Travel guides
Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam’s weather varies significantly by region. Northern Vietnam is best from October to April, with cool, dry conditions, though winters can be chilly. Central Vietnam enjoys warm, sunny weather from February to August, making it great for beaches. Southern Vietnam stays hot year-round, but the dry season (November to April) is the most pleasant.
South Vietnam
Practical information
Traveling to Vietnam can be an exciting adventure, but knowing a few practical tips can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. From money exchange to transport apps, I’ve gathered some essential information to help you navigate your time in Vietnam with ease. Be sure to check out my recommendations in each blog post for more in-depth insights and updates to make your travels even better!
I would advice to exchange some money at the airport, so you can get into the city. In the city I found that gold and jewelry shops often give the best rate, better than banks or airports.
Hà Trung Street (Hanoi) – A famous street with multiple money exchangers.
Jewelry shops in District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City) – Look around Ben Thanh Market & Nguyen An Ninh Street.
Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street (Da Nang) – Several gold shops exchange cash.
Yes.
Go outside of the tourist areas because quite often the max withdrawal amount is limited and the ATMs ask for fixed fees.
I would recommend using
- Saigon Bank ATMs
- MB Bank ATMs
Avoid
Vietcombank, Techcombank, and Sacombank.
Get an eSIM, a SIM card from the airport, or use the Saily App.
Be – Higher commission for drivers, but often much cheaper
Grab – Popular and widely available
GrabFood – Reliable and widely available
Baemin – Often cheaper, but limited to certain areas
ShopeeFood – Great deals and promotions”
I recommend double-checking every accommodation you book through Booking or Agoda with Google Maps reviews. Many times, the reviews might not align, so it’s always best to get a second opinion. If you want to save yourself the trouble, I’ve listed my personal recommendations in each blog post.
If you want to really dive deep, a month is ideal. But if you’re just looking to see the highlights and get the main experiences, two weeks is enough.