Love this? Share it!

Vietnam is becoming a popular tourist destination, for both budget backpackers and families alike. With pristine beaches, adventurous canyoning, and breathtaking scenery like striking mountains and lush jungles, it’s easy to see why! And with this 1 month Vietnam itinerary, you can be sure to get the best of it all.

How to Spend 30 Days in Vietnam: The Best 1-Month Vietnam Itinerary • The Wanderful Me

Psst. This post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

Updated January 2023

For backpackers on a budget, it’s easy to spend very little on food, drinks, and activities when backpacking Vietnam. Beer is usually just a couple dollars or less and street food can be as little as $1-2.

And for families looking for something fun to do, there’s no shortage of ocean activities or inland adventures.

Vietnam is a country that literally has something for everyone!

So, whether you’re looking to spend a while in Vietnam or just a couple weeks, this 30-day Vietnam itinerary will help you plan out your adventure.

Be ready for some crazy sightings, beautiful scenery, hectic cities, stunning culture, and more!

The Best 1 Month Vietnam Itinerary

Short summary:

  • Hanoi: 3-4 days
  • Sapa: 2-3 days
  • Halong Bay: 2-3 days
  • Ninh Binh: 1-2 days
  • Phong Nha: 2-3 days
  • Hue: 1-2 days
  • Hoi An: 2-3 days
  • Da Lat: 2-3 days
  • Mui Ne: 2-3 days
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): 3-4 days

If you spend the maximum days suggested in each city, it adds up to 30 days. Or one full month in Vietnam.

Although, that is just a suggested itinerary, as you most definitely have the option to change and modify it as you wish! For example, if you don’t really like Hue, only spend one day there. Or if you really like Mui Ne, spend more than 3 days there.

All in all, this itinerary is just a general itinerary for exploring the country of Vietnam. Use it as an outline or just read up on the cities and decide which ones sound good for you!

Preparing for Your Vietnam Trip

So after you’ve decided to visit Vietnam, you’ll need to sort out your 30-day visa and flights. (More on that below.)

Flying into Hanoi is simple and the airport is easy to navigate. My travel buddies and I decided to take on Vietnam by going north to south and I wouldn’t do it any differently. (In fact, I did it again not too long ago! Still the best route in my opinion.)

Our first stop on our Vietnam one month itinerary was Hanoi and our last stop was Ho Chi Minh City. Thus, my first choice for future travelers would be to start your adventure in Hanoi and make your way down the country.

Although, you could go at it backwards by starting in HCMC and making your way north. It’s all fantastic no matter which way you begin!

Furthermore, before you go, check out my tips on how to prepare for any Southeast Asia trip!

Hanoi, Vietnam

3-4 days

The city of Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, harboring a plethora of cultural sites like ancient pagodas, colonial buildings, unique museums, and more.

But the city not only has cultural sites, it also has a fantastic street food scene, a vibrant nightlife, wonderful locals, crazy markets, and unusual shopping.

Where to stay:

What to do: 10 Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

You can read the post above (which goes into more detail) but here’s a short summary:

  • Visit the Hanoi Hòa Lò Prison Museum.
  • Take a stroll by Hoàn Kiem Lake.
  • See the Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain).
  • Go to the Women’s Museum.
  • See strange things at the weekend market (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday).
  • Try some egg coffee.
  • Go inside St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
  • View the wondrous Bach Ma Temple.
  • Visit the National Museum of Vietnamese History.
  • Or just venture around the streets.

Where to Eat Vegan in Hanoi:

  • Vegan Bahn Mi – Food Cart
  • Bahn Mi 25 (some of the best bahn mi I’ve ever had!)
  • Veggie Castle (super duper cheap vegan buffet)
  • Gioia Gelati (for a sweet treat, this place has amazing vegan gelato)
  • For some chill drinks and an awesome nightlife experience, check out Hanoi’s Beer Street!

Interested in going on a tour in Hanoi to learn all about this cool city? The Hanoi Highlights Small Group Tour with Get Your Guide has raving reviews! Click here to check it out now.

