How To Plan An Awesome Trip To Vietnam

Are you traveling to Vietnam soon? Does travel planning take so much of your time and effort?

Our Vietnam Travel Planner will guide you step-by-step on how to plan a trip to Vietnam. This article will be useful whether it’s your first time visiting Vietnam or the 10th time.

1. Brainstorming

To plan your trip to Vietnam easily, you should do a little brainstorming and ask yourself:

a) How much time do you plan to visit Vietnam?

You should consider how much time you’re planning to visit Vietnam.

Do you have one week or two weeks in Vietnam?

Is Vietnam just a quick stop for a 3-day-trip in your big Asian adventure?

Although the longer, the better, you can still visit Vietnam in 3 days (choose Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh).

If you have a longer time, you can choose your favorite places to go in Vietnam. We’ve listed the most beautiful and worth-visiting places in Vietnam for your Vietnam itinerary.

b) How much is your budget?

Although Vietnam is a budget-friendly country, you can find luxury stuff.

It can cost a lot of money if you are overspending. Knowing your budget well will help you greatly in planning your Vietnam trip.

c) Who are you traveling with?

Do you travel with your partner, friends, or family? Or are you traveling solo to Vietnam?

If you’re a solo traveler, it’s best that you can rent a motorbike for a trip from the North to the South of Vietnam or vice versa or join tours.

Traveling in Vietnam by bus or train is an excellent option with friends or family.

d) What type of experience do you prefer?

Are you more into sightseeing or adventure travel? Or are you just looking for a relaxing beach vacation? Do you prefer the city or rural area? Would you like to visit off-the-beaten-path?

2. Choose your destination in Vietnam

Deciding where to travel in Vietnam may be one of the most challenging decisions in your planning process. But after brainstorming, you may know where you want to go.

Depending on your travel style, you can pick different destinations in Vietnam that suit your needs.

Answer these questions in the brainstorming part will narrow down places on your bucket list.

Also, while choosing your places to visit in Vietnam, you should know the best time to visit Vietnam.

Are you into a rainy or dry season, or do you prefer to travel in the off-season, shoulder-season, or peak season?

Each place has a different best time to visit, so planning well is essential.

3. Check your Passport

You should have a valid passport when traveling abroad according to the “6-month-rule”.

It means that your passport does not expire six months before your arrival date. You may get declined boarding your flight if your passport is not valid.

So check your passport carefully and renew it if needed.

4. Apply for a visa

Firstly, you should check if you need a visa to Vietnam and how long you need it.

Because Vietnamese visa regulations change a lot, you should check carefully and check again before departure.

The easiest way to apply for a Vietnam visa is through an agency. You won’t need to worry much about the regulation and process. Just let them take care of you.

With over ten years of experience, Vietnam-visa is a trusted agency providing quick and trustworthy service for travelers.

5. Book your flights

a) From abroad

If you fly overseas, you may land in either Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or Da Nang. There are several flight companies having routes from and to Vietnam.

Check Skyscanner to find the best deal.

b) Domestic flights

Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet are leading flight companies in Vietnam.

I prefer Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways because they provide excellent service. There is not much canceling or delaying, and you may have food onboard. The seats are also more comfortable.

Vietjet Air and Jetstar usually have a promotion, and the price is lower than Vietnam Airlines. However, it’s common that your flights may get delayed around 30 minutes or more with them.

6. Buy travel insurance

You should never travel without travel insurance. As Vietnam is not too safe, you may get robbed or have an accident while traveling in Vietnam.

With travel insurance, you’re covered if there’s any problem. The travel insurance will cover your needs: sightseeing, city breaks, vacation getaway, or adventure travel.

7. Book your stay

Depending on where you go, you can book your visit accordingly.

There are different types of accommodation in Vietnam: resorts, hotels, hostels, guesthouses (homestay), and apartments. 

From budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts, you can choose the most suitable accommodation and enjoy the best of your time in Vietnam.

-> Read related article: How to book the best accommodation

Although you can just come in and ask for rooms in hotels in Vietnam, booking your place in advance for your convenience is recommended.

-> Check room rates and availability in Ha Noi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh

8. Book train, bus, or ferry in Vietnam

How to get around in Vietnam?

Many backpackers buy motorbikes or scooters and get on a road trip from the North to the South or vice versa.

If you’re not a big fan of riding a motorbike, you can consider booking a train or bus or renting a car for your Vietnam trip.

-> Read this Vietnam Train travel guide to know all information regarding traveling by train. 

How to book a train, bus, and ferry in Vietnam?

