viking travel vietnam

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
• Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Magnificent Mekong

• From $7,499
• 16 Guided Tours
• 2 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Magnificent Mekong Map

Explore unique places & cultures

Shop Old Hanoi’s markets. See the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat. Behold the haunting beauty of Ta Prohm Temple, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins. Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw. Discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and local river life. With hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) bracketing your eight-day Mekong cruise, this cruisetour reveals the beauty and grace of a land we have only begun to know.

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Viking Inclusive Value

All you need included, with no surprises or hidden fees

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

From $749 | 2 Nights

Post: Bangkok

From $999 | 3 Nights

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VIKING RIVER CRUISES 15 Days | Magnificent Mekong Southbound

HANOI TO HO CHI MINH CITY Day 1 | Hanoi, Vietnam. Fly to Hanoi, former capital of French Indochina, then transfer to your hotel. Check in for a 2-night stay, then relax or take a walk to stretch your legs and begin getting acquainted with the city. Day 2 | Hanoi. After breakfast, take a tour of this unique, thousand-year-old Asian capital where old and new combine in a lush setting of parks and lakes. Pass by the scenic Sword Lake on your way to the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial, a complex dedicated to Vietnam’s 20th-century Communist leader. Then, spend some time in the excellent Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where you learn about the cultural heritage of this multicultural country’s 50+ ethnic groups. Later, tour the notorious “Hanoi Hilton,” the facility where American POWs were held captive during the Vietnam War. Relax this afternoon before dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D) Day 3 | Hanoi. Siem Reap, Cambodia. This morning, check out of your hotel and proceed to Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. Founded in 1070 as Vietnam’s first university, this mazelike compound features inviting courtyards, gateways, pavilions, walkways, lakes and a museum. Tour the facility and spend some free time enjoying attractions such as the Tortoise Steles, Sage Courtyard, Well of Heavenly Clarity, Lake of Literature and Constellation of Literature Pavilion. This afternoon, take a short afternoon flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Check in to your hotel for a 3-night stay; tonight’s dinner is accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance show. (B, D) Day 4 | Angkor Wat. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archeological sites in the world. Begin your day with a visit to one of Angkor’s largest Khmer temples, Angkor Wat, built for King Suryavarman II in the 12th century A.D. With its beautiful proportions and extensive, intricate bas-relief stone carvings, it is one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia. Spend some time exploring the fortified city of Angkor Thom, which houses several of Angkor’s most popular sights such as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings with their dramatic bas reliefs. Today you also visit the mysterious Bayon Temple, known for its giant, stone carved faces with their enigmatic smiles. Dine at a local restaurant and relax this evening. (B, D) Day 5 | Angkor Wat. Siem Reap. Today, continue your exploration of the temple ruins left behind by the mighty Khmer Empire, which ruled Cambodia from the early 9th century for some 400 years. Its founder, King Jayavarman II, was a contemporary of Charlemagne, and his dreams of empire were equally grandiose. At its zenith, the Khmer Empire covered most of the Indochinese Peninsula. Ride to the spectacular 10th-century Hindu temple Banteay Srey (“Citadel of Women”) to see magnificent carvings of Shiva and Vishnu. Then, journey to Ta Prohm, one of the most popular of the temples of Angkor. Unlike many other buildings, it has been largely left intact as it was when discovered, with trees and large shrubs growing over the ruins. Return to Siem Reap this afternoon and learn how local crafts are alive and well in the modern-day city. Visit a vocational center that trains 650 young apprentices every year in the traditional crafts of stone sculpture, wood carving and painting; then take a guided tour through Artisans d’Angkor, a network of studios for the newly trained craftspeople. Mingle with the locals at some of Siem Reap’s open air markets or just relax before your final dinner in Siem Reap. (B, D) Day 6 | Kampong Thom. Kampong Cham. After breakfast, check out of your Siem Reap hotel. A coach tour through the Cambodian countryside brings you to your ship in Kampong Cham, via the provincial capital of Kampong Thom. Due to its central location, this area is rapidly becoming an important hub for fishing and agriculture; it also has a rich archeological heritage, to which the 200 temples—some of which predate the Khmer empire—attest. This afternoon, board your ship; after you get settled in, meet the ship’s officers over a welcome cocktail. (B, L, D) Day 7 | Kampong Cham. You will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey this morning, which affords stunning views of the Mekong River. The temple itself dates back to the 8th century and it is surrounded by smaller religious monuments dotting the hillsides. After lunch, visit the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey with their many temples and pagodas, still used during traditional Khmer festivals. Continue to the ecotourism