⚡ Before You Go — Essentials
🌧️ June Weather
June is the shoulder/rainy season — expect warm temps (28–35°C in south, 25–32°C in Hanoi) with afternoon showers. The north is often clearer; the south is wetter. Pack a light rain jacket. Ha Long Bay is beautiful even with some mist.
🛵 Getting Around
Domestic flights connect cities quickly and cheaply (Vietjet, Bamboo, Vietnam Airlines). Book 2–4 weeks ahead. Within cities, Grab (the SE Asian Uber) is essential — safe, metered, and dirt cheap. Motorbike taxis (xe ôm) are fun for short hops.
💰 Money
Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs are plentiful; withdraw large amounts to avoid fees. Many restaurants and hotels now accept cards. Budget around 500,000–1,000,000 VND (~$20–40 USD) per day per person for food at a mix of street stalls and mid-range restaurants.
🍜 Food Rules
Embrace the street food — it's often the best and safest. Look for busy stalls with high turnover. Always say "không đá" (no ice) if water safety concerns you, though most tourist ice is purified. Each city has its own noodle dish — pho (Hanoi), bún bò Huế (Hue), cao lầu (Hoi An), bánh mì (everywhere).
Arrive in Saigon — City of Motorbikes & Magic
Touch down in Ho Chi Minh City — the city that never really stops. Check in, get your bearings, and let the energy of Saigon wash over you with a gentle evening stroll and your first bowl of pho.
Arrive & Settle In
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km from the city center. Grab a Grab car to your hotel in District 1 — the central tourist hub. Rest, freshen up, and gear up for the sensory overload ahead.
Ben Thanh Market & First Wander
Head to Ben Thanh Market at dusk when the night market springs up around it. Browse street food stalls, pick up snacks, and soak up the chaos. Then walk along Nguyen Hue Boulevard — the city's pedestrianized "walking street" with light displays.
Saigon's Soul — War History, Colonial Streets & Street Food
Dive deep into Saigon's layered history — from French colonial architecture to the Vietnam War's haunting legacy — then lose yourself in the city's legendary street food scene.
War Remnants Museum
One of the most powerful museums in Southeast Asia. Unflinching in its portrayal of the Vietnam War — photographs, military equipment, and exhibits that stay with you. Allow 2 hours. Emotionally heavy but essential viewing.
Reunification Palace & Notre-Dame Cathedral
Walk through the Reunification Palace — the former South Vietnamese presidential palace, frozen in time since the tanks rolled through its gates on April 30, 1975. Then stroll to the French-built Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office — a gorgeous colonial relic designed by Gustave Eiffel's team.
Street Food Walking Tour
Join a local street food walking tour around Bui Vien Street and the backpacker district, or explore independently. Sample bún thịt nướng (grilled pork noodles), bánh xèo (sizzling crepes), gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), and wash it down with a 5,000 VND bia hơi (fresh draught beer).
Cu Chi Tunnels & Rooftop Saigon
Venture outside the city to the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnel network, then return for rooftop cocktails and fine Vietnamese dining to close out your Saigon chapter.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The Cu Chi tunnel network is one of the most astonishing feats of wartime engineering — 250km of tunnels used by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War. Crawl through narrow passages, see trap doors, and understand the extraordinary resilience of the people who lived underground for years.
Return to Saigon & Rest
Back in the city by early afternoon. Rest at the hotel, or explore the colourful Chinatown district (Cholon) — the largest Chinatown in Vietnam, centred around Binh Tay Market and the elaborate Thien Hau Temple.
Saigon Rooftop Farewell
Head up to one of Saigon's spectacular rooftop bars for golden hour drinks. Chill Skybar on the 26th floor of the AB Tower offers 360° panoramas over the city. Watch the motorbike rivers below and the city shimmer into evening.
Mekong Delta — Life on the River
A full-day journey into the Mekong Delta — the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. Glide through canals lined with coconut palms, visit floating markets, sample local sweets, and see a completely different Vietnam.
Drive to the Mekong & Boat Journey Begins
Depart HCMC at 7am on a guided day trip to Ben Tre or My Tho. Board a wooden sampan boat and navigate the narrow canals, stopping at coconut candy workshops, honey bee farms, and a traditional music performance.
