Vietnam Travel Blog

Happy Water on the Ha Giang Loop is a ritual, a gesture of friendship, and one of the most genuinely memorable cultural experiences northern Vietnam has to offer. But to appreciate it properly, and navigate it safely, there's quite a bit worth understanding before you take that first sip.

A stopover in Vietnam can be a great chance to discover Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang for a few hours before your next flight. But before leaving the airport, you need to check three things first: your entry requirements, your baggage arrangement and whether your layover is long enough. Some Vietnam stopovers are very simple: you stay in the international transit area, your baggage is checked through, and you wait for your next flight. Others require more planning, especially if you have separate tickets, need to collect checked luggage, take a domestic flight in Vietnam or want to visit the city. This guide explains the most common Vietnam stopover situations, from visa rules and airport procedures to realistic short itineraries.

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about Sapa weather in March, including temperatures, what the landscape looks like, whether rain is a concern, and practical travel tips to help you plan a memorable trip to one of Vietnam's most extraordinary highland destinations as it transitions into spring.

Since 2026, Vietnam has introduced a new online entry form for foreign travelers arriving by air: the Vietnam Pre-Arrival form. This free digital arrival card, also known as the Pre-Arrival Information form or PAI declaration, generates a QR code that may be checked by immigration officers when you land. In this guide, you’ll find out who needs to complete the form, which airports it applies to, when to submit it and how to fill it out step by step, so you can arrive in Vietnam prepared and avoid last-minute stress.

When travelers ask me whether they should choose Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, my answer is always the same: it depends on what kind of Vietnam you want to experience first. And I mean that genuinely, these two cities are so different from each other that visitors who fall head over heels for one often leave the other feeling flat. I've spent years guiding international visitors through both cities.

November is usually not a rainy month in Hanoi. Rainfall is much lower than in the summer and early autumn months, and heavy downpours are less common. That said, short showers can still happen. A day may start bright, become cloudy in the afternoon, and bring a light shower before clearing again. These weather changes rarely ruin a city trip if your schedule stays flexible. A compact umbrella or light rain jacket is enough for most November days in Hanoi. Comfortable walking shoes are also important, especially if pavements become damp after a short shower.