Practical information about Vietnam

Vietnam is a large, elongated country with significant geographical climate differences depending on where you are. The weather is generally unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to carry an umbrella or rain jacket with you.

You can read more about the best time to visit Vietnam on our blog.

Vietnam has two monsoons: the south-west monsoon and the north-east monsoon, which have an impact on the weather. The south-west monsoon lasts from April to September and is characterised by wet, warm weather. The north-east monsoon lasts from October to April and is not as wet but colder.

Northern Vietnam (Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Sapa): In northern Vietnam you’ll find, among other highlights, the capital city Hanoi, the mountainous region of Sapa, the Mai Chau Valley, the picturesque landscapes of Ninh Binh, as well as Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. Overall, this area—located in the subtropical climate belt—experiences two distinct seasons:

The dry season falls roughly between November and March in Hanoi and Sapa, while in Ha Long Bay, it starts in October. December, January and February are North Vietnam’s coldest and driest months. Sapa in particular can get quite chilly in the winter months, so it’s a good idea to bring some warm clothes with you if you’re heading there.

The rainy season falls roughly between April and October in Hanoi and Sapa, while the period is a month shorter in Ha Long Bay. July and August are the wettest months, and Sapa is the area that gets most rain.

Please note that there is a risk of typhoons in northern Vietnam from June to November.

Central Vietnam (Hué – Hoi An): In Central Vietnam, you will find the cities of Hué and Hoi An. As in North Vietnam, the area generally has two seasons:

The dry season falls roughly between January and August, with May to August being the hottest months of the year.

The rainy season falls roughly between September and December, when the north-east monsoon brings a lot of rain. During the rainy season months, more than 200 mm of rain falls.

February to April are the most pleasant months to visit Central Vietnam, as the rain is at its lowest and seasonal temperatures are pleasant. However, most visitors come to the area in December and January for the Christmas holidays.

Please note that there is a risk of typhoons in the central part of Vietnam from August to November.

Southern Vietnam (Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh City – Lak Lake – Mui Ne – Phu Quoc): In southern Vietnam, you’ll find the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the beach haven of Mui Ne, the highland town Da Lat, the scenic area near Lak Lake, and the island of Phu Quoc. These regions have the following seasons:

The dry season is between December and April. Temperatures are generally reasonably stable all year round, but the hottest months are April and May.

The rainy season is roughly between May and November. More rain falls during this period due to the south-west monsoon, which means wet, yet hot weather. The rain typically falls in the afternoon. Rainfall reaches its highest levels from June to September. In Ho Chi Minh City, the rain is at its peak between June and September, while Mui Ne is wettest between September and November.

Swimming conditions in Vietnam

In Vietnam, swimming conditions vary depending on the season, wind, and waves. The tidal difference is generally moderate, with two high and two low tides per day, and roughly six hours between each cycle. However, it is rarely the tide that determines whether or not swimming is possible in Vietnam.

On Phu Quoc, the water level fluctuates throughout the day, but the swimming conditions are generally good for most of it. During low tide, the water may recede slightly in some areas, but the effect is usually minimal.

In Mui Ne, wind and waves often play a bigger role than the tides. From around November to April, winds tend to be stronger, and the sea rougher, which can affect swimming conditions. From around May to October, conditions are typically calmer, offering better opportunities for a swim.

In Hoi An, including An Bang Beach, the tidal range is generally moderate, and it is usually possible to swim most of the day. However, from roughly October to February, wind, waves, and currents can make the sea more turbulent. The area has experienced coastal erosion challenges, particularly near Cua Dai, while An Bang is generally less affected. The width of the beach can still vary depending on the season and weather conditions.

Hotels can usually provide information about current conditions, making it easy to plan your beach and swimming experiences for the day.

British citizens:

As a British citizen, you must be in possession of a valid British passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Vietnam.

As a British citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Vietnam if the duration of your visit does not exceed 45 days.

If you have questions about your visa, we recommend that you contact the Vietnamese Embassy:

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
12-14 Victoria Road
London W8 5RD
England

Telephone: 020 7937 1912

Email: consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk

Click here to check the visa regulations on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

Irish citizens:

As a Irish citizen, you must be in possession of a valid Irish passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Vietnam.

