Overview
The best street food on earth, stunning landscapes from mountains to beaches, and the kind of adventure that costs almost nothing
Airport
SGN, HAN
From/day
$25
Best months
Feb, Mar, Apr
Local Tips
Safety
Generally safe. The main hazard is traffic — crossing the street requires walking slowly and steadily through motorbike traffic (they flow around you). Petty theft and bag snatching from motorbikes occurs — wear bags cross-body. Drink bottled water only.
Cultural Norms
Remove shoes before entering homes and some shops. Dress modestly at temples — cover shoulders and knees. Don't touch anyone's head. Haggling is expected at markets. Always use both hands when giving or receiving something.
Language
Vietnamese. Limited English in tourist areas (hotels, popular restaurants). Learning basic Vietnamese phrases is very appreciated. Google Translate is essential.
Currency
Vietnamese dong (VND). Cash-heavy economy outside major hotels. 1 USD ≈ 25,000 VND. ATMs everywhere. Many vendors quote in USD but pay in dong for better rates.
Tipping
Not traditionally expected but increasingly common in tourist areas. 5-10% at restaurants is generous. Tip tour guides and drivers 50,000-100,000 VND.
Getting Around
Public Transit
Walkability
Neighborhoods
Hanoi Old Quarter
The ancient 36-street trading quarter with each street historically dedicated to one product — silk, silver, paper. Now a chaotic, atmospheric maze of street food, temples, and shops.
Best for: Street food (pho, bun cha, egg coffee), temples, atmospheric walks, and Hoan Kiem Lake
Ho Chi Minh City District 1
The commercial heart of Saigon with French colonial landmarks (Notre-Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office), the War Remnants Museum, and upscale restaurants.
Best for: History (War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace), French colonial architecture, and rooftop bars
Hoi An Ancient Town
A UNESCO-listed trading port with lantern-lit streets, Japanese bridge, tailor shops, and a food scene rivaling the big cities.
Best for: Tailored clothing, lantern-lit evenings, cooking classes, and the Full Moon Lantern Festival
Ho Chi Minh City — Cholon (District 5)
Saigon's Chinatown, one of the largest in the world, with bustling markets, Chinese temples, and some of the city's best street food.
Best for: Binh Tay Market, Chinese temples, dim sum, and an authentic non-touristy atmosphere
Hanoi West Lake (Tay Ho)
The expat and upscale neighborhood around Hanoi's largest lake with cafes, temples, and a more relaxed pace.
Best for: Tran Quoc Pagoda, lakeside dining, craft beer, and a break from the Old Quarter chaos
Activities & Interests
How Vietnam scores across 15 travel interests
Suggested Itineraries
3-Day Trip
Hanoi Old Quarter & Street Food
- •Explore the Old Quarter's 36 streets — visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple on the island, and the ancient streets
- •Street food tour: pho bo (beef noodle soup) at Pho Thin, bun cha (grilled pork noodles) at Bun Cha Huong Lien (where Obama ate), and egg coffee at Cafe Giang
- •Evening at the weekend night market on Hang Dao street or catch a water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre
Ho Chi Minh City History & Culture
- •Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the War Remnants Museum — a powerful and sobering experience
- •Explore the French Quarter: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Central Post Office (designed by Gustave Eiffel), and Reunification Palace
- •Evening street food in Ben Thanh Market area or rooftop drinks overlooking the Saigon skyline
Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels
- •Day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels — the vast underground network used during the Vietnam War (70 km from HCMC)
- •Alternative: Mekong Delta boat trip through floating markets, coconut candy workshops, and fruit orchards
- •Farewell banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) before departure
7-Day Trip
Hanoi Old Quarter
- •Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the island
- •Explore the Old Quarter's 36 streets — each named for its traditional trade
- •Street food: pho at Pho Thin, bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien, egg coffee at Cafe Giang
Hanoi Culture & West Lake
- •Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university, built in 1070)
- •Afternoon at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple
- •Evening water puppet show at Thang Long Theatre — a uniquely Vietnamese art form
Ha Long Bay
- •Day trip or overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay — UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of limestone karsts rising from emerald water
- •Kayak through grottoes, visit floating fishing villages, and swim in secluded coves
- •Watch sunset from the deck of a traditional junk boat
Fly to Hoi An
- •Fly to Da Nang and transfer to Hoi An (30 min drive)
- •Explore the Ancient Town — Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and lantern-lit streets
- •Evening at a Hoi An restaurant — try cao lau (pork noodles), white rose dumplings, and banh mi
Hoi An Tailoring & Cooking
- •Morning visit to a tailor to have clothes custom-made (ready in 24 hours)
- •Take a cooking class: visit the market for ingredients, then cook Vietnamese dishes
- •Afternoon at An Bang Beach, followed by the Full Moon Lantern Festival if timing aligns
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
- •Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace
- •Walk the French colonial quarter — Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office
- •Evening in District 1 with rooftop cocktails and dinner at a modern Vietnamese restaurant
Cu Chi Tunnels & Farewell
- •Morning trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels — crawl through the underground network and learn the history
- •Return for last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market
- •Farewell pho, banh mi, and ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk)
Flights
Estimated round-trip prices from major US hubs
LAX
Round-trip estimate
$650
Best priceORD
Round-trip estimate
$700
JFK
Round-trip estimate
$750
ATL
Round-trip estimate
$750
MIA
Round-trip estimate
$800
Prices are estimates based on historical data. Check airlines for current fares.
Daily Budget
Estimated daily cost per person including accommodation, food, transport, and activities
Budget
$25
per day
Moderate
$60
per day
Luxury
$180
per day
7-Night Trip Estimate (1 person)
Budget
$825
incl. flights from LAX
Moderate
$1,070
incl. flights from LAX
Luxury
$1,910
incl. flights from LAX
When to Go
Jan
—
Feb
✓
Mar
✓
Apr
✓
May
—
Jun
—
Jul
✗
Aug
✗
Sep
✗
Oct
✓
Nov
✓
Dec
—
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° | 14° | 7d | Hanoi: cool and drizzly. HCMC: dry season, warm (31°C). Best time for the south. |
| Feb | 21° | 15° | 8d | Hanoi: still cool and misty. HCMC: dry and hot. Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations nationwide. |
| Mar | 24° | 18° | 9d | Hanoi: warming up, damp. HCMC: hottest and driest. Good for Hoi An and central coast. |
| Apr | 28° | 21° | 9d | Hanoi: warm spring. HCMC: very hot (34°C). Last dry month in the south. |
| May | 32° | 24° | 12d | Hanoi: hot and humid. HCMC: rainy season begins with afternoon downpours. |
| Jun | 33° | 26° | 13d | Hanoi: hot and rainy. HCMC: daily afternoon rain. Central coast is sunny and dry. |
| Jul | 33° | 26° | 14d | Peak rainy season in the north and south. Central coast still dry. Very hot nationwide. |
| Aug | 33° | 26° | 15d | Wettest month in the north. Heavy rains, occasional flooding. South also wet. |
| Sep | 31° | 25° | 15d | Still rainy in north and south. Central Vietnam's rainy season begins. |
| Oct | 29° | 22° | 13d | Hanoi: cooling down. Central Vietnam: heavy rains and typhoon risk. HCMC: still wet. |
| Nov | 25° | 18° | 8d | Hanoi: pleasant autumn. HCMC: rains easing. Central coast: wettest month, risk of flooding. |
| Dec | 22° | 15° | 6d | Hanoi: cool and dry. HCMC: dry season begins. Best month for the north and south. |
Temperatures in Celsius. Rain days = days with measurable precipitation.
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