Holiday of a lifetime!
Vibrant Vietnam – Timeless Charm, my amazing captivating homeland, boasted one of the World’s 20 best destinations and the most rewarding country to explore with friendly people who always warmly welcome you all!
As the most attractive destination in Asia, Vietnam attracts more and more international tourists ( in 2019, there were 18 Million foreign visitors ), who travel to Vietnam to enjoy, relax, discover the breathtaking hidden charms for a dream holiday with great experiences, and you not only see the world but also change the world to make our planet a better place to live!
As a long skinny country, from the highest incredible breathtaking mountain rice terrace fields of Sapa with different Ethnic minorities groups(54 Ethnic Minority groups), Ha Giang plateau rocky mountain, Ban Gioc Waterfall, down to a MUST SEE Halong Bay -World natural heritage(over 10 World UNESCO HERITAGE sites), downing to central historic Hue Ancient capital and charming peaceful romantic World culture heritage Hoi An Ancient town, south-central of the azure beaches of Nha Trang-9 most beautiful bay of the world, Mui Ne (over 3200 km long coastline )…Phong Nha Caving with Paradise Cave, Son Doong -largest one in the world or Relaxing Mui Ne beach and resort … to the rolling countryside of the southern Central Highlands of coffee, and pepper plantation, from the manic pace of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)-used to be the headquarter of South Republic of Vietnam during Vietnam War, Cu chi tunnels, to the lazy rhythms of the Mekong River –Rice basket of Vietnam.
Vietnam offers you all beyond your expectation, and you’ll find countless enriching experiences.
At AVT, a passionate experienced team offers the best advice with the best sample tours and also specializes in tailor-made trips that accommodate your specific travel interests.
Where to start to travel in a long country, Vietnam? From the north or the South? Wherever you will definitely have an amazing holiday of a lifetime!
You are a food lover? we will take you to taste yummy Hanoi Authentic Bánh Mỳ, Streetside Phở, Bánh cuốn, Bún Chả, Bánh Xèo, Bún Bò Huế, Cao Lau, Mỳ Quảng, Bún Bò Nam Bộ, Bánh Hỏi… your stomach’s rumbling already? or just addictive Café with condensed milk in the old quarter and ambient French District of Hanoi and Saigon on a street food crawl through alleys of hustle and bustle streets. Vietnam Travel is so tasty, simple, and plain creating real-life experiences
Please look at our Travel Blog Travel Tips & Blogs – avttravel (asiavietnamtravel.com)
Our Youtube Channel : (18) AVT Travel – YouTube
and our Facebook Fanpage: AVT Travel -Journey With Thien | Hanoi | Facebook to get more details, update our Sample Tours, or customize your own idea of your dream holiday!
Before you go:
Travel documents (passport, visas, travel insurance certificate, air tickets, tour voucher)
Money (cash, credit card, debit card, traveler’s cheques, and money pouch)
Day pack for your personal needs during the day
Camera and extra memory cards and batteries
Cell phone and cell phone charger
Laptop charger (if you are bringing your laptop)
Travel plug/international adapter
Medication (including a doctor’s letter if you are carrying a large amount of medication)
Prescription glasses/contacts and if necessary, contact lens solution
Best things to bring along:
First aid kit
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Refillable water bottle with filter
Wardrobe:
Comfortable walking shoes
Comfortable clothing, either light or heavy options, depending on the season you are traveling
Clothes suitable for visiting temples (long pants/skirts, long-sleeved tops)
Waterproof jacket/raincoat/umbrella
Hat & sunglasses
Bathing suit
Optional comforts:
Earplugs & eye mask
Sleep sheet for homestays/trains
Lightweight travel towel
Local language phrasebook
Vietnam officially reopened its inbound tourism on 15th March 2022 after nearly two years of closure.
Two months later (on 15th May 2022), Vietnam also removed the pre-entry Covid-19 testing requirements for all arrivals as per a recent government Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg. The latest decision is expected to boost the traveling of international visitors to Vietnam in the context that the country’s Covid-19 infections have dropped to a 10-month low.
AVT will support you to do whatever you feel is best for you and your loved ones. Below are a few useful facts you need to know before you go to Vietnam :
I. VISAS
Almost all visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country, although some exemptions apply to citizens of countries with reciprocal agreements with Vietnam. Depending upon the nationality and passport of the applicant, a tourist visa can be obtained at the Vietnamese diplomatic office or consulates in foreign countries. Visas can also be obtained with the help of a licensed Vietnamese Travel Company, known as a “Visa on Arrival”.
