20 Things to Do in Hanoi in 2026
History sites, museums for a hot afternoon, bΓΊn chαΊ£ and egg coffee, water puppets after dark, and two…
Travel Tips for Vietnam
Practical guides covering transport, visas, money, food safety, SIM cards, and everything else you need to know before and during your trip to Vietnam.
Browse by topic
- Activities & Experiences Things to do in Vietnam β unique activities, festivals, and experiences worth seeking out. 8 guides
- Destination Guides Month-by-month weather and travel guides for every destination in Vietnam. 266 guides
- Getting Around Buses, trains, domestic flights, and getting between cities. 3 guides
- News 1 guide
- Safety & Scams Common scams to avoid, transport rip-offs, and street food safety. 4 guides
- Tech & Connectivity SIM cards, travel apps, drones, and staying connected on the road. 3 guides
- Travel with Kids Family-friendly destinations, tips, and planning advice. 1 guide
- Visas & Entry E-visa applications, visa-free entry rules, and what to expect at the airport. 5 guides
- When to Visit Weather by region and the best season for your plans. 3 guides
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Visas & Entry
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When to Visit
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Activities & Experiences
π― Activities & Experiences
Fishing in Da Nang: Night Squid Boats, Freshwater Lakes, and the Cham Islands
Night squid trips off Son Tra, freshwater lakes west of the city, and squid grounds around the Cham…
Best Hotels in Da Nang: 15 Hand-Picked Stays for Every Budget
Ten hotels and apartments in Da Nang we'd actually book again β from the InterContinental on Son Tra…
Hanoi to Sapa: Train, Bus, Van or Car?
The HanoiβSapa route has four options: overnight train, limousine van, sleeper bus, and private car. Here's how each…
9 Must-Try Coffee Types in Vietnam
Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer β and has one of the most creative coffee cultures anywhere.…
Top 20 Things to Do in Phu Quoc (2026)
Phu Quoc is one of those places where you can easily spend a week and still feel like…
20+ Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026
Ho Chi Minh City doesn’t ease you in gently. The traffic hits you first. Then the noise. Then…
Riding a Motorbike Legally in Vietnam: Licences, IDPs & What Police Actually Check
Vietnam is one of the great motorbike countries. The roads through Ha Giang, the Ho Chi Minh Trail,…
π Visas & Entry
Vietnam Entry Requirements 2026: Visa, Arrival Card, Passport
Planning a trip to Vietnam and not sure what you need at the border? I get asked this…
New Tourist Train Connects Hue and Phong Nha (From September 2026)
Vietnam just launched a dedicated tourist train between Hue and Phong Nha β two of central Vietnam’s biggest…
Vietnam Sleeper Train Guide: Cabins, Booking, and What to Expect
The Reunification Express has been running the length of Vietnam since 1976 β Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh…
π― Activities & Experiences
Vietnam’s Golden Rice Fields: When to Go and Where to See Them
Vietnam's golden rice harvest runs from mid-September to mid-October across the northern mountains. A guide to Mu Cang…
The Heritage Train Between Hue and Da Nang: Vietnam’s Most Scenic Rail Journey
The HueβDa Nang Heritage Train (HD-series) is a separate tourist service from the regular Reunification Express trains that…
Vietnam Expat & Digital Nomad Guide: Best Cities, Visas & Cost of Living
Vietnam has become one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia for digital nomads, long-term travellers, and…
Vietnam Wellness & Spas Guide: Yoga Retreats, Hot Springs & Eco-Lodges
Vietnam’s wellness offering has expanded dramatically over the past decade β from the traditional hot spring resorts of…
Vietnam Photography Guide: Best Locations, Seasons & Tips for Stunning Shots
Vietnam is one of the most photogenic countries in Southeast Asia β the karst limestone formations of Ha…
Vietnam Mountains & Trekking Guide: Fansipan, Sapa, LangBiang & the Best Routes
Northern Vietnam’s mountains are among the most dramatic in mainland Southeast Asia β the Hoang Lien Son range…
Vietnam Food & Street Food Guide: Regional Dishes, Markets & Where to Eat
Vietnamese food is one of the great cuisines of the world β and it is almost entirely a…
Vietnam City Life Guide: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An & Urban Vietnam
Vietnam has three distinct urban characters compressed into one country: Hanoi β the thousand-year-old northern capital with temple…
Vietnam Caves & Adventure Guide: Son Doong, Hang En & the Best Cave Experiences
Vietnam sits atop one of the world’s largest karst limestone systems β the result of 300 million years…
Vietnam Beaches & Islands Guide: Best Beaches, Islands & When to Go
Vietnam has over 3,200 km of coastline, more than 3,000 islands, and a beach character that changes completely…
π― Activities & Experiences
Riding a Motorbike in Vietnam: Routes, Tips & Everything You Need to Know
No transport method in Vietnam puts you closer to the country than a motorbike. The mountain passes of…
Vietnam Rice Terraces: Complete Guide to the Best Locations, Seasons & Tips
Few landscapes in Southeast Asia are as immediately arresting as the rice terraces of northern Vietnam β thousands…
5 Must-Visit Attractions in Quy Nhon
Quy Nhon sits on a crescent bay in Binh Dinh province β one of central Vietnam’s least-visited coastal…
Where to Stay in Vietnam: Best Areas and Hotels in Every Major City
Last updated: October 2026 The short answer: in most Vietnamese cities, the area you pick matters more than…
Top 20 Things to Do in Da Nang
Da Nang doesn’t have the fame of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but it might just be…
15 Must-Visit Attractions in Hanoi
From Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter to Hoa Lo Prison and Train Street β a complete…
Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay (2026): Which Cruise to Book?
