Vietnam Visa Requirements
For ๐ซ๐ท France passport holders
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond stay
Blank Pages
At least 1 page required
Multiple Entry
Single entry
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Travel Essentials
Health & Safety
Safety Rating
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Japanese encephalitis (rural), Rabies, COVID-19, Malaria (border areas).
Tap Water
Bottled water recommended
Safety Tips
Vietnam is remarkably safe for tourists with violent crime being rare. The main concerns are bag snatching (especially from motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City), petty theft in crowded areas, and traffic accidents. Use Grab for transport. Be cautious of common scams like rigged taxi meters, shoe shiners claiming you agreed to a shine, and tour booking fraud. Only use reputable booking agencies.
Money & Costs
Currency
โซ Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Daily Budget (USD)
Budget: $25 ยท Mid: $60 ยท Luxury: $150+
Cards & ATMs
Cards accepted in hotels and restaurants. Cash essential elsewhere.
Tipping
Tipping is not traditionally Vietnamese, but it's becoming more common in tourist areas. In restaurants, leaving small change or rounding up is sufficient - 5-10% only for exceptional service at upscale establishments. Hotel porters appreciate 20,000-50,000 VND. Tour guides typically receive $5-10 per day. Spa therapists appreciate 50,000-100,000 VND.
Practical Info
Power
Type A, C, 220V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Emergency
Police: 113
Fire: 114
Ambulance: 115
Mobile/SIM
Buy a SIM card at the airport from Viettel (best coverage), Vinaphone, or Mobifone. Tourist SIMs with 30-60GB data cost 150,000-300,000 VND for 30 days. You'll need your passport for registration. Coverage is excellent in cities and tourist areas, variable in remote mountain regions. eSIMs are also available through international providers.
Getting There
Main Airports
Da Nang (DAD) ยท Hanoi (HAN) ยท Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Airport Transfers
Hanoi Noi Bai: Bus 86 to Old Quarter (45,000 VND, 1 hour). Grab to Old Quarter costs 350,000-450,000 VND (45-60 minutes depending on traffic). Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat: Bus 109 to Pham Ngu Lao area (20,000 VND, 45 minutes). Grab to District 1 costs 150,000-200,000 VND (20-40 minutes). Da Nang: Very close to city - taxi/Grab around 100,000 VND.
Local Transport
Domestic flights are affordable and connect major cities quickly - book on Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, or VietJet. Sleeper trains are a classic experience - book soft sleeper cabins through official DSVN or 12Go Asia. Sleeper buses cover longer routes overnight. Grab is essential for city transport. Motorbike rental is popular but traffic is extremely challenging for newcomers.
Culture & Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
North: Oct-April. Central: Feb-May. South: Dec-April. Varies greatly by region.
Cultural Notes
Vietnamese culture emphasizes family, respect for elders, and saving face. Remove shoes when entering homes and some shops. Bargaining is expected in markets but do so with a smile. The country has moved on from the war era and welcomes American visitors warmly - avoid calling it the "Vietnam War" (it's the "American War" here). Tet (Lunar New Year) is the biggest holiday - the country essentially shuts down.
Insider Tips
Learn a few Vietnamese phrases - pronunciation is tricky but locals appreciate the effort immensely. Book train tickets on the official DSVN website or through reputable agencies, especially for popular routes like Hanoi-Sapa. Crossing the street requires a leap of faith - walk slowly and steadily at a constant pace, and traffic will flow around you. Never stop suddenly. Coffee culture is exceptional - try cร phรช trแปฉng (egg coffee) in Hanoi.
Dress Code
Casual dress fine. Cover shoulders/knees at temples.