Vietnam — Ha Long Bay

Vietnam 2026 — Complete Travel Guide for Israelis

Ha Long Bay, the ancient town of Hoi An, amazing street food and lush green rice terraces — Vietnam is one of the cheapest and most beautiful destinations in Southeast Asia. A simple e-Visa and Chabad active in 4 cities. Note: no regular direct flight has been confirmed — most routes connect.

✈️ Note — no confirmed regular direct flight As of 01.06.2026 no regular direct route from Tel Aviv to Vietnam has been confirmed. EL AL shows results to Hanoi on certain dates, but most flights connect (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air India). Always check availability and direct routings in real time before booking.

1Why Vietnam

Vietnam (about 331,338 km², over 100 million people) is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia — spectacular bays, ancient towns, amazing street food and lush green rice terraces. The capital is Hanoi; the largest city is Ho Chi Minh. Official language: Vietnamese. Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND).

  • Ha Long Bay — one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.
  • Hoi An — a UNESCO town with lanterns, food and atmosphere.
  • Mu Cang Chai — rice terraces like nowhere else.
  • Chabad active in 4 cities.
  • A cheap and simple e-Visa, and prices lower than most Asian destinations.

2Flights from Israel

  • TLV↔HAN (Hanoi): prices (Skyscanner, 01.06.2026) from $800–893 round-trip. EL AL shows flights to Hanoi on certain dates from $1,128 — check availability in real time. Most flights connect (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air India).
  • TLV↔SGN (Ho Chi Minh): from $923 round-trip (Skyscanner). No regular direct route confirmed — connecting only.

⚠️ Always check availability and direct routings in real time before booking.

📍 Affiliate link: Flights

Search flights to Hanoi (HAN) from Tel Aviv

Real-time price comparison via the Travelpayouts system (marker 701647).

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3Visa — e-Visa required

Israelis require a visa for Vietnam. You can apply for an e-Visa on the official site: evisa.gov.vn.

e-Visa prices (01.06.2026):

  • Single entry: $25
  • Multiple entry: $50

Validity: up to 90 days. Processing time: 3 working days.

Passport validity: no clear official Vietnamese source was found — it's recommended to confirm with the embassy before your flight.

⚠️ Don't wait until the last minute — submit your e-Visa at least 5 days before your flight.

4When to fly

  • North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa) — October–April ✅. Avoid: May–September (rains).
  • Centre (Hoi An, Da Nang) — February–August ✅. Avoid: September–November (storms).
  • South (Ho Chi Minh, Phu Quoc) — November–April ✅. Avoid: May–October (monsoon).

⚠️ Vietnam is very long — north, centre and south are affected differently by the monsoons. Check by your specific destination. Recommendation for Israelis: November–March — comfortable for most routes.

5Itineraries

  • 7 days — classic north: Hanoi 2 → Ha Long Bay 2 → Ninh Binh / Tam Coc 2 → Hanoi.
  • 10 days — north + centre: Hanoi 2 → Ha Long Bay 2 → Da Nang 1 → Hoi An 3 → back.
  • 14 days — the classic Israeli route: Hanoi 2 → Ha Long Bay 2 → Mu Cang Chai 3 → Da Nang 1 → Hoi An 3 → Ho Chi Minh 2 → Phu Quoc 2.

⚠️ Don't pack the whole of Vietnam into one week — the country is very long.

6Attractions

Hanoi

  • Old Quarter — narrow historic streets in central Hanoi, each named after the craft once sold there. A hub for street food, markets and walking tours.
  • Hoan Kiem Lake — the Lake of the Returned Sword — a central lake with the historic Ngoc Son temple, the heart of Hanoi's evening life.

Ha Long Bay & Ninh Binh

  • Ha Long Bay — a bay with thousands of limestone islets rising from the water, one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world and a UNESCO site.
  • Tam Coc / Ninh Binh — "Ha Long Bay on land": rivers between limestone cliffs, boat trips and ancient monasteries. Close to Hanoi.

Central Vietnam

  • Hoi An — Ancient Town (UNESCO) — a beautifully preserved port town: colourful lanterns, ancient bridges, excellent food and traditional tailoring.
  • Da Nang — a central coastal city, a convenient base for Hoi An, Ba Na Hills and the Marble Mountains. My Khe Beach is one of the finest in Vietnam.
  • Ba Na Hills / Golden Bridge — the "Hands Bridge": a bridge held up by giant hands, with a panoramic view over the mountains.

Southern Vietnam

  • Ho Chi Minh City — the large, dynamic city: War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, night markets.
  • Cu Chi Tunnels — a huge underground tunnel network from the Vietnam War, about 40 km from Ho Chi Minh.
  • The Mekong Delta — a network of rivers and canals: boat trips, floating villages, nature. Popular for day/two-day trips from Ho Chi Minh.
  • Phu Quoc — Vietnam's largest island in the south: tropical beaches, clear water, snorkelling and diving.

