Vietnam

Q: How big is Vietnam?

Vietnam is geographically quite narrow and curves along its neighboring countries in an S-shape. Its total area is 331,690 km² — just a little smaller than Germany (357,376 km²). But its population is actually larger: Vietnam is currently home to around 95 million people.

Q: What is the capital of Vietnam?

Vietnam’s capital is Hanoi. It’s the second-largest city in the country after Ho Chi Minh City, with around 7.7 million inhabitants. For comparison: Ho Chi Minh City has roughly 8.6 million inhabitants.

Q: What languages are spoken in Vietnam?

The official language is Vietnamese, spoken by the vast majority of the population. Interestingly, it’s been written in a Latin alphabet since 1945. French is often taught as the first foreign language in schools — a legacy of the country’s long period of French colonial rule. English has also become increasingly common, especially in tourist areas, which makes getting around as an English speaker pretty easy.

Q: What's the time difference in Vietnam?

Vietnam is in the UTC+7 time zone and doesn’t observe daylight saving time. That means Vietnam is 6 hours ahead of Central European Time in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer.

Q: What currency is used in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, you pay with the Vietnamese Dong (VND). One euro is roughly equivalent to around 23,352 VND.

From the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to buzzing cities and seriously good pho: everything you need to plan your Vietnam trip.

Halong Bay with cool mountains and small houses, Vietnam

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Our Guide to Vietnam

Flair

Intense, breathtaking, and culinarily unbeatable.
Best time to visit

Varies by region (North: Nov–Apr / South: Dec–Apr).
Trip length

3 weeks to travel the full length, north to south.
Currency

Vietnamese Dong — cash is absolutely essential.
Tipping

Not customary, but common in tourist areas.
Getting around

Domestic flights, overnight trains, or the "Open Bus".

Map of Vietnam with the most important cities

Where is what in Vietnam?

Vietnam is a coastal country in Southeast Asia. It borders China to the north and Cambodia to the southwest.

To the west, Vietnam borders Laos, while the country’s eastern coast runs along the South China Sea. In the southwest, it also touches the Gulf of Thailand.

We’ve marked the most important attractions and places in Vietnam on the map above — so you can get a feel for the country before you start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Vietnam?

Vietnam is geographically quite narrow and curves along its neighboring countries in an S-shape.

Its total area is 331,690 km² — just a little smaller than Germany (357,376 km²). But its population is actually larger: Vietnam is currently home to around 95 million people.

What is the capital of Vietnam?

Vietnam’s capital is Hanoi. It’s the second-largest city in the country after Ho Chi Minh City, with around 7.7 million inhabitants.

For comparison: Ho Chi Minh City has roughly 8.6 million inhabitants.

What languages are spoken in Vietnam?

The official language is Vietnamese, spoken by the vast majority of the population. Interestingly, it’s been written in a Latin alphabet since 1945.

French is often taught as the first foreign language in schools — a legacy of the country’s long period of French colonial rule.

English has also become increasingly common, especially in tourist areas, which makes getting around as an English speaker pretty easy.

What's the time difference in Vietnam?

Vietnam is in the UTC+7 time zone and doesn’t observe daylight saving time. That means Vietnam is 6 hours ahead of Central European Time in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer.