Vietnam Travel Guide

• Vietnam is a great way to see Asia on a shoestring with bargain budget offers galore.
• Take in a gap year trip moving from Vietnam to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand too for an all-in Asian adventure.
• With history, culture and beautiful landscapes there is every extreme of excitement to be found in Vietnam. 
• With an abundance of natural beauty, don’t miss the wild wonders of Halong bay or the manicured magic of the Mekong Delta.

Rice is the staple food of Vietnam, grown in vast rice paddies throughout the country.  Chicken, pork, beef, fish and seafood are main ingredients, and due to the Buddhist influence, there is plenty of vegetarian food on offer.  Herbs such as lemongrass, mint and coriander go with lime, peanut, or fish or soy sauce to make for some mouth-watering flavour combinations. 

Specialities vary from region to region – the north of Vietnam favours black pepper in place of chilli and is less spicy, and seafood is used often. Central Vietnam delights in spicy, colourful food centred on the city of Hue. The south of the country is influenced more by Thailand and China, using coconut milk and chillies in sweeter tasting dishes. 

Vietnam has a climate of extremes, with occasional snow on the northern mountains and temperatures soaring to a sweltering 40°C in the south during the dry season.  There are two monsoon seasons in Vietnam meaning a lot of heavy rainfall during the winter monsoon (October-March) when the north gets very wet and cold, whereas the south is drier and warmer. The summer rains (April/May-October) make the climate hot and humid with some wet weather.  April, May or October are good times to visit as is November-February in the southern regions. In July, August, over Christmas and at Vietnamese New Year (late Jan-early Feb) tourism peaks and it can get very overcrowded. 

Visa Assistance

Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.

To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.

Entry Requirements for UK Travellers

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Vietnam set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK.

Digital Arrival Card 

From 15 April 2026, all foreign nationals entering Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City, are encouraged by the Vietnamese Government to complete a digital arrival card online before arrival.

The digital arrival card system is not currently a mandatory requirement for entry into Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat airport, but this may change, or be rolled out to other airports in Vietnam with limited notice.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Vietnam, your passport must have:

• an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive
• at least 2 blank pages
• no damage – British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

It is a requirement of Vietnamese authorities that visitors enter and exit Vietnam using the same passport.

Check the visa expiry date written in your passport is correct before leaving border control. If it is wrong, you could be accused of overstaying. Your passport is stamped upon entry which will specify the date by which you need to leave Vietnam.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. On arrival, your passport will be stamped with an entry and exit stamp (the date you have to leave by). Check that the date given is 45 days from your arrival date, as Immigration will not change this after you have left the airport/land border.

If you want to stay longer than 45 days, you can:

• book with a travel agent in Vietnam and ask them to apply for a visa pre-approval letter – your agent will tell you when to collect your visa from the embassy
• apply for other visa types from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK
• apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries

E-visas restrict you to the entry and exit points you select when you apply. If you get an e-visa while in Vietnam, you must exit the country and re-enter to start your e-visa.

If you wish to stay longer than 90 days, please visit the Vietnamese Immigration Department (in vietnamese) for further information and contact details of your nearest office.

The British Embassy will not assist with visa extensions.

Work or study

If you want to work or study, check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Read about visas and work permits if you live in Vietnam.

If you overstay your visa or work illegally, the authorities can prevent you from leaving until you pay a fine. You could be deported and prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future.

Travelling through Vietnam

If you transfer from an international flight to a domestic flight in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you must go through immigration and enter Vietnam. You must do this even if your final destination is outside Vietnam. Check with your airline before departing.

Exit requirements

You cannot leave Vietnam without a valid visa and must enter and exit Vietnam using the same passport.

Exit bans

Vietnamese authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country. Your passport will be seized until the case is fully investigated. If you are unable to leave the country because of an exit ban, consult a lawyer and contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

An exit ban can relate to investigations into: 

• an individual, their family or an employer
• criminal and civil matters, such as business disputes or motor vehicle accidents 
• employment without a work visa
• unpaid financial debts

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Vietnam guide

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Vietnam. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you’re taking prescription medication into Vietnam, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. If it has a total import value greater than 100 US dollars, you must declare it at customs. For information about restrictions on medication, see Health.

Taking money into or out of Vietnam

If you’re taking cash into or out of Vietnam, you must declare amounts over:

• 15 million Vietnamese dong
• 5,000 US dollars (or the same value in other currencies)

If you’re leaving the country with more than these amounts, declare the money at customs and show either:

• confirmation you’re carrying cash abroad, issued by an authorised credit institution
• written approval to carry cash, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam

If you commit a crime in Vietnam, some crimes, such as sex offences or fraud can attract very long prison terms or even a death sentence. The Vietnamese legal system is not well developed and prisons have very poor standards. If arrested, you may be held without charge and prevented from leaving for an unlimited time.

