Vietnam Travel FAQs for Americans

Vietnam Travel FAQs for Americans : Before You Book Your Trip

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam from the U.S., chances are you’ve got questions. Lots of them.
You’re certainly not alone—Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing destinations for American travelers, and it’s packed with culture, contrasts, flavor, and adventure.

But we also understand: planning a visit from halfway across the world can be overwhelming.
That’s why at Vietnamtour.travel, we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions we hear from our American guests—with clear, honest, and experience-backed answers.

Whether you’re a solo traveler, coming as a couple, or bringing the whole family, this FAQ is your go-to guide to understanding what to expect — and how to prepare.

Let’s start with the top questions Americans ask before they hit “book.”

🇻🇳 1. Do Americans Need a Visa to Visit Vietnam?

Yes, American passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam.

Your Best Option:

• e-Visa (Electronic Visa)
  • Valid for up to 90 days
  • Single or multiple entry available
  • Apply online or let Vietnamtour.travel handle the process for hassle-free approval

📌 Pro Tip: When you book with Vietnamtour.travel, we manage your entire visa application with guaranteed accuracy and timely delivery.

💵 2. What Currency Is Used in Vietnam? Can I Use US Dollars?

Official Currency:

✔️ Vietnamese Dong (VND)

• USD is not widely accepted in shops and restaurants
• Always exchange money at reputable places — not in the street
• ATMs are common and accept most U.S. bank cards
• Tipping is appreciated but not required

💳 Vietnamtour.travel guests receive local advice on where to exchange currency safely at great rates and how to manage tipping like a pro.

🛬 3. Which Airport Should I Fly Into?

It depends on your itinerary (we help build it!), but here are your options:

Major International Gateways:

• Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport – HAN) – Best for northern Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport – SGN) – Southern hub
• Da Nang Airport (DAD) – Ideal for central Vietnam & Hoi An

✈️ Vietnamtour.travel helps you plan flights, airport pick-ups, and tour routes that flow smoothly from north to south or vice versa.

🤝 4. Are Americans Welcome in Vietnam?

Yes—very much so.
American tourists are received with friendliness, genuine curiosity, and professional hospitality across Vietnam.

Despite the historical complexities between the countries, modern Vietnamese people, especially younger generations, see Americans as thoughtful visitors and global friends.

From our experience:

• Locals are kind, helpful, and proud to introduce their culture
• Most vendors and guides love practicing English with American guests
• Travelers from the U.S. often feel unexpectedly at home once they arrive

🇺🇸❤️🇻🇳 Over 15,000 Americans have toured with Vietnamtour.travel since 2008—and the number keeps growing!

📶 5. Is There Internet/Wi-Fi in Vietnam?

Yes! Vietnam has excellent internet connectivity, especially compared to other Southeast Asia destinations.

What to expect:

• Free fast Wi-Fi at most hotels, cafés, and airports
• 4G connectivity in nearly every town or village
• Local SIM or eSIM cards available at low rates

📱 We help our guests set up data plans on the first day of their tour—including airport SIM installation if requested.

🏥 6. Is the Tap Water Safe to Drink?

🚫 No.
You should drink only:

• Bottled water (readily available everywhere)
• Filtered or boiled water (provided by hotels or in restaurants)

🪥 Don’t brush your teeth with tap water in rural or small-town hotels.
At upscale or major chain accommodations, it’s usually safe—but we stay cautious.

✅ Vietnamtour.travel provides complimentary bottled water in all transfers and filtered water at selected accommodations.

🏨 7. Are Hotels in Vietnam Modern and Comfortable?

Yes. Vietnam offers:

• Affordable, charming boutique stays
• 4- and 5-star international brands
• Unique homestays and eco-lodges in rural areas

You’ll find clean, friendly, and convenient accommodation at every budget level.

When booking with Vietnamtour.travel, we:

• Hand-select hotels based on verified reviews, safety, and comfort
• Offer flexible choices depending on your taste (luxury, authentic, family-friendly)
• Handle all coordination — no overbooked horror stories or dodgy check-ins

☀️ 8. What’s the Best Time for Americans to Visit Vietnam?

Vietnam is a year-round destination, but weather differs by region.

• North: Cool & dry (Oct–Apr), hot & rainy (May–Sep)
• Central: Dry season (Feb–Aug), rainy & stormy (Oct–Dec)
• South: Dry (Dec–Apr), wet (May–Nov)

🎯 Our travel specialists help USA visitors plan routes based on personal preferences (beachy vs. mountainous, dry vs. tropical, etc.)

