Photo: Shutterstock

According to Google’s market trend tracking tool, the search volume for inbound tourism in Vietnam was placed 6th worldwide, witnessing a surge growth rate of 75% in 2023. 

On the other hand, the top 10 outbound destinations that Vietnameses searched the most last year include the United States, Australia, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) published that Vietnam had welcomed 12.6 million international visitors, which surpassed the target of eight million for the whole year 2023, but this figure only accounted for 70% of Vietnamese tourism revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With the exception of uncontrollable factors such as the influence of international markets, political conflicts, and the threat of environmental catastrophes caused by climate change, Vietnam’s tourism has not yet developed to its full potential by failing to streamline related industries and to improve tourism quality all across the country. 

Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) and authorities in charge must focus on organized tourism development planning, introducing more relaxed visa policy, renovating tourist sites, building infrastructure, enhancing human resources, and formulating an appropriate regulatory environment. In comparison, Thailand is the same Southeast Asian nation as Vietnam but its tourism industry is far more successful and sustainable. This “country of smiles” can be a perfect example for Vietnam to learn and grow on a global scale.

In 2024, Vietnamese tourism and related industries aim to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic tourists, with the total earnings expected to reach around USD 34.5 billion.

Photo: Collected

As a country located in the humid tropical monsoon region, Vietnam is blessed by nature with a rich climate, water source, soil, etc creating the perfect growing environment for flowers. Especially at the end of the year, provinces and cities across Vietnam are filled with dreamy flower seasons waiting for tourists to explore.

1. Sapa Cherry Blossom Season

All over the Internet, cherry blossom trees in Sapa Town are in their full bloom during December and January of Vietnam. Tourists are captured standing under the trees filled with dreamy pink color and taking pictures, which makes the beauty of Sapa more vivid and soulful in this time of the year.

Photo: Vietnam Booking

As a gift from Japan, cherry blossoms are held in high esteem thanks to their pleasant scent and gorgeous visual appeal. Especially, the cherry blossom trees in Sa Pa have flourished and bloomed magnificently for many consecutive years with perfect weather conditions and dedicated care from local people.

2. Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Season

Have you ever wondered why the cold weather of Northern Vietnam can nurture so many beautiful flowers? Ha Giang - another of Vietnam's northern points, has annually attracted visitors to this province by its iconic buckwheat flowers. 

Photo: Huynh Nhi, VnExpress

From the ground, tiny buckwheat bounties bloom brightly and come together to create a graceful pink carpet that adorns the whole area. At the end of September, the white flowers show up on their yearly schedule. As October transitions into November, the petals alter to a pink hue. And at maturity by the conclusion of December, they become a vibrant red.

Tourists can admire these flowers at Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Meo Vac district and the communes of Sung La, Pho Cao, Ma Le in Dong Van district. 

3. Moc Chau White Mustard Flower Season

Around November and December, the weather in Moc Chau is chilly with fog in the beginning of the day and sunshine at midday. The white mustard flowers that bloom along the streets make the atmosphere of Moc Chau quite enchanting during the season. This crop is widely grown in Ang village, Pa Phach village, Coc village in Dong Sang commune, Thai Hung village in Muong Sang commune, etc. 

To someone who has been to Moc Chau (Son La), the memories of white mustard flowers filled in baskets of ethnic minority children surely left a deep and remarkable impression on them. 

4. Nghe An Sunflower Season

Based in Nghe An, TH True Milk on their mission to bring high-quality nutrition products to Vietnamese households has grown the biggest sunflower field in Vietnam, and now it is also one of the most photogenic hotspots for travelers at the end of the year.

Photo: Sach Nguyen

As the weather changes, sunflowers come into full bloom across Nghe An, creating a stunning landscape of golden tones. The cheerful blooms dance in the wind, creating a captivating and delightful spectacle that enthralls visitors and locals.

5. Da Lat Pink Grass Season

The Da Lat Pink Grass Season is an enthralling natural occurrence that changes the scenery of Da Lat, a picturesque city in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. This captivating event usually takes place in the late autumn and early winter, turning the hills and valleys into a breathtaking sight of pink.

Photo: Nguyen Khac Tung

The Pink Grass, scientifically referred to as Imperata cylindrica, covers wide stretches, forming an extraordinary visual presentation. As the grass undergoes a remarkable transformation, its vivid green color develops into a gentle, enchanting pink, spreading a dreamlike atmosphere over the landscape.

Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful countries, attracting travelers to its lush mountains, bustling cities and golden sand beaches. It is also known as a friendly and safe destination for travelers Worldwide. If you plan a trip to Vietnam, here are a few things you should know, especially for first-time visitors, it would be helpful.

