Vietnam is a popular travel destination with so much to see and experience for everyone. Here are eight tips for planning your journey to help you get the most of your trip:

1) When to go?

Keep in mind that Vietnam is a big country with a north-to-south distance of 1,650 kilometres, so weather differences in different parts of the country are significant. When I was visiting Vietnam in late March, it was around + 20 Co in Hanoi and + 35 Co in Phong Nha.Pictured: The Turtle tower in Hanoi in fog. End of March.

turtle tower hanoi fog vietnam thesanetravel.com 1010838

Note: avoid travelling during the Tet holiday in January and February. Tet is a Christmas and New Year's celebration rolled into one, and just about everyone is visiting their grandma. The transport is always fully booked. Tet dates are changing according to the Moon calendar and can shift from late January to mid February, so check in advance. If you are not a heat lover, consider separate trips to Northern and Southern parts of Vietnam at different times of the year. March would be the only compromise for the whole country. I would start from the South and move northwards at the end of month.

2) Use of local on the ground public transport

You can travel from one place to another in Vietnam not only by regular public transport but also by bus routes provided by travel agencies. I used the services of TheSinhTourist recommended by the hotel I stayed at in Hoi An. It was my first time on a sleeping bus. It’s comfortable for longer or overnight trips.

sleeping bus sinhcafe vietnam thesanetravel.com 10304443) Domestic travel by air

Vietnam Airlines is the official flag carrier of Vietnam, covering more than 20 destinations there. Viet Jet Air, or Vietjet, is an international low-cost airline in Vietnam, its first privately owned airline. It’s cheaper, but not reliable time wise. My flight time was changed twice in the last two days before departure. So if you have to reach your destination at a particular time, I recommend choosing the Vietnam Airlines.

vjetjet girl thesanetravel.com4) Think about including a trip to Phong Nha caves into your itinerary

This is a region with a network of 300 different caves. The most popular with the everyday traveller are Paradise Cave, the Dark Cave and Phong Nha Cave. Phong Nha is an hour away from Dong Hoi city. Read more about visiting Phong Nha caves clicking this link !

paradise cave vietnam thesanetravel.com 10401915) Planning your Halong Bay tour, consider including an overnight stay on a ship there

It will enrich your Halong Bay experience.Check also my Halong Bay cruise photo review !

halong bay at night vietnam thesanetravel.com 10201906) Learn more about Vietnamese life through an exploration tour

For example, a bike tour from Hoi An. Read about my experience of a bike tour from Hoi An

bike tour hoi an vietnam thesanetravel.com 10301637) If you are a history lover, you have to visit Hue

The Old town and Citadel of Hue have hardly suffered from the Vietnam War and have been undergoing large restoration works recently, so now there is much to see.Read about 8 things to see in Hue.

citadel view hue vietnam thesanetravel.com 10306338) No trip to Vietnam is complete without a water puppets show

it's an experience not to be missed. You can choose between different theatres. I recommend Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi.Read more about a water puppet show by clicking this link !

waterpuppets ethnology museum hanoi thesanetravel.com 13Check the packing list for Asia making your packing for Vietnam easier!

Have you been to Vietnam? What are your travel tips? Share them in the comments section!VietnamTravelTips

  • Published by Anita on July 18, 2016

Author: Anita Sāne

Anita 03 18

About the author
Anita is a part-time traveller, passionate photographer and a retired career woman from Latvia, 
travelling mostly solo for more than 15 years. She is a skilled travel planner who plans and executes her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her on FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter and Bloglovin.

 

 

 
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Fastidious answers in return of this difficulty with solid arguments and describing the whole thing concerning that.
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Tja, percentages ken іk niet, maar һеt lijkt duidelijk ɗat heel veel vrouwen niet zo makkelijk klaarkomen door neuken alleen.
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Great tip to include Phong Nha caves, I would also add to visit Sapa for the classic shot of the terraced rice fields (plan carefully on what time of year if you want to avoid misty shots and want the rice growing!). Also I loved eating everything in Hanoi - street food is amazing in all of Vietnam - and learning about the history in Ho Chi Minh city.
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Hanoi has been on my list for a while. I love your comprehensive review!
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This is quite the apprehensive guide, I love it. Vietnam is definately on my Asia wishlist
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We've been thinking about a trip to Vietnam for next year. Thanks for sharing such useful tips, especially about the airline issue!
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Vietnam is on my bucketlist. And, this is a very useful list. Thanks for sharing
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Beautiful photos! I hadn't considered staying overnight at Halong Bay but will definitely keep that in mind now!
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Oh, I love Vietnam so much! I do plan to go back there soon, the first time it felt so rushed. I would love to explore more, like a water puppet show for example. I had a lot of fun taking those night buses, it was my first time ever sleeping on the top bunk, in a bus. :)
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Great guide to Vietnam! I'm going in December do will definitely use your tips.
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How strange was that bus! I would love a go on one of them. Lovely photos!
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gelacnicolas
That was cool. interesting blog. I'll include this on my bucket list
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Wow! I have never been to Vietnam but it looks like there is so much to do and see! And that sleeping bus looks so comfortable!!
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Love the list and I do recommend an overnight stay in a Halong Bay cruise ship as well everytime I sell a holiday package to Vietnam. Love the Tet Holiday advice, everyone's visiting their grandma. Lol.
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I really want to visit Vietnam! This has made me even more determined to do so!
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The sleeper bus looks so interesting! I've never seen anything like it before. Love your pictures as well!
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Great tips and your photos are beautiful!
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Very informative post on Vietnam, thanks for sharing. The trip on the sleeper bus must have been quite an experience! Halong Bay is still on our bucket list!
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Your articles are always visually stunning. Lovely post on Vietnam. Have been there but only for a long weekend. Nice job.

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