Visas may be either single-entry or multiple-entry, as requested at the time of application.
Vietnamese visit visas are issued to foreign nationals for a limited duration and on the basis that visitors must leave on or before the date of expiry.
Those who come to Vietnam to work are required to apply for a work visa/permit. You should check the visa validity and conditions carefully.
Overstaying your Vietnamese visit visa is a serious matter and you may be delayed from travel until a fine is paid, and may be prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future.
In a very small number of exceptional cases, the Vietnamese authorities may be prepared to consider extending visit visas. This often requires agents who are prepared to act as sponsors, including taking some legal and financial responsibility, for the people applying for visa extensions.
Below is all the information you need on visas for Vietnam.
1. Vietnam Visa Exemptions
Vietnam offers visa exemptions ranging from 14 to 90 days to citizens of 24 countries holding valid ordinary passports. The full list of countries with visa exemptions is below:
ASEAN Visa | Association of Southeast Asian Nations visa
South Korea Temporarily Suspended
Japan Temporarily Suspended
Kyrgyzstan Less than 30 days
South America Chile Less than 90 days
2. Vietnam Electronic Visa (eVisa):
Vietnam’s e-Visa is now available to nationals of 80 countries:
The e-Visa takes three working days to process, costs 25 USD, and is a single-entry visa, valid for 30 days. You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country’s eight international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Phu Quoc, as well as 14 land crossings and 7 seaports.
How to Apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa:
Starting from February 1st, 2017, the Vietnamese government officially launched the electronic visa plan for foreign tourists from certain countries visiting Vietnam. To apply for an e-visa, please visit http://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn or http://www.immigration.gov.vn
*TIP: All nationalities traveling directly to Phu Quoc Island can visit the island for 30 days visa-free. To do this you will need to show an outbound ticket on arrival in Vietnam.
Step 1: Preparation of the required materials:
+ One 4×6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses.
+ One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page,
+ Passport valid for at least six months.
+ Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit.
+ Debit or credit card for payment.
Step 2: Click this link or access www.immigration.gov.vn and go to ‘E-visa Issuance’ then click on the link for ‘Outside Vietnam foreigners.
Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form.
Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided.
Step 5: Within three working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, you can also run a search for your e-Visa at this link.
Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety.
Travelers with an eVisa can go directly to immigration counters at their point of entry and do not need to queue at Visa On Arrival counters.
3. Vietnam Visa on Arrival
If you are planning a multiple-entry visit or a stay of more than 30 days, you will apply for a visa on arrival. Requirements:
+ A 4×6 passport photo with a white background and no glasses.
+ A filled-out visa application form.
+ A passport or substitute ID valid for six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam.
+ Payment (25 USD to 50 USD) for visa fees.
+ A Letter of Approval from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate (if you are picking up your visa at the airport).
+ If you are near a Vietnamese embassy or consulate, you can submit your photo, application form, passport, and visa fee in person.
If you are unable to reach a Vietnamese embassy or are short on time, Vietnam Travel can help you obtain the Vietnam Visa Approval Letter. Bring this letter together with a visa application form and your other documents to the Visa On Arrival counter at the airport when you land.
You will need to pay your visa stamp fee of USD 25$ or Vietnamese Dong on arrival at the airport.
II. PASSPORTS
1. Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months on the date you enter Vietnam.
2. A number of foreigners have been refused entry and exit due to their passports being damaged. Make sure your passport is in good condition before arriving in Vietnam.
3. Your passport will be checked when you arrive at a Vietnam port or airport to make sure you’re allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
4. Being refused entry can result in significant costs and a long stay at the airport.
When checking into a hotel, you’ll have to hand over your passport so that the hotel can register your presence with the local police. Make sure your passport is returned and keep it in a safe place. You may be fined if you don’t register.
GETTING AROUND IN VIETNAM:
As a developing country, Vietnam’s transportation network continues to improve. Land vehicles are sturdy, the domestic flight networks continue to evolve, and the prices are pretty reasonable with different choices of airlines.
Plane
Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air, and Pacific Airlines are the three main domestic carriers. Fares are very reasonable and the frequency of flights to the main hubs is good. Flights can be a handy way to lop off a day of travel for not as many Dongs as you may expect. Note that it is often cheaper to buy domestic tickets in Vietnam than from online brokers and book in advance!
