arrive.guide

Last updated May 2026

Vietnam

Everything you need before landing in Vietnam: e-visa requirements, best eSIM plans, airport transport in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, dong tips, and essential apps.

Visa

PassportStatusDurationCost
🇦🇺AustraliaE-visa90 days$25
🇨🇳ChinaVisa-free30 daysFree
🇮🇳IndiaE-visa90 days$25
🇯🇵JapanVisa-free45 daysFree
🇰🇷KoreaVisa-free45 daysFree
🇷🇺RussiaVisa-free45 daysFree
🇬🇧UKVisa-free45 daysFree
🇺🇸USAE-visa90 days$25

Visa rules change. Always confirm your requirements at the official Vietnam e-visa portal before you travel.

Apply at least 3 business days before departure

If you need a Vietnam e-visa, apply at evisa.gov.vn — the process is straightforward and costs $25. Don't use third-party sites that charge extra fees.

The Vietnam e-visa allows single or multiple entries for up to 90 days. The price shown above ($25) is for a single-entry e-visa — multiple-entry costs $50.

eSIM / SIM card

Airalo has reliable Vietnam eSIM options on Vinaphone — one of the country's strongest networks. Vietnam has excellent 4G coverage in cities and along the tourist trail from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Short stay — up to 10 days

AiraloBest value

7 days · 3GB · Vinaphone network

~$8Get it →
HolaflyUnlimited data

7 days · Unlimited · GPC Vinaphone (VNPT) network

~$27Get it →

Speed may reduce after heavy daily use

Long stay — 10 to 30 days

AiraloBest value

30 days · 5GB · Vinaphone network

~$11Get it →
HolaflyUnlimited data

30 days · Unlimited · GPC Vinaphone (VNPT) network

~$75Get it →

Speed may reduce after heavy daily use

More plan lengths and data sizes available directly from:

Airalo →Holafly →
Physical SIMs (Viettel recommended) are available at Noi Bai (HAN) and Tan Son Nhat (SGN) airports for around 150,000–300,000 VND ($6–12). Requires passport registration and is a good option if your phone doesn't support eSIM.
Purchase and install your eSIM 1-2 days before your departure, and activate it once you land — Most eSIMs validity period start when it connects to a supported network.

Airport Transport

HAN – Noi Bai International

Main international hub for northern Vietnam

OptionTimeCostBest for
GrabBest value
Pick-up from domestic terminal ground floor — book inside before exiting
35–55 min200,000–350,000 VND ($8–14)Door-to-door, fixed price, most popular option
Vietnam Airlines Minibus45–60 min40,000 VND (~$1.60)Ultra-budget, drops at Vietnam Airlines office in Old Quarter
Official taxi (G7 or Mai Linh)
Official taxi rank outside arrivals — insist on the meter
35–55 min500,000–600,000 VND (~$20–24)Reliable metered cab, available 24/7
86 Bus (Airport Bus)50–75 min45,000 VND (~$1.80)Budget travellers, terminates at Hanoi Railway Station

Watch out

Avoid unofficial taxi touts outside arrivals — they often have no meters and quote prices 3–5x the going rate. Use only Grab, or G7/Mai Linh taxis from the official taxi rank. Grab operates from the domestic terminal's ground floor pickup area.

Cash & ATMs

Verdict

Vietnam is predominantly cash-based. While upmarket restaurants and hotels accept cards, street food, local transport, markets, and most small businesses are cash-only. Always carry Vietnamese Dong (VND). The large denominations (500,000 VND = ~$20) can look confusing at first — take care not to confuse 50,000 and 500,000 VND notes.

ATMs

ATMs are widely available in cities. Vietcombank and Techcombank ATMs typically have the highest withdrawal limits (up to 5,000,000–10,000,000 VND per transaction). Most charge a foreign transaction fee of around 50,000–55,000 VND (~$2–2.20). Withdraw large sums at once to minimise fees. Avoid airport bank rates — you'll get 5–10% less than city ATMs.

Tipping

Not traditionally expected but becoming common in tourist areas. Tip 20,000–50,000 VND for motorbike taxi drivers for a good ride, and 50,000–100,000 VND per day for tour guides. Round up cyclo and xe om fares as a courtesy.

Withdraw Vietnamese Dong from an ATM inside or just outside the airport (Vietcombank is reliable) — avoid the currency exchange counters, which charge poor rates. Withdraw at least 1,000,000–2,000,000 VND ($40–80) for your first day.

Essential Apps

🟢

Grab

Dominant ride-hailing app in Vietnam for cars and motorbike taxis (GrabBike). Essential for getting around cities safely.

🗺️

Google Maps

Download offline maps for Hanoi, HCMC, or Da Nang before landing. Also useful for street food navigation.

🏨

Agoda

Best hotel rates for Vietnam — strong inventory for Hanoi Old Quarter, Hoi An, and beachside properties.

🎟️

Klook

Book day trips, cooking classes, Ha Long Bay cruises, and experiences at discounted rates.

🚌

12Go

Book intercity buses, trains, and ferries across Vietnam — particularly useful for the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City route.

First Day Tips

  • 1Activate your eSIM on the plane when you land and open Grab — having the app ready lets you book a car from inside the terminal as soon as you clear customs, avoiding the taxi tout gauntlet.
  • 2Download an offline map of your city before leaving the airport Wi-Fi. Signal can drop in some narrow Old Quarter alleys in Hanoi, and having offline navigation prevents you from getting lost with a heavy bag.

Stay up to date on Vietnam

We'll email you if visa rules, transport costs or arrival tips change.