Basics
Capital: Hanoi Population: approximately 98 million Language: Vietnamese (official). English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger people. French is spoken by some older Vietnamese, particularly in the north. Chinese is spoken in some border communities. Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. The Cao Dai and Hoa Hao faiths also have significant followings in the south. Time zone: GMT +7 Country code: +84 Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Outlets are typically two-pin (round or flat). Bring an adapter if needed.
Money
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Banknotes come in denominations from 1,000 to 500,000 VND. The exchange rate is roughly 25,000 VND to 1 USD.
Cash is still the primary payment method outside major cities. ATMs are widely available in all cities and tourist towns. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; less reliable elsewhere. US dollars in good condition are accepted at many tourist businesses but you'll often get a worse rate than using dong.
Digital wallets (MoMo, VNPay) are common among locals but less useful for travelers.
Health and Water
Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Avoid ice in places where hygiene looks questionable. Street food is generally safe — follow locals to busy stalls with fast turnover.
Consider travel vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies depending on your itinerary. Malaria prophylaxis is only recommended for remote rural areas; it's not necessary for most tourist routes.
Safety
Vietnam is generally safe for travelers. Petty theft (bag-snatching from motorbikes, pickpocketing in crowded markets) is the main concern, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. Keep bags on your lap in tuk-tuks or cyclos. Be cautious on beaches at night.
Areas near the border with China in the far north can have landmine residue in remote off-trail zones. The area around the former DMZ (Quang Tri province) still has unexploded ordnance in some rural areas — do not wander off marked paths.
Photography
Photography near military installations, airports, and some government buildings is prohibited. Be respectful when photographing people, particularly in ethnic minority villages — ask first.
Tipping
Not traditionally part of Vietnamese culture but increasingly expected in tourist-oriented restaurants and hotels. A tip of 10% at a sit-down restaurant is appreciated. Tipping guides on tours is standard.
Public Holidays
Key dates: New Year's Day (January 1), Tet/Lunar New Year (January/February, variable), Hung Kings Commemoration (April), Liberation Day (April 30), Labour Day (May 1), National Day (September 2).
During Tet, expect most businesses to close for up to a week. Many shops and restaurants run reduced hours around other public holidays.
Communications
SIM cards are available at airports and phone shops for a few dollars. Local data plans are inexpensive and coverage is good in cities and along major routes. Connectivity in remote mountain areas is patchy.
Some international websites and services (including Facebook and Google) have historically been subject to intermittent blocking or slowdowns. A VPN is useful if you rely on specific services.