As a Irish citizen, you need a visa to enter Vietnam. Irish citizens who is going to stay less than 90 days in Vietnam should apply for a multiple entry e-visa. The application takes place through the official website e-visa Vietnam. Here, you need to upload a photo of your passport and a passport-sized photo (max. 1024 kB). Additionally, you are required to fill in some personal details and your address in Vietnam. We suggest writing the address of the first hotel you will visit; the hotel’s name is on the confirmation.

The multiple entry e-visa costs 50 USD per person and must be paid online during the application process, so make sure to have your credit card ready when you apply. You will receive a confirmation of your application via email. This email will also contain a unique registration code highlighted in bold (20 characters).

You will receive the response to your e-visa application after three working days at the following link, click here. Here, you need to log in with the registration code received in the confirmation email, along with your email address and date of birth. Your e-visa must be printed and presented upon arrival in Vietnam.

We recommend applying for the visa well in advance.

All questions relating to e-visas should be directed to Vietnam Immigration through the query form on the portal, or by emailing contact@immigration.gov.vn.

Prior to your departure, you can download our App here to find your travel documents and your contact details for TourCompass and our local partners.

If your tour involves domestic flights or journeys by train in Vietnam, it is our partner who books and issues the tickets, which your guide will give you at the destination.

We recommend that you download the WhatsApp app to your smartphone and add the phone numbers of our business partners. You can send messages and call them for free using the app when you have a Wi-Fi connection.

We recommend that you contact your GP or an authorised private vaccination clinic for information about vaccinations. You can also read more about the rules regarding travel vaccinations here.

Please be aware of the rules about yellow fever – especially if you are entering via another country where yellow fever is present. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Your vaccination certificate should therefore always be carried with you in your hand luggage when you travel.

Please read our general travel terms and conditions carefully, as these are part of the agreement terms for tours purchased at TourCompass. Tours purchased from us are covered under the “Package Travel Act”.

Click here to read our travel terms and conditions.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels, and other services) is listed on it.

Please see our booking conditions for further information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, click here.

We always advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when heading off on your dream holiday. It is also highly recommended to acquire cancellation insurance for extra protection.

Click here to proceed to our page on insurance, where you can read more about our recommendations.

In Vietnam, the unit of currency is the Vietnamese dong. The current exchange rate of the Vietnamese dong can be found here.

Visa and Mastercard can be used at hotels, most restaurants and shops, but not at small local markets. In all major towns and cities, there are also cash machines where you can withdraw cash.

Obtain an idea of the price level in Vietnam here.

Tips are appreciated, but it is up to you whether or not to tip. You can give as much or as little as you want. The following is an indicative guide:

• Guides: 150,000-200,000 dong per person per day depending on the service provided
• Drivers: 75,000-100,000 dong per person per day depending on the service provided
• Porters: At least 25,000 dong per room
• Maids: At least 30,000 dong per room per day
• Restaurants: At international restaurants, tipping is often included in the price, and in that case a 10% service charge will appear on the bill. If this is the case, there is no need to add more. If the tip is not included in the price, you can add 10,000-20,000 dong, if the service and food have been good. Tips are not expected at local restaurants and street kitchens, but you can leave a few small coins on the table when you go.

At the vast majority of our destinations, we are able to take allergies, as well as allergens or preferences, into account when it comes to food; however, it is important that you inform us of this when you book the tour.

Telephones & Wi-Fi:

It’s expensive to use data and roaming abroad if it’s not already included in your mobile subscription. Contact your mobile company to find out what services are included in your subscription and what prices apply to you when travelling abroad.

If data and roaming are not included in your mobile subscription when travelling abroad, we recommend that you use Wi-Fi when you’re at your hotel or restaurants. That way, you can call and write home free of charge via various services such as Facetime, Messenger and WhatsApp. Otherwise, it is also possible to buy a local SIM card including data on your arrival in Vietnam.

Read more about how to get online when you travel, on our blog here.

Electricity:

Vietnam does not have standard voltage or plugs. You may therefore experience anything from 110 to 230 volts. We recommend that you bring an adapter with you, as the Vietnamese plugs can have both 2 and 3 pins, round and flat.