village of Choeungkok, supported by the French–Cambodian Amica organization. (B, L, D) Day 8 | Phnom Penh. Dock along the lovely waterfront of Cambodia’s capital and explore the city in style, in a cyclo. This mode of transportation provides many Cambodians with a source of income and visitors with a speedy and enjoyable way to move around. See the magnificent Royal Palace with its spectacular Silver Pagoda, built in the 19th century by the French but inspired by the centuries-old architecture of the Khmer. This afternoon, join an excursion to the sobering memorial in the Tuol Sleng detention center, a former high school in which thousands of victims of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime died, and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, or explore the city’s maze of small alleys, markets and busy streets on your own if you prefer. Tonight’s dinner is accompanied by a folkloric performance. (B, L, D) Day 9 | Phnom Penh. After breakfast, take a tour of the National Museum of Cambodia, which houses treasures of Khmer art and craftsmanship and also displays art that predates the mighty empire. After your museum visit, continue to the beautifully preserved 14th-century Buddhist temple of Wat Phnom, with more modern murals inside and a sanctuary dedicated to Lady Penh, said to be the founder of this temple. Take some free time for exploration or shopping before returning to your ship for lunch. This afternoon there will be a presentation on board including a lecture on Cambodia’s history and culture and a film about the life of Pol Pot, leader of the infamous Khmer Rouge—or you are free to explore Phnom Penh’s historic riverfront area, with its restaurants, art galleries and silk shops, or perhaps visit the distinctive Central Market or the “Russian Market” where you can buy jewelry, curios, clothes and souvenirs. You might prefer to visit more of the city’s wats—Wat Langka, Wat Botum, Wat Koh or Wat Ounalom—each with its own special character and purpose. Dinner is served on board. (B, L, D) Day 10 | Mekong River Scenic Cruising. Sail down the Mekong, one of the world’s great rivers, toward the Vietnamese border. The Mekong is truly the Mother River of Southeast Asia, sustaining civilizations through the centuries. Pass by some of the Mekong rice fields—the Khmer empire was founded on a rice surplus and rice is still the main staple of Vietnamese cuisine. (B, L, D) Day 11 | Châu Ðôc, Vietnam. Cu Lao Gien. Begin your morning with a tour of the busy riverside port of Châu Ðôc riding a trishaw. Afterwards, board a small boat to visit a Cham tribal village. Descended from an ancient Malay-Polynesian empire that arrived in Southeast Asia during the 1st and 2nd centuries B.C., the Champa people competed with the Khmer for dominance of the area. Observe village life and visit a catfish farm. In the afternoon, visit Cu Lao Gien Island where you see the monastery of St. Paul of Chartres, built in 1875 and later known as “la Providence.” Once a thriving mission with an orphanage, a hospital to treat leprosy victims, a school and a hospice, it serves today as a retreat for some 180 retired nuns. This evening, enjoy a screening of the film l’Amant (the Lover) which will prepare you for tomorrow’s visit to Sa Dec. (B, L, D) Day 12 | Sa Dec. Cái Bè. In Sa Dec, you will see the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the protagonist in Marguerite Duras’s beloved autobiographical novel, l’Amant (The Lover). Duras, who grew up in what was then French Indochina, is one of France’s best-selling authors. Later today, board a sampan boat to explore the backwaters and canals of the Delta. Small factories line the river channels here; see local workers producing rice noodles, coconut candy and a host of other handmade products. Then, visit the colorful floating market of Cái Bè. This evening, attend an onboard screening of the 2002 film The Quiet American, based on Graham Greene’s novel set in 1952 Saigon. (B, L, D) Day 13 | My Tho, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City. Bid farewell to your ship this morning as your cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam comes to an end. Disembark in My Tho, a busy river port not far from the capital of Southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival, take a tour of Reunification Palace—the site of South Vietnam’s defeat. See the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. After your tour, check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then spend the rest of the day at leisure, getting acquainted with this lively city at your own pace—see some of the historic French colonial architecture and soak up some of the city’s youthful energy. Tonight’s dinner is in a local restaurant. (B, D) Day 14 | Ho Chi Minh City. After breakfast, begin another tour of this bustling metropolis with a visit to its historic center. Take a stroll along Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping boulevard in the old colonial heart. See the grand city hall, the old opera house with its soaring arched entryway, the Chinatown area and a Lacquer Factory. Complete your morning tour at Ben Thành Market. This afternoon, get a different perspective on modern-day Vietnam at the War Remnants Museum, which provides a stark picture of the Vietnam War from a decidedly partisan point of view. The rest of your afternoon is free for exploring the city’s neighborhoods or doing a bit of last-minute shopping at the local markets before this evening’s festive final dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D) Day 15 | Ho Chi Minh City. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Or, continue your Southeast Asia adventure with a 3-night stay in Bangkok, Thailand’s astounding capital. (B) NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