St. Joseph's Cathedral standing tall -- one of the must-visit places in Hanoi, Vietnam, and a fabulous thing to see on a month long Vietnam trip.

Sapa, Vietnam

2-3 days

Sapa, Vietnam is one of my most treasured places I’ve ever been to and it will always have a small piece of my heart. With the lush mountains, shimmering rice paddies, friendly tribes, and breathtaking views, Sapa will surely hold a place at the top of your favorite destinations list.

You could easy spend a week roaming around here, either hiking for days in the mountains or exploring the area by motorbike.

Although, I recommend 2-3 days. This gives you enough time to hike the area, motorbike near and far, and get to know the locals you will stay with.

No doubt, the best accommodations for Sapa are at a homestay. This means you’ll be staying with a local family who live and thrive in the hills of Sapa, Vietnam.

They’re also the most friendly people I’ve ever met! Whilst there, my friends and I stayed at The Little Hmong House and the family went out of their way to make our stay incredibly special! It was amazing.

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Hike around to nearby waterfalls.
  • Chill out and just enjoy the view.
  • Rent a motorbike and cruise around the mountains.
  • Hire a local guide to take you around Sapa.

Don’t want to plan a trip to Sapa on your own? Check out this 2-day Sapa tour from Hanoi, including free pick-up and drop-off, transfers, accommodations, and a beautiful trek with a local guide! Click here to view the tour.

Where to Eat Vegan in Sapa:

So, truth be told, I never actually stayed in Sapa! And you won’t either if you choose to stay at a rural homestay (which you should!). Good thing is, if you’re vegan, most of the time the homestay will do a family dinner and they’ll happily make vegan options!

While staying at The Little Hmong House Homestay, they made me fried tofu, rice, fried veggie spring rolls, sautéed veggies, and more! It was delicious.

Motorbiking around Sapa, one of my favorite things to do in this one month Vietnam itinerary.

Overwhelmed by the Vietnam visa process? Get yours through iVisa — the visa professionals! With just a small fee and a lot less stress, you can have your visa in no time. Click here to get yours online.

Halong Bay

2-3 days

Emerald waters that’ll take your breath away, limestone karsts of all different shapes and sizes jutting out of the sea; striking views, and big bays packed with lively junk boats, filled with fun and friendly backpackers.

Halong Bay is definitely a must-visit destination on this month-long Vietnam itinerary!

There’s nowhere else like it in the world. And it’s the 7th new world wonder of nature! Or so the internet says… but anyhow, it’s absolutely stunning and a ridiculously unique place to visit in Vietnam.

From Hanoi, visitor’s can book a 1 night/2 day or 2 night/3 day tour with multiple tour companies. We ended up going with the Vietnam Backpackers Castaway Tour and it was fantastic!

Our days were filled with boat chilling, partying at night, exploring in the day, hiking, eating good food, and more. Bonus: you also get to stay on an amazing island for however many nights you book! Usually in an 8-bed hut, which is pretty large and really clean.

You can check out the castaway tour here.

Or, if you don’t want to do a party tour, take a look at these three luxurious tours that’ll blow you away:

Where to Eat Vegan in Halong Bay:

If you do any sort of tour you’ll be subject to a buffet style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, similar to Sapa, the organizers happily accommodated for my dietary preferences. I splurged on fried noodles, tofu, spring rolls, and more!

Fishing boats and limestone karst rocks in Halong Bay, one of the best things to do in Vietnam.

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

1-2 days

Ninh Binh is no doubt a gem in Vietnam, yet it is overlooked by many travelers.

The area holds one of the most majestic and breathtaking natural landscapes in all of Southeast Asia. With the hundreds of striking limestone karsts jutting out of the land, some call it the Halong Bay of inland Vietnam.

Since it is not packed with tons of tourists, Ninh Binh allows travelers to get a little peek into the lives of rural Vietnamese life.

It’s also best explored on your own wheels, whether it be on a pedal bike or a motorbike. I highly recommend a motorbike, as there are some temples away from the main town that are absolutely amazing!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Go on a Tam Coc River ride, where the driver pedal the boat with their feet.
  • Hike up the 482 steps to the Hang Múi and Hang Múi Cave.
  • Visit the Bich Dong Pagoda where you can visit three ancient pagodas.
  • See some beautiful scenery at the Van Long Nature Reserve.
  • View the Hoa Lu Temples.

