Is it safe to drink tap water in Vietnam?

No, stick to bottled water. Brushing teeth with tap water is fine. Ice in tourist areas is usually safe, but skip it in rural areas.

How do I get around between cities?

Buses are cheapest ($10-15 for long routes), trains are more comfortable ($20-40), flights are fastest ($40-80). The Reunification Express train from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi takes 30+ hours but it's scenic.

What's the deal with motorbikes?

You can rent scooters for $5-8/day but you legally need an International Driving Permit. Traffic is chaotic - consider hiring a driver instead for $25-35/day.

How much should I tip?

Tipping isn't expected but appreciated. Round up for street food, 10% at nice restaurants, 20,000-50,000 VND for tour guides per day.

How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam

Vietnam needs 10-14 days minimum to see highlights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Budget $40-60 per day for mid-range travel. Apply for e-visa 30 days before departure - it takes 3 business days to process.

Get your visa sorted first. Apply for Vietnam e-visa online 30 days before travel. Costs $25, takes 3 business days. You need a passport photo, passport scan, and departure flight details. Print the approval letter - you'll need it at immigration.
Book flights into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Fly into SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) if starting south, HAN (Hanoi) if starting north. Book 2-3 months ahead for better prices. Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar have good domestic connections if you're short on time.
Plan your north-south route. Most people do Ho Chi Minh City (2 days) → Hoi An (2 days) → Hue (1 day) → Hanoi (2 days) → Ha Long Bay (2 days). Add 3 days for Sapa if you want mountains. Book the overnight train from Hue to Hanoi - it's an experience.
Book accommodations in advance for peak season. Reserve hotels in Hoi An, Hanoi Old Quarter, and Ha Long Bay tours 2 weeks ahead during dry season (Nov-Apr). Use Agoda or Booking.com. Budget hotels run $15-25/night, mid-range $40-80/night.
Get your shots and health prep done. Visit a travel clinic 6 weeks before departure. You'll likely need Hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and Japanese encephalitis vaccines. Bring mosquito repellent with DEET. Malaria pills needed if going to remote areas.
Download essential apps. Get Grab (for rides and food delivery), Google Translate with Vietnamese downloaded offline, Maps.me for offline maps, and Xe Currency for dong exchange rates.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Vietnam?: No, stick to bottled water. Brushing teeth with tap water is fine. Ice in tourist areas is usually safe, but skip it in rural areas.
How do I get around between cities?: Buses are cheapest ($10-15 for long routes), trains are more comfortable ($20-40), flights are fastest ($40-80). The Reunification Express train from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi takes 30+ hours but it's scenic.
What's the deal with motorbikes?: You can rent scooters for $5-8/day but you legally need an International Driving Permit. Traffic is chaotic - consider hiring a driver instead for $25-35/day.
How much should I tip?: Tipping isn't expected but appreciated. Round up for street food, 10% at nice restaurants, 20,000-50,000 VND for tour guides per day.