Currency Vietnamese dong (VND). One US dollar equals approximately 25,000 dong (verify before travel). Notes are large and counted in thousands.
Pricing Boutique hotels, junks and agencies quote in USD. Cash in dong is best for markets, street food, taxis and tips.
USD cash Bring 200–400 USD in crisp, clean, unmarked notes: many money changers refuse worn or creased bills.
Cards Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, mid-range restaurants and supermarkets — not at street food stalls or markets.
ATMs Available in all cities. Charge a fee of 50,000–80,000 VND per transaction. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently.
Gratuities Not obligatory, but appreciated. 5–10% at mid-range restaurants; a lump sum per block for guides and drivers.
e-visa Most Latin American travellers require an e-visa, valid since 2023, processed on the official portal for around USD 25.
Process A passport-style photo in JPG, passport scan, itinerary and first hotel address. Response in 3–5 business days.
Length of stay The standard e-visa allows 30 days. For longer stays, enquire about extended visa options.
Passport Must be valid for at least six months from entry, with one blank page. Immigration rules change — verify before travel.
Documents First accommodation voucher, international insurance and return flight to hand. CocoVolare guides you through the e-visa process.
Required None for entry from Latin America or Europe, except yellow fever if travelling from an endemic country. Keep your WHO vaccination card.
Recommended Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, up-to-date tetanus and Japanese encephalitis for extended rural stays.
Dengue and malaria Dengue is endemic, especially during rainy season. Malaria risk is low in tourist areas, high in remote rural areas.
Insurance Essential, with a minimum cover of USD 100,000 and medical evacuation included — especially for Sapa, Ha Giang or Phong Nha.
Water Always bottled or filtered, even for brushing teeth in modest hotels. Factory-made ice is safe.
Domestic flights Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and VietJet connect cities in about an hour. Book six weeks in advance.
Grab The local equivalent of Uber works in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. Fixed fare, avoids taxi disputes.
Private driver The CocoVolare standard for city days. Saves two to three hours daily compared to Grab and walking.
Train The Reunification Express and the overnight train to Lao Cai for Sapa are experiences in themselves: private cabin, landscape included.
Junk In Ha Long Bay, the CocoVolare standard is a private junk of three to six cabins in Lan Ha — not the crowded group cruise.
Official language Vietnamese, a tonal language written in a Latin-based alphabet created by Portuguese Jesuits in the 17th century.
English Functional in hotels, agencies and tourist restaurants in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang and Hoi An. Scarce in rural areas.
Ethnic minorities In Sapa and Ha Giang, Hmong, Dao and Tay communities communicate in basic Vietnamese plus their local language.
Useful phrases Xin chào (hello) · cảm ơn (thank you) · không (no) · vâng (yes) · bao nhiêu (how much).
Our approach CocoVolare works with guides who come from the community: in Sapa, a Hmong woman narrating her own tradition changes the journey entirely.
Greeting A smile and a slight nod of the head. Hugging and cheek kissing are not greetings. A gentle handshake with the right hand.
Head and feet Never touch anyone's head, not even a child's — it is the most sacred part of the body. Do not point your feet at people or altars.
At the table The eldest person begins. Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice — it recalls funeral incense.
Temples Remove shoes on entry, cover shoulders and knees, do not point at statues and never photograph someone praying without permission.
Photography Do not photograph ethnic minority people without permission, or military and police installations.
01 · Capital
3–4 nights