Make sure you pack all your important and indispensable things in your hand luggage. This applies to items such as passports, visas, vaccination cards, travel documents, insurance documents, credit cards, money, computers, mobile phones and cameras, as well as information about your health and vital medicines.

If you are going to Vietnam, you can download our recommended packing list as a PDF below.

Download our PDF packing list here.

Visiting temples

When visiting temples, there is a strict dress code. Your knees and shoulders must be covered, your clothes must not be see-through, and you must take off your shoes.

Visitors are not permitted to bring plants, seeds, fruit, and other plant products into the UK from their travels outside the UK, unless they are accompanied by a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. These rules also apply to smaller quantities of plants and plant products.

Read more about the rules here.

Please note that our tours are not generally suitable for people with impaired mobility. Please contact us for information about your options in relation to your specific needs.

Most airlines have electronic tickets (e-tickets).

It is essential that you check the names provided. We only use Surname/First given name for each traveller. These must match the Surname/First given name as shown in your passport. Any middle name(s) are omitted from your booking, as these are not required. If there is a hyphen in your name, it will be removed and the names joined together.

Please check the attached itinerary, along with all name details, and you must reply to us within one working day with any comments. Changes to flight itineraries at a later date will be subject to extra charges. 

The airline will assign you a seat on the plane at check-in. If you have specific wishes regarding where you sit on the plane, you can make a seat reservation yourself on the airline’s website or in their app. Please note that most airlines require payment for a seat reservation.

It varies when airlines open for seat reservations, but as a general rule, you can book seats from the time of booking and up to 48 hours before departure.

We also point out that the airline has complete control over all seats on the plane and that they are therefore entitled to make changes to the reservation at any time. If you do not make a seat reservation before departure, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in.

Your passport and your booking reference, which appears on your itinerary, are required to check in.

We recommend that you download the airline’s app on your phone. In the app, there is an option for online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The app also allows you to stay informed of any flight changes and other important information about your flight.

Please note that the flight times may have changed in relation to those listed on the travel itinerary you received when you booked your holiday. It is always the flight times in the airline’s app or on the airline’s website that apply.

We recommend that you arrive at the airport to check in at least 2 hours before departure. It is a good idea to check the airport’s website for the latest updates.

We use many different airlines for our destinations. You can check the exact rules for hand luggage and checked baggage on the airline’s website or in their app.

If domestic flights are used in your itinerary, please be aware that baggage permissions may be different from how they are for your international flights. In general, you can always purchase more baggage allowance locally.

Baggage on the night train in Vietnam
If your tour includes a night train, we recommend bringing a suitcase that does not exceed the dimensions of 41 cm x 27 cm x 63 cm. The luggage can be stored under the lower bunk beds in the compartment, allowing you to maximise the space and enjoy a more comfortable journey.

If your baggage is delayed, please contact the staff in the baggage reclaim area to report your missing baggage.

It is important that you have your baggage receipt when completing your PIR (Property Irregularity Report).

Please note that you must not leave the baggage area at the airport until you have completed the report.

In the event of delayed baggage, we ask you to contact our partner, who will ensure that your guide/driver waits for you.

Should any changes occur in connection with your flight reservation before departure, we will of course contact you to let you know.

Should your flight be delayed after check-in, the airline is responsible for rebooking your flight. They will typically book the next possible flight and arrange any meals and accommodation if necessary.

Our partner checks for any changes in arrival times and will naturally still wait for you, even if your flight is delayed.

If, due to a delay or cancellation, the airline books you on another flight number after you have arrived at the airport, please contact us on TourCompass’ emergency number.

Immigration:
When you arrive at your final destination, you will go through immigration, where your passport and any entry documents and visas are checked. In many places, you will be required to provide fingerprints, and a photo of your face will also be taken for biometric recognition. You may also be asked questions about your travel plans in the country and possibly where you are staying.

Customs:
Once you’ve cleared immigration and picked up your luggage, you will head through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can go through “nothing to declare”. If, on the other hand, you have something to declare, it is important that you go through “declare”. It’s your own responsibility to check the customs regulations that apply in the country you are travelling to.

