saigon travel requirements

Vietnam Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Vietnam

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces and public transportation.

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Can I travel to Vietnam from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vietnam.

Can I travel to Vietnam if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Vietnam without restrictions.

Can I travel to Vietnam without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Vietnam without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Vietnam?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Vietnam.

Can I travel to Vietnam without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Vietnam?

Mask usage in Vietnam is not required in public spaces and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Vietnam?

Restaurants in Vietnam are open. Bars in Vietnam are .

Your Vietnam

Detailed entry requirements for international visitors to vietnam.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued Document No. 829/PA-BVHTTDL on its plan to reopen the tourism sector in the new normal.

Regulations on the reception of international visitors to Vietnam under the document are now much easier than previous proposals submitted by relevant agencies. * To enter Vietnam, international visitors need to meet the following conditions: - To be a citizen from the 13 following states who will be entitled to 15-day visa exemption regardless of passport types and entry purposes, provided they meet all the conditions stipulated by Vietnamese law: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus. This rule is valid from March 15, 2022 through March 14, 2025. - To be foreign nationals, overseas Vietnamese, or relatives who hold sufficient legal papers as regulated (including valid permanent residence cards, temporary residence cards, visas, visa waivers). They do not need to re-apply for personal verification or visa issuance/visa waivers, or apply for entry permission by ministries, sectors, or localities. * Testing and vaccination requirements: - International visitors to Vietnam (except for children under 2) need to test negative for SARS-CoV-2 prior to their departure by air within 72 hours if using the RT/PCR/RT-LAMP test method, or within 24 hours if using the rapid antigen test method as verified by competent authorities of the countries conducting the tests. - Those who enter Vietnam by road, railway, or sea can take a test before their departure like air passengers if their travel duration is short. Meanwhile, they need to take a test at ports of entry if their travel duration is long. - A test is required if an international visitor shows COVID-19 symptoms. If the test result is positive, he/she must comply with the Ministry of Health’s guidance. - The rule that international arrivals by air have to undergo another test when entering Vietnam, as well as quarantine requirements, is no longer in place. International visitors can engage in tourism activities as soon as they meet these conditions.

* Entry procedures: - All international arrivals have to make health declarations at tokhaiyte.vn prior to leaving. - Installing the PC-COVID application. * Quarantine requirements: Within 10 days since their entry, international visitors have to self-monitor their health. In case of showing suspected symptoms (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, nasal congestion; aches or pains, tiredness, cold; loss of taste or smell; headache; diarrhea; shortage of breath; respiratory infection), they have to immediately report to their nearest healthcare establishment to receive timely guidance and management while practicing disease prevention measures (frequently wearing face masks, cleaning hands with sanitiser). * Other information: - International visitors must have health insurance or travel insurance with coverage of at least US$10,000 for COVID-19 treatment. - International visitors must pay testing, health quarantine, check-up, and treatment expenses, and others (if any) by themselves. - If wishing to apply for or having problems with seeking the Vietnam entry permit, foreign nationals and Vietnamese holding foreign passports can liaise via the following contacts: + Email: [email protected] + Email: [email protected] for guiding and handling foreigners’ entry, exist, and residence procedures. + Telephone numbers: (+84) 24 38 26 01 14/ 24 38 26 40 26 (Hanoi)/ (+84) 28 39 20 03 65 (Ho Chi Minh City). + For more information about entry permit application procedures, visit the website: https://xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn ./.

Foreigners, overseas Vietnamese to benefit from favourable entry procedures

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has given in-principle approval that favourable entry procedures will be created for foreigners, and overseas Vietnamese and their relatives.

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COVID-19 in Vietnam: Travel Updates and Restrictions

Update: On May 15, 2022 all COVID-19 related requirements for entry into Vietnam were lifted. Pre-COVID entry requirements have now resumed, although with some changes. See: Vietnam’s Visas and Work Permit Procedures

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak , Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country. As of May 15, 2022, Vietnam had confirmed 10,695,036 cases of COVID-19 with 43,065 deaths, though 9,349,592 of the patients, had recovered.

Those planning to travel to Vietnam should be aware of the latest restrictions currently in place:

• Vietnam dropped COVID-19 testing requirements for all international arrivals from May 15 as per Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg after a significant decrease in the number of cases.
• Vietnam suspended the medical declaration requirement for all international arrivals from April 27 as COVID-19 cases dropped nationwide. Medical declarations for domestic travel have also been suspended.
• Take a COVID-19 negative test using the RT-PCR method 72 hours before entering Vietnam OR a rapid Antigen test (no self-test) 24 hours before entering Vietnam. This does not apply to children under 2 years of age;
• Make a health declaration (screenshot at end of article) before entry and download the PC-COVID app; and
• In case a COVID-19 test is not taken prior to departure, a test will be taken within 24 hours after arriving in Vietnam. If negative, travelers can travel anywhere within Vietnam; no quarantine required.
• Tourists entering Vietnam should also have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of US$10,000.
• The e-visa government website link is now open for visa submissions.
• Vietnam’s government on March 15 agreed to resume its visa exemption policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days regardless of the purpose of entry. This applies to citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The visa exemption policy had been in place prior to the pandemic. Further details on entry procedures are awaited from the government.
• The government has agreed to reopen Vietnam for international tourism from March 15. A detailed reopening plan is expected to be released soon by the relevant government authorities.
• Vietnam lifted restrictions on the frequency of regular international flights from February 15 as per the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
• Vietnam scrapped the quick test for COVID-19 for international arrivals before boarding and after arriving in Vietnam. The measure had earlier been imposed for travelers coming from countries that had detected the Omicron variant. However, the negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test, 72 hours prior to boarding for international arrivals remains.
• The government on January 18 issued a new Directive allowing foreign employees and overseas Vietnamese with valid TRCs, PRCs, and visa exemption certificates to enter Vietnam without approval from the immigration department and the local peoples committee. 
• Vietnam’s Immigration Department has announced that it will discontinue the automatic stay extension for foreigners stranded in Vietnam from January 15. The stay extension measure had earlier been applied to foreign tourists who had entered the country since March 1, 2020, due to border restrictions caused by the pandemic.
• Travelers coming from countries that have detected the Omicron variant will have to undergo a quick test for COVID-19 before boarding and when they arrive in Vietnam at their own cost. In addition, the self-quarantine locations such as residences and hotels must be as per standards as per the Ministry of Health, otherwise, they will have to undergo quarantine in centralized facilities. Airlines have asked authorities to scrap the quick test requirements as travelers are required to have a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding.
• While Vietnam approved the resumption of international flights with nine destinations from January 1, 2022, only five international routes have been confirmed such as to the US, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Singapore.
• Hanoi scrapped the centralized quarantine rule for travelers that come from countries that have detected the Omicron variant as per transport authorities.
• The transport ministry has stated that passengers from Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho do not need to provide negative COVID-19 tests before boarding for flights. Only passengers from very high-risk localities or locked-down areas would have to provide test results within 72 hours.
• Travelers entering Vietnam for business purposes for less than 14 days will be exempt from quarantine requirements as per the Ministry of Health, however, they must comply with pandemic prevent measures including staying at separate accommodations. Further details are likely to be provided by the MoH.
• Vietnam has reduced quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international arrivals from January 1, 2022. Arrivals with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results would only need to self-quarantine at home or their places of accommodation for three days when they enter Vietnam. Two RT-PCR tests will be conducted on the first and third day of entry. If negative, entrants are still required to monitor their health for the next 11 days. Further details are likely to be released by the health and transport ministries.
• Vietnam’s government has approved the resumption of international flights between Vietnam and nine destinations from January 1, 2022. These include San Francisco or Los Angeles, Singapore, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Beijing or Guangzhou, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei. Further details on schedules and entry procedures are awaited.
• Vietnam’s Immigration Department announced automatic visa extensions until December 31, 2021, for foreigners that entered the country on visa waiver programmes, e-visas, or tourist visas since March 1, 2020. The measure applies to those who entered Vietnam since March 1, 2020, allowing them to leave the country without any penalty or paperwork until December 31, 2021.
• Vietnam plans to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists in a three-phase plan beginning in November at specific locations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and others. The second phase would begin in January 2022 with further locations added to the list with a full reopening expected sometime in June or July 2022. Tourists on packaged tours have arrived at the aforementioned locations since November 20.
• Vietnam has temporarily recognized COVID-19 vaccine passport or certificates from 72 countries including China, the US, UK, UAE, Thailand, India, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Germany, France, Cambodia, and Canada among others to facilitate the entry of foreign arrivals who are fully vaccinated.
• Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City relaxed social distancing measures on September 21 and October 1 respectively to help recover the economy with pandemic prevention controls. Residents of Ho Chi Minh City must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and obtain a QR code through the mandated health apps for movement within the city.
• Vietnam has cut the centralized quarantine period for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals to 7 days from the previous 14. Arrivals must also test negative for the virus within 72 hours before arrival and would then be required to self-monitor for another 7 days after the quarantine period. In addition, those infected with COVID-19 and have certificates that they have recovered from the virus within six months would also have their quarantine period reduced. The government is yet to provide further details and date for implementation.
• The government on September 15 issued Notice No 330/TB-VPCP allowing Vietnamese carriers to resume international air routes with six countries – these are Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Vientiane (Laos). However, incoming travelers will need to present a negative RT-PCR test three days before departure and test again on arrival in Vietnam. Commercial flights, however, are yet to resume pending further instructions from government authorities.
• Foreign employees will be allowed to quarantine at the company’s factory, the company headquarters, or at a designated hotel/facility. In addition, if they test negative twice, they could be released and self-quarantine at their residence or company headquarters in accordance with local health authorities. 
• While Vietnam Airlines began one-way flights to Japan on September 19, carriers will release specific schedules for air routes after official confirmation from the authorities. 
• Vietnamese authorities will charge a quarantine fee for anyone entering Vietnam from September 1. However, the medical treatment of Vietnamese nationals in case they are infected by the pandemic will be covered by the state budget. Foreign nationals are required to pay for their own medical treatment. International arrivals who opt to stay at government quarantine facilities are required to pay at least VND 120,000 (US$5) per day.
• Foreign employees that want to enter Vietnam should ensure they have a sponsor who can assist in obtaining the necessary paperwork and be prepared for a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival in Vietnam
• Vietnam will grant e-visa to citizens of 80 countries from July 1, 2020 as per  Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP . Details on the list of countries can be accessed  here . While this is a positive sign, Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors due to the pandemic and the government has not made any official statement on when the borders will reopen.
• As of 12:00 pm on March 15, Vietnam suspended all visas and will deny entry to travelers from the UK and the 26 Schengen countries; this includes travelers that have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days. This will be effective for 30 days.
• From March 7, all travelers coming to Vietnam will be required to submit a health declaration upon arrival. Passengers can fill out this declaration at the airport or submit it online via this link  (picture below).
• Do not travel if you are sick; those that travel while sick, risk being quarantined, and undergo tests.
• Additional restrictions are possible for travelers when they return to their country of origin, including entry restrictions and quarantine.

The Vietnamese government officially declared COVID-19 as an epidemic on February 1, with authorities taking swift and strict measures to contain the virus.

Several Vietnamese businesses, residential complexes, and restaurants have installed their own preventative measures to keep customers safe.

Due to the epidemic, travelers should monitor restrictions and comply with advisories issued by the local and national authorities.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is updating about the epidemic here , while the Tourism Ministry has also listed travel updates here .

In addition, basic precautions one can take to reduce their risk to the coronavirus as advised by the  World Health Organization  (WHO) are:

• Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub;
• Cover nose and mouth with tissues or inside of elbow when coughing or sneezing;
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms;
• Thoroughly cook meat and eggs; and
• Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.

Health declaration form sample:

Note: This article was first published on March 9 and has been updated to include the latest developments.

Vietnam Briefing  is produced by  Dezan Shira & Associates . The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices  across the world , including in  Hanoi ,  Ho Chi Minh City , and  Da Nang .  Readers may write to  [email protected]  for more support on doing business in Vietnam.

We also maintain offices or have alliance partners assisting foreign investors in  Indonesia ,  India ,  Singapore ,  The Philippines ,  Malaysia ,  Thailand ,  Italy ,  Germany , and the  United States , in addition to practices in  Bangladesh  and  Russia .

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Vietnam travel requirements 2024: What travelers need to know

We aim to keep this post updated about Vietnam travel in 2024 with official Vietnam travel restrictions, requirements, and health and safety guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can travel confidently, safely, and responsibly in this new post-pandemic world of ours.

Vietnam is a destination close to our hearts. We returned to visit Vietnam in 2023 and 2024.

As restrictions can vary based on the traveler’s citizenship, we will focus primarily on rules affecting U.S. citizens.

* Get our free Post-Pandemic Travel Checklist *  

April 2024 – “During our 3-month stay in Central Vietnam, we took a short trip out of the country. We brought our printed e-visa , which was examined by the agent that checked us into our flight from Hong Kong back to Vietnam and again at immigration in Da Nang. Proof of onward travel was not requested this time. The Hanoi airport international check in was as crowded as ever in April. Budget airlines like VietJet use buses instead of jetways for boarding and deplaning, so it’s impossible to avoid close contact with crowds. I’d say less than 1/4 of travelers are still wearing masks. Masks are more commonly worn outside on motorbikes in Vietnam.”

January 2024 – “We flew back to Hanoi, this time with a 3-month evisa we applied for online well in advance. Besides valid passports, we were asked for proof of onward travel from Vietnam while checking into our flight in the US. We were asked to name our travel insurance provider on the visa application and brought documentation of the policy from Safety Wing , however, we weren’t asked to show it at any point. We were not asked any questions at immigration, only provided our passport and black/white print out of the visa.”

At the end of the post, we share more on-the-ground perspectives from local residents and travelers to Vietnam so you can get a true sense of what things are like.

Table of Contents

Is Vietnam open for travel? Can I travel to Vietnam right now?

Vietnam is now open to foreign travelers. Vietnam officially reopened its borders to all international visitors on March 2022, after two years of being closed.

Travelers can apply for an e-visa online. See our Vietnam evisa tips here.

Foreign travelers are not required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test or show proof of vaccination prior to arrival. The health declaration form requirement has been removed. 

Travel insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment with a minimum coverage of $10,000 has been required. There is a declaration that you’ll have insurance on the evisa application. It’s unclear if this is still being enforced anywhere. (We use Safety Wing for travel insurance in Vietnam.)

What Vietnam tourist visas are available right now?

E -visas are available to Americans, Canadians, and all other nationalities.

Effective August 2023, e-visa validity has been extended to 90 days. You can choose between single entry or multiple entries.

Travelers can apply for an e-visa at the e-visa web portal of the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Be sure to review our Vietnam evisa tips here , as there are some quirks and important things to know to avoid having to reapply.

In our experience, processing the evisa can take at least 3 days. We also had to redo one application because one of our credit cards wouldn’t allow the online charge. It’s best to apply for Vietnam e-visas several weeks in advance, just in case.

What about Vietnam Visas On Arrival?

We’re not clear on the availability of Visas On Arrival – technically it’s a Landing Approval Letter, which we used before the pandemic. We saw no desk for VOAs in the immigration hall at Ho Chi Minh City airport when we arrived at the end of 2022. In early 2024, there was a “Visa Application” desk in Hanoi, but it didn’t seem to be active.

In cases where you’re ineligible or have trouble with the e-visa process, you may be able to apply for a Landing Approval Letter through an agent in Vietnam, print out the letter, and proceed to the visa counter at the airport to receive your actual visa sticker, which is another $25 USD.

Can Vietnam e-Visas be extended?

E-visas cannot be extended , meaning visitors have to leave or do a border run and reapply. There is no official limit that we can find as to how many times tourists will be approved for e-visas back to back.

Vietnamese embassies and consulates are telling callers that nothing can be done about visas there, as all applications are currently online.

Quarantine rules in Vietnam: What happens if I get Covid?

Travelers entering Vietnam are not required to quarantine upon arrival.

Foreign tourists experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or those concerned they have been exposed to COVID-19 while in Vietnam can call Vietnam’s health hotline at 19009095 (Press 1 for English).

Foreign tourists who  test positive for Covid while in Vietnam may need to isolate for treatment. Thankfully, isolation no longer needs to take place in government facilities.

Medical treatment should be covered by the visitor’s travel insurance. Some of our acquaintances tried getting Paxlovid via a local doctor while in Vietnam but were not successful.

How has the Coronavirus impacted Vietnam?

Apart from suspending foreign travel, the impact of Covid in Vietnam was relatively minimal in the first year. The country’s quick reaction became one of the most effective in the world at first. Lock downs were for a few short weeks and then daily life resumed as usual for several months until new cases popped up.

Vietnam had 99 days without any cases of community transmission and no deaths in Spring 2020. However, in late summer 2021, the infection rate in Vietnam skyrocketed as the Delta variant spread and vaccination rates were low. In December 2021, Vietnam detected the first case of the Omicron variant in Hanoi.

Strict lock down zones were implemented throughout 2021. Vietnam’s tourism and manufacturing sectors have been especially hit hard.

In March 2021, vaccinations began but very slowly. Now, over three quarters of the population are fully vaccinated.

In January 2022, Vietnam reopened international flights from select locations. A limited number of tourists were accepted through package tours and a trial vaccine passport program until full reopening in late Spring 2022.