🧳 9. Can You Help With Packing and Travel Prep?

Absolutely! We provide:

• A custom Vietnam packing list for Americans
• Info on what to pack for season, region, and activity
• Help with power adapters, SIM cards, and day bag essentials
• Tips for clothing etiquette at temples and local homes

📩 Guests of Vietnamtour.travel receive a pre-departure checklist and digital welcome kit tailored for Americans — right to your inbox.

🧭 Coming Up in Part 2:

In Part 2 of our Vietnam Travel FAQs for Americans, we’ll explore:

• Common misconceptions and myths about Vietnam
• Cultural etiquette & behaviors to avoid
• Safety tips for solo/senior/female travelers
• Food, street dining, and health safety
• Medical care access + what to do if you get sick

We’ll also show how Vietnamtour.travel makes each step easier, safer, and smoother with personalized service every day of your tour.

🔗 Other Useful Guides Before Your Flight:

• Vietnam Culture Tips for US Travelers
• Vietnam Packing List for Americans
• Vietnam Visa Guide for US Citizens

⚠️ 10. Is Vietnam Safe for American Tourists?

Yes—Vietnam is one of the safest countries to visit in Southeast Asia.

• Violent crime is very rare
• Theft and scams are minimal and avoidable
• Locals are friendly and very welcoming to Americans
• Solo travelers (especially women) and seniors feel secure

✅ Private tours with Vietnamtour.travel include:

• Airport pickup & drop-off
• All in-country transport with vetted, licensed drivers
• Emergency support and 24/7 in-country assistance
• Local guides that stay with you throughout each destination

🛑 11. Are There Common Tourist Scams? What Should I Watch Out For?

While Vietnam is safe, minor scams do occur in tourist areas—just like anywhere.

Top Things to Avoid:

• Taxis without meters or brand names (e.g., take Mai Linh or use Grab)
• “Friendly” locals offering tours out of nowhere
• Street vendors who don’t list prices in advance
• “Charity donation” scams in crowded city centers

🎯 When touring with us, you’ll get insider knowledge on how to stay safe and skip the tourist traps completely.

✋ 12. What Are the Biggest Cultural Etiquette Mistakes Americans Make?

Vietnamese culture is polite, respectful, and non-confrontational—great qualities, but they can feel different from U.S. social norms.

What to Avoid:

• Touching people’s heads
• Losing your temper in public (even if something goes wrong)
• Excessive public displays of affection
• Wearing shoes inside temples or local homes
• Pointing at people or beckoning with a finger

✅ Your Vietnamtour.travel guide will brief you gently each day so you’ll always know what’s expected. No accidental faux pas.

🥢 13. Can I Eat Street Food Without Getting Sick?

Yes, you can—with the right guidance.

Street food is a highlight of any Vietnam trip, but you definitely want someone to steer you in the right direction.

Our Street Food Safety Tips:

• Eat only at busy stalls with high turnover
• Avoid food that’s been sitting in the sun
• Don’t eat raw seafood
• Watch vendors’ hygiene (do they touch money and food at the same time?)
• Avoid ice from questionable sources

🥡 Vietnamtour.travel arranges culinary tours with handpicked street vendors and even local home-cooked meals—safe, delicious, and unforgettable.

🌬️ 14. What If I Get Sick or Need Medical Help?

Vietnam has a mix of public clinics and excellent private hospitals, especially in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

✅ If you feel unwell:

• Contact your Vietnamtour.travel guide or 24/7 support center
• We’ll arrange transport to the nearest international clinic
• We’ll help with translation, insurance communication, and prescription pick-up

💊 Most medication is available without a prescription for minor issues like headaches, travelers’ stomach, or allergies.

🧓 15. Is Vietnam Good for Older Travelers or Those With Mobility Issues?

Yes! Vietnam is an excellent destination for seniors and mobility-conscious travelers—as long as your itinerary is built appropriately.

With Vietnamtour.travel, you can expect:

• Custom travel pacing (no exhausting back-to-back day trips)
• Comfortable air-conditioned vehicles
• Hotels with elevators or ground floor rooms
• Flexible tour routes with rest stops and adapted experiences
• English-speaking guides trained to support multigenerational groups

We’ve worked with solo retirees, veterans, couples aged 60–80+, and full families traveling across three generations.

👩‍🎓 16. Do Many People Speak English in Vietnam?

