Practical information Vietnam

Yes, except for stays of less than 45 days for French, German, Italian, Spanish and some other European nationals, who have been exempt since August 2023. Beyond that, or for other nationalities, the e-visa is the simplest solution: 90 days, multiple entries, 25 dollars, to request on the official website evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn between 7 and 30 days before departure. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date and have at least two blank pages. Print the e-visa in two copies; agents at Noi Bai or Tan Son Nhat airport will verify it upon arrival. For longer stays or specific multi-entry visas, contact the embassy.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Vietnam from France, except yellow fever if you arrive from a country where it is endemic. We recommend being up to date with DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis), hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. For long stays, treks in remote areas of the north, or trips with children, also discuss rabies and Japanese encephalitis with your doctor. Malaria is residual and only affects certain rural border areas with Cambodia and Laos, not standard itineraries. Dengue is present year-round, especially during the rainy season: anti-mosquito protection day and night. Consultation recommended 4 to 6 weeks before departure.

For a mid-range organized tour with an English-speaking guide, private driver, 3-star hotels and most meals included, expect 80 to 110 euros per day per person excluding international flights. In backpacker budget version, you can go down to 30-40 euros per day. Conversely, luxury tours with boutique hotels and private junks in Halong Bay run 200-300 euros per day. A few reference points: a bowl of pho on the street 1 to 2 euros, a restaurant meal 6 to 12 euros, a local beer 1 euro, a Hanoi-Da Nang flight 50 to 90 euros depending on the season. The international Paris-Hanoi flight runs around 700 to 1100 euros.

Vietnam has not one but three climate seasons depending on the region. The north (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong) is pleasant from October to April, cool in winter, hot and humid in summer. The center (Hué, Hoi An, Da Nang) experiences a dry season from February to August and sometimes heavy rains from October to November. The south (Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc) is dry from December to April, humid from May to November with brief showers. The best windows for a complete north-south circuit are March-April and October-November, avoiding the Tet festival (late January or February depending on the year) when the country slows down.

For long distances, we prioritize domestic flights: Hanoi-Da Nang or Hanoi-Saigon take 1 to 2 hours for €50 to €100, versus 17 to 30 hours by train. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways serve all major cities. Overnight trains remain enjoyable for Hanoi-Sapa (8 hours in a sleeper cabin) or Hue-Da Nang (scenic daytime route). On the itineraries we organize, a car with private driver is the standard: comfortable, flexible, approximately €80 to €120 per day all-inclusive. Avoid renting a car without a driver—traffic is intense and road rules are quite loose. Scooters are possible in quieter areas like Hoi An or Phu Quoc.

Yes, Vietnam is among the safest countries in Southeast Asia for travelers. Violent crime is rare, even in major cities. The main risks are petty theft (bag or phone snatching from scooters in Saigon and Hanoi), common tourist scams (tampered taxis, fake guides, overcharging in certain old quarter restaurants), and above all dense traffic where the scooter reigns. Cross streets slowly and regularly, don't run. Avoid tap water, prefer bottled or filtered water. If you encounter any problems, our team in Hanoi is available 24/7 during your stay. No areas are currently discouraged.