Vietnam Travel Guide
Tourist season
Are December and January good months to visit Vietnam?
December
High
season
January
High
season
Did you know?
The surface area of Vietnam is 127.9 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 67 in terms of the area in the world.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Hanoi (VN) and Washington D.C. (US) is 8292 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Hanoi click here
Time • Timezone
Safety
General travel safety level in Vietnam on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Dong (VND) - rate compared to selected currencies
EUR 
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Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Vietnam
| Miles | Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Can Tho | Hue | Da Nang | Vung Tau | Haiphong | Hoi An |
| Hanoi | - | 711 | 760 | 336 | 378 | 743 | 56 | 392 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 711 | - | 81 | 398 | 379 | 40 | 696 | 369 |
| Can Tho | 760 | 81 | - | 461 | 448 | 91 | 750 | 439 |
| Hue | 336 | 398 | 461 | - | 51 | 425 | 309 | 64 |
| Da Nang | 378 | 379 | 448 | 51 | - | 403 | 346 | 14 |
| Vung Tau | 743 | 40 | 91 | 425 | 403 | - | 727 | 392 |
| Haiphong | 56 | 696 | 750 | 309 | 346 | 727 | - | 360 |
| Hoi An | 392 | 369 | 439 | 64 | 14 | 392 | 360 | - |
A Brief History of Vietnam
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
3000 - 1000 B.C.
TribesRoaming tribes from southern China move into an area called the Red River Delta, where many Indonesian people are already living. Together, they form the earliest ancestors of today's Vietnamese people.
207 B.C.
Kingdom of Nam-VietA Chinese general establishes the independent kingdom of Nam-Viet. It is made up of what is today northern Vietnam and parts of southern China.
111 B.C.
Chinese empireThe rulers of China's Han dynasty conquer Nam-Viet and make it part of the Chinese empire. China rules over the Vietnamese for more than 1,000 years afterward. While they are heavily influenced by Chinese arts, religions, politics and farming, the Vietnamese work hard to preserve their unique national identity.
939
Independent kingdomAfter more than 1,000 years in power, China withdraws from what is now northern Vietnam, then known as Annam. It becomes an independent kingdom.
1649
Script of Vietnamese languageFrench missionary Alexandre de Rhodes creates the first dictionary for quoc-ngu, a script of Vietnamese still used today. The script helped increase literacy rates and spread Christianity.
1802
VietnamPrince Nguyen Anh unites the northern, central and southern regions of his country and calls it Vietnam. The prince and the emperors who follow establish programs to build new bridges and castles and restore old structures.
1847
Naval interventionsAngered by Vietnam's positions against business deals and Catholic missionaries, the French launch their first major attack. They fire upon the Vietnamese at the port of Danang, a city in central Vietnam.
1883
French colonyFrance takes control of Vietnam. In 1887, it becomes a French colony. The French take charge of Vietnam's farmlands, minerals and other natural resources. They also introduce the Vietnamese to European schooling and customs.
1940
World War IIJapan takes over Vietnam during World War II after its ally Germany defeats the French. Japan and Germany are later defeated.
1941
CommunismHo Chi Minh, a leader of a form of government called Communism, organizes groups to fight for Vietnam's independence. In a Communist government, a country's wealth and resources are shared by all citizens, and the government owns and controls all property.
1946
VietminhFrance tries to regain control of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese Communist, leads an independence movement, called the Vietminh, against the French.
1954
The two VietnamsThe Vietminh defeats the French. Vietnam is divided into two zones: the Communist-ruled north and a republic in the south. Ho Chi Minh is President of North Vietnam until 1969.
1959
Vietnam WarCommunists supported by North Vietnam cause conflict in South Vietnam. This conflict between the two halves of Vietnam marks the beginning of the Vietnam War.
1965
U.S. sends military forcesTrying to stop the spread of Communism, the United States sends combat troops to Vietnam. About 60,000 American soldiers and many more Vietnamese soldiers die in the years to follow.
1973
U.S. withdraws from VietnamIn response to anti-war feelings, the U.S. signs a peace accord with North Vietnam. American troops leave Vietnam.
1975
Fall of SaigonSouth Vietnam surrenders to Communist North Vietnam. North and South Vietnam are united in 1976 under Communist leadership.
1995
U.S. and Vietnam establish diplomatic relationsThe U.S. and Vietnam restore diplomatic ties.
2007
Vietnam joins WTOThirteen years after the U.S. lifts its 19-year ban on trading with Vietnam, the country joins the World Trade Organization as its 150th member.
2008 - 2010
Anti-government articlesThe government places tighter sanctions on the media. Many journalists are jailed for printing pro-democracy and anti-government articles.
Best Ways to Experience Vietnam
- Cuisine
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreDong (VND)
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- VND
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- VND
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Vietnam.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.Prevention
- Take antimalarial meds
- Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Vietnam
Areas with malaria
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Vietnam for tourism
A visa is required, but can be obtained through the relevant website.
- Allowed stay: 30 days
- A single entry eVisa is available.
- Phú Quốc visa exemption for up to 30 days.
Electricity
220V (50 Hz)
In Vietnam the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type A, C, D sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type A
Type C
Type DFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 15 / 231 Ranking | 97 338 579 Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.5%, Mong 1.2%, Nung 1.1% |
Area | 67 / 230 Ranking | 127.9 thous. mi² It is approximately 3% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 106 / 196 Ranking | 75.3 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 72.7women 78.1 |
Median age | 82 / 157 Ranking | 31.9 Average age of population expressed in years.men 30.8women 33 |
Population growth | 86 / 172 Ranking | 1% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 39 / 131 Ranking | 95.8% Ability to read, write and count.men 97%women 94.6% |
GDP | 124 / 194 Ranking | 8 647 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
China