All you need to know before traveling to Vietnam

A trip to Vietnam is guaranteed to give you a change of scenery, a unique experience and a feast for all your senses. Dalat, the Mekong Delta, Saigon or the famous Along Bay... The whole country is full of must-see places, not to mention the dozens of paradise islands that line the country. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip to Vietnam.

What documents do I need to travel to Vietnam?

Visas

Swiss nationals need a visa to stay in Vietnam for less than 15 days (including entry and exit) (only French nationals are exempt).

For holidays with several entries or for a stay of more than 15 days in Vietnam, you need to apply for a visa, and there are two possible options:

- For less than 30 days, you can apply for an e-visa on Vietnam's national immigration website. It's quick and easy, and all you need is a credit card and your passport. For up to 30 days and a single entry, it will cost you around US$25 and you will receive your e-visa within 3 working days. All you have to do is print it out at home.

- For more than 30 days or multiple entries, you need to apply for a visa at the Vietnamese Embassy (70 chf): go there with the NA1 visa application form, your passport and a passport photo, the letter of authorisation issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Department and a means of payment. This can take up to 30 days, so be sure to think about it before you leave.

Please note that no matter how long your trip to Vietnam lasts, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your stay. No visa can be extended or renewed on the spot.

Consult the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website before you leave, for information on the situation in the country, administrative documents, medical care and useful addresses.

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How to plan your trip to Vietnam

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

The ideal time to travel to the extremities of Vietnam is from November to April, as this is the dry season, with fairly pleasant temperatures and little rain. If you want to go to the centre of the country, February to July is the best time to avoid the rain.

Throughout the year, Vietnam enjoys a tropical and subtropical climate, with average temperatures of 32 degrees.

As the country stretches from north to south, the climate will vary according to the region you visit:

In the north, the best time to visit is between November and April.
In the south, between December and April
In the center, preferably between February and June.

Don't go during the rainy season, especially between August and September when typhoons are common.

What budget should you allow for travel to Vietnam?

Not surprisingly, the cost of living in Vietnam is much lower than in Switzerland. Plan on a budget of around 30 Swiss francs per person per day:

- 30-40 chf for a room for 2 in a hotel
- 5-10 chf for meals per person
- Less than 1 chf for transport

Tours for a trip to Vietnam

There's a lot to discover in Vietnam. That's why we often recommend taking a tour to see as much as possible. Hanoi, Hô Chi Minh, Ninh Binh, Halong, Hué, Hoi An, Can Tho, Vinh Long... there's no end of must-see places all over the country. If you don't want to miss a thing, plan your tour before you leave or ask a travel agency for advice.

We still recommend that you don't miss the following nuggets:

Halong Bay: discover this natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hanoi: stroll through the old quarter with its traditional stores and narrow streets.
Ancient city of Hội An, visit this historic town and its impressive colonial buildings.
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park: stand in awe of its incredible caves and magnificent scenery.
Hô Chi Minh-Ville: spend some time at the Museum of Resistance and stroll through the Ben Thanh market.
A cruise on the Mekong: discover floating villages and local cuisine.

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What to eat in Vietnam

Vietnamese cuisine is famous for its freshness, flavors and diversity of tastes. Here are a few must-try dishes:

Main dishes

Phở: rice noodle soup with beef or chicken, seasoned with fresh herbs and lime.
Bánh mì: Vietnamese sandwich with a crispy baguette, filled with meat, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs and sauce.
Bún chả: grilled pork dumplings traditionally accompanied by rice vermicelli, fresh herbs and a sweet-and-sour fish sauce.
Gỏi cuốn: fresh spring rolls, most often stuffed with shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli and herbs. Served with auhoisin and peanut butter sauce.

Desserts

Chè: sweet dessert made with beans, fruit and jelly, often accompanied by crushed ice and coconut milk.
Bánh da lợn: a cake made from rice flour and mung bean paste, with a hint of pandan leaf.

Drinks

Cà phê sữa đá: Vietnamese coffee iced with sweetened condensed milk.
Nước mía: freshly squeezed sugar cane juice.

Vietnamese cuisine often features fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables and savory sauces, creating a harmony between sweet, salty, sour and bitter.

Why take out travel insurance for Vietnam?

Taking out travel insurance for holidays in Vietnam is strongly recommended to cover any urgent health expenses, but not only that.

Quality of medical facilities in Vietnam

This may vary according to the hospital you visit. The level of service will be better in a private facility than in a public one, where doctors may not speak English.

Reimbursement of medical expenses in Vietnam

If you do not have travel insurance, medical expenses will be partially reimbursed by your compulsory insurance, but you will still have to pay a sum that may be substantial. With Europ Assistance's travel insurance, you will be reimbursed for medical care up to 250,000 chf (costs related to the Covid-19 infection are also taken into account) and we will organise your medical repatriation if your state of health requires it. But that's not all.

As well as covering the costs of your recovery, leaving with Europ Assistance means you can benefit from other essential guarantees and assistance services to deal with the unexpected before and during your trip to Vietnam, starting with the trip cancellation guarantee so you can finally book your holiday without worrying about losing money if you can't go. And let's not forget other guarantees such as luggage insurance, search & rescue, unforeseen expenses (for example if you lose your travel documents), dog & cat insurance extension, concierge service, etc.

Find out more about all the cover included in Europ Assistance policies.

How many hours should you allow before your flight to Vietnam?

Airlines advise you to arrive at least 3 hours before your flight so that you have plenty of time to check in your baggage, pass through security and customs and get to the boarding gate on time and without stress.

Are any vaccinations required to travel to Vietnam?

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travelling to Vietnam. However, we recommend checking that you are up to date with your compulsory vaccinations and booster shots (DTP, MMR). Depending on how you are going to travel to Vietnam (as an adventurer, for example), you may want to consider other vaccines to protect you, such as typhoid fever, hepatitis A and B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis. You should also bear in mind that some of these vaccines require second doses a few weeks after the first, so don't leave it to the last minute. Some of these vaccines are also given in very specific centres (often large hospitals or vaccination centres), so check how long it takes to get an appointment.

As well as vaccinations, remember to protect yourself against diseases that can be transmitted by mosquitoes (malaria, zika, chikungunya), so wear protective clothing and spray with insecticide.