Travel Vietnam 2025
On July 1st, 2025, Vietnam officially implemented a new resolution by the National Assembly that reduced the number of provinces from 63 to 28. In some cases, this was accomplished by merging existing provinces. For example, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces were merged to form a new and much larger Tuyen Quang province. Lao Cai and Yen Bai are other examples.
The new provinces are: Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Tinh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, and An Giang.
In addition to the changes at the provincial level, six centrally governed cities (Thành Phố is City in Vietnamese): Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hai Phong.
On the local level, districts have been eliminated; they no longer exist. The new administrative structure includes wards (Phường) and communes (Xã).
What does this mean to travelers?
Google Maps is out of date. Street names are the same, but the remainder of your hotel’s address is probably not correct. Vietnam's e-visa portal (website) has been updated. Travel articles, blogs, guidebooks, vlogs, and websites (this one included) are now outdated and should be updated.
However, once on the ground in Vietnam, these administrative changes shouldn’t be an issue. A bus traveling to Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Su Phi, or Ha Giang will still deliver you to these well-known destinations.
The new provinces are: Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Tinh, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, and An Giang.
In addition to the changes at the provincial level, six centrally governed cities (Thành Phố is City in Vietnamese): Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hai Phong.
On the local level, districts have been eliminated; they no longer exist. The new administrative structure includes wards (Phường) and communes (Xã).
What does this mean to travelers?
Google Maps is out of date. Street names are the same, but the remainder of your hotel’s address is probably not correct. Vietnam's e-visa portal (website) has been updated. Travel articles, blogs, guidebooks, vlogs, and websites (this one included) are now outdated and should be updated.
However, once on the ground in Vietnam, these administrative changes shouldn’t be an issue. A bus traveling to Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Su Phi, or Ha Giang will still deliver you to these well-known destinations.
Traveltoasiaandback.com - Ta Van Commune, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
Travel Vietnam
In the last thirty years, the number of international tourists in Vietnam has increased dramatically. In 2024, nearly 17.6 million people visited this fascinating country. In addition to being one of the least expensive countries in Southeast Asia, the people of Vietnam are friendly and welcoming, the food is delicious, and there is plenty to do and see in this country of nearly 102 million. A single journey through Vietnam can include, touring UNESCO World Heritage sites in Hue, lying on powder-white sand beaches in Danang, SCUBA diving in Nha Trang, trekking to a remote minority village in Sapa or luxury shopping in Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel to Vietnam
With major international airports in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Da Nang (DAD) and Hanoi (HAN), Vietnam is easy to reach from North America, Europe and the Middle East. A number of discount carriers operate from major Asian hub cities such as Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. It is also possible to travel overland to Vietnam from Cambodia, Laos and China.
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Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Tourist Visa
Tourists from certain Asian and European countries can enter Vietnam visa free for periods of stay between 14-45 days. North and South Americans, Australians and travelers who wish to remain in the country for longer stays must obtain a tourist visa. Here is a current list of countries eligible for: Exemption of Entry Visa to Vietnam.
traveltoasiaandback.com - Working the rice fields, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam
Vietnam Visa on Arrival (VOA)
The VOA approval letters that were commonly issued and used before the pandemic are currently only used as "emergency" visas for people who have issues obtaining an e-visa. Certain travel agencies in Vietnam can issue VOA approval letters for a fee above the normal visa price. Do not to put yourself in a position where you need to rely on a visa agent.
traveltoasiaandback.com - Rice planting. La Pan Tan, Mu Cang Chi, Yen Bai Province
Vietnam E-visa
On August 15th 2023 Vietnam changed the visa rules and began issuing 90-day single and multiple entry-entry tourist visas on-line. The e-visa is currently available to all nationalities. Tourists can now use the e-visa at over 40 different entry ports (points), including airports, land border crossings and sea-ports.
It is important to note that the e-visa can only be purchased on evisa.gov.vn, Vietnam's official e-visa website. here
There have been many reports of delays in the issuance of these visas, do not wait until the last minute to make an application.
It is important to note that the e-visa can only be purchased on evisa.gov.vn, Vietnam's official e-visa website. here
There have been many reports of delays in the issuance of these visas, do not wait until the last minute to make an application.
traveltoasiaandback.com - A friendly resident of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Travel in Vietnam
With its discount domestic airlines, efficient railway system, and modern highways, Vietnam is very easy and affordable to travel around. Budget travelers and back packers will appreciate the fact that most of the country’s most popular destinations can be reached inexpensively by train, bus or a combination of the two. The main tourism hot spots will all have travel agencies with English-speaking staff who can organize all types of transportation for a very modest fee.
Traveltoasiaandback.com - Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Train travel in Vietnam
Traveling by train in Vietnam is a very safe, inexpensive and reliable option which provides visitors a fantastic opportunity to see the country’s breathtaking scenery while gaining a glimpse into the daily lives of its people. Vietnamese people are very friendly and you cannot help but interact with them on platforms and rail cars. They are more than willing to help visitors navigate the rail system and are generally up for a chat. Unlike railways in some other countries, trains in Vietnam run like clockwork and almost always depart on time; make sure not to arrive at the station late. Two useful websites for planning train travel in Vietnam are Vietnam Railways and The Man in Seat 61.
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Sapa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
Bus Travel in Vietnam
Although buses in Vietnam are convenient and inexpensive, traveling on Vietnam’s highways generally has a reputation for being unsafe. Do a quick internet search on, “bus safety in Vietnam” for example, and you will see what we mean. However, for visitors on a budget, traveling by bus is the only option to get from such places as Da Lat to Nha Trang or from Dan Nang to Hoi An. Everyday buses in Vietnam are full of tourists and we suggest that each traveler do their own research and decide for themselves whether the risk is worth the reward. With that being said; having made one unpleasant journey on a night bus we concur with the general sentiment that night buses in Vietnam should be avoided.