English is widely spoken in:

• Tourist areas
• Hotels, cafés, and restaurants
• Airports and major attractions

But in rural towns or local markets, English may be minimal. That’s why American travelers:

• Often struggle during DIY trips
• Accidentally order the wrong dish or overpay
• Miss cultural context

🎯 With a private, guided tour from Vietnamtour.travel, all communication is handled for you—meaning you focus on discovering, not decoding.

📸 17. Is It Polite to Take Photos of Locals or Street Scenes?

Generally yes—but not without some basic etiquette.

📷 Photo Etiquette:

• Always ask before photographing individuals (a smile and gesture does the trick!)
• Avoid photos of people engaged in worship or serious moments unless invited
• Don’t follow children or locals through markets with your camera
• Drone use is restricted in many areas—check local rules

Your guide can help clarify when and where it’s okay to take photos or even introduce you for posed shots with villagers, vendors, or artisans.

🧘 18. What’s the Dress Code in Vietnam?

Vietnam is casual, especially at tourist-friendly beaches and cities—but cultural settings require modest clothing.

Dress Appropriately When:

• Visiting temples or religious sites
• Meeting elders in rural homestays
• Attending formal tours, cultural shows, or educational visits

✅ We recommend:

• Lightweight, breathable fabrics
• Long-sleeved tops/scarves for temples
• Sandals and comfortable walking shoes
• No tank tops or short shorts in villages

🧳 All guests who book with Vietnamtour.travel receive a seasonal, customized packing list based on destinations and cultural activities.

📌 Need-to-Know Advice for First-Time US Visitors:

✈️ Why Americans Trust Vietnamtour.travel

Planning from the U.S. can be confusing—visa rules, language, transportation, potential scams, unpredictable weather.

💬 That’s why more Americans choose Vietnamtour.travel:

✅ We speak your language
✅ Understand your travel expectations
✅ Anticipate your safety and comfort needs
✅ Avoid miscommunications and overpriced bookings
✅ Handle all logistics, transportation, hotels, meals, and tickets
✅ Offer 100% private, customizable, and safe tours

With our 15+ years of experience welcoming American travelers to Vietnam, you’re in very good hands.

✉️ Ready to Ask Us Your Own Questions?

There’s no such thing as a “silly” travel question.
Our English-speaking specialists are here to help BEFORE you book your trip.

🎯 Have more questions that weren’t answered here?
We’re happy to help—by email, WhatsApp, or video call.

📩 Send us your questions now or email support@vietnamtour.travel
We’ll reply within 24 hours (often much faster!).

📝 End of our Vietnam Travel FAQs for Americans. We hope this guide has made you feel informed, confident, and excited. See you in Vietnam! 🇺🇸🌏🇻🇳

Amidst countless options, you are probably looking for a travel company that truly understands Vietnam to turn your dream of exploring this S-shaped land into a reality. We, a local travel company in the heart of Vietnam, are proud to be natives of this land, carrying within us a love and deep understanding of every corner and every unique cultural aspect. Different from international travel companies, we don’t just offer tours; we share the most authentic and intimate experiences with Vietnamese life and people. You will discover famous destinations such as the majestic Ha Long Bay, the poetic ancient town of Hoi An, or the serene Imperial City of Hue from a local’s perspective

We understand that when setting foot in a foreign country, dedicated and timely support is extremely important. Therefore, our support team is always ready 24/7 throughout your journey in Vietnam, answering all your questions and assisting you in every situation. Moreover, with full licenses to organize domestic and international tours issued by the Vietnamese government, you can be completely assured of our prestige and service quality. Contact us today for the most professional and dedicated consultation, and let’s plan an unforgettable and complete trip to Vietnam together

At Vietnamtour.travel, we’re dedicated to making your journey seamless and memorable. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including Hotel booking, Car rental, Visa assistance, and Airport fast-track services, ensuring all your travel needs are covered.

Beyond the essentials, we specialize in a diverse array of tourism types tailored to your interests. Whether you’re looking for a Private, custom-designed tour, a relaxing Beach and island getaway, an enriching Cultural exploration, the vibrant energy of Urban tourism, or an authentic Agricultural and rural experience, we have something for everyone. We also expertly handle MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), providing professional solutions for corporate events.

Contact Us Now Vietnam Visa for Americans

WhatsApp 1 : +84 965 251 618
WhatsApp 2 : +84 989 248 646
Email: info@vietnamtour.travel
support@vietnamtour.travel
Website: www.vietnamtour.travel
• Hanoi Office: No. 3, Ngo 225 Luong The Vinh Street, Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
• Ho Chi Minh City Office: Room 503, 5th Floor, C4 Building, Gia Khang Apartment Complex, 38 Street, Ward 14, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City