Traveling to Vietnam for the First Time? Here’s What to Know
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Traveling to Vietnam for the First Time? Here’s What to Know
Vietnam at a Glance: What Should You Know?
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, on the eastern side of the Indochinese Peninsula. It borders China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the East Sea to the east and south. Hanoi, the capital, is located in northern Vietnam.
For first time in Vietnam visitors, the country offers remarkably diverse landscapes and experiences. Northern Vietnam is known for historic Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and the mountains of Sapa and Fansipan. Central Vietnam combines cultural heritage and beaches, from Hue and Hoi An to Da Nang and its surrounding natural attractions. In the south, Ho Chi Minh City offers vibrant urban life, while the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc showcase a more tropical side of Vietnam.
Vietnam is also home to 54 ethnic groups, with diverse traditions, festivals, and regional cultures. Its cuisine is equally varied, from pho and banh mi to Vietnamese coffee and fresh seafood. Vietnam can be visited year-round, although weather varies between regions, so choose your destinations and travel dates accordingly.
Entry Requirements and Visa for Vietnam
Before traveling to Vietnam, international tourists should check whether their nationality is eligible for visa exemption or whether they need to apply for a visa in advance. Vietnam currently offers visa-free entry for citizens of certain countries, while the e-visa system is available to citizens of all countries and territories.
Visa Exemption
Citizens of 12 countries are currently eligible for unilateral visa exemption for stays of up to 45 days, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry. These countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The current policy applies from March 15, 2025, through March 14, 2028.
Vietnam also has bilateral visa exemption agreements with many other countries, with the permitted stay varying by nationality and passport type. Tourists should check the latest official visa exemption list before their trip.
Vietnam E-Visa
Vietnam's e-visa is available to citizens of all countries and territories. It can be issued for a stay of up to 90 days, with either single or multiple entry.
Tourists can apply online through Vietnam's official immigration portals. The Immigration Department currently directs applicants to evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn for e-visa applications and status checks.
Before applying, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and carefully check all personal and travel information entered in the application.
Money in Vietnam: Currency, Cash and Payments
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND or ₫). Vietnam does not use coins, with banknotes made of both paper and polymer. The denominations can look similar at first, so check the number carefully when paying.
Cash is still useful when traveling in Vietnam, especially for street food, local markets, small shops, and services such as motorbike taxis or cyclo rides. ATMs are widely available at major airports and throughout cities, and international cards such as Visa are accepted at many ATMs.
International tourists can exchange foreign currency at banks, airports, hotels, and authorized exchange counters. It is a good idea to carry some cash when visiting remote areas or buying handicrafts directly from local communities.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, tour operators, and spas, with many businesses also offering contactless payment. When entering or leaving Vietnam, travelers must declare cash exceeding VND 15 million or USD 5,000 (or the equivalent amount in another foreign currency).
Rules and Customs Tourists Should Know
A few local rules and customs are worth knowing before traveling to Vietnam. Understanding them can help you avoid unnecessary problems and enjoy your trip more comfortably.
Drugs and restricted medicines: The possession and use of illegal drugs are strictly prohibited in Vietnam and can result in severe penalties. Some prescription medicines that are legal in other countries may also be restricted, so check the regulations before bringing medicines into Vietnam.
Driving: Driving or renting a motorbike without the appropriate Vietnamese-recognized driving license is illegal. It may also affect your travel insurance coverage if you are involved in an accident.
Tipping: Tipping is not traditionally required in Vietnam, but it is becoming more common in services such as spas, beauty salons, and private tours. A tip is generally optional and can be given when you are satisfied with the service.
Bargaining: Bargaining is common at traditional markets and some tourist-oriented shops. Check prices at a few places first, then negotiate politely and reasonably rather than treating every purchase as a negotiation.
With the right preparation, traveling to Vietnam for the first time can be much easier and more enjoyable. Check your entry requirements, prepare some Vietnamese dong, and take a moment to understand local rules and customs before you go.
Ready to discover Vietnam? ACT Travel Agent can help you plan a tailored journey around your interests, schedule, and favorite destinations, with local support along the way.
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Reviews from Customers
Please take a look at the following reviews from our customers
Mr Clarence- Travel President, Philippines
Vietnam | 01/14/2026
Luxury Golf Tour in Da Nang, 5days
Hi Jimy, We returned home safely today. I would like to say a special thanks to you and your team ACT TRAVEL. We really loved and satisfied with your pro services. We do love these golf courses in Da Nang. They were amazing and fantastic quality and view. We will come back here soon. I am looking foward to working together with you soon! Best regards, Mr Clarence- Travel President, Philippines
Mr. Jean Pie
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
RAM Holidays from UK (Impressive of Vietnam 15 days)
Mr. Jean Pie – Tour Leader said “Thank you very much for doing such an excellent job on the tour. You went above and beyond for all of us and we really appreciate all your hard work. Thank you for your calm leadership through the “HAIYAN” storm, you really help us through it. Thanks to ACT Travel, we had a wonderful time and unforgettable memory”.