Weather

Vietnam is a country which benefits from having three different microclimates for the 3 main parts of the country: the North, the Center & the South, making it a great year-round destination.

Its time to travel from October to April when the country sees the least amount of rain and cool temperature; the rains come from May to late September, Vietnam still attracts as it is less crowded, much more attractive price & better service! Come & enjoy!!!

Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa…) can be quite cold, damp and misty from November to March, but it’s also possible to experience lovely sunny, cloudless days during this period. You might need warm clothing and a waterproof jacket in case of rain, or can be cheaply purchased locally if required.

Sun shines onto the terraces of rice fields in northwestern Vietnam (Shutterstock Photo)

Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Nha Trang…) is at its wettest from September through to December. This period sees monsoon rains and occasional typhoons that can cause flooding in the area. While this is rarely of such a level as to seriously affect an itinerary, we do advise people traveling in this period that there may be last-minute changes to itineraries to accommodate the weather conditions.

Eo Gio Quy Nhon is a beautiful check-in spot (Photo: Collected)

Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh city, Mekong Delta…) is generally dry from November to April. May to October is warm, with heavy showers and the odd overcast day. Northern areas are cooler and drier from January to May and September to December. June to August can be hot, humid and showery.

Travel to the Southwest region (Photo: Collected)

Passport & Visa

To enter Vietnam, you will need to bring your passport which is valid for at least 6 months on arrival & enough blank page for visa stamped on it.

A valid visa will be required for citizens from most foreign countries to come to Vietnam for any purpose. According to your nationality on the passport, Vietnam visa can be exempted; or advance visa to Vietnam (visa at embassy, E-visa); or Vietnam approval letter for Visa on arrival will be required before you board on plane to Vietnam.

Please double check this important information carefully before flying to Vietnam.

Currency & Money & Purchase

The currency of Vietnam is Dong (VND). Currently, there are banknotes of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 VND.

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

Enter Vietnam, you can exchange money in the airport or banks or currency exchange booths or even at your hotels.

Please be sure that your money must remain intact, not torn and too dim to guarantee the smooth transactions or best exchange rates.

There are ATM machines available everywhere, so you do not need to bring too much cash. You can withdraw cash from them with a good exchange rate. Keep lots of pence in Dong to buy small things or pay for transportation.

Credit cards (Visa, Master Card is the most common type of cards in Vietnam) can be used at restaurants, hotels or modern convenience stores and commission fees of using credit cards from 3-4% (depending on the card type) will be charged in this case.

Prices of things are reasonable, but expect to pay whatever you can haggle for it. There are no fixed prices, except in the big malls or modern convenience stores or valued items…This can be daunting at first, but you will get used to it, and find it even more fun this way.

Electricity

The standard household (hotel) electrical supply in Vietnam is 220 volt, 50 Hertz, but you may find that 110 volt, 50 Hertz outlets are still in use in some places. In Vietnam, the standard socket accepts a two round pin plug without a ground pin (Type A), but non-standard two flat blade (Type B) or two rectangular blade sockets and plugs are still in use.

Some modern hotels and office blocks have three pin round (Type D) or UK three pin square sockets (Type C). Before traveling to Vietnam, please survey your various items that you will need and that require electricity to operate.  

Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese food is known to be both healthy and robust in flavor, thanks to its generous combination of fresh herbs and greens, paired with rice, noodles, seafood, pork and beef.

Along with fine-dining venues and five-star hotel restaurants decked out in extravagant settings, some of the best (and most authentic) Vietnamese delicacies can be found at roadside eateries, vibrant street markets, and humble-looking restaurants.

Don’t worry if you are vegetarians or Halal food followers, there are choices for you as well.

Here we can suggest you some authentic dishes that are famous for Vietnamese food that you should try while traveling to the country: Pho, Banh Mi, Banh Xeo (Crispy Pancake), Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls), Mi Quang (Vietnamese Turmeric Noodles), Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli Noodles With Grilled Pork), Banh Cuon (Rolled Cake)…

Photo: Collected

Crossing The Street

Vietnam transportation is so complex with various types of traffic, in particular, motorcycles as the most popular one. Traffic jams often occur during peak hours every day (before and after working daytime), weekends and holidays.

Photo: Bao Dan Tri

Crossing a Vietnamese street can feel scary as there are traffic signals for pedestrians. It will take some time before you feel comfortable with it. Walk slowly when crossing a street in Vietnam.  

For Your Safety

Ø  Avoid tap water, only drink bottled water.

Ø  Protect your trip with travel insurance.

Ø  Get your hotel details / maps in hand.

Ø  Take care of your belongings, and don’t bring much cash or valuable things when outside or at crowded places.

Ø  Do not show anger.

