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Vietnam.
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Travelling to Vietnam: what to know before you go

Vietnam runs for more than 1,500 kilometres from the mountains of the far north to the rice fields and rivers of the Mekong Delta, with limestone bays, imperial cities, lantern-lit old towns and some of the best street food in Asia along the way. It suits backpackers and comfort travellers alike, and most people travel it north to south or the reverse.

Where to go

• Hanoi. The Old Quarter's streets, each once dedicated to a single trade, are a mix of scooters, street kitchens and temples.
• Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Thousands of limestone islands and pillars rise from emerald water in the Gulf of Tonkin.
• Ninh Binh. Sometimes called 'Ha Long Bay on land', with rowing-boat trips through karst caves and rice fields at Trang An and Tam Coc, and the Hang Mua viewpoint at the top of hundreds of steps.
• Hoi An. A well-preserved trading port of yellow merchant houses, a Japanese covered bridge and lanterns along the Thu Bon river.

Best time to visit

Vietnam's long shape means the weather varies by region. The north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) is best from roughly October to April, though winters can be cool and misty; summers are hot and wet.

Staying online in Vietnam

Mobile coverage is good across cities, towns and along the main north–south routes, with 4G widely available and 5G rolling out in larger cities. Coverage can be weaker on remote parts of the Ha Giang loop, in mountain valleys, inside caves and on some islands, and drops out on parts of Ha Long Bay cruises. Free Wi-Fi is everywhere in cafés, hotels and restaurants, usually with the password on the wall. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can book a ride from the airport.