Visiting Vietnam is like journeying to the ends of the earth. Located on the extreme eastern strip of Southern Asia, Vietnam is a land of great beauty and adventure. From quaint tribal villages to ultra-modern cities, northern highlands stretching down to southern coastal forests; Vietnam remains a land of diverse experiences. Steeped in rich culture and magnificent views, Vietnam is much more than an R&R. There is plenty to do, eat and indulge in. Is it any wonder that Vietnam has emerged as the hottest tourist destination in recent times?
When to go
For a country that has distinct climate zones, deciding upon a good time can be difficult. It largely depends upon which region of Vietnam you plan to visit. Also, what do you expect from your holiday? If you want to experience traditional Vietnamese culture, then it is best to plan around the many festivals.
However, it makes sense to avoid the typhoon season, which stretches from August to November, although it is difficult to predict accurately. Vietnam can also get hot for unaccustomed tourists. So winter (December-February) and spring (March-April) are good times to travel.
Before you go
Unlike many places in the West where you can easily avail of visa-on-arrival without any document, visa-on-arrival of Vietnam requires visitors having a visa approval then able to pick up visa on arrival, travelling to Vietnam requires careful planning.
The moment you plan your holiday, you should contact with authorised agents well in advance to ask for the visa approval letter from the Immigration Department of Vietnam for picking up visa on arrival.
Business visas however need an official entry clearance from the sponsor, or employer. Business visa allows multiple entries with stays extending from 90 days to one year.
Please note that, Vietnam does not have an official website from the government for visa-on-arrival. So if you come across websites claiming official visa on arrival, beware of being scammed! They are all travel agents who know the procedure to arrange the visa approval letter to get paid, not official website.
Nationalities from a designated list of countries do not require visa for stays of shorter durations. Make sure to check out your eligibility.
The e-visa official from the government of Vietnam is available to nationalities of more than 50 countries for a maximum stay of 30 days, single entry. You can get an e-visa of Vietnam at official website of the government, however, please carefully before submit, it is non-refundable if you fail.
How to go
Planning to visit Vietnam for a great Asian experience? Then you have no worries. Many international carriers touch upon the world-class airports at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. While these long-haul flights usually have transits at Bangkok or Singapore, non-stop direct flights are available with the flagship carrier Vietnam Airlines and other S-E Asian airlines.
You can also avail of direct international train services from Nanning and Beijing (China) to Hanoi. For backpackers, routes from Cambodia, China and Laos are other points of entry into Vietnam.
What you need to know
Besides reiterating that you should take your visa seriously, there is other small but significant aspects of this amazing country that you need to know.
Tourists visiting Vietnam need to remember that Vietnam weather is predominantly hot. So there is no point packing too many clothes. You can always buy anything else you need at Vietnam, where clothes are pretty cheap.
It is advised to wear proper attire when visiting pagodas as a mark of respect. This usually means wearing casual clothes that cover you.
To get around in style and comfort, avail of Vietnam’s low cost inter-city flights. However, if you have time and want to explore the best of Vietnam, hire a car and driver to take you around. Another low cost option is bus service. Motorcycle taxis operate only in the cities. When in Vietnam, you should not miss out on boat travel for a unique experience. Backpackers or budget travellers who plan to get around on their own should be aware of the local traffic etiquettes.
Drinking lots of water and keeping yourself hydrated is advised. It is best to buy bottled water and avoid roadside food, to keep away stomach issues.
If you plan to go shopping, make sure to bargain hard!
Where to stay
Whether you are a backpacking budget traveller, or a high-end tourist, you will find plenty of good places to stay. Youth hostels, budget hotels to world class luxury resorts, there is plenty on offer. A word of caution, trying to convince your hotel about paying the dues is better than leaving your passport at the hotel desk.
Although internet access and Wi-Fi is available, most social networks are blocked across Vietnam. However, any savvy tourist will find ways how to bypass the same.
