Plan a Trip to Vietnam: The Logistics
If you’re trying to plan a trip to Vietnam and need to figure out the logistics, then this guide should answer all your questions. From wondering about how much things cost to which plug you need, it’s all here.
Before visiting Vietnam, I frankly didn’t know what to expect. I was totally starting from scratch in planning this trip, and I did a lot of research compared to anywhere I’ve visited before.
Part of writing this site has made me a more efficient planner in terms of knowing what to do and how to do it! I didn’t reference any guidebooks and rather relied on some awesome blog posts and lots of forum readings to help me prepare.
I will say, this country is incredibly modernized, way more than I thought (maybe even more than Thailand), so you will be incredibly comfortable. I’d even say it’s a good country to start out solo traveling if you’re on a budget. Almost everyone speaks enough English, cheap, delicious food is insanely easy to come by, and there is a ton of information out there.
I thought I’d put all the information I gathered from my research and give you a logistical guide to help you plan a trip to Vietnam!
Plan a Trip to Vietnam: The Logistics
Vietnam Geography
Vietnam is deceptively long, so the time in between each geographical area is a lot larger than you might think with just a glance at the map. Similar to Thailand, the regions can be quickly separated by North, Central, and South, and when we went, we designed our trip this way.
North
This is the region that borders southern China and the northern part of Laos and is where you can find Sapa, Hanoi, Haiphong, Dien Bien Phu, and Halong Bay. It is also where Vietnamese culture originated before spreading down south.
Be prepared for sometimes a 30+ degrees drop in temperature compared to southern Vietnam. When we went in February, it was around 60 F in the north while the south hovered around 97 F. I found things to be a little more expensive here as well (for example, a massage tended to cost more in Hanoi versus HCM).
It also holds a lot of importance in terms of Vietnam’s independence, so you can find a lot to see related to Ho Chi Minh.
Central
Central Vietnam, just like its geography, is a good balance weather-wise, typically hovering around 80 F. However, it seemed a lot more humid (I sweated through my shirts too often…).
Here, some of the more popular areas include Hoi An, Danang, My Son Sancutary, Hue, Mui Ne, and Phong Nha. It borders both Laos and Cambodia and is known for its beaches (particularly in Da Nang). It overall seemed to have a more relaxed feel, though the influx of tourism to Hoi An makes the nightlife pretty chaotic.
South
The Southern area is the hottest area. It’s home to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) as well as the Mekong Delta. Because of this, it’s responsible for half of Vietnam’s agricultural industry alone.
If you want an even more specific region to break down, Wikipedia has a pretty good quick guide here.
Language Basics
Hello– xin cháo
Thank you– cảm ơn
Goodbye – tạm biệt
Do you speak English? – NĂłi tiáşżng Anh khĂ´ng?
Getting Everywhere
Flying In
I flew into HCM and flew out of Hanoi, and the airports were modern and lovely. It’ll be pretty easy and straightforward getting a SIM card and transportation. Fun fact, if you have a lot of time to kill in Hanoi’s airport, head towards Gate 36, and there’s a lovely sitting area to hang out.
Flying Within
There are a ton of airports, but the main ones are in HCM, Da Nang, and Hanoi. It’s pretty easy and inexpensive to fly around the country if you want to save time.
Overnight Train
We took the overnight train to get between areas, and it’s around the same price, slightly cheaper than a plane ride. You can check different timetables via Baolau. There are soft sleepers, hard sleepers, soft seaters, and hard seaters. The soft sleepers are the best, but we wound up in soft seaters for 19 hours, and it wasn’t that bad. While you can just go to a station and book when you arrive if you go around the holidays book online.
Overnight Bus
There are also overnight buses, but I’ve only heard bad things about them. Just know you will be accompanied by loud honks through the night.
Motorbike
I’ve heard of travelers using motorbikes to get around within and between cities. My friend rode one while she was in Hanoi, and the lovely Frances of So the Adventure Begins has the cutest pink motorbike she’s traveling around Vietnam with.
I, however, would barely be considered a decent driver in the US, so the idea of renting a motorbike for the first time wasn’t going to happen on this trip.
Also, I noticed they tend to treat traffic signs as more of a suggestion than a rule, so always be careful crossing and whatnot.
Getting Around
Everywhere we went was pretty walkable, but you can get a taxi for pretty cheap, just make sure you have them turn on the meter (should start around 11,000-12,000 VND). I’ve also heard friends living in Vietnam referencing Grab, a rideshare app.
