Wishlist
Vietnam
Motorbike energy, incredible street food, and Ha Long Bay's limestone cliffs.
Vietnam runs from Hanoi's Old Quarter chaos through Hoi An's lantern-lit streets to Ho Chi Minh City's fast-forward pace, with Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta as natural bookends.
Capital
Hanoi
Currency
Vietnamese đồng
Timezone
ICT (UTC+7)
Daily budget
~$45/day
Language
Vietnamese
Best seasons
Autumn (Aug–Oct, north)
Safety
Generally safe; traffic (especially crossing streets) is the main hazard to learn quickly.
Getting around
Sleeper trains and buses run the length of the country; motorbike rental is common but chaotic.
Internet & SIM
Very cheap prepaid SIMs at the airport; cash still preferred outside cities.