Where to Eat Vegan in Ninh Binh: 

  • Chookies Hideaway (some of the BEST pizza I’ve ever had! Just make sure to ask for no cheese on the veggie one 😉. My travel buddies and I loved this place so much we ate here 3 times in two day.)
Sophie sitting in front of Ninh Binh's ancient temple.

Curious to know where I book my flights and how I save money on buying tickets? Click here to check out my favorite flight booking sites for cheap tickets!

Phong Nha, Vietnam

2-3 days

Located in the majestic Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, the area is surrounded by lush, green mountains with a network of stunning caves, waterfalls, and rivers.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, this national park contains some of the oldest karst mountains in Asia, forming approximate 400 million years ago!

The area is littered with a multitude of vast river systems and enormous caves, just begging to be explored!

Although, there are only a handful of caves that really stand out to travelers, the main one being the Son Doong Cave. Know as the largest cave in the world at more than 5km long, the cave was only recently discovered and opened to visitors in 2013.

Just imagine this… less people have seen the inside of the Son Doong Cave than the top of Mount Everest! Crazy, right?! Although, if you don’t have a spare $3,000 lying around to pay for the expedition there, you still have an array of other magnificent caves to explore.

From the longest cave in the world, the Paradise Cave, to the full-day expedition including a mud bath, swimming, zip-lining, and more at the Dark Cave.

In Phong Nha, it’s completely up to you how many or how little caves you want to dig deep in! No doubt, a must-do destination when spending a month in Vietnam. Any wild adventurer or adrenaline-junkie will be in heaven here!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Go caving: Paradise Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Dark Cave, and the Tien Son Cave.
  • Hike at the nearby Botanical Garden (which essentially a section of the jungle where you can trek around).
  • Go to the Eight Ladies’ Cave.

Psst, I LOVE Phong Nha and it’s magical caves but… it’s essential to have a good camera to get quality photos, as the caves are a bit dark (as you can imagine!). That’s why I always travel with my handy dandy Sony a5000 mirrorless camera — small, compact, easy to carry, and awesome quality photos!

Where to Eat Vegan in Phong Nha: 

  • Phong Nha Vegan
  • Tree House Cafe
  • Phong Nha Bamboo Cafe
  • YOUandME Restaurant
Paradise Cave in Phong Nha is a must-do on any Vietnam itinerary!

Hue, Vietnam

1-2 days

Unlike many other cities throughout this 1 month itinerary for Vietnam, Hue isn’t necessarily a cultural hub. Considering all of its historical and finest building were destroyed during the American War, it now holds a more modern touch.

Although, Hue has a long and royal history, since it was home to the Nguyen Dynasty. Thus, Hue is often referred to as “Vietnam’s Imperial City.”

Due to its imperial history, most of the things to do in Hue revolve around it. But the city also holds another interesting side, as wandering visitors riding around on motorbikes can uncover an abandoned waterpark.

Looking like the inside of a crashed spaceship, the abandoned waterpark boasts a towering dragon jutting out of the middle of a man-made lake.

Walking inside the dragon, you’ll find it holds striking glass shards scattered around the floor from broken fish tanks, as it used to be an aquarium.

There’s also abandoned pools filled with murky waters, lonely waterslides packed with dried leaves, and graffitied-up water toys sprinkled throughout.

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Visit the Abandoned Waterpark (more on that below).
  • Take a stroll through the Imperial City.
  • Go to some Imperial Tombs, the Tombs of the Emperors.
  • Explore the Thien Mu Pagoda.
  • Stroll down the Perfume River.
  • Visit the bunkers from the Vietnam War.

