Vietnam tours 2026 – custom packages built by local experts

Flight duration from the USA to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City depends on your departure city. Flying from the west coast (Seattle) takes approximately 18 hours. Flying from the east coast (New York) takes approximately 21 hours.

Visa requirements for Vietnam depend on your nationality. Travelers from the US, Australia, Canada, the UK, and most European countries must apply for a visa before arriving in Vietnam.

• For full details, please check our updated guide on Vietnam visa requirements

Your passport should have at least two blank pages and must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date from Vietnam.

During spring, summer, and early autumn, loose and comfortable clothing works well. In winter, particularly in Hanoi and the north, a jacket is recommended. Walking shoes are useful throughout.

Vietnam is divided into three main regions: the North and Hanoi, the Centre and Da Nang, and the South and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Must-see destinations include Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Saigon, and the Mekong Delta. Our local travel designers can recommend the destinations best suited to your interests.

Vietnam has a wide range of accommodation for travelers. Boutique and heritage hotels are comfortable and known for good service. For our tours, accommodation is hand-picked to suit each location. Our Classic tours use locally rated 4 to 5 star hotels.

For longer distances such as Hanoi to Saigon, flight is the best option (approximately 2.5 hours), with frequent services between all major cities. Modern air-conditioned coaches are used for sightseeing, short excursions, and longer overland transfers. Junk boats and cruise vessels are used for river and bay itineraries, from the Mekong Delta to 4–5 star sailing vessels on Halong Bay. For accessible travelers, we book dedicated services with boarding and disembarking assistance.

Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam but is appreciated. Carrying smaller notes is useful if you’d like to tip drivers, porters, or guides. We recommend USD 5 per day as a general guide.

Vietnamese dong (₫ / VND) is the official currency, available in denominations from 10 to 500,000 dong. ATMs are available in all major cities with a withdrawal fee of around 25,000 to 55,000 dong (USD 1–2.50). International credit and debit cards are accepted at ATMs and hotels in major towns. For street vendors and small purchases, cash is preferred.

• Check out Money and credit cards in Vietnam

The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, follows the lunar calendar and usually falls in late January or early February. Celebrations last up to ten days. Some businesses close during this period, tourist sites are busier, and tours booked over Tet require early booking with a surcharge of 20–30% or higher.

We have led private accessible tours for wheelchair users and senior travelers across Vietnam for over 10 years. We source ramps, adapted transport, and assistance for every stage of the journey.

• Check out more about Wheelchair accessible tours in Vietnam

We offer tours designed for seniors and travelers with physical disabilities, covering Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Not all sites are wheelchair-friendly and some require substantial walking. We design routes to avoid stairs wherever possible.

Vietnam’s electricity is 220 Volts at 50Hz. Plug types A (two flat vertical pins), C, and F (two round pins) fit all power outlets across Vietnam. See the photo for reference.

The official language is Vietnamese (also called Kinh), spoken by approximately 90% of the population. Vietnam has over 100 additional languages and dialects spoken by ethnic minority groups. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The Vietnamese script uses Latin letters with diacritical marks indicating tone.

• Learn about Vietnamese phrases and words for travelers

A few useful phrases:

• Hello – Xin Chào
• Goodbye – Tạm biệt
• Thank you – Xin Cảm ơn
• How are you? – Có Khỏe Không?
• Yes – Vâng
• No – Không
• I do not understand – Tôi không hiểu

Vietnamese food is built on fresh ingredients: fish sauce, soy sauce, fresh herbs, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and mint. Pho (beef or chicken noodle soup) is eaten at breakfast across the country. Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes with pork and vegetables) and Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls with greens and minced pork or fish) are worth trying at any street stall.

Vietnam is a safe country to travel in. Petty crime and pick-pocketing are rare. As with anywhere, staying aware of your surroundings in crowded areas and on public transport is sensible.

Vietnam’s climate varies by region and season. Pack light clothing for warm regions and warmer layers for Sapa and the north in December through February. Layering is the most practical approach for a trip covering multiple regions.

No vaccinations are required before traveling to Vietnam. For long-term travelers, a number of vaccinations are recommended, including DTP, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Malaria precautions may apply in certain rural areas. Always consult a doctor before travel and avoid drinking unfiltered tap water.

Yes. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s most visited natural sites and is included in our tours as an overnight stay on a wooden junk cruise with swimming, kayaking, and visits to caves and grottoes. The overnight cruise includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Yes. The Cu Chi Tunnels are one of the main sites in southern Vietnam and our Vietnam tours include a guided visit where you can walk the bush trails and crawl through tunnel sections.

Vietnam is generally safe for LGBTQ+ travelers. According to the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, Vietnam scores a D rating. Over 50% of respondents consider Vietnam a good place to live for gay and lesbian people, and there are no legal punishments for same-sex relations. Most trips for LGBTQ+ travelers to Vietnam are trouble-free.

Yes. Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. It protects against unexpected circumstances during your trip. We advise purchasing travel insurance in your home country before departure.

For travelers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, we recommend 12 to 21 days. Round-trip flights from those countries take approximately 3 days of travel time in total, so a longer stay makes the journey worthwhile.

A rough guide by schedule:

• 5–7 days: Best for returning visitors or short add-on visits.
• 10–14 days: The most popular length for British and American travelers. Enough time to cover highlights from north to south, add a beach stop, or include an adventure such as trekking or motorbiking.
• 2–3 weeks: Ideal for travelers who want to go deeper into Vietnam or include Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos in a multi-country Southeast Asia itinerary.

Contact us at VPT to build the right itinerary for your available time.

Tour cost depends on your travel style and budget. On average, travelers spend between USD 60 and USD 250 per person per day, not including international flights.

A rough breakdown by tier:

• Budget: Around USD 90/day. Includes 3-star hotels and standard services.
• Mid-range: Around USD 120/day. Includes 4-star accommodation and upgraded services.
• Luxury: USD 200+/day. Includes 5-star hotels, fine dining, and fully bespoke experiences.

For example itineraries, see the tour listings on this page.