Cai Be Floating Market (optional extension)
If doing a Can Tho extension, the morning floating market at Cai Rang is the largest in the delta. Wholesale boats laden with pineapples, watermelons, and greens. Come by small boat at dawn — it's most active 6–9am.
Return to HCMC & Fly to Da Lat
Return to HCMC by late afternoon. If taking an evening flight to Da Lat (Lien Khuong Airport), transfer directly to the airport. The mountain city awaits — pack a light layer, temperatures drop to a refreshing 17–22°C.
Da Lat — The City of Eternal Spring
Da Lat is Vietnam's highland escape — a French colonial hill station surrounded by pine forests, flower farms, and misty waterfalls. The cool air and European-flavored architecture make it feel like a completely different country.
Xuan Huong Lake Morning Walk
Start the day with a serene walk around Xuan Huong Lake at the heart of Da Lat. The cool morning air, pine forests, and French-era buildings reflected in the water make it one of Vietnam's most romantic settings.
Crazy House & Da Lat Palace
Visit Hang Nga Guesthouse, nicknamed "Crazy House" — a surrealist architectural fantasia of twisted staircases, cave tunnels, and tree-trunk rooms designed by a Vietnamese architect trained in Moscow. Then walk past the golden Da Lat Palace Hotel, a perfectly preserved French colonial palace.
Datanla Waterfall
Take a scenic cable car and Alpine coaster down to Datanla Falls — a lovely multi-tiered waterfall in a cool forest valley. The Alpine coaster (bobsled track) back up is thrillingly fun for couples.
Da Lat Night Market
The Da Lat Night Market along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street buzzes every evening from around 5pm. Try stuffed rice cakes (bánh tráng nướng, called "Vietnamese pizza"), strawberry wine, and artichoke tea.
Da Lat Highlands — Flower Farms, Pine Valleys & French Villas
A lazy day exploring Da Lat's romantic countryside — strawberry farms you can pick from, the whimsical Valley of Love, and a cycle or motorbike tour through flower-lined roads to a French Cistercian monastery.
Strawberry Farm Pick-Your-Own
Da Lat's strawberry farms let you wander the rows and pick berries straight from the vine. The highland climate makes them intensely sweet — nothing like store-bought. Several farms on Nguyen Thi Nghia street offer this experience.
Valley of Love & Truc Lam Monastery
The Valley of Love (Thung Lũng Tình Yêu) is a pine forest with a lake and gardens north of the city — touristy but genuinely pretty. Then take a cable car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, serenely situated on a hill above a lake, with beautiful views and gardens.
Fly to Hoi An (via Da Nang)
Early evening flight from Da Lat (LKE) to Da Nang (DAD), then a 30-minute taxi south to Hoi An. Arrive in the lantern city just in time for a first magical evening stroll.
Hoi An — Lanterns, Ancient Streets & Morning Markets
Hoi An is one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful towns — a UNESCO World Heritage site of yellow-walled merchant houses, silk lanterns, and a river that glows with colour at night. Morning is the best time to explore.
Ancient Town Early Morning Walk
Wake before 7am and walk the Ancient Town streets while they're quiet — just locals setting up stalls, monks walking to temple, and the golden morning light on those famous yellow walls. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge (the symbol of Hoi An) and the Assembly Halls of the Chinese trading clans.
Hoi An Central Market & Cooking Class
Visit Hoi An's riverside market to see the incredible produce — river herbs, morning glory, galangal, lemongrass — then join a half-day cooking class. Learn to make White Rose dumplings, cao lầu, and fresh spring rolls. Most classes include a market tour and are fantastic fun as a couple.
Lantern Release on the Thu Bon River
At dusk, the Thu Bon River transforms into a river of light as hundreds of coloured lanterns float downstream. Buy a paper lotus lantern (20,000 VND), make a wish, and set it afloat. The reflections of the ancient buildings in the lantern-lit river are extraordinarily beautiful.
Hoi An Beach Day & Island Escape
Balance the cultural intensity with a perfect beach day at An Bang — a quiet stretch of sand just 3km from the Ancient Town. Then island-hop to Cam Kim for a bicycle tour through rice paddies and a family-run craft workshop.