Where to Eat Vegan in Hue: 

  • Tịnh Tâm Vegan
  • Red Chili (not a vegan restaurant but some of the best mock meat I’ve ever had!)
  • QUÁN CHAY THANH LIỄU
  • An Nhien Coffee

TIP: If you’re traveling to Hoi An next, don’t miss out on the Hai Van Pass! It’s an extraordinary adventure where you can rent a motorbike and do the 4-5 hour journey yourself. You just rent a motorbike through a place in Hue, which also have a second rental place in Hoi An, and return it when you arrive. It’s awesome!

Want to learn more about this abandoned waterpark in South East Asia? Even though you can’t visit (or can’t you… hint hint), you can still click here to check out my cool post on it!

The abandoned waterpark near Hue, Vietnam, holds an air of mystery, creepiness, and a few creepy-crawlies!

Hoi An, Vietnam

2-3 days

Just imagine this… you’re walking down a quaint little street in Vietnam, friendly locals sharing small smiles with you, while the smells of Vietnamese Pho waft around, tempting you for a taste.

As you continue to wander around, you see a soft glow beckoning a peek. You come across hundreds of lanterns, scattered around the whole of the little city center.

It’s extraordinary; you feel as though there’s truly magic in the air.

That’s what Hoi An is like.

Or at least that’s how it was for me! A little magical town in hidden along the coast of Vietnam. It’s unbelievable and no doubt one of my favorite places on this 30 day Vietnam itinerary! It should not be missed.

But that’s not all the city is known for, it’s also known for it’s impressive tailoring. Throughout Hoi An, you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of custom tailor shops.

You can get anything from a professional suit to a formal dress made to your measurements. And it only takes about a day!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Wander the city center at night to see the beautiful lanterns.
  • Soak up some sun rays at the nearby beaches.
  • Have a piece of clothing (or an entire new closet) custom tailored.
  • Rent a bicycle and ride around in the quaint streets of Hoi An.
  • Just chill out, because Hoi An is totally laid back and everything seems to be more relaxed here.

Where to Eat Vegan in Hoi An:

  • Ba Dam Vegetarian Restaurant
  • Lê Hội Bánh MÌ Chay (Le Hoi Vegan Banh Mi)
  • An Hy Vegetarian Restaurant
  • Chickpea Eatery
  • Tam Quang Minh (a hot spot for locals and absolutely delicious — plus super cheap!)

Want to ride down a river in a circular boat, exploring the local market and picking up fresh food for your personal cooking class? If that’s a hell yes, take a look at this cool Hoi An tour!

Lit up lanterns litter the streets of Hoi An, turning it in to a fairytale town!

Heading to Bali, too? Make sure to read this: 10 Essential Things to Pack for Bali, Indonesia

Da Lat, Vietnam

2-3 days

Known for being adventurists’ and adrenaline-junkies dream destination, Da Lat is filled with tons of different canyoning excursions and hiking trails.

And unlike the rest of Vietnam, Da Lat has more spring-like weather, rather than its normal humid, hot weather. So it’s absolutely perfect for getting outdoors and breathing in some fresh, mountainous air!

But that’s not all this place has to offer.

In addition to the many outdoor activities, it’s also a great destination for temple hunting, waterfall chasing, motorbike ventures, coffee plantation exploring, and admiring the beautiful French-Colonial architecture.

There’s definitely no shortage of things to do in Da Lat and it shouldn’t be missed when traveling Vietnam in a month!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Experience a canyoning adventure.
  • Rent a motorbike and venture around.
  • Seek out nearby waterfalls.
  • Try some awesome coffee at one of the many nearby plantations.
  • Visit the beautiful Da Lat Flower Park.
  • Check out the Trúc Lâm Temple.
  • Seek out some weirdness at the Crazy House.
  • View one of the largest Buddhas at the Linh Sơn Pagoda.

Where to Eat Vegan in Dalat:

  • Vegan House
  • Chay Dalat
  • Guru Chay Restaurant & Coffee
  • Từ Sen vegetarian and cafe
  • QUÁN HOÀNG NHI – Ẩm Thực Chay Đà Lạt
A big, fat, happy Buddha statue near Dalat, which you can find while motorbiking around the area.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

2-3 days

Mui Ne is of my favorite destinations in this month long Vietnam itinerary, although I didn’t get nearly enough time to spend there!