International tourism recovery was slow in 2022, though domestic tourism was strengthened. Vietnam’s tourism in 2023 was still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

For the current situation in Vietnam, including: total COVID-19 positive cases; total cases in Vietnam; and COVID-19 testing in Vietnam, please see the Vietnam Ministry of Health site .

Can I travel to Vietnam this Summer 2024?

Travel to Vietnam this Summer is open . Read on for details and check back for updates.

What is it like to fly to Vietnam HAN Hanoi, DAD Da Nang, or SGN Ho Chi Minh City International Airport right now?

Vietnam airports seemed very busy to us, and crowds are difficult to avoid. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports can get exceptionally crowded. Masks are no longer required.

Do I have to quarantine when traveling to Vietnam? No. See details above.

Does Vietnam check COVID-19 symptoms of incoming travelers? No.

Does Vietnam require a proof of negative Covid 19 test result for travelers? No. As of April 2022, a negative test is no longer required for entry into Vietnam. 

Does Vietnam require a proof of Coronavirus vaccine for travelers? No. Proof of vaccination is currently not required to enter Vietnam. 

Do I still need to provide a negative Covid test or quarantine if I have been vaccinated? At this time, there is no special allowance for vaccinated travelers in Vietnam. However, a Covid test and quarantine is no longer required to enter Vietnam.

Is a booster shot required for travel to Vietnam? At this time, booster shots are not required in Vietnam. There is currently no expiration period set for the validity of vaccinations.

What healthcare options are available to travelers in Vietnam who get the virus? Hospitals and clinics are open in Vietnam. Foreigners must pay for any medical treatment out of pocket.  

Government quarantine locations may only have rudimentary facilities.

Persons experiencing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus should call the health hotline at 19009095 (Press 1 for English). Availability of treatments may differ from your home country.

If a foreign visitor is required to be tested for Coronavirus, they can get tested at designated laboratories in Vietnam. The test may be free if they test negative. If the test is positive, the visitor will be required to pay for it.

For travel insurance that covers Covid, check out Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing >

What service businesses and restaurants are open in Vietnam? Businesses and activities have fully reopened. Select cities and provinces have imposed temporary lock downs or closed certain non-essential businesses when outbreaks of the virus are detected in the area. 

Are face masks required in Vietnam? Vietnam has relaxed mask rules in pubic places. You’ll still see many people wearing face masks, especially while driving, as this was common practice even before the pandemic.

Are buses and trains running in Vietnam? Domestic airline and railway transportation are running on normal schedules. More daily flights within Vietnam are now available. Public and passenger transportation has resumed.

Will Vietnam impose new Covid restrictions? What’s next is difficult to predict. Vietnam no longer follows a “zero Covid” policy so shut downs are less likely than they were before vaccines were available. Historically, most countries impose COVID-19 restrictions when strains on the health care system become unsustainable.

What should you pack for safely traveling in Vietnam?

😷 Face Masks – Face coverings are required in some public places and commonly used throughout Vietnam. Find N95 masks at Bona Fide > or designer options at Vida >

🧴 Hand sanitizer   Shop hand sanitizer >

💊 Medicine – Bring enough prescription and over-the-counter medication for your entire trip to avoid trips to the clinic.

💳 Vaccine Card Holder – Protect that paper CDC card when traveling abroad (if your country doesn’t offer a digital version). Get a simple plastic protector > or Vegan leather clippable > or Leather passport + card combo holder >

👃 Covid self-test – The most studied rapid antigen self-test with FDA emergency authorization.  NOT valid to enter countries. Use for your own peace of mind. Order from CVS > or Walmart >

💧 Sealed water bottle – Make sure your reusable water bottle has a lid that’s not exposed to the air. We use one of each of the following: Shop insulated water bottles with protective lid > Shop water bottles with purification filter and protective lid >

✈️ Travel insurance that covers Covid – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.

What do Vietnamese locals and recent travelers say about visiting Vietnam now?

What is it like to visit Vietnam right now? It’s our goal to provide regular updates here from real people on the ground, to help potential visitors know what to expect. The following are subjective opinions only. Official travel guidance can be found above.

October 2023 – Peta and Jonas of Exit45 Travels , Australian travelers: “We are travelling around the north of Vietnam for 1 month from mid-September to mid-October 2023. We are nearing the end of the wet season here in the north of Vietnam which is traditionally low season. There are some tourists travelling around but in general, it is fairly quiet.

There are no travel restrictions in place here in Vietnam and there is no shortage of restaurant, accommodation and medical care facilities available. As the seasons are changing here at the moment, many locals and travellers are sick with head colds. This has been most obvious in restaurants where the cooks and waiters have been coughing and sneezing freely without covering their mouths or wearing face masks. It feels as though covid never really happened, and no lessons have been learnt about general hygiene. This may have been the case pre-covid too, and maybe we just didn’t notice then, but we have certainly had a heightened awareness of it this time.

The new e-Visa application process can be quite a challenge and whilst they say to allow 3 to 5 business days for approval, we would highly recommend applying approximately 1 month before you plan on arriving in Vietnam. If you then have any problems with the application, you will have time to reapply.

The biggest problem people are encountering is once approved, the information on your approval is incorrect i.e. middle name is missing, D.O.B. has the day / month in the wrong format, incorrect entry port etc.”

September 2023 – Ros & Alan Cuthbertson of StepIntoVietnam , Australian Digital Nomads:  “We visited Vietnam frequently prior to Covid and have returned three times since the country reopened post Covid.

Everything is back to normal, masks are not required but you will find many locals still wearing them. Very few tourists can be seen wearing masks. There is no Covid or health testing required for travel within the country.

Tourists are beginning to flock to Vietnam and are rediscovering the wonders of this fascinating country. Popular destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City are busy with tourists and prebooking travel and tours is advised. For example we tried to book a two berth train cabin from Hanoi to Hue but they had been booked out months in advance and we had to get a four berth cabin instead.”

March 2023 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, U.S. nomad: “We thoroughly enjoyed returning to visit Vietnam and would have stayed longer if we could. Our Vietnamese friends tell us that Covid is no longer a major concern in Vietnam. Tourists have few restrictions to worry about.

There are still fewer tourists than pre-pandemic times, so I think now is a great time to visit. It still gets crowded in Hoi An Ancient Town at night, and the Hanoi airport departures area seemed exceptionally crowded.”

February 28, 2023 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, U.S. nomad: “We arrived back in Vietnam, flying from Thailand to DAD, for our second stay on the 30-day tourist visa. The evisa application took 3-4 days this time and we made sure to print it out. Air Asia checked the evisa at check in, as did the agent at immigration when we arrived.

Filling out an immigration form when arriving in Vietnam is no longer required unless you have something to declare (bring in significant money or goods into the country). Wait time for immigration was no longer than the wait for our bags to show up at luggage claim, and customs just asked us to scan our two carry on bags.

As our flight came in, AirAsia announced that there was a mask requirement for arriving in Vietnam. However, we did not see masks enforced and even a few of the airport employees weren’t wearing masks.” 

January 27, 2023 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, U.S. nomad: “Unlike our flight into Vietnam, masks were not required on our outgoing flight but a majority of passengers and all the crew were wearing face coverings. Da Nang airport is spacious and only crowded at certain times when many flights are scheduled.”

January 2, 2023 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, U.S. nomad:  “The Ho Chi Minh City airport was very busy and had quite a few delayed domestic flights early in the year. More than half of passengers were wearing masks though they’re not required.”

December 2022 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers, U.S. nomad: “We flew to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from the US via Singapore. We applied for the 30-day evisa about one week before traveling. There was an issue with Chase not allowing the credit card charge online, so we had to redo one of our applications. It was processed in 2-3 days and I printed the one-page documents for our trip. We also printed our Safety Wing travel insurance coverage letter but didn’t end up needing to show it.

Upon check-in with Singapore Airlines in Seattle, we were only asked for our passports and visa paperwork. Arriving in Vietnam, there was a 40+ minute wait for immigration. We had to show our passport, boarding pass, and evisa printout. We were never asked for onward flight booking or Covid documents.

Masks were required on our flight into Vietnam. Many locals wore masks before the pandemic (partly due to air pollution), so mask-wearing out in public is still very common but by no means universal in Vietnam.”

July 1 2022 – M.T. Expat in Ho Chi Minh City: “Covid is very much an afterthought for most people now – official national case numbers have been under 1,000 per day for a while (with basically no testing going on), and mask use is far from universal anymore. I’ve even seen people in airports and on planes without a mask… But health officials are starting to sound some (mild) alarm bells [regarding the Omicron BA.5 variant]. Given how normal daily life has become (and the incredible surge in domestic travel, which is seeing holiday-level airport traffic daily), conditions are ripe for Covid to spread rapidly.”

May 2022 – Karla of Colorful Journeys , expat in Vietnam: “Every day, an increasing number of tourists travel within Vietnam. Many local tour operators have reopened for business and are now easily bookable. Transportation options are widely available and simple to book. 

Despite the fact that there are no longer any travel restrictions in Vietnam, the majority of people still wear masks. This is particularly true in larger cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. There is also a lot of local testing accessible in major cities. Because many hotels and attractions are permanently closed, it’s a good practice to call the business beforehand.”

March 25, 2022 – Phu, Vietnamese tour guide:  “Vietnam now is reopening for tourists but the tourists come to Vietnam very little at the moment. Not so many, still quiet here. In Hoi An all the shops and restaurants are open, and more domestic tourists come to Hoi An. The local people we are really happy welcome the tourists. And me I open my motorbike tours again, but in 1 month I have only one tour booking. I will be offering a discount price to welcome tourists booking this is the year.”

We highly recommend a motorbike day tour or overnight tour with our friend, Phu! Contact him at Hoianmotorbiketouradventures@ gmail.com .

January 2022 – Isabelle of Move to Vietnam , Vietnamese resident: “At the moment, domestic travel is possible as long as you are fully vaccinated. Tourists are only allowed in Vietnam under specific requirements. Unless you want to spend $1500 and up for 7-14 days of holiday, it’s better to wait for a few more months.

June 2022 is the government’s target to reopen. However, these policies change very often.

Vietnam has a pretty good system when it comes to contact tracing. Most places of business require everyone to check-in using a QR code or sign up sheet. If that place detects a positive case, people who were there at the same time will be contacted to be tested and self-isolated for a number of days. There’s very little anti-vaccination sentiment here. 

Tourists attractions are normally open. If you need to be hospitalised, you will have an option to go to a private hospital or a more affordable local hospital (you might have to bring a local or a translator).”

December 2021 – Huong Nguyen (Hanna), Vietnamese nomad CoXplore :  “After the lifting of strict COVID-19 restrictions, the government is still strict with the 5K rule: ‘Khau trang’ (facemask), ‘Khu khuan’ (disinfection), ‘Khoang cach’ (distance), ‘Khong tu tap’ (no gathering), and ‘Khai bao y te’ (health declaration) to help citizens get used to living safely with the COVID-19 pandemic in ‘new normal’ state; and citizens are generally active to follow. 

Recovering from COVID-19, Vietnam is now encouraging domestic travelling within the country, and is prepared to welcome international visitors who have met all the vaccination requirements. Residents must receive at least a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and obtain a QR code through mandated health apps for movement within the city.”

September 2021 – Phu, Central Vietnam Resident: “Vietnam now is lock down. Covid delta so fast in Vietnam now. Kill 14000 people already. My area we are staying home, still safe at the moment.”

January 2021 – Jackie & Justin, Life Of Doing , Expats in Ho Chi Minh City:  “Vietnam does not currently allow tourists to enter the country. Tourist cities rely on locals and long term residents visiting.  Currently, there aren’t any restrictions for traveling within the country for locals and long term residents. Everyone traveling must wear masks at public places and may have a temperature check before entering a building or vehicle. Many of the tourist cities have been impacted by fewer tourists and have closed restaurants and tourist attractions. Luckily, Vietnam’s government is proactive when it comes to finding the source of confirmed cases that have tested positive for the virus and trace the contacts of confirmed cases immediately.” 

Adela, Spanish/Digital Nomad. July 2020 ~ “The only tourists in Vietnam at the moment are either those who were already in the country or Vietnamese nationals doing internal tourism. At the moment, the relationship of the locals with foreigners is back to normal, however during the months of March and April there was a sudden “fear” of foreigners, especially Westerners, and in some places (restaurants, hotels, bars, etc) we were denied entrance. Although at the moment everyone is as friendly and welcoming as it can be, the kids that live in our street still laugh and cover their faces when they see us. Many businesses have chosen to close due to the lack of tourists, but most touristic attractions are open and …less crowded than they will ever be!”

Tasha , American Digital Nomad. July 2020 ~ “Despite having a third the population of the U.S. and sharing a border with China, thanks to common sense, early action, and preventative measures, Vietnam has vanquished coronavirus. Cases peaked at less than 400, and now the virus is completely contained — there is no community spread. Borders remain closed to keep the virus out. Vietnam has done an excellent job with testing and contact tracing. The virus is completely gone from the general population, so we are living life as normal, going to restaurants and cafes.”

Even if you can’t go to Vietnam right now, you can still get started planning your Vietnam trip for the future.

Check out our other Vietnam travel resources: – Suggested Vietnam Itineraries: 10+ Days in Vietnam – A budget guide to Hoi An Vietnam – A budget guide to Ninh Binh – A budget guide to Hue – A budget guide to Hanoi – A budget guide to Mai Chau Vietnam – Central Vietnam Destinations and Itinerary

* Get our free Vietnam Travel Destinations e-guide *

If you have questions or updates about travel to Vietnam during the Coronavirus crisis or post-pandemic, please let us know in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: Please note, travel restrictions change frequently. Readers must take responsibility for verifying information through official sources like the State Department and CDC, in respect to their specific situations. No responsibility can be accepted by Intentional Travelers for action or inaction as a result of information provided through IntentionalTravelers.com. Any information provided here is issued as general information only.

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Hello: I’m wondering if someone could let me know where the cheapest COVID insurance is to be found (FOR VIETNAM.) Many thanks. I’m in Cambodia and wanting to travel there soon. It’s Dec. 1, 2022. I’m vaccinated and boosted, healthy, etc. Many thanks.

Hi Randy. We’re not experts in insurance, but we plan to use Safetywing, as mentioned in this post – it’s easy to apply for even when you’re already abroad, but the costs depends on your age and it includes additional benefits that Vietnam doesn’t require. There are online insurance quote comparison tools you could try, but I’m not aware of an insurance package specific to Vietnam travel.

I would like to know about Phase 2 travel in Vietnam in January 2022. Is Phase 1 and Phase 2 doing the same requirement such as taking Covid test within 72 hours as well as quarantine 7 days in the government facility during January 2022?

Hi Andy. Thanks for visiting our blog. There is very little information about the requirements for future phases so far, probably because everything is still in constant flux in Vietnam. We’ll do our best to update this post with details as they become available. It’s always possible the reopening dates could change and additional information may be released at the last minute.

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• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Vietnam set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Vietnam.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Vietnam, your passport must have:

• an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive
• at least 2 blank pages
• no damage – British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Check the visa expiry date written in your passport is correct before leaving border control. If it is wrong, you could be accused of overstaying.

Visa requirements

You can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business.

If you want to stay longer than 45 days, you can:

• book with a travel agent in Vietnam and ask them to apply for a visa pre-approval letter – your agent will tell you when to collect your visa from the embassy
• apply for other visa types from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK
• apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries

E-visas restrict you to the entry and exit points you select when you apply. If you get an e-visa while in Vietnam, you must exit the country and re-enter to start your e-visa.

The British Embassy will not assist with visa extensions.

Work or study

If you want to work or study, check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Vietnam Immigration Department .

Read about visas and work permits if you live in Vietnam .

If you overstay your visa or work illegally, the authorities can prevent you from leaving until you pay a fine. You could be deported and prevented from visiting Vietnam in the future.

Travelling through Vietnam

If you transfer from an international flight to a domestic flight in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you must go through immigration and enter Vietnam. You must do this even if your final destination is outside Vietnam.

Check with your airline before departing.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Vietnam guide

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Vietnam . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you’re taking prescription medication into Vietnam, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. If it has a total import value greater than 100 US dollars, you must declare it at customs. For information about restrictions on medication, see Health .

Taking money into or out of Vietnam

If you’re taking cash into or out of Vietnam, you must declare amounts over:

• 15 million Vietnamese dong
• 5,000 US dollars (or the same value in other currencies)

If you’re leaving the country with more than these amounts, declare the money at customs and show either:

• confirmation you’re carrying cash abroad, issued by an authorised credit institution
• written approval to carry cash, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam

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Vietnam Travel Requirements 2023 | Everything You Need To Know

International travel to Vietnam has fully resumed. To make it easier for travelers to enter Vietnam while still upholding some health criteria, new entrance policies have been implemented. Learn more about the most recent Vietnam travel requirements for 2023, as well as tourist visa application guidance.

Visa Exempt

Visas are not required for tourists from the following countries, and they may remain for a specified number of days.

ASIA 14 days – Brunei, Myanmar. 15 days – Japan, South Korea (ROK). 21 days – The Philippines. 30 days – Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand.

EUROPE 15 days – Belarus, Denmark, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and The United Kingdom.

When you arrive in Vietnam, you can request a visa extension if you want to stay longer.

