Places to Visit in Vietnam

Vietnam's long north-south geography means its climate varies significantly by region and season: Hanoi in the north has a distinct cooler, drier winter (November-March) and hot, humid summer with monsoon rain (May-September), while the south stays warm year-round with its own wet and dry seasons. Hanoi, the capital, sits in the Red River Delta and functions as the country's political and cultural centre, distinct in character from the more commercially driven Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Traffic — dominated by motorbikes rather than cars — is a genuine navigational and safety consideration in every major city; crossing the street means walking at a steady, predictable pace rather than stopping or running. Bargaining is expected in markets and with unmetered transport but not in fixed-price shops or restaurants. Tipping is not traditionally expected but is increasingly common in tourist-oriented restaurants and for tour guides.