An Bang Beach
Bicycle or grab a scooter taxi to An Bang Beach — the most laid-back stretch of coast near Hoi An. Gentle waves, beach bars with sunbeds, fresh seafood shacks, and a local fishing village atmosphere. A beautiful morning of doing absolutely nothing.
Cam Kim Island Bicycle Tour
Cross to Cam Kim Island by small ferry and rent bicycles to explore. The island has virtually no cars — just rice paddies, vegetable gardens, and traditional craft workshops making Hoi An's famous wooden boats and furniture. A wonderfully peaceful escape.
Tailor Shop Experience
Hoi An is famous for bespoke tailoring — 24-hour made-to-measure clothing at remarkable prices. Visit a reputable tailor on Tran Phu (A Dong Silk or Yaly Couture) and commission shirts, dresses, or suits. Measurements today, fitting tomorrow morning.
My Son Hindu Sanctuary & Farewell to Hoi An
Take a morning excursion to My Son — the ancient Cham Hindu temple complex hidden in a jungle valley. Return to Hoi An for a final afternoon of shopping and silk lanterns before heading north to Hue.
My Son Cham Sanctuary
My Son is one of Southeast Asia's most important archaeological sites — a collection of 4th–13th century Hindu temples built by the Cham kingdom. Set in a mysterious, forested valley 70km from Hoi An. The brick towers draped in jungle vegetation rival Angkor Wat in atmosphere.
Last Hoi An Afternoon — Lantern Shopping & Fitting
Back in Hoi An by early afternoon. Pick up your tailored clothing, browse the silk lantern shops (many sell beautiful handmade lanterns to pack flat), and have one last wander through the Ancient Town streets.
Train to Hue on the Reunification Express
Board the Reunification Express train from Da Nang station (30min taxi from Hoi An) for the scenic 2.5-hour journey to Hue. The coastal section past Lang Co lagoon is one of the most spectacular train rides in Vietnam.
Hue — Imperial Grandeur on the Perfume River
Hue was the seat of Vietnam's last imperial dynasty. The walled Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City within it, and the royal tombs scattered across the hills around the Perfume River make this one of Vietnam's most culturally rich cities.
Hue Imperial Citadel & Forbidden City
Explore the massive Imperial Citadel — a 10km walled compound modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City. Inside, the Dai Noi (Inner Imperial City) contains the Forbidden Purple City, throne rooms, temples, and royal gardens. Allow 3–4 hours.
Dragon Boat on the Perfume River
Board a traditional dragon boat for a leisurely cruise along the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda — a seven-tiered tower that is Hue's most iconic landmark. The view from the pagoda grounds looking down at the river bend is spectacular.
Hue Royal Tombs by Bicycle
Hue's royal tombs are scattered in the hills south of the city along the Perfume River — each one a unique architectural masterpiece. Cycling through the countryside between them is a perfect day.
Tu Duc Royal Tomb
The largest and most elaborate of the Nguyen dynasty tombs — a complex of pavilions, lakes, and pine forests. Emperor Tu Duc spent years here writing poetry and contemplating his reign. The lotus-covered lake and forest paths are extraordinarily peaceful.
Minh Mang Tomb & Country Road Cycle
Cycle through rice paddies and rural villages to Emperor Minh Mang's tomb — more formal and grand than Tu Duc, with a processional approach through three honour courtyards. The lakeside setting with stone bridges and ancient pines is magnificent.
Dong Ba Market & Hue Night Life
Explore Hue's largest market — Dong Ba — for evening street food browsing. Then head to Pham Ngu Lao Street for craft beer and live music at one of Hue's small bars. The city has a slower, more refined energy than Saigon.
The Hai Van Pass & Marble Mountains
One of Vietnam's great drives — over the spectacular Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass) by motorbike or car, then down to Da Nang's coast. Stop at the extraordinary Marble Mountains before settling into the beach city.
Drive the Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass (496m) is one of the most spectacular coastal mountain roads in Vietnam — the peninsula divides the climate zones of north and south. Drive or ride over the pass for panoramic views of Lang Co lagoon below and the Da Nang coastline ahead.
Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn)
Five marble and limestone hills rising dramatically from the coastal plain south of Da Nang. Climb Thuy Son (the tallest) for panoramic views, explore the Huyen Khong cave with its natural skylight, and visit ancient Buddhist and Hindu shrines carved into the rock face.
My Khe Beach Sunset & Dragon Bridge
Settle in Da Nang and head to My Khe Beach for a sunset walk. Then cross the Han River to see the famous Dragon Bridge — a fire-breathing dragon sculpture spanning the river that breathes actual fire and water on weekend evenings.
Da Nang Rest Day & Ba Na Hills
A lighter day — morning beach relaxation, then an afternoon ascent to Ba Na Hills via the world's longest non-stop single-track cable car, visiting the famous Golden Bridge held aloft by giant stone hands.
My Khe Beach Morning
A slow morning on one of Vietnam's most beautiful urban beaches. Swim, rent a sunbed, or simply walk the long stretch of sand. The water is warm and gentle in June — perfect for a relaxed swim.
Ba Na Hills & The Golden Bridge
Take the world's longest (and most spectacular) non-stop cable car — 5,801 metres — up to Ba Na Hills, a French colonial hill station at 1,487m altitude. The centrepiece is the Golden Bridge, an Instagram-famous footbridge held aloft by giant stone hands. The hilltop is consistently misty and dramatically beautiful.
Arrive in Hanoi — The Ancient Capital
Fly to Hanoi and discover a city utterly different from Saigon — slower, cooler, more French, more traditional. The Old Quarter's 36 guild streets are a UNESCO-recognised time capsule, and Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart is the soul of the city.
Morning Flight Da Nang to Hanoi
Early morning domestic flight (1h15min) from Da Nang to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi. The capital awaits — cooler, more French, deeply historical.
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
The spiritual heart of Hanoi — a jade-green lake in the center of the Old Quarter, said to be where a magical turtle returned a sacred sword to the gods. Walk the shaded promenade, cross the red wooden Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple on its tiny island.
Old Quarter Walking Tour
Wander the 36 guild streets of the Old Quarter — each originally dedicated to a specific trade. Hang Gai (silk), Hang Ma (paper offerings), Hang Bac (silver), Hang Dao (dye). Medieval guild system, ancient shop-houses, and streetlife everywhere.
Bia Hơi Corner & Old Quarter Night
Join the legend of Bia Hơi Junction — the intersection of Hang Gai and Luong Ngoc Quyen where locals and travellers crowd plastic stools for 5,000 VND fresh draft beer every evening. The Old Quarter at night, lit by street lamps and motorbike headlights, is pure Hanoi magic.
Hanoi Deep Dive — Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temples & Temple of Literature
A day of Hanoi's grand historical sights — the somber Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the ancient one-pillar pagoda, the 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature, and the serene lakeside village of Tay Ho.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
Visit the grand mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body lies in state. The square has a solemn military atmosphere, and queues move quietly past in reverence. The Presidential Palace gardens and Ho Chi Minh's simple stilt house within the compound are also open to visitors.
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)
Vietnam's first national university, founded in 1070 — a beautiful complex of traditional Vietnamese architecture set around landscaped courtyards and turtle stelae bearing the names of doctoral graduates. Peaceful, beautiful, and one of Hanoi's most loved sites.
Tay Ho (West Lake) & Tran Quoc Pagoda
Head to Tay Ho — Hanoi's largest lake in the northwest. Walk the western shoreline to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi (6th century), built on a small island in the lake. The lakeside road is lined with shrimp paste and lotus rice cafés.
Hanoi Free Day — Markets, Train Street & Water Puppets
A free-ranging Hanoi day — browse Dong Xuan Market, catch the train roll through the narrow alley of Train Street, and end the evening with a traditional water puppet performance.
Dong Xuan Market
Hanoi's largest covered market — a three-storey warren of stalls selling everything from silk fabric and ao dai to dried mushrooms, live animals, and street food. The ground floor food section is particularly good for breakfast browsing.
Train Street
One of Hanoi's most extraordinary urban curiosities — a narrow lane where residential houses line both sides of a working railway track, with barely 50cm to spare. Residents sit on their doorsteps and drink coffee while the train rolls past. Visit the cafés on the upper floors for the best view.