Visa Required

Visitors whose countries are not eligible for visa-exempt will have to apply for a Vietnam e-Visa, valid for 30 days. As of July 2020, Vietnam’s e-Visa is available to nationals of  80 countries . 

The fee for an e-visa is $25 USD , and the processing time is 3 working days. The code to print your visa will be sent to you by email.

*The application fee of $25 USD is non-refundable, under any circumstance, regardless of the result. 

Vietnam’s e-Visa Application Process

Please follow this guide to apply for a Vietnam’s e-Visa.

Vietnam’s e-Visa requirements

Prepare the following documents ahead of your application:

• A passport with six (6) months’ validity
• A photo in .jpg format of your full passport data page
• A passport photo in .jpg format (4×6, white background, without glasses)
• A valid international credit or debit card
• An email address for support purposes
• A temporary address within Vietnam
• Your entry and exit dates and entry and exit points/airports
• Travel insurance – medical/travel insurance with a $10,000 minimum coverage covers COVID-19 treatment. (usually, this costs around $40 USD .)

Steps to apply for Vietnam’s e-Visa

After you have got all the necessary documents, proceed with the application.

Step 1 : Go to the e-visa page or the National Immigration Web Portal . Choose ‘E-visa Issuance’ then click on the link for ‘Outside Vietnam foreigners’.

Step 2 : Fill out all of the essential fields on the form after uploading your.jpg pictures (passport data page and passport photo). Submit your form.

Step 3 : Pay the e-Visa fee of 25 USD. Copy down the document code provided.

Step 4 : You should receive an email notification of the status of your e-Visa application in three working days. If not, you can use this link to do a search for your e-Visa.

Step 5 : Find your e-Visa online with your document code. Download and print two copies of the e-Visa for added security.

You may enter the nation by any of the 28 international checkpoints , including eight international airports, using your current e-Visa. Please go here to get a complete list of the ports of entry, seaports, and airports that accept the e-Visa.

Other Notices Regarding Vietnam Travel Requirements

• Always double-check all the information on your e-Visa application form. The most common mistakes while submitting an e-Visa application for Vietnam are inputting the incorrect name and passport number, uploading wrong or low-quality photos, and selecting the wrong port of entry.
• If you have a visa exemption, such as for a period of 15 days, you may enter Vietnam, remain there, and then leave. You may then reenter Vietnam whenever you like and receive another 15 days.
• After you apply, e-visas typically take 3 days or up to 1 week. Make sure you apply early enough or you won’t get one before arriving.
• When you arrive, you can head straight to the immigration counter if you have an e-visa. If, however, you are exempt, head over to the counter for visas on arrival.
• Your visa will be stamped by an immigration official, who may also add the letters EV (electronic visa).
• To protect both yourself and others, you should follow common heath practices –  such as regularly washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and eating food that has been well prepared.
• Over the first 10 days of your stay in Vietnam, you must monitor your health. Call Vietnam’s health hotline at 1900 3228 as soon as you experience COVID-19 symptoms – fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if the Vietnam e-Visa application isn’t working properly? If you submitted your Vietnam e-Visa application incorrectly or there is a problem with it, you can send a message to the customer service representatives on the official website and detail the problem, such as incorrect information, a failed payment, or a forgotten registration code.

2. What if I provided invalid information on the Vietnam e-Visa application form?

The immigration department may ask for more information or, in unusual circumstances, may reject you if your application form is incomplete or contains inaccurate information.

If you need to supply more information for your Vietnam e-Visa, you will be contacted and asked to do so. Once you have submitted all the necessary data, the processing period will begin again.

3. What do I need to present upon arrival with the Vietnam e-Visa?

You must show a printed copy of the Vietnam e-Visa document you received (print from PDF) as well as your passport while entering Vietnam with your e-Visa.

4. Can I arrive on different dates than stated on the e-Visa?

You can arrive after the date of the entrance you specified on the Vietnam e-Visa application, but you cannot arrive earlier.

The days begin counting from the entry date you set after your visa is issued, regardless of whether it arrived late. Keep in mind that you must specify the exact arrival date when you apply.

5. Can I get an extension on my 30-day e-Visa?

Yes, but this can only be done from within Vietnam.

Let Us Help You Plan Your  Vietnam Trip Don’t let the planning stress you out. Tell us your travel ideas and our travel advisors are very glad to give you suggestions and guidance for your trip planning. We offer personalized tours according to your interests and requirements and help to create the best Vietnam vacation for you.

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Vietnam Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, vietnam - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.                    Exercise normal precautions in Vietnam.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Vietnam.

 If you decide to travel to Vietnam:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Vietnam.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .    

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Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 16, 2024

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon, though all the locals still call it that) is the largest (and most chaotic city) in Vietnam . Motorbikes, bicycles, cars, and rickshaws go wherever they please, and lots of street stands and markets spill into the traffic lanes. It’s a city with a billion things happening at once.

It’s also one of the most popular destinations in the country and has recently evolved into a hotspot for digital nomads thanks to its cheap cost of living.

The city has a lot to offer: wonderful shops, fantastic nightlife, delicious food, and plenty of historic sites. Additionally, you’ll find some interesting (and propaganda-heavy) museums like the War Remnants Museum as well as the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, secret tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. It’s my second favorite city in Vietnam (after Hoi An) and worth spending a few days visiting.

This travel guide to Ho Chi Minh can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this hectic metropolis!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Ho Chi Minh

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Admire the Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral is an imposing red brick building built between 1877 and 1883 by the French. At nearly 58 meters (190 feet), the two towers in the front of the cathedral rise above visitors and the neon-lit statue of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral still functions as a religious site and a major tourist destination, especially after gaining international recognition for a supposed sighting of a teardrop falling from the Virgin Mary statue in 2005. ( Note : The Notre Dame Cathedral is temporarily closed for renovations until 2023.

2. See the Cao Dai Holy See Temple

The Cao Dai religion (known as Caodaism) is relatively new (it’s less than 100 years old). It combines the teachings of several religions, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. This Cao Dai temple is the main temple for the religion and is hugely ornate and colorful, with a giant globe behind the main altar displaying the religion’s “divine eye” symbol. Entrance is free but there are a few rules to follow when visiting. You will need to enter through the side door instead of the main door and be sure to keep your shoes outside. Men will need to use the door on the right side and women on the left. Most people combine a trip to the temple with the Cu Chi Tunnels excursion.

3. Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels

Here you can crawl through the extensive network of narrow tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the 1960s to fight American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Tours involve a walk-through of the tunnels (over 100 meters of tunnels are open to visitors) which give you a sense of how the Vietnamese were able to defend their country for so long against a stronger force. It’s a sobering experience and not one for anyone claustrophobic. Tours cost around 350,000 VND.

4. Ascend the Saigon Skydeck

For a 360-degree panorama of the city, head to the Saigon Skydeck, one of the tallest buildings in the country. The observation deck is on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower and offers amazing views. Admission costs 200,000 VND and includes a bottle of water. Just check the weather forecast ahead of time. You can also go at night to see the city lit up. Open daily from 9:30am-9:30pm.

5. Take a food tour

Other things to see and do in ho chi minh city, 1. get lost in chinatown.

Chinatown is a hive of activity and a maze of temples, restaurants, jade ornaments, and medicine shops. Aside from the sprawling Binh Tay Market, you’ll find some fascinating temples in the area including the Chinese Chua Quan Am Temple and Cha Tam, a Catholic cathedral. It’s the biggest Chinatown in the country (there are around 500,000 Chinese people living in the city alone).

2. Visit the Ho Chi Minh City Museum

At one point or another, this city museum has been a Governor’s Palace, a committee building, and a Revolutionary Museum. Today, you’ll find a collection of weaponry and memorabilia from the country’s revolutionary struggle as well as captured U.S. fighter planes and tanks from the Vietnam War. Located in the former Gia Long Palace, there are some permanent exhibitions along with special exhibitions that rotate on a regular basis (check the website for details; it has an English version). Admission costs 30,000 VND plus 20,000 VND if you want to take photos.

3. See the Emperor Jade Pagoda

This temple was built in 1909 to honor the supreme Taoist god, Emperor Jade. It’s one of the most impressive pagodas in Vietnam. It’s also referred to as the Tortoise Pagoda and the pond on site is filled with turtles. The building is filled with intricate woodcarvings and statues of divinities and heroes, including Emperor Jade himself. The roof is also covered in detailed tile work showing characters from Buddhist and Taoist legends.

4. Shop at the Ben Thanh Market

Though this market in District 1 is crowded and rife with pickpockets, it is the ideal place to pick up some handicrafts, bargain souvenirs, and try some traditional (and inexpensive) Vietnamese food. It’s the largest market in Vietnam, so get lost in the chaos and enjoy it all. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price since you will be given the “tourist price” on items here. Just keep your wallet secure and out of reach as you wander.

5. Escape to Can Gio Island

Also known as Monkey Island, Can Gio Island is popular with tourists and locals looking to escape the chaos of the city. The beaches here aren’t mind-blowing like they are in Thailand, but it’s a cool place to relax and is one of Vietnam’s better islands. The Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve (which is where the island is located) is a recognized UNESCO site and the island’s monkey sanctuary and mangroves are perfect for wildlife fans. It’s about a two-hour drive to get here and you can take the #75 bus from 23/9 Park. If you don’t feel like navigating the island by yourself, there are tours available for purchase in District 1 that provide transportation. Prices range from 590,000-1,170,000 VND for full-day tours.

6. Unwind in Twenty-Three September Park

Formerly the location of the Saigon Railway Station, this park was built in its place after the station was demolished. In the early morning and just after the work day is done, this park is packed with people exercising and playing games. Watch a Tai Chi class, play a game of badminton, or chat with one of the many students who hang out in the area. There is a large underground entertainment complex just below the park and plenty to do nearby. Bring a book and a snack and enjoy the local pace of life.

7. Visit Ba Thien Hau Temple

Located in Chinatown, the Ba Thien Hau Temple is a Buddhist temple that was built in 1706 for the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. It’s believed she flies around on a cloud or a mat, rescuing people at sea. The outside of the temple doesn’t look like much but the inside is filled with porcelain figures and the roof is covered in colorful dioramas. On March 23rd of the lunar calendar, you can expect to see celebrations in the form of parades and dancing honoring Lady Thien Hau’s birthday (Mazu).

8. Tour the War Remnants Museum

This museum has a very “pro-communist, down-with-the-capitalists” bend to it but is nevertheless very interesting. Focused on the Vietnam War, which killed between 1,500,000-3,500,000 people, the museum’s best exhibit is the collection of bombs, tanks, planes, and war machinery, including an American F-5A fighter jet at the front entrance. The entrance fee is 40,000 VND.

9. Take a cooking class

For the best souvenir, take a cooking class. It’s a great way to learn new skills, try new dishes, and explore the country’s food culture and history. You can usually combine your cooking class with a market tour as well, allowing you to shop for your own, fresh ingredients before you cook. Tours vary but a quality tour with a local chef usually starts around 800,000 VND.

10. Catch a show at the Opera House

The Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best-preserved examples of French colonial architecture in the country (Vietnam was annexed by France and under French control for the better part of a century). It was built in 1897 for the opera but now hosts lots of different performances, including ballet, a bamboo circus performance, and Vietnamese traditional dances and plays. Check the website or stop by the front gate to see what’s on during your visit.

Ho Chi Minh Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels start from 90,000 VND for a room with 8-10 people and 140,000 VND for a bed in a smaller dorm with 4-6 beds. Most hostels offer free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Private rooms start at around 375,000 VND for a double room, but they average closer to 470,000 VND.

Budget hotel prices – Two-star budget hotel starts at around 170,000 VND, but for something a little nicer and less bare bones, 300,000-650,000 VND per night is the average. Expect standard amenities like free Wi-Fi, AC, and TV.

Airbnb is also available, with private rooms starting from about 350,000 VND. An entire home/apartment starts at around 800,000 VND. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early.

Food – Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, flavorful, and uses a lot of herbs and vegetables. Rice and noodle dishes are common, as are various soups such as the iconic pho (a beef noodle soup). Wonton soup, meat curry, fresh French bread (known as bahn me , and grilled fish are also really popular.

If you’re looking to eat at the delicious street stalls (and you should because it’s the best), expect to pay between 25,000-40,000 VND for a meal, with bahn mi’s on the lower ends and noodles and soups on the higher end.

Sit-down restaurants serving Vietnamese food cost around 70,000 VND per meal.

For fast food, expect to pay around 100,000 VND for a combo meal while a large pizza is around 150,000-200,000 VND. If you want Western food, expect to spend 200,000 VBD minimum.

If you want to splash out and have a nice meal (think semi-fine dining), a three-course meal with a drink costs around 400,000 VND.

Beer costs around 24,000 VND (60,000 VND if you want a craft beer) while a latte or cappuccino is 50,000 VND. Bottled water is around 7,000 VND. Coffee with milk (ca phe sua da) from a street vendor will cost 20,000 VND. Wine and cocktails start at 150,000 VND.

I don’t recommend cooking your meals here since there is plenty of delicious street food to eat at very cheap prices. You won’t make it as good as they do and the food is too delicious to miss. It really won’t be much cheaper either.

Backpacking Ho Chi Minh City Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 515,000 VND per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat street food for all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do mostly cheap activities like museum visits. If you plan on drinking, add another 25,000-50,000 VND to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 1,125,000 VND per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out at some restaurants, drink more, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels.

On a “luxury” budget of 2,350,000 VND or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, hire a private guide or driver, drink as much as you want, and do whatever tours you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in VND.

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

You don’t need to do much to save money in Ho Chi Minh City as it’s super inexpensive to visit. If you stick to local cuisine, cheap guesthouses, and public transportation, you’ll be hard pressed to spend a lot of money. Nevertheless, here are some additional ways you can cut down your costs:

• Only take metered taxis – Make sure the taxi drivers turn on their meters, otherwise, drivers can rip you off. Better yet, skip them and walk or take the bus as taxi prices add up fast!
• Ask your hostel staff – Before you leave the hostel, ask them to estimate how much what you want to do should cost. How much should a ride to the museum cost? How much should you pay to have a custom dress or suit made? They will be able to give you bargaining guidelines so you don’t get ripped off.
• Eat street food – Street food in Ho Chi Minh City is inexpensive and delicious. Be sure to try a banh mi , a Vietnamese sandwich popular in the south. You can find many different kinds of noodle soup at small street stalls for just a couple bucks a day.
• Enjoy happy hour – The bars in the Pham Ngu Lao area have plenty of Happy Hours, including half-price drinks, cheap cocktails, and buy one get two free!
• Save money on rideshares – Grab is the Uber equivalent in Asia and is way cheaper than taxis. It’s the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi.
• Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours are one of the best ways to get oriented in a new city. I recommend Saigon Free Day Tours. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is not safe to drink. To save money and reduce your plastic use, bring a reusable water bottle with you. LifeStraw make a reusable bottle with a built-in filter so you can be sure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh

The city has a ton of hostels and cheap guesthouses.There’s lots of accommodation to choose from. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• The Hideout
• Hangout Hostel HCM
• The Like Hostel & Cafe
• City Backpackers Hostel

How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City

Public transportation – Ho Chi Minh City has over 100 different bus routes, and you can reach all major tourist destinations this way. They’re safe and affordable, costing between 3,500-10,000 VND depending on the distance. You’ll pay the driver in cash as you get on the bus. However, if you’re going a short distance, this isn’t the most practical way to travel, as traffic is really bad here so it’s slow to get around.

Bicycle – A common way to get around the city is by bicycle, which you can ride easily since the city is so flat. You can rent a bike for about 130,000 VND per day. Some good companies to rent from include:

• Mr. Biker Saigon
• Saigon Bike Shop
• The Bike Coffee Cafe

Just a note of caution: traffic in Ho Chi Minh can be intense, so if you’re not an experienced cyclist, you may want to skip this option.

Taxis – Taxis start at around 12,000 VND for the first kilometer and 10,000 VND per kilometer thereafter. Grabbing a taxi from the airport to the center of the city should take about 30-minutes and costs about 200,000-330,000 VND. Do not take unmetered taxis!

You can also catch rides from motorcycle taxis for about 10,000 VND per kilometer or about 30,000 VND per short ride. Remember to set the price beforehand and always wear a helmet. Motorcycle taxis get you places the quickest, as they’re able to weave in and out of heavy traffic.

Cyclo – Cyclos are like tuk-tuks, except they run completely on man-power. Because cyclos are slow-moving and often a nuisance in traffic, many roads in Ho Chi Minh City are entirely closed off to them. If you choose to go this route, your driver may have to navigate around prohibited roads and may not be able to drop you off right at your address. Because of this, I do not recommend cyclos.

Ridesharing – Grab is Asia’s answer to Uber. It works the same way: you hire a local to take you somewhere via the app, and you can pay via the app or in cash. It’s often more affordable than a regular taxi too. Most rides cost around 40,000 VND.

When to Go to Ho Chi Minh City

The driest months in Ho Chi Minh City are from December to March, making it one of the most popular times to visit. The temperatures are warm during this time, ranging between 21-34°C (70-93°F). If you can, come during the Tet Festival (Vietnamese New Year) around the end of January or the beginning of February to enjoy the colorful celebrations. Prices are jacked up during this time, however, the city is lively and there are tons of parties and activities.

