and no other property was facing ours.

After a bit of screaming for help, we decided the door must come off, somehow. Thus a lot of boots and a strong screwdriver ( lucky for us they kept the tools out on the balcony).

Lodged behind the door and frame, we managed to prize it open after 15 minutes with very sore bleeding hands. Could have been worse, we could have been stuck there for days! ( The Doors – break on through).

A lot of damage but the owners were cool about it. We offered to reimburse but they saw the initial problem…

Welcome to traveling Vietnam, I have seen a lot worse, like a live wire hanging out above a shower in Thailand:)

Oil is big business in Vung Tau, so the horizon is regularly dotted with tankers, and petrodollars dominate the economy, inflating prices in some restaurants, we found it was still cheap and possibly cheaper than Saigon itself.

Vung Tau is a remarkably civilized-looking city of broad boulevards and imposing colonial-era buildings.

Few travelers bother to visit the city, but it makes a good place to start (or end) an intriguing coastal road trip to Mui Ne and beyond.

Conclusion: We definitely would visit again for a quick break from the Saigon. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did traveling Vietnam.

Mui Ne

A 3 hr journey via coach from Saigon with reclining seats for a snip of a fare, I had such a wonderful stay in Nam Chau Boutique Resort, Mui Ne that I extended it for 5 whole weeks, this place was a beachfront cabin set in a tropical surrounding. First-class, everything from the rooms, service by the management who couldn’t do enough for you, they even brought me a birthday cake to my door with 3 members of staff singing, It was a pleasure getting up at 7 am to head for the buffet breakfast which was a feast included in the price, then walk it off along the beautiful beach passing the local fishing boats dropping their night’s takings onto the shore. Just a once in a lifetime experience and will never be forgotten.

We adventured there in low season, so not much happening in the way of people and nightlife in the restaurants and bars/clubs. Still a great place to chill though and would go back!

Attractions:

Red and white dunes, the superb development of Sea Link country club, which incorporated a wine castle, 18 hole Pro golf course, fishing village and surrounded by a stunning development of apartments.Plus many more superb attractions.

Mui Ne is Phan Thiet’s most prominent coastal resort town, spanning 15 kilometers of sandy beaches that are lined with an array of dining and shopping venues as well as luxurious beachfront resorts. See our blog/article for 15 activities in Mui Ne

Da Nang ( Coming soon 🙂

Having gained 3 months visa on arrival, I extended another 3 months without having to leave. However, due to my forgetfulness, being busy, I misjudged my next visa due date, and before I realized I was 20 days overstay.

So a trip down to immigration, however, they wanted serious money, so I eventually found a reliable, trustworthy visa agent through recommendations. Who mentioned at first they could fix me another 3 months visa single entry and pay for my overstay ” no problem ”

Well, you guessed it! When due for receiving it back, they informed me that my passport had been rejected and they had to put it back into the system. However, now for the same cost of 13 Million, they could only receive a month visa and I would have to exit, and yet when I exit they would have a 3-month visa awaiting my return. All the fun of the fair, but my fault for forgetting!

On that conclusion, I decided it was time to leave and head for the Philippines, which I’m glad I did as I loved the vibrant city of Manila.

Love and respect to VIETNAM, I will be back one day!

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