Travel Planning
Itineraries, transport, budgets, and practical know-how for a smooth trip.
270 articlesPhoto by Tuan Vy on Pexels
Latest in Travel Planning
Newest stories first
Getting Around
Vietnam trains: a map-led guide to the North-South line, station distances and city transfers
This map-led guide to Vietnam trains follows the 1,726 km North-South line from Hanoi to Saigon, stop by stop. It lists rail distances, station-to-city transfer times, fares, journey times and the booking window, so you can pick the right station, berth and buffer for the 2026 timetable.
by Lê Minh Đức
4 min readAcross Vietnam
Vietnam travel tips 2026: e-visa extension vs border run, costs and timings
This expert roundup answers one question: in 2026, can you extend a Vietnam e-visa, or must you do a border run? It gives checked costs, processing times, border-run routes through Cambodia and Laos, overstay risks, and a synthesis of what visa agents and long-stay travelers recommend.
Hanoi to Cat Ba Island 2026: Bus, Train, or Private Car for Your Vietnam Itinerary
This guide compares every 2026 route from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island: shuttle bus plus ferry, train plus taxi plus ferry, and private car plus ferry. It lists fares, departure times, ferry schedules, booking channels, last-mile transfers, and what can go wrong. Use it to pick the right transport for your Vietnam itinerary.
Vietnam Trains in Storm Season: Reunification Express SE4 Hanoi to Da Nang, 26-27 September 2026
A dated field report on riding SE4 of the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Da Nang on 26 and 27 September 2026, during central Vietnam's rainy season. It covers the VND 1.45m soft sleeper fare, booking on dsvn.vn against 12Go, Baolau and Vexere, cabin conditions, the four hours lost near Hue, and what I would change.
Vietnam Travel Tips 2026: Booking Mistakes Around April 30-May 1 and National Day
Vietnam's 2026 holiday peaks create the most expensive and difficult booking windows of the year. These Vietnam travel tips 2026 map mistakes around Tet, Hung Kings' Commemoration, April 30-May 3, and National Day, with fixed dates, price spikes, booking lead times, and warning signs. Use them to lock in transport, hotels, cash, and attraction tickets before the domestic rush.
Printable Vietnam itinerary planner 2026: route grid, transport times and daily budget
This printable Vietnam itinerary planner has a weekly route grid, transport matrix, VND budget sheet and a 3-day Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long example. It covers e-visa rules, 2026 Tet dates and booking lead times so you can build your own Vietnam itinerary. Print it, fill it left to right, and verify transport with Vietnam Railways and Sinh Tourist.
Vietnam travel cost for a 5-day Phong Nha cave trip: a couple's $352 budget case study
A couple spent five days in Phong Nha in mid-October 2026, starting from Hanoi, with a $400 ground budget and no Son Doong. They took the overnight train, slept in a village homestay, rented a motorbike, and paid about $352 total. This case study shows their decisions, actual Vietnam travel cost, and lessons for cutting costs.
Ha Giang Loop Safety and Police Checks: Vietnam Travel Tips 2026 for First-Timer Riders
The safest months for the Ha Giang Loop in 2026 are September to November and March to May. Avoid June to August for monsoon rain and landslides. Police checkpoints can fine 800,000 to 2 million VND for licence, helmet, or permit problems. This FAQ hub answers first-timer safety questions with 2026 costs, paperwork rules, and Vietnam travel tips.
Vietnam Trains vs Sleeper Bus: Hanoi to Da Nang Overnight in 2026
This comparison sets the Reunification Express sleeper against a modern sleeper bus on the Hanoi to Da Nang overnight route in 2026. It covers 2026 fares, travel times, booking channels, luggage limits, toilets, arrival logistics and who each option suits, using published figures from Vietnam Railways, Baolau, 12Go and Vexere.
Vietnam Itinerary: 5 Days in Da Nang and Hoi An from India, With Real 2026 Costs
This case study follows a 5-day Vietnam itinerary from India to Da Nang and Hoi An in 2026. It covers the ₹60,000 target, actual costs, Grab transfers, My Son, Ba Na Hills, Hoi An Ancient Town, and what to verify before booking.
Vietnam Travel Cost for Vegetarian Eaters: 2026 Meal Prices in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City
A February-March 2026 survey of 60 vegetarian and vegan meals, 15 budget stays, and 10 intercity bus and train legs in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. It gives per-day food and total Vietnam travel costs, compares city prices, and explains what drives the bill beyond meals.
Vietnam trains and the northern loop: 9 days Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Cat Ba
This 9-day northern Vietnam loop uses Vietnam trains for the Hanoi to Lao Cai overnight leg, then buses and a ferry to link Sapa, Ha Giang, and Cat Ba without backtracking. It gives 2026 fares, booking channels, pacing, a daily itinerary, and a US$450 to 750 budget.
Vietnam Travel Tips 2026: How We Verified E-Visa, SIM, ATM and Transport Costs
This behind-the-guide article shows how we checked Vietnam travel tips for 2026. It covers e-visa fees and processing, SIM and eSIM prices, ATM limits, ride-hailing fares, Tet 2026, and the claims we removed. Use it to plan with current numbers and avoid outdated advice.