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Essential Vietnam Travel Tips:
What to Know Before You Go
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Here’s your travel guides packed with real advice, cultural insights, and need-to-know tips before you fly. From visa and currency details to etiquette, safety, and scams to avoid, this guide helps you travel smart, spend wisely, and make the most of your time. Whether you’re wandering the lantern streets of Hoi An, cruising through Ha Long Bay, trekking the hills of Sapa, or chasing sunsets in Phu Quoc, you’ll find everything you need to plan confidently and arrive ready for the adventure ahead.
Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay: Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re planning a trip to northern Vietnam, you’ll quickly notice three names appearing again and again: Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, and Bai Tu Long Bay.
They sit side by side, share the same limestone scenery and calm green water, yet offer surprisingly different experiences. Choosing the right one can make a real difference to how your trip feels.
Leanne Gayle
Jan 284 min read
Quy Nhon Travel Guide 2025: What to See, Where to Go, and How Long to Stay 🏖️🌅
This Quy Nhon Travel Guide 2025 covers everything you need to plan the perfect coastal getaway, from quiet beaches and hidden islands to ancient Cham towers and seaside cafés. Often overlooked by tourists...
Leanne Gayle
Oct 20, 20255 min read
How Much Spending Money Do You Really Need in Vietnam? (2026 Guide)
You’ve booked your flights, your hotels are locked in, and your tour itinerary is sorted...cruises, cars, and all the good stuff. So now you're wondering: How much should I actually budget each day, once I'm on the ground?
Leanne Gayle
Aug 6, 20254 min read
How to Get a SIM or eSIM in Hanoi (2025 Travel Guide) 📱🛬
Landing at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and wondering how to get connected? Whether you're ordering a Grab to your hotel, checking into your Airbnb, or sharing your first bowl of phở on Instagram – having mobile data from the start makes everything easier.
Leanne Gayle
May 22, 20253 min read
Hanoi to Sapa Transfer Options: Train, Sleeper Bus, Limousine Van or Private Car? (2026 Guide)
Planning a trip to Sapa, Vietnam? Whether you're dreaming of misty rice terraces, cool mountain air, or visiting local hill tribe villages, getting from Hanoi to Sapa is your first step. But what's the best way to travel - overnight train, sleeper bus or private car?
Leanne Gayle
May 11, 20255 min read
The Ultimate Guide: Should You Book Cruises and Tours Before Going to Ha Long Bay and Hanoi? 🤔🚢
Planning a trip to Vietnam? 🇻🇳 If Ha Long Bay and Hanoi are on your travel itinerary, you might be wondering whether to book your Ha Long
Leanne Gayle
Mar 31, 20253 min read
The Ultimate Guide to Ha Long Bay Weather in April: Everything You Need to Know
Are you planning a trip to Ha Long Bay in April? Wondering what the weather will be like? You’ve come to the right place! April is...
Leanne Gayle
Mar 19, 20253 min read
🚧 The 2025 Guide to Visiting Cat Ba Island 🏝 Amidst Construction : How to Avoid Disruptions and Still Have a Brilliant Trip 🌅
Alright, so Cat Ba is currently a bit of a work-in-progress—but don’t let that put you off!
Leanne Gayle
Mar 14, 20254 min read
Vietnam in February: Tet Holiday and What Travellers Should Know
Travelling to Vietnam in February? This guide explains what to know about Tet holiday, weather, transfers, cruises, hotels and how to plan around Vietnam’s busiest family holiday.
Leanne Gayle
May 225 min read
Ha Noi, Where to Stay (2026 Guide)
Planning where to stay in Hanoi? From the lively Old Quarter to the calmer West Lake area, here’s how each neighbourhood feels and which one suits your travel style best.
Leanne Gayle
May 213 min read
How Do You Get from Hanoi to Ha Long?
Already booked a Ha Long Bay cruise? This guide explains how to get from Hanoi to Ha Long by cruise shuttle bus or private car, including pickup areas, timing, reliability and whether to stay in Ha Long before or after your cruise.
Leanne Gayle
May 74 min read
Is Sapa Worth Visiting? A Practical Guide Before You Add It to Your Vietnam Itinerary
Sapa can be one of northern Vietnam’s most memorable destinations, but it is not always the right choice for every itinerary. This guide explains when Sapa is worth visiting, how long the journey from Hanoi really takes, why three days is more comfortable, and what travellers should know before adding it to their Vietnam route.
Leanne Gayle
May 73 min read
How to Get to Sapa from Hanoi: Train, Sleeper Bus or Private Car? (2026 Guide)
Planning a trip to Sapa, Vietnam? Whether you're dreaming of misty rice terraces, cool mountain air, or visiting local hill tribe villages, getting from Hanoi to Sapa is your first step. But what's the best way to travel - overnight train, sleeper bus or private car?
Leanne Gayle
May 74 min read
Do Fuel Prices Affect Travel in Vietnam? What You Actually Need to Know (2026 Update)
Fuel prices in Vietnam mainly affect transport costs, not travel itself. Vehicles and tours run normally, with only small changes in pricing.
Leanne Gayle
Apr 13 min read
Travelling Vietnam in April and May 2026: What to Expect (Including the 30 April – 1 May Holiday)
Planning to visit Vietnam in April or May 2026? The 30 April – 1 May public holiday creates one of the busiest domestic travel periods of the year. Here’s what to expect and how to plan around it.
Leanne Gayle
Feb 253 min read
Ha Long Bay vs Ninh Binh: Which One Should You Choose?
Ha Long Bay vs Ninh Binh: discover the key differences, activities, travel times, and which destination suits your Vietnam trip best.
Leanne Gayle
Feb 133 min read
✈️ Fast Track Entry to Vietnam 2026: Is It Worth It? 🛃💨
Flying into Vietnam soon and wondering if you should pay extra for Fast Track Entry? Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide based on traveller experiences, airport data, and real arrival times - so you can decide whether it’s worth it for you.
Leanne Gayle
Nov 17, 20253 min read
Sapa Travel Guide 2026: What to See, Where to Go, and How Long to Stay 🏔️🌾
Thinking about visiting Sapa in 2026? This Sapa Travel Guide 2026 has everything you need to plan your dream mountain escape - from the best things to do in Sapa to where to go, when to visit, and how long to stay. Famous for its rolling rice terraces, cloud-covered peaks, and colorful ethnic villages, Sapa remains Vietnam’s highland jewel and a must-see for travelers seeking both adventure and authenticity.
Leanne Gayle
Nov 2, 20255 min read
🏍️ How to Get to Ha Giang from Hanoi: Sleeper Bus, Limousine Van or Private Car? (2025 Guide) 🚐🚌🏔️
Planning a trip to Ha Giang, Vietnam? Whether you're dreaming of winding mountain passes, misty valleys, or conquering the legendary Ha Giang Loop, getting from Hanoi to Ha Giang City is your essential first step.
Leanne Gayle
Oct 29, 20256 min read
🎆 Travelling in Vietnam During Tet Holiday (2026 Guide)
Thinking of visiting Vietnam in early 2026? You might be landing right in the middle of Tet – the Lunar New Year, the most important celebration of the year. It’s a magical (and slightly chaotic) time to experience local culture – streets lined with red lanterns, families reuniting, temples packed with offerings, and fireworks bursting over lakes and rivers. But it also means busy travel days, closed shops, and sold-out tickets if you don’t plan ahead.
Leanne Gayle
Oct 23, 20253 min read
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