How Many Cities to Visit: I advise
four to six cities on a trip of two to three weeks. That number leaves two or three nights in each place, enough to eat well, wander without a plan and recover from transport. Below four, you miss the regional contrast. Above six, you spend more time in station queues than on the streets. The reward for restraint is the slow morning: a coffee on a plastic stool while the day starts around you.
Choosing Between Kinds of Cities: Match the type to your travel style. If you crave
energy and food, pick the big northern and southern hubs, where motorbike traffic roars, markets run before dawn and a bowl of noodles can cost US$1.50 to 3. If you want
heritage and calm, choose the central cities with imperial citadels, old merchant quarters and lantern-lit rivers. …
read more 👉 How Many Cities to Visit: I advise
four to six cities on a trip of two to three weeks. That number leaves two or three nights in each place, enough to eat well, wander without a plan and recover from transport. Below four, you miss the regional contrast. Above six, you spend more time in station queues than on the streets. The reward for restraint is the slow morning: a coffee on a plastic stool while the day starts around you.
Choosing Between Kinds of Cities: Match the type to your travel style. If you crave
energy and food, pick the big northern and southern hubs, where motorbike traffic roars, markets run before dawn and a bowl of noodles can cost US$1.50 to 3. If you want
heritage and calm, choose the central cities with imperial citadels, old merchant quarters and lantern-lit rivers. If beaches and easy living matter, coastal cities offer sand, seafood grills and surf bars, with higher prices and more tourists. Slower provincial towns give you quiet lanes and few foreigners, though English is less common and menus are rarely translated.
What It Costs: Budget travelers can live on
US$25 to 40 a day: a dorm bed at US$5 to 10, street meals at US$1.50 to 4, local beer at under US$1 and short taxi-app rides at US$1 to 3. Mid-range travelers should plan
US$50 to 90 with private rooms at US$20 to 45 and sit-down dinners. Entry fees run roughly US$2 to 8 for most museums and citadels, with a few major heritage complexes charging up to US$10 to 15. A local guide for a half day costs about US$25 to 50, and a food tour US$30 to 60, usually worth it for the stories behind the stalls. Budget US$30 to 80 for a flight between regions, or US$20 to 45 for a long-distance sleeper berth.
Safety on the Ground: Cities here are generally safe for walking at night, but
bag snatching from passing motorbikes is the common crime. Carry your phone and bag on the side away from the road, and keep them zipped. Crossing streets takes confidence: walk at a slow, steady pace, never dash and never stop abruptly. The traffic parts around you, and you reach the other side with your dignity intact. Use ride-hailing apps rather than unmetered taxis, and confirm the price before you start. Scams like inflated bills at tourist-area restaurants are avoidable by checking menu prices first.
Cultural Etiquette: Dress
modestly at temples and pagodas: cover shoulders and knees, and take off shoes where others do. Greet people with a smile, hand over cash or cards with two hands to elders and accept change politely. Haggling is normal in markets, but keep it light and stop when you reach a fair price, which is often 20 to 30 percent below the first quote. Avoid pointing your feet at altars or touching people’s heads. At war museums, expect sobering exhibits, and treat the history with respect. A little Vietnamese goes far, and “xin chào” and “cảm ơn” earn warm smiles, extra chilies and sometimes a free cup of tea.