April and May are the hottest months of the year with highs reaching 37°C (99°F). The humidity can make it feel a lot hotter, though.

The rainy season lasts from May to September, but as in other parts of Southeast Asia, the downpour doesn’t tend to last long. The days are sunny and warm otherwise.

Another thing to note about the monsoon season: there are several public holidays during this time that may affect your visit. The most important ones are Vietnam Reunification Day on April 30th, May Day on May 1st, and Vietnam National Day on September 2nd. Shops and restaurants may be closed and public transit is unreliable.

How to Stay Safe in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a very busy city, but it’s a safe place to visit. Violent crime against travelers is very rare, but petty crime and theft are not. In crowded places, keep your purse/wallet close and be mindful of the activity around you. Don’t keep your cell phone or money in your hand as you’re walking around. Additionally, don’t leave your bags unattended when eating out. Always secure them so someone can’t grab them and run.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. The standard precautions apply as they do everywhere. For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the web that go into more detail.

Traffic can be hard to navigate here. Motorbikes are everywhere, and as a pedestrian, crossing the street can be scary. Wait for a break in the traffic before crossing the road, but then don’t slow down or adjust your gait. Just make a beeline to the other side so the drivers can weave around you.

Be on the alert for scams. Most are really just cheap attempts to try to nickel and dime you so you’ll need to be vigilant. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of safety advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Vietnam travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

Biking the Mekong Delta in Vietnam

Why I’ll Never Return to Vietnam

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Ho Chi Minh City tourist map

We would like to introduce you to the Ho Chi Minh City tourist map; the map includes the most popular destinations as well as useful information such as restaurants, bars, and shopping in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City weather

It is divided into two seasons in Saigon: dry season and rainy season. Saigon possesses a humid subtropical climate which is characterized by the long, hot and humid summers; and a well-developed monsoon with seasonal rainfall and thunderstorms. The rainy season normally starts from May to November and is taken over by the dry season from December to April. The highest temperature during the dry season recorded in April at around 39°C, however, is often cooled down by the intermittent showers. So, even if you travel to Saigon in the hottest month of the year, it still can be bearable enough for you to set out and explore the city.

The most enjoyable time to visit Saigon though is around December to the end of February when the festive season is in the air and the cool breeze is everywhere.

Transport in Ho Chi Minh City

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For the newcomers to Saigon, the traffic here could leave you overwhelmed due to the massive quantity of motorbikes and the chaotic flow. However, that is one of Saigon’s “specialties” and what you are going to miss it for. As the most modern city in the country, the system of transportation is very well-developed. This is the perfect transition point for your trip and a good base to explore other cities in the South of Vietnam.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the most important port in the country with a great capacity that enables it to serve domestic passengers and welcome international travellers. Vietnam Airlines is the official national airline accompanying other commercial airlines such as Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and so on.

Only 7 km away from the city center, there are many ways to travel to and from the airport:

• No.159 Bus: from the airport, you can take the bus No.159 at the airport bus station to get to Park 23/9 in downtown District 1; from here, it is easy for you to go to your hotel or other parts of the city.
• Taxi: there are many taxi companies that offer trips to Saigon downtown at a fixed price so you will not be worried about getting ripped off. You should not pay over 250,000 VND ($11) to go to District 1.
• Ride-hailing apps: one of the options is to book a ride from popular platforms like Grab or Gojek. This is more recommended for you to travel to the airport after having a sense of the city traffic. This is cheaper compared to the conventional taxi.

The Vietnamese railway is one of the oldest industries in the country. The railway net has a total length of 4,161 km, including five mainstream routes connecting 34 cities across the country. It also links with two stations of the Chinese railway in Yunnan and Guangxi (China) via Lao Cai and Lang Son. This allows international on-land travel. The longest train route is the North-South Route, running back and forth between Saigon and the capital city Hanoi. It runs almost parallelly with National Highway 1A, so you will be able to see the landscapes changing all the way.

One downside of train travel in Vietnam is the railway infrastructure and facilities have been running down which makes it lost in favor compared to other means of transportation. To win its reputation back, there are some newly-built train cars which qualify the 5-star standard brought into use.

The train station in Ho Chi Minh City is located at 01 Nguyen Thong St, District 3.

To book tickets online, you can visit the website: dsvn.vn .

Short-route buses: in Vietnam, buses do not have their own lane, so it is quite slow to travel by bus during peak hours. That may explain for its lesser popularity. However, it is an interesting way to see the city if you are in no rush. The system of city buses is highly distributed with around 136 routes around the city. The ticket price is totally inexpensive ranging from 5,000 VND – 15,000 VND and applied to both locals and foreign visitors. In 2011, the government took the green buses which run on clean energy into use. This is an effort to encourage people to make use of public transportation. The three most useful stations for your travel while in Saigon are:

• 23/9 Park Bus station (Ben Xe Cong Vien 23/9): 107 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1
• Western Bus Station (Ben Xe Mien Tay): 395 Kinh Duong Vuong St, Binh Tan District
• Eastern Bus Station (Ben Xe Mien Dong): 39,448 Hanoi Highway, Binh An Ward, Thu Duc City

You can visit this website to check out the bus route and schedule: busmap.vn , or download the app Busmap on your phone to help you.

And because these locations could be hectic, please be aware of your belongings while you are at the station and during your journey.

Long-route buses

This is the most used type of transport for travelling. They are seating and sleeping buses. A lot of travellers choose this way of travel because it is time-and-cost saving since the buses run overnight so you can jump on the bus at midnight and get to your destination early in the morning, fully recharged and ready to explore the city. Some big companies that offer this service are Futa Bus, Thanh Buoi Bus, Kumho Samco, etc. The price is affordable (200,000 VND – 500,000 VND). There are international routes that take you to different cities in Cambodia.

It is a pity that this type of travel has only been taken advantage of lately. Having a dense network of waterways could be a revolutionary solution to the crazy traffic situation in Saigon. At the moment, the Saigon water bus only has one route operating between Bach Dang Station (District 1) to Linh Dong Station (Thu Duc City). It is (personally) the ideal way of transporting in Saigon as you can avoid all the traffic while enjoying the cool breeze from the river. Actually, the water bus is not the main way of commuting by Saigon people (Saigoneers) but is rather a getaway and exploring experience.

The water buses leave daily from Bach Dang Station, 27 Ton Duc Thang St, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.

The price is 15,000 VND for one-way tickets and 30,000 VND for two-way tickets.

You can check out the timetable here: saigonwaterbus.com .

Motorbike – the iconic image of any city in Vietnam, is the most seen means of transport. In Saigon, most of the time, the streets surge with a vast number of scooters, honking for right of way (or sometimes just to express the drivers’ attitude).

The flow of motorbikes during rush hours could be overwhelming for many people, but once you get a little bit used to it, you are going to embrace the way it works. Exploring the city on a motorbike is a must and it will surely amaze you how smoothly this system operates and how skillful the drivers are in blending in the block of traffic. Although the traffic looks insane, it is actually very safe as the bikes move very slowly and the drivers are used to making eye contact as a way to send out signals to other commuters.

You can experience sitting on the back of the bike by using the ride-hailing apps mentioned above or reaching out to motorbike tour agencies.

Once you feel comfortable on the bike, you can totally hire your own one and head out for your own adventures. It is possible to rent a bike daily (around 7 USD/day) or monthly depending on your time and purpose. You will need a driving license if you would like to ride the bike yourself.

It is compulsory to wear a helmet while joining traffic and it is recommended to wear a facial mask to reduce the effect of pollution.

Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon, as mentioned above, has the busiest airport across the country, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Apart from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi , Saigon is the most favorable gateway among international travellers to enter the country. As a result, a wide range of accommodations has been popping up to meet the demand of the tourism industry of this city. No matter what your budget and travel purpose are, it will always please you.

Ho Chi Minh City has a big collection of 5-star hotels for luxurious holidays. They are located at the prime locations of the city, especially those that remained from the French colonial period,  overlooking the Saigon River and continuous flow of traffic.

In case Saigon is only a transition point for your travel and you are only looking for a place to crash at night, the city has countless sets of low-budget homestays, guesthouses, and airbnbs. The aesthetic feature is really taken into account when it comes to designing hotels as a result of general trends, so you can certainly find a place that is affordable and still rich in character.

Here are some recommendations for accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City .

10 must-visit attractions in Ho Chi Minh City

Do not expect spectacular mountain views or a calm ocean breeze; Saigon is more of a multicultural hub. You will not be likely to fall in love at the first sight with this city, but if you give it some time and open up to people here, you will figure out why so many expats choose this city to settle down. If, however, you only have a couple of days in town, here are some top attractions to give you a clue into the history and lifestyle of Saigon.

1. War Remnants Museum

Saigon at the moment is home to a collection of 11 museums featuring all aspects of culture: from typical Fine Arts Museum to unique ones like the Geology Museum or Ao Dai Museum. However, if you would like to learn a bit about the dark yet glorious Vietnam wars, the War Remnants Museum is always at the top.

First of all, it is super approachable. It is stated that this is a lively record of the US-South Vietnam War with more than 20,000 artifacts including documents, photos, and weapons.

The War Remnants Museum comprises three floors. There is not much to see on the ground floor as the ticket box and donation room are placed here. The highlighted destinations are the “Tiger Cage” – a type of prison used to capture and torture prisoners during wartime, and its collection of combat airplanes and tanks.

The other two floors are where all the weapons and photos capture tragic moments that wars brought to both countries and whoever was involved. Please mind that the images could be disturbing and miserable.

Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND/person ($1.7)

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3

2. Cu Chi Tunnels

Located in the outskirts of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels is another historical witness of the Indochina War and Vietnam War. The whole tunnel is actually an underground city having all the needed facilities like hospitals, meeting rooms, kitchens, and hundreds of kilometers of road tunnels connected. The deepest layer is 10 meters under the ground and only about 0.8-meter high – enough for one crawling person at a time. Now, for visiting purposes, certain parts of the tunnel were expanded so you can go in the tunnel and imagine living in it for days or months.

There are local buses running between Saigon downtown and Cu Chi Tunnel. From District 1, it is easy to catch bus No.13 directly to Cu Chi Bus Station for only 7,000 VND (30 cents). From there, take the No.63 bus to get to the site.

Entrance ticket: 110,000 VND/person (included snacks)

Address: Tinh Lo 15 St, Phu Hiep Ward, Cu Chi District

3. Jade Emperor Pagoda

There are many religions practiced in this populous city, yet, Buddhism is still dominant of all. In the heart of Saigon is sited an ancient pagoda, well-known for its sacredness.

This little pagoda remains solemn and mysterious in the middle of a bustling and chaotic city. Having been built since 1892 on a site of over 2,000 square meters, it took 16 years to complete all the details of the construction. Visiting this pagoda of 300 statues coming in all shapes and sizes will give you some understanding of the influence of Taoism on the architecture and religion of the Vietnamese. It is not a random fact that many people worship this religious site: this pagoda is believed to fulfill the prayers of having love and children with many successful stories spread through word of mouth.

The Former President of the United States – Barack Obama used to pay a visit to this sacred pagoda in 2016.

Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu St, District 1

4. Chinatown

Due to the fact that the Chinese had invaded Vietnam for a thousand years and the two countries share the borderline, Vietnamese culture is strongly influenced by Chinese people and up to now, over generations, there is still a huge population of Chinese people in Saigon. They gather mainly in districts 5, 10, and 11 with active and lively business activities and vibrant energy. The center of Chinatown is called “Cho Lon” meaning the Big Market. You will be amazed at the interesting juxtaposition of all the shops: a chaotic arrangement in a generally orderly picture, which is hard to put into words. This is also the wholesale market of the city so it would be an unforgettable experience to watch the merchants constantly picking up their goods while chit-chatting joyfully.

We recommend you to do a Pagoda tour because this walkable area has many long-standing pagodas which are rich in religious details and stories and of course very instagrammable. After a long course of exploring, it is best to sit down for a cup of iced coffee and some food. Chinatown has some of the best food; most of them are obviously Chinese foods which are slightly adjusted to suit the climate and also the palate of the local customers.

5. Independence Palace

Another historical site in Saigon is the Independence Palace. This is where the former president of the Vietnam Republic – brothers Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu stayed and worked – could be compared with the White House. Remained over 150 years despite the hand of time, the palace reveals a subtle combination between the Western and Indochina architect. There are over a hundred rooms on the campus with different settings; a rooftop where an airplane could land; and a system of strong tunnels which could bear heavy guns and bombs.

The Independence Palace plays an important role in the Vietnamese hearts and history because this exact site witnessed the revolutionary moment when the enemies declared unconditional surrender.

Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND/person

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, District 1

Opening hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

6. Nguyen Hue Walking Street

This is the go-to place for the Saigoneers especially when the sun is out and the weather becomes cooler. There is not much to “do” but a lot to “see” here. Walking along this street will give you a sense of how the locals spend their nighttime. There is a lot going on in just less than 1 kilometer: people taking photos, young people practicing skating, water music performance, and more.

The most amazing thing (personally) is the Cafe Apartment. Located along the walking street, these old apartments were transferred into cafes and shops; when nights come, all the lights from the sign panos are lit making a stunning view itself. This is where people bring their dates, take photographs or get their work done. If you are into photography, this place is gold with every corner full of life and photogenic of course. Exploring the cafe apartment is like a treasure hunt: you browse through each floor and check out each cafe to see its decor; menu and view before deciding to settle in one. Most of the cafes have a small balcony facing the walking street, so you can sit here to enjoy the breeze while watching the world passing by under your feet.

Also, there is a cuisine complex called Saigon Garden where you can find fusion eateries, and take a sip of wine before heading back on the street.

This location offers free entrance; however, if you drive a bike, you will need to pay for the parking ticket at 10,000 VND.

7. Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the heritage sites remaining from the French colonial period. After 140 years since the day it was finished, this has become a cultural and religious symbol of not only Christians but also of the Saigoneers in general. The Cathedral was designed by a French architect named J. Bourad; therefore, the overall architecture was profoundly influenced by Western architecture with the breath of a combination of Roman and Gothic architectural styles.

Interestingly, all the materials used for building the cathedral were brought to the site from France; and apparently, only Christians were recruited to build the cathedral. And the Virgin Maria Statue standing in front of the cathedral was sent from Rome. There are many fascinating stories amid this statue such as she shed tears, which attracts flocks of people visiting in hope of witnessing the miracle moment. Everyday, this sacred location witnesses couples hand in hand, coming here for their wedding shooting with the hope that their marriage will be protected by Supreme Beings.

Notre Dame Cathedral however had suffered severe damage from time and weather and has been under overall maintenance. It is though still worth a visit for the surroundings and neighboring streets such as Han Thuyen St and Pasteur St, which still retain the French vibes.

Address: 01 Cong Xa Paris St, District 1

8. Saigon Central Post Office

Right next to the cathedral situated the Central Post Office, which is also another French colonists’ construction and the largest post office in Vietnam. This building was designed by the world-famous architect Gustave Eiffel – the Father of the Eiffel Tower. People go there not only to embrace the unique architectural design but also to take a moment to immerse themselves in the nostalgic atmosphere.

Why don’t you come here, write a postcard and send it to your beloved ones?

Address: 02 Cong Xa Paris St, District 1

9. Ben Thanh Market

The market has everything you ever need. Ben Thanh Market is famous for its abundance of goods and local produce. This is an indoor market so it will keep you off the Saigon heat and still give you an authentic shopping experience. It will take you a long walk to fully explore the market and do not miss the food court as well as the meat and fish section to truly feel the lively and vibrant atmosphere going on.

At night, the surroundings turn into an open market with lines of shops selling fabric, clothes, leather products, and of course local street food. If you are looking for a place to buy souvenirs for your trip, this is it.

Address: Le Loi St, District 1

10. The Opera House

Lastly in the series of the French colonists’ heritage sites is the Opera House. Only a walkable distance from the former two buildings mentioned above, this location is magnificent in its design. There is a small square in front of the House where people sit down to admire the grand design of the city.

The Opera House hosts many outstanding and high-quality cultural performances in which “A O Show” is the highlight. It brings in a lot of cultural elements of the Vietnamese as Non La and bamboo trees. The show is absolutely impressive and totally worth every penny.

You can check out the trailer and show schedule here .

Address: 07 Dong Khoi St, District 1

10 must-try foods in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon is where the cuisine flourishes. The most dominant industry reported in Saigon is foods and beverages which means it will offer you endless choices of food experiences. Here are some typical dishes for your visit in Saigon.

Of all the savory dishes in the city, Banh Mi is the most likely to be tried in Saigon as it is perfect for takeaway while you are busy exploring the city. Banh Mi is basically a baguette with various stuffings inside like Vietnamese pork sausage, char siu, fried egg, and pickled vegetables. It is convenient, cheap, and tasty.

You can find Banh Mi everywhere along the streets; however, here are some outstanding places we would recommend:

• Banh Mi Huynh Hoa Address: 26 Le Thi Rieng St, District 1 Price: 58,000 VND ($2.5)
• Banh Mi Hong Hoa Address: 54 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1 Price: 30,000 VND – 40,000 VND
• Banh Mi 362 Address: 25 Tran Cao Van, District 1 Price: 20,000 VND – 40,000 VND

Hu Tieu is originally a Mekong Delta noodle soup. Unlike Pho, Hu Tieu noodles are smaller and a bit harder. Hu Tieu soup is extracted from pork bones and vegetables. An adapted version of Hu Tieu is “Hu Tieu Nam Vang” which has sliced pork, minced pork, shrimp, quail eggs, and delicious soup.

