Travel Guide

Indochina Travel Guide

Essential tips for an effortless journey

When To Leave?

Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km and boasts more than 800 km of coastline. It has always been an attractive destination for tourists from around the globe. Culturally part of the Sinosphere and geographically part of Southeast Asia, visiting Vietnam offers a chance to be exposed to two significant Asian cultures. Vietnam is generally safe and has constantly been one of the most visited countries in Southeast Asia, welcoming about 17.5 million tourists every year. However, to travel smart and avoid unnecessary hassle, this article will guide you through everything you need to know before travelling to Vietnam at any time of the year.

Vietnam is a year-round destination, thanks to its tropical monsoon climate. The average temperature in Vietnam is around 25°C. The country’s tropical monsoon climate means the southwest monsoon affects most areas from May to September, while the northeast monsoon sets in from October to April. Choosing the best time to go depends on where you’re headed. Check our most loved Vietnam tours for your ideal itineraries.

The weather changes dramatically when traveling from the North to the South, and each region has its own unique climate pattern. It’s important to understand the weather of where you are heading.

Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay)

The best time to travel is from mid-March to May and again from October to mid-December, when the temperature ranges between 20°C and 28 °C, with rare showers in May and occasionally storms may occur in October.

From June to September, it’s peak summer with the temperature ranging between 28°C and – 40°C. Heavy rains with isolated thunder often occur from August to September, causing landslides in the upper northern region.

From December to March, expect cool and refreshing weather, with temperatures between 14°C and 22°C — perfect for exploring the Red River Delta without the heat. However, it can be surprisingly cold and foggy in the mountain areas, with the temperatures dipping as low as 5°C.

Explore our suggested itineraries for the northern part of Vietnam.

Our Advice:

Vietnam is a year-round destination if you want to explore Vietnam’s culture. Though the best time to travel to Vietnam is from March to May and from September to mid-December.

And if you are seeking for relaxation, it’s best to avoid the central region during the monsoon season (September to December) and the cooler winter months in the north. Southern beaches offer more sunshine and consistently warm weather, making them your perfect escape.

Checking Vietnam’s public holiday calendar can be a helpful way to plan your visit more smoothly. Vietnam’s calendar features several national holidays that may influence travel schedules and local activity.

New Year’s Day: January 1st (01 day)
Vietnam Reunification Day: April 30th (01 day)
Hung Kings Commemoration Day in Vietnam: March 10th of the lunar calendar
International Workers’ Day: May 1st (01 day)
Vietnam Independence Day: September 2nd (01 day)
Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet): 05 days (usually it takes place between the end of January and the third week of February, from the last day of the previous year to the 3rd day of the following year according to the lunar calendar).

We recommend avoiding travel during the Tet holiday, as it can pose significant challenges for trip planning in Vietnam.

During this festive period, much of the country slows down — many shops, restaurants, and tourist sites close, prices tend to rise, and logistics become more complicated. Domestic flights are often fully booked and more expensive, and hotel availability is limited due to high demand.

Vietnam’s length means diverse climates:

North: Four distinct seasons (spring blossoms, hot summer, cool autumn, chilly winter).
Central: Hot, dry coastlines and rainy autumn.
South: Tropical — Wet & dry seasons, always warm.

See our interactive “When to Go” slider for monthly weather breakdowns per region.

When To Go

Place

Daily Max Temperature

Conditions

Ha Noi

–°C

Ho Chi Minh City

–°C

Hue

–°C

Hoi An

–°C

Da Nang

–°C

Legend: ☀️ Best 🌤️ Good / Mixed 🌧️ Rainy / Least Ideal

Both Laos and Cambodia share a simpler tropical climate:

Cool Dry Season: Nov – Feb (20–28°C, best for temples, river cruises, and trekking).
Hot Season: Mar – May (30–40°C, Angkor temples can be exhausting mid-day).
Rainy Season: Jun – Oct (lush landscapes, fewer tourists, but humid with flooding risk in rural areas).

See our interactive “When to Go” slider for monthly weather breakdowns per region.

When To Go — Laos & Cambodia

Place

Daily Max Temperature

Conditions

Luang Prabang (Laos)

–°C

Vientiane (Laos)

–°C

Siem Reap (Cambodia)

–°C

Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

–°C

Sihanoukville (Coast)

–°C

Legend: ☀️ Best 🌤️ Good / Mixed 🌧️ Rainy / Least Ideal

Vietnam: Vietnamese Dong (VND). ATMs widely available, but USD accepted in some hotels/tours.
Laos: Lao Kip (LAK), though Thai Baht and USD are also common.
Cambodia: Official currency is Riel (KHR), but USD is the de facto currency — carry small bills.

