About Vietnam

A trip to Vietnam is an opportunity to experience the vibrant culture, sublime natural beauty, unique sights, strange flavours, and more adventures than you could possibly have in one trip.

Vietnam is a country of opposites and contradictions. A melting pot of influences where the ancient sits side by side with the ultra-modern. A place where tumultuous history is not hidden or glossed over but displayed honestly for visitors to see. A country unlike any other, Vietnam is a country that has surprises at every turn and keeps seasoned travellers coming back year after year.

Why Vietnam should be on your travel list

Vietnam has something for everyone

With bustling cities like Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Hue and 3000 km of coastline, 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, and some of the best food in the world, we’ll be surprised if you can’t find something to love about Vietnam.

The true heart of Vietnam: Its people

Fantastic scenery, amazing historical monuments, great beaches – it has it all. However, for many the highlight of Vietnam is the people. Such a wonderfully kind, courteous, generous and friendly people that are so eager to showcase their stunningly beautiful country to its visitors.

Where ancient and modern collide

The cities big and small, are expanding quickly into the sky. You can find every modern convenience and some of Southeast Asia’s best shopping opportunities. You can still find parts of the country that hardly appear to have changed in the last 100 years.

Scooter-filled streets and budget-friendly travel

In cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi it seems like every scooter on earth is on the road at once and this creates some of the most electric and gloriously chaotic scenes you could possibly imagine. Tourism remains very affordable for most, with great hotels, tours and food that can be found for very reasonable prices.

Halong Bay: Nature's masterpiece

You haven’t seen anything like Halong Bay! With thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald waters, it’s one of the most stunning natural wonders in Southeast Asia. Whether you’re kayaking through hidden caves, watching the sunrise from a traditional junk boat, or swimming in secluded lagoons, every moment here feels magical. The bay’s beauty is timeless.

Discover Vietnam before it changes

You must make it to Vietnam! It’s changing fast, but right now it’s a great mix of old and new, traditional, and modern. They have a young outgoing population, who are waiting to help make your time there something special and to be remembered.

The facts

Population: 102 million people live in Vietnam (2022)
Capital: Hanoi with 4.8 million inhabitants
Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam or Viet Nam
Government: Communist
National Holiday: 2 September (Independence Day)
Language: Vietnamese, with English and French the most common second languages
Literacy: 95% of the adult population can read and write
Religion: Folk religions our non-religious (81%), Buddhism (8%) Christianity (8%)
Time Zone: GMT+7 (Indochina Time). Vietnam does not observe daylight saving time
Currency: 1 Vietnamese Dong = 100 Xu. However, coins are no longer accepted in shops. Mainly banknotes from 1000 Dongs upwards are used. 1000 VND equals 6 Australian cents!

More info

Geography: Vietnam stretches over 1,650 km from north to south but is only 50 km wide at its narrowest point, creating diverse climates and landscapes within one country
Climate: Tropical in the south with two seasons (wet and dry), but more temperate in the north with four distinct seasons. Best time to visit varies by region
Cuisine: Vietnamese food is known for fresh herbs, fish sauce, and rice noodles. Pho (noodle soup) and banh mi (baguette sandwich) are famous exports showing French colonial influence
Border Countries: Vietnam shares borders with China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest, with the South China Sea along its eastern coast
History: Vietnam gained independence from France in 1954, was divided until 1975, and reunified after the Vietnam War. The country opened to tourism in the 1990s
Coffee Culture: Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee exporter. Try traditional ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) or unique egg coffee in Hanoi
Transport: Domestic flights connect major cities quickly. Trains offer scenic routes (especially the Reunification Express), while buses are the most budget-friendly option