Vietnam

Vietnam is fascinating in every season, but traveling during the rainy season (May-October) can be uncomfortable. Keep in mind that the climate varies significantly from north to south: while the central and southern regions might offer ideal conditions, the north of the country is likely to experience rain. The best time to travel to Vietnam is during the dry season (November-April). During these months, the weather is generally more stable and pleasant (though very hot). Regardless of the period chosen, Vietnam will offer breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities that will make your trip unforgettable.

To visit Vietnam, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. For Italian citizens, a visa is no longer required for stays up to 45 days (updated in March 2025). However, if you plan to stay up to 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa through the official website. For stays longer than 90 days, a specific visa must be obtained before departure. We recommend always checking the latest information on official websites, such as the Vietnam Embassy.

The Vietnamese currency is the Dong (VND). In Vietnam, we always paid with cash, using credit/debit cards only on rare occasions. We recommend withdrawing money from local ATMs (with a small fee) or exchanging it at authorized exchange centers, absolutely avoiding the airport, where rates are usually higher. Remember that negotiating prices is part of the culture, so the better you are at it, the less you’ll pay!

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. English is not spoken by everyone, and in some situations, communication can be difficult, but it is fairly widespread in larger cities, especially among the younger generation. Vietnamese culture is deeply influenced by Confucianism, while Buddhism and Taoism play an important role in daily beliefs and rituals. In several cities, you will notice the strong French influence in both the architecture and the food, contributing to a unique blend of modernity and tradition.

As you may have guessed, we weren’t completely won over by Vietnamese cuisine, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. Did you know it’s one of the most loved cuisines by travelers in Southeast Asia? We recommend tasting as many dishes as possible: here are the ones we tried. Phở, the famous noodle soup with meat and spices; Bánh mì, a kind of baguette stuffed with coriander, vegetables, and meat; Gỏi cuốn, fresh rice paper rolls filled with shrimp and vegetables; Cà phê trứng, the famous egg coffee from Hanoi (which we absolutely loved!); and, finally, our favorite: Cà phê dừa, a coconut coffee that’s simply heavenly!

Vietnam offers accommodations for every budget. We chose guesthouses and homestays, booked through Booking and Airbnb, which were ideal for saving money and experiencing local hospitality. Unlike other countries, we only had breakfast included once, so if this is an important aspect for you, we recommend checking the services offered carefully before booking. One aspect we really appreciated was the helpfulness of the hosts; they will be ready to assist with any need.

IThe best way to get around the cities in Vietnam is by renting a scooter at a good price (always negotiate!) and with an international driving license. If the traffic scares you, use the Grab or GoJek apps for private motorbikes and cars. Many homestays offer bikes for rent for a more relaxed exploration. To travel between cities, night buses are cheap but not very comfortable, while trains, which are more expensive, offer an alternative we didn’t try.