Please be aware that you should never take photographs near military installations. If you are visiting religious or cultural sites in Vietnam, always respect local customs and dress in appropriate clothing.

On arrival in Vietnam try to dress reasonably smartly to avoid being quizzed at immigration. At religious sites, make sure to dress appropriately and behave modestly in line with local customs. It is not permitted for foreign visitors to take Vietnamese nationals with them into their rooms, so bear this in mind while travelling. 

Do not touch someone’s head as it is considered rude, as is pointing, crossing your arms or standing with your hands on your hips. Avoid public displays of affection and dress modestly. 

We have selected what we believe to be the key points that you should be aware of when travelling in Vietnam.

Please note: Gap 360 follows advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and we recommend that you frequently check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for updated travel advice. You can find the website here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/  

Crime

Vietnam is a country with a low risk of crime, but take all general precautions when travelling to prevent petty theft and pickpocketing, which can occur among crowds and in main tourist or shopping areas. Thieves have been known to use razors to cut the straps or bottoms of bags.

There have been some violent attacks against tourists reported in towns and popular tourist destinations, with some tourists being attacked while travelling by motorcycle taxi. Although sexual assaults are rare, always take sensible precautions and travel in groups with friends. Arguments over hotel, restaurant or taxi bills can become unpleasant so you should research where you are staying and ensure you are clear about the services provided and any extra charges before you arrive.

Typical scams to watch out for include fake charities, gambling and taxis. One scam involves renting you a motorbike, which is then ‘stolen’ by the rental company, forcing you to pay up for a new bike, or a taxi driver telling you that your hotel is full and taking you somewhere he profits from. Begging is also a real problem, as is a high incidence of prostitution so be aware of this, especially in urban areas, and don’t hand out money.

Passports

On arrival in Vietnam, you will need to register with the local police and show your passport. This is usually done for you by your accommodation, but make sure you are registered as you can be fined for failure to do so. You should carry a photocopy of the personal details from your passport with you, and a photocopy of your visa for ID. Make sure that you keep the original documents in a secure place.

Drugs

Drugs are a problem, and involvement with them can lead to severe consequences as Vietnam still carries the death penalty for drugs and other crimes. Illegal drugs are increasingly available in major cities and may have been tampered with or spiked. Drugs in Vietnam are strong and of high potency and tourists have suffered fatal overdoses in the past after taking very small amounts.

If you commit a crime in Vietnam, some crimes, such as sex offences or fraud can attract very long prison terms or even a death sentence. The Vietnamese legal system is not well developed and prisons have very poor standards. If arrested, you may be held without charge and prevented from leaving for an unlimited time.

Transport

Travelling by motorbike taxis can be dangerous and fatal accidents are reported daily. Motorbike accidents may not be covered by your insurance, which can result in expensive medical bills. It is illegal to be on a motorbike in Vietnam without wearing a helmet, but be aware that the safety standards of helmets can vary.

We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.

You should use metered, reputable taxis from larger firms, and where possible get your hotel or a restaurant to book you a reliable taxi. Taxi meter costs vary, but meters should start at around 8,000 to 20,000 VND. Some taxis will overcharge for journeys from airports, so check the published fare near taxi stands before you begin your journey.

Buses and coaches in Vietnam are often badly maintained and crashes are not unusual. This risk increases if travelling at night. Be vigilant against petty theft when travelling by bus, and don’t accept ‘free’ transfers to hotels unless you have organised it in advance, as these are usually scams.

Rail travel in Vietnam is generally safe, but petty theft can be a problem, with reports of theft of personal belongings on the Sapa to Hanoi train, while travellers are asleep.

Boat safety regulations and standards vary in Vietnam and are not as strict as in the UK, and a number of fatal boat accidents have been reported, some involving foreign nationals in Halong Bay, so take care when on overnight trips and always consider safety. Check with your tour guide about the safety record and registration of boats, and the certification of personnel before setting off and make sure you get a safety briefing when on board a boat.

Natural Disasters

Eastern coastal regions of Vietnam can be affected by tropical cyclones, and the peak cyclone season is between May and November, although they can also occur outside this period. Approaching storms can be monitored on the Japan Meteorological Agency website and you should always follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

Health

Make sure you have visited your GP before travelling to South-East Asia to ensure all your vaccinations are up to date. If you are entering Vietnam from a yellow fever country, you will need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate to prove you are protected. There have been incidents of malaria, dengue fever, cholera and rabies reported so make sure you receive all the necessary medication and travel advice from your GP before you go.

Avoid street food as this can be contaminated, and don’t drink wine that does not carry a recognised brand name. Drink only bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Make sure you have full medical insurance as healthcare in Vietnam is extremely expensive. Make sure you take your required prescription medications in your hand luggage, with your prescription or a doctor’s letter explaining your requirements, and don’t buy medications in Vietnam as they can be counterfeit.