Ø  Wear appropriate clothes at the temples.

Ø  Remove footwear in temples and houses.

Ø  Be a sensitive photographer / cameraman.

Ø  Don’t take pictures of anything to do with the military, this can be considered a breach of national security.

Ø  Don’t take video cameras into small villages, it’s considered very intrusive and the people are often too polite to ask you to stop filming.

Ø  Some basic words of Vietnamese can be helpful when you are with the locals.

Ø  Using Grab or reputable taxi companies such as Mai Linh, CP group, Vina Sun…Hotel receptionists can help you with this when necessary.

Ø  Personal items: Travel hair dryer, bath towel, shaving equipment, brush & toothpaste, etc. You can bring it from your home, or you can buy it from many convenient stores when you arrive in Vietnam. These things are often set up in most hotels/hostels in Vietnam. The good idea is always carry toiletries in your daypack when you have an outside day.

Vietnam has long been well-known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, diverse culture, colonial architecture and hospitable local people. Besides, Vietnam has recently turned into a new healthcare tourism destination thanks to its fast-paced development of the medical and wellness sectors.

1. Facts

It can be simply understood that healthcare tourism means foreign travelers visiting another country in combination with medical treatments and convalescence services. And Vietnam is now a fast growing country and a preferred hub for healthcare.

The number of Vietnamese overseas and foreigners visiting for medical tourism has increased steadily over the past few years because of the significantly lower cost compared to that of Western countries. They choose Vietnam as their destination for various medical procedures such as dental care, cosmetic surgery, dermatology, cardiology intervention and fertility treatment….

Last year, more than 357,000 foreign patients visited hospitals in Vietnam for medical check-ups and treatment, with in-patients accounting for 57,000, generating revenue worth US$2 billion. Ho Chi Minh City took up 40% of the number of foreign patients. In July 2020, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in coordination with the Department of Health launched a new website on medical tourism, the first of its kind in the country. 

The website offers information about the city’s medical tourism network and medical services for tourists.

Especially, in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam is considered as one of the most successful countries to respond and prevent its infection and also treated well to many foreign travelers who were infected with Coronavirus in Vietnam. It has been recognized worldwide for health care capability and deserves to be a safe country for travel as well as healthcare treatments.

2. Healthcare system in Vietnam

Major cities such as Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City have a number of public and private hospitals with English-speaking staff. While small pharmacies are common in almost any Vietnamese cities, in the rural areas you may be far from the nearest pharmacy or hospital. In fact, many Vietnamese hospitals these days compare well against Western counterparts and in some areas, including customer service, medical care, Vietnam is even better.

2.1. Public hospitals

The number of public hospitals takes up a large portion in Vietnam’s health care system. The price of treatments and health consultations in public hospitals is more reasonable so that most local people can afford the check-ups. International tourists may find it difficult to communicate with medical staff and doctors in public hospitals because they normally only speak Vietnamese. Besides, the standards of public hospitals generally do not meet the expectations of foreigners as those in America or Europe. However, with the explosion of tourists and foreigners living in Vietnam recently, public hospitals have attempted to improve deficiencies, such as hiring English-speaking staff.

2.2.  Private hospitals

Vietnam private hospitals are very well equipped with modern facilities and high standard services. Foreign travelers will not be worried about language barriers since these private hospitals (particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) are staffed with foreign doctors from the UK, USA, Korea, Japan, Australia as well as Vietnamese doctors trained overseas. The cost of medical care in private hospitals is generally higher than that in public hospitals but still lower than that in Western countries. Credit cards and international health insurance are also accepted in Vietnam private hospitals.

3. Opportunities and Challenges

Though Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand have long got a better reputation for general healthcare, Vietnam’s political stability, affordability of healthcare and the relatively high quality of certain types of medicine are driving the incipient trend already. Vietnam stands to join Asian peers (Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan) as magnets for medical tourism with lower cost.

To tap the potential of becoming a new health care destination, the Vietnamese health sector should now set up strict rules regarding medical practices and develop a medical tourism network that meets international standards. It is very essential for all hospitals to increase investment in modern medical equipment and facilities, update advanced technology, as well as improve the professionalism, foreign language skills and professional ethics of medical experts and doctors and the attitude of medical staff.

In addition to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Danang and Phu Quoc are seen as the ideal destinations to handle medical tourists thanks to their developed infrastructure and modern hotel facilities.

Therefore, medical facilities should build close links with travel agencies and enterprises to create attractive and effective tourism products, combined with healthcare services. It is also better to enhance the communication for medical tourism which helps visitors easily find the necessary information and contribute to creating and promoting high quality medical tourism products and attracting more international tourists to Vietnam.

Source: Vietnamtravel.com