Some good Hu Tieu restaurants are listed here:

• Hu Tieu Nam Vang Thanh Dat Address: 34 Co Bac, District 1 Price: 59,000 VND – 69,000 VND
• Hu Tieu Nhan Quan Address: A68 Nguyen Trai, District 1 Price: 85,000 VND – 120,000 VND

It is sometimes said that Saigon has no specialty. It is because Saigon is where people from all parts of the country come to seek jobs and a better living standard and over time, they also bring their local cuisine to this city. However, there is one dish that this city does better than anywhere else and it is Com Tam .

A typical Com Tam Saigon is a plate of steamed broken rice topped with grilled pork ribs, egg cake, sunny-side-up egg, and shredded pork skin with cucumber, tomato, and pickled carrots to balance the composition. To complete the taste, there is a small bowl of chili and garlic fish sauce served with the rice.

Here are some places you can get a good plate of Com Tam:

• Com Tam Bui Saigon Address: 100 Thach Thi Thanh, District 1 Price: 45,000 VND – 65,000 VND
• Com Tam Moc Address: 85 Ly Tu Trong, District 1 Price: 45,000 VND – 74,000 VND

4. Banh Xeo

Banh Xeo is a kind of crispy pancake that is eaten by being wrapped in a sheet of rice paper with some green herbs and dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. There are two versions of Banh Xeo: Banh Xeo in the South (Banh Xeo Nam Bo) is thinner, bigger, and less oily while Banh Xeo from the Central (Banh Xeo Mien Trung) is smaller, crispier and oilier.

Our recommendations for Banh Xeo:

• Banh Xeo Nga Address: 251 Nguyen Thien Thuat, District 1 Price: 50,000 VND
• Co Ba Vung Tau Address: 40B Tran Cao Van, District 3 Price: 115,000 VND
• Amitabha Restaurant (vegetarian Banh Xeo) Address: 40 Nguyen Thai Hoc, District 1 Price: 65,000 VND

This dish emphasizes the Southern cooking style with the use of fermented fish. A bowl of Bun Mam comprises shrimp, squid, grilled pork, and eggplant. This is going to be a real authentic cuisine experience in Saigon.

The best Bun Mam in Saigon could be found here:

• Bun Mam 144 Address: 144 Khanh Hoi, District 1 Price: 75,000 VND – 85,000 VND
• Bun Mam Mien Tay Address: 124 Tran Khat Chan, District 1 Price: 45,000 VND

6. Bun Dau Mam Tom

This is kind of an extreme food experience for a lot of people. Bun Dau Mam Tom comes in a small tray of boiled pork, deep-fried cubed tofu, fried “Nem” (Nem Ran or pork cake), and other toppings of your choice. The star of the dish is the dipping sauce Mam Tom – which is a fermented shrimp sauce. The smell of it is quite strong, but after you mix it with kumquat juice, a bit of sugar, and fresh chili, it will bring out the best taste of all the ingredients.

It is important to try this dish at highly hygienic restaurants, so here they are:

• Bun Dau Homemade Address: 01 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1 Price: 99,000 VND
• Bun Dau A Chanh Address: 200 Cong Quynh St, District 1 Price: 59,000 VND

7. Goi Cuon

Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls) is a tasty and healthy snack. Each roll features vegetables, a few rice noodles to guarantee the carb intake, and a slice of pork and shrimp. Just that simple but when you combine with the soybean paste and broken peanut sauce, it is going to make the most refreshing snacks.

Goi Cuon is often sold by the small vendor ladies. Some favorite Goi Cuon places favored by the locals here:

• Banh Cuon Hong Hanh Address: 17A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1 Price: 7,000 VND/roll
• Quan Chay Chi Cu (vegetarian Goi Cuon) Address: 07 Tran Dinh Xu, District 1 Price: 5,000 VND/roll

Oc which means snails and is the most loved dish/snack (whatever you call it) in the local’s heart. And it is obvious that Saigon is Oc paradise. There is even a whole area in which every single house on every single street sells Oc. There are numerous types of Oc together with other kinds of seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish. Oc is a “hanging-out” food that people often opt for when they want to drink a couple of beers at night time. Order 1 – 2 dishes at a time as the food comes in big portions. And do not forget to grab some beers.

Some popular places to go for Oc are below:

• Oc Dao Address: C79 Nguyen Trai, District 1 Price: 35,000 VND – 65,000 VND
• Oc Khanh Address: 25 Nguyen Binh Kiem, District 1 Price: 35,000 VND – 65,000 VND

Bo Kho is a traditional party dish in Vietnam , but people will always have a way to bring it into their daily meals. This is a version of beef stew in the Vietnamese way: beef is stewed in a pasty soup seasoned with spices and coconut milk. Bo Kho is often eaten with Banh Mi (baguette), rice noodles, or egg noodles. The shiny and tasty soup together with tender beef cubes will definitely win your heart.

Follow these recommendations for you Bo Kho tries:

• Bo Kho Co Mai Address: 25 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, District 1 Price: 59,000 VND – 69,000 VND
• Bo Kho Di Ut An Do Address: 194/5 Vo Van Tan, District 3 Price: 45,000 VND – 50,000 VND

10. Streetfood

Last but not least, street foods in Saigon are varied; they are more like snacks that students and officials love to eat together during their break. That is Banh Trang Tron (a game-changing snack) which is a bag of rice paper strips, shredded green mango and herbs, dried beef and shrimp, and quail eggs. It may sound like a strange combination but trust us; it could be your next favorite street food ever.

Other examples of street food are “Do Chien” and “Coc Oi Mia Ghim”. The former ones are basically deep-fried meat and fish balls, while the latter are mobile carts selling multiple types of fruits shaken with sweet and spicy salt.

To close this section, we would like to inform you about the street calls which you will hear a lot when you are here. We would call it the all-in-one cart as in these little mobile three-wheel bikes, and you can find grilled dried squids, grilled corn and sweet potatoes, stir-fried corn with butter, boiled baluts, and so on. You would find it annoying at first when the calls go through the night then become missing them when you leave.

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City

As the most developed city in Vietnam, the living standard of people here is relatively higher than in other parts of the country. People work hard but also enjoy themselves as much as possible. People do not mind splurging on luxurious goods as a way to display their success. As a result, the shopping activities in this city are always busy and active, creating an incredible scene for shopaholics. This shopping paradise is for everyone, whether you want to obtain high-end branded items or just local clothing and goods. Now, we are going to take you through all the possible shopping options so you can choose the best for yourselves.

Shopping centers are where you head if you are looking for some high-end products. This is the type of shopping in which you aim for branded names all the way from LV and Chanel to Zara, Mango and you name it. These shopping centers are located in prime areas of the city like District 1. Here are some addresses you can check out:

• Vincom Center Dong Khoi
• Takashimaya
• Diamond Plaza
• Crescent Mall
• Vincom Landmark 81

A friendlier shopping choice for both tourists and local people is the shopping square and shopping streets. The most favorable ones that could be named are Saigon Square and Nguyen Trai Street. For Saigon Square, they offer a more variety of goods that suit both Vietnamese and Western-style. Nguyen Trai St, on the other hand, is divided into two parts: half of the street is in District 1 which sells mostly local brands (designed clothes by domestic brands) with a higher price range in comparison with the other part. This part is more attractive to young Vietnamese people. The rest of the street stretches to District 5 and sells more affordable fashion items. It is a fun experience to stroll around the street to view the way locals batter and buy stuff.

Another shopping experience you should not miss is the open market or flea market which is not a new concept in the West but has newly adapted and blossomed in Saigon for the last couple of years. These often take place on weekends at big stadiums with the participation of local shops. They sell everything from clothing and accessories, perfumes, tarot reading, and food of course. You can search for Hello Weekend Market, The New District, or The New Playground to have a look at it.

Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City

It may not be a new fact that Vietnam is among the leading coffee exporters in the world. And cafe shops in Saigon are brought to a new level because Saigon people love coffee, or in other words, they love coffee shops. One of the excitements of them is to explore new cafes, especially those that are instagrammable for their newsfeed. They will dress up, go there and take photos, and spend hours chatting with friends. People will never get bored as there are always some new cafes with unique themes and designs popping up around the city. This kind of entertainment is so popular that some bloggers could live on by reviewing cafes. So you can join this cafe hunt by first browsing the internet to find one or two eye-catching cafes and go there, take some photos for your Instagram.

Amusement Parks

Bars, pubs, and beer gardens, exclusive experience in ho chi minh city.

• 
Saigon Skydeck Bitexco
• Nest by AIA Landmark 81
• Level 23 Wine Bar
• Chill Skybar

• The Deck Saigon
• Boathouse Restaurant
• Waterbiz and Tea Express
•  Saigon Princess Cruise Ship
•  Elisa Cruise Ship

Travel tips

Recommended length of stay in Ho Chi Minh City: 3-4 days

Money Exchange in Ho Chi Minh City:  For the best exchange rates, you are recommended to visit the money changers and gold shops around Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien Walking Street, or the banks.

Recommended Money Changers:

• Ha Tam Jewellery (7 AM – 10 PM) Address: 2 Nguyen An Ninh, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (near Ben Thanh Market)
• Kim Mai Jewellery (7 AM – 8 PM) Address: 84C Cong Quynh, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (near Bui Vien Walking Street)
• Banks: DongA Bank, BIDV, Vietcombank.

Related Articles

Mui ne, phan thiet, ha long bay.

There are no notices currently in effect for Vietnam.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Vietnam.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Vietnam.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Vietnam take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Vietnam.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Vietnam. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Vietnam, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Vietnam. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites
• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Vietnam, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Vietnam. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in Vietnam—such as dengue, Zika, and filariasis—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Vietnam include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Vietnam. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Vietnam’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Vietnam. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Vietnam may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Vietnam, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Vietnam, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Vietnam .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in Vietnam, dial 115 for an ambulance, 114 for the fire department, and 113 for the police. Write these numbers down to carry with you on your trip.

Learn as much as you can about Vietnam before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on Vietnam from the US Department of State

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Vietnam for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Latest update

Exercise normal safety precautions in Vietnam.

Vietnam (PDF 920.32 KB)

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Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise normal safety precautions  in Vietnam.

• Road accidents are a major cause of injury. Be alert at all times on the roads. 
• Petty theft, including bag slashing, is common in tourist areas and crowded places, especially during holiday times. Snatch-and-grab theft by thieves on motorcycles is also common. Hold bags and backpacks in front of you or on the opposite side to the traffic to make them harder to steal. Be aware of motorbikes approaching as you walk. Carry the minimum amount of valuables. Be prepared to surrender your valuables rather than risk being injured in a struggle.
• Aggravated theft, sexual assault and assault happen. Travellers have been assaulted after having their food or drinks spiked. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed. Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.
• Personal or commercial disputes sometimes lead to threats of physical violence or death. Have a clear agreement on the expected level of service. Report any threats to police.
• Travellers have been robbed withdrawing money from ATMs. Credit and debit card fraud and card skimming happen across Vietnam. Taxi and gambling scams are also common. Only use ATMs in banks and shopping centres. Always keep your credit card in sight. Use metered or prearranged taxis, especially at airports. Report gambling scams to police.
• During the rainy season (June to November), floods, typhoons and severe weather can disrupt essential services. Follow the advice of local officials.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Air pollution levels can be high in Vietnam, particularly in large cities.
• Insect-borne diseases such as dengue, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and zika virus are a risk. If you’re pregnant, discuss your travel plans with your doctor. Use insect repellent. Get vaccinated before you travel. Consider taking anti-malarial medication.
• Rabies occurs in Vietnam, especially in the north. It’s fatal without treatment. If you’re bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.
• HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if you’re taking part in high-risk activities.
• Diphtheria is a risk. Ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is common. It mainly affects children and young adults. Foodborne, waterborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases include cholera, hepatitis and typhoid. Wash your hands well and often. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.

Full travel advice: Health

• Don’t use or carry illegal drugs, including marijuana. Penalties for drug offences include the death penalty and life imprisonment. Never carry parcels or luggage for others.
• Get professional legal advice before signing any contract. If you're in a business or civil dispute, officials could stop you leaving Vietnam until it’s resolved.
• It's illegal to gamble in a non-government licensed casino or possess pornography. Non-state sanctioned political or religious activity or material, or involvement with groups perceived by the Government of Vietnam to be associated with dissident groups, is also illegal. 
• It’s illegal to export antiques without a permit. Get a permit from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Vietnamese) . It’s illegal to photograph border areas or military sites. Be careful when taking photos.
• Possessing or distributing images or objects linked to the former Republic of Vietnam, including commemorative or Vietnam War service-related items, is an offence that could attract harsh penalties.
• Vietnam recognises dual nationality in limited situations. If you're a dual national, travel on your Australian passport. You may need to do compulsory military service. Contact your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for details.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• You must have an appropriate visa before travelling to Vietnam. You can  apply online  for an eVisa for tourism or business purposes. If approved, the eVisa allows for a stay of up to 90 days and is valid for multiple entries. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam for the latest details.
• You must check your details are correct when applying for a visa. The visa details must match exactly the information on your passport's biodata page, such as your full name and date of birth. Any errors or name omissions may result in you being refused entry. You may be charged a significant fee at check-in or on arrival to correct the visa error.
• If you're travelling with prescription medication, check the value and quantity restrictions on the import and export of prescription medication with the nearest  embassy or consulate of Vietnam .

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.
• For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Hanoi , or the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy’s social media accounts

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Petty crime.

Petty crime, street crime and harassment happen, especially in larger cities.

Bag slashing is common in tourist areas, at markets, on crowded trains and buses, and at supermarkets. It increases in the lead up to and during Vietnamese and Western holiday periods.

Thieves on motorcycles commit snatch-and-grab crimes against pedestrians. This happens often and sometimes results in injury.

Thieves steal valuables, such as jewellery, handbags, mobile phones and cameras.

To protect your belongings:

• take care crossing the street or walking along footpaths
• be aware of motorcycles approaching from behind as you walk on the footpath
• hold bags and backpacks in front of you or in ways that make them harder to snatch
• carry only what you need and leave other valuables in a secure location
• be prepared to surrender your valuables rather than risk being injured in a struggle

Violent crime

Aggravated theft, sexual assault and assault happen. Hot spots include:

• Ho Chi Minh City
• Sapa, especially on the train to and from Lao Cai
• Cat Ba Island, near Ha Long Bay

Reports of groping and other sexual assault are rising.

Drink spiking occurs. Foreigners have been robbed and sexually assaulted after having spiked food and drinks. This happens at late-night establishments in major cities.

To protect yourself from drink spiking:

• only drink alcohol at reputable places
• pay attention when your alcoholic drinks are being mixed
• stay with people you trust in bars and at nightclubs

If you think your drink or a friend's drink has been spiked, get urgent medical attention.

If you're a victim of a violent crime, especially sexual assault, get medical attention. There is a risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases in Vietnam.

Although gun violence is uncommon in Vietnam, there have been isolated incidents in recent years. 

Travellers have been robbed after withdrawing money from ATMs.

Break-ins to hotels and private homes are reported. This happens even while guests are in their rooms.

To protect yourself from robbery :

• only use ATMs in banks and shopping centres
• make sure your hotel room is locked at all times, including when you're inside
• pay close attention to your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas
• be alert on overnight trains and buses and on quiet stretches of road

Report thefts straight away to the local police and hotel management.

Personal or commercial arguments sometimes lead to threats of physical violence or death.

If you're threatened with violence, report it to local police.

To avoid commercial disputes, have a clear agreement on what the expected level of service is.

Many travellers have become victims of credit and debit card, taxi and gambling scams .

Credit and debit card skimming is where card data is taken for use in fraudulent transactions. This happens throughout Vietnam.

Some Australians have lost thousands of dollars after accepting invitations to private homes from friendly locals. Beware of rigged card games and other confidence tricks organised by criminals.

Gambling may break local laws, which also apply to travellers. See Laws .

To avoid credit and debit card scams:

• keep your credit card in sight at all times
• don't share or show your PIN to others, especially when using ATMs
• check your transaction statements

At airports, use airport taxis, prearranged hotel transfer services, taxis from clearly marked taxi ranks with staff, or one reserved through a car booking app.

Check that any person holding a placard with your name on it knows where you are going.

Be careful of people who are overly friendly and invite you to their home.

If you're a victim of a gambling scam, report it to local police.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at low risk.

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Civil unrest and political tension

Although rare, protests sometimes happen.

Don't take photos of demonstrations, the military or the police. Authorities may not tolerate this.

Some localised violent clashes between protesters and police have resulted in casualties. The most recent incident occurred in Đắk Lắk Province in June 2023, when several police were killed in organised attacks on police stations.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Tours and adventure activities

Transport and tour operators' safety and maintenance standards may not meet your expectations. This can include adventure activities, such as mountain climbing and boat trips.

If you plan to do an adventure activity :

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Climate and natural disasters

Vietnam experiences natural disasters and severe weather , including:

• flash floods

Severe weather events can disrupt air, sea, road and rail transport, electricity and communications.

