Vietnam Travel Articles
Vietnam Travel Deals: A Travel Brief.
Find below some answers to some common questions about travel to Vietnam.
When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?
All year is fine! It is cool in Hanoi and North Vietnam in Dec through to Feb (17-20 degrees). It is always warm to hot in southern Vietnam and hot throughout the country (35 degrees) June to August.
Wet season for most of Vietnam is May – Oct but this doesn’t normally impact on travel and the country is arguably at its most beautiful at this time.
Cloudy skies and misty conditions usually prevail during the winter in the north.
Visitors should note that around Tet, the Vietnamese New Year celebration which falls in late January or early February, flights into, out of and around the country are likely to be booked solid, and accommodation can be almost impossible to find. We can help you find the best travel deals.
This is more than just a one day event so for at least a week before and two weeks after Tet you are likely to encounter some difficulties in booking hotels and flights.
How Safe is Travel to Vietnam?
Vietnam is a relatively safe country. Travellers to Ho Chi Minh City and to a lesser extent Hanoi should be conscious of pick-pocketing. There is no risk to travellers by land mines or other residue of war.
What Health Precautions or Issues Exist in Vietnam?
We strongly recommend clients consult their preferred doctor for the most up to date advice on the best health precautions.
Vietnamese Travel Visas
All travellers to Vietnam require a valid visa – tourist visas are of 1 month validity. Visas MUST be obtained in advance and cannot be issued on arrival. Your passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity.
What is the Local Currency?
The Vietnam Dong is local currency, although US Dollars are also accepted throughout – a mix of USD and travellers cheques is advised. Credit cards are accepted in cities, much less so in provinces, and often attract a service fee. Some banks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have 24-hr ATM’s for credit card withdrawals.
Departure Tax From Vietnam
International is US$12 per person from Saigon, or US$14 from Hanoi. This is subject to change.
Vietnam Travel Deals: What to pack
As a general guide, comfortable casual and semi-casual clothes are best for day-time with smart casual clothes for evening wear. Clothing made of natural fibres is best in tropical and sub-tropical climates, and as with hats should provide adequate protection from the sun. Take shoes for walking which provide comfort and support and have a non-slip sole. Sandals are also advisable.
Getting To Vietnam
Thai International, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are among the main carriers into Vietnam, with arrivals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Airfares are approx $1,599 low season. It is sometimes possible to obtain more favourable fares and better travel deals when purchasing in conjunction with land arrangements. Let us help.
Travel Deals Vietnam
Travel Deals Vietnam: Overview
Vietnam is a country with a past as rich as the soil in the blazing green deltas.
If you decide to travel to Vietnam, you will get to experience some truly unique sites and culture.
Vietnam’s past reads like a romantic legend, full of heroic struggle and astounding victories whereby this small country retained its culture,. It did this by absorbing and adapting the strengths of its foes but never losing its traditions or sense of history.
Vietnam Travel: Traditions
In Vietnam, traditions carry real meaning. Ancient heroes are still venerated at colourful temple festivals, people honour their ancestors, and village elders teach values of hard work, hospitality, and filial loyalty.
With 54 ethnic groups, most of whom live in remote areas and follow age-old customs, Vietnam offers unparalleled opportunities for cultural exploration.
Vietnamese people describe their country as a bamboo shoulder pole slung with two baskets of rice – the fertile southern Mekong Delta and the northern Red River Delta.
Vietnam Travel: Nature
From these lowland paddy fields stretch vast rubber plantations, rolling hills covered with thick jungle, and jagged mountains standing more than 3,000 metres high. Over 3,200 km of coastline features endless stretches of white sand beaches.
There is spectacular natural scenery and historic sites. Vietnam’s greatest resource is its friendly, welcoming people. Long closed to the outside world, Vietnam retains a charming innocence that most tourist and travel regions lack.
Yet in the decade since the country opened its doors to visitors, the country has built world-class hotels and tourism facilities, with international standards and traditional Vietnamese hospitality.