👉 Tip: Always carry some local currency for small shops, taxis, or rural areas.

Visa Information

Vietnam: Most nationalities require a visa. Over 80 countries can now apply online for a 90-day e-visa.
Laos: Visa required, typically obtained on arrival (VOA) or e-visa.
Cambodia: Visa required; e-visa or visa on arrival available for most.

For your journey, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date and that you hold the appropriate visa (or a pre-approval letter if you are obtaining a visa on arrival for Vietnam).
It is essential to carry your travel insurance details at all times, including the policy number and your insurer’s international emergency hotline.

Our Advice: Always keep a photocopy or digital photo of your passport and visa stored separately from the originals. This simple precaution can save you time and stress in case of loss or theft.

Travelers from the countries below can enter visa-free for the indicated duration.

90 days 45 days 30 days 21 days 14 days

Country	Passport	Visa-free Stay
Chile	6+ mo	90 days
Panama	6+ mo	90 days
Belarus	6+ mo	45 days
Denmark	6+ mo	45 days
Finland	6+ mo	45 days
France	6+ mo	45 days
Germany	6+ mo	45 days
Italy	6+ mo	45 days
Japan	6+ mo	45 days
Norway	6+ mo	45 days
Russia	6+ mo	45 days
South Korea	6+ mo	45 days
Spain	6+ mo	45 days
Sweden	6+ mo	45 days
United Kingdom	6+ mo	45 days
Belgium	6+ mo	45 days
Bulgaria	6+ mo	45 days
Croatia	6+ mo	45 days
Czech Republic	6+ mo	45 days
Hungary	6+ mo	45 days
Luxembourg	6+ mo	45 days
Netherlands	6+ mo	45 days
Poland	6+ mo	45 days
Romania	6+ mo	45 days
Slovakia	6+ mo	45 days
Slovenia	6+ mo	45 days
Switzerland	6+ mo	45 days
Cambodia	6+ mo	30 days
Indonesia	6+ mo	30 days
Laos	6+ mo	30 days
Malaysia	6+ mo	30 days
Singapore	6+ mo	30 days
Thailand	6+ mo	30 days
Philippines	6+ mo	21 days
Brunei	6+ mo	14 days
Myanmar	6+ mo	14 days

Requirements: Passport valid ≥ 6 months from entry and at least one blank page; onward/return ticket recommended.

An e-visa is required for most countries, including the United States, Australia, and Canada. The process takes 3-5 days, with a maximum duration of stay of 90 days. The e-visa fee is $25 for a single-entry visa and $50 for a multiple-entry visa.

E-visa Conditions:

Foreigners outside Vietnam
Passport or valid international travel documents
Not falling under the case of suspension from entry as prescribed under Article 21 of the law on foreigners’ entry, exit, transit, and residence in Vietnam.

Online: Most convenient (e-visa websites).
On Arrival: Available at airports/land borders (check your nationality first).
Embassy/Consulate: For longer stays or specific conditions.

Vietnam: Only with pre-approval letter (for certain visa types).
Laos & Cambodia: Simple VOA for most travellers, fee in USD, bring a photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Mekong Mosaic, we understand that travelling contains certain risks. Hence, we strongly recommend that you obtain international personal insurance before travelling to the Mekong region. Depending on which insurance you go for, they mainly cover general medical expenses, cancellation fees, lost baggage, emergency assistance, and repatriation.

Vaccination

Travelling in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia poses no major health risks for the average traveler. No vaccinations are legally required for entry, but several are strongly recommended to ensure peace of mind during your trip.

For Vietnam, common recommendations include Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus boosters. For longer stays in rural areas, your doctor may suggest Japanese Encephalitis or Rabies if you expect close contact with animals.

Malaria remains present in some remote regions of Laos and Cambodia, and in limited rural pockets of Vietnam. All anti-malarial treatments have potential side effects, so only your doctor can recommend the best preventive option for your personal health.

Prevention is Key:

Wear light, long clothing in the evenings or when visiting mosquito-prone areas.
Use repellent on both skin and clothing.
Many hotels provide mosquito nets; otherwise, turning on the air conditioning in your room is usually enough to keep mosquitoes away.

