Vietnam first-time travel checklist (printable)

This checklist covers the full journey from "I want to go to Vietnam" to stepping off the plane. Print it, work through it in order, and tick each item off before you travel.

Before booking

Start here before spending money on flights. See also our guide to eight things to do before you book.

• Check your passport expiry — Vietnam requires at least 6 months validity beyond your entry date
• Confirm your nationality's visa situation (exempt, e-visa eligible, or visa on arrival)
• Check the season for your destination: north, central, and south Vietnam have different weather windows
• Set a rough daily budget — budget travellers typically spend USD 35–60/day; mid-range is USD 80–130/day in 2026
• Decide on a rough itinerary length — most first-timers do 10–21 days
• Research any public holidays that might affect transport or accommodation availability

Visa preparation

Most nationalities use the Vietnamese e-visa. Check the official Vietnam Immigration Portal for your specific situation before applying anywhere else.

• Confirm whether your nationality qualifies for visa exemption (some ASEAN and select European passports are exempt for 30–45 days)
• If using e-visa: apply at the official portal only — third-party sites charge unnecessary fees
• E-visa processing typically takes 3 business days; apply at least 2 weeks before travel
• Save a digital and printed copy of your approved e-visa
• Confirm your entry point matches the entry point listed on your e-visa
• Check whether you want single or multiple entry if crossing into Laos or Cambodia

Money preparation

• Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks
• Check your bank's overseas ATM withdrawal fees — some charge 3–5% per transaction
• Identify Citibank or BIDV ATMs in your destination (lower fees in most cases)
• The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the local currency — USD is widely accepted at major tourist spots but you get better rates using VND
• Most budget guesthouses and local restaurants are cash only
• Bring some USD as backup — clean, undamaged notes are preferred by exchange counters
• Consider a low-fee travel card (Wise, Revolut, or similar) as a backup

Booking accommodation

• Book your first night before arrival — sorting accommodation at 11pm after a long flight is not fun
• For Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Old Quarter and Pham Ngu Lao areas respectively are the most practical bases for first-timers
• Read recent reviews specifically about noise — Vietnamese street life starts early
• Check cancellation policy; flexible bookings cost slightly more but are worth it for first trips
• Confirm whether breakfast is included — prices vary widely on this

Booking transport

• Book your intercity transport in advance during peak season (Tet, Christmas, summer school holidays)
• Overnight sleeper trains between Hanoi and Đà Nẵng or Ho Chi Minh City are a good option — book via the official Vietnam Railways website or a reputable agent
• Budget airlines (VietJet, Bamboo, Vietnam Airlines) connect major cities for USD 20–60 most routes
• Airport transfer: pre-book a taxi or ride-share for arrival — Grab works well in Vietnam and shows the price before you confirm
• Do not accept unsolicited taxi offers at the airport

Insurance

• Purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuation — this is non-negotiable for Southeast Asia
• Confirm your policy covers motorbike riding if you plan to rent one (many standard policies exclude this)
• Note the 24-hour emergency number from your insurer and save it in your phone
• Take photos of your policy documents and store them in cloud storage

Health and vaccinations

Check with a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure. This checklist cannot give medical advice; the items below are commonly discussed for Vietnam travel.

• Book a travel health appointment — ideally 6–8 weeks before departure
• Ask your doctor about Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and any recommended boosters
• Confirm whether malaria prophylaxis is advised for your specific itinerary (risk is low in major cities but higher in remote areas)
• Pack a basic medical kit: rehydration sachets, antidiarrheal tablets, antihistamine, blister plasters
• Tap water is not safe to drink — budget for bottled water or bring a filter bottle
• Pack high-SPF sunscreen — it is expensive and hard to find in correct SPF in local shops

Packing essentials

Vietnam covers multiple climate zones. See the full first time in Vietnam guide for more detail on what to expect.

• Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes — heat and humidity are intense in the south year-round
• One warmer layer if visiting the north October–March or Hà Giang at any time
• Modest clothing for temple visits — shoulders and knees covered
• Rain jacket or packable poncho — useful in most seasons
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Padlock for hostel lockers
• Power adapter (Vietnam uses Type A, B, and C sockets; most modern hotels have universal outlets)
• Portable battery pack for your phone
• Copies of all key documents (passport, visa, insurance, bookings) stored in both cloud and printed

Last 7 days before flying

Read through our honest pre-flight checklist for a deeper look at this stage.

• Check your flight status and reconfirm check-in time
• Download offline maps for your destination (Google Maps offline or Maps.me)
• Download the Grab app and set it up before you land
• Check the current weather forecast for your destination
• Exchange a small amount of VND if available in your country, or plan to use the airport ATM on arrival
• Email yourself scanned copies of all documents
• Check FCO / State Department / DFAT travel advisories for any last-minute updates
• Confirm your accommodation booking and save the address in Vietnamese script for showing taxi drivers

Day of departure

• Passport and e-visa printout in hand luggage
• Phone fully charged, power bank charged
• Travel insurance documents accessible
• Check-in open — most Vietnamese domestic flights require check-in 60 minutes before departure; international varies by airline
• Arrive at the airport with adequate time — Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat is frequently congested
• Set an alarm for any onward connections

Related

• First time in Vietnam — what to expect
• Eight things to do before you book
• The honest pre-flight checklist
• Vietnam visa guide
• Vietnam packing list