Vietnam Travel Guide — 9 Things to Know First [2026]

Vietnam was the trip that reset my expectations for travel in Southeast Asia. It's more complex, more varied, and frankly more overwhelming than most travel content suggests. Here is what actually matters before you go.

North vs South: They're Different Countries in Terms of Culture

Most first-time visitors underestimate how different Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City feel. The north is more reserved, cooler in climate, and has a stronger Chinese cultural influence. The south is warmer in every sense — climate, social energy, food spiciness, French colonial influence. The food alone is worth visiting both regions: Hanoi's pho is brothy and subtle; HCMC's is sweeter with more garnish. Neither is objectively better; they're different experiences that happen to share a country.

Getting Around

The train between Hanoi and HCMC is one of the great train journeys in Asia — slow (30+ hours for the full route), genuinely scenic, and a chance to see the country at ground level. Flights between major cities are cheap and fast. Motorbike rental is the authentic local experience and ranges from excellent to life-threatening depending on your experience level and where you ride. I hired a driver for the mountain roads; I don't regret that decision.

The Tourist Track vs Off It

Ha Long Bay is genuinely spectacular and genuinely overcrowded. I preferred Cat Ba Island, which is adjacent, less expensive, and gives access to the same limestone karst scenery without the convoy of tour boats. Hoi An is unavoidably popular but worth it — go early morning before the tour groups arrive. The central highlands around Da Lat offer a completely different climate and landscape that most itineraries skip.

Practical Realities

Cash is king outside of major cities and tourist areas — carry USD or Vietnamese dong in small denominations. The traffic in HCMC specifically requires a particular mindset to cross the street: don't stop, move at a constant predictable pace, let the traffic flow around you. Jet lag combined with heat combined with rich food on day one is a recipe for a difficult start; build in a recovery day.

My honest take: Vietnam rewards curiosity over convenience. The trips that went sideways were often the ones I remember most clearly.