Vietnam

Vietnam offers dramatic mountain landscapes, fertile river deltas and rich cultural heritage, with the best regions to explore including northern Vietnam, the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.

Northern Vietnam & Sapa: Northern Vietnam’s highlands feature rice terraces, forested mountains and ethnic minority villages ideal for trekking through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.

Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s two great cities reveal a striking contrast between the colonial boulevards and historic Old Quarter of Hanoi in the north and the buzzing streets and modern energy of Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Central Vietnam & Hoi An: Central Vietnam combines coastal scenery, historic trading towns and scenic cycling routes through countryside and fishing villages.

Mekong Delta: The Mekong Delta’s fertile waterways and floating markets reveal traditional river culture explored by boat and bicycle through villages, orchards and rice fields.

The best time to travel to Vietnam for hiking, trekking, kayaking and adventure touring is usually during the drier months when rainfall is lighter and conditions are more comfortable for exploring forests, coastlines and national parks.

Vietnam has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round, typically ranging between 24°C and 32°C (75°F–90°F). Most regions experience a dry season and a wetter season which influence outdoor travel conditions.

During the wetter season tropical showers refresh the landscape and create lush green forests and flowing rivers. While humidity is higher, this time can still be rewarding for adventurous travellers seeking vibrant scenery and quieter trails.

Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favoured as a second language); mountains area languages (Mon-Khmer and Mayalo-Polynesian); plus some French, Russian, Chinese and Khmer.

Vietnamese Dong

USD, EUR & AUD dollars are easily changed in Vietnam.

Credit cards and ATM are available in most large cities and hotels, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

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Electricity in Vietnam is usually 220v at 50Hz cycles, but you may sometimes find 110v at 50Hz cycles. The pin type varies but is most commonly types A (two prong flat) or C (two prong round). We recommend taking a universal adapter.

If you have a valid Australian, New Zealand, Canadian or United States passport, you are eligible to apply online for an E-visa. This can be a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic tourist visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days. It allows you to enter Vietnam via the port of entry indicated in the visa approval notice only. Apply for an E-visa through the Vietnamese Government's e-visa portal https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

United Kingdom – British Nationals can enter Vietnam for up to 45 days without requiring to apply for a visa. For stays longer than 45 days a visa must be obtained prior to arrival in Vietnam, apply for an E-visa online through the online portal https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

E-visas are issued for stays of up to 90 days of entry only and are valid for multiple entries. A Vietnam eVisa typically requires 4-6 working days for processing.

For stays longer than 90 days, please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.

To apply for an E-Visa for Vietnam, you must make sure that:

Your passport is valid for at least 6 months following arrival date and has at least 2 blank pages;

You have a soft copy (ideally JPEG format) of a passport-size photo;

You have a soft copy (ideally JPEG format) of your passport personal data page which must be full and clear;

You have an exact entry port;

You have a credit/debit card to make payment online for E-visa fee.

From 15 April 2026, all foreign nationals entering Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City, are required by the Vietnamese Government to complete a pre-arrvival a digital card online generating a QR code for immigration. This can only be done 72hrs before arrival. This does not replace visa requirements and transit passengers not passing through immigration are exempt.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.