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Vietnam (South)
Vietnam is a stunning blend of bustling cities, serene countryside, and rich history. Explore Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City for an unforgettable Southeast Asian adventure.
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Summary
Did you know?
The Mekong Delta is a Water Wonderland – The Mekong Delta is a maze of rivers, swamps, and islands, where locals travel by boat instead of roads.
Overview
Months
January, February, March, April, December
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains, Rainforest, Diving/Snorkeling
Expenses
<200€, <150€, Over 200€, <100€, 0-50€
Temperature
Over 30°C, 25-30°C
Rainfall
0-50mm
Safety
Safe
Continent
Asia
Currency
Vietnamese đồng
Languages
Vietnamese
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel to South Vietnam is during the dry season (December to April). During this period, the weather is consistently hot, sunny, and dry, with low humidity and very calm seas. This makes it the ideal time for exploring the Mekong waterways, beach holidays, and island visits.
The wet season runs from May to November, driven by the southwest monsoon. While it remains hot, you will experience heavy tropical downpours almost daily, usually arriving in the late afternoon. These downpours are brief, but they can quickly cause localized street flooding in low-lying delta areas and create rough ocean conditions for boats heading to offshore islands.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: December to April
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 7 to 9 hours.
Rain Frequency: 2 to 5 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 0 to 1 hour.
Intensity: Very rare, brief light showers.
Duration: Almost entire days are bright and clear with warm, steady tropical weather.
Off-Peak Season: May to November
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 5 to 7 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 23 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 2 to 3 hours.
Intensity: Heavy, torrential afternoon thunderstorms.
Duration: Downpours hit suddenly and heavily for an hour or two, clearing up quickly by the evening.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: December-April (Dry Season)
Budget Vacation ($30-50/day)
Accommodation: $10-15/night (hostels, budget city hotels).
Food: $5-10/day (street food like com tam, local bakeries).
Activities: $5-10/day (public parks, historic temples).
Transportation: $5-10/day (public buses, scooter taxis).
Other Costs: $5/day (bottled water, iced coffee).
Mid-Range Vacation ($70-130/day)
Accommodation: $35-65/night (modern city hotels, riverside lodges).
Food: $15-25/day (sit-down restaurants, craft beer bars).
Activities: $10-25/day (Mekong riverboat tours, museum tickets).
Transportation: $5-10/day (ride-hailing apps like Grab).
Other Costs: $5/day (fresh fruit snacks, tips).
Luxury Vacation ($200-500+/day)
Accommodation: $100-250+/night (5-star city hotels, luxury island beach resorts).
Food: $40-80/day (upscale rooftop dining, fresh seafood feasts).
Activities: $50-150+/day (private river cruises, guided culinary tours).
Transportation: $30-70/day (private drivers, domestic flights).
Other Costs: $20+/day (spa treatments, cocktails).
Off-Peak Season: May-November (Wet Season)
Budget Vacation ($25-40/day)
Accommodation: $8-12/night (discounted hostel beds).
Food: $5-10/day (indoor food halls, street noodle stalls).
Activities: $3-8/day (indoor markets, city museums).
Transportation: $5-10/day (city buses).
Other Costs: $4/day (rain ponchos).
Mid-Range Vacation ($50-100/day)
Accommodation: $25-50/night (discounted hotel rooms).
Food: $10-20/day (air-conditioned cafes, local diners).
Activities: $10-20/day (cooking workshops, historical tours).
Transportation: $5-10/day (Grab cars).
Other Costs: $5/day (cold drinks).
Luxury Vacation ($150-350+/day)
Accommodation: $80-180+/night (luxury resorts at low-season rates).
Food: $30-60/day (hotel restaurants).
Activities: $40-100/day (private spa packages, indoor experiences).
Transportation: $20-50/day (private transfers).
Other Costs: $15/day (souvenirs).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Ho Chi Minh City
- The economic powerhouse and largest city in Vietnam. It is vibrant, fast-paced, filled with skyscrapers, buzzing nightlife, and thousands of motorbikes.
2. Can Tho
- The cultural and commercial heart of the Mekong Delta. It sits on the Bassac River and serves as the main hub for exploring delta life and floating markets.
3. Mui Ne
- A coastal resort town on the southern coast known for windsurfing, kitesurfing, coastal sand dunes, and fresh seafood shacks.
4. Chau Doc
- A quiet riverside border town near Cambodia. It features a diverse mix of Cham, Khmer, and Chinese communities, stilted water houses, and floating fish farms.
Ho Chi Minh City
Did you know?
Saigon's Not Its Original Name – The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the Vietnam War, but many still call it Saigon.
Islands
1. Phu Quoc
- Vietnam's largest island, located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is famous for powdery white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and high-end coastal resorts.
2. Con Dao
- A remote archipelago of rugged, jungle-covered islands. It features protected marine parks, sea turtle nesting beaches, and preserved colonial-era political prisons.
3. Nam Du Island
- A pristine, lesser-known archipelago off the southwest coast. It is rustic and peaceful, known for coconut groves, rocky coves, and clear blue water.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Mui Ne Sand Dunes
- A strange coastal desert system featuring rolling red and white sand dunes where you can ride quad bikes or slide down the sandy hills.