Ha Long is easier from Hanoi with more budget cruises; Lan Ha is quieter, better for kayaking and…
π― Activities & Experiences
Vietnamese Festivals and Public Holidays: A Complete Guide for Travelers
Vietnam’s calendar is packed with festivals, public holidays, and cultural celebrations β from the nationwide shutdown of Tet…
π± Tech & Connectivity
Best Apps for Traveling in Vietnam
The right apps can transform your Vietnam trip β from navigating city traffic to translating menus and booking…
π± Tech & Connectivity
Vietnam Drone Law: The Ultimate Guide for 2026
Updated October 2026 Thinking about bringing your drone to Vietnam? The rules are strict β and largely unfavorable…
π Getting Around
Sleeper Bus in Vietnam: Routes, Prices & Economy vs Cabin
Economy or cabin sleeper bus in Vietnam? Real prices from $10, main routes like HCMCβDa Lat and HanoiβSapa,…
π Getting Around
Transportation in Vietnam: Complete Guide
Getting around Vietnam is part of the adventure. With diverse geography spanning northern mountains to central coastlines and…
π‘οΈ Safety & Scams
Vietnam Transportation Guide: How to Avoid Scams and Travel Safely
Transportation scams are among the most common issues tourists face in Vietnam. This guide covers the main transport…
π Visas & Entry
How to Apply for a Vietnam E-Visa (2026): Step-by-Step Guide
Last updated: October 2026 If Vietnam is on your list, don’t leave your e-visa until the night before…
π± Tech & Connectivity
Best SIM Cards in Vietnam for Tourists in 2026
Getting a local SIM card is one of the first things worth sorting after you land. Data is…
π‘οΈ Safety & Scams
21 Common Scams in Vietnam (2026) and How to Avoid Them
Vietnam is one of my favourite countries to travel around. The food is incredible, the landscapes are hard…
π― Activities & Experiences
Hanoi Train Street Guide 2026: Is It Still Open?
Hanoi Train Street is a narrow residential alley where a full-size train passes within inches of cafΓ© tables…
π Visas & Entry
Vietnam Airport Fast Track: Is It Worth It? (Honest Guide)
Would you pay $30 to skip a three-hour immigration queue? Because sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re paying for.…
π― Activities & Experiences
Rainbow Slides in Vietnam: From Sapa to Da Lat
Vietnam colorful rainbow slides have become viral photo destinations β combining outdoor adventure with spectacular mountain and forest…
π Visas & Entry
Vietnam Airport Arrival Guide: What to Expect
Vietnam’s main international airports can be hectic on arrival. Here is a complete guide to what to expect…
π
When to Visit
Christmas in Vietnam: What to Expect and Where to Go
Christmas in Vietnam is a surprisingly festive experience β a blend of Catholic tradition, French colonial influence, and…
π
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Weather and Rainy Seasons by Region
The best time to visit Vietnam by region and month: when each area is dry, when the rainy…
π― Activities & Experiences
Travelling Vietnam During Tet 2027: What Actually Closes and How to Plan
Tet 2027 is Saturday 6 February, with the holiday from 4 to 10 February. What closes and for…
π― Activities & Experiences
Vietnam on a Motorbike: Essential Guide and FAQs
Exploring Vietnam on a motorbike gives you access to landscapes and experiences impossible to reach any other way.…
Hoi An vs. Da Nang: Which Should You Actually Base Yourself In?
Both cities are iconic central Vietnam destinations β but they're completely different in character, cost, and lifestyle. Here's…
π‘οΈ Safety & Scams
The Honest Guide to Street Food Safety in Vietnam
Yes, you can eat street food in Vietnam safely. Here's the framework I use after six years of…
π Visas & Entry
Vietnam Retirement Visa 2026: The Complete Guide for Foreigners
Vietnam doesn't have a dedicated retirement visa β but there are several legal long-stay options that work well…
Vietnam with Kids: The Complete Family Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a family trip to Vietnam β the best destinations for children, top activities,…