The Essential Guide to Backpacking Vietnam

Vietnam is a great place to start if you’re visiting Southeast Asia. A rich cultural history, incredible scenery and friendly locals are just some of the exciting things you’ll experience whilst backpacking Vietnam. Add to that delicious food, budget accommodation and wonderful weather, and you’ve got no excuses not to visit!

Backpacking Vietnam is definitely a bucket-list-worthy trip. There’s a lot to plan though – so this backpacker’s guide to Vietnam has all you’ll need to know about the country, from learning the currency to planning your Vietnam visa. You’ll find out about the best places to visit, along with budget accommodation recommendations and the food that Vietnam is famous for!

There are so many great things to do in Vietnam, from winding down on beautiful beaches to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites and even surfing Vietnam’s awesome waves, that you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit earlier!

Always plan ahead, so think about booking your trip at least a few months in advance. That way, you’ll be able to grab the best deals on hotels, and purchase any essential items you need to pack.

This travel guide to travelling Vietnam will tell you everything you need to know about your upcoming trip. We have linked to plenty of Vietnam blog posts, including top itineraries and things to do, within the guide so that you can find all the information in one place.

Your Backpacking Vietnam Budget

It should be easy to travel Vietnam on a budget, even if you’re travelling solo. Accommodation is super cheap, their transport is really accessible and you can eat like a king for next to nothing. You can easily live off less than $20 USD per day.

Remember to budget for activities and tours though, which can put the price up because they are usually catering for tourists. If you’re really limiting your spending, then you really could live off less than $20 per day including accommodation. However, if you want to take part in lots of tours and activities then plan ahead and budget accordingly.

Read More: Have A Look At Our 2-Day Hanoi Itinerary In Full Here!

Typical Vietnamese street food (Banh Mi sandwich): 15,000 VND/$0.65 USD

A local beer: 5000 VND/$0.20 USD

An imported beer: 40,000VND/ $1.70 USD

Train from Hanoi to Nha Trang (1315km): 693,000 VND/ $29 USD

Flight from Hanoi to Nha Trang: 860,000 VND/ $37

A bunk in a shared dorm room: 92,000 VND/ $4 USD

A private hotel room: 123,000 VND/ $5 USD

Read More: 9 Awesome Things To Do In Vietnam On A Budget

Organising Your Vietnam Travel Visa

If you’re British, you’ll be able to visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 15 days. Staying longer than two weeks? Organise an e-visa before you go and you’ll be able to chill out in Vietnam for 30 days.

US citizens must have a visa for any length of time, so apply online for $25 and you’ll get stamped into the country when you arrive.

The same goes for Aussies too – check the details with your own countries government website.

Only click on a visa link from there too. There are lots of visa scams online so you can easily be fooled into paying for something you don’t get and then be refused entry into the country.

Read More: Check Out The Best Beaches In Hoi An!

Vaccinations for Vietnam

The first thing you should do when planning your Vietnam trip is to talk to a health professional! They’ll be able to tell you if you need any jabs, or if there are certain health risks for you as an individual.

For a trip backpacking Vietnam, you’ll likely to be told to make sure your general jabs are up to date like they should be in your home country.

Don’t take our word for it though – we’re not medically trained so speak to someone who is before you just jet off because you got your routine check last week!

Another important thing to tick off your to-do list is to buy travel insurance. You might want to save money but in the long run it’s too much of a risk.

If you have an accident (not unlikely in a place where people recklessly zoom around on scooters!) then you’ll be beyond relieved to know that you won’t have to pay out for that hospital stay. It’s just common sense – get travel insurance!

Read More: Check Out The Amazing Hanoi Night Market Here Or The Phu Quoc Night Market Here!

Best Time To Visit Vietnam

Vietnam is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year – there is so much to do that the weather doesn’t necessarily dictate when you should go. However, there are different seasons across the country. 

Spring (Feb-Apr) or Autumn (Aug-Oct) tend to be warm and pleasant in the North. It can get quite cold at the beginning of the year, and be prepared for a little drizzle too.

During the summer (May-Oct), you might experience monsoon weather. In Vietnam tourism increases in these months, despite being wet and rather hot. It might be best to avoid visiting around this time if you want to travel without the crowds! January tends to be a quieter time to visit because of the New Year holiday.

