Vietnam

A 1,650-kilometre spine from the limestone karsts of Ha Long to the Mekong Delta, stitched together by the Reunification Express and a national obsession with food. Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand, busier, and rewards travellers who slow down.

Photo: Kuroczynski · CC BY-SA 4.0

CapitalHanoi

CurrencyVNDVietnamese dong · 25,699.00 per USD (Nov 05, indicative)

LanguagesVietnamese; English common in tourism and among younger people

Plugs and voltageA, C, F (220 V)

Drivingright

Emergency113 police, 115 ambulance

U.S. advisoryLevel 1Vietnam - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions ·

Entry and visas

Vietnam issues a 90-day e-visa (single or multiple entry) to citizens of all countries through the official immigration portal, and grants visa exemptions of up to 45 days to a list of mostly European and some Asian nationalities. The e-visa portal is the only official channel; many look-alike sites charge extra.

Passport	Category	Max days	Verified
US	e-Visa Apply online through the official immigration portal (evisa.gov.vn) before travel; single or multiple entry, up to 90 days.	90	Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗
CA	e-Visa Apply online through the official portal; single or multiple entry, up to 90 days.	90	Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗
AU	e-Visa Apply online through the official portal; single or multiple entry, up to 90 days.	90	Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗
GB	Visa exemption Unilateral visa exemption for 45 days (extended from 15 in August 2023); the e-Visa is available for longer stays.	45	Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗
DE	Visa exemption Unilateral visa exemption for 45 days for citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and several others; e-Visa for longer stays.	45	Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗

Remote work and long stays

No dedicated nomad visa (up to 90 days): Vietnam has no remote-work visa; most remote workers use consecutive 90-day e-Visas. Working for a Vietnamese employer requires a work permit. official source ↗
Last verified Oct 19, 2026

Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →

Safety

Petty theft and bag snatching from motorbikes in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the main concern; keep phones away from the kerb. Traffic is the biggest physical risk. Typhoons affect the central coast from September to November.

Official advisory: Vietnam - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗

Health

Dengue and food hygiene are the practical issues. Rabies is present; avoid street dogs and monkeys. International clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City handle most problems; serious cases are evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore.

Money

The dong trades at roughly 25,000 to the dollar, so prices look enormous. ATMs dispense limited amounts (2 to 5 million dong) with fees; cash still dominates outside cities. Card acceptance is improving fast in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tipping: Not customary; small tips appreciated for guides and spa staff · Tap water: Not drinkable; bottled or boiled only

Getting around

Sleeper buses are cheap and notorious; trains are slower, safer and more comfortable. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Bamboo Airways cover domestic hops cheaply. Grab (cars and motorbikes) is the default in cities.

SIMs and connectivity

Viettel has the best coverage, followed by Vinaphone and Mobifone; tourist SIMs with 4 to 6 GB a day cost a few dollars at the airport. eSIMs from Viettel are available.