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I Want to Travel to Vietnam: Where Should I Start?

Perhaps you have been thinking about it for some time. The rice terraces of Northern Vietnam, the lively streets of Hanoi, the spectacular landscapes of Halong Bay, the imperial monuments of Hue, the lanterns of Hoi An or the colourful markets of the Mekong Delta have captured your imagination. And now the decision is almost made: you want to travel to Vietnam.

But once the idea begins to turn into a real travel plan, the first questions quickly appear. When is the best time to visit Vietnam? How many days should you allow? Which itinerary should you choose? What budget should you plan? And should you organize everything yourself or work with a local travel agency?

Planning your first trip to Vietnam can initially seem complicated simply because the country offers so many possibilities. Fortunately, a few simple decisions can quickly help you create a journey that truly reflects the way you like to travel.

Read More “Travel to Vietnam: The Essential Guide to Getting Started”

Domestic Flights in Vietnam: Which Airline Should You Choose?

Vietnam stretches for more than a thousand kilometres between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. If you have two or three weeks to explore the country, flying is often the most efficient way to connect major destinations without losing entire days in transit.

Routes such as Hanoi–Da Nang, Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City–Phu Quoc make it possible to create a much smoother itinerary and devote more of your holiday to actually discovering Vietnam.

But when it comes time to book, one question comes up again and again: Which airline should you choose for domestic flights in Vietnam?

Our first piece of advice is simple: never compare fares based solely on the initial price displayed. A very cheap ticket can quickly become less attractive once checked baggage and additional services are added. Conversely, paying slightly more may be worthwhile if the flight time avoids an extremely early departure or makes an important stage of your itinerary more secure and comfortable.

When choosing a domestic flight in Vietnam, we therefore focus on four key factors: the final price; the baggage allowance; the flight schedule; and how the flight fits into the overall itinerary. The cheapest ticket is not necessarily the best flight.

Read More “Domestic Flights in Vietnam: Essential Airline Guide”

Honeymoon in Vietnam: Why It Is the Perfect Romantic Destination

Imagine your first morning in Hanoi as the city slowly comes to life around small coffee shops and bustling streets. A few days later, you are gliding quietly along a river beneath the dramatic limestone cliffs of Ninh Binh. Then comes a night on one of Northern Vietnam’s spectacular bays, the warm glow of lanterns in Hoi An at sunset, and finally a few peaceful days by the sea.

A honeymoon in Vietnam makes it possible to combine all of these experiences without having to choose between adventure and romance, cultural discovery and relaxation.
Vietnam appeals to couples who want to truly experience their honeymoon rather than simply spend it in a beautiful hotel.

To make the journey genuinely unforgettable, however, the rhythm has to be right. The destinations need to reflect your personality, and the itinerary must take the season into account. This is why we believe Vietnam is such an inspiring destination for celebrating the beginning of a new chapter together.

Read More “Honeymoon in Vietnam: A Truly Magical Experience”

Money in Vietnam: How to Pay, Exchange Currency and Withdraw Cash

You have just landed in Hanoi. A few minutes later, you order your first coffee and the bill comes to several tens of thousands of dong. That evening, restaurant dishes are priced at 150,000 or 200,000 VND. Then you stop at an ATM and are offered the option of withdrawing several million.
Your first encounter with money in Vietnam can be slightly confusing. There are zeros everywhere, and the familiar sense of value you have at home temporarily disappears.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to get used to the Vietnamese dong. Managing your money while travelling in Vietnam is actually quite straightforward once you understand when to use cash, when to pay by card, where to exchange foreign currency and how to withdraw money without accumulating unnecessary fees.

Your payment habits will also change throughout your journey.
A credit card may be perfectly convenient for paying for a beautiful hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, while cash becomes essential when enjoying a bowl of noodles at a family-run restaurant, buying fruit at a local market or stopping in a remote mountain village.

At Senteurs du Vietnam, we therefore recommend viewing cards and cash as complementary rather than choosing one over the other.
In this guide, we share our practical advice on how to pay in Vietnam, exchange money and withdraw cash, so that financial matters quickly become a minor detail and you can focus on enjoying your journey.

Read More “Money in Vietnam: Essential Guide to Paying and Cash”

Preparing a trip to Vietnam in summer often raises many questions. Between the heat, humidity and the famous rainy season, many travelers hesitate to go to Vietnam between June and August.

Yet, the Vietnamese climate is much more nuanced than one might imagine. The country stretches more than 1,600 kilometers from north to south, causing significant weather differences between regions. While one area experiences some tropical showers, another can enjoy a great sun and ideal conditions to travel.

Yes, summer corresponds to a hot and humid period in much of the country. But this does not mean that it is impossible to travel. Quite the contrary: some parts of Vietnam are particularly pleasant during this season, especially the center of the country and some mountainous areas in the north.

In this article, we explain to you clearly:

• the weather in Vietnam in summer
• the differences between north, center, and south
• the regions to prioritize
• the temperatures to be expected
• the practical advice for traveling comfortably

You will also discover why Vietnam in summer can offer absolutely magnificent landscapes, between green rice fields, tropical atmosphere and particularly spectacular nature. Read More “Weather in Vietnam in summer: where to go and what climate?”