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Transport & visa tips

Practical planning notes

Visas, flights, domestic transport, Grab and SIMs — a quick briefing before you go.

Important: Visa and entry rules change. This is general travel information — confirm with Vietnam Immigration, your nearest consulate and your airline before departure.

1. Visas & entry

Requirements depend on your passport. Some nationalities enjoy short visa-free stays; others need an e-Visa or embassy visa. Always check the latest official rules for your document type.

  • Passport validity of at least 6 months is commonly recommended
  • Return/onward tickets and hotel details may be requested
  • Stays beyond exemption limits usually need an e-Visa or other visa in advance
  • Different passport types (e.g. BN(O)) can have different rules — verify separately

E-Visa

Apply on the official Vietnam Immigration e-Visa site only. Beware of lookalike sites. Allow several working days; fees follow the official schedule.

Arrival forms

Some airports use electronic or paper arrival forms — have your address and flight details ready. Large amounts of cash may need declaration.

2. Flights

Popular airports

  • Hanoi (HAN) — north hub for Ha Long, Sapa, Ninh Binh
  • Da Nang (DAD) — central; easy for Hoi An / Hue
  • Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) — south hub; springboard to Mui Ne, Vung Tau, Da Lat
  • Phu Quoc (PQC) — direct or via domestic connections

Airlines

Full-service and low-cost carriers compete on major routes. Prices swing around Lunar New Year, summer and long holidays — book early. Check cabin baggage rules carefully on LCCs.

Airport transfers

  • Grab or official taxis are usually easiest; avoid unmarked “bargaining” cars
  • Hanoi and HCMC have airport buses into town
  • Allow buffer for HCMC rush-hour traffic

3. Domestic: trains, buses, flights

Domestic flights

North–south distances are long. Hanoi ↔ HCMC is about 2 hours by air and often beats overnight trains/buses on time. VietJet, Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo and others keep fares competitive if booked ahead.

Trains

  • The Reunification Express runs the length of the country; soft/hard sleepers suit overnight trips
  • For Sapa, ride to Lao Cai then transfer uphill by van/bus
  • Book via official channels or trusted agents; peak trains sell out

Long-distance / sleeper buses

Operators such as The Sinh Tourist and Futabus are common. Cheap but long and winding — overnight rides save a hotel night; watch your bags.

Short hops

  • Da Nang ↔ Hoi An: Grab/taxi/hotel car ~45 minutes
  • Hanoi ↔ Ha Long / Ninh Binh: day tours or private cars are common
  • HCMC ↔ Vung Tau: bus ~2–3 hours; Mui Ne is longer

4. Grab & getting around cities

  • Grab works well in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang and other large cities (car and bike)
  • Registration needs SMS; cards or cash may be available depending on city
  • Xe ôm (motorbike taxis) are cheap — wear a helmet
  • Rental scooters: check brakes and battery; some old-town lanes are nicer on foot
  • Crossing streets: walk steadily with the flow; don’t freeze mid-crossing

5. SIM & eSIM

  • Airports and convenience stores sell Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone tourist SIMs
  • Passport registration is required; staff usually help activate
  • Pick a data tourist pack (often 7–30 days); check if calls are included
  • eSIM can be bought online before you fly — skip the queue
  • Hotel Wi‑Fi is widespread; highland signal (Sapa) can be patchy

Money

  • Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
  • ATMs are common; tell your bank you’ll travel
  • Street stalls are mostly cash; restaurants/hotels often take cards

6. Quick checklist

  • Passport validity and visa / exemption days
  • Return flights and first-night accommodation (digital is fine)
  • Travel insurance (medical + delay)
  • Grab downloaded; offline maps optional
  • SIM or eSIM plan
  • Small USD/hard-currency buffer + withdraw VND on arrival

Pair with the budget calculator and packing list.