Why visit
Vietnam is a long, narrow country best traveled north-to-south or reverse. Hanoi's old quarter, Halong Bay, Hoi An's lanterns, and Ho Chi Minh City's food scene, linked by overnight trains and short flights.
Country - Asia
Vietnam
culturefoodhistorybeachnature
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Vietnam works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Hanoi as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Vietnam.
At a glance
Location
16.2°, 107.8°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
331,212 km²
127,882 mi²
Country population
100.3 million
303/km²
Subregion
South-Eastern Asia
Currency
Vietnamese đồng (₫)
VND
Dial
+84
Language
Vietnamese
Demonym
Vietnamese
Internet
.vn
UN
Member state
ISO code
VN / VNM
Where in the world
16.2° - 107.8°
Vietnam
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer after Brazil.
- The country is 1,650 km long but only ~50 km wide at its narrowest point.
- Hanoi is one of the oldest capital cities in Southeast Asia: it celebrated its 1,000th birthday in 2010.
Bordering Vietnam
Traveler notes
- e-Visa available for most nationalities
- North-to-south route takes 3 weeks; 10 days covers highlights
- Banh mi, phở, and bun bo Hue are the must-try dishes
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Hanoi, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Signature travel cities in Vietnam
Hoi An
Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed old port town. Lanterns at night, tailor shops by the hundred, An Bang beach 5 km away, and the Mỳ Sơn Cham ruins nearby.
Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon is the country's economic engine. War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, Ben Thanh Market, the Cu Chi Tunnels day-trip, and a relentless food culture.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Vietnam
What is the capital of Vietnam?
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam.
What currency does Vietnam use?
Vietnam uses the Vietnamese đồng (₫), ISO code VND.
What languages are spoken in Vietnam?
The primary language is Vietnamese.
Is Vietnam landlocked?
No, Vietnam has a coastline.
What countries border Vietnam?
Vietnam borders Cambodia, China, Laos.
What is the international calling code for Vietnam?
The calling code is +84.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
North: Oct–Apr · South: Dec–Apr. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Asia destinations
India
India is as much a rite of passage as a destination. Taj Mahal and Jaipur palaces, Varanasi ghats, Kerala backwaters, Goa beaches, Himalayan Ladakh. One trip can only sample one region.
Indonesia
Indonesia is 17,000 islands. Bali for beaches and temples, Java for Borobudur and volcanoes, Komodo for dragons and pink-sand beaches, Sulawesi for diving. Pick two islands; don't try to see them all.
Iran
Iran, for travelers who can visit, offers Isfahan's blue mosques, Persepolis, Yazd's desert architecture, and some of the world's most hospitable hosts.
Iraq
Iraq is Mesopotamia: Babylon, Ur, the shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, and Baghdad's long literary memory. Iraqi Kurdistan in the north has run its own small tourism scene; conditions elsewhere require careful checking.
Israel
Israel compresses 3,000 years into a country the size of New Jersey. Jerusalem's Old City, Tel Aviv's beach life, Masada's desert fortress, and Galilee.
Japan
Japan balances neon-dense Tokyo, temple Kyoto, Osaka food alleys, Hiroshima peace memorials, and the rural snow country with remarkably punctual infrastructure. A two-week first trip writes itself.