)
Traveling to Vietnam with EF Ultimate Break
Vietnam is simply electric
A country that earns its hype: Vietnam is one of the most sought-after spots for young travelers—and it delivers. From the misty limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the lantern-lit streets of Hội An to the nonstop energy of Ho Chi Minh City, every corner will stop you in your tracks.
One of the world’s great food destinations: Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, bold, deeply regional, and genuinely world-class. A bowl of pho in Hanoi tastes different from one in Saigon, and both are incredible.
History that hits different: Vietnam’s past is complex, layered, and impossible to ignore. From ancient trading ports to the Cu Chi Tunnels to the imperial city of Huế, the history here isn’t just in museums—it’s woven into the streets, the food, and the people.
Visually stunning, start to finish: Ha Long Bay looks like a painting. Hội An glows at night. The Vietnamese countryside—rice paddies, water buffalo, mountains rolling into the sea—is the kind of scenery that makes you put your phone down and just look.
A place that rewards the curious: Vietnam stretches 1,600+ kilometers from north to south, and every region has its own personality, its own dialect, its own flavors. The more you explore, the more it gives back.
Language
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, spoken by over 95 million people. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants in major cities, so you’ll be fine getting around. But here are a few phrases to have in your back pocket:
Currency & tipping culture
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Đồng (VND). The exchange rate means you'll be dealing in large numbers—1 USD is roughly 25,000 VND—so it’s worth taking a moment to get familiar with the bills before you start spending.
Cash is king in Vietnam, especially at street food stalls, local markets, and smaller restaurants. ATMs are widely available in cities.
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in tourist areas.
Always carry small bills for street food and tuk-tuks.
Tipping guidelines:
Restaurants: Tipping isn’t traditional in Vietnamese culture, but it's becoming more common in tourist areas. Rounding up or leaving 10% at sit-down restaurants is a kind gesture.
Taxis/ride apps: Rounding up is appreciated but not required. Apps like Grab are widely used and make payment easy.
Hotels: A small tip (20,000–50,000 VND) for porters and housekeeping is a nice touch.
Tour guides: If you have a great guide, 50,000–100,000 VND per person is a thoughtful way to say thank you.
Transportation
Getting around Vietnam is part of the adventure. Here’s what to know:
Grab (Asia’s answer to Uber) is your best friend. It’s reliable and affordable. Cyclos (three-wheeled bicycle taxis) are a fun, slow-paced way to explore.
Vietnam has a well-developed train network that runs the length of the country. Domestic flights are also affordable and efficient for longer distances.
In Ha Long Bay, your transportation is the experience—an overnight cruise through the karsts is how you do it.
Available everywhere and cheap. If you’re comfortable hopping on the back of a bike, it’s one of the most local ways to get around.
Vietnam’s iconic destinations
We could talk about Vietnam forever. And tbh, we’re going to.
Can’t-miss Vietnamese experiences
Cruise Ha Long Bay
Over 1,600 limestone islands and islets rise dramatically from the emerald-green water, draped in jungle and mist. A cruise through the bay is one of the most iconic experiences in all of Southeast Asia.
Explore the Old Town of Hoi An
The streets are lined with centuries-old merchant houses, colorful lanterns, and tailor shops that can make you a custom outfit in 24 hours. Come evening, the whole town glows. It's one of the most atmospheric places in Vietnam.
Get to know Hanoi
The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets, each one historically dedicated to a specific trade. Grab a plastic stool at a street-side café, order a cà phê trứng (egg coffee), and just watch the city move. Hanoi rewards the curious—the more you wander, the more you find.
Experience Ho Chi Minh City
Still called Saigon by many, the streets hum with motorbikes, the food stalls never close, and history runs deep. A visit to the War Remnants Museum is sobering. And then there’s the Ben Thanh Market, where you can eat all day every day.
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
Just outside Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an extraordinary piece of history. This vast underground network was used during the Vietnam War and gives you a real sense of the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Take in the countryside around Hoi An
Beyond the lantern-lit streets, the countryside surrounding Hoi An is just as beautiful. Rice paddies and quiet villages stretch out in every direction.
Eat everything
This one isn’t optional. Vietnamese cuisine is one of the most celebrated in the world, and eating your way through the country is genuinely one of the best things you can do here.
What’s the weather like in Vietnam
November–April
This is generally the sweet spot for most travelers. Ho Chi Minh City and the south are warm and dry, Hội An is at its most beautiful, and Ha Long Bay is calm and clear. Temperatures are comfortable, crowds are manageable, and the light is incredible.
May–October
The north and central regions can get heavy rain and occasional typhoons during this period, but the south stays relatively dry through May and June. Traveling in the shoulder season means fewer tourists and lower prices—and a little rain never ruined a bowl of pho.
When is the cheapest time to visit Vietnam?
If you want the Vietnam experience without the peak-season price tag, you’ve got a few good options.
What to eat in Vietnam?
Short answer: everything in sight. Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, bold, and deeply regional—what you eat in Hanoi is genuinely different from what you’ll find in Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City. Here are a few things you absolutely cannot leave without trying:
Safety in Vietnam
Vietnam is considered one of the safer destinations in Southeast Asia for travelers. Violent crime against tourists is rare, and the Vietnamese people are known for being warm and welcoming to visitors. That said, a few things are worth keeping in mind.
Petty theft—particularly bag snatching from motorbikes—can happen in busy urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Keep your bag close, avoid dangling it on the street-side of your body, and be mindful in crowded markets and tourist areas. Traffic is also something to get used to: Vietnamese cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City, have a famously intense flow of motorbikes. The trick is to walk slowly and steadily—the traffic will move around you.
Your safety is our top priority
Traveling with EF Ultimate Break means you’re not exploring Vietnam alone—you’ve got a full support system making sure you feel comfortable, informed, and protected every step of the way.
Traveler photos from Vietnam
Vietnam travel reviews
Our travelers love visiting Vietnam, and they aren’t afraid to tell us.
)