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Vietnam River Cruises

Our Mekong cruises reveal the emerald splendor of Vietnam and the legendary Mekong River. Explore the vibrant streets of Hanoi, witness the cultural splendor of Ho Chi Minh City and visit the floating markets of the Mekong Delta.

Magnificent Mekong

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Viking Launches New Ship in Southeast Asia Designed for Mekong River

Viking’s newest river ship, Viking Saigon , began its inaugural season earlier this week with river cruises in Southeast Asia. 

Setting out on a 15-day Magnificent Mekong itinerary, the 80-passenger river ship cruises both directions between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Mỹ Tho, Vietnam.

Viking Saigon Mekong River Cruises

 “The fascinating cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia have always made this region a favorite destination among our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are also pleased to welcome back to Southeast Asia our first guests since early 2020. With arrival of the Viking Saigon, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to this iconic waterway in the coming years.” 

Viking Saigon Details

Viking Saigon was built specifically to cruise the Mekong river, with just 40 outside staterooms.

The new river ship features Viking’s trademark minimalist Scandinavian design. All staterooms have hotel-style beds and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a Veranda or French Balcony.

For those who want to do more onboard, the three-deck Viking Saigon also has a Spa & Fitness Center, Infinity Pool and on the Upper Deck, the al fresco Sky Bar.

RELATED:  My Viking River Cruise to Normandy Beaches

Viking’s Magnificent Mekong Itinerary

The southbound15-day journey begins with two nights in Hanoi, Vietnam and includes the Historic Hanoi city tour and a performance by Apsara dancers. More time to explore the next day. 

Then a flight into Siem Reap, Cambodia that includes three nights hotel and several meals. No journey to Siem Reap would be complete without a visit to the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also included is a visit to Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins; and explore the sights of Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw.

READ MORE:  Viking Grand European River Cruise Review

Heading to the Mekong River

From Siem Reap, guests board a motor coach into Cambodia to board Viking Saigon  in Campong Cham.

Next stop on this Mekong river cruise is Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a city tour by cyclo. You’ll go to the Royal Palace with its beautiful Silver Pagoda, built by the French in the 19th century with Khmer design. 

Then take a tour of the National Museum of Cambodia. On display are the treasures of Khmer art and craftsmanship and displays art that predates the mighty empire.

After two days in Phnom Penh, sail the Mekong back into Vietnam. Continue your river cruise until you reach Ho Chi Minh City capped with a two-night hotel stay, before your flight home.

What is Included on a Viking Saigon River Cruise?

In total, Viking includes 16 guided tours, hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Almost all meals plus wine and beer are complimentary with onboard lunch and dinner. 

One shore excursion per port is included. Guests may purchase additional tours.

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Viking Saigon

Cruise line Viking River Cruises Asia (Viking Cruises)

• Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
• Kampong Cham (Cambodia)

Viking Saigon last position

Viking Saigon last location was at South East Asia (coordinates 10.21141 N / 106.87787 E) cruising en route to PHNOMPENH. The AIS position was reported 9 months ago.

Current itinerary of Viking Saigon

Viking Saigon current cruise is 7 days, one-way from Saigon to Kampong Cham . Prices start from USD 6445 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 31 Jul, 2024 and ends on 07 Aug, 2024 .

Specifications of Viking Saigon

•   Itineraries
•   Review

Viking Saigon Itineraries

Viking saigon review, review of viking saigon.