If there's a natural disaster:

• always carry your passport in a waterproof bag
• keep in regular touch with family and friends
• check the media and other local sources for information
• follow the advice of local authorities

Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Flooding and typhoons

Floods , flash floods, typhoons and severe weather are common during the rainy season, from June to November.

Flooding can lead to landslides including in built up and residential areas of towns and villages. 

Typhoons mostly affect the coastal areas of the north and central regions. Though less common, typhoons also happen in the south.

Monitor the media, and weather and flood level reports during the rainy season.

The Mekong River Commission gives information on flood levels for the Mekong River region.

If there's a flood, typhoon or severe weather:

• don't enter the affected areas without getting advice from local authorities
• check with tour operators before travelling to affected areas
• if in doubt about the safety of any location, change your travel plans. 

Large, frequent earthquakes in the region make destructive tsunamis more likely.

Be alert to warnings. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.

To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System .

Move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Do not wait for official warnings. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

If there's a tsunami or if a tsunami warning is current, check the US Tsunami Warning System .

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Physical and mental health

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some addictive and psychotropic medications are controlled.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Vietnam. Take enough legal medicine for your trip and always carry it in its original packaging.

If you are travelling with prescription medication, check the value and quantity restrictions on the import and export of prescription medication with the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam .

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Localised outbreaks of diphtheria can occur in Vietnam.

Seek medical advice to en sure your vaccinations are up-to-date.

• Diphtheria (HealthDirect)

Insect-borne illnesses

Zika virus  continues to be a risk. There's no vaccination for it.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:

discuss any travel plans with your doctor

consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

Dengue  is found, especially in the south. There's no vaccine or treatment.

Japanese encephalitis  is also found. To protect yourself, consider getting vaccinated. A vaccine is available in Australia.

Malaria is a risk in some remote mountainous areas.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Discuss your travel plans and other vaccination needs with your doctor before you travel.

Infectious diseases

Rabies is potentially fatal if you don't get vaccinated or receive quick treatment.

Rabies is found in infected dogs, monkeys, bats and other mammals.

Most reported cases are in the mountain areas of northern Vietnam. It's most commonly passed on through dog bites.

To reduce your risk of rabies, don't go near dogs and other mammals.

If you're bitten or scratched, seek medical help immediately.

HIV/AIDS is a risk.

Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to risk of infection.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is common. Sometimes more serious outbreaks happen.

Outbreaks usually peak from March to May and from September to December.

HFMD mostly affects children under the age of 10 years. Adult cases, especially young adults, are not unusual.

The illness appears as a fever, blisters and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks.

HFMD is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and faeces of infected people.

To reduce the risk of getting or passing on HFMD, pay close attention to hygiene. Wash your hands well and often.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

Human cases of avian influenza or 'bird flu' are reported in Vietnam.

Cholera and other health risks

Acute watery diarrhoea and cholera occur.  

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. These include:

• tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads

Get urgent medical attention if you have a fever or diarrhoea or you suspect food poisoning.

Air pollution

There can be high levels of air pollution, up to and including hazardous levels, in major cities, especially during January to March. Pollution can increase the risk of breathing problems. People with pre-existing medical conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, may be affected.

If you're concerned about the levels of air pollution:

• seek medical advice
• follow advice from local authorities about methods to reduce exposure
• monitor an air quality index
• reduce your exposure

World Air Quality

Drug use has been reported to cause psychotic episodes and hospitalisation.

If you use drugs in Vietnam, you face possible health and legal risks. See Local laws

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities and care varies, is generally below Australian standards, and may lack medicine and supplies.

Foreign private medical clinics are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. They may not meet Australian standards.

Medical facilities and care at most public hospitals are poor. This is especially true outside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

You may need medical evacuation to a major centre, even for minor operations.

Doctors and hospitals expect payment before providing medical services, including for emergency care.

Some hospitals may talk with your travel insurance company to secure payment. Others may need up-front payment before they will start treating you.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You may need to show a legalised birth certificate to be recognised as next of kin for medical consent purposes.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Vietnamese authorities have broad powers to implement various measures to contain COVID-19. These include movement restrictions and mandatory isolation for positive cases. These can vary from province to province. Follow the advice of local authorities.

There are strict security and investigative measures to stop drug trafficking.

Penalties for all types of drug offences, including those with small amounts of drugs, are severe. Many drug offences attract the death penalty or life in jail.

Marijuana in any form is illegal.

More than 20 Australians are serving sentences for drug offences in Vietnam. More have been arrested and are waiting for further investigation or trials.

Never carry parcels or luggage for others.

For information about carrying prescription medications into Vietnam, see Travel .

Carrying or using drugs

Marriage laws

Foreigners who want to marry a Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam must get formal approval from the Department of Justice. This must be done in the province where the Vietnamese citizen is registered.

You also need a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) if you plan to marry in Vietnam.

Apply for a CNI through the:

• Australian Embassy in Hanoi
• Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City

You can also apply for the CNI from DFAT in Australia.  Fees apply. The embassy or consulate of Vietnam in Australia needs to authenticate it. Only then will the Department of Justice in Vietnam recognise it.

Getting married

Business laws

Increased Australian business activity has resulted in a higher number of commercial disputes in recent years.

If you're thinking about entering into a contract, get professional legal advice.

If you're involved in a business or civil dispute, authorities could stop you from leaving Vietnam until you resolve the matter.

• Doing business
• Doing business in Vietnam
• Living or working overseas

Disputes over alleged misrepresentation of working and living conditions for Australians working in Vietnam often happen. This is especially the case for people teaching English.

Before signing an employment contract or travelling to Vietnam for work, verify the true nature of the work you're offered.

Check for unacceptable employment conditions. For example, conditions for early termination may state that you surrender your right to a return air ticket. Your potential employer may also withhold your pay.

To safeguard your stay, also:

• check the living arrangements your potential employer has offered
• make sure you have the correct visa before arriving — ask an embassy or consulate of Vietnam
• get professional legal advice before signing any contract
• get all the work permits you need

The Australian embassy or consulate-general can provide a limited range of notarial services for some documents needed for a work permit.

Never hand over your passport to your employer, even for safekeeping. Reputable businesses won't ask you to hand over your passport.

Make sure you keep a valid visa and work permit. If you don't, authorities will fine you and could detain you.

Going overseas to live or work

Penalties for serious crime, such as rape, espionage and hijacking, may include the death penalty.

It's illegal to:

• take photos at border crossings or military installations
• go too close to the border with China, Cambodia or Laos without prior written permission from the local authorities
• gamble, except in government-licensed casinos where foreign passport holders can gamble
• possess pornography
• possess non-state sanctioned political or religious material

These activities may result in arrest and imprisonment.

Taking part in unsanctioned religious activities, including online, is against the law. Any involvement with non-state sanctioned political organisations, or groups perceived by the Government of Vietnam to be associated with dissident groups is also illegal. If authorities suspect you of involvement in these activities, they could stop you from entering the country, detain or deport you. Authorities could also stop you from leaving, place you under surveillance or subject you to interrogation until an investigation has been completed.

It's illegal to export antiques without a permit. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Vietnamese) offers advice and necessary permits.

Possessing or distributing images or objects linked to the former Republic of Vietnam, including commemorative or Vietnam War service-related items, is an offence that could attract harsh penalties. 

Embassy or consulate of Vietnam

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law

Local customs

Same-sex relationships are legal. However, social and cultural attitudes towards same-sex relationships can be conservative, especially in rural areas.

Avoid public displays of affection.

Same-sex partners aren't legally protected or recognised.

Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Dual citizenship

Vietnam recognises dual nationality in limited situations.

If you're a dual citizen and you enter Vietnam on a Vietnamese passport, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained. Vietnamese authorities may not tell us of your situation.

Always travel on your Australian passport .

Australian citizens must re-enter Australia on an Australian passport.

If you're a dual national, you may need to do compulsory military service in Vietnam.

Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam in Australia before you travel.

Advice for dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

To enter Vietnam, you must have either a:

• visa exemption certificate

Australian passport holders are not able to obtain visas on arrival in Vietnam.

Learn more about  visa requirements.

You can now apply for an eVisa for tourism or business purposes. It allows eligible travellers to stay up to 90 days in Vietnam if granted. The eVisa is valid for single or multiple entries.

You can complete the  visa application form  online. As there have been reports of difficulties in accessing eVisas during airport check-in, once granted, you should consider printing a hard copy of the visa approval document.

Make sure you enter your details correctly when applying for a visa. The visa details must match exactly the information on your passport's biodata page, such as your full name and date of birth details. When you're issued a visa to enter Vietnam, check that all your Vietnam visa details are correct, match the information in your passport, that your full name is listed, and that there are no spelling or other errors. Any errors or name omissions may result in you being refused entry, or you could be charged a significant fee at check-in or on arrival to correct the visa error. 

For stays longer than 90 days, please contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam.

If your visa expires or is no longer valid, you may be detained and/or fined when leaving.

The Australian Government cannot sponsor your visa application or extension.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest  embassy or consulate of Vietnam  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

You must register your place of residence with local police within 24 hours of arrival. Check that your hotel does this as part of the check-in process. Register at the local police station if you're staying in private accommodation.

Travellers have been scammed by private online visa services and travel agents.

Only apply for your visa through the Government of Vietnam’s official website or offices.

Vietnamese spouse or parent visas

If your spouse or parent is a Vietnamese national, you can apply for a visa exemption certificate.

Changes to visa status and visa extensions

You can't change the status of your entry visa to any other visa type in Vietnam. For example, you can't change a tourist or a spouse visa to a working visa.

Vietnam does not issue automatic visa extensions. If your visa has expired, contact the Vietnamese immigration authorities to make arrangements to exit Vietnam. Visa extensions are only possible before your visa expiry date.

To get a visa extension from the Vietnamese immigration authorities, your passport must have at least 6 months validity left at the time of application. 

This requirement is subject to change.

Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam  for details.

Border measures

Travel and entry requirements may change rapidly. Contact your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate for details on entry and exit requirements.

Other formalities

Import and export of prescription medication .

Medication  and medical equipment 

Register place of residence

All foreigners must register their place of residence with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.

The Australian embassy and consulate can't provide translation services to help with registration.

If you stay at a hotel, check that you'll be registered as part of the normal check-in process. They'll need your passport details.

Many hotels ask foreigners to leave their passport with hotel staff for registration purposes. It isn't a legal requirement for hotels to keep your passport for the time you stay there.

If you stay with family, friends or in another private residence, you need to register at the local police station. Use a translator if needed.

Local hosts need to pre-register foreign guests. If you stay in a private residence, make sure your host has followed this legal requirement.

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost and stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

Keep a photocopy (or photograph) of your passport bio page and visa somewhere separately in case you lose your passport.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

• LGBTQIA+ travellers  

The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).

When you arrive or exit Vietnam, declare:

• foreign currency in excess of $US5,000, including cash and traveller's cheques
• more than 15 million Vietnamese dong

If you carry more currency or gold than you declared, authorities could confiscate it. They could arrest or fine you.

These requirements may be subject to change. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Vietnam for details.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout major cities in Vietnam.

ATMs are widespread in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Check with your bank to confirm if your ATM (eftpos) card will work in Vietnam.

Card skimming happens throughout Vietnam. See Safety .

You may have trouble getting replacement ATM cards.

Many Australian banks don't have local or regional branches with English-speaking staff.

The Vietnamese postal services are generally unreliable. If you need a new card, consider using an international courier service. The Australian embassy or consulate can't help you with money while you wait for a new card. It can't act as a personal mail-holding service.

Local travel

Travel is restricted:

• in some parts of the central Highlands
• around some border areas
• near military installations

Long Tan Cross site

The Vietnamese Government won't permit official Long Tan commemorations at the Long Tan Cross site in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Access to the site will remain open to small groups of people for private visits without media coverage. This may change at short notice.

Visitors to the site may not:

• wear medals or uniforms
• carry banners or flags

You must behave in a solemn manner, respecting the wishes of local communities.

Landmines and explosive remnants of war

Unexploded ordinance and landmines are a danger in former battlefields, especially in central Vietnam and along the Laos border.

Mine-free roads and paths are well-marked.

If you visit former battlefields, stay on marked pathways.

Driving permit

You must have a valid Vietnamese driver's licence to drive or ride in Vietnam. This includes for motorcycles of 50cc or more.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in Australia is not recognised in Vietnam.

Authorities may fine you for driving without a valid licence.

Your travel insurer will likely deny any claims you make if:

• You're unlicensed and/or
• You don't hold the correct class of licence.

Australian embassy, Hanoi

Road travel

You're more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Vietnam than in Australia.

Hazards include:

• crowded streets in major cities
• drivers ignoring road rules 
• poor vehicle and road maintenance

Traffic accidents often happen and attract large crowds.

If you're involved in an accident, you could face criminal charges. This is regardless of who's at fault. You may need to pay a large sum to the injured person or their family.

If you're not familiar with local conditions, avoid driving or riding a motorcycle.

Whether driving, riding or walking, be very careful when crossing busy streets. Traffic can appear from any direction.

Road Safety

Motorcycles

The number of travellers involved in serious motorcycle accidents is increasing.

Check your travel insurance policy covers you when travelling by motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet that meets Australian safety standards.

Only ride motorcycles if you're:

• properly licensed (Australian driver licences or International Driver Licences issued in Australia are not accepted in Vietnam; you must hold a Vietnamese driving licence to ride a motorbike 50cc or above); and
• familiar with and comfortable in local driving conditions

Be careful using taxis hailed on the street.

Major metered taxis are generally reliable. Ensure the taxi driver knows how to get to where you're going before you get in.

Check the meter is used. Leave the taxi if the driver tries to pick other passengers up.

If you book a taxi online or through an app, make sure the details of the vehicle and driver match those the company gives you.

Unless using an Australian safety standard-approved helmet, we discourage using motorcycle taxis as they provide riders with helmets that offer little to no protection against injury in the case of an accident.

Be careful of taxi scams. See Safety

Public transport

Inter-city buses have a high accident rate.

Petty theft often happens on buses. See Safety .

When travelling by rail, keep the ticket stub as you need it when leaving the train station.

Getting around

Boats, hydrofoils and ferries may not meet Australian safety standards.

Accidents on waterways happen. Vessels have sunk and people have died. This includes in Ha Long Bay.

Whenever you plan to travel by boat :

• ask tour operators about the safety record and emergency procedures
• make sure there is enough safety equipment such as life jackets on board
• if proper equipment is not available, use another provider

Piracy happens in coastal areas of Vietnam.

• Reducing the risk of piracy
• International Maritime Bureau piracy reports

You may need to show your luggage tags when leaving a Vietnamese airport. Keep your luggage receipt from your airline on you at all times.

By law, children under 14 years travelling alone on domestic flights must:

• bring a birth certificate
• have an authorisation letter between the legal guardian of the child and the airline confirming the child can travel alone

Contact the airline in advance to check what is needed for unaccompanied minors.

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Vietnam's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Travelling by air

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Emergency numbers in Vietnam are operated in Vietnamese only and may be unreliable. You may have a long wait before emergency services arrive.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Take a translator with you to report a crime to the local police. Cases reported by foreigners may be accepted at the discretion of local police.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the nearest embassy or consulate.

Australian Embassy, Hanoi

8 Dao Tan Street

Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Phone: (+84 24) 3774 0100

Website: vietnam.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: Australia in Vietnam

X: @AusAmbVN

Australian Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City

20th Floor, Vincom Centre

47 Ly Tu Trong Street

Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Phone: (+84 28) 3521 8100

Website: hcmc.vietnam.embassy.gov.au

Check the relevant website for details about opening hours, and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Vietnam travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: May 13, 2024 07:00 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, vietnam - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Vietnam due to high rate of petty crime.

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Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. It’s most prevalent in larger cities and may increase during major public holidays, such as Tet (Lunar New Year).

Criminals work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings. They may try to grab your bag and other valuables while passing on a motorbike or slash your bag in crowded streets and markets. 

Theft is frequent:  

• in popular tourist areas
• in markets, shopping centres and commercial streets
• on public transportation including sleeper trains
• in transportation hubs such as airports and train stations
• in restaurants, including patios and outdoor cafés
• at beaches and seaside destinations

While travelling:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• keep a digital copy of your identity and travel documents
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery 
• avoid carrying large sums of cash
• avoid isolated areas, especially at night
• pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas
• be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs

Violent crime

Although violent crimes targeting foreigners are rarer, they may occur. In some cases, criminals have used weapons such as knives and razors. Threats of physical injury related to personal disputes also occasionally occur.

• If you are involved in a dispute, contact the police as soon as possible
• If you are threatened by robbers, don’t resist

Residential break-ins

Residential break-ins occur, especially in large cities and may increase before and during the Tet holiday (Lunar New Year). Burglars may target houses or apartments rented or owned by tourists and foreigners.

• Stay in accommodations with adequate security measures  
• Make sure you lock doors and windows at night and when you’re away

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Sexual assault and harassment do occur, including:

• in beach destinations
• in bars, nightclubs and entertainment districts
• on taxis and public transportation

Local authorities may not always respond adequately to reports of sexual violence and harassment. If you are a victim of sexual assault:

• seek immediate medical assistance, whether or not you appear to have been physically harmed
• contact the local police and ensure they file a report
• inform consular officials at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate

Advice for women travellers

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit and debit card as well as ATM fraud occurs frequently.