The Vietnam weather forecast is usually hot and sunny all year round the further south you go. Ninh Binh is gorgeous at any time of year because of the rains, and you only need to avoid Hoi An during their rainy season in October/November. Past Dalat, and there might be a few rainy outbursts but nothing that should ruin your trip!

Visit Sapa, Hanoi and Hue during the spring. Nha Trang is also a good option at this time of year!

Avoid the summer months if you’re visiting Phu Quoc (the best time to visit is October – March).

Read More: The Full Guide To The Phu Quoc Cable Car

Travelling in Autumn? Stay in Halong Bay.

Make your way down south to Dalat and Ho Chi Minh City for the winter.

What To Pack When Backpacking Vietnam

If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K. It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.

If you’re in the market for an action camera then our current recommendation is the GoPro Hero 9. Yes, the Hero 10 is currently the flagship but it doesn’t have that much more than the Hero 9 and costs a lot more. The front-facing screen is a godsend for selfies and video and you get the famous GoPro durability and stabilisation that they are now renowned for. Check out current deals here.

Whether you’re visiting religious temples or windy beaches, this long cover-up by Moss Rose is perfect for wrapping around your shoulders. It’s lightweight and has so many uses, plus it looks great too! One size fits all and there are so many different patterns to choose from. Click here to get yours.

If you’re worried about the security of your bag then make sure you grab this set of combi padlocks from SURE LOCK. Many attractions have lockers where you have to pay to use a padlock so they will come in very handy, not just for securing your bag. Grab yours here.

If you’re not really planning on doing any major hiking then we recommend that you check out these AKK walking shoes. There are extremely lightweight, breathable and have memory foam insoles to make them super comfy. Don’t make the mistake of spending loads of money on insane walking boots if you don’t need to! Check them out here!

Carrying around a big backpack can be tiring, so you’ll need something extra comfortable like this Osprey Renn. It has an adjustable shoulder harness so it’s suitable whatever your height and the back panel is ventilated which helps on those hot sweaty days! The bag has plenty of compartments for all of your belongings – there’s a space for your sleeping bag, water reservoir sleeve and rain cover too! Click here to buy yours.

Read More: The Best Phu Quoc Tours On The Whole Island!

For city exploring and shorter hikes, you’ll need a decent day pack. We recommend one like Osprey’s Arcane, as not only can it hold a 15″ laptop, water bottle and everything else you would need day to day but it is also incredibly stylish (we think). We have used Osprey for loads of different bags over the years and they have all been perfect. Check out the Osprey Arcane on Amazon here.

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Getting There

Flights to Vietnam

The main airports in Vietnam are Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang. It takes roughly 11 hours to fly from the UK. That’s not too bad a flight time but do your research if you prefer to enjoy a stopover.

Check comparison sites like Skyscanner to grab the best deals. Prices do fluctuate depending on the season too – for example, in Vietnam holidays such as the huge New Year festival called Tet in January/February time will push prices up! You’ll pay more to fly to Vietnam during these times.

Train

Travelling on a sleeper train in Vietnam is a must! The long distance trains are incredible value, and fairly comfortable too. They’re a great way to travel and it means that you save on a hotel room for the night whilst travelling to your next destination.

If you’re in China, you can even get a train all the way from Nanning to Hanoi, which is an 11-hour overnight trip.

You do have to get off the train halfway through to get your passport stamped and allow the train to be changed from a Chinese one to a Vietnamese one.

Book your tickets with a company like Baolau or 12Go, which have easy-to-navigate websites in English!

Bus

You can travel by bus into the country too. Choose a company with air-conditioned buses! You can turn up to a travel agency on the day and buy a ticket, but to be safe it’s better to book in advance.

Click here to have a look at the bus routes and timetables.

Best Route For Backpacking Vietnam

Vietnam is a great place for backpackers because it’s easy to start and one end and finish at another without going back on yourself at all. Check out the map below to pinpoint where you want to go!

Getting Around Vietnam

As mentioned before, sleeper trains are a fantastic way to explore Vietnam without breaking your budget. Travel overnight for less than £30, and see the country in a way that you’d never experience if you were on a plane. In Vietnam the trains are comfortable and you’ll enjoy the fantastic scenery on your journey.

