To visit Vietnam you will most likely need a visa. Some nationalities, like the UK, are granted visa exemptions, but most travellers will need to obtain a visa to visit Vietnam (check for your nationality). Thankfully there is now an online e-visa portal through which you can apply for your Vietnam visa (check if your nationality is eligible). The e-visa costs $25 USD and a printed copy needs to be presented with your passport at immigration. Apply for an e-visa on the official website here.
The e-visa only offers a single entry so if you wish to leave and return to Vietnam you will need to apply for a Visa on Arrival. A visa on arrival is more complex to apply for; either you need to go to your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate to apply, or you need to obtain a visa approval letter from an independent party. The Vietnam Tourism website shares information on how to do this.
For the current COVID entry requirements, check out this post. As of March 2022 there is no quarantine and no vaccine requirement to visit Vietnam. However, the Vietnamese government are only issuing e-visas at this time (summer 2022).
What is the currency in Vietnam?
The only legal currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). There is sometimes confusion as tours and accommodation often quote prices in USD, however, you are always expected to pay for things in VND. The only thing you might need to pay for in USD is your visa if entering with a Visa on Arrival.
On average, $1 USD ~ 23k VND / £1 GBP ~ 30k VND / €1 EUR ~ 25k VND.
Throughout my site, you will see prices for things written in VND, normally with a “k” to denote thousands.
What plugs do they use in Vietnam?
The majority of plug sockets in Vietnam are suitable for both type A (flat two-prong pins) and type C plugs (round two-prong pins). If you don’t have a suitable adaptor you can often find them in FamilyMarts around tourist hotspots.
How to get a SIM card and mobile data
Vietnam is one of the best-connected countries in Asia, with wifi available everywhere from cafes and restaurants to minimarts and even on buses. Having mobile data is not essential for travelling around Vietnam.
However, SIM cards and data are cheap and easy to set up so the convenience might be worth it. If you’re motorbiking in Vietnam then I consider it essential to have mobile data for safety reasons.
The two main mobile providers in Vietnam are Mobifone and Viettel (I’ve been using the same Viettel SIM for 3+ years). SIM cards can be purchased at most of the ports of entry, as well as many of the tech stores like TheGioiDiDong or directly through a Viettel or Mobifone store. Mobile data top-ups can be purchased online through websites like Payoo or Ding.com, or at minimarts by asking the teller for a “Payoo top-up”.