If you have a Canadian passport, you can enter Vietnam with an e-visa obtained online Here before your departure. The tourist visa generally allows you to stay up to 90 days and can be issued for single or multiple entries.

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival, and that you have proof of onward travel (flight or bus ticket), as it may be requested at immigration.

Vietnam can be visited year-round, but conditions vary significantly depending on the region.

Generally, the best weather across most of the country is from November to April.

The rainy season affects the north and south between June and September, while central Vietnam is more impacted between October and December.

Typhoons can also occur between June and December, sometimes bringing heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in central areas.

If you plan to explore multiple regions in one trip, the months from February to April are often considered the most favorable overall.

Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia.

When traveling as a backpacker, it is possible to get by on around 25 to 45 CAD per day, including accommodation, food, and local transport. Street food is excellent and very inexpensive, making it easy to keep costs low while still fully enjoying the trip.

For a more comfortable budget with private hotels, some activities, and frequent travel, expect to spend around 50 to 100 CAD per day.

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND).

In Vietnam, you can book accommodation through Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld, or Airbnb.

Prices are often cheaper on arrival, but during high season, it’s better to book in advance.

Travel in Vietnam is easy, but can sometimes be long due to distance and varying road conditions. Roads can be winding, especially in mountainous areas, so journeys often take longer than expected.

To book buses, ferries, or long-distance travel, you can use 12Go Asia or book directly with local companies. Trains (the Reunification Express network) are also a good option for traveling from north to south.

Vietnam is, in my opinion, one of the most comfortable countries for overnight travel, especially thanks to sleeper buses, which are hard to find elsewhere in Southeast Asia at this level of comfort and organization.

In cities, taxis and scooters are easy to book through apps like Grab (the most widely used), and sometimes Gojek or Be depending on the region.

To ride a vehicle over 50cc, you must have an international driving permit.

ATMs in Vietnam are generally reliable in cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard usually work without issues, so withdrawing cash is quite straightforward.

In major cities, ATMs are widely available everywhere.

However, in more remote or mountainous regions, they are less common and sometimes out of service, so it is best to withdraw enough cash in advance before leaving major urban areas.

Always decline the ATM conversion (choose the local currency).

In Vietnam, there are a few common situations to be aware of.

Taxis without meters may overcharge, so always agree on a price in advance or use Grab to avoid issues.

In markets, prices are sometimes higher for tourists, so it’s worth checking and negotiating calmly.

Avoid exchanging money on the street and instead use official banks or exchange offices.

For scooters, be careful about pre-existing damage or unnecessary repair charges when renting.

Finally, compare prices for tours and excursions before booking, especially in very touristy areas.

For travel to Vietnam, no vaccines are mandatory, but it is generally recommended to be up to date on routine vaccines such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus.

Regarding malaria, there is a risk in certain areas of Vietnam and at certain times of the year. Malaria is a serious mosquito-borne disease. Preventive medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and travel period. It is advised to consult a pharmacist or a travel clinic before departure to determine whether medication is necessary in your case.

Vietnam is generally considered safe, and travelers usually feel comfortable in their day-to-day experience.

However, there are a few things to be aware of. Cybercrime does exist, especially on public Wi-Fi networks, so it is best to avoid sensitive transactions without protection.

There have also been cases of alcohol poisoning linked to counterfeit alcohol, so it is safer to drink only in reputable places.

Internet access can sometimes be restricted, with certain websites or services blocked, and there may be some level of monitoring of communications.

In terms of physical safety, some rural areas may still contain landmines or unexploded ordnance, particularly in regions such as Quảng Trị or near certain borders, so it is important to stay on marked paths and well-known routes.

For solo female travelers, the country is generally considered safe, with few reported issues, especially in tourist areas.

From my own experience, I felt safe in Vietnam. I even moved around at night without problems and never encountered uncomfortable situations. However, this is only my personal experience and may differ from yours. As in any destination, it is important to stay aware and take basic precautions.

In Vietnam, it is very easy to stay connected. You can buy a local SIM card directly at the airport or in cities (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone), often with a large amount of data for a low price.

Network coverage is good in cities and most tourist areas, but can be weaker in mountainous or remote regions.

Wi-Fi is also widely available in hotels, cafés, and restaurants.

There are also eSIM options, which are convenient if you want to set everything up before arriving without changing a physical SIM card.

Vietnamese society is relatively conservative, so it is important to adopt a respectful attitude. In religious and cultural sites, dress modestly, behave discreetly, respect local traditions, and ask permission before taking photos of people.

Gambling is illegal except in licensed casinos, which usually require foreign passports for entry.

Lunar New Year (Tết), celebrated between late January and late February, is the most important holiday of the year. During this period, many services may slow down or close, including banks, transportation, and shops, so it is important to plan your trip accordingly.

It is also good to know that politeness and calm behavior are highly valued in daily interactions, especially in public spaces and transportation.

Showing respect to elders and avoiding overly demonstrative behavior in public is also part of local social norms.

Vietnam is a very budget-friendly destination if you make a few smart choices.

Eat local at small restaurants or street food stalls—it’s often delicious and much cheaper than tourist restaurants.

Use overnight sleeper buses to save on a night of accommodation while traveling between cities.

For transportation, always compare prices and use apps like Grab instead of regular taxis.

Book accommodation on Agoda or Booking, but also check prices on arrival in less touristy areas to negotiate better deals.

Avoid buying tours directly from street vendors without comparing, as prices can vary a lot.

Traveling outside peak tourist seasons also helps significantly reduce costs for both accommodation and activities.

Local buses are even cheaper than tourist buses if you have more time.

Withdrawing larger amounts of cash at once also helps reduce ATM fees.

There are no laws against 2ELGBTQI+ people, but society remains relatively conservative, so the level of acceptance can vary depending on regions and generations.

Overall, 2ELGBTQI+ travelers visit the country without major difficulties, especially when staying within typical tourist contexts.

For traveling between cities, I used 12Go Asia or bought tickets directly at the station—both options work well.

In cities, I used the local transport network and Grab.

For the Ha Giang Loop, I booked through a hostel (Riverside Hostel), which is often the easiest and most popular way to organize it.

For a cruise in Ha Long Bay, I also booked through a hostel (Halong Backpacker Hostel).

For the trek in Sapa, I went through a hostel (name forgotten), but in reality there are plenty of options available once you arrive, so you can simply shop around and choose based on your budget and preferences.