Vietnam weather ranges from a familiar four-season system in the north to eternal summer in the south. Because of regional variation, there are pleasant places to visit in Vietnam throughout the year.
Hanoi, formerly Thang Long, the “City of the Rising Dragon,” is one of the most picturesque, culturally rich, and has well-laid streets that it one of the world’s most attractive and interesting cities. It’s the country’s cultural heart where its thousand-year history is ever-present and takes center stage by its centuries-old but well-preserved colonial architecture. Hanoi is best known for its two main neighborhoods - the French Quarter and the Colonial Quarter which are rich in attractions. It is a capital of irresistible charm, at the meeting point of traditions and legends, dotted with lakes, tree-lined avenues, and lush parks.
Best time to visit Hanoi
From Jan to May and Sept to December. These periods of time are not too hot and dry seasons. It is little bit high humidity in Feb and March but cool weather.
Things to do in Hanoi
How to get to Hanoi
Hanoi - Halong bay - Ninh Binh - Mai Chau - Hue - Hoi An - Saigon
Hanoi – Cycling to Duong Lam - Western Pagoda - Hoa Binh - Mai Chau - Hoa Lu - Thai Binh - Hai Phong - Ha Long – Overnight on junk - But Thap - Hanoi
Saigon - Ben tre - Tra Vinh - Can Tho - Rach Gia - Hon Trem - Ha Tien - Chau Doc - Long Xuyen - Saigon
Saigon - My Tho - Vinh Long - Mekong Delta Bike Tours - Saigon Departure
Hanoi culinary Tours - Hanoi City Tours - Hanoi Street Food - Hanoi Cooking Class - Hanoi & surrounds
Hoi An culinary Tours - Hoi An City Tours - Hoi An Street Food - Hoi An Cooking Class - Hoi An & surrounds
Saigon culinary Tours - Saigon City Tours - Saigon Street Food - Saigon Cooking Class - Saigon & surrounds
Hue culinary Tours - Hue City Tours - Hue Street Food - Hue Cooking Class - Hue Ecotour
Hanoi Cooking Class - Tay Phuong Pagoda - Duong Lam - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Danang - Hoi An - Saigon Cooking Class - Departure
Home to some of the world's most colourful cultures and exotic destinations, INDOCHINA is a veritable feast for the senses. Delve into our country selection to uncover a range of exhilarating, inspiring journeys.
Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
The country’s length from north to south is 1,650km (1025 mi). Its width, stretching from east to west, is 600km (373 mi) at the widest point in the north, 400km (248.5 mi) in the south, and 50km (31 mi) at the narrowest point, in the center, in Quang Binh Province. The coastline is 3,260km (2025.6 mi) long and the inland border is 4,510km (2082.3 mi).
Total area: 330,363 sq. km (205,278 sq mi)
Population: about 98 million (2021)
People: 85% Vietnamese (Kinh), 3% Ethnic Chinese, also Khmer, Cham (a remnant of the once great Indianized Champa Kingdom) and 55 ethno-linguistic groups.
Languages: Vietnamese, French, Chinese, English, Russian and a variety of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian local dialects
Religion: Buddhism is the principal religion, but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Muslim and Christian minorities.
Full country name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Capital city: Hanoi
Major cities: Hanoi; Ho Chi Minh City; Hai Phong; DaNang; Can Tho
VISA AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Vietnam Visa Exemptions
Vietnam' s new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption for 45 days. The visa-free stay period starts on the date of entry.
The 13 countries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Belarus, Japan and South Korea
In Aug 2025, the Vietnamese government has approved a new visa exemption policy for citizens of 12 countries from 15 Aug 2025 until 14 Aug 2028. Visitors from these countries can enter Vietnam visa free for up to 45 days.
The 12 countries included: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
02 Countries get 14 days visa exemption: Brunei & Myanmar,
07 countries get 30 days visa exemption: Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama, Kazakhstan
01 country get 21 days visa exemption: The Philippines,
02 countries get 90 days visa exemption: Chile and Panama
Vietnam Electronic Visa (E-visa)
An electronic visa (E-visa) is one of visa types issued to foreigners by Vietnamese Immigration Department via electronic system.
From August 15, 2023, Vietnam grants e-visas to citizens of 157 countries. Travelers can apply for a 90-day visa with single and multiple entries available.
List of Ports of entry up to 13 international airports that allow foreigners to enter and exit Vietnam by E-visa.
E-Visas can be applied here.
Here is the list of border gates that allowed foreigners enter and exit Vietnam by E-visa.
13 international airports:
Noi Bai (Ha Noi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang, Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Can Tho, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang),
Phu Bai (Thua Thien Hue), Van Don (Quang Ninh), Tho Xuan (Thanh Hoa), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh), Lien Khuong (Lam Dong).
16 land border gates:
Tay Trang (Dien Bien), Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), Huu Nghi (Lang Son), Lao Cai, Na Meo (Thanh Hoa), Nam Can (Nghe An), Cau Treo (Ha Tinh), Cha Lo (Quang Binh), La Lay and Lao Bao (Quang Tri), Bo Y (Kon Tum), Moc Bai and Xa Mat (Tay Ninh), Tinh Bien and Vinh Xuong (An Giang), Ha Tien (Kien Giang).