Hang Ma (Paper Offerings Street)
One of the most visually extraordinary streets in the Old Quarter — Hang Ma is entirely dedicated to brightly coloured paper offerings for the dead: paper houses, cars, phones, money. Even if not buying, the visual spectacle is stunning.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Water puppetry originated in the Red River Delta over 1,000 years ago — performers stand waist-deep in water, controlling wooden puppets on bamboo rods. The Thang Long theatre on Hoan Kiem Lake does the best performances in Vietnam, with live traditional music.
Ninh Binh — The Inland Ha Long Bay
Ninh Binh is called "Ha Long Bay on land" — an extraordinary landscape of towering limestone karsts rising from rice paddies and rivers. A day trip from Hanoi that is one of Vietnam's most visually spectacular experiences.
Drive to Ninh Binh & Trang An Boat Tour
Depart Hanoi early by car (2 hours south). Begin at Trang An — a UNESCO-listed geopark where small wooden row boats navigate through a labyrinth of karst formations, rice paddies, and river caves. The scenery is breathtaking and the caves are theatrical.
Tam Coc Boat Tour & Mua Cave
Tam Coc — "Three Caves" — is a classic Ninh Binh scene: rice paddies leading to three natural caves, all explored by rowing boat with local women using their feet to paddle. Then climb Mua Cave (500 steps) for the panoramic view over the entire valley — one of Vietnam's most iconic viewpoints.
Bich Dong Pagoda & Return to Hanoi
A final stop at Bich Dong — a three-level pagoda carved into the face of a karst cliff, with caves leading up through the mountain to a summit view. Then head back to Hanoi by car, arriving in time for a late dinner.
Ha Long Bay — Embark on the Overnight Cruise
Board a luxury overnight cruise into Ha Long Bay — 1,969 islands of limestone rising from jade-green water, one of the world's great natural wonders. This is the journey, the journey, the journey.
Transfer to Ha Long Bay
A cruise shuttle picks you up from your Hanoi hotel and drives 3.5 hours to Ha Long City. Board the junk boat at noon and sail into the bay as lunch is served. The first hour of sailing — watching the karsts rise from the water all around you — is genuinely awe-inspiring.
Kayaking Through Karst Tunnels
The afternoon stop — a kayaking excursion through sea caves and around the limestone islands. Paddle into hidden lagoons, discover secluded beaches, and see the bay from water level. Genuinely spectacular.
Floating Village Visit
A small boat tour to visit one of Ha Long Bay's last floating fishing villages — communities that live entirely on the water, raising fish in submerged cages beneath their floating homes. A completely unique way of life.
Sunset Drinks on the Sundeck
As the sun descends behind the limestone islands, join other passengers on the sundeck for cocktails and the most spectacular sunset you've ever seen. The silhouettes of thousands of karsts stretching to the horizon, the water turning copper and gold.
Ha Long Bay — Caves, Beaches & Silent Morning
Your second day on the water. Explore the Sung Sot cave at dawn, swim off a deserted island beach, and sail deeper into the bay before heading back to Hanoi by evening.
Sunrise Tai Chi on the Sundeck
Wake at 6am for sunrise over the bay. Most cruises offer a tai chi session on the sundeck as the mist lifts from the karsts — one of the most peaceful, surreal experiences imaginable. The quiet of the bay in early morning is profound.
Sung Sot (Amazing) Cave
The largest cave in Ha Long Bay — a cathedral-like cavern of stalactites and stalagmites with dramatic lighting. Two chambers, the second enormous enough to hold thousands of people. Walk up to the entrance for views back over the bay.
Swimming at Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island has a small but beautiful beach — swim in clear water with karsts all around, then climb the 427 steps to the island's summit for the most spectacular panoramic view of Ha Long Bay. On a clear June day, you can see hundreds of islands spreading to every horizon.
Return to Hanoi
The cruise ends at noon with a final lunch on board, before the shuttle returns to Hanoi (arriving around 5–6pm). Rest and a slow evening — you've earned it after two days on the water.
Hanoi Final Day — Hidden Cafés, Galleries & Long Bien Bridge
A gentle final Hanoi day for everything you haven't done yet — the hidden courtyard cafés, the Long Bien Bridge at golden hour, and Hanoi's contemporary art scene before a farewell dinner.
