Born and raised in Hanoi, I am Leyli NGUYEN, a passionate travel expert with years of experience exploring and guiding throughout Vietnam. Deeply in love with my home country, I am always on a quest for genuine local connections and rich cultural discoveries. Through my stories, I aim to share a vibrant and authentic perspective of Vietnam. If you have any questions about your upcoming trip, just leave a comment below. I would be more than happy to help!
Buon Ma Thuot sits on a basalt plateau at 536 meters in the Central Highlands and produces more coffee than any other city in Vietnam. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City start at 1,050,000 VND (~42 USD) and take under an hour, yet most international visitors skip it entirely. Plan 2 to 3 days here if you want waterfalls, Ede longhouse culture, and coffee that costs a fraction of what you pay in Hanoi or Saigon.
The Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) is Vietnam's coffee-growing, waterfall-chasing, ethnic-village-visiting interior, spread across five provinces between the coast and the Cambodian border. Most travelers skip it entirely for the beach towns east, which means fewer crowds, lower prices, and a side of Vietnam that feels unpolished in the best way. Plan 5 to 7 days to hit the highlights, or 3 days if you only want Dalat.
The best time to visit Vietnam is from March to April, the only stretch when the north, the centre and the south are all mostly dry and warm at once. If you are visiting one region, go to the north in October to November or March to April, the centre from February to August, and the south from December to April. Vietnam runs about 1,650 km from north to south, so there is always a region with good weather; the trick is matching the route to the month.
A Vietnam visa for Singaporeans is not required for stays of up to 30 days per entry, but you still need a passport valid for 6 months and, at the main airports, a free online arrival card; for a longer stay you need an e-visa, which costs $25 for a single entry and is valid for up to 90 days. This guide covers the Vietnam visa for Singapore citizens: the 30-day rule, the arrival card, the e-visa, fines and re-entry.
A Vietnam visa for New Zealand citizens is required for every trip, because New Zealand is not on Vietnam's visa-exemption list, and the simplest route is the official e-visa: $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries, valid for up to 90 days and normally issued within 3 working days of a complete application. This guide covers the cost in New Zealand dollars, the application steps, how a visa on arrival compares, and the date and photo errors that hold up applications.
Forget the sanitized brochures. This city is a beautiful, gasoline-scented riot that demands your full attention. To find the soul of the city, you must lean into the roar of ten million motorbikes and hunt for secrets hidden in the steam of street-side kitchens. Here is exactly what to do in Ho Chi Minh if you want to feel truly alive.
A Vietnam visa for Canadians is required for nearly every trip because Canada is not on Vietnam's exemption list, and the simplest route is the official e-visa, which costs $25 for a single entry or $50 for multiple entries, is valid for up to 90 days, and is usually issued within 3 working days of a complete application. This guide covers the fees, the documents, the visa on arrival, and the rules that catch Canadians out, from name matching to exit bans.
While the rest of the world is fighting for a spot on the beaches of Nha Trang or Da Nang, a raw and cinematic paradise is waiting just around the corner. Phú Yên Việt Nam is the last frontier of the central coast, a land of volcanic cliffs, empty horizons, and traditions that haven't been "sold" to the masses yet.
Most travelers just pass through the Mekong, but Sa Dec is where you stop to breathe. Beyond the fame of The Lover, this is a town of colonial ghosts and blooming gardens that feels like a living postcard.
Planning a trip to Vietnam's Central Highlands? Don't sleep on Kon Tum, a raw, hidden gem that completely bypasses the typical tourist crowds. This overlooked frontier offers the romantic, cool pine forests of Mang Den, totally uncommercialized Ba Na indigenous culture, and the legendary Indochina tri-border junction.
Planning to see a Vietnamese water puppet show but overwhelmed by theater choices and seating options? Originating in the 11th-century Red River Delta, Múa rối nước is a mesmerizing blend of folklore and live music.
Between the logistical hurdles of motorbike travel and the importance of respecting ethnic minority traditions, there is a lot to consider. We’ve put together this guide to share the ground truth about the Ha Giang Loop. By focusing on practical safety facts and genuine cultural etiquette, we hope to help you move beyond the photos and experience the region with clarity and respect.
If you've been trying to figure out how to extend your stay in Vietnam, you already know the rules seem to change every other week. Since you can't just 'renew' a tourist visa from your couch anymore, you need a solid plan. This guide breaks down your actual options, including the DIY steps for an internal extension and our top picks for a stress-free visa run that won't break the bank.
Vietnam visa exemption lets citizens of 39 countries enter without a visa for 14 to 90 days, depending on the passport. Twenty-four countries, mostly European plus Japan and South Korea, get 45 days under rules that run into 2028, while Americans, Australians and most other travellers need an e-visa.
Vietnam visa on arrival still works in 2026, but only for air travellers who already hold an approval letter from the Vietnam Immigration Department, arranged online through a licensed agency before the flight. On landing you pay a cash stamping fee, USD 25 for a single entry, at one of eight international airports. For most trips the USD 25 e-visa is simpler; visa on arrival earns its place when you need to fly within days, or within hours. Our airport team sees the difference every week: travellers who land with photos, clean dollar notes and a printed letter are usually through the counter in about fifteen minutes.
Planning a trip to Ha Long Bay can feel overwhelming with countless cruise options, unpredictable weather, and confusing transport logistics. This guide breaks down exactly how to choose the right bay, verify vessel safety, avoid tourist traps, and experience the emerald waters and limestone karsts ethically and efficiently.
Standing proudly over the Red River, Long Bien Bridge is an enduring symbol of Hanoi's local spirit and a must-see for cultural travelers.
You apply for a Vietnam e-visa yourself on the government portal at evisa.gov.vn: upload a passport scan and a white-background photo, pay USD 25 for a single entry or USD 50 for multiple entries, and download the PDF about three working days later. It covers stays of up to 90 days and works at 83 airports, land borders and seaports. The process takes about 20 minutes. Most of the delays we hear about come from the typing, not from immigration.
