Getting there
- There are no nonstop flights between Canada and Vietnam yet; Air Canada plans to start Ho Chi Minh City flights in 2027.
- Most trips connect once: in Taipei on EVA Air or China Airlines, Seoul on Korean Air, Tokyo, or Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. Vancouver is the shortest starting point.
- Fly into one city and out of the other. An open-jaw ticket often costs about the same as a round trip, and cheap domestic flights link Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Entry: Canadians need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online before travel.
Hanoi: the north
- Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake are best explored on foot, and day trips reach Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
- Weather: October to November is the nicest time. Unlike the south, Hanoi has a cool winter: December to February is often around 15°C and drizzly.
Ho Chi Minh City: the south
- Busier and more modern, with day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta.
- Weather: warm all year. December to April is the dry season; May to November brings heavy afternoon storms.
When to go
- Tết (Lunar New Year, February 6, 2027) is the most expensive time to fly, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.
- Late spring and autumn usually have the lowest fares from Canada. If you're doing both north and south, March to April and October to November balance the weather.
Money and safety
- Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Card fraud is common, so use ATMs inside banks and avoid cards at small shops.
- Grab is the easiest way to get around both cities. To cross busy streets, walk at a slow, steady pace and let motorbikes go around you.
- The Government of Canada advises a high degree of caution, mainly because of petty crime like bag snatching.
Halal food
- Hanoi: the Hanoi Grand Mosque is at 12 Hang Luoc in the Old Quarter, and the nearby streets Hang Luoc and Hang Giay have the most halal restaurants and grocery stores.
- Ho Chi Minh City: the area around Dong Du Street in District 1, near the Jamieul Anwar Mosque, is the easiest place to find halal food. The Saigon Central Mosque is at 12 Tran Hung Dao in District 5.
See the lowest fares and cheapest months
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Where to stay, data and getting around
Our guides: Hanoi travel hub · Travel insurance for Canadians
Our guides: Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City · Ho Chi Minh City travel hub
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Common questions
Is there a nonstop flight from Canada to Vietnam?
Not yet. Trips connect once, usually in Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo or Hong Kong. Air Canada plans to start Ho Chi Minh City flights in 2027.
Should I fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Hanoi for the north (the Old Quarter, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh); Ho Chi Minh City for the south (the Mekong Delta, the Cu Chi Tunnels). For both, fly into one and out of the other.
Do Canadians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Canadