Are you feeling a sense of travel? Are you missing those old holiday travel in Vietnam? Real travelers should not miss the following information about travel restrictions and the ideal holiday destinations.
Vietnam Travel Restrictions
For international tourists traveling into Vietnam:
- You will need a vaccination certificate against COVID-19 ( 2 doses) which is valid for 14 days and not more than 12 months from the departure time. Or, a certificate of COVID-19 recovery within 6 months issued by a competent authority in the country and recognized by the Vietnamese government.
- Must have a negative test result for COVID-19 by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP within 3 days before departure
- Medical insurance or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment within a minimum of US$ 50,000 is needed
- Only travel in a package tour program
- A Vietnam visa approved by the Vietnamese government
- As of now, only certain travelers are allowed to enter Vietnam, including professional workers or high-level managers
See more at the Safety Practices to Travel Vietnam during COVID-19 Pandemic and Traveling in Vietnam during COVID-19: What you Must Know
For domestic trips within Vietnam:
- Provide a negative test result for COVID-19 by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP within 3 days before departure
- Have been vaccinated against COVID with the recommended 2 shots
- Install the PC-Covid to use it as proof of vaccinations
Destinations for Holiday Travel in Vietnam during COVID-19
Phu Quoc
The best time to visit Phu Quoc is from November to April, the dry season, which is the most beautiful time to pick up your suitcase and explore Phu Quoc.
Location: Phu Quoc is the biggest island in Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, Kien Giang province [view map]
Places to visit: Phu Quoc National Park, Vinpearl Land Amusement Park, Phu Quoc Prison, Dinh Cau Rock (Cau Temple), Suoi Tranh waterfall,…
Things to do: You can take photos at Dinh Cau Rock – an odd-shaped natural formation in Phu Quoc Island, picnic, jungle trek, camp at Suoi Tranh Waterfall, watch mermaid and musical shows in Vinpearl Land Amusement Park.
Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc – the biggest theme park in Vietnam. Check in the Grand World with the “Asian Venice” inside, Urban Park Grand World, or the Teddy Bear Museum
Phu Quoc specialties: Don’t miss any Phu Quoc specialties below during your stay at Phu Quoc:
- Phu Quoc citrus-cured sardine salad
- Phu Quoc Ham Ninh crabs
- The special and ique dish Bun Ken
Bun Ken (Ken Vermicelli) which is noodles served with copper fish and fatty coconut milk-based broth
As a foreigner, you may find it rather strange to taste the fish sauce for the first time. However, you may want to try and bring home the fish sauce in Phu Quoc, which is originally made by using only Ca Com, or so-called rice fish to create a wonderful taste. You can also buy Sim Wine (Rose Myrtle wine) as souvenirs.
Budget advice (per person)
- Depending on activities, US$ 24 to US$ 51 per person per day for your daily expenses.
- Flights (economy): US$ 441 to US$ 1,315
- Lodging: US$ 35 to US$ 66 per night for a 2 or 3-star hotel room
See more at your First Time at Phu Quoc Island
Nha Trang
“5 green” tourism is piloted in Nha Trang, ensuring safety against COVID-19, including green gateway, green flight, green serving, green accommodation, and green passengers. Nha Trang has welcomed international travelers who have Vaccine Passports from the beginning of December 2021.
Location: Nha Trang is a coastal city in Khanh Hoa province [view map].
Places to visit: You can travel to Vinpearl Land Nha Trang, Vinwonders Nha Trang, Ponagar Tower, Yen Island, Binh Ba Island, or Mieu Nha Trang.
Vinpearl Cable Car is a 3,320-meter-long gondola lift connecting Hon Tre Island with Nha Trang. It is known as the world’s longest cable car oversea
Vinpearl Land Aquarium Nha Trang is the largest aquarium in Vietnam, nurturing up to 300 exotic and rare marine species
Things to do: Go to Sealife Cruises Nha Trang Bay in Vinpearl Land to admire the picture-perfect sunset while enjoying the luxury sealife. At the beach, you can try paragliding, water scooter, coral diving, kayaking, banana boating, and many more interesting activities.
Nha Trang specialties:
- Grilled fish noodle soup
- Fish cake noodle soup
- Nha Trang baked rolls
Mango rice paper, fresh and dried seafood, nests of salanganes are great souvenirs to bring home to your friend and family. You can find local fine art handicrafts, pottery, handmade bracelets, necklaces in markets, and souvenir stores.
It costs from VND 2,500,000 to VND 4,000,000/100 grams of salanganes nest (edible bird nests)
Budget advice (per person):
- Depending on activities, you should bring US$ 16 to US$ 32 per day for your daily expenses.
- Flights (economy): US$ 373 to US$ 956.
- Lodging: US$ 28 to US$32 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room.
See more at Nha Trang Travel Guide
Da Nang
With so many sublime sights and sensational scenery, Da Nang is a great destination to visit year-round, especially for your Holiday Travel in Vietnam during COVID-19. However, the best time to visit is from March to May and September to October for nice and warm weather.
