Did you know that Sodha Travel offers private and custom tours to Vietnam? Vietnam is a country that honors the past and celebrates the future. Sharing borders with Cambodia, Laos, and China, the topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges. The Vietnamese culture has evolved on the basis of the wet rice civilization, and the local lifestyle is closely related to its village and native lands. The diversity of the 54 ethnic groups is apparent in the many traditional and cultural treasures. More popular destinations include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Sapa, Da Nang, and the limestone pillars of Ha Long Bay.

Terraced fields of Sapa, Vietnam.

With a team of award-winning South Asia travel specialists, Sodha Travel has years of experience in coordinating trips to Vietnam.

Read on for our Vietnam FAQ's:

Is Vietnam a family destination?

Absolutely! The diversified landscape offers adventure, culture, and entertainment for children of all ages. Vietnam is also less expensive compared to other destinations, allowing the budget to stretch further for multi-generational activities.

Motorbikes in Saigon. Photo courtesy of Justin Jensen/Flickr.

Is a visa required to visit Vietnam?

Yes. To enter Vietnam, travelers are required to have a valid U.S. passport (with at least six months validity remaining beyond the date of arrival) and a Vietnamese visa, a visa exemption document, or a written approval letter for a visa upon arrival. Travelers may obtain a visa or a visa exemption document from a Vietnamese embassy or consulate prior to traveling to Vietnam. Sodha Travel provides a Vietnam Visa Approval Letter to all clients as part of their program cost. Please note that Vietnam has two fees: 1) the visa fee and 2) the visa processing fee.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

It all depends on the region and season of travel. Generally, the best time for an extended tour from North to South Vietnam is between January until April. Travelers seeking beach holidays can enjoy warm water and sunshine in the central coast from May to October. Months falling between July and September are usually the wettest due to typhoon season in Southeast Asia.

Sunset on Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Renate Flynn/Flickr.

Is it difficult to communicate with locals?

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. English is spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops, airlines offices, and service offices.