VIETNAM TRAVEL, THE BEST HINTS FOR A WONDERFUL TRIP

Vietnam Travel, the best hints for a wonderful trip

Vietnam Travel, Vietnam is a beautiful country in the S-shape with 54 ethnic groups all of which will offer you a wonderful experience from the landscape to culture and history. From the North to the South, each place provides different striking scenery such as, Sapa, Hoang Su Phi - Ha Giang, Y Ty, Pu Luong, Cao Bang in the North offering breathtaking mountains ranges and terraced rice fields, Halong Bay offering magnificent bay with numerous karst mountain islets, Hoi An offering charming town with old houses dating back hundreds of years in the center or Mekong Delta offering splendid rivers with daily activities of locals.
 

Many people have listed Vietnam as a dreaming destination in their travel bucket. However, how to have a wonderful Vietnam travel is a question that many of those are struggling to find the answer. Vietnam Original Travel is a local Vietnam travel agency specializing in the destination of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. To help you prepare for your wonderful trip to the Land of the Dragon, we have written this guide with the hope that it will give you all the answers to your questions.
 

1. When to start your Vietnam Travel?

Vietnam is a tropical country strongly influenced by monsoon. Due to the diverse topography, climate varies between areas. However, the climate is divided clearly in different areas. In the North, it has a monsoon feature that there are 4 seasons (spring, summer, fall and winter), while it is tropical monsoon in the South (from the Hai Van Pass) with 2 seasons only: dry and rainy. The mountain areas see a moderate climate including Sapa and Dalat.
 

A. Weather in the North Vietnam

As mentioned, the North Vietnam sees 4 seasons including spring, summer, fall and winter. It is not too cold in the plain but the mountain areas can see snows especially Sapa when the temperature drops to under zero. It is quite hot and humid in summer when the temperature can reach up to 40oC. In particular, we can see hurricanes from July to early September. The fall is a good time for doing outdoor activities when it is cooler. The spring may be not a good time for many people when there are drizzles all day long.
 

B. Weather in the Center Vietnam

  It is quite different between North and Center Vietnam when Center Vietnam only sees two seasons dry and rainy. The dry runs from November to April and the remainder is for rainy seasons. Climate in Hue is a bit different with Danang, Hoi An due to the separation of high Hai Van mountain. The rainfall will reach peak during October and November with typhoons sometimes.

In South Central Coast including Nha Trang enjoys a longer dry season with high temperature but a little rain lasting from January to September. The rainy season is also shorter running from October to early December.

C. Weather in the South Vietnam

South Vietnam includes Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Saigon, Phu Quoc island, Con Dao island and all provinces in Mekong Delta.

South Vietnam enjoys the constant temperature year-round with two simple seasons wet and dry. The dry begins from November and end in early May with high temperature – around 32oC while the wet season comes in May and go in late August with the peak of rainfall dropped in June and July, especially we can see the flood tides in many days in Saigon.

Phu Quoc and Con Dao island can be enjoyed all year round with high chance of sunny days but we should expect downpours in the afternoons.

In general, the climate in Vietnam varies from the North to South which of each will fit some people’s favorite. Summer is a beautiful season with the green of forests and the white of streams and rivers fully filled up by water, but hurricanes and downpours should be expected. Winter is also beautiful with sunny days on the sandy beaches. To have the best time to visit Vietnam, January to early May will be listed when it is hot too hot and humid but a little rain in the whole country.
 

2. How to travel to Vietnam?

There are some options for your travel to Vietnam including non-stop and connecting flights from many countries such as, Air France, American airlines, British airways, Quantas airways, Turkish airlines…all of which give advantages and disadvantages as below:

The non-stop flights offer travelers a time-saving when it is just around 9 to 11 hours flying from countries in EU to Vietnam. Accordingly, you will be totally fine for the visit as soon as arrive in Vietnam. However, non-stop flights mean expensive cost. To cover the cost which can be gained if the flights stop in somewhere to catch more passengers, the non-stop flights will put the cost into your prices.
 

The connecting flights can be seen as the cheaper ones when they often stop at 1 place at least before arriving including Emirate airways, Aeroflot, Air Europa… Some connecting flights will stop at 2 to 3 airports before landing to the main destination. Accordingly, travelers will enjoy a cheaper cost but longer trip up to 2 days.