The 2021-built/2022-inaugurated RV Viking Saigon ship cruises on Mekong River (in Vietnam and Cambodia) departing from homeports Saigon Vietnam and Kampong Cham Cambodia (bus travel to Siem Reap , flight to Hanoi ).

Viking Saigon is a modern-designed and handcrafted vessel designed to safely navigate the Lower Mekong River. Viking Saigon's fleetmate deployed in the Cambodia-Vietnam region is the 2002-built Viking Mekong (brand name for the chartered from Pandaw Cruises riverboat "Mekong Pandaw").

Viking Saigon's sistership/same-designed fleetmate is Viking Tonle (2025).

The newbuild riverboat Viking Saigon has max passenger capacity 80 (plus 35 staff-crew). It offers magnificent riverside views from every stateroom due to the large windows and plenty of open-deck space. The atmosphere onboard is extraordinarily friendly, with exceptional service provided by a professionally trained English-speaking crew.

The vessel's builder was Hai Minh Shipyard (Saigon Shipyards Co Ltd) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam .

Viking Saigon's inaugural cruise was initially scheduled for August 30, 2021 (15-day "Magnificent Mekong" itinerary), but due to the COVID crisis was postponed by a year.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Saigon staterooms (a total of 40) are all outside (French Balcony) cabins, each fitted with floor-ceiling windows slide-opening to a railing (false balcony). Staterooms are in 4 grades and located on 3 decks (out of 4) . The lowest deck (Deck 0) is crew-only, housing all staff-crew cabins (midship), machinery (wastewater plant, engines, propulsion, air-conditioning) and storage areas (freshwater, ballast tanks).

All staterooms feature modern furniture (Scandinavian interior design), hotel-style beds (with headboards, premium bedding sets, underbed storage for suitcases, optional twin-bed configuration), bedside cabinets (with wall-mounted reading lamps), seating area (coffee tables with armchairs), mirrored dressing table (with armchair), two wardrobes (with hangers and drawers), electronic safe box (in the closet), HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, satellite reception, English-language programming), IDD phone (international direct dialing), minibar/refrigerator, tea/coffee maker, bottled water (complimentary replenished daily), en-suite bathroom (with WC-toilet, washbasin, anti-fog mirror, glass shower, hairdryer, premium brand bath products / plush bathrobes and slippers are provided complimentary upon request), power outlets (110-220V), USB charging ports, individually-controlled air conditioning, twice-daily housekeeping service.

The ship has 2x Explorer Suites (category ES) located forward (at the bow) on Upper Deck. Each suite is sized 735 ft2 (68 m2, including the terrace) and features a large step-out balcony (full veranda with live plants and premium garden furniture - 2x sunbeds, 2x armchairs, 2x low tables), separate lounge room (HDTV, 3-seater sofa, 2x armchairs, low table, vanity table with chair, direct access to the veranda), separate bedroom (twin beds convertible to a double Queen-size bed, HDTV, 3x wardrobes) and large bathroom (separate WC, double-sink vanity, glass-enclosed shower with whirlpool bathtub).

All the rest cabins are equally-sized (305 ft2 / 28 m2) and also with French balconies. However, the Viking Saigon ship has 12x Veranda Staterooms (category A) which, additionally to the French Balcony, also have a small Step-Out Balcony. Veranda Staterooms are located forward on deck 3-Upper. The rest are standard French Balcony Staterooms (categories B and C) which are located forward on decks 1-Main and 2-Middle.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Saigon riverboat's facilities are all with floor-ceiling windows and include Mekong Restaurant (full-capacity Dining Room with adjacent Galley/ship kitchen and storage rooms), Viking Lounge & Bar (indoor, with a small outside seating/stern views), wellness complex (Spa and Fitness / Massage Rooms, Gym), Library, Coffee Station (24-hour, complimentary), Lobby Hall (Reception), Shop (traditional hand-made gifts and souvenirs).

The Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge) is located forward on Deck 2 and is not passenger-accessible. On Sun Deck (Deck 3) are located the Spa and Fitness facilities (indoor), the Shop and the sundeck area (aft) with Sky Bar (open-air bar), swimming pool (Infinity Pool) and roof-covered seating area with premium garden furniture (4-seat tables and padded sun loungers).

