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Vietnam is one of the most versatile destinations in Southeast Asia. It is a wonderful country for taking a tour. You can hike through the rice fields of Sapa, adventure in the mountains of Ha Giang and kayak among the gigantic rock formations of Halong Bay. And that's certainly not all. Not surprisingly, Vietnam is on many a bucket list. Want to travel or backpack through Vietnam? Then be well prepared. We collected the most useful tips so you can get everything out of your trip to Vietnam!
Travel to Vietnam
If you are already sure you want to go on vacation to Vietnam, book your tickets as soon as possible. Nowadays intercontinental flights come with a hefty price tag, so the earlier you book the cheaper it is. You cannot fly directly to Vietnam from the Netherlands, but there are certainly interesting options with one stopover.
If you do prefer a direct flight, you can consider a flight from Frankfurt Airport, but this will only be an interesting option if it offers time and price advantages. Of course, KLM has a good flight network from Europe to Asia, but airlines like Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways have at least as good a connection. For attractive deals, you should check out Skyscanner.
Traveling through Vietnam
The great thing about touring Vietnam is that you can do so in many different ways. For example, you can easily travel around the country by public transportation, think of traveling by train or (night) bus. If you have larger distances to cover, then air travel is an interesting option. A last but certainly not least possibility is traveling through Vietnam independently by motorcycle.
If you are stuck for several weeks of vacation and want to make the most of your trip, it is advisable to book any train trips and airline tickets ahead of time.
Traveling through Vietnam by bus
The easiest and most economical way to travel through Vietnam is by bus. You can consider buying an open bus ticket with, say, 5 stops. This allows you to travel around Vietnam for a certain period of time by showing the ticket, provided you reserve a seat in advance. This ticket is only valid for the bus company where you buy this ticket.
We have found that it is easier to buy a bus ticket on the spot for a particular route. In fact, buying a ticket can almost always be done at the hostel or hotel where you are staying. One bus company that we have found to be well organized is The Singh Tourist.
Traveling through Vietnam by train
One way to travel through a country we are very fond of is to travel by train. Why? Not only do you make many contacts with locals who also travel by train, but you also see a lot of the country. By the way, traveling by train in Vietnam is not very cheap, but it is comfortable. For available routes and type of classes on the train, you should check out 12GoAsia.
Short on time? Book a flight
If you want to see a lot of Vietnam in a relatively short time, it is convenient to travel the longer distances by plane. Routes that are popular to travel by plane are Hanoi - Danang and Danang - Ho Chi Minh City. AirAsia often has cheap tickets, but it is always smart to compare flight times and prices at Skyscanner.
Arranging a visa to Vietnam
If you want to travel through Vietnam then you must have a visa. There were previously 2 ways to arrange a visa: e-visa and visa on arrival. However, since the end of 2022, it is only possible to travel through Vietnam if you have an e-visa.
E-visa
You can apply for an e-visa only through the immigration service or through a local travel agency. You do need an authorization letter for this. It is more advantageous to arrange obtaining an e-visa through a travel agency in Vietnam than through a travel agency from the Netherlands. This is because Vietnamese organizations can keep the cost of the authorization letter low. A local travel organization we can recommend for applying for an e-visa is Friends Travel Vietnam.
You can stay in Vietnam with an e-visa for up to 30 days and travel in and out of the country 1 time. The fee to obtain an e-visa is $25. If you want to travel through Vietnam for more than 30 days, then an e-visa is not suitable for you.
Sign up for the Facebook group Vietnam Backpackers NL
Want to spar with other travelers? Then you might consider joining the group 'Vietnam Backpackers NL' on Facebook. You can ask questions to other Dutch people before but also during your trip. Very useful to get information and tips. You can sign up for the Facebook group.
The best period to travel through Vietnam
The best period to travel through Vietnam varies greatly by destination. This is because Vietnam is a long and vast country. Therefore, our best tip for traveling through Vietnam is to pack enough layers. Then you can always dress for the weather!
North Vietnam
The north of Vietnam is a mountainous landscape that includes destinations such as Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ha Giang. In this region, the average temperature is lower than in the rest of Vietnam. You will notice that it is cold here mainly during the winter months (January - March). In the summer months (June - August) it can get very hot. In short, dhe best travel period for northern Vietnam is during the months of October through November. This is because these months you will not suffer from extreme heat and you will be ahead of the cold weather of winter.
Central Vietnam
Temperatures in the Central Vietnam region are fairly constant throughout the year. The only difference you can really notice here is whether or not you have to deal with the rainy season. You do have to deal with a peak summer and rainy season here. Chances of heavy tropical rains are in the months of September and October. The best period to travel through Central Vietnam is during the months of February to July.
South Vietnam
Temperatures in southern Vietnam are also fairly constant and very pleasant. From May through October, however, the rainy season does prevail here, which, as in Central Vietnam, can bring heavy downpours. The best travel period for this region is from December through March. Then enjoy the dry season with warm temperatures!
5 reasons why you want to travel through Vietnam
Are you still hesitating to book your plane ticket to Vietnam? Here are 5 reasons to book that ticket!
- Vietnam has a very interesting history, learn more about this during your trip;
- You can have crazy adventures (like cave hiking in Phong Nha);
- The country is rich in beautiful nature (Ninh Binh);
- The big cities are incredibly chaotic and atmospheric at the same time;
- Traveling around Vietnam is very affordable.
An organized tour of Vietnam
Would you rather have your tour of Vietnam fully mapped out for you? Then you should check out the travel offers at one of the following travel agencies: Rickshaw Travel, From afar and Koning Aap. The offerings range from private tours to organized group tours. Above all, see what suits you best!
The ideal itinerary through Vietnam
Vietnam is an incredibly beautiful country and you will undoubtedly experience that when you follow our itinerary through Vietnam. An itinerary that alternates busy and chaotic cities with unspoiled nature. The itinerary is perfect if you have 3 to 4 weeks, but you can also shorten or extend the route. For this we give in our article on the ideal itinerary through Vietnam tips too!
More Vietnam? Get inspired!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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