Sanitary Situations
Toilets
Lots of squatters, but the toilets are pretty sanitary around the country. The train bathroom was pretty smelly, so if that bothers you, hold it in (I did). You can flush toilet paper down the toilet as well, but they also have a bum spray available everywhere we went.
Water Quality
While you probably don’t want to drink the water, you can shower and brush your teeth without issue.
Food Quality
If you haven’t been able to experience Vietnamese food (or its coffee), you, my friend, are seriously missing out. Holy food haven. And, the best part, the better food is found sitting on plastic stools along the sidewalks for $1 or $2!
Extra Information
Visa?
You need a visa to enter Vietnam, and you should apply for one before you plan on arriving at the airport. I used Vietnam Visa Provider. It’s good for one month, and you pay $8 USD or 180,000 VND via Paypal. They will then send you the visa letter, which you must print, and then you bring your letter, 2 passport photos (4cm x 6cm), and $25 USD or around 570,000 VND to the airport.
You can also use iVisa to make everything easier.
Plugs
The plug is the same as European, though I didn’t see the three-prong option as much as I saw the two-prong one.
Money Matters
Vietnam uses the dong (VND), and the bills come in 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000. While you can pay in USD in many places (and they’ll even tell you the price in USD), I found paying in dong actually works out to be a bit cheaper. If you asked to pay in VND, they’ll just whip out a calculator and plug in 22,500 no matter what the actual currency fluctuations are.
You also want to be careful using your credit card as I found mine didn’t work in some places (newer, more foreigner-friendly shops it worked, but a lot of my hostels, their machine was too old, and they didn’t want to punch it in manually). Also for any Citibank users, I found Citibank ATMs in Hanoi and HCM, including one as soon as I got off the airport! Otherwise, for withdrawing money, the cheapest ones only charge you around 30,000 VND.
Keep in mind that if you’re traveling around major holidays, a lot of ATMs might also just not have any cash in them!
Tipping
I’m still not entirely sure how tipping works or doesn’t work in Vietnam. I’ve heard and read so many mixed things, so I can’t say with 100% certainty how it goes.
I will say generally there is no tipping in Vietnam, but some places (like a spa in Hanoi and a fancier restaurant in Da Nang) had tipping options on the receipt, in which case I either rounded up or figured out a tip. If there wasn’t a tip asked for, I either took the change or rounded it up to an easy number.
Phone
You can get tourist SIM card in Vietnam as soon as you get off the plane, and it was super cheaper (around $13 in 2016) for a month of data. I’m not sure how much exactly, but I used and abused mine watching videos before it asked me to top off.
You can also order your SIM card from Klook and get it either delivered to your hotel or arrange to pick it up at the airport.
Alternatively, check here for pocket wifi options, hotel delivery options, and outside city airports Klook can deliver to.
Any tips you have on how to plan a trip to Vietnam?
for more vietnam travel
I’ve been able to explore a lot of this country, so here are all my other guides:
General Vietnam
- 50 Vietnam Travel Tips
- 22 Photos to Inspire You to Visit VIetnam
- How to Plan the Ultimate Leaving Vietnam Trip
Northern Vietnam
- The Best Things to Do in Hanoi
- Hanoi to Halong Bay: How to Get There
- A Day Cruise Along Halong Bay
- Mu Cang Chai Travel Tips
- A Secluded Sapa Itinerary
- Hiking & Herbal Baths with the Red Dzao in Sapa
Central Vietnam
- Historical Things to Do in Hue: Ultimate Guide
- Hue in One Day: A Speedy Itinerary
- Azerai La Residence Hue Review: A Luxury Stay
- Marble Mountains in Da Nang
- A Semi-Relaxing Phong Nha Travel Itinerary
- Quirkiest Things to Do in Dalat
- How to Visit Yok Don National Park
- Top Things to Do in Hoi An
- How to Spend 3 Days in Hoi An
- Hoi An Tailors: Tips for What to Get Made
- The Vietage: A Luxury Train in Vietnam
- Anantara Quy Nhon Villas: A Luxury Review
Southern Vietnam
- Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: A Bucket List
- Coolest Things to Do in District 1, HCMC
- A Guide to District 5 & Cho Lon, HCMC
- Hem 15B Le Than Thon: Guide to Little Japan Saigon
- What to Do in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
- Anantara Mui Ne: Best Resort for a Girls’ Getaway
- Mekong Delta Day Trip: What to Expect
- A Guide to Vinh Long in the Mekong
- Con Dao: An Island Travel Guide
- Azerai Can Tho: A Luxury Stay in the Mekong
- Odys Boutique Hotel Review: A Chic Mid-Range Stay in HCMC
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