First Aid Kit

While pharmacies are widely available, it’s wise to carry your own travel kit. We recommend including:

Your usual medications
Vitamin C or multivitamins
A broad-spectrum antibiotic (Doctor-prescribed)
Cold & sore throat medicine (Summer air-conditioning can cause issues)
Anti-diarrheal tablets
Anti-inflammatory ointment
Pain relief (Tylenol/Aspirin or equivalent)
Mosquito repellent & sunscreen

Credit cards accepted in cities & hotels, but cash is preferred in markets and villages.
ATMs widely available (VND, LAK, USD withdrawals).
Cambodia: Carry small USD notes ($1, $5).

Summer (May–Aug): Breathable clothing, sunblock, hat, mosquito repellent, light rain jacket.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Light sweater/jacket for Hanoi/Sapa, layers for mountain trips.
Spring/Autumn: Light layers, comfortable walking shoes.
Year-round: Adapter plugs, reusable water bottle, modest attire for temples.

Explore more in our “Insert Blog Link”

Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia all have affordable 4G SIM cards available at airports.
Wi-Fi is widespread in hotels, cafés, and tourist areas.

In general, tipping is not mandatory. However, in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, it has become customary to offer a small gratuity to guides and drivers at the end of their service. This gesture is always greatly appreciated and is now a well-established part of the tourism industry across Indochina.
Although tipping may not be part of your own culture, here it is seen as a sign of appreciation and often inspires excellent service.

Suggested Guideline (per traveller):

Guides: $3–5 (€3–5) per day
Drivers: $2–3 (€2–3) per day
Rowers, pedicabs, hotel porters: ~$1 (€1) per service
Boat crews (Ha Long Bay, Mekong Delta): Same guideline as guides (about $3–5 per traveler, per day)
Restaurants & cafés: Not customary. A small tip is optional but never expected

Cultural Notes:

If service was unsatisfactory, you are free not to tip.
It is better to give nothing than to offer a very small amount, which may be considered disrespectful.
In some cases, staff may politely refuse once before accepting — this is part of the local custom.
Tips may be given in USD, Euros, or local currency and usually at the end of service.

Tipping is a personal choice, but it is a meaningful way to recognize the people who make your journey smoother and more enjoyable!

Our Top 5 Experiences in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Handpicked by our travel designers

Vietnam

Hoi An Old Town

A UNESCO-listed town where heritage meets modern elegance. By day, golden façades, riverside cafés, and designer boutiques capture the art of slow living; by night, lanterns reflect across the water in a scene of pure enchantment. Hoi An remains Vietnam’s most atmospheric destination—crafted for those who appreciate culture, beauty, and style in perfect harmony.

Vietnam

Mekong River Delta

Sail through coconut-lined waterways where life drifts gently along the riverbanks. Visit family workshops crafting coconut candy and woven mats, sip honey tea beneath lush orchards, and sample the Delta’s signature bánh xèo. As dawn breaks, the Cai Rang Floating Market bursts to life—a colorful ballet of boats, trade, and tradition. The Mekong offers a serene yet soulful portrait of Vietnam’s enduring river culture.

Laos

Title 3

Dawn rituals, quiet temples, and the Mekong’s gentle rhythm in Laos’s spiritual heart.

Laos

Title 4

Tiered turquoise pools and jungle trails—an idyllic Lao nature break.

Cambodia

Title &

First light at Angkor Wat followed by Bayon’s serene stone smiles and forested ruins.

Cambodia

Title 6

Golden hour on the river—stilt villages, pink skies, and life along the banks.

Must Try Food in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Follow your appetite through morning markets, smoky street grills, and family kitchens

Vietnam

Phở Hà Nội

A clear, aromatic beef broth simmered overnight with star anise and cinnamon, poured over silky rice noodles and thin-sliced brisket. Bright lime, crisp herbs—Hanoi’s morning ritual.

Vietnam

Bún Chả

Charcoal-grilled pork belly and patties, dipped in a light, tangy fish-sauce broth with pickles and herbs, paired with cool vermicelli. Smoky, sweet, addictively balanced.

Laos

Laap (Larb)

Hand-chopped meat or mushrooms tossed with lime, mint, chilies, and roasted rice powder. Zesty, herbal, crunchy—pinched with warm sticky rice.

Laos

Or Lam

Luang Prabang’s forest stew—eggplant and mushrooms simmered with lemongrass, chilies, and pepperwood (sakhan). Earthy, gently spicy, deeply comforting.

Cambodia

Fish Amok

River fish steamed in banana leaf with coconut cream and kroeung spice paste—lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime. Silky, fragrant, classically Khmer.

Cambodia

Num Banh Chok

Fresh rice noodles ladled with green fish curry and a garden of herbs and crisp veg. Light, aromatic—the Cambodian breakfast.

Plan Your Trip Read our food guides →

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