Things you need to know before visiting Vietnam:

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers.

Do you need a visa to travel from the USA or other countries to Vietnam? Yes, you need a travel visa to enter Vietnam as a tourist or foreign traveler. Apply for your visa (if you’re staying longer than 15 days). You can apply for your Vietnam tourist visa ONLINE before you arrive. double-check all your data before hitting submit and paying.
The visa application is simple and will ask for all your personal data and reasons for coming to Vietnam.

United States citizens need a visa to visit Vietnam. Since 1996, US citizens flying into Vietnam can pick up their Vietnam visa upon arrival to one of Vietnam’s international airports. To streamline the process, Americans traveling to Vietnam should complete their Vietnam visa application online before their trip.

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least one blank visa page. Visit the Embassy of Vietnam website for the most current information

Check your travel vaccinations.

Do I need a Covid test to enter Vietnam?
Effective May 15, 2022, the Vietnamese Government no longer requires a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry into Vietnam.

Dollars vs Dong:

You will need both US Dollars and Vietnamese Dong for travelling around Vietnam. US dollars are most commonly used for anything touristy e.g. booking a tour, booking domestic transport or paying for a hotel. Vietnamese Dong is most commonly used for more local enterprises e.g. restaurants, bars, shops and market stalls. You can withdraw Dong from an ATM on arrival

What to wear:

The general dress code is pretty laid back in Vietnam. Shorts/skirts and light weight T-shirts and vest tops will be your daily staples. The only time you need to think more carefully about what you’re wearing is if you visit any temples or mosques. Girls, pack a pashmina so you can wrap it around your shoulders, and guys and girls should both bring a pair of light weight long trousers. These also come in handy on buses and planes where the air conditioning gets icy cold.

Vietnam Packing list:

US dollars
Visa Documents
Waterproof jacket
Pashmina
Rucksack / day bag
Light weight trousers
Mosquito repellent (50% deet and above)
Mini first aid kit
Comfortable sandals / trainers

Religion
Vietnam’s major religions are Buddhism and Catholicism, although the largest percentage of the population follows Vietnamese folk traditions or identifies as non-religious.

Climate
Vietnam has both a tropical climate zone and a temperate climate zone, with all of the country experiencing the effects of the annual monsoon.