We leave you with a list of recommendations, answers and advice to help you plan your trip to Vietnam.
There is no doubt that traveling to Vietnam is one of the dreams of many, both those who have not yet set foot in Asia and all those who are already in love with this part of the world.
It is not for less because Vietnam is undoubtedly one of the most authentic and unique countries you can know today. The beauty of its landscapes, the originality of its people and the constant sensation of intensity and adventure make it one of the best destinations you can visit today.
It is expected that if you plan a trip to Vietnam, you are a bundle of nerves and are assailed by such daily doubts about how and in what way to choose to visit it. That is why with this post, we intend to clarify a little many of those doubts and direct you that you enjoy everything that this country has to offer you in the best way.
Can you travel to Vietnam? COVID Requirements
Yes, it is now possible to travel as a tourist to Vietnam. On March 15, 2022, the government decided to reopen its borders and accept foreign tourists.
The requirements to be able to travel to Vietnam without the need for quarantine are:
- COVID vaccination certificate with the complete guideline.
- PRC is carried out 72 hours before shipment or professional antigen test in the previous 24 hours.
- Travel insurance with covid coverage with at least USD 10,000 in medical expenses.
Once the results of the COVID test are known, a health form must also be filled out, which you will find here.
Therefore, if this trip was one of your dreams, good news! It is possible to do it again.
We update this post regularly, but just in case, you can check all the updated official information here.
Visa to travel to Vietnam from Spain
Now that you know about the health requirements, the next obvious question would be, do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam? The answer depends on the duration of your trip.
- If you have Spanish nationality, it is not necessary to apply for a travel visa to Vietnam, and you can take advantage of the visa exception for Spaniards on all trips of 15 days or less.
- If your trip is longer than 15 days, you must apply for a visa to travel to Vietnam. For this, you can do it either on arrival at your arrival at the destination airport or request it before leaving with the online visa.
The latter is undoubtedly the most recommended way since it will avoid different procedures at the airport.
The online visa allows you to enter the country for 30 days, it costs $25, and you can request it on the official websites of the Vietnamese government through this link.
Once accepted, the visa will be sent to your email address, and you must take it with you when traveling to the country.
Travelling to Vietnam from Spain has many options from the main airports such as Madrid and Barcelona. There are no direct flights to Vietnam from Spain, and you will have to make a stopover in an intermediate country, the most common being Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar or the United Arab Emirates.
Vietnam has two main airports:
• In the south of the country, the Tan Son Nhat (SGN) airport is located in the city of Ho Chi Minh (former Saigon).
• In the north, Noi Bai Airport (HAN) is located in the country’s capital, Hanoi.
There are also several international airports in the country’s centre from which you can quickly fly back to Spain. The main ones are Da Nang airport, which is very convenient to finish or start your trip in Hue or Hoy An, or Phu Quoc airport. In the south for those who prefer to end the trip on the most touristic island in Vietnam.
Vietnam from north to south or from south to north?
Many travelers consider taking a trip to Vietnam and visiting the entire country, starting at one end and ending at the other, but is it worth it? How many days are necessary? Where is it better to start?
Well, you must first know that if you want to tour Vietnam this way, you will need a minimum of 15 days. We recommend focusing on a specific part of the country for shorter trips, or you will cover too much and go into little depth.
Based on our experience in the country, the ideal is to have three weeks or more to travel to Vietnam from north to south or vice versa.
It doesn’t matter if you start from the south or the north, but remember that most of the country’s attractions are located in the north and center, so spend more time visiting these areas in your travel itinerary. travel through Vietnam
Keep in mind that, from one area of the country to another, the distances are pretty large and you will have to take an internal flight. If you love train travel and traveling slowly, the train connecting the country from north to south is the best option.
When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?
The best time to get to know the country is from December to June, coinciding with the dry season in much of the country. The best months to get to know Vietnam are the months of March and April, when the skies are clear, and the temperatures are pleasant in almost all the Vietnamese territory.
However, you can travel to the country throughout the year. Just keep in mind that in Vietnam, like many other countries in the area, the rainy season arrives around June and lasts until the end of November.
However, the monsoon brings some unique landscapes, such as the green of the rice fields in full splendor during the beginning of September. Most tropical storms reach Vietnam through the country’s center, with cities like Hoy An or Hue receiving much rain.
In the south and center, in general, temperatures rarely drop below 18 °C. On the other hand, in the north, it is advisable to include some warm clothing, especially if you plan to visit the mountainous regions of the north of the country from November to February.
In summer, the temperatures are quite high, which makes spring the preferred option for most travellers. Even so, do not worry if you travel on another date. You will indeed have an equally incredible experience; simply adapt your trip to places with less rain.
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Most of the problems you can experience as a tourist, as in many other destinations, are related to scams or scams.
In general, the Vietnamese have a curious, firm and friendly character. The main obstacle to overcome as a tourist is the language since many of the population do not speak English, although it is easy to understand each other for basic questions or needs.
Keep in mind that when driving in Vietnam, they have their style, which added to the enormous number of motorcycles that you will ride in the main cities such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, means that at first, it can be a trauma trying to cross the street, but do not worry that with time you will get the hang of it.
Travel to Vietnam on your own, or in a group?
Traveling to Vietnam on your own may be a better idea for all those adventurous travelers; with previous experience, you can move on your own and plan your route, accommodations and experiences, or let yourself be carried away by what is coming.
An excellent way to tour the country if you go on your own is to do it on a motorcycle, buy it in Saigon and sell it in Hanoi at the end of your trip. Numerous companies are dedicated to helping you get it without any problems.
If you don’t have that much experience and want to travel alone, maybe Vietnam is not the best country to start. Others, like neighbouring Thailand, are, in our opinion, much simpler for the traveler.
Traveling to Vietnam in a group is perfect for those who do not have much experience, do not feel like planning everything on their own, or simply prefer to do it by meeting new people and sharing the experience with other travelers. The trip will be equally unforgettable, but with the peace of mind of not worrying more and having support during any setback.
In addition, being in the enriching company of other travelers with whom you can exchange and share emotions and experiences during the trip.
Travel to Vietnam and Cambodia or just Vietnam?
Combining Cambodia with Vietnam is a good option for those who have more than three weeks of travel.
If, on the other hand, you don’t have many days, it is best to focus on one of the two destinations and leave the other for a different occasion.
Many travelers seek to combine a trip to Vietnam with visiting the temples of Angkor Wat. Still, in our experience, Vietnam has too many exciting attractions that you will have to sacrifice to visit Angkor.
We recommend that you focus on Vietnam and leave Cambodia when you have at least three weeks of travel or more. We can assure you that if you plan your trip well, you will be missing days to see all the attractions of Vietnam, so you will probably regret it if you decide to change them for a rush visit to Cambodia.
We hope all these recommendations about this beautiful country in Southeast Asia have been helpful to you. Do not forget to look at our trips to Vietnam, where we have some travelers prepared for you to get to know this country in the best way.