When you arrive in Vietnam and take a domestic flight, please note that your guide will be waiting outside the arrival hall after the exit doors. The guide will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign, making it easy for you to find him or her.

In the unexpected event that you cannot find your guide/driver, please contact our partner on the emergency number which appears on the travel documents.

Terminals at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has several terminals serving both international and domestic flights. International flights arrive at and depart from Terminal 2. Domestic flights operate mainly from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, depending on the airline. VietJet Air primarily operates out of Terminal 1, while Vietnam Airlines mainly uses Terminal 3.

If you arrive internationally at Terminal 2 and have a connecting domestic flight from Terminal 1, you can walk between the terminals in around 5 minutes, as they are located close to each other. However, if your next flight departs from Terminal 3, this terminal is around 2 km from Terminals 1 and 2. In this case, it’s recommended to take a taxi or shuttle bus, as there is no walking route suitable for passengers with luggage.

Normal check-in is typically from 2 pm, and you cannot therefore count on getting your room earlier. If you’d like to check in early, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

When you check in, the receptionist will generally register your credit card and may reserve an amount. This is not an additional fee, but customary at hotels to ensure payment of any consumption e.g. from the minibar. When you check out, the amount will be automatically released if you have not made use of this.

It is very normal for hotels to take a copy of your passport. In some places, this is a requirement of the local authorities.

Check-out is normally by 10 am. If you’re not travelling until the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage stored until it’s time to leave. If you would like a late check-out instead, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

Our tours to Vietnam are individual tours, however excursions and transfers take place in international groups of 1–14 people and with TourCompass’ own guests only. Most optional tours take place with TourCompass’ own guests, however some may also take place with people other than TourCompass’ own guests. This will be noted in the description.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, blocked roads, or otherwise, it may be necessary to change the order of sightseeing tours and attractions in your itinerary.

Baggage on the night train in Vietnam

If your tour includes a night train, we recommend bringing a suitcase that does not exceed the dimensions of 41 cm x 27 cm x 63 cm. The luggage can be stored under the lower bunk beds in the compartment, allowing you to maximise the space and enjoy a more comfortable journey.

Cruise in Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay

In northern Vietnam, you’ll find three closely connected bays: Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay. Each offers the same iconic seascape of thousands of limestone karsts rising dramatically from emerald-green waters, yet the experience in each bay varies slightly.

Ha Long Bay is the classic and most iconic route – and also the most visited. Here, you’ll find many of the area’s major attractions such as Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and the distinctive rock formations known as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, and Fighting Cock Islet. There’s also a wide selection of cruise boats across different standards. The area tends to be lively, especially from October to April.

Lan Ha Bay lies south of Ha Long and generally has fewer boats. Newer and smaller vessels with high standards and excellent service often sail here. The atmosphere is calmer, and the routes typically pass through more sheltered areas, offering great opportunities for kayaking and swimming stops.

Bai Tu Long Bay lies northeast of Ha Long and is the least visited of the three. Here, you’ll experience a peaceful and less commercial setting with a focus on nature and tranquillity. Sailing routes steer clear of the busiest areas, making for a serene and more exclusive experience.

The three bays are geographically connected and form part of the same stretch of sea. As most ships depart from marinas in the Ha Long area, cruises to Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long often sail through sections of the bay before continuing on their main route. The difference lies mainly in where most of the sailing and activities take place.

The itinerary for your mini cruise is based on our standard cruise. If you choose to upgrade your cruise or travel on a different ship, the programme and included activities may vary. For example, you might visit a different cave or pearl farm than described, but the overall content and experiences remain equivalent. The applicable itinerary is always available on the chosen cruise ship’s own website and can also be found on board.

We have a 24-hour emergency hotline so that you can always get in touch with us should anything unforeseen occur during your tour. You will also be sent the telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers of our partners at the destination. In some cases, it may be easiest and fastest to contact our partners due to time differences, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation where your pick-up for an excursion or transfer is more than 15 minutes delayed.

We rely on happy travellers, and we would therefore very much like to hear from you after your return home. Send us an email at info@tourcompass.co.uk or call us on tel.: 01279 704 135.