• Avoid using your credit card in small establishments
• Consider using a card with a small credit limit
• Cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• Pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• Avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• Use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• Check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
• Be cautious when posting information on social media
• Be especially vigilant if you decide to meet someone you met online
• Don’t click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card details

At the airport

Criminals posing as taxi drivers have targeted foreign visitors at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi and robbed them by forcing them to withdraw money from ATMs.

Travellers have also been robbed by drivers who greeted them upon arrival with a placard showing their name.

• Arrange your pickup with your hotel before arrival, or use authorized airport taxis
• Confirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the car

Gambling scams

Tourists have been victims of gambling scams in Hanoi, as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in the Pham Ngu Lao neighbourhood.

The scam consists of a friendly invitation sent to the victim to go to someone’s home in order to meet a relative interested in visiting Canada. While waiting for the relative, the scammers suggest a casual game of cards involving an initial small wager. Some victims have lost thousands of dollars over the course of an evening.

Be wary of unsolicited proposals from strangers.

If you’ve been scammed:

• get to a safe location immediately
• take note, as soon as possible, of the name and address of the facility where you were held
• notify the police and obtain a report
• if a bank card was involved, report the scam to your banking company, which will likely request a copy of the police report to cancel the transaction

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

• Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Unregulated alcohol

Some people died after consuming unregulated and adulterated rice wine due to high levels of methanol.

• Be cautious if you choose to drink alcohol
• Only consume reputable alcohol brands
• Avoid buying alcohol from individuals or street vendors
• Seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick

Alcohol, drugs and travel

Demonstrations

Current situation in dak lak.

An increased police presence in Dak Lak continues, after organized attacks on a police station in June 2023.

If you are in the area, do not photograph security forces.

Public demonstrations are rare since local authorities don’t usually authorize them. Demonstrating without authorization can lead to heavy consequences, including lengthy prison sentences.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Don’t photograph demonstrations
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Internet censorship and surveillance

Within the Vietnamese territory, local authorities block access to several:

• social media
• search engines
• online services

You shouldn’t expect internet privacy.

Local authorities may monitor your communications at any time. They may review the content stored or consulted on your electronic devices. They may also place certain foreigners under electronic surveillance. They can search your home or hotel room without your knowledge or consent.

Cyber security while travelling

Foreign journalists and other media workers in Vietnam may face considerable restrictions in the context of their work. The Vietnamese government may employ measures such as:

• physical and electronic surveillance
• delaying or refusing renewals of press cards and visas
• intimidation and harassment

Be particularly vigilant if researching or reporting on subjects critical of or sensitive to the government.

Landmines and war remnants

Landmines and unexploded ordnance still pose a serious risk in several areas, particularly:

• in the province of Quảng Trị
• along the border with Laos
• in North and Central Vietnam

Unmarked minefields are common. If you plan travelling outside of major tourist destinations:

• pay attention to signs indicating the possible presence of landmines
• remain on paved roads
• avoid open fields, roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trails
• report any suspicious items to local authorities

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as trekking, zip-lining, rock climbing, speleology, or parasailing and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, especially during the rainy season.

Tour operators may not always adhere to international safety standards.

If you intend to practice adventure tourism:

• never do so alone, and do not part with your expedition companions
• consider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company 
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be setting out  
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation   
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity  
• avoid venturing off marked trails  
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water   
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard  
• refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety  
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary  

Water activities

Tidal changes and strong winds can cause hazardous currents and riptides.

Swimming and diving

Beaches are not always supervised.

Corals, sea urchins, jellyfish and other aquatic life found along reefs may be poisonous. A sting to the touch can cause poisoning or infection.

If you plan to dive:

• choose a reputable company 
• always respect warning flags advising of dangerous conditions
• ask about the presence of dangerous species
• seek immediate medical attention in case of injury
• wear swimming shoes to protect yourself from reefs, rocks, corals or sea urchins
• keep a safe distance from boats and restricted areas
• avoid beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warnings
• avoid diving into unknown waters, as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death
• follow the advice of the local authorities

Boat accidents have occurred due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels, including in Ha Long Bay.

• Choose a reputable boating company
• Ensure that your tour operator follows up-to-date safety regulations
• Don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy

Water safety abroad

Although rare in Vietnam, pirates commit attacks and armed robbery against ships in coastal waters.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

Road safety

Road safety is poor throughout the country. 

Fatal accidents are frequent. They frequently involve motorcycle and pedestrians are commonly victims.

Always use elevated walkways or pedestrian bridges when available.

Road conditions

Road conditions are poor throughout the country.

Driving can be dangerous due to:  

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• traffic jams and heavy traffic, especially in urban areas
• potholes 
• slippery roads during the rainy season

Driving habits

Drivers don’t always respect traffic laws.  

Some vehicles, especially motorcycles, drive against the flow of traffic and on the sidewalks.

If you plan to travel by car in Vietnam, you should consider hiring a driver.

If you choose to drive:

• always drive defensively
• avoid travelling after dark or during adverse weather conditions
• avoid driving a motorcycle
• Make sure you have proper insurance and a valid licence

Public transportation

Official taxis are generally safe.

Motorcycle taxis (known as “xe oms”) are not safe.

• Avoid motorcycle taxis
• Use only official taxis or a trusted ridesharing app
• Negotiate the fare in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter
• Never share a taxi with a stranger
• Be familiar with your hotel’s address and the neighbourhood to avoid being brought to a wrong location

Bus and coach accidents are common.

Trains are generally reliable.

Thefts have been reported on certain train lines, including sleeper trains.

Ticket stub is required to exit the train station. Passengers without a ticket stub will be required to pay the fare again.

Retain your ticket stub when travelling by train.

Ferry accidents have occurred due to the overloading and poor maintenance of some vessels, particularly on the line connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau.

Don’t board vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy.

Transport within Vietnam - Vietnam Tourism

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Vietnamese authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Vietnam.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Student visa: required Work visa: required

E-visa authorization

If you have a valid Canadian passport, you may be eligible to apply online for an e-visa. This can be a single-entry or multiple-entry electronic tourist visa, valid for a maximum of 90 days. It allows you to enter Vietnam via the port of entry indicated in the visa approval notice only. Some restrictions apply.

For visits longer than 90 days, you must get a visa from the nearest Vietnamese embassy before departure.

Apply for an e-visa  - Immigration Department of Vietnam

Visa exemptions

Canadian spouses or children of Vietnamese citizens may be eligible for a visa exemption certificate.

Contact the Embassy of Vietnam in Canada for more information on this process.

Visa extension

You must have a visa to enter Vietnam.

If required, you can request a visa extension at:

• the Vietnam Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City
• certain local travel agencies and tour companies

Vietnamese visas in expired Canadian passports are not valid. The visa needs to be transferred to the new passport.

Overstaying your Vietnamese visa or having the wrong type of visa is a serious matter. You may be delayed from onward travel until a fine is paid.

Check the visa validity and conditions carefully.

Registration

You must report your presence to local authorities upon arrival.

Commercial accommodations will generally file the declaration on your behalf. If you're staying in a non-commercial accommodation, you must do so with the nearest police station.

Make sure you request the return of your passport once it has been registered by hotel staff.

The hotel staff may ask to see your passport at check-in. They may make copies of it. They may also insist on holding your passport until you leave. There is no legal reason for this.

• Never leave your passport or any other ID document with anyone
• Ask for your documents to be returned to you as soon as check-in is complete

Travel restrictions

Travel near military facilities is restricted:

• in some parts of the central highlands
• in some border area

If you wish to visit a village, commune or ward that is close to the border, you must obtain permission from the provincial police department.

Contact the relevant local authority to confirm these requirements.

Health screening

Upon entry, you may be subject to a body temperature check.

Vietnamese authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country.

An exit ban can relate to investigations into:

• an individual, their family or an employer
• criminal and civil matters, such as business disputes or motor vehicle accidents
• employment without a valid work permit
• unpaid financial debts

It is difficult to obtain information on bans from Vietnamese authorities. An exit ban can be requested by people involved in any of these circumstances. You may not be aware that authorities have placed an exit ban on you until you try to leave the country. Your passport may be seized until the case is fully investigated and settled.

If you're unable to leave the country because of an exit ban, consult a lawyer and contact the closest office of the Government of Canada.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain.  It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling.

Travellers are at higher risk if they will be:

• travelling long term (e.g. more than 30 days)
• making multiple trips to endemic areas
• staying for extended periods in rural areas
• visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak
• engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos (e.g., entomologists)

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited. The quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.

Both medical facilities and supplies are limited outside of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Private clinics and hospitals are usually better equipped. Services can be expensive, but they usually have qualified medical staff who speak English or French well.  Emergency and ambulance services response times may be slow du to traffic congestion. In case of emergency, you may consider taking a taxi or private vehicle to go to the hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Medical evacuation is very expensive. You may need it to neighbouring countries in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in Vietnam.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

No transfer of offenders treaty exists between Canada and Vietnam. If you’re convicted of a serious crime, you must serve your jail sentence in Vietnam. You may also have to remain in Vietnam for a parole period after your release.

Penalties for possession, use, production or trafficking of drugs, including cannabis, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, jail sentences or the death penalty.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

Local authorities may request to see your ID at any time.

• Carry valid identification or a photocopy of it at all times
• Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place in case it’s lost or seized
• Keep a digital copy of your ID and travel documents

Gambling outside of licensed casinos is illegal in Vietnam.

You must hold of a foreign passport to gamble in these licensed establishments.

Political activities

There are severe restrictions on political activities, including:

• participating in public protests
• publishing messages critical of the government on social media

If you engage in political activities you may face detention, deportation and travel ban to Vietnam in the future.

Photography

Photography of sensitive installations is prohibited. This includes:

• military sites
• border crossings

These sensitive areas are not always identified.

• Refrain from photographing military installations or personnel even if no sign is posted
• Comply with all requests from local authorities

Religious activities

There are restrictions on certain religious activities, such as preaching, distributing literature and associating with unapproved religious groups.

Sexual and intimate activities

As a foreigner, you are not allowed to invite Vietnamese nationals of the opposite sex into your hotel room to stay overnight unless you are married.

You are allowed to stay with a Vietnamese family only if you have obtained permission from local authorities.

Importation, possession and distribution of pornographic material is illegal.

Exportation of antiques

Vietnamese law restricts the export of antiques, but these laws are vague and unevenly enforced. If you purchase items that may be considered as antiques:

• keep receipts and all paperwork provided by the seller
• ensure you have the proper exportation permits from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam General Department of Customs

If you can't present the required paperwork, the items may be confiscated.

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam  (in Vietnamese)

Dress and behaviour

The Vietnamese society is conservative.

When visiting religious and culturally places to avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions
• seek permission from locals before photographing them

Tet celebrations

The lunar new year is celebrated between the end of January and the end of February. Theses celebrations usually last several days and can have an impact on the availability and provision of essential services such as:

• banking services
• public services including healthcare
• food distribution

Plan your trip accordingly if you travel to Vietnam during this period.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Vietnam.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Vietnam, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Travellers with dual citizenship

Mandatory military service

Canadians with Vietnamese citizenship may be subject to mandatory military service and other national obligations.

Confirm this requirement before travelling to Vietnam.

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Vietnam.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Vietnam by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Vietnam to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Doing business in Vietnam

Disputes related to business agreements or arrangements are costly and take time to resolve. You may be subject to a travel ban restricting you from leaving the country until matters are resolved.

If you plan on doing business in Vietnam:

• seek legal advice in Canada and in Vietnam before making commitments
• choose your own lawyer
• ensure that all documents are translated so that conditions, terms and limitations are well understood

There are many teaching opportunities in Vietnam. However, make sure you are well informed before signing a contract.

• Consult a local lawyer or professional
• Ensure that the contract specifies the maximum number of classroom hours per day and per week, maximum workdays per week, and vacation periods
• Confirm the living arrangements if any are included
• Ensure that you possess the right visa for the activities you will perform
• Ensure you understand any liabilities linked to early termination of a contract

You must hold a valid Vietnamese driver's licence to drive a vehicle with an engine of 50CC or more. This includes most motorcycles. Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear a helmet.

The country has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving or cycling. Penalties for drinking and driving or cycling include:

• licence suspension
• heavy fines

If you are involved in a traffic accident as a driver, you may:

• face criminal charges as a driver
• have to pay compensation to the victims
• face a travel ban preventing you from leaving the country until compensation is paid

There are restrictions on vehicles crossing from and into neighbouring countries.

Contact the Department of Transport in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for information on for licences or restrictions.

Department of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City (in Vietnamese)

The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND).

Cash declarations

Upon arrival, you must declare if you have:

• more than 15 million Vietnamese dong, more than US$5,000, or the equivalent in any other currency, in cash
• more than 300 grams of gold, including jewellery, gold bar and raw gold

Upon departure, you must:

• declare if you have more than 15 million Vietnamese dong, more than US$5,000, or the equivalent in any other currency, in cash
• present a written approval to carry foreign currency or Vietnamese dong in cash abroad, issued by an authorized Vietnamese credit institution in accordance with the laws on foreign exchange control or the State Bank of Vietnam

Rainy season

The rainy season extends:

• from June to September in the north and south
• from October to December in central Vietnam

Seasonal flooding occurs in October and November in central Vietnam. It’s also common:

• in and around Hanoi, particularly along the Red River
• in the Mekong River Delta regions in the south

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged.

• Remain vigilant, especially in areas around major rivers
• Stay away from flooded areas
• Monitor weather reports
• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Mekong Flood and Drought Forecasting  - Mekong River Commission
• Forecasting  - National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

Typhoons usually occur from June and December. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major typhoons.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to Vietnam during this period:

• know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad

Humidity and heat may be severe, particularly during the rainy season.

Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, which can both be fatal.

Forest fires may occur.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel
• monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation

Air pollution

Smog and other types of air pollution can be hazardous in urban areas. Air quality can also be affected in rural areas due to agricultural burning.

Air pollution levels can change quickly.

During periods of high pollution:

• limit your outdoor activities, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions
• monitor local media
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• Air pollution in Hanoi  - World Air Quality Index
• Air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City  - World Air Quality Index

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 113
• medical assistance: 115
• firefighters: 114

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Vietnam, in Hanoi, or the Consulate General of Canada to Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

COVID-19 pandemic and travel insurance policies in the Philippines Learn more

TRAVEL TIPS

Vietnam travel requirements, traveling to vietnam from the philippines is a lot easier now, with less restrictions compared to the height of the pandemic. this is about my recent travel experience to vietnam..

Travel Requirements to Vietnam (from Philippines)

Philippine passport holders can easily fly to Vietnam. Through this blog I share my experience with the travel restrictions through Philippines and Vietnam borders.

Visa-free country

According tor Vietnam Travel Advisory page, Filipinos can travel to Vietnam, visa-free for up to 21 days, with few restrictions – no quarantine required, and COVID-19 testing is temporarily suspended.

It is also stated in the article that to enter Vietnam, you must have travel medical insurance (should cover COVID-19 treatment) with minimum coverage of US$ 10,000 .

Though recently, travel insurance is no longer being checked in VN immigration, in my opinion, for travels within South East Asia, it is still worth it to get coverage, even the lowest plan available.

Travel documents I prepared

Weeks before my trip, I prepared the needed travel documents mentioned in in our article about non-essential travel requirements .

Flying out from Manila 

Upon passing through the immigration counter at NAIA, I was surprised the immigration officer only checked by passport and boarding pass. He also asked how long I will be staying in Vietnam. I simply answered politely then he let me passed through. 

Entering Vietnam through HCMC

When I entered the Vietnam border through Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City last January 2023, the only required document checked by the Immigration were only my passport and boarding pass .

I had my Vaccination Certificate, Proof of Accommodation, Travel Insurance Policy ready, but interestingly, the immigration officer did not ask for these documents.

During my transit from Manila to HCMC, both the Philippine Immigration and the Vietnamese Immigration only checked my passport and boarding pass.

Travel Requirements - Flying out from HCMC 

At the end of my Vietnam travel, about to fly home to the Philippines, all my travel documents were still compiled and can easy be accessed from my hand carry bag.

The eTravel pass can be done within 10 minutes

When I arrived at the airline counter in Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City , in addition for my passport, the airline ground staff asked for my Vaccination Certificate (I used VaxCert, which I prepared months earlier),  and eTravel pass .  These are documents required by the Philippines.

When registering for etravel, be ready with your passport and VaxCert. I created my etravel pass when I was waiting for the airline counter to open. It can be done within minutes by using a mobile phone or computer with internet connection. Nevetheless it is also a good idea to create your e-travel pass within 3 few days before your arrival to the Philippines to avoid hassles at the airport.

Since I prepared these earlier, the process was smooth and I was able to proceed to the immigration counter immediately. I only showed them a digital copies of with QR code of both VaxCert and E-Travel through my mobile phone and the airline staff gladly accepted it.

Less Travel Restrictions this 2023

When WHO declared the COVID-19 as pandemic last 2020, all travels had been put into full stop.

More than a year after, when tourism was once again allowed sometime more than 2 years ago, there were so much guidelines and travelers had to prepare a lot of requirements. This included the need to have tested for COVID-19. Travelers needed to undergo quarantine upon arrival at their destinations, as well as upon return back in the Philippines.