Hanoi Slow Morning — Hidden Café Alley
Hanoi's café culture is extraordinary — hundreds of tiny coffee shops hidden in alleys, on rooftops, and behind ancient wooden doors. Spend the morning café-hopping through the Old Quarter: Café Dinh (run from a family's front room), Café Nhan (ground floor of a colonial building), or the rooftop cafés on Hang Gai.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
One of the best museums in Southeast Asia — a beautifully curated collection showcasing the culture, clothing, tools, and traditions of all 54 of Vietnam's ethnic groups. The outdoor section has full-size traditional houses from various highland communities. Fascinating and moving.
Long Bien Bridge Walk
Hanoi's oldest iron bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel's company in 1902 — a long, creaking span across the Red River still used by motorbikes and pedestrians. Walk it in the afternoon for views over the vast river, the vegetable gardens on the flood plain, and the city skyline.
Final Night at Hoan Kiem Lake
End your Vietnam journey at Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is especially beautiful at night, lit from below, with locals doing tai chi, dancing, and playing badminton around its shores. A perfect, peaceful goodbye to Vietnam.
Last Morning in Vietnam & Departure
A final slow morning in Hanoi before heading to the airport. One last bowl of pho, a walk by the lake, and the quiet satisfaction of having experienced one of the world's great travel destinations.
Final Hoan Kiem Lake Sunrise
Wake early for one last walk around Hoan Kiem Lake as the city wakes up. This is when Hanoi is at its most beautiful — locals doing tai chi on the lakeside paths, vendors setting up, the lake perfectly still and reflecting the morning light.
Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport
Allow plenty of time for the journey to Noi Bai Airport — 35–45km north of the city. Traffic can be significant, especially midday. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo connect Hanoi to major international hubs.
💰 Budget Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25–50/night | $60–120/night | $150–300/night |
| Meals (per couple) | $15–30/day | $40–80/day | $100–200/day |
| Domestic Flights (3) | $80–150 total | $150–280 total | $300–500 (flex tickets) |
| Ha Long Bay Cruise (2 nights) | $150–250pp | $280–450pp | $500–900pp |
| Day Tours & Activities | $5–20/day | $30–60/day | $80–150/day |
| 21-Day Total (couple) | $2,000–3,500 | $4,000–7,000 | $10,000–18,000 |
✈️ Getting There
- Fly into Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and out of Hanoi (HAN) for the most efficient route
- Direct flights from many US cities via Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong (15–20 hours total)
- Vietnam Airlines, EVA Air, and Korean Air are popular options from North America
📋 Visas
- Most nationalities now get 90-day visa-free entry to Vietnam
- Check Vietnam e-visa system at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn for your nationality
- The e-visa ($25 USD) is valid for 90 days single or multiple entry
🏨 Where to Stay
- HCMC: The Reverie Saigon (luxury), Caravelle Hotel (classic), or boutique hotels in District 1
- Hoi An: La Siesta Resort & Spa, Anantara Hoi An, or a riverside guesthouse in the Ancient Town
- Hue: Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort, La Residence Hotel (French colonial)
- Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole (historic), Pan Pacific Hanoi, or Old Quarter boutique hotels
🌡️ June Weather
- South Vietnam (HCMC, Mekong): hot and humid, 30–35°C, afternoon showers
- Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue): warm and drier, 28–32°C
- North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh): warm and humid, 28–33°C, occasional rain
- Da Lat is 10°C cooler than everywhere else — a welcome break at 17–22°C
🛵 Transport Between Cities
- Domestic flights: Vietjet, Bamboo, Vietnam Airlines — book 2–4 weeks ahead for best prices
- HCMC→Da Lat: 1 hour flight or 7-hour bus through highlands
- Da Nang→Hanoi: 1h15min flight — skip the long overland journey
- Within cities: Grab app is essential — safe, metered, English-speaking
💊 Health
- No mandatory vaccinations for Vietnam, but hepatitis A & B, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended
- Mosquito repellent is essential — apply morning and evening
- Tap water is not drinkable — buy bottled or use a filtered water bottle
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended — quality hospitals available in HCMC and Hanoi