What used to be a small, unknown fishing village, Mui Ne has turned into a backpackers sunny haven.

As one of the sunniest places in Vietnam, with an average of only around 46 rainy days per year (unheard of for Vietnam!), Mui Ne is a great place to spend a few days relaxing by the beach or pool, soakin’ up some Vitamin D.

And even though Mui Ne is worth a couple days because of it’s sunny weather, that’s not all this great destination has to offer! There’s also something strange about this place.

Just about 25 minutes down the road from Mui Ne, there are massive red and white sand dunes!

The red dunes are spectacular but the white sand dunes are the real gem of Mui Ne. Ocean winds sweep the breathtaking dunes into desert-esque formations, no doubt blowing the minds of anyone who visits.

Additionally, there’s also a magical place in Mui Ne called the Fairy Stream.

Imagine this… a shallow stream, filled with crystal clear waters, zig-zaging and twisting its way through colorful sand canyons and lush bamboo forests. It’s like another world!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Stroll down the magical Fairy Stream.
  • Visit the other-worldly sand dunes.
  • Chill on the beach and soak up some Vitamin D.
  • Visit the nearby fishing villages for a local feel.
  • Relax by the pool at one of the many hostels that have ’em.
  • Go crazy and ride around on an ATV at the sand dunes.

Where to Eat Vegan in Mui Ne: 

  • Lovegan (Thực Dưỡng Chay Thiện An)
  • El Cafe Vegetarian Foods (not the best vegan food in the world, but good options!)
  • YoYo Vegetarian Food
  • Feed Your Soul
  • Phap duyen vegetarian restaurant
The massive white sand dunes near Mui Ne will take any traveler's breath away!

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

3-4 days

As the largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) has no shortage of things to do. Although, before I arrived I didn’t think I’d really like HCMC, since it seemed similar to Bangkok (which, in my opinion, sucks).

But when I arrived and spent my first few hours wandering around the city, it actually grew on me!

Even though it’s a huge city with hundreds of thousands of people, it didn’t feel like a big city. Not really. Considering it has a lot of greenery, like spacious parks and lots of beautiful trees, it didn’t feel so constricted or packed together. Which was awesome!

There’s also a wide variety of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. With a multitude of museums, cute coffee cafes, a plethora of cultural sites, great shopping, and a wild nightlife, it’s easy to spend a few days here!

Where to stay:

What to do:

  • Visit the Cú Chi Tunnels – a maze of wartime tunnels and relics.
  • View Independence Palace.
  • Admire the architecture of the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica.
  • Experience the craziness of the Ben Thanh Market.
  • Have your eyes metaphorically opened at the War Remnants Museum.
  • View HCMC from above at one of the many sky bars.
  • Visit the beautiful Saigon Botanical Gardens.
  • Take stroll through Tao Dan Park.
  • Visit the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office.
  • Check out the breathtaking French Colonial Ho Chi Minh City hall.

Where to Eat Vegan in Ho Chi Minh City: 

  • Veggie Saigon (awesome bahn mi and refreshing passionfruit juice!)
  • Filthy Vegan
  • Mang’s Mania
  • SEN Vegan Restaurant
  • Nha Hang Chay Sen (really convincing mock meats and delicious fried “chicken”)
  • Hum Vegetarian, Café & Restaurant
  • Shamballa Vegetarian, Restaurant & Tea House

If you’re interested in visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels and riding down the Mekong Delta all in one day, take a look at this Ho Chi Minh City VIP day tour!

One of the many colonial-looking churches dotted around Ho Chi Minh City! A favorite thing to do is stroll around the city hunting them down.

Backpacking Vietnam FAQs

How to Get Around Vietnam?

When I first created this one month itinerary for Vietnam, I received so many inquiries on what the best way to get around Vietnam is.

Without a doubt, my tried and tested way (which I tested again on another second one-month backpacking trip in Vietnam last year) is hopping around the country by bus.

Whether you’re going 3 hours down the road to a new location or doing an overnight 12 hour journey, there’s a bus that’ll take you there. And the buses are all super duper cheap, too.

