Vietnam City Deep-Dive: Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City in 5 Days

November to March suits both cities: Hanoi is cool and sometimes drizzly, while Saigon is hot and dry. December and January are the most comfortable. April to October brings heavy rain and high humidity to the south, and Hanoi's summer is hot and sticky with typhoon risk.

This comfort-level itinerary is budgeted at roughly $520 to $820 per person excluding international flights, covering mid-range hotels, the internal flight, meals and entry tickets. Street food and local beer keep daily costs low; the main variables are hotel standard and how much you use taxis or ride-hailing.

It depends on your passport. Several European countries and the UK have visa-free access for up to 45 days, while most other nationalities, including US, Canadian and Australian travellers, use the official e-visa for stays up to 90 days. Confirm your category and apply online well before departure.