After travelling throughout 10 cities in Northern, Central and Southern Vietnam, we put collectively essentially the most generally requested questions from our group about planning a Vietnam itinerary.
Just a two-hour flight from Singapore, Vietnam is again on our record for brief getaways.
Before Covid, we explored Central and Northern Vietnam masking cities like Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, in addition to Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An.
Once the borders had been opened, we returned as soon as extra to discover the Southern locations Ho Chi Minh, Da Lat, Phu Quoc and Mui Ne.
After planning varied itineraries, and asking our group on IG and our SG Travel Insider Telegram Group, we determined to place collectively this one-stop FAQ information so that you’ll have every part you might want to plan your subsequent Vietnam itinerary.
Click to leap to related sections:
Transportation | Covid-Related | When To Visit | Safety | Cash or Card | SIM Cards| Itinerary | Accommodation | Drinking Water | Tips to getting pleasant with locals | Halal Food | More Inspo
1) Getting to and round Vietnam
Flights from Singapore
There are three direct flights from Singapore to Vietnam, relying on which area you need to discover.
Northern Vietnam: Hanoi (to go to Sapa, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh)
Central Vietnam: Da Nang (to go to Hue and Hoi An)
Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (to go to Dalat, Phu Quoc and Mui Ne)
Travelling to completely different cities
Southern Vietnam (From Ho Chi Minh)
Central Vietnam (From Da Nang)
Southern Vietnam (From Hanoi)
Private rent automobile — Grab, Bee and GoViet
Photo credit score: Vietnam Airlines
The Grab app extensively used right here and fees are inexpensive.
Photo credit score: VN Express International
If you’re going solo, take into account taking a GrabBike because the fares are less expensive — some as little as 16,900₫ (~S$1)!
Other ridesharing providers equivalent to Bee and GoViet are additionally out there.
Private constitution
Private charters are nice for areas with low foot visitors and the place public transport isn’t accessible. The service offers a driver from 4 to 12 hours and might accommodate teams of as much as 12.
Cost: From ~S$45/half-day
2) Covid-related Entry Requirements in Vietnam
Currently, guests coming into Vietnam aren’t required to take a Covid-19 take a look at or submit a well being declaration. Isolation can also be not required. Singaporeans can enter Vietnam for as much as 30 days and not using a visa.
Photo credit score: Visit Vietnam
*Note: Visa situations fluctuate for every nation so it’s finest to seek advice from Vietnam’s official tourism web site for more information.
3) Best instances to go to
With the exception of highland areas like Sapa, Ba Na Hills, and Dalat, Vietnam’s basic temperature is heat (approx. 22°C – 29°C).
If your itinerary is crammed with out of doors actions like snorkelling, zipling, or climbing — go through the dry season, from December to April. Monsoon climate is mostly anticipated from May to November.
Our go to to Southern Vietnam in mid-August was sporadically crammed with rainfall, leading to floods on some days.
Although not very best, the rain didn’t dampen our time there. The rainfall was largely periodic, so we had been nonetheless in a position to perform our scheduled actions like browsing, and driving an alpine coaster, albeit a bit moist. You don’t should fully rule out the monsoon months — simply be prepared and costume for the weather.
Weather apart, be aware of nationwide holidays or festivities. While some festivities add to the whimsy of journey, others might end in crowds and even large shutdowns of cities.
4) Cash or card?
Photo credit score: MOVETOASIA
Cash is king in Vietnam, however many established shops and eating places in main cities settle for card funds.
When we tried to make contactless funds through Apple Pay, transactions not often went by means of. Perhaps bodily playing cards work higher, however save your self the difficulty and alternate your native foreign money for Vietnamese Dong.
*Pro-tip: Some locations like Ben Thanh Market settle for US Dollar and Malaysian Ringgit because of the excessive quantity of Malaysian vacationers! Bring some simply in case you run out of Vietnamese Dong.
Money changers in Singapore
*Pro-tip: use Cash Changer to get the areas of the absolute best alternate charges — the variations in alternate charges can actually add up fairly a bit.
6) Traveller SIM Cards
There are three important SIM Card suppliers in Vietnam, that are Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobifone. Reviews say Mobifone might get patchy reception outdoors town so the primary two are really useful.
We received our Vinaphone 4G SIM card through Klook and had it collected from the airport as soon as we arrived. Coverage ranges from 10 to 30 days with information from 2GB to limitless.
Photo credit score: SASCO Travel
Some areas like Phu Quoc Airport don’t provide SIM playing cards so it’s finest to accumulate them from the most important cities you fly into (Hoi An, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City).
7) What to do in Vietnam?
Vietnam’s affordability, pristine seashores, and meals are what often attracts folks to the nation — however the record doesn’t cease there.
