Vietnam Travel FAQ (2026)
Do I need a visa or travel authorization to visit Vietnam in 2026?
45-Day Visa-Free for 13 Countries (UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, JP, KR, etc.) & 90-Day Official E-Visa ($25 Single / $50 Multiple at evisa.gov.vn — Only Official Portal!)
What is the best way to travel between Hanoi & Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, and Hoi An Ancient Town?
Travel seamlessly across Vietnam on Vietnam Railways (Đường sắt Việt Nam) Reunification Express (SE1/SE2, SE3/SE4, SE19/SE20) & Chapa/Lotus VIP Sleepers. Compare walk-up fares against advance promotional tickets and regional passes in VND (₫). For local buses, trams, and metro lines, use Grab App, Hanoi Airport Bus 86 (1) Download the Grab app before landing and link your foreign Visa/Mastercard—every GrabCar and GrabBike ride locks in a fixed upfront VND price with zero cash haggling. 2) At Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN), walk out of Terminal 2 to the orange Bus 86 Express (45,000 ₫ / $1.80, free Wi-Fi & luggage racks) straight to Hoan Kiem Lake & Hanoi Old Quarter. 3) BANKNOTE ALERT: Polymer 500,000 ₫ ($20) and 20,000 ₫ ($0.80) notes are both blue-green—keep 500k notes in a separate zipper pocket!).
Should I carry cash (VND) or use credit cards in Vietnam?
Official currency is the VND (₫) (₫, VND; 1 USD ≈ 25000 VND). Contactless cards work widely across Hanoi & Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba, but always carry small notes in ₫ for markets, bakeries, and rural transit.
How does tipping work in Vietnam?
Not expected at street-food stalls; round up 20,000–50,000 ₫ ($0.80–$2.00) at sit-down restaurants, spas, and for Grab drivers, or 100,000–250,000 ₫/day for private guides and Ha Long boat crews.
What power plugs are used in Vietnam, and is tap water safe?
Vietnam uses Type A, Type C & Type F (220V / 50Hz — hybrid sockets accept both US flat-prong and EU round-pin plugs) sockets at Type A, Type C & Type F (220V / 50Hz — hybrid sockets accept both US flat-prong and EU round-pin plugs). Tap water: Do NOT drink tap water in Vietnam; drink sealed bottled water (La Vie / Aquafina, 6,000–10,000 ₫) or boiled hotel water.. Emergency numbers: 113 (Police), 115 (Ambulance), 114 (Fire).