To sum up, there are different options for your Vietnam travel, so you can choose one based on your expectation including time, comfort and budget…
 

3. What are the best places to visit in Vietnam?

Vietnam is endowed by the nature with many wonderful places each of which offer its own beauty. According to our “the best places in Vietnam” research from our customers, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta are chosen as the safe and beautiful destinations.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the current capital of Vietnam which has still remained it unique features mixing Asian and European with temple of Literature, one pillar pagoda, museums, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum or President Palace....

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a mountainous area located in the North of Vietnam, has been described as a fresh and peaceful place with breath-taking landscapes. Mai Chau Vietnam is synonymous with not only eco-tourism but also the home to different ethnic minorities. 

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh was the capital of Vietnam in the 9th century and is known as the “Halong Bay on land” due to its karst mountain. During the trip to Ninh Binh, travelers will not only enjoy the striking landscape but also the historical stories.

Halong Bay

Ha Long Bay owns thousand limestone islets jutting out from the emerald water. On each island, there is magnificent cave where travelers will see million-year stalactites. In particular, travelers will do overnight cruises which offer more interesting activities and deeper exploration.
 

Hoi An

Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved ancient town. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Hue

Hue with a major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City, once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater.

Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is the watery area and is famous for its floating markets where the locals come to exchange/sell/buy products directly on their boats. Travelers will explore the local activities in the watery features.
 

4. Types of tours for your Vietnam travel?

There are two type of tours that can be chosen based on your favorite including Vietnam private tour and Vietnam group tour, each of which offers its own advantages and disadvantages
 

4.1. Vietnam private tour:

Is also sometimes recognized as the combination of advantage of group and “do-it-by-yourself” tours making the private tour interesting.

• Offer the comfort to all members in the group when the number of participants is decided by people in the group. The groups are often from 2 to 4 or 6 members but sometimes it can be 1 only.
• The time of the tour is decided based on your expectation
• The tour itinerary is chosen based on your budget, health condition and duration
• The time can be adjusted to meet bookers’ time including sites to visit, duration, type of transports, meals…
   

4.2. Vietnam group tour

• Offer a better price because participate will share the services (including cars, cruise, guides, hotels…) with others they do not know.
• Is suitable for those who want to get to know strangers or want to have experiences with new friends
• Travelers do not need to research much about the itinerary but just follow the samples from the travel agencies.
• The Vietnam group tours are fixed so all travelers have to follow the ready-itinerary

In general, the Vietnam private tour offer more comfort and relaxing that travelers should choose. Just email to our Vietnam tour operator, one local expert will reach you shortly and offer the best itineraries that meet your wish.

5. What itineraries Vietnam Original Travel are organizing?

As a local Vietnam tour operator, we organize all types of tour s that can meet favorites of all customers, from Vietnam highlight tours, Vietnam adventure tours, Vietnam trek tours to Vietnam vacations…
 

Vietnam classic tours

Vietnam Classic Tours or Vietnam Highlight Tours are the most chosen ones because of their “easy-trip” that fit the expectation of many travelers. The tours cover all main places including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Saigon and Mekong Delta. The tours often last in 12 to 15 days.
 

Vietnam adventure tours

Unlike Vietnam highlight tours, Vietnam adventure tours are chosen by fewer who are often young and love to explore the new things in adventure. The tours are often last longer that are at least 14 days, so travelers can have enough time to discover what they expect, for example Soon Dong cave tour, Bach Ma national park tour, Cuc Phuong national park tour…
 

Vietnam trek tours

The tours are often organized in the mountain areas. More and more people now choosing the Vietnam trek tours because they love to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes as well as to meet the hospitable and friendly ethnic groups who visitors can learn the customs and cultures from. The tour will bring them wonderful experiences. In order to soak into the beautiful landscape and cultures, Vietnam trek tours often are in 15 to 21 days covering mostly in North Vietnam.

Vietnam family tours

The tours are perfect fit those who travel with the family and want to have their own paces and favorites. The tours are often easy and combined with beach relaxing. Similar to Vietnam classic tours, the family tours often combine main places from the North to South Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An…The tours are also not too long which are often from 12 days to 14 days.
 