Adrenaline junkies can undergo excessive rope programs and experience the alpine coaster at Datanla Waterfall in Dalat or spend a day screaming your coronary heart out at Ba Na Hills SunWorld!
Head to Ninh Binh for historic temples, citadels and limestone karsts if you happen to want a chill-sightseeing-vacay.
Ranging from three days to 2 weeks, listed below are some concepts for planning your individual Vietnam itinerary.
Northern and Central Vietnam:
– 2-Week Vietnam Itinerary — Heart-Pumping Experiences by means of Northern and Central Vietnam from Hanoi to Da Nang
– 7 Adventurous Day Trips from Hanoi — Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Trang An and extra
– 5-Day Central Vietnam Itinerary — Off The Beaten Path In Ba Na Hills, Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An
– 15 Pho-nomenal Experiences You Must Add to Your Northern Vietnam Itinerary — Halong Bay, Hanoi and Sapa
Southern Vietnam:
– 3D2N Da Lat Itinerary — A Magical Alpine Adventure in Southern Vietnam
– 3D2N Phu Quoc Itinerary — A Pristine Beach Retreat in Southern Vietnam’s Hidden “Pearl Island”
– 7-Day Southern Vietnam Itinerary Under S$900 — Best Things to Do in Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne, and Da Lat
8) Where to remain?
While choices for resorts are ample, Vietnam additionally has a couple of whacky lodging which might be an expertise of its personal:
*Pro-tip: Click on the completely different classes on Airbnb’s web page for stays in distinctive structure!
We’ve rented complete properties and villas on Airbnb for our Bootcamps and we love the home-away-from-home really feel!
Photo credit score: Hostelworld
Hostels too are ample in important cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi — esepcially if you happen to’re travelling solo or with a small group of pals, on a price range! It’s the proper place to fulfill different travellers and get proven across the metropolis.
In Dalat, we stayed at a spot referred to as Crazy House — it undoubtedly lived as much as its identify is all I can say.
The subsequent time you’re planning your Vietnam itinerary, look out for fascinating lodging experiences too.
9) Is faucet water secure to drink?
No! Tap water will not be potable in Vietnam. Always boil it earlier than consuming or consum packaged water.
10) Tips to get pleasant with locals?
So far, we’ve solely met one grumpy Grab driver in Vietnam — and he didn’t even keep grumpy the entire approach.
The Vietnamese are typically a jolly lot. They’re completely satisfied to serve or reply any questions, so simply match their vitality and be well mannered.
If you buy a day tour, the native guides are the most effective to ask for suggestions! Ours pointed us to considered one of the most effective Banh Mi we’ve ever come throughout.
Waiters/waitresses at restaurant and cafe, in addition to resort receptionists can be an excellent supply of enquiry.
*Pro-tip: Most Vietnamese are acquainted with Google Translate, so think about using it if there are not any English audio system round.
11) How to seek out Halal meals?
Though at a sluggish tempo, Vietnam’s Halal-Certified meals choices in main cities have improved over time with the rise in Muslim vacationers.
*Pro-tip: Use the phrase “Is the food/meat suitable for Muslims?” when asking concerning the Halal standing of eating places because the Vietnamese understood that line higher than the time period Halal.
Read additionally:
– Southern Vietnam Food Guide — 17 Best Places to Eat at Ho Chi Minh, Da Lat, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc
– Where to Eat in Hanoi — 31 Local-Approved Places to Eat in Vietnam’s Charming Capital
Ho Chi Minh City
- Nguyen An Ninh Street (extra generally often called Malaysian Street) – Halal Vietnamese meals and Malaysian meals
- Pho Muslim – Authentic Halal Vietnamese meals
- [email protected] – Malaysian and Singaporean delicacies
- COMA Coffee – Drinks and dessert
Some Indian eating places will clearly state their Halal standing whereas others might not, so all the time test with the restaurant at your individual discretion.
Grab Food
Although minimal, the Halal choice of Grab meals in Vietnam exists. Use key phrases like “Halal”, “Indian food”, “Malaysian food” or “Indonesian food” to discover a Halal restaurant. Some will clearly state their Halal standing whereas others may have clarification. Order at your individual discretion and all the time test with the restaurant.
Other assets for planning your Vietnam itinerary
To be sincere, we don’t hype Vietnam up sufficient. The nation’s sights had been a mixture of eras, particularly evident when transferring from metropolis to metropolis.
If you want extra inspo in your itinerary planning, take a look at these guides:
– Ba Na Hills Guide — 10 Things To Do In Vietnam’s Breathtaking Hidden Playground
– Ultimate Southern Vietnam Guide — 13 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne
– 9 Best Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City — A Less Touristy HCM Guide
Or take a look at a few of our movies:
Did we miss out any questions? Let us know within the feedback beneath!