Mr. Navy Vang
Australia | 10/13/2014
Mandarin Group from Australia (Charming Vietnam 10 Days)
Mr. Navy Vang - Tour manager from Australia said: " Wow what a great vacation !. Thank you Mr Kelvin Pham so much. We are very grateful for everything you did for us and everything went very well. We’re safe and sound back home thinking about the joy we experienced. I've already decided that when I choose to travel again, I will go through your company. I also highly recommend ACT Travel Travel to any organization looking for a great agency. Kind regards
Mr. Ricardo - Program Manager
Brazil | 03/31/2014
DOMINGOS Group from Brazin (IMPRESSIVE VIETNAM 17 DAYS.)
Mr. Ricardo - Program Manager said “Dear Kelvin, Thanks you very much for your well arrangement. Thank you for the updated weather information. I have traveled a lot as a geography professor and dealt with many tour operators. You are one of the best tour operators who can take so much concern and care about customers. I must congratulate you on your good organization and care to minute points. Thanks for the mobile phone you provided to us and SIM cards you provide to all of us (29 cards, I know they are not cheap), it was an excellent convenience for us. It was a brilliant idea and we really appreciated knowing there was someone we could contact at any time should we need to. We love your welcome dinner at Binh Quoi village, where we enjoyed rich traditional southern Vietnamese cuisine with musical accompaniment provided by local folk musicians. We were very interested in the traditional Vietnamese wedding in Binh Quoi and we never forget the “Gong show” in Buon Me Thuot. Once again, thank you very much for great job”.
Ms. Barbara Betts
Australia | 10/13/2014
Orbiz Group from Australia (Discover Vietnam and Cambodia 15 Days)
Ms. Barbara Betts - Escorted guide from Australia said: " Dear Kelvin I want to take this opportunity to thanks you for providing us with superb guides in Vietnam and Cambodia. Well, Manh - tour guide in Vietnam is very professional and knowledegable and you can feel very safe in allowing him to guide your tours. The drivers you provided were also friendly, capable and they too did everything for the group to be happy Thanks you Kelvin so far for a fabulous tour.
Mr. Dany
Malaysia | 10/13/2014
Teachers Group From Malaysia ( Hanoi – Halong bay – Ninh Binh 6 Days )
Mr. Dany - Escorted guide from Malaysia said: " Hi Kelvin Pham, Thanks for arranging a great trip. I wanted to let you know how pleased we were with the itinerary and all the arrangements you organized. Everything worked extremely well and went exactly as planned. The guides were very knowledgable. My favorite site was cruising on the Halong bay. The hotels were great as they were located at the heart of city. We did enjoy eating at the local restaurants as arranged by ACT. The foods were sometimes unusual, but still tasty. I loved “Pho Hanoi“ very much and I would try to cook at my home… Thanks again
Mr. Ohad
Turkey | 10/13/2014
Istmaz Group from Turkey (Saigon - Mekong Delta - Cambodia - Angkor Wat 12 Days).
Mr. Ohad - The Tour Leader said: " On behalf of the entire group, I just wanted to thank both of you for all your help and outstanding execution in making our trip memorable! The entire group could not say enough great things about how well organized & smooth everything went. I really enjoyed Vietnam & Travel. Both tour guides were terrific and Angkor Wat was just amazing! All your arrangements worked out very smoothly and I consider the pilgrimage to be a great success ".
Mr. Steven
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
Ponila Group from UK (Higlight of Vietnam 16 Days).
Mr. Steven - Escorted guide from UK said: Our trip to Vietnam was overall a positive one. We were very happy with the level of accommodation and quality of the food at all times. We love Hanoi but Ha Long Bay is certainly one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen; the old city in Hoi An has great potential becoming a world-class tourist attraction; and citadel in Hue embodies a great deal of historic signifance, we have a lot of photos in Hue. Cruising on Mekong Delta river was so interesting and Dalat highland was very romantic. Finally, please give our thanks to the tour guides Mrs Phuong, Mr Ky and the drivers who accompanied us throughout, always accommodating to the group's requests and last minute changes in itinerary. We won't forget you!
Mr. Barrick
United States | 10/13/2014
Global Alliane Group From USA (Discover Vietnam – Cambodia 10 Days)
Mr. Barrick - the Tour Leader said: " Dear ACT Team,This is to thank you, and all of those who organised and guided our visit to Vietnam & Cambodia, for a superb holiday. We had a trip of a life time. Everything we were promised happened and more. We brought back so many memories and stories. The restaurants were wonderful and the hotels were great. Mr Nguyen had such a lot of knowledge he shared with us, and had a great sense of humor. He even knew of some Cambodian slang words. The whole trip will be something we will always remember and share with our family and friends. Thanks for all your help in making it so enjoyable. We shall tell all our friends traveling to Indochina that they must use ACT Travel's services !! ".
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