I’m talking like $7-10 for a pretty long bus ride!

Plus, they’re surprisingly comfortable. Most buses have three rows of semi-reclined seats, meaning you get your own chair/bed.

Also, many will have free WiFi, which I was super surprised and stoked to discover! (Psst, if the WiFi password is nowhere to be found, try 12345678. 😉)

To book buses, just ask the hostel or hotel you’re staying at. They usually have a contact who can set you up with where you need to go.

Things to Consider: Buses are not for those who are short on time. Since Vietnam is a rather long country, bus journeys can be pretty lengthy. I’m talking like a 12-14 hour bus ride from Hoi An to Dalat. So, that’s just something to keep in mind!

Is 1 Month Enough for Vietnam?

Personally, I think one month in Vietnam is plenty of time!

If you stick to an itinerary like the one I’ve mentioned here, you will still have enough time to see lots of great attractions, do countless Vietnam activities, and chill out on days you don’t feel like doing anything.

Also, this one month Vietnam itinerary doesn’t rush things. For me, I hate feeling rushed or feeling as though I’m constantly on the move. I like days where I can simply relax on the beach or in a hammock reading a book. I think this itinerary achieves!

If you like to do and see more than the average backpacker, definitely add your own destinations to this Vietnam itinerary. Some recommendations would be Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc.

What is the Best Month to Visit Vietnam?

The two separate times I backpacked Vietnam, I went in March and August. March was really nice, with cooler weather in the north and warm weather in the south. August was hot and humid (I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been that sweaty before).

If you’re trying to figure out what time of the year you should visit Vietnam, I would recommend sticking to spring (March to April) and autumn (September to November).

However, anytime of the year you visit will be great, as the weather varies quite a bit from north to south.

How Much Does it Cost to Backpack Vietnam for One Month?

Ah, the golden question, eh?!

How much do you budget for a month in Vietnam is one of the biggest questions when planning a trip to this magical Southeast Asia country.

While every backpacker is going to spend something different when traveling Vietnam, I’ll give you a general outline of what I spent as a bouncing backpacker with a not-so-big budget.

On my first trip to Vietnam, I spent about $960 for the month. This is about $32/day on average. Not too bad!

On my second Vietnam backpacking trip, I ended up spending just a little bit less, around $900, due to not going on the full 2-night/3-day Halong Bay trip (Cat Ba Island is cheaper, yet still just as amazing!) and splitting most private rooms with the wanderful husband.

This works out to about $30/day in total.

To breakdown the costs even further to help you better plan your Vietnam budget, here’s what typical things cost: 

  • Hostels: $6-10 per night, depending on the quality of the hostel. This number can vary widely though; a hostel we stayed at in Mui Ne cost $2/night (yeah, that’s not a typo!) and a hostel we stayed at in Hanoi cost around $10.
  • Hotels: While hotels cost a bit more than hostels, it can work out in your favor if there’s two of you, as you can split the costs. Dan and I found private hotel rooms cost about $12-15 per night (so, $6-8 per person).
  • Food: Street food in Vietnam is ridiculously cheap. I’m talking like $2-3 for a full-on, stuff your stomach meal. Though, as a vegan, I struggle to find street food I can actually eat in Vietnam, but nonetheless, restaurant food is still cheap! Working out to around $5-6 per meal.
  • Beer: With beer being the choice drink among many backpackers, figured I’d include a bullet of how much one tends to spend on beer! In most cases, beer will cost about 30,000 VND-50,000 VND ($1.30-2.15 USD). Although, sometimes you can get it for as little as 10,000 VND ($.50 USD)!
  • Transportation: As mentioned above, buses are definitely the way to go when doing 1 month in Vietnam! Though bus duration times can vary widely, you’ll find that most cost around $5-7. Additionally, you’ll want to use apps like Uber and Grab to get around cities, which are super affordable! Typically, a 10-15 minute ride won’t cost more than a few dollars.

Travel Tips for Visiting Vietnam

Get Travel Insurance (!!!)

This is a HUGE must-do.

