When to Go to Vietnam

The best time to visit Vietnam mostly depends on what you would like to see and when you have time to go. Because Vietnam is affected by the monsoon, the average temperature is lower than the other countries which are located in the same longitude in Asia. The annual average temperatures range from 22oC to 27oC. In comparing with these countries, the temperature in winter is colder and in summer is less hotter in Vietnam.

Under influence of monsoon, and further because of the complicated topography, the climate in Vietnam always changes in one year, between the years, or between the areas (from North to South and from low to high).

Hanoi capital: In Hanoi there are four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. But it is able to be divided into two main seasons: the rainy season from May to September (it’s hot, heavy rain), and the dry season from October to April (it’s cold, little rainfall). The annual average temperature is 23.2^oC, but in winter the average temperature is 17.2^oC.

Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon: The climate is divided into two seasons, with the rainy season lasting from May to November. The average annual temperature is 27.5oC without winter, and yearly rainfall totals 1,979mm. Tourism is convenient for all 12 months of the year.

What to Pack

We have compiled a “what to pack” list specifically made for the needs of a traveler in Cambodia. Staying in resorts or in hotels in Vietnam minimizes the list as they provide most everything.

• Personal clothing items, toiletries, medication

• Sunhat

• Sarong (to cover your shoulders should you enter temples or pagodas)

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellant

• Light weight clothing for the summer months

• Warm clothing for winter in Hanoi and in mountainous areas

• Camera with film

• Small daypack for day trips and overnight trip to Halong Bay

• Appropriate shoes for trekking, cycling or walking in caves (Halong Bay)

• Sleeping sheet for train travel (can also be bought in Vietnam)

• Ear plugs and sleep mask (for train journeys)

• Water bottle and helmet (for cycling trips only)

• Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Eurocard are accepted)

Clothing:  Please note most Vietnamese still dress modestly and out of respect for the culture you should dress conservatively ( no sleeveless/ halter neck tops, shorts other than for the beach, should not reach below the knee)

Health Care

No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However, visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all of the country and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed.

It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand or Myanmar but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally okay in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in countryside areas.

"ADVISE: Essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee that they will be available in Vietnam. "

Vietnam Shopping:

Vietnam is a bargain hunter’s paradise and the streets are awash with little shops selling all manner of items. It is true to say that you can find nearly anything in Vietnam. Markets vary from high class shopping malls, supermarkets to bustling open market, galleries, boutiques and street stalls.

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is particularly excellent for visitors with shops selling clothes, gold, embroidered tablecloths and handbags. Markets are always great places to enjoy the local flavor and buy souvenirs.

Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Xuan market in Hanoi are worth a visit. Local specialties include lacquer painting, reed mats, embroidery, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) and mother-of-pearl inlay on ornaments and furniture, not to mention the ubiquitous conical hat.

It is not recommended that you buy imported, famous branded products such as clothing, perfume or electronics in Vietnam as tax makes these items more costly than neighboring countries. In terms of shopping for tourists, Vietnam is most famous for its handicrafts, war souvenirs, authentic clothing, art, antiques and gems.

Festivals of Vietnam:

January and February are the most interesting festival months in the year. in Vietnam. Plenty of the festivals and special events would be organized throughout Vietnam.

LUNAR NEW YEAR (TET): Tet - Vietnamese and Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important Festival of Vietnamese people. This scared Festival sometime between late January or early February (depend on Lunar Calendar) and Tet has become so familiar to the Vietnamese that when Spring arrives, the Vietnamese wishing to come back to their homeland for a family reunion and a taste of the particular flavours of the Vietnamese festivities. Although officially a three-day affair, festivities may continue for a week or more.

Starting Dates in Western Calendar: Feb 14,2010 |Feb 3, 2011 | Jan 23, 2012

CAU NGU FESTIVAL: This festival of lower Thai Duong Village in Huong Hai Commune of Huong Dien District is organized annually on the 12th day of the 1st lunar month in memory of the village tutelary genie Truong Quy Cong.

Starting Dates in Western Calendar: Feb 25,2010 |Feb 14, 2011 | Feb 6, 2012

LIM FESTIVAL: The Lim Festival, organized in Lim village located 18 km from Hanoi, where Quan Ho, the special folk songs performed. It takes place every year on 13th day of the 1st lunar month. Tens of thousands of visitors come here to enjoy the dialogues performances between "lien anh" (male singers) and "lien chi" (female singers), the country's most skilled Quan Ho singers. These are male and female farmers who sing different types of songs in the pagodas, on the hills, and in the boats. Besides this, visitors can come to the Lim Festival to enjoy the weaving competition of the Noi Due girls. They weave and sing Quan Ho songs at the same time.

Starting Dates in Western Calendar: Feb 26,2010 |Feb 15, 2011 | Feb 4, 2012

Entry Formalities and Vietnam Visa:

Amongst a number of things to prepare for your trip to Vietnam, getting the Visa is not the most significant but the very first task to be completed as efficiently as possible. Please find below are the Vietnam Tourist Visa details.

• Type of e-Visa : Tourist Visa (single entry only)

• Validity : 15 Days (starts from the date of issue)

• Visa Fees : Tourist Visa - INR 3,800 (Inclusive of Documentation charges)

• Documents Required to apply for Vietnam Visa:

  • Valid passport with validity of more than 6 months

  • 1 Visa Form dully signed by applicant

  • Two recent passport size photos with white background and close-up.

  • Covering letter mentioning details of visit

  • Confirmed return/onward ticket

  • Any evident showing that applicant is carrying enough financial sources for travel (at least USD1000)

• Visa Processing Time: 3 - 4 Working days