Hidden north

  • Mu Cang Chai — green rice terraces, the iconic landscape of Vietnam. The harvest season (September–October) is the most beautiful.
  • Sapa — a mountain town in the north near the China border: a base for treks, ethnic villages and rice terraces.
🎟️ Affiliate link: Attractions · Klook

Book tours and tickets in Vietnam on Klook

Ha Long Bay cruises, Cu Chi tours, the Mekong Delta and more — buy ahead on Klook.

Attractions on Klook
🎫 Affiliate link: Attractions · Tiqets

Entry tickets to sites in Vietnam

Admission to sites and museums in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh via Tiqets.

Tickets on Tiqets
🎧 Affiliate link: Audio tours · WeGoTrip

Self-guided audio tour in Vietnam

Audio tours via WeGoTrip — a guided experience at your own pace.

Audio tours on WeGoTrip

7Where to stay — areas

  • Hanoi — Old Quarter — an excellent logistical base: street food, markets, day-trip departures.
  • Hoi An — the Ancient Town (walkable, atmosphere, lanterns); An Bang Beach for anyone who wants a beach nearby.
  • Ho Chi Minh — District 1 (central for tourists); Pham Ngu Lao / Bui Vien (backpacker area, nightlife).
  • Da Nang — My Khe Beach (the beach); the city centre (convenient access to Hoi An).
  • Phu Quoc — Duong Dong / Long Beach (popular accommodation areas).

8Transport

  • Domestic flights (recommended): Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways. Common routes: Hanoi ↔ Da Nang ↔ Ho Chi Minh ↔ Phu Quoc.
  • Intercity / night train: the north–south line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. A long ride — for anyone who wants to see the scenery.
  • Grab: Southeast Asia's ride app (car and motorbike) — convenient and reliable in the big cities.
  • Motorbike: very common, but ⚠️ requires proper insurance and a licence. Don't rent without checking insurance.
  • Buses / vans: common — Hanoi–Ninh Binh, Da Nang–Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh–the Mekong Delta.
🚖 Affiliate link: Airport transfer

Book an airport transfer (HAN / SGN / DAD) to your hotel

GetTransfer / Intui.travel — book ahead at a fixed price.

Book a transfer
🚗 Affiliate link: Car rental

Car rental in Vietnam

Rentalcars / DiscoverCars — price comparison. (In Vietnam, a car with a driver is also common.)

Compare car rental

9Internet & eSIM

  • Airalo — basic package from $4 (01.06.2026).
  • Saily — 1GB/7 days $3.99; 3GB/30 days $7.99; 10GB/30 days $17.99.
  • Alternative: Airalo / Yesim — an eSIM from Israel before your flight (see links below).
📱 Affiliate link: eSIM · Yesim

Order an eSIM for Vietnam on Yesim

A Vietnam package on Yesim — instant activation on landing.

Yesim — Vietnam
📲 Affiliate link: eSIM · Airalo

Order an eSIM for Vietnam on Airalo

A Vietnam package on Airalo — the large global eSIM provider.

Airalo — Vietnam

10Money & costs

  • Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND). Rate (01.06.2026): 1 ₪ ≈ 9,300–9,400 VND → 100,000 VND ≈ 10.7 ₪.
  • Tip: in Vietnam you deal with big numbers — 500,000 VND ≈ 53 ₪.
  • Credit cards are accepted in hotels and malls. Street and markets — cash.

11Travel advisory

According to gov.il — no high-level security advisory was found for Vietnam (01.06.2026).

⚠️ Check again on gov.il close to your trip. Weather advisories (typhoons) are published seasonally for northern Vietnam during the monsoon season.

12Kosher & Jewish community

4 Chabad houses in Vietnam — Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An and Sapa.

  • Chabad Ho Chi Minh — Chabad of Vietnam — 5A (villa) Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Saigon Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone 84-28-39100181.
  • Chabad Hanoi — an active kosher restaurant. Phone +84 838 728 225. Hours: Sun–Thu 12:00–19:00 (closed Friday). jewishvietnam.com.

Kosher food exists mainly around Chabad. There is no general kosher availability in Vietnam — check hours and details before every trip.

13Important tips for Israelis

  • e-Visa: submit at least 5 days before your flight — don't wait.
  • Passport: don't leave it as a deposit.
  • Motorbike: check for proper insurance before renting.
  • Personal belongings: keep an eye on them on buses and night trains.
  • Weather: check the forecast before travelling north in the rainy season.
  • Dengue: the CDC warns of dengue fever in Vietnam — use mosquito repellent.
  • Ha Long Bay: only book a cruise tour from a reputable company.

14Frequently asked questions

Do Israelis need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes — an e-Visa is required. Apply at evisa.gov.vn at least 5 days in advance.
How much does an e-Visa cost?
$25 for single entry / $50 for multiple entry. Valid for up to 90 days.
Is there a direct flight?
To Hanoi — EL AL shows results on certain dates, but no regular route is confirmed. Most flights connect. Check in real time.
When is the best time to fly?
November–March for most routes. Check by specific region — north/centre/south differ.
Is there kosher food?
Yes — Chabad in 4 cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Sapa). Check hours and addresses in advance.
How many days do you need for Vietnam?
At least 10 days for the north + centre. 14 days for the full route. Don't pack the whole country into a week.