6. What is the best duration for the Vietnam Travel?

The duration of the trip to Vietnam totally depends on the favorite of each group and vary from 7 days to 24 days. There are some tour sample that can be listed such as:

Vietnam tour 1 week, Vietnam tour package 10 days, 2-week Vietnam itinerary, Vietnam 3-week itinerary, Vietnam 21 day tour...

Just drop an email and notice the time of your travel to Vietnam and budget, we can design the best Vietnam Travel based on our experience in Vietnam.
 

7. Whether should you book a tour through a travel agency in your country or a local Vietnam tour operator?

Thanks to the fast development of technology, travelers now can find all information easily including tour operator in Vietnam. Through many channels including travel forums especially Tripadvisor, travelers now can check quickly and fully details about any Vietnam tour operators whether the companies are reliable and trustworthy. Why travelers should book tour through a Vietnam tour operator rather than a travel agency in their countries? The question can be answered as below:

• Because, Vietnam tour operators are local, they will have direct contracts with good price from service provider including hotels, cars, flights…
• They are local, so they know clearly about the destinations in Vietnam that can give travelers exactly what they need. Also, the tour operators can give good advices about the sites to visit – what to do or what not to do
• A tour operator in Vietnam can support travelers completely during the trip as the offices are located in Vietnam.

8. How to travel in Vietnam?

There are different options for traveling in Vietnam including by land, by sea/river or by flight. Traveling by car is the most common option in Vietnam so we will not refer about it, but will focus on train and flight that many travelers may concern.

By train: There are some routes that travelers can use train which offer different experiences such as, Hanoi – Lao Cai (Sapa), Hanoi – Hue and Danang – Saigon)

Advantages:

• Trains offer the best way to enjoy landscape when it goes through many off the beaten tracks that cars cannot access.
• There are A/C cabins with soft and comfortable beds that travelers can do overnight on, so it will save time of traveling as well as travelers will not have to pay for the accommodation.

Disadvantages

• Trains in Vietnam are very old which were made over 50 years ago that they cannot run fast. Therefore, a longer travel will be expected.
• Travelers have to pay more for train than flight with the same routes.
   

By flight:

There are some domestic airlines in Vietnam that travelers can use such as, Vietnam airlines, Vietjet airs, Jetstar among of them Vietnam airlines is the biggest carrier and the most reliable one, Vietjet airs is in the second and the final is Jetstar

Advantages:

• The duration of traveling is shortened remarkably.
• The cost of traveling by flight is even much cheaper than the train and car’s cost for the long routes such as, Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Saigon

Disadvantages:

• There are only some airports that can use such as Hanoi, Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, Saigon…outside of these places, travelers cannot take flight.
• Time for check-in at the airport also takes longer with many procedures. Besides, sometimes airplanes cannot fly on time which may affect to tours.

9. What to prepare for the Vietnam travel?

The most important thing travelers need to have is Vietnam visa. All travelers must to obtain it before arriving. There are two options to get the visa is that Vietnam visa on arrival/Vietnam evisa (get from Vietnam travel agency) or directly at Vietnam embassies. The former is easier and cheaper but it does not apply to all countries (only 80 countries, please click the link for details: https://vietnamoriginal-travel.com/news/vietnam-to-issue-electronic-visa-for-citizens-of-80-countries-from-july-01st-2020/). The latter takes longer and more expensive, but outside of 80 mentioned countries, others need to get visa done at the Vietnam embassies before flying.

As mentioned in the top of the topic, Vietnam is endowed by the nature with many beautiful landscapes so please remember to bring a good camera which will save beautiful photos

Vietnam is a long country with different type of climates, for example it is cold in the winter in North Vietnam especially in the mountain areas, but it is warmer in the Center and quite hot in the South. Accordingly, travelers should bring different type of clothes from shirt, short, sunglasses to jackets…
 

Vietnam’s electricity voltage in Vietnam is 220v at 50hz so travelers do not need to bring adapters if they use the same type in their country. Please note that the plug types A (2 flat vertical pins, C and F (2 round pins) are used popularly in Vietnam.

Above are all necessary information that travelers may put into the pocket in order to have successful Vietnam Travel. There are a lot of information that Vietnam Original Travel wants to share that a topic cannot cover all. Therefore, if you need any further information for your trip to Vietnam, please, do not hesitate to contact with us