Vietnam

Bordering China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the South China Sea to the east, Vietnam covers approximately 331,000 km² and is home to around 97 million people. Hanoi serves as the capital, while Ho Chi Minh City is the commercial centre. Vietnamese is the official language and the Vietnamese đồng the currency. The country blends Confucian, Buddhist, and French colonial influences into a distinct cultural identity shaped by centuries of trade and conflict.

Many nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for short stays or obtain approval through the country's official e-visa system before arrival. The e-visa portal is managed by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. Travellers should verify their specific nationality's eligibility, permitted duration, and any entry conditions directly with official government sources before travel, as policies are updated periodically.

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin, contains thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald water. The ancient trading town of Hội An retains its lantern-lit merchant streets and 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park shelters some of the world's largest cave systems, including Hang Sơn Đoòng. In Hanoi, the Temple of Literature is a well-preserved 11th-century Confucian academy. The Imperial Citadel of Huế traces the Nguyễn dynasty's dynastic capital along the Perfume River.

Vietnam's climate varies significantly by region. The north experiences four seasons, with Hanoi summers reaching 35–38 °C and winters dipping to 10–15 °C. Central Vietnam bears the brunt of typhoon season between September and December. The south maintains a tropical climate year-round, with temperatures typically between 25 and 35 °C and a wet season from May to November. November through April is generally considered the most comfortable period for travel across the country. Light, breathable clothing with a rain layer is advisable in most seasons.

• World's second-largest coffee exporter after Brazil.
• Home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Motorbikes outnumber cars roughly ten to one nationwide.
• Vietnamese is written in a Latin-based script since the 17th century.
• Phong Nha cave system contains the world's largest known cave.

• vietnam.travel — official national tourism portal operated by the Vietnam Tourism Board
• immigration.gov.vn — Vietnamese Immigration Department, including e-visa applications
• nhandan.vn — state-run news agency with government announcements and travel advisories
• nchmf.gov.vn — National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, weather and climate data