A typical first trip here runs about $300 to $400 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Pho, aromatic beef noodle soup; eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Bánh mì, French baguette with Vietnamese fillings; a colonial fusion masterpiece
- Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup)
- Regional differences: Hanoi (subtle), Hội An (complex), Ho Chi Minh (vibrant)
- Cà phê trứng (egg coffee) and Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk
- Tết (Lunar New Year), the most important holiday; avoid traveling then
- Mid-Autumn Festival, lantern processions and mooncakes
- Hội An Lantern Festival (monthly, full moon), romantic candlelit river ceremony
- Đà Lạt Flower Festival (biennial), elaborate floral displays
- War museums and historical sites are important for understanding Vietnam
Vietnamese is tonal, the same syllable has 6 different meanings based on tone. English is increasingly spoken in tourist areas.
French words remain in the language from colonial times. Younger Vietnamese in cities speak good English.
- Don't criticize the government or Communist Party, stay politically neutral
- Dress modestly at temples and pagodas
- Bargaining is expected in markets; smile while negotiating
- Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated in tourist restaurants
Latest for Vietnam
Updates for Vietnam will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.