Vietnam Travel Deals
Travel deals to Vietnam are great value.
Vietnam is ready to take you on an unforgettable travel adventure. Let us help you select from the best Vietnam travel deals. At Adventure World we have the experience, knowledge and buying power to find the best deal to suit your budget and situation.
Vietnam Travel Deals
Vietnam Travel Packages: Cycling
Cycling in Vietnam is without a doubt the best way to explore and experience a destination.
And right now, Adventure World have the right travel deals to suit you.
Without barriers between you and the environment you can take it all in one push of the pedal at a time.
But you may have not known that nowhere is this more true than in Vietnam – a country dominated by two-wheeled vehicles and where most of the people in the country live outside the major cities along the rural roads.
Clients will enjoy a leisurely riding pace through inspiring scenery with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos and meet the local people.
They will see many of Vietnam’s daily rituals carried out along the country’s roadsides – from market shopping to rice harvesting and colourful funeral processions – Cycling Vietnam is the best way to gain a true insight into the lives and landscapes of this fascinating country.
Travel Indochina have a 19 day Cycling Vietnam package in September at $3,100 [Twin share]. For more details on Cycling Vietnam and other travel packages and deals in South East Asia please contact us to request free information.
For a full list of all Vietnam travel deals, and for a free quote, click below.
Vietnam Travel Deals
Vietnam Travel Deals: More Top Tips
We’ve been dealing with Kiwi travellers to Vietnam for years.
And over that time we’ve picked up useful tips not just from our clients, but from our own travel experiences to Vietnam.
Browse below to learn some handy pointers and tips that will help you with your next travel journey to Vietnam.
We pride ourselves on giving you the best range and best value Vietnam travel deals in New Zealand. For a FREE quote and friendly, no-pressure assistance, please click below.
Which travel destinations in Vietnam are most popular?
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – history, wide boulevards, interesting Chinatown, big city bustle
- Mekong Delta – travel the narrow waterways by sampan and see floating markets, and everyday life of locals
- Cu Chi Tunnels – amazing remnants of a bitter war
- Dalat – former French hill station. Fresh mountain air, colourful markets
- Nha Trang – beaches and seafood!
- Hoi An – ancient streets, colourful markets, oozing history, great tailors!
- Hue – remnants of a royal past, take a cruise on the Perfume River, explore quiet streets
- Hanoi – amazing Old Quarter with great street scenes, people watching and shopping! French architecture.
- Halong Bay – take a day cruise out amongst the limestone islands, relaxing and scenic
- Sapa – where all the colourful minorities are, spectacular mountainous region.
We have a comprehensive range of Vietnam travel deals to suit any budget or taste.
What are the top travel activities/sights to see or do in Vietnam?
- Vietnamese cooking classes (great fun, and one of the best Asian cuisines) – our culinary tours are very popular!
- Shopping! Getting clothes tailored. Great handbags.
- Cycling allows more interaction with locals, up-close scenery, rural sights etc
Has Vietnam’s popularity increased since it has opened up and the country has become more peaceful?
Undoubtedly. Its now a really safe and friendly place to visit. The people really look to the future.
Is Vietnam becoming as popular as places such as Thailand or does it still have along way to go?
It has become a really popular place with travellers who have perhaps been to Thailand already, and are looking for something more than a beach holiday. Its history, and the way the Vietnamese have hung on to their culture and traditions is a huge attraction.
Also, the infrastructure has improved vastly in recent years, meaning there are resorts, hotels and attractions to match any other major destination.
Have you seen an increase in tourists visiting Vietnam?
Absolutely, Vietnam has been one of our ‘ascending star’ destinations over the past few years, with significant growth in passenger numbers. Our main suppliers in Vietnam for both FIT and small group travel have been very impressed with these levels of growth.
Is it easy to obtain a travel visa for Vietnam?
Yes!
Does your travel agent do that for you?
Yes, we can do that.
How long should you allow for the travel visa to arrive?
According to Travcour, 5 to 10 working days (depending on visa)
Travel Deals Vietnam