Train
Vietnam’s train system or Reunification Express Train is much better than it is used to be, and while First Class, is comfortable, exceedingly scenic in places, and overall, a very interesting and fun way to travel. If you are traveling during the high season or during Tet, Holiday book as far in advance as possible. The train railways run primarily on the Vietnamese coastline, with just a couple of spurs out of Hanoi, most notably stopping in Hue, Danang for Hoi An, Nha Trang …
Local buses and mini busses
These take about as long as Open Tours but can be overloaded to outrageous degrees. Local buses and mini buses are fine for trips under three to four hours, but longer than that can be a bit grueling. One disadvantage of the local bus system is that the bus station hubs that they operate from are often on the outskirts of town and the transportation to and from these hubs -xe om local name will put a significant dent in your wallet, reducing any savings you might hope to achieve.
Nowadays more and more modern buses with Soft sleepers –a double deck that you can choose but still a long drive…
Rental car
Now Rental cars for long-distance travel are yet to be popularized in Vietnam, and seeing the state of the traffic it’s easy to see why. For those who prefer to self-cater, it is recommended to do it via motorcycle rather than a car. But traffic in Vietnam is much different and so crazy!
Motorbike
Estimated about 42 million motorbikes all over Vietnam, so Motorbikes services are popular for people. Now Grab a Minsk and hit the road. These bikes can be purchased for as little as a few hundred US dollars and you’ll often find it easy to sell the bike off to another traveler when the time comes to leave Vietnam. These bikes are semi-reliable, but just about any local with a screwdriver should be able to fix it up should you have any minor troubles. For your safety, invest in a helmet that can be easily purchased in both Hanoi and Saigon. But a short ride is recommended!
Bicycle
Vietnam is a great destination for cyclists as it used to more before. Every town in Vietnam offers some form of accommodation, so finding a room for the night shouldn’t be difficult. Make sure to pack a good supply of inner tubes and patch kits and if possible, bring your own bike as Vietnamese bikes are not top-tier. The country has a good network of secondary roads which are far preferable to the main roads or off-the-beaten-track for great scenery or view of Biking tours!
Boat
Mekong Delta is a great place where you can travel in boats for short-haul trips and take freighters for longer trips; the former is usually more comfortable. Boat transport is slow – set aside two days for a trip from My Tho to Chau Doc on the Cambodian border. The most popular routes are the ferry from Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau and the boats from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. Boat travel generally works out to be more expensive than bus travel for the same route.
Otherwise great waterway to travel around the Mekong delta to observe the best local life!
VIETNAM WEATHER & CLIMATE
As a long skinny country, Vietnam has a varied climate for different regions:
In the north, from Hanoi to Hue, there are 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
In the central region and the south: from Hoian to Mekong Delta, sunshine lasts throughout the year, except for the months of November and December when heavy rainfalls occur. Dalat, at an altitude of 1500m, is cooler than the coastal area, particularly from November to March. Sometimes from July to September experience typhoon activity from mid-October to mid-December when the climate becomes a bit cooler, more overcast, and wet.
From Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, there are two main seasons: wet and dry. The wet season falls between April and September, with sudden heavy showers that don’t last very long. The dry season spans the months of October to March, with higher temperatures and long days of sunshine, followed by cooler nights.
Sapa: With its high of 1,600 meters above sea level, Sapa offers all things you expect like a paradise on earth all year round amazing cool and cold weather for those who love adventures like trekking or hiking through villages with stunning terraces, escape away from hot humid weather in the city meeting local people with colorful cultures of different minorities group of Black Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, Gay, Xapho
Mai Chau Valley is a district of Hoa Binh Province, a famous travel destination in northwestern Vietnam, 150 kilometers from Hanoi, for its highlights and is suitable for Homestay with a local family, short trekking, and biking tours. Travelers are stunned by this town’s mighty mountains, emerald rice fields, and unique houses on stilts.
Spending short cycling is recommended when you want to escape from noisy and busy urban life. Or just walking around through villages, stopping to see local life, interacting with locals. The destination is a perfect alternative if you do not have enough time for soft adventures in mountains in Vietnam but are still keen on experiencing a mountainous town and ethnic minority life.
Hanoi, ‘Paris of the Orient, once used to be called Thang Long- Ascending Dragon back in 1010
Hanoi City was named by Minh Mang Emperor in 1831, Ha means the River, Noi means between, so Hanoi means the City between the River!