Taxis are common in populated areas. Make sure you find an official one. They’re easy to spot as they’ll be all over town using certain colours and logos. Check the meter is on before you travel too.

If you’re looking to travel long distance on a bus, find a bus station and start your journey from there. Staying local? Buy your ticket from the conductor but be aware that you might be going the long way around without air conditioning. Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit extra for a taxi!

Read More: How To Enjoy A One Day Hanoi Itinerary

We don’t recommend riding a motorbike in Vietnam! It may sound fun and exciting, but there are so many traffic accidents on Vietnamese roads that it’s really not worth risking it. Not only are the drivers often reckless, but the roads can be narrow and unmarked.

If you really are desperate to ride a motorbike yourself, do your research and don’t pay over the odds for one. Make sure it’s safe to ride and make sure that your travel insurance covers you!

Where To Stay in Vietnam

Finding the perfect accommodation can be tricky, but don’t rush your choices! Think about whether you need a private room, breakfast included in the room rate, or an amazing swimming pool.

Don’t pick the first hotel you see – look at guest reviews and pictures! Sometimes a hotel may claim to have free Wifi, but when you read the reviews, the signal is so bad it’s not worth using!

Hostels in Vietnam offer cheap dormitory rooms and are a great way to save money – if you’re travelling solo. Sometimes, a private room works out cheaper or nearly the same price if there’s two of you. And the luxury of being able to sleep undisturbed is often worth that extra £1!

Check out some great affordable hotel options here.

The Best Places To Visit in Vietnam

Vietnam has some gorgeous countryside towns, bustling cities and perfectly formed landscapes. You have plenty of options when organising where to go in Vietnam, so try and see a variety of each of them, as the individuality of each place will blow you away. Plan your backpacking Vietnam itinerary from north to south or vice versa, and aim to spend at least 3-4 days in each town. Have a look at this 7 day Vietnam Itinerary here.

Still referred to as Saigon, HCMC is one of the busier and most popular cities. You’ll find plenty of things to do in Saigon, so plan a few days here to take it all in.

There’s plenty of shocking history to learn about too. Make sure you visit the Cu Chi tunnels, the War Remnants Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Don’t leave without spending a morning wandering through the remarkable shopping markets – buy fresh food, a locally painted canvas or a handcrafted souvenir.

If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, visit the Bitexco Tower and sip a cocktail from the 52^nd floor, overlooking the sprawling city. Take a nighttime food tour too, to fully understand what Vietnamese cuisine is all about!

Here are our top hotel picks for Ho Chi Minh City!

The capital city is located in northern Vietnam and Hanoi’s biggest draw is it’s Old Quarter. Make your way through the tiny alleys, indulge in some of Vietnam’s best street food, and consume some of the cheapest beer you’ll ever find.

Why To Get A Hanoi Street Food Tour! With Crossing Vietnam Tour

Once you’ve enjoyed a few treats, take a step back and visit the terrible Hoa La Prison museum for a decent history lesson. The Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum also make for an interesting visit.

Relax with a body massage, and spend your evenings winding down with a walk around the symbolic Hoan Kiem Lake.

Ever wanted to have your own tailored clothes? Sleepy Hoi An is the place to go! Find expert tailors and quality materials (if you look in the right places!) Visit the Ancient Town (take a sunset street food tour!), the riverside, the night market and An Bang beach too.

A more touristy resort-type destination, Nha Trang has lots of fun activities for the whole family. There’s also plenty of international cuisines.

Spend a whole day at VinPearl Waterpark, and make sure you take the cable car across to the island!

For the more adventurous, you can go scuba diving or take a short trip to the nearby Ba Ho waterfalls.

If you’re more interested in relaxing, then you can while away your days at the gorgeous beach, take a cooking class or visit a hot spring.

A water baby’s heaven, Halong Bay offers lots of activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, snorkelling and cruises. You can explore the magnificent caves there too, but our favourite thing to do was take a luxury overnight cruise!

Read More: Choose Your Favourite One-Day Halong Bay Cruise Here

A Complete Halong Bay Day Tour - WITH KAYAKING - [Go Asia Travel]

Best Things To Do In Vietnam

You’ll never run out of things to see in Vietnam. Spend time on the gorgeous beaches in the west, wander around the old towns, drink cocktails in the city and explore the incredible jungles.