If you’re traveling without reputable travel insurance, you’re putting yourself at unnecessary risk. So many unexpected things can happen when traveling, especially in Vietnam where things are especially chaotic!

Thus, I always recommend getting travel insurance. Sometimes, if you have a travel credit card you’ll automatically receive partial insurance, such as baggage loss and trip interruption coverage.

I personally use the Delta Amex Card, which comes with both baggage coverage AND rental car insurance — win!

Although, for full insurance (medical and otherwise), I personally use and trust World Nomads travel insurance.

They’ve covered me several times for unexpected situations, like that one time I lost my camera tripod when flying to Greece! They’re a bit more expensive but cover a plethora of activities, as well as expensive baggage items, like cameras.

Click Here to Get a Quote from World Nomads for Your Vietnam Trip

Alternatively, I recently used another travel insurance brand called SafetyWing and I’ve fallen in love!

Created for freelancers, nomads, backpackers, and all-around frequent travelers, SafetyWing is much more affordable than World Nomads and covers many of the same things (the only difference is the cost of the amount they cover per item and whatnot).

Click Here to Check Out SafetyWing

Don’t Forget a Vietnam Visa

This is an essential part of traveling to Vietnam! A visa is required for most travelers coming into Vietnam. Personally, to keep things easy peasy, my favorite way to get a visa is by having someone else do it for me!

Before I traveled to Vietnam I was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the hostel I was staying at provided visa services.

All I had to do was hand over my passport and $40, and fill out a small form. They took it to the Vietnam embassy for me — located within the city — and secured a 30-day Vietnam visa for me! Super duper easy.

On the flip side, you can obtain a Vietnam visa on arrival. I believe it costs $35 to do so!

There’s also an online form you fill out. However, while some travelers would disagree with me, I don’t really trust the online visa process for a visa-on-arrival.

Why? Because my travel buddy did the online visa form and had to pay twice. The immigration officers didn’t believe she already paid online. Not cool!

Alternatively, if those options aren’t for you, you can also pay a travel agency to send you a letter of invitation. This pretty much guarantees you’ll get a visa when you land in Vietnam!

Although it’s the priciest option, costing around $25 per person in addition to the $35 visa cost, this can take the stress of securing a Vietnam visa off your shoulders.

While you can do most of the Vietnam visa process yourself, why not hand it off to the professionals? Check the widget below to see if you need a visa. 

Trust Motorbikes Will Go Around You

So this is definitely a weird, but essential tip for Vietnam! This is most definitely a learning curve when traveling to Vietnam for the first time!

When walking across the streets, trust the motorbikes will go around you. A nice lady who was a Vietnam expert told me, “Walk across the road like a blind person.”

And I did. And it totally worked.

This was one thing that really shocked me while backpacking Southeast Asia… but it wasn’t the only thing! Click HERE to read about 15 crazy things that shocked me while traveling SE Asia for the first time!

With this 1 month Vietnam itinerary, you can figure out how to manage the time you have in this beautiful country and plan out which cities you want to visit!

No doubt, you’ll fall in love with Vietnam just as I did, as there’s no other country like it in the world.

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam? Have any questions or concerns I didn’t answer in the Vietnam travel guide above? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Sophie xx

Not sure what to read next? Check out these related posts:

Like this post on how to spend 30 days in Vietnam? Pin it!

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]Looking for the ultimate backpacking itinerary for Vietnam? Look no further! This one-month Vietnam itinerary features all the best destinations: from Hanoi to Saigon with stops in Hoi An, Dalat, Mui Ne, and even Halong Bay, this is the perfect Vietnam trip to see the best of the country in just a mere 30 days. If you're backpacking Southeast Asia and stopping for an adventure in Vietnam, definitely check out this awesome post for inspiration![/lgc_column] [lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”true”]Planning a month long trip to Vietnam? That's so exciting! I've got the perfect guide for you. Here's the ultimate 1-month Vietnam itinerary to see the best of what this country has to offer. #Vietnam #SoutheastAsia #Itinerary[/lgc_column]

Yay for transparency! As mentioned above, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure here.


Love this? Share it!