Location: South Central Coast, Viet Nam [view map]
Places to visit: Golden Hand Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Sun World Da Nang, Marble Mountains, the Hai Van Pass, Son Tra peninsula, Love Lock Bridge Da Nang, or My Son Sanctuary – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do: In addition to the attractions above, you can take photos in 3D Museum Art in Paradise Da Nang and Upside Down World Da Nang, or go to Ba Na Hills – a French Village fantasyland built in a mountainous landscape setting with magnificent views. You can also take a day trip to Hoi An and Hue.
Da Nang specialties:
- Sliced pork rolled with rice paper
- Da Nang Quang Style noodles
- Steamed rice paper rolls with squid cakes
- Beef-dumpling
- Pork-bologna
Steamed rice paper rolls with squid cakes served with a flavorful bowl of fish sauce
In case you might miss Da Nang, you can buy some edible souvenirs such as fried dried cuttle with tamarind, sesame dried cake and Ba Lieu Da Nang beef rolls. Paintings and fine arts such as hand embroidery are something from Da Nang that you can buy to decorate your room.
Budget advice (per person)
- Depending on activities, you should spend US$ 22 to US$ 44 for your daily expenses
- Flights (economy): US$ 470 to US$ 1,317
- Lodging: US$ 26 to US$ 31 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room
See more for the First time in Da Nang for the full travel guide
Hoi An
The best time to visit this Ancient Town is from February to July, with plenty of sunshine and pleasant weather.
Location: Quang Nam province [view map]
Places to visit: Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son – an imperial city during the Cham dynasty between the 4th and 12th centuries, Cham Islands, or An Bang Beach – 7km outside the Ancient Town.
Things to do: Hoi An is known for its tailors and it’s worth spending a few hours seeing some boutiques in town. Give it a try for the freshly-pressed juice and avocado toast at Rosie’s Café, or caramel coffee at Le Fe. You may want to experience Hoi An’s multi-layered past at the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, or Tan Ky House.
Built around 1690 with the addition of the main gate later, the assembly hall is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is frequently visited by visitors looking for a glimpse of this magnificent work of construction
Hoi An specialties:
- Cao Lau – a combination of udon-like rice noodles and pork
- Chinese barbecued pork slices, beansprouts, croutons, and fresh herbs
- Vietnamese Turmeric Noodles
- White rose dumplings
Cau Lau noodles are carefully made from local fresh rice
Beautiful paintings, Hoi An Calligraphy, Bamboo root sculptures, or Ao Dai are something you can buy from Hoi An Ancient Town as souvenirs for your family and friends.
Budget advice (per person)
- Depending on activities, you should bring around US$ 41 for your daily expenses in Hoi An
- Flights (economy): US$ 105 to US$ 782
- Lodging: US$ 11 to US$ 26 per night for a 2 or 3-star hotel in Hoi An
See more at What to do in Hoi An Travel Guide
Ha Long Bay
Hordes of tourists will come to Ha Long Bay through December and from January to April since it provides you with delightful weather and a low chance of rain.
A little charming corner of Sun World Ha Long
Location: Vietnam Northeast Region, Quang Ninh province [view map]
Places to visit: Cat Ba Island – Halong Bay’s largest island, Bai Tu Long Bay – right next to Halong Bay, Cong Do Island, Sun World Ha Long Park, or Ti Top Beach.
At night, when you come back from Sun World Ha Long in a cable car, you will see the color-changing Bai Chay Bridge. Using environmentally-friendly LED lighting solution, the bridge highlights the surrounding scenery and the bridge’s architecture itself
Things to do: paddling out in a kayak – navigate your way around Ha Long’s gorgeous seascape, clambering into a cave, rock climbings, or exploring a floating village – home to many fishing communities, snorkeling and diving near Cong Do Island.
If you paddle out in a kayak, you can see many natural strange-looking rock shapes such as Kissing Rock (Chicken rock), Frog, or Con Coc Rock – a great way to spend a fun-filled Holiday Travel in Vietnam during COVID-19.
Ha Long specialties:
- Grilled chopped squid
- Horseshoe crab
- Drunken prawn and lobster
- Fresh oysters
Some unique souvenirs you can keep are fine handicraft coal statues, pearls – Pearl Farm in Ha Long Bay, or Vietnamese rice grain painting.
Budget advice (per person):
- Depending on activities, you should bring approximately US$ 53 for your daily expenses in Ha Long Bay
- Flights: see more at 3 best ways to travel to Ha Long
- Lodging: US$ 20 to US$ 40 per night in a 2 to 3-star hotel in Ha Long
See more at First Time in Ha Long
Safety Advice for Holiday Travel in Vietnam during COVID-19
Before you travel, please note that you should follow the airline requirements and any requirements at your destination, including wearing masks, testing, quarantine, and vaccination. Do not travel if:
- You haven’t got the COVID-19 test results
- You tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed the treatment or the required self-isolation
- You are vulnerable to contracting the virus
- You have been exposed to COVID-19 cases (unless you are fully vaccinated).
- After you travel, you should test COVID-19 3-5 days after travel. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, isolate and monitor your health.
For your safety, view more at Vietnam Travel Information before your trip
Our Final Thoughts on Holiday Travel in Vietnam during COVID-19
Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Halong Bay are must-see destinations for their spectacular scenery. After COVID-19, these locations may have undergone significant alterations. All you need to do is to pack your suitcase, head out there, and explore these fantastic places!