One Elevator (midship-located passenger Lift) and a Grand Staircase (indoor) interconnect all decks and are part of the 3-deck-high Atrium (open-floor designed area).

Viking Saigon cruise deals are inclusive of Internet (Wi-Fi with shipwide coverage), all Vietnam and Cambodia tours/excursions, flight and coach transfers, live evening entertainment, daily expert lectures, food tastings, 24-hour coffee/tea, replenished daily bottled water. Also complimentary are the concierge room service and the onboard laundry and tailor services. Medical service (onboard doctor on call) costs extra.

Viking Saigon cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative cruise rates which might be different when you book your Viking River Cruises Asia deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates. On some cruisetours, the company offers roundtrip USA airfare discount deals (on select cabins or itineraries/departure dates).

Viking Cruises Mekong River Itineraries (MAGNIFICENT MEKONG)

On Mekong River, Viking Cruises ships Viking Mekong (2002-bult) and Viking Saigon (2021- newbuild ) operate the MAGNIFICENT MEKONG cruisetour itinerary between Hanoi (Vietnam's capital city) and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city).

"MAGNIFICENT MEKONG" are 15-days river cruises leaving from Vietnam (Hanoi to Saigon, or the reverse from Saigon to Hanoi), visiting 2 countries (Vietnam and Cambodia) and inclusive of 16 (complimentary) land tours (shore excursions included in the cruise fares).

Viking Cruises' MAGNIFICENT MEKONG deals are inclusive of 2-night Hanoi luxury hotel package, museums visits, scenic electric car ride), flight transfer from Vietnam to Cambodia (Hanoi to Siem Reap , 3-night hotel package), bus travel from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat (temples, Angkor Thom, local craft workshops visits, bus travel through the countryside and boarding the Viking riverboat in Kampong Cham Cambodia .

Follows Twin Holy Mountains excursion, Kampong Cham (orphanage visit, coach ride to Udon Monastery, Phnom Penh (1-night hotel package, cyclo touring, Killing Fields excursion /Khmer Rouge detention center, Choeung Ek site), crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border (Tan Chau overnight dock, rickshaw/trishaw bike ride, small boat ride to Vinh Hoa Island (aka Evergreen Island), tendering to Sa Dec (boarding sampan boat for Mekong Delta scenic cruising, Cai Be floating market), disembarkation in My Tho (river port to Ho Chi Minh City /aka Saigon), bus transfer to Saigon (2-night luxury hotel package).

Prices start from GBP 4650 pp (~USD 5950 / ~EUR 5100), with discounted airfare from USD 1200 pp (when Viking Saigon is booked through Viking).

Next is the Viking Cruises Mekong itinerary map.

Optional is the 3-night Bangkok Thailand hotel package. Departures from Saigon include two 2-night hotel packages (Saigon and Hanoi) or 2-night Halong Bay Vietnam hotel package.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

Viking Saigon - user reviews and comments

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Passports, Visa & Travel Documents

Viking will send you a number of notifications via email as your departure date nears, including your booking confirmation, payment receipts and, if you purchased your air travel from Viking, logistical information about your air travel and transfers. Be sure your email account is set up to receive communications from Viking so that these messages can find their way to you.

Distribution of Travel Documents

Tickets and other travel documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Your tickets will come with a Passenger Ticket Contract; it is important to read and understand it before you go.

Passenger Ticket Contract (US & Canada)

Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months after your return from your trip; if it is not, you should renew your passport.

Passport Application

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23 things to know before visiting Vietnam

Aug 7, 2023 • 10 min read

Read on for all the key things to know before you visit Vietnam © Elizaveta Galitckaia / Shutterstock

Adventures abound in Vietnam . You can climb the heights and scuba dive the lows, immerse yourself in culture or just kick back on the sand, confident in the knowledge that a fantastic meal is waiting for you at the end of the day. But there are things to know before you go, to avoid pitfalls in paradise. These are our top tips. 

1. Pack for the climate

Perhaps the most important consideration when planning a trip to Vietnam is the weather. The south of the country sits firmly in the humid tropics, but the climate becomes increasingly temperate as you head north, and the highlands around Sapa can be downright chilly in winter. If you plan to visit both halves of the country, bring some clothes for the cooler highlands as well as the steamy Mekong Delta . 

