Vietnam, why should I go there?

• If Vietnam could afford some international marketing research, an important conclusion would probably be that the country has an image problem. Many travellers do not know what to expect from Vietnam and are pleasantly surprised by the country's variety in cultural and natural sights. Moreover, the authenticity and the contagiously enthusiastic people of Vietnam are always highly appreciated by travellers.
  
  

How about the war?

• Forget the war, look at the future -- that is what Vietnamese people will tell you. In April 2005, the country celebrated 30 years of peace. Over two-thirds of its population was born after 1975. Apart from a few museums and some bomb craters now used as fishing ponds, travellers do not see any traces of the conflict with the United States. Many travel agencies, including Tulip Tours, lay emphasis on the modern Vietnam and especially the transition between old and new, tradition and reform.
  
  

Why is Vietnam more expensive than neighbouring countries?

• Let's start with some good news: hotel rates have come down substantially over the past few years. As a result of the irregular shape of the country, domestic travel (by plane, train or road) is often a little more expensive than in other countries. Intercontinental flights are also relatively expensive because of the limited number of direct flights between Vietnam and other continents.
  
  

Travelling by air, is that safe?

• Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has come a long way. They now fly with modern, western aircraft only: Boeing 777 & 767 (long haul), Airbus A320, ATR 72 and Fokker 70 (regional and domestic).
  
  
  
  
  
  

How about the train in Vietnam?

• Some guidebooks describe them as hot and slow, but most travellers agree that trains in Vietnam are reasonably clean, reasonably comfortable, and reasonably fast. Most importantly, the train is a fun experience and offers unparalleled views, both indoors and outdoors. Some travelling times:
  
  1. Hanoi - Hue: 12 or 15 hours
     
  2. Hue - Danang: 3 or 4 hours
     
  3. Danang - Nha Trang 9 or 10 hours
     
  4. Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City: 7 or 8 hours
  
  

How dangerous are those floods in Vietnam?

• Vietnam experienced two particularly bad floods in autumn 1999 (in the Centre), and another one on autumn 2000 (in the Mekong Delta). Both inundated several provinces for weeks and caused substantial damage. Although flooding can happen every year from mid-October to mid-December, these floods were exceptionally fierce. In previous years, travelling was perfectly possible in these months. Still, it is recommended that travellers who wish to avoid any risks visit Vietnam at a different time of the year.
  
  

How safe is Vietnam?

• Travellers generally find Vietnam a very safe destination. Petty theft seems to be the only hassle, especially in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, travellers receive clear tips from us on how to avoid pickpocketing.
  
  

How about the hotels?

• There are some fine tourist hotels in Vietnam, another thing that surprises most travellers. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer anything from family-run guesthouses to first class hotels. In the provinces mostly 2 and 3 star hotels are available. Private bathrooms, air-conditioning, mini-bar, telephone, and (satellite) television are the norm these days. At many places, saunas and swimming pools are also available. Whether you prefer an authentic longhouse or a 5 star beach resort, Vietnam has it all. See also our Hotels & Resorts page.
  
  

Isn't Vietnam becoming very touristy?

• Except for a couple of popular destinations: no. The country attracts a few million visitors a year. For a country of the size of Italy, this is not much. European countries yearly attract tens of millions of tourists, France alone no less than 75 million.
  
  
  

What is a good time to visit Vietnam?

• The weather in Vietnam can be very different. There is no 'best' season for travelling to Vietnam although March and December offer the best chance of good weather for tours covering the whole country. See also the Climate Tables (in a new window).
  
  1. The North has four seasons. Summers are warm and winters cool. In the mountains, it can even be cold. Rainy season: June to September.
     
  2. The South has a tropical climate, so it is often hot and humid. Rainy season: May to November (wettest from June to September).
     
  3. The Centre has a similar climate as the South but is sometimes faced with bad weather due to storms at sea. This may cause inconvenience to travellers. Rainy season: September to December.
     

Should I travel around Tet?

• Tet (Lunar New Year) is the single most important social event in Vietnam. To most Vietnamese, it is also the only holiday in the year, so many take the chance to travel around the country. Also during Tet, hundreds of thousands of 'Overseas Vietnamese' (Viet Kieu) return to their fatherland to meet their relatives. Altogether, Tet surely is a peak period for the travel business. Planes, trains and hotels tend to be fully booked weeks in advance – particularly in Nha Trang and Dalat. Still travellers can certainly travel around Vietnam during Tet if reservations are made early, say a few months in advance. Take into account that Tet is a family affair, so people stay at home during the first few days of the new year most. Streets are less lively than usual and markets and shops will be closed for a couple of days.