Vietnam is close enough for a long weekend and big enough for a fortnight. It runs long and thin, from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. For a first trip from Singapore, a little prep goes a long way. Here are the things worth knowing before you pack. Treat this as a sample plan, then adjust it to your own dates and budget.
How do you get there from Changi?
Direct flights leave Changi for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, so most first-timers fly straight in. Flight times and fares change with the season, so compare a few dates before you lock anything in. A popular first route is to fly into one city and out of another. That way you skip the long backtrack and see more of the country in the same number of days.
Is it easy to get around once you land?
For long hops, such as Hanoi to Da Nang, domestic flights save the most time. Overnight trains along the coast are slower, but they give you scenery and a bed. In the cities, ride-hailing apps work much like they do back home, and you see the fare before you book. Motorbike taxis are everywhere too, so agree on the price first if no app is involved.
Should you bring cash or cards?
The local currency is the Vietnamese dong, and the notes come with a lot of zeros. Cash still rules at street stalls, small eateries and markets, much like an old-school hawker centre. Cards work at many hotels, malls and larger restaurants in the big cities, but not everywhere. Exchange rates vary, so check before you change money, and keep small notes handy for snacks and short rides.
How do you stay online?
A local SIM card or eSIM is often the simplest way to stay connected. You can usually buy one at the airport on arrival, or set up an eSIM before you leave Singapore. A roaming plan from your Singapore telco is the lazy option, but compare the cost first. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafes and hotels, so you will rarely be stuck without a signal in the cities.
When is the weather a problem?
Singapore's MFA says Vietnam's typhoon season runs from about June to the end of November, and is most active from July to October. Storms can bring landslides, flooding and flight disruption. Central Vietnam gets hit hard from September, and Hue and Hoi An may flood from September to November. Ha Long Bay is stormy from June to August and Phu Quoc from July to September, so plan around them if those spots are on your list.
What about visas and entry rules?
Entry rules can change, and this guide does not cover them. Before you book, read MFA's travel advice for Vietnam, which is linked from the Vietnam price page. Check it again closer to your flight, in case anything has been updated.
What should you wear to temples and pagodas?
Vietnam has many temples and pagodas, from the Temple of Literature in Hanoi to Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue. Cover your shoulders and knees when you visit, and keep a light scarf in your bag for quick fixes. Take off your shoes if you see others doing so at the door. Keep your voice down, and ask before you photograph anyone praying.
Any other manners to know?
Hand things over with both hands, especially money or a gift, as a small sign of respect. Do not stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, since it looks like a funeral offering. Losing your temper in public tends to backfire, so stay calm if something goes wrong. A smile and a simple "cam on", which means thank you, goes a long way.
How does haggling work at markets?
At markets such as Ben Thanh in Ho Chi Minh City or Dong Xuan in Hanoi, prices are often open to haggling. Start lower than the first price, keep it friendly, and be ready to walk away. Shops with printed price tags usually expect you to pay what is shown. Think of it as a game, not a fight, and do not haggle hard over small sums.
What should you eat first?
Start with pho, the noodle soup most Singaporeans already know, but try it in Hanoi, where locals have it for breakfast. Then work through banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls and broken rice in the south. Street stalls with low plastic stools are the local version of a hawker centre, and the busy ones are usually busy for a reason. Finish with Vietnamese coffee, strong and sweet with condensed milk, a close cousin of kopi.
What happens if you fall sick?
Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have state and private hospitals with English-speaking staff. Rural areas, such as mountain towns or remote islands, may be far from a hospital. Pack a small first-aid kit for stomach upsets, cuts and blisters. If you plan to head somewhere remote, find out where the nearest hospital is before you go.
Who do you call in an emergency?
For police, dial 113. For fire and rescue, dial 114, and for an ambulance, dial 115. Vietnam also has a free national hotline, 112, which takes reports of incidents and natural disasters, and requests for help, from anywhere in the country. Save these numbers in your phone before you land.
Where can you get help from Singapore?
The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore is at 41 and 43 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi. Call +84 24 3848 9168, or +84 904 696 589 in an emergency. There is also a Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, on +84 28 3822 5174, with an emergency line on +84 903 113 500. Keep these contacts with your passport details, both on your phone and on paper.
A quick checklist before you fly
- Read MFA's travel advice for Vietnam and check the entry rules.
- Check the storm seasons for each region you plan to visit.
- Sort out a SIM, eSIM or roaming plan.
- Carry some cash in small notes.
- Pack clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for temple visits.
- Save the emergency numbers and the Singapore embassy and consulate contacts.
- Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home in Singapore.
Before you go: travel insurance for Vietnam
Before you fly, get your travel insurance through Shenton Brokers for your trip. Compare travel insurance for Vietnam to see today's prices from every insurer we compare, with the destination's travel notes and MFA's latest advice. Or get a quote for your own dates.
Buy it as soon as you book: trip cancellation pays only for events after the policy starts.