2. Be rain ready

Vietnam is soaked by the southwest monsoon from May to September and the northeast monsoon from October to April, so check the weather in the areas you plan to visit. Trekking in the northwest and boat trips in Halong Bay , for example, can be a soggy experience in July and August, but this is a great – if popular – time to bask on the central beaches. Even in the rainy season, it doesn’t rain all day, every day, so bring a raincoat or umbrella and make the best of the smaller crowds and lower prices. 

3. Investigate the visa options

There are numerous ways to arrange the paperwork for a visit to Vietnam, some cheaper and quicker than others. You may not need a visa at all for a short trip, and electronic visas and visas on arrival are available for many nationalities – much less hassle than going to the embassy in person. Read up on the visa requirements before you book your flights, to avoid paying more than you need to, or getting held up by red tape. 

4. Get your jabs

As with anywhere in the tropics, there are tropical illnesses to be aware of in Vietnam. See your doctor at least a month before you travel to get up to date with vaccinations, and arrange anti-malarial medication if you plan to visit rural areas. 

Mosquitoes can also carry dengue fever, so bring repellent. On arrival, avoid drinking tap water and use antibacterial hand gel to reduce the risk of stomach bugs; a medical face mask can reduce the risk of respiratory infections and help with pollution in big cities.  

5. Book ahead for Tet and the holiday peak 

Booking transport, accommodation and tours ahead of time is not essential, but it’s a good way to avoid disappointment if you come at a busy time , such as July and August on the central coast. If you plan to be in Vietnam during the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival in late January or early February, having transport and accommodation in place before you arrive is a very sensible precaution. 

There is a caveat, however – book directly with operators where possible. If you go through an agency, you’ll pay more, and some travelers have reported not getting the services and standards they were expecting when booking through third parties. 

6. Factor sleeper buses and trains into your itinerary

Domestic flights in Vietnam are inexpensive but there are less polluting alternatives. When planning long-distance travel , don’t overlook the country’s overnight trains and buses – you’ll save the cost of a night’s accommodation and cover big distances, without eating into your sightseeing time. Reserve a fully horizontal berth for a more comfortable night’s sleep – both buses and trains have them. The booking site 12Go Asia is a good place to start investigating the options. 

7. Give Vietnam the time it deserves

Vietnam measures 1650km (1025 miles) from the Chinese border in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south, so you’ll need plenty of time to get from A to B. Road and rail transport can be slow, and there are lots of places where you’ll want to stop as you travel between the major hubs. If you only have a short time, focus your itinerary on a small area – Hanoi and around, say, or Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the Delta. 

8. Respect religious spaces 

When visiting Buddhist, Hindu, Confucian and Taoist temples, churches and other religious buildings, dress respectfully – it’s best to cover your legs and upper arms, and you may need to take off your shoes and hat to enter. Never touch anyone on the head, and avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards another person or any Buddhist statues – both signs of disrespect in Buddhist culture. 

9. Don’t lose face 

As in many other parts of Asia, Vietnamese culture places considerable emphasis on "saving face" – in other words, avoiding situations that might cause individual or collective loss of dignity and respect. Public outbursts and arguments can cause everyone involved to lose face, so keep a sense of perspective, and try not to get angry when confronted by inconveniences as you travel. 

10. Do right with your chopsticks 

There are several taboos associated with using chopsticks. Leaving your sticks sticking upright in a bowl of food is considered unlucky, as it resembles offerings of incense sticks made for the dead. Using chopsticks of uneven length is also frowned on, as is tapping your bowl with your sticks (associated with beggars requesting alms). If you eat in a group, use clean chopsticks (or the reverse ends of your own chopsticks) to pass food to others.

11. Eat like a local

Food is practically a religion in Vietnam, but locals focus their energy on the evening meal, where multiple dishes are shared between diners, with the whole family getting involved. Rather than ordering a single main course, choose a spread of dishes for the table and sample a rich mix of flavors and textures. If you need a boost between meals, street food snacks can be found everywhere, or just grab a nutritious sinh tố  (fruit shake) or a cup of local drip-brewed ca phe (coffee).  

