Vietnam Travel Guide & Advice

Vietnam contains a perfect blend of frenetic cities, untouched countryside and island hideaways, which promise to leave any independent traveller breathless. The cities retain the grandeur of their colonial past, the wide boulevards and narrow alleyways alive with iconic cyclos, and the air thick with tempting aromas. By travelling further afield in Vietnam you'll discover fascinating mountain villages, spectacular terraced rice paddies, and dramatic limestone columns rising up from misty waters. The cuisine in Vietnam is a wonderful blend of the best Asia that has to offer. Pho noodle soup with fresh herbs is simply mouth watering and has many travellers obsessed after the first try! There are also many patisseries serving wonderful delicate cakes of every description which you can wash down with delicious fresh coffee. The Vietnamese people have big personalities, and will welcome you into their country with great warmth and pride.

The climate in Vietnam can be divided into three different zones - North Vietnam, Central Vietnam, and South Vietnam. In North Vietnam it is humid and subtropical, while South Vietnam enjoys a tropical climate all year round, with the central region lying somewhere in-between. As Vietnam is a long, narrow country climatic conditions vary considerably, with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 35°C. Due to higher altitudes, it's generally coolest in the mountains - sometimes even freezing in the winter.

All British passport holders must obtain a visa before arriving in Vietnam. An application form can be downloaded from the embassy website. This must be completed and signed before being sent, along with your passport, a passport photo and the visa fee, to the Vietnamese embassy. The visa will cost around £38 and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date to the UK.

Travellers health in Vietnam. Alongside the general advice given here, ensure that you have the correct vaccinations for where you are going on holiday and remain as healthy as possible before you leave. Of course it's important that you avoid becoming ill while you are away so remember to stay alert: when in doubt, consult a doctor.

Although the transport in Vietnam has been less than efficient in the past, things have greatly improved over the last decade. For longer journeys you can travel by train, bus or, if you are in a rush, by plane with Vietnam’s very own low cost airline. A great way to get around Vietnam’s towns and cities is to hire a bicycle, but you can also hail a moto or a cyclo for a more exhilarating ride.

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