Vietnam Quick Information

At a glance:

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Cu Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers. Given its historic past, Vietnam is a country that offers a unique perspective for travelers. Blessed with an insanely diverse landscape, you could be sliding down sand dunes in the morning, taking a stroll by the beach by noon and walking around a UNESCO heritage town by afternoon.

Population: The current population of Vietnam is 98,962,189 based on projections of the latest United Nations data. The UN estimates the July 1, 2022 population at 98,953,541 according to the World Population Review updated by Jul, 2022.

Currency: The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), although in some places, USD is also accepted. Credit cards are available when you are in restaurant or hotel or shopping mall.

Electricity Socket: 220V AC electricity. Power outlets are often compatible with either the standard US plug or the European one as well. To avoid the hassle of having to buy new adaptors for everywhere you go, you should prepare in advance.

Visa: After the lock down due to Covid 19, Immigration policy has changed a lot in which there are only 80 countries allowed to apply for Evisa to enter Vietnam, some can enter Vietnam without Visa as below:

Visa-free for 30 daysLaos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan

Visa-free for 21 days: The Philippines

Visa-free for 15 daysBelarus, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain

Visa-free for 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar

There are 80 countries that allowed to do Evisa to enter Vietnam, please click here: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/Vietnam-Evisa-nation-list.pdf/21e0f88f-d8a0-48b8-bfdb-a0f82b0853e2

If you need to apply for an E-visa, you will a valid passport(at least 6 month valid), 1 straight photo (4*6cm) and you can arrange within 3-5 working day to complete it. However, as visa regulations change all the time, make sure you consult the government’s website to get an accurate idea on the regulations.

Safety: Generally speaking, Vietnam is a pretty safe country to travel to. Although there are a few scams to watch out for, the most common accident that happens is motorbike related. While driving a motorbike in Vietnam is something that we recommend you do, make sure that you have the proper licence from your home country. Most travel insurance policies won’t cover you otherwise.

Language: In larger cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, heaps of people speak a decent level of English making it a relatively easy place to travel. However, as with most places, as soon as you venture towards smaller towns and mountainous regions, the level of English drops. With this in mind, having a good grasp of a few basic Vietnamese words can go a long way. Words like petrol, hotel, and bathroom are definitely high up there on the list of must-know words.

Essential Guide to plan Your Dream Trip to Vietnam

Planning a trip to Vietnam anytime soon but unsure how to start? Apart from being the land of Pho, crazy motorbike driving, and beautiful sights, Vietnam has so much to offer. With a landscape that’s insanely varied, you can be cruising on a mountain top, sliding down some sand dunes, or relaxing by a beach along the coastline. So, how exactly do you begin planning a trip to Vietnam? Here are a few of our tips to make the most out of this country.

Visas in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know

Compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam changes its policies all the time so best to check with the proper government agencies as I cannot guarantee  the accuracy of any of the information. As of August 2016, the following countries can get a free visa for the prescribed number of days. If you wish to stay longer, you will have to apply for a visa beforehand.

Visa-free for 30 days: Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan

Visa-free for 21 days: The Philippines

Visa-free for 15 days: Belarus, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain

Visa-free for 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar

There are 80 countries that allowed to do EVisa to enter Vietnam, please click here: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/Vietnam-Evisa-nation-list.pdf/21e0f88f-d8a0-48b8-bfdb-a0f82b0853e2

If you need to apply for an E-visa, you will a valid passport(at least 6 month valid), 1 straight photo (4*6cm) and you can arrange within 3-5 working day to complete it.

Travel Insurance

Obviously not required but we recommend it. Most people travel Vietnam by motorbike or experience being on a bike at some point, so travel insurance is generally a very good idea. Like a lot of travel resource sites, we personally recommend World Nomads. The different insurance packages they offer are unbeatable when it comes to covering adventure activities.

At this stage, to enter Vietnam, travelers must have a travel insurance that covers all Covid relations at minimum of 10.000 USD when you are overseas.