At present, COVID-19 tests and quarantine are no longer required. For the case of Vietnam, it is stated Vietnam Briefing website , the need for a negative COVID-19 test result is currently suspended. No need for a COVID-19 test.

Travel to Vietnam from the Philippines

Travel is back.  Destinations now have more lenient restrictions to promote tourism into their countries. Since more than  2 years ago, during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns outbound travel has been allowed by the Philippine government. During this time, most Filipino travelers fly to western countries, majority to the US.

Since 2022, more Filipinos have been traveling again within the South East Asian region. This is possibly due to these main factors: proximity, no visa, budget-friendly (except of course Singapore, which is a developed country). 

Basing on the destinations of travelinsurance.com.ph‘s clients that traveled within South East Asia last year, the top 3 destinations are Singapore, Thailand and Bali (Indonesia). The fourth destination on the list of most visited SEAsian countries is Vietnam.

Since May last year, Vietnam has opened its borders to tourists.

Upon Arrival at Ho Chi Minh City

Being a first-timer in Vietnam and haven't been traveling for quite some time due to the pandemic, when I arrived in Saigon, it didn’t immediately sink-in that I am overseas until I overheard people talking and could not understand what they were saying. There are people in Vietnam who speak english, but their official language is still their primary language.

My first impression of HCMC is that it looks like a mixture of the old Manila and Makati City. Traffic has the potential to be really bad. There are so many motorcycles hovering around, even at sidestreets. After a few days you will get used to it. 

Drivers, just like in any country in South East Asia, are aggressive although I find the traffic flow around Saigon a little bit more chaotic than Manila. Because of the close proximity, Vietnam and the Philippines have a lot of similarities. 

Overall, Vietnam is a nice place to visit because of their rich culture. Speaking of Vietnamese culture, during my visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I witnessed their Tet Holiday , which is their Lunar New Year tradition.

Vietnam ia nice alternative to the more-visited South East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia. But locals say Vietnam has more to offer other than HCMC, especially in the countryside. Some towns they recommend are Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Hanoi. I would love to see these places when I fly back to Vietnam in the future.

Travel insurance for Vietnam

Do you need travel insurance for your philippines to vietnam trip .

A travel insurance policy with Php 1,000,000 medical expense coverage (including COVID-19) costs around Php 800 for 1 week travel.

Get a quote. Contact us by sending us a message or reach out by chatting with us through our Facebook page

Travel Insurance Info

Annual travel insurance - a guide for tourists from the philippines.

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Schengen visa application: 5 major steps for employed filipinos.

International travelers to the US will be able to skip proof of COVID vaccine, WH says

The Biden administration will lift the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for inbound international air travelers on Friday.

"As we continue to monitor the evolving state of COVID-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence," President Joe Biden said in a proclamation Tuesday. "Considering the progress that we have made, and based on the latest guidance from our public health experts, I have determined that we no longer need the international air travel restrictions that I imposed in October 2021."

Biden announced the change last week , along with the end of vaccine requirements for federal employees and contractors, foreign nationals at the land border and others. The requirement for air travelers will lift at midnight Thursday as the coronavirus public health emergency ends. Biden previously  signed a bill ending the COVID national emergency  in April.

So, what does that mean for travelers? Here's what we know.

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Learn more: Best travel insurance

Why are travel refunds taking so long? Here are some tips to get your money back

Is there still a vaccine requirement for international travelers coming to the US?

Not as of later this week.

Currently, all "non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the United States by air" must show proof of vaccination with limited exceptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's  website .

Industry group the U.S. Travel Association, which had called on the Biden administration to  end the vaccine requirement  for inbound international visitors and argued the rule was an impediment to tourism, applauded the change when it was announced last week.

“Today’s action to lift the vaccine requirement eases a significant entry barrier for many global travelers, moving our industry and country forward," Geoff Freeman, the organization's President and CEO, said in a statement last week. He also called on the federal government to "ensure U.S. airports and other ports of entry are appropriately staffed with Customs and Border Protection officers to meet the growing demand for entry."

The U.S.  lifted a requirement  that air travelers coming from China show proof of a negative COVID test in March. The policy took effect in January amid a surge of cases in China.

The U.S.  dropped its COVID testing rule  for international flyers in June.

Do travelers need a vaccine to cross the Mexico or Canada borders to the US?

The Department of Homeland Security also said in a news release that it will no longer require non-U.S. travelers coming into the country by land or at ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated or show proof of their vaccination status.

Do US travelers need to be vaccinated against COVID to travel internationally?

That depends. Many destinations have dropped their vaccination and testing requirements for travel, though some still have rules in place. The Philippines, for example, still requires travelers to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test in order to visit, according to the  U.S. Embassy in the Philippines .

AI, self-service are taking over travel: Will everything become a DIY experience?

The CDC also recommends travelers be up to date on their COVID vaccinations before leaving the country. The agency defines up to date as having one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for people age 6 and up, which "protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5," according to its  website .

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Live fully in Vietnam

Vietnam opens its door widely to welcome visitors all around the world! Starting from 15th August 2023, Vietnam extends e-visa validity to 90 days and unilateral visa exemption will be valid in 45 days! We are more than happy to welcome you all here and admire our stunning landscapes, free your soul on white sandy beaches, experience our unique and beautiful culture and meet the people in the most friendly country. Particularly, to indulge in our scrumptious cuisine at Michelin rated restaurants or to join us in outstanding mega culture, music, sports and tourism events! Let’s live to the fullest in Vietnam!

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Take a 360-degree tour of some of the country's most compelling natural wonders and cultural attractions right here.

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Find out the reasons why Vietnam is worth to visit

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8 Best Beach Destinations to Retire in for Beautiful Views, Mild Weather, and a Laid-back Vibe

From small towns to big cities, these are the best coastal destinations for retirees.

RAUL RODRIGUEZ/Getty Images

There’s something attractive about being near the sea, whether it’s the beautiful view, invigorating air, or childlike fun of splashing in cool water. We almost instinctively choose lakes and oceans for vacations, and scientists believe that proximity to the water offers actual benefits . It’s no wonder so many people want to spend their retirement years near the sea.

To come up with a list of the best places to retire near the beach, we've researched coastal towns and cities in the U.S. and around the world.

Carlsbad, California

Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure

Located on the Pacific Coast in San Diego County, Carlsbad boasts mild weather year-round. The city, nicknamed “The Village by the Sea,” combines a small-town atmosphere, a walkable downtown, parks, restaurants, cafes, and locally owned shops all within convenient distance of San Diego (under an hour) and Los Angeles (about two hours). Niche notes the median home price in Carlsbad is about $1,070,500. According to Zillow , the average home price is $1,558,692. There’s a state income tax, but social security retirement benefits are not taxed. And yes, living on the California coast is costly, but retirees whose budget allows appreciate the beaches, scenery, weather, local events, and quality of life.

I’ve visited Carlsbad’s golf courses, beaches, restaurants, and annual Flower Fields, where locals bring picnics and pick strawberries during the season. Residents and tourists buy produce at the Wednesday farmers market, as well as attend festivals like Oktoberfest, Taste of Carlsbad, and the Spring Kaleidoscope art fair. Plus, Legoland is nearby for family visits, and Disneyland is just about an hour away.

Beaufort, South Carolina

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

"Beaufort is an idyllic place to live for people of all ages, but especially retirees. Beaufort is known as the 'Queen of the Sea Islands,' and there's a special quality of life and code of conduct that [locals] live by that you don't find anywhere else,” travel journalist Michelle Gross, who has lived in Beaufort for several years, tells Travel + Leisure . “From the salt air and scenic marshes to embracing a slower pace of life, I'm convinced there's nowhere more beautiful to settle down than right here in Beaufort, South Carolina."

Beaufort offers history, cultural diversity, world-class restaurants, delicious seafood, and a variety of entertainment. With year-round mild weather, outdoor activities abound, including golf, hiking, biking, fishing, and boating. Niche reports the median home value in Beaufort is $312,900. There’s no estate tax in South Carolina, and residents 65 and older can deduct $10,000 of income from most retirement plans for state income tax purposes.

Falmouth, Maine

Cynthia Farr-Weinfeld/Getty Images

Not everyone who wants to live near the ocean is seeking a tropical climate. Some retirees enjoy views of the sea along with distinct seasons — cold winters, warm summers, brisk autumns, and the return of spring each year. Maine is home to many lovely coastal towns , including Falmouth, which Niche calls “one of the best places to live in Maine.” According to Best Places , Falmouth “offers a charming downtown area with excellent shopping and dining opportunities” plus plenty of activities such as kayaking, fishing, and visiting National Historic Landmarks like the Wood Island Lighthouse.

Falmouth is located in southern Maine on the Atlantic Ocean and Casco Bay, and, as in many coastal communities, home prices here are high. Redfin ’s February 2024 data indicates a median home price of $1,175,000. Retirement communities like OceanView at Falmouth provide a range of living arrangements, and the town's website describes annual community events like summer concerts, a Memorial Day parade, and Very Merry Falmouth, with a tree lighting, fireworks, and an Ugly Sweater 5K run.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

Located in northeast Florida, about 30 minutes from Jacksonville , Ponte Vedra Beach is a luxurious beach town with a range of places to live. “Ponte Vedra Beach is home to some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches and golf courses , minutes from high-end retail and restaurants,” says Ethan Loosen, who has been selling real estate throughout the area for eight years with Dream Finders Homes . “The northern part of Florida stays warm most of the year, while still experiencing the seasons during fall and winter.” 

Retirees who are planning an active lifestyle will appreciate the mild weather, golf courses, beaches, and opportunities for exploring the area. Nearby Jacksonville offers a major airport, restaurants, and nightlife. St. Augustine , America’s oldest city, is less than an hour away, and Orlando is about two hours by car. Home costs average $853,855 according to Zillow , and while prices are high, many retirees appreciate the fact that Florida has no state income tax. Health care is another plus, with a variety of hospitals nearby, including the Mayo Clinic.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Located in Central America, Belize comprises more than 400 islands, nearly 9,000 square miles of mainland, rain forests, jungles, mountains, and ancient Maya ruins. Retirees looking for a beach destination with swimming, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, and a tropical climate might enjoy making Ambergris Caye , the largest of the coastal islands, their home. As a tourist destination, the island is home to restaurants, shops, and some of the country’s most fascinating sites. Residents speak English, and the U.S. dollar is accepted, as is Belize currency.

Belize welcomes retirees, and the Belize Tourist Board has created initiatives, like the Qualified Retired Person Program , to facilitate visas for new residents who meet income and other requirements. The cost of living is about 35 percent lower than in the U.S., and rent is 77 percent lower. On a trip to Ambergris Caye, I met several retirees from both the U.S. and European countries. There’s a lively expat community here, and according to the couples I spoke with, they meet for dinners, beach parties, and excursions to the mainland and even the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico .

Quepos, Costa Rica

Leamus/Getty Images

With shores on the Caribbean and Pacific, Costa Rica provides plenty of options for retirees who want to live near the beach. The Central American country offers a few ways to become a resident , mainly based on minimum monthly income. The cost of living is reasonable, and health care is available through both public and private systems. According to International Living , “Aside from the Hospital Metropolitano clinic at the marina, there's a modern public hospital just outside of town.”

The harbor town of Quepos, known for sport fishing, has beaches, restaurants, a marina, and shops. Roughly 60 miles from San José, the location is convenient for local and international travel. Quepos is also the gateway to the popular Manuel Antonio National Park, where visitors enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting, and remote beaches.

During my own trip to Costa Rica, I was left with admiration for its people — friendly, sincere, and welcoming. With fishing, sandy shores, and lots of natural beauty, Quepos is ideal for retirees seeking beach living and Costa Rica’s pura vida .

Mazatlán, Mexico

Elijah-Lovkoff/Getty Images

Located on Mexico’s mainland where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez meet, Mazatlán features miles of beaches and a moderate climate. Restaurants, shops, parks, hotels, and entertainment venues offer much to do, on top of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. The international airport is less than 30 minutes away, and there’s a ferry to La Paz in Baja. I spent some time in Mazatlán recently, and was impressed with the downtown area’s restaurants and parks. The seaside malecón , a four-mile promenade with monuments, food and souvenir vendors, and cliff divers, showcases beautiful views along with ocean breezes, making it a popular place to stroll day or evening. 

Mexico’s low cost of living is a big draw for retirees, and Mazatlán’s costs for rent and food are well below those of most U.S. cities. Mexico offers high-quality health care through private hospitals at low costs, and many retirees arrange private insurance or simply pay cash for services. If they meet minimum income and savings requirements, retirees can also apply for temporary (up to four years) or permanent residency, with applications processed through the Mexican consulate in their country of residence.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

jean-claude soboul/Getty Images

Located about 250 miles northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and nearly 800 miles south of Hanoi, Nha Trang is a coastal city with a beautiful beach and an established expat community of about 4,000 people . The average year-round temperature is approximately 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and there are wet and dry seasons. The latter runs from January through August, while monsoon season spans September to December. 

High-quality health care is available through several local hospitals, including Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital, which has modern facilities and an English-speaking staff. Most retirees arrange private health care coverage. According to an article by Betsy Burlingame, founder and president of Expat Exchange , “Most international retirees in Nha Trang opt for apartments or condos in the city center, close to amenities and the beach. There are also options for houses in quieter, residential areas.” Burlingame describes Nha Trang as a walkable city with reliable public transportation, vibrant nightlife, delicious cuisine, and abundant opportunities for recreation, from parks to hiking and boating.

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From August 1, 2024, Onward: What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States

At a glance.

Starting on August 1, 2024, dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet new, specific requirements depending on where they have been in the 6 months before entering the U.S. and where they received their rabies vaccines (if required).

Requirements for all dogs

Requirements for dogs with a current and valid rabies vaccination administered in the united states.

• Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog rabies within 6 months before entry

Requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry

All dogs must:

• Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States
• This must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination
• The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
• Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
• Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.

This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at time of arrival.

• This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
• There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.
• Additional requirements for dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States
• Additional requirements for dogs that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do NOT have appropriate documentation of current US-issued rabies vaccine
• Additional requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk in the 6 months before entry

Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.

Specific requirements depend on whether the dog has been in a high-risk country for dog rabies  in the past 6 months.

Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies must:  

• Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
• The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form is required for the importation (re-entry) of U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies  within the 6 months before re-entry into the United States.
• Please note, during the transition period, the importer may instead present a copy of the USDA endorsed export health certificate that was used to ship the dog from the United States, if that export health certificate documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), the microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States. The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
• Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)

Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have NOT been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months must:

• A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States; or
• Document a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
• Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form .)

Important information about the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form

The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed before the dog departs the U.S. Before asking your veterinarian to complete this form, verify the following requirements will be met:

• Ensure your dog will be at least 6 months of age on date of return to the U.S.
• Have your dog microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip (implanted before any required rabies vaccinations)
• Ensure the veterinarian scans the dog for the ISO-compatible microchip and records the microchip number at the time of vaccine appointment. Rabies vaccines administered prior to microchip implantation will not be considered valid.
• Ensure the rabies vaccination will be valid for the entire duration of your travels. If your dog’s U.S.-issued rabies vaccination lapses while overseas and your dog has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, your dog will need to be revaccinated overseas and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to return to the U.S., including having a rabies serology titer, arriving at a specific port of entry, and possible quarantine requirements.
• Your dog’s first rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days before travel.
• Ensure the veterinarian submits this form to the USDA for official endorsement through the VEHCS portal
• Your dog must travel with a printed copy of the official endorsed form upon your dog’s return to the United States if your dog has been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before returning to the U.S.

During the transition period, U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, may have either the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA endorsed export health certificate for re-entry into the United States. Without one of these forms your dog will need to meet the requirements specific to the risk category of the countries where they have been in the 6 months before returning to the United States.

The export health certificate must document the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and the rabies vaccination date. The rabies vaccine must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.

Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog rabies within 6 months before entry

Dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do not have appropriate documentation of current U.S.-issued rabies vaccine must:

• Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
• Ensure the dog is microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid
• Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
• The dog must have a valid (i.e., non-expired) rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
• The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
• The blood sample for the rabies serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
• Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.
• The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory . If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
• Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid.
• Rabies serology titer results will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccination was administered.
• If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
• All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
• Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
• All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the responsibility of the importer.
• The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
• Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information).
• If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.
• Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases).
• Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation.
• This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
• Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility and is cleared for entry.
• SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA : Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR 382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not service animals under this definition.

Countries that are not on the list of countries at high risk for dog rabies  are considered to be free of or low risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) (called dog rabies-free or low-risk countries on these webpages).

Dogs, including service dogs, that have been ONLY in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry into the United States must:

• Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States.
• Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
• Is for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
• Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
• Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. The form must be completed within the 30 days before arriving to the United States.
• Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months
• Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select it when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form .)

Any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates. For example, if the dog’s documents were issued in France, the dog may not enter the U.S. via a land-border crossing from Mexico to the U.S.

*Examples of veterinary records that must accompany completed forms are European Union pet passports or proof of payment for veterinary services received in the exporting low-risk country for the previous 6 months. Records must include the dog’s microchip number.

For more information, see: Frequently Asked Questions on CDC Dog Importations  

If you have questions or need more information, please contact CDC-INFO at (800) 232-4636.

• Travelers' Health
• Healthy Pets Healthy People
• Southern Border Health and Migration
• Port Health
• Division of Global Migration Health

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