13 sea border gates:
Hon Gai and Cam Pha (Quang Ninh), Hai Phong, Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa), Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), Chan May (Thua Thien Hue), Da Nang, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), Vung Tau (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), Ho Chi Minh City, Duong Dong (Kien Giang).
How to Apply for a Vietnam’s e-visa
Step 1: Prepare the required materials:
● One 4x6 passport photo in .jpg format with a white background, without glasses.
● One photo in .jpg format of your passport data page in jpg format.
● Passport valid for at least six months. from the date you plan to enter Vietnam.
● Your temporary address in Vietnam and points of entry and exit.
● Debit or credit card for payment.
Step 2: Click this link or access https://immigration.gov.vn/ and go to 'E-visa Issuance'
then click on the link for 'Outside Vietnam foreigners'
Step 3: Upload your .jpg images (passport data page and passport photo) and fill out
the required fields on the form completely. Submit your form.
Step 4: Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD for single entry or 50USD for multiple entry through online payment gateway as prescribed by the Immigration Department. The fee will not be refunded if the application refused.
Step 5: After 3-5 working days you should receive news of your e-Visa application via email. If not, please click this link to search for your e-Visa application status.
Step 6: Use your document code to locate your e-Visa online. Download and print the e-Visa in two copies for extra safety.
TIP: Travelers with an e-Visa can go directly to immigration counters at their point of entry and do not need to queue at Visa on Arrival counters.
If you do not want to obtain e visa through the website of Vietnam Immigration Department, let us take care of it on behalf of you at a small service fee.
Visa On Arrival
Those who are not eligible or failed to get an E-visa to Vietnam, can apply for a visa on arrival.
To do this you' ll need to:
1. Book and pay tour package with Asia Color Travel (we do not provide visa application singly service)
2. Provide us copy of your passport with valid for minimum six months from the date you plan to enter Vietnam.
3. Your roundtrip flight e-ticket to and from Vietnam
4. Visa application fee (25usd for single entry or 50usd for multiple entry)
How to apply for a visa on arrival
Step 1. Complete the Vietnam visa online application form and pay for service fee
Provide us all the required information as listed above.
Make payment for service fee via Credit/ Debit Card via OnePay or pay together with your tour package.
Step 2. Get the approval letter via email
After your submission and payment, we will start processing your visa with the Vietnam Immigration Department. Within 05 working days (or even 02 – 04 working hours with our super urgent service), you will get your visa approval letter (also known pre-approved letter) and the entry-and-exit application form delivered to your email.
Note: Once applied, visa application cannot be cancelled, and non-refund.
Step 3. Get visa stamped upon arrival at Vietnam airport
You then print them out and complete the entry and exit form, prepare 01 passport-sized photos, original passport, and cash (USD) for the stamping fee.
Upon arrival at any of Vietnam international airports, (in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Hai Phong), show the followings:
1/ Your visa approval letter
2/ Your original passport
3/ 01 passport-sized photos (4*6cm)
4/ Completed entry/exit form with your photo
5/ Pay stamping fee to get visa stamped on your passport by Immigration Officer.
For any further inquiry, please email us contact@asiacolortravel.com
Now, you are in Vietnam, enjoy your trip!
By air In recent years, air travel in Vietnam and Indochina has been much improved and convenient connections at reasonable cost are now available.
International airports: Noi Bai (in Hanoi); Tan Son Nhat (in Ho Chi Minh City); Cat Bi (in Hai Phong); Da Nang; Phu Bai (in Hue) and Cam Ranh (in Nha Trang), Phu Quoc, Van Don (Quang Ninh), Can Tho.
Long haul international inbound or outbound flights are mostly operated through Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and a few go through Da Nang. Charter flights also direct to Nha Trang and/ or Phu Quoc island.
Other domestic airports: Dien Bien (in Dien Bien Phu); Vinh; Dong Hoi, Quy Nhon; Kon Tum; Pleiku; Buon Me Thuot; Lien Khuong (in Da Lat); Phu Yen; Tuy Hoa; Rach Gia; Sao Vang, and Con Dao Islands.
These are the main domestic airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Air, Jetstar Pacific and the newborn Vietravel Airlines.
By road In Vietnam, we drive on the right side. An International driving license is NOT valid, only Vietnamese driving license holders are allowed to drive a car.
The road network has improved but still needs to be upgraded in some areas. To cover a distance, it is reasonable to expect an average speed of 50km/hour (31 mph). On highways, the speed is up to 110km/hour (68 mph) max.
Metered taxis are widely available at reasonable prices. Local public buses are widely available but not recommended due to the language barrier while shuttle buses are recommended on travel forums or at travel desks as a safe, fast and reliable door-to-door service. We recommend that you consult with your travel agent or travel forum before booking.
By train: There is regular train service between Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City and most cities in between. Some people prefer to travel the length of the country by train. Tickets allow passengers to break up their journey at major regional cities like Hue; Da Nang; Nha Trang; Phan Thiet… The trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes 32 hours. Passengers can book a sleeping compartment, soft seat or economy class.
Vietnam weather ranges from a familiar four-season system in the north to eternal summer in the south. Because of regional variation, there are pleasant places to visit in Vietnam throughout the year.
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