Roughly February to August is sunny and good for swimming. From about September to December the central coast has heavy rain and possible storms, and the sea can be rough. Follow lifeguard flags on the beach.

Hoi An Ancient Town is about 45 minutes by car from Da Nang city. Many visitors stay in one and visit the other as a day or evening trip; Hoi An is best in the evening when the lanterns are lit.

Hoi An looks best at two times: early morning when the streets are empty, and early evening when the lanterns come on.

• 6–8 am: few visitors, easy shots of yellow walls and bougainvillea.
• 5:30–7 pm: lanterns light up; the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoai River are at their best.
• Releasing a floating lantern on the Hoai River at night is a popular activity.
• Rice fields and the Bay Mau coconut forest (Cam Thanh) are about 15 minutes from the old town.

Note: entering the old town requires a sightseeing ticket; evenings are crowded, so hold your phone tightly.

Hue has its heaviest rain from about September to December, sometimes with flooding. The Imperial City and tombs are still open, but bring a raincoat, allow flexible days and check local news before travelling around the countryside.

Cafés in Hue

• Tiệm Cà Phê 81 - 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua
• CỦI COFFEE - 164 Bui Thi Xuan, Thuan Hoa, Hue, Vietnam
• DAYS COFFEE - Nguyen Thi Dinh, Thuy Xuan, Hue, Vietnam
• Tụi Mình Café - 25 Su Van Hanh, Kim Long, Hue, Vietnam
• DeChill - 29A Le Hong Phong (Dong Da Apartment Complex – Building E), Hue City
• Nhà Lão Béo - 6/239, 6 Trung Nu Vuong, Thanh Thuy, Hue, Vietnam
• Giao - 118 Chi Lang St., Phu Xuan, Hue, Vietnam
• HUE CAFE ROASTERY - 131 Huynh Thuc Khang, Phu Xuan, Hue, Vietnam
• Thành Cafe - 24 Van Cao, Xuan Phu, Hue City & 328 Phan Boi Chau, Truong An, Hue City
• À Ơi Cafe - 17 Nguyen Do Cung, Xuan Phu, Hue City
• Đề-Pô Cafe - 2nd Floor, Dong Ba Market, 02 Tran Hung Dao, Phu Hoa, Hue City

It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter visa-free for a set number of days; everyone else can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. The list of visa-free countries changes, so check the official e-visa portal before you book. Apply only on the official government site: look-alike agency sites charge extra fees.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn

Your passport (valid for at least 6 months from entry, with blank pages), your printed or on-phone e-visa if you need one, and your onward or return ticket in case the officer asks. Keep your hotel address handy too.
Official e-visa portal: https://evisa.gov.vn

Both. Hotels, malls, chain cafés and many restaurants take cards, but street food, markets, small shops and local buses are cash only. ATMs are everywhere in cities; each withdrawal usually carries a fee from the local bank, so take out larger amounts less often.

Prices have many zeros, and some notes look alike: the 20,000 and 500,000 notes are both blue. Count the zeros before handing money over, keep large and small notes in separate pockets, and read the amount aloud when paying.

Tipping is not expected but appreciated, for example for a tour guide, driver or spa staff. Bargaining is normal at markets and souvenir stalls, not in supermarkets, restaurants or shops with printed prices. Stay friendly and walk away politely if the price doesn't suit you.

Buy a tourist SIM at the airport arrivals hall from Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone, or install an eSIM before you fly. Bring your passport: SIM cards must be registered to your ID. Data is cheap and 4G coverage is good, including most tourist areas in the mountains.

Ride-hailing apps are the easiest: Grab for cars and motorbike taxis, and Xanh SM for electric taxis. The price is fixed in the app, so there is no haggling. If you take a street taxi, choose a well-known company and make sure the meter is on.

Legally you need a Vietnamese licence or an International Driving Permit that Vietnam recognises; many permits are not accepted. Without a valid licence your travel insurance may not cover an accident. Traffic is dense, so if you are not an experienced rider, a motorbike taxi or a driver is safer.