Practical guides

Vietnam travel information

The practical side of a trip to Vietnam, written for visitors: how money works, how to get around, what to know before you fly, and the history behind much of what you'll see. Pick a guide below.

Where to start

New to planning? Read the money guide and the getting-around guide first. They answer the two questions every first-time visitor asks, and they sit behind most of the other decisions on a trip: what to carry, and how to cover the distances.

Money

Money and the Vietnamese dong explains the notes (and which two look alike), where to withdraw cash, what the exchange rate is, how VietQR works and why you’ll want some cash for drivers and street food. It links on to the etiquette of bargaining.

Getting around

Getting around Vietnam compares planes, trains, buses and private cars with honest times and trade-offs. The flights guide goes deeper: domestic flights in Vietnam covers the airlines, airports and what changed in 2026, and the guide to budget airlines covers the cheap carriers to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Cambodia.

Language

Learn Vietnamese is a free phrasebook with southern pronunciation, the six tones, numbers and the phrases to use with a taxi or private driver.

History

The Vietnam War is a plain timeline from 1945 to the fall of Saigon, with the places to visit that explain it. Two further pages cover what the war left behind: unexploded ordnance and Agent Orange.

Facts and figures

Vietnam tourism statistics holds the official visitor numbers by year, market and way of arrival, updated as the national statistics office publishes them.

More practical guides

Our guides to visas, health and safety, the best time to visit, organised tours, trains and buses and open tours cover the rest of the practical side.

FAQ

Questions travellers ask us

What do I need to know before travelling to Vietnam?

Check your visa (most visitors need an e-visa or an exemption), carry some Vietnamese dong in cash, and decide how you'll cover the long distances: flights, trains, buses or a private car. The guides on this page cover each of those, and the best time to go depends on which part of the country you're visiting.

What currency is used in Vietnam?

The Vietnamese dong (VND, written ₫). Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants, but street food, markets, taxis and drivers expect cash. The money guide covers notes, ATMs, exchange rates and QR payments.

What is the easiest way to get around Vietnam?

For long distances, a domestic flight is fastest. For short and medium trips from Saigon, such as Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Can Tho or the Mekong Delta, a private car is the most comfortable and goes door to door. Getting around Vietnam compares the options.

How many tourists visit Vietnam each year?

About 21.2 million international visitors came in 2025, a record. In the first nine months of 2026 the total was 17.7 million. The tourism statistics page has the full tables and sources.