12. Don’t go overboard with displays of affection

Public displays of affection are not a big part of Vietnamese culture, for couples of all orientations. Kissing, hugging and even holding hands in public can raise eyebrows, so tone down the romantic gestures while you’re in the country. On the plus side,  despite lingering legal inequality, LGBTIQ+ couples generally face few problems in Vietnam, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) both have lively scenes. 

13. Be a respectful photographer

Always ask before taking photographs of people, particularly in minority villages. Many people find it intrusive, and by asking first, you’ll know if people are comfortable being included in your travel photos. In tribal areas, some villagers ask for payment for photos, which is fair enough... how would you feel if strangers kept sticking a long lens into your front porch? 

14. Don’t get dragged into Vietnamese politics

Another time to think twice before pulling out your camera is during public demonstrations and political rallies. Critics of the government can face harsh punishments – demonstrations in 2018 against laws allowing the authorities to monitor online communications led to over 100 arrests. Play it safe – steer clear of political gatherings and avoid conversations about politics with local people. 

15. Be a fair bargainer

Haggling is a fact of life in Vietnam, particularly at markets and souvenir shops, and you may pay over the odds if you accept the first price suggested. However, bargaining should never be a confrontational process – treat it as a game and counter the starting price with a lower counter offer, and see how the seller responds. With a bit of back and forth, you should reach a mutually acceptable price – and if you don’t, you can always decline politely and try another vendor. There’s little point haggling over tiny sums of money – if you pay 5000 dong (US$0.20) over the going rate, consider that you can probably afford it.

16. Know your loos

Western-style sit-down toilets are increasingly common in Vietnam, but you’ll often have to pay to use public loos, and paper is rarely provided. Carry your own, or use the hose or water jug provided. Bring antibacterial hand gel or soap; many bathrooms only provide running water.  

17. Don’t let touts take you for a ride 

Commission-seeking middle men (and middle women) pop up almost anywhere tourists gather, and Vietnam has its share. Be wary of touts who encourage visitors to use certain tour agencies, hotels, shops and transport companies in touristy parts of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. If you use their services, you’ll pay more to cover their fee.

18. Avoid the sex tourism industry

Sex tourism is an unwelcome legacy of the American War, but it’s usually easy to spot – and avoid – places where the sex trade takes place. Be wary of bars, karaoke lounges and massage parlors with scantily clad staff and lots of pink or red neon. Note that some hotels refuse to allow foreign men to share rooms with Vietnamese women – which can lead to headaches for genuine couples with an Asian partner. 

19. Give drugs a pass

Illegal drugs aren’t hard to find on the traveler circuit in Vietnam, but the penalties, if you’re caught by the police, can be severe – even for possession of small amounts. Many travelers have ended up in Vietnamese jails for drug offenses, and the death penalty can be applied in drug cases. If you are inclined to toke while you travel, it’s only a short hop to Thailand , where the consumption of marijuana in food and drinks has been decriminalized for now.  

20. Shop responsibly 

Vietnam has some wonderful crafts and art forms that make for great souvenirs, but stick to modern pieces; it’s illegal to take antiques out of the country. Also be watchful for souvenirs made from animal parts, such as shell, horn, bone, teeth and feathers. Such items are usually taken from wild animals, and you could fall foul of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) . 

21. Be smart about crime, not anxious

Opportunistic crime can occasionally be a problem, particularly in crowded cities where pickpockets and bag-snatchers on motorcycles take advantage of the unwary, but this isn’t a problem unique to Vietnam. Activate your big city precautions, and watch your belongings on busy public transport or in bars and cafes (using a phone or laptop at an outside table is unwise). Handbags with a single strap are a popular target for ride-by bag snatchers – a daypack or messenger bag is a better option.  

22. Be wary of American War ordnance

Horrifying volumes of munitions were dropped over Vietnam during the American War, and unexploded ordnance continues to kill and maim people every year. Well-traveled areas are usually safe, but be cautious about stepping off roads and paths in rural areas. Don’t climb into bomb craters and never touch old explosive devices – they can remain deadly for decades. 

23. Be typhoon smart

Vietnam is hit by periodic typhoons between May and November, with the biggest risk of storms from August to September. If you travel during the typhoon season, monitor local weather reports, and head inland from the coast if a direct hit by a big storm is predicted. In the event of flooding, contact your embassy or consulate and follow advice from the local authorities. 

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