🇻🇳 Travel eSIM plans for Vietnam

Vietnam rewards travellers who slow down and use its rhythms. Start your day with a plastic stool on a Hanoi pavement, sipping a strong, dark coffee as the city wakes. The South China Sea shapes the country’s eastern flank; in Hoi An, hire a bicycle and ride through rice paddies to An Bang Beach before the midday heat. The Mekong Delta's floating markets are best visited before 9am, when the trading is at its peak and the sun is still bearable.

In Hue, spend an evening on a dragon boat gliding along the Perfume River. For connectivity, pick up a local SIM from Viettel or Vinaphone at the airport. Hanoi's Old Quarter is walkable, but crossing the street requires a steady, unhurried pace. Halong Bay's limestone karsts look their most dramatic at dawn, before the tourist boats arrive. Asia's most affordable street food is also its freshest; trust a stall with a queue of locals.

Vietnam's attractions range from natural wonders to living history. These five stand out:

• Halong Bay, Quang Ninh - Overnight on a junk boat to see Southeast Asia's most famous limestone seascape at sunrise, away from the day-crowds.
• Hoi An Ancient Town - A UNESCO-listed trading port where the Japanese Covered Bridge and yellow-walled shop houses are best explored on foot after 5pm, when the lanterns are lit.
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang Caves, Quang Binh - Home to the world's largest cave, Son Doong. Choose the Paradise Cave tour for a less strenuous but equally spectacular underground experience.
• Hoan Kiem Lake & Old Quarter, Hanoi - The lake is calm in the early morning; the Old Quarter's 36 streets each sold a single trade for centuries.
• Sapa Rice Terraces, Lao Cai - Trek between villages in March-May or September-November for the greenest or golden rice fields.

Vietnamese food is fresh, balanced and deeply regional. These dishes are a good starting point:

• Pho - Northern-style (Hanoi) is cleaner, with a clear beef broth; Southern-style (Saigon) is sweeter and served with more herbs. Both are eaten for breakfast but available all day.
• Banh Mi - The Vietnamese baguette, a legacy of French colonialism. Crusty outside, airy inside, stuffed with pork, pate, pickled daikon and coriander. Saigon's Banh Mi Huynh Hoa is a legend.
• Bun Bo Hue - A spicy, lemongrass-heavy beef noodle soup from central Vietnam. It is bolder than pho and often served with cubes of congealed pig's blood.
• Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon) - Unlike fried versions, these translucent rice-paper rolls are packed with shrimp, pork, vermicelli and herbs, dipped in hoisin-peanut sauce.
• Cao Lau - Hoi An's signature noodle dish, with thick, chewy noodles, pork and greens. Legend says the water must come from the town's ancient Cham wells.
• Egg Coffee (Ca Phe Trung) - Hanoi's invention: whipped egg yolk, condensed milk and robusta coffee. Drink it hot, stirred into the black coffee below.

Street stalls are safe if busy; a bowl of pho is usually an inexpensive local meal. Hanoi's coffee is strong and bitter; Saigon's is sweeter.

Vietnam's climate varies dramatically from north to south, so the best time depends on where you are going. For the north (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa), the most pleasant months are October to April. This period brings cooler, drier weather ideal for trekking and bay cruising. May to September is hot and wet, with occasional typhoons that can disrupt Halong Bay tours.

Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Danang) is best from February to August. The rainy season runs September to January, when Hoi An often floods. The summer months from June to August are hot but sunny and good for beach stays. For the south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta), the dry season from December to April is ideal. The rainy season from May to November usually means short, heavy afternoon downpours that clear quickly. Avoid travelling during Tet (late January or February) unless you plan for widespread closures and higher prices.

Packing for Vietnam requires preparation for heat, humidity and sudden rain. Light and breathable clothing is key. Focus on these essentials:

• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing - Cotton and linen are comfortable, but synthetic fabrics dry faster after a tropical downpour or a sweaty walk.
• Modest clothing for temples - Shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting pagodas and temples. Bring a scarf or light cardigan to slip on.
• Insect repellent - Essential for evenings, especially in rural areas and the Mekong Delta. Choose one containing DEET or picaridin.
• Cash in Vietnamese Dong (VND) - Many small shops, street food stalls and markets do not accept cards. ATMs are widespread but fees add up. Bring USD as a backup for exchange.
• Motorbike helmet - If you plan to drive a motorbike, bring your own well-fitting helmet. Rented helmets are often flimsy and unhygienic.
• A travel eSIM - For instant data on arrival without hunting for a physical SIM card.

Leave heavy jackets at home; a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella is more useful. Humidity is high year-round in the south and central coast.