The Capital is one of the oldest cities in Asia -1000 years old, it sprawls along the banks of the Red River, which is spanned by two bridges Long Bien and Chuong Duong. The Hanoian is proud to be residents of a city of 18 beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, and verdant public parks. Over a thousand years of its eventful history, Hanoi still preserves much ancient architecture throughout the Old Quarter, French Quarter, over 600 pagodas, and hundreds of old temples, reminding of the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Halong Bay – It’s said that come to Vietnam, don’t come to see Halong Bay it means you have never been to Vietnam –A Must see place!
Halong Bay was named by local people as it means Descending Dragon Bay following a legendary story about Dragon.
Halong Bay is one of the iconic natural beauties of Vietnam and unsurprisingly one of the most popular destinations in the whole of the country. In 1994, it was declared by UNESCO a World Natural Heritage Site and attracts a steady stream of visitors year-round for the magnificent views of the bay and the relaxing boat trips.
Ninh Binh, a must-visit destination like Halong in Land, is located in the south of the Red River Delta region in northern Vietnam, 100 km from Hanoi.
There are many religious sites and beautiful natural landscapes: Hoa Lu –Ancient capital of Vietnam 968-1009, Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, Tam Coc – Bich Dong – a place for romantic scenery boat trips, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – a filming location of Kong: Skull Island with an amazing grotto system, Van Long Natural Reserved, Bai Dinh Pagoda – the largest pagoda in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park – the oldest nature reserve of our country, etc.
Hue Ancient Capital of Vietnam 1802-1945 of the Nguyen Dynasty, 1993 first time in Vietnam, Hue Imperial Citadel and Royal kings’ tombs were recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO and followed is Hue Royal Musical declared as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003.
Hue’s main attractions are the Imperial Royal Citadel, the royal tombs, notable pagodas, beautiful perfume river …. which used to be Vietnam’s main cultural, religious, and educational centers. With diversified and beautiful landscapes, Hue possesses a unique and harmonious beauty with the romantic Perfume River.
Originally a seaport from the ancient kingdom of Champa, Hoi An became one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Today, parts of the city look much the same as they did 150 years ago with hundreds of old houses, some over two centuries old, made of precious wood in the traditional style. The town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and many of the original houses and other features of Hoi An have been preserved.
Being in top 20 of the 25 best cities in the world voted by Travel & Leisure as The 25 Best Cities in the World (travelandleisure.com)
Ho Chi Minh City, a modern dynamic, is the largest city in Vietnam and is informally referred to as Saigon. It is remarkable for the harmonious blending of traditional values with northern and western cultural features. Skyscrapers dot the city and everywhere are the signs of growing status cars, mobile phones, upscale cafes, fine dining, and trendy nightlife. And yet the city still retains a uniquely Vietnamese feel with the hustle and bustle of the local markets, incessant horns, and local vendors on every street corner
Nha Trang is a tranquil south-central coastal city and capital of Khanh Hoa Province. With a wide range of islands, archipelagos, mountains, and white-sandy beaches, Nha Trang is an attractive destination for beaches and sun lovers. It is one of the must-go destinations on a beach vacation in Vietnam.
Cu Chi Tunnels, known as the Headquarters of Vietcong during the American War, were the first time dug by locals in 1947-1948 to hide away from the French during the American War happened, it was kept digging secretly for longer and longer 250 km in 1967!
So a Must-visit place surrounding Saigon since it was opened to the public, you will understand more how Clever Vietcong was with Strong WILL to fight for ONE VIETNAM.
The River is formed by the sediments deposited by the river, and the process that continues until today provides silt deposits to extend the delta by nearly 79m per year. Thanks to this process, the land is fertile with numerous agricultural and fishery products such as rice, fruits, coconut, shrimp, fish, etc. Though the area is mainly rural, it is one of the most populated and well-developed in agriculture.
Phu Quoc Island –Paradise Beaches on Earth!
Phu Quoc Island is one of the most appealing attractions in Vietnam known as Pearl Island. With a total area of 589.23 km², It owns endless unspoiled beaches for water activities, romantic sunsets for Instagram feed, uninhabited remoted islands for exploration, and dense tropical forests for adventures.
Beyond the snow-white beaches with ice cream-soft sand, Phu Quoc offers a wide range of international luxury resorts, chic restaurants, water parks, and animals safari… You also hiking in the National spacious green parks, waterfalls, traditional villages of fishing and black peppers plantation…and almost all year round it is sunny .that can also please even perfectly picky travelers!
