Forget those internet plastic influencer, self‑proclaimed "travel guides", that show up planless, looking effortlessly cool like they've figured it all out. Vietnam is like a clock made by a wizard: perfectly coordinated chaos, humidity that sweats faster than you do, and, between scooter traffic jams, moments of pure beauty that catch you completely off guard.
To experience it fully, you need logistics that are nimble and clever. The kind that weave through Hanoi's traffic without asking how.
Here's the essential kit to stay operational and enjoy the ride.
The Holy Trinity of travel
The visa
Good news: as a French citizen, you get 45 days visa-free. Free. Magical. Other nationalities, see this
article.
Bad news: those 45 days are neither extendable nor renewable on-site. Overstay? You'll need to sort it out before leaving, and neither the embassy nor the consulate will wave a magic wand to bail you out.
Planning to stay longer (up to 90 days)? E-visa required. $25 for single entry, $50 for multiple. Official site: `
evisa.gov.vn` (or `thithucdientu.gov.vn` depending on the season ; yes, they change names like browser tabs).
Warning: the site has recurrent bugs; refresh if the form takes an unauthorized break.
Need we say more? Trust only this site and absolutely this site. Others are closely related to various branches of online scam artistry.
Passport checklist
- 🗸 Valid 6 months after your entry date (non-negotiable)
- 🗸 Proof of exit (flight, train, bus ; they sometimes check at entry)
- 🗸 One blank page for the stamp (obvious, yet surprises happen)
- 🗸 Digital is nice, but physical paperwork is life in Vietnam. Ideally, keep two paper copies in separate locations.
Travel insurance
Don't play hero. Make sure it covers repatriation and two-wheeler accidents (even if you don't drive, a bumpy ride can happen fast).
Zero-fee bank card
Let's be honest: you'll make countless small transactions. Get a card with no foreign fees; every commission avoided is another dinner, extra coffee, or a scooter with a better engine sound.
Health: No panic, but no improvisation either
Vaccines: None mandatory, several recommended
The bare minimum to update:
- DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-polio). The classic.
- MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)
- Hepatitis A: transmitted by food and water pretending to be harmless. Essential.
- Hepatitis B: common in Vietnam; better to arrive with armor already on.
If heading to rural areas (Sapa, Ha Giang, deep Mekong Delta)
- Rabies: strongly recommended. Stray dogs are not "cute little puppies". It's near-certain mortality if bitten and untreated.
- Japanese Encephalitis: peak transmission May-October, mostly north
- Typhoid: if hygiene conditions are capricious, or frankly precarious
Malaria: eradicated in cities (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang = zero risk), but present in rural highlands of central/north Vietnam. No preventive treatment needed if staying on the coast or in cities. If your mountain ambitions include trails where mosquitoes hold diplomas, consult a vaccination center 6 weeks before departure.
The strategic pharmacy kit
- ♦ Paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, rehydration salts (stomach bugs are a timeless classic)
- ♦ Mosquito repellent DEET ≥ 30%. Between daytime mosquitoes (dengue, encephalitis) and nighttime ones (malaria), you don't escape a single shift.
- ♦ Sun protection: tropical sunburn doesn't negotiate; bring your own cream (local products sometimes lighten more than they protect)
- ♦ Antiseptic, blister plasters (you will walk. A lot. More than your presumed enthusiasm can imagine)
- ♦ Attention! Tap water is potable nowhere, not even in major cities. Treat it or buy bottled
Emergency medical number: 115
Money: Cash is king
Vietnam is still very cash-based. Small restaurants, markets, and local transport treat cards like a polite but useless foreigner.
Plan ahead
🗸 Notify your bank of travel dates (otherwise instant block at first transaction)
🗸 Withdraw USD before departure and exchange on-site for VND at better rates than direct euro conversion
🗸 Or use ATMs in major cities (watch for bank fees)
Apps that turn your phone into a magical gadget
Grab: Motorbike taxi, car, 2 AM pho delivery... An Uber-like essential to download before landing.
Google Maps: Better than Apple Maps in Vietnam. Download offline maps for remote areas.
Google Translate: Despite bewildering approximations, the camera that translates menus instantly saves lives. Yes, Vietnamese is not a language you decipher by ear.
HappyCow: The app for vegetarians/vegans. Vietnam is paradise for tofu enthusiasts, but it helps to know where.
Details that make the difference
Pollution: Hanoi and HCMC rank among Asia's most polluted cities. If asthmatic or sensitive, pack an FFP2 mask.
Electricity: Type A, C, and sometimes D plugs. Universal adapter recommended.
Medication: Buy nothing on the street. Dangerous counterfeits, dubious storage. Carry prescriptions with original medications (in carry-on, not checked luggage).
Smile & Patience" mode: Not a gadget, a skill. Trains may nap, journeys stretch like bad stories, and rains may decide to block you for fun. Arm yourself with flexible smiles and patience: you won't just survive Vietnam, you'll love it laughing.
Final checklist
(Copy-paste to your notes)
☐ Passport valid 6 months + exit ticket + 2 separate paper copies
☐ E-visa (if >45 days) or exemption confirmation
☐ Vaccines up to date (DTP, MMR, Hep A/B, + rabies/encephalitis if rural)
☐ Complete medical kit + DEET repellent
☐ Bank notified (travel alert) + USD cash
☐ Apps installed: Grab, Maps, Translate (offline maps)
☐ Travel insurance with repatriation
☐ Anti-pollution masks (if sensitive)
There you go. The logistics are sorted; all that's left to do now is let the charm of Vietnam work its magic.
Have a great trip!