2. Tra Su Cajuput Forest
- A flooded wetland forest near Chau Doc. You take small wooden rowboats through calm waters covered completely by bright green duckweed.
3. Cat Tien National Park
- A major lowland tropical rainforest reserve home to century-old trees, wild gibbons, rare birds, and multi-day jungle hiking trails.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Cu Chi Tunnels
- A vast, multi-level underground tunnel network used by Viet Cong soldiers during the war, featuring hidden trapdoors, living quarters, and kitchens.
2. War Remnants Museum
- A prominent museum in Ho Chi Minh City that documents the brutal history of the Vietnam War through photography, military vehicles, and weaponry.
3. Cao Dai Holy See
- Located in Tay Ninh. It is the ornate, colorful cathedral-temple of the unique Caodaist religion, which combines elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and Taoism.
Unique Experiences
1. Exploring Cai Rang Floating Market
- Waking up early in Can Tho to navigate between hundreds of wooden boats where local farmers sell pineapples, watermelons, and noodle soups directly from the water.
2. Saigon Street Food by Scooter
- Riding on the back of a motorbike through the tangled alleys of Ho Chi Minh City to taste regional street snacks at night.
3. Rowing the Ben Tre Canals
- Cruising through narrow delta waterways shaded entirely by water coconut palms in a traditional wooden sampan boat.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
1. Namia River Retreat
Location: Hoi An
- A luxury wellness resort known for its private pool villas, lush palm forests, and traditional Vietnamese spa therapies.
2. The Reverie Saigon
Location: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
An ultra-luxurious, over-the-top hotel occupying the top floors of the Times Square building, showcasing lavish Italian interior design, custom furnishings by world-renowned Italian design houses, and panoramic views of the Saigon River.
Restaurants/Bars
The Deck Nha Trang
Location: Tran Phu Beach, Nha Trang
A chic, sophisticated open-air lounge and dining destination situated right on the golden sands of the coast, celebrated for its stylish atmosphere, creative coastal-fusion cocktails, and panoramic views of the South China Sea.
Tours to do
1. The Mekong Delta Waterway Route
- Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, traveling through the fruit orchards of Ben Tre, continuing to Can Tho for the morning river markets, and ending in Chau Doc.
Best Time: December to April.
Average Cost: $200 – $400 per person
2. The Southern Coast and Islands Escape
- A route departing Ho Chi Minh City to the sandy coastline of Mui Ne, followed by a short domestic flight out to the quiet beaches of Phu Quoc or Con Dao.
Best Time: January to April.
Average Cost: $350 – $700 per person
Phu Quoc
How to get around
1. Domestic Aviation
- Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways provide cheap, frequent connections linking Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
2. The Reunification Express
- The historic railway that runs the length of the country between Hanoi and Saigon, offering safe, scenic sleeper train journeys.
3. Limousine Vans and Sleeper Buses
- High-roof vans with reclining leather seats are the fastest way to connect nearby hubs like Hanoi to Ninh Binh or Halong Bay.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Bánh Xèo is a Must-Try – A savory Vietnamese pancake made from rice flour, turmeric, and filled with shrimp and vegetables, it’s a delicious local dish.
What to eat
1. Pho
- A flavorful noodle soup made with beef or chicken, herbs, and spices.
2. Banh Mi
- A Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette, meat, vegetables, and herbs.
3. Spring Rolls
- Fresh or fried rolls filled with shrimp, vegetables, and vermicelli noodles.
4. Com tam
- Broken rice served with grilled pork and various sides.
5. Che
- A sweet dessert made with beans, fruits, and coconut milk, enjoyed as a treat.
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €450 to €850.
- Cheapest Months: January to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $600 to $1,100.
- Cheapest Months: January to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $200 to $600.
- Cheapest Months: January to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $350 to $800.
- Cheapest Months: January to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $450 to $900.
- Cheapest Months: January to March and September to November.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia need a visa to enter Vietnam, unless they qualify for a visa exemption.
2. Visa-Free Entry
- Some nationalities can enter visa-free for stays of up to 15 to 30 days, depending on the country.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers can apply for a Vietnam visa online (e-Visa) or through a Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
4. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a Tourist Visa: Valid for tourism, allowing stays of up to 30 days.
5. Processing Time
- E-visa applications are typically processed within 3 business days; consular visas may take longer.
6. Duration of Stay
- Tourist visas generally allow for stays of 30 days; extensions may be available.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are generally required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
8. COVID-19 Regulations
- Check for any current COVID-19 entry requirements before traveling, as regulations may change.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 220V, and plug types A and C are used.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is appreciated, usually around 5-10%.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Viettel and Mobifone.
6. Driving Side
- In Vietnam, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Conical Hats (Nón Lá)
- The traditional Vietnamese conical hat, known as Nón Lá, is a symbol of Vietnamese culture. It is a popular souvenir and a functional accessory.
2. Wooden Sculptures
- South Vietnam is known for its intricate wooden sculptures, often representing religious and spiritual figures. These carvings make for meaningful and beautiful keepsakes.
3. Vietnamese Handicrafts
- Handmade crafts such as embroidered linens, pottery, and bamboo products are common souvenirs in southern Vietnam.
Nón Lá
Location
Reviews
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