Things to do in Vietnam: best places to visit
Vietnam's essentials: Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the lanterns and Japanese Bridge of Hoi An, the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang, the cathedral and post office in Ho Chi Minh City, and beaches at Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Mui Ne. The country runs some 1,650 km north to south, so most trips use a domestic flight.
Sights in Vietnam
80 places in 8 cities
Van Thuy Tu Whale Temple
Phan Thiet, Vietnam
30 min≈ 15,000 VND, children ≈ 5,000churcheshistorymuseums
Japanese Covered Bridge
Hoi An, Vietnam
20 minOld Town ticket: 80,000–120,000 VNDchurcheshistoryancient ruins
Itineraries across Vietnam
City itineraries in Vietnam
Vietnam travel guide
Before you go: north, centre and south, which beach to choose, visa and money, getting around, weather by region and the rainy seasons.
Vietnam on your own: the essentials
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — visa-free days or a 90-day e-visa
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND); cash for street food
- First trip
- Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City in 2 weeks
- Seasons
- North, centre and south have different rainy seasons
- Winter
- Phu Quoc and Mui Ne are dry; Hanoi is cool
- Summer
- Da Nang and Nha Trang are dry with a warm sea
- Taxis
- Grab nationwide
- SIM
- Local SIM or eSIM — cheap, fast data
- Long trips
- Fly between regions; buses between neighbours
- Time zone
- UTC+7 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Vietnam”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage ListSourcei
Vietnam Immigration DepartmentSourcei
Wikipedia, “Climate of Vietnam”Best places to visit in Vietnam
The best places to visit in Vietnam are Hanoi for the Old Quarter and Ha Long Bay, Hoi An for its lantern-lit old town, Da Nang for beaches and Ba Na Hills, and Ho Chi Minh City for city life and the Mekong Delta. For beaches pick by season: Phu Quoc and Mui Ne in winter, Da Nang and Nha Trang in summer. Da Lat offers cool hills. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Hanoi | Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay | Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Hoi An | Old town, lanterns | Feb–Apr |
| Da Nang | My Khe beach, Golden Bridge | Mar–Aug |
| Nha Trang | Beach, islands, VinWonders | Feb–Aug |
| Phu Quoc | White sand, sea cable car | Nov–Apr |
| Phan Thiet & Mui Ne | Dunes, kitesurfing | Dec–Apr |
| Da Lat | Hills, waterfalls, cool air | Dec–Mar |
| Ho Chi Minh City | City life, Mekong Delta | Dec–Apr |
Ready trips across the country are above on this page.
Best time to visit Vietnam by region
The best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region: the south is dry from December to April, the centre (Da Nang, Hoi An) from March to August, Nha Trang from February to August, and the north (Hanoi, Ha Long) is best in autumn and spring. Autumn brings rain and typhoons to the centre.
| North: Hanoi, Ha Long | Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr | Jun–Sep |
|---|---|---|
| Centre: Da Nang, Hoi An | Mar–Aug | Sep–Dec |
| Nha Trang | Feb–Aug | Oct–Dec |
| South: HCMC, Mui Ne | Dec–Apr | May–Nov |
| Phu Quoc | Nov–Apr | May–Oct |
Vietnam visa and currency
Vietnam visa rules depend on your passport: some nationalities get a set number of visa-free days, and everyone can apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days. The currency is the dong; cards work in hotels and chains, cash rules at markets and street stalls.
- ATMs — in every town; fees vary by bank.
- Notes — lots of zeros: check change, 10,000 and 100,000 look alike.
- Prices — food and transport are cheap; tours and Vin parks cost more.
- Bargaining — fine at markets, not in shops with price tags.
Getting around Vietnam
Vietnam stretches ≈ 1,650 km north to south, so most people fly between regions: Hanoi–Da Nang ≈ 1 h 20 min, Ho Chi Minh City–Phu Quoc ≈ 1 hour. Buses and limousine vans link nearby cities, and the Reunification Express train runs along the coast.
- Flights — frequent between Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, HCMC, Phu Quoc and Da Lat.
- Buses and limousines — Nha Trang–Da Lat, HCMC–Mui Ne, Da Nang–Hoi An.
- Train — Hanoi to HCMC, with a scenic stretch over the Hai Van Pass.
- Grab — cars and motorbike taxis in every big city.
Vietnam weather by month
Vietnam’s weather differs north, centre and south: the south is hot all year, the north is cool in winter, and the centre gets autumn rain. Below is Nha Trang: dry from February to August, with the sea at 25–29 °C.
Nha TrangiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 27° | 28° | 29° | 31° | 32° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 30° | 28° | 27° |
| Night | 21° | 21° | 22° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 22° |
| Sea | 25° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 26° |
| Rain | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 18 | 14 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: February–August
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 21°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 7 days
Breezy; the south is dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 21°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 3 days
Dry; Tet. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 26°
- rain 2 days
Dry — a great time. Warm for swimming, water — about 26°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 2 days
Dry, calm sea. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 5 days
Hot, warm sea. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 5 days
Hot; rain in the north. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 5 days
Dry in the centre. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 6 days
Dry, sea ≈ 29°. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 9 days
Rains begin. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 16 days
Rainy season in the centre. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 23°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 18 days
Downpours; Phu Quoc is dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 26°
- rain 14 days
Rain; the south’s season. Warm for swimming, water — about 26°.
Each city has its own weather: Hanoi is ≈ 17–20° in winter, Da Lat is cool all year, and Phu Quoc is dry in winter.
Tips
- Pick your beach by season: the south in winter, the centre in summer.
- Riding a scooter takes local know-how — without experience, use Grab.
- Carry small notes for street food and markets.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport: some nationalities are visa-free for a set number of days, and all can apply online for an e-visa of up to 90 days. Check the official rules for your passport.
What are the best places to visit in Vietnam?
Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, plus Phu Quoc or Nha Trang for beaches.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
It depends on the region: the south December–April, the centre March–August, the north October–December and March–April.
What is the weather like in Vietnam in December?
Dry and ≈ 30 °C in the south and on Phu Quoc; rainy in Nha Trang and Da Nang; about 22 °C by day in Hanoi.
What currency is used in Vietnam?
The Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards work in hotels and chains; cash is needed for markets and street food.
Is Vietnam safe for tourists?
Generally yes; the main risks are traffic and bag snatching. Check your government’s travel advice before you go.
How many days do you need in Vietnam?
Two weeks covers Hanoi, Ha Long, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City; add a week for a beach.
How do I get around Vietnam?
Fly between regions, take buses or limousine vans between nearby cities, and use Grab in town.
Nha Trang or Phu Quoc?
Phu Quoc in winter (dry season), Nha Trang from February to August. Phu Quoc has quieter sand; Nha Trang has a city and islands.
Where to go in Vietnam with kids?
Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Da Nang: VinWonders and Ba Na Hills, gentle beaches and resorts with pools.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List — sites in Vietnam
- Vietnam Immigration Department — e-visa portal
- Wikipedia, “Vietnam”; “Climate of Vietnam”; Nha Trang climate (1991–2020 normals)