When preparing for a trip to Vietnam, it's more important to complete time-sensitive checks first than to pack more things. If you work through your passport, entry requirements, flights and accommodation, insurance, and communications in that order, all you'll need to do in the final days is sort out what to wear and how much cash to bring.
This article is an overview of what to check and when before departure. Because entry regulations, flights, and weather can change, don't rely solely on this blog—cross-reference the latest guidance from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Immigration Department, your airline, and your insurance provider before you go.
The 5 top priorities
- Whether your passport's validity and name match what is shown on your flight ticket
- Whether your itinerary falls within the 45-day visa exemption for Japanese nationals, or whether an e-VISA is required
- How much coverage you want for medical expenses, personal belongings, and flight cancellations
- Whether you'll be able to get online immediately after arrival and use ride-hailing apps and maps
- Whether your cash, cards, and backup cards are spread across different places rather than kept together
Pre-departure checklist (chronological)
We've organized what to do in order of timing, from booking to arriving on the ground. Each item links to a detailed guide.
| Period | What to do | Related guide |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 months before | Decide where you are going and book flights and accommodation (especially early for Tet, the year-end and New Year period and the summer holidays) | Flights／City comparison |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Check whether you need a visa, sign up for travel insurance | Visa／Insurance |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Arrange a SIM/eSIM, prepare season-appropriate clothing, get apps ready | SIM/eSIM／Season |
| Right before departure | Currency exchange and cash/card, final check of what to pack, adapter plug | Currency exchange／What to pack／Power |
| After arriving on the ground | From the airport into the city, ride-hailing apps, checking water and safety | Ride-hailing／Water／Safety |
For where exactly to book flights, hotels, local tours, an eSIM, and overseas travel insurance, seeVietnam travel bookings summaryfor the full list.
Preparation guides by theme
From the theme you're curious about, you can proceed to a detailed article.
Visa and entry
Japanese nationals traveling on a standard passport who meet the entry requirements are eligible for a visa exemption for stays of up to 45 days. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that this measure applies from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028. For stays exceeding 45 days or other cases, please check Vietnam's Immigration Department for theofficial e-VISA(up to 90 days, single or multiple entry). Regarding the digital arrival card, information that cannot be verified against official announcements is also circulating, so do not rush to enter personal information on third-party sites—if instructions are issued by your airline or immigration authority, confirm the URL is official before proceeding.
Money (exchange, cards, prices)
Payment is basically a mix of cash and card. Cash for street stalls and markets, cards are handy at hotels and large stores. Exchanging only what you need after arriving reduces wasted rates, and since high-denomination notes are hard to use, breaking plenty of small notes gives peace of mind.
Connectivity (SIM, eSIM, WiFi)
Maps, ride-hailing, translation, QR payments, and your smartphone are the lifeline of the trip. Ideally, arrange one of a SIM, eSIM, or WiFi router before departure so you can use it the moment you arrive. An eSIM suits short trips, while a WiFi router suits use by several people.
Getting around (flights, ride-hailing, taxis)
Domestic flights are fast between distant cities, with Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City about 2 hours. In town, a ride-hailing app that shows the fare in advance gives more peace of mind than hailing a taxi. Day tours are also an option for nearby sights.
Season and clothing
Vietnam, long from north to south, has very different weather in the north, center, and south at the same time of year. In particular, the coastal center sees more rain and typhoons from September to December, so prepare clothing and rain gear to match the region and timing of your visit. The highlands are cool year-round and require a layer.
Safety and health (insurance, water, security)
Since medical care at hospitals for foreigners can get expensive, travel insurance offers peace of mind. Avoid untreated water and choose mineral water, and as a rule stay in areas with good security. Keep valuables spread across different places.
What to pack and power
Check the essentials, the handy extras, and the items that change with the season on a checklist. The power is 220V and A/C-type, and devices like smartphone chargers rated "100-240V" work without a transformer. Having an adapter plug and a power bank gives peace of mind.
Etiquette, tipping, and language
Tipping is basically unnecessary, but giving a small amount to hotel porters or at spas is appreciated. English gets through at tourist sites and hotels but is harder to use in local settings, so a translation app helps. Knowing it along with dining etiquette gives peace of mind.
Tips for prep that won't go wrong
- Think in order— use the flow of "book -> prepare in advance -> right before -> on the ground" to prevent gaps
- Work backward from the season— clothing, rain gear, and the best season change with the timing and region you visit
- Set up assuming you'll use your smartphone— prepare SIM/eSIM, ride-hailing, maps, translation, and QR payments before departure
- Keep your money spread out— separate cash and cards, and exchange only what you need after arriving
Frequently asked questions
- Where should I start preparing for a Vietnam trip?
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Start by booking flights and accommodation about three to four months before departure, then check whether you need a visa (Japanese nationals are exempt for tourist stays of up to 45 days) and sort out travel insurance. After that, line up a SIM or eSIM, clothing to suit the season and ride-hailing apps before you go.
- Do Japanese travelers need a visa?
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Japanese nationals who meet the entry requirements are eligible for a visa exemption for stays of up to 45 days. For stays exceeding 45 days or other cases, please check the official e-VISA (up to 90 days, single or multiple entry). As regulations can change, recheck the official information from Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Immigration Department before departure.
- What do I need to use my smartphone on the ground?
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Prepare one of a local SIM, an eSIM, or a WiFi router. Since you'll use it for maps, ride-hailing, translation, and QR payments, it's best to be able to get online right after arriving.
- For money, which is better, cash or card?
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Using both for different situations gives peace of mind. Cash for small payments, cards are handy at hotels and large stores. Exchanging only what you need after arriving reduces wasted rates.
- Is tipping necessary in Vietnam?
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It's basically unnecessary, but giving a small amount to hotel porters or at spas is appreciated. Upscale establishments may include a service charge, in which case no extra is needed.
Finally: Do your final check 72 hours out, not the night before
When you're 72 hours from departure, review your flight times, airport, accommodation address, entry requirements, insurance documents, and communications all at once. Rather than relying solely on screenshots, save your booking references and emergency contacts somewhere accessible offline—this will make it much easier to cope if you lose connectivity or your device.
The goal of preparation is not to pack more, but to reduce the number of decisions you have to make on the ground. For anything you're unsure about, refer to the detailed guide for that topic, and always finalize your plans against the latest conditions from official bodies, your airline, and your service providers.