We recommend using Baolau to book trains, buses, and ferries while traveling in Vietnam.

Baolau is the travel search engine that compares prices and time of train, bus, and ferry routes in Vietnam, facilitating your Vietnam travel planning and simplifying the booking process.

You can pay online with a credit card and receive your electronic tickets by email.

9. Book travel tours

As Vietnam is relatively cheap, you can find budget-friendly tours starting at $15. Luxurious tours such as Ha Long Bay Deluxe Cruise can cost $50 or more.

If you’re interested in visiting islands in Vietnam, booking a tour may be the best idea because it’s difficult and expensive to rent a boat on your own.

Also, taking a tour will be a great option if you travel alone and want a companion.

Here are some recommended tours from Klook:

• Ha Long Bay Deluxe Cruise from Ha Noi
• Cu Chi Tunnels Half-day tour from Saigon
• Ba Na Hills day trip from Da Nang
• Hoa Lu – Tam Coc day trip from Ha Noi
• Can Gio tour

10. Know places to go

After choosing your destinations, you should know where you would like to visit each site.

We recommend having a flexible schedule because you might love one destination more than others or unexpected events during your trip to Vietnam, but still plan a bit before your departure.

We have several tips and guides on traveling in Vietnam, from the best places in Vietnam to basic Vietnamese phrases. The more you prepare, the better you can plan your trip.

11. Find places to eat and drinks

Trying Vietnamese food must be on your list of things to do in Vietnam.

Wonder what you should eat in Vietnam? Read our Vietnamese street food list to find your favorite.

We recommend downloading and using the Foody app to find restaurants when you arrive in Vietnam. You can also check Trip Advisor for places to eat at each destination.

12. Connect with the locals or travelers

Vietnam is a popular destination in South East Asia, so you can find several travelers who are going here.

You can either join Facebook groups or Couchsurfing to find them. Couchsurfing is a great way to meet the locals and connect with travelers around the world.

13. Take vaccines

If it’s your first time visiting Vietnam or traveling to Asia, there’s a high chance that you will need vaccines.

If you explore the jungle or mountains in Vietnam, you should be careful of malaria or dengue fever.

Before visiting Vietnam, you should check with your doctor or a qualified medical professional for relevant travel-related advice.

Some recommended vaccines are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid.

Being healthy is essential for traveling, don’t forget to buy travel insurance to prepare for all the risks.

14. Prepare money

In Vietnam, Cash is a King. The Vietnamese currency is Vietnam Dong (VND) and can be exchanged in banks or jewelry shops.

Depending on your budget and travel style, the amount of money needed for your Vietnam trip may vary.

There are several ATMs and banks in big cities, so withdrawing some cash will not be a big issue. Then you can exchange your currency for Vietnamese Dong.

As the withdrawal fee is high, we recommend bringing some cash before entering Vietnam.

15. Buy a sim card

Although you can find free Wi-Fi in public places such as coffee shops, shopping malls, etc., in big cities, buying a 4G sim card is more convenient when traveling to Vietnam.

Some stands at the airport offer sim cards, but we recommend ordering one online in advance.

You can check the sim card packages from Klook for a 4G sim card in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.

16. Pack your luggage

What to pack for Vietnam?

If you travel in the summertime, you should bring light clothes or buy new clothes in Vietnam as they are cheap.

If you need any specific medicine, you should bring them along.

You can easily buy sun cream, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste in Vietnam at convenience stores, so you don’t need to pack them.

For women, it can be challenging to buy tampons or menstrual cups in Vietnam, you should pack them in your luggage, or you can purchase and use pads here.

17. Check your travel documents & flights

Before departure, you should recheck all your travel documents: passport, visa, insurance, and other required travel documents such as booking confirmation.

We recommend storing those documents as PDF files on your USB, laptop, or Drive so you can access them remotely.

Also, it would be best if you rechecked your flight schedule to ensure it departs on time.

Checking online will save you lots of time and avoid a long queue at the airport, so you should do it when the online check-in service is open.

18. Prepare for your flight

Airsickness is a real problem for some people. It can make you feel nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness.

If you have airsickness, you should eat a light meal before boarding, use anti-nausea drugs or natural remedies, and choose the right seat.

When on the plane, you should avoid reading or staring at the electronic screen for a long time because it may worsen the symptom.

Also, buying a soft travel pillow for neck support is a good idea if it’s a long flight from your departure destination to Vietnam.

Now you’re ready for your trip to Vietnam! If you have any questions, feel free to comment below, and we will answer.

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