A few of the top things to do in Vietnam are either free or very cheap too, so you don’t have to worry about money like you would in somewhere like London.

Take a look at the fun activities below – I definiitely recommend taking a Ha Long Bay tour and a cooking class too!

What To Eat in Vietnam

Vietnamese food is delicious. Using both Asian and European influences, you’re bound to find a dish that you come to love and crave even after leaving the country.

Choose a soft bánh mì sandwich or kebab roll on the street. Or, pick a restaurant heaving with locals for the best phở in town.

Drink cheap bia hói on plastic chairs outside – you’ll pay 15p for a glass of this locally brewed beer! – and tuck into freshly made spring rolls. You definitely won’t go hungry in Vietnam!

Take a street food tour to really learn about the country’s food and culture too. We took two different tours and loved them both! Check out the video below to see the best street food in Hanoi!

Tasting The Best Vietnamese Snacks On A Hanoi Street Food Tour! [With Hanoi Explore Travel]

Language in Vietnam

The official language in Vietnam is, shockingly (!), Vietnamese. Unlike many Asian languages, it uses the Latin alphabet. It can be fairly easy to pick up words that you recognise on menus and signposts.

Many people in touristy areas and cities like Hanoi will speak English, and you’ll find English (with pictures) in restaurants. In remote areas, however, you might have to work a bit harder at communicating.

Try to learn a few key phrases and words before you go – the locals will appreciate it and you’ll feel less of an arrogant Westerner relying on everyone else in the world to speak English!

Thanks to Emily from Wander-Lush for the help with these translations!

Currency in Vietnam

The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong. Yes, the Dong.

As of July 2022, the exchange rate stands at:

1 GBP = 28,174

1 USD = 23,425

1 AUD = 16,177

You might be able to pay in USD in many places in Vietnam, but it’s better for you to pay in the local currency.

Staying Safe in Vietnam

The main rule about staying safe in Vietnam is to have your wits about you and use common sense, just like you would back home! Don’t walk around with your money and iPhone on show, and stick to well-lit paths.

I don’t recommend getting a scooter because we have seen so many westerners with bandages and bruises due to motorbike accidents. It doesn’t matter how well you think you drive – a lot of other drivers just don’t pay enough attention to the roads and will put other people in danger. I’ve seen 4 people and a dog on a bike before which just can’t be good for balance!

A lot of people avoid eating street food because they’re worried they’ll get ill from unhygienic stalls. Realistically, the food turnover is so high on the street that it’s generally not stored for long enough to cause any harm, and it will be cooked fresh in front of you.

Keep hydrated with bottled water everywhere you go, and always carry anti-bacterial hand gel with you to minimise contamination. Do be aware of meat and fish though – if it’s displayed in a cart with no refrigeration maybe give it a miss!

Scams To Be Aware of in Vietnam

When travelling to any country, you need to be fully aware that you might be scammed because you’re a tourist. Despite being known for its friendly locals, Vietnam is no different.

You could be tricked into buying a fake visa even before you visit. Make sure the website you visit is legit – click through from your own country’s government site to be sure.

If you’re arriving by land, ensure that you have researched what to expect at the border. Don’t be fooled into paying a random bloke any more money than you need to. If you’ve got all your documents sorted then you should be fine!

Watch out for your belongings when walking the streets. Pickpocketers are common, so perhaps invest in a good sturdy day bag. Or, leave your important items in your hotel room.

In Vietnam, tours are quite common. Sometimes it is much easier to hire a tour company to organise a trip for you in a foreign country. Book online or at least inside an agency shop to make sure that you aren’t getting ripped off.

Always ask for a receipt or keep your online confirmation handy to prove that you’ve paid.

Our Honest Opinion of Vietnam

We loved Vietnam so much that we had added it into our plans to return and work there one day! We experienced so much amazing hospitality, we ate amazing food and we hardly spent any money during our trip.

It’s the perfect holiday destination for couples, families and solo travellers alike. There truly is something to do for everyone at all times of the year. Whether you’ve got 3 weeks in Vietnam or 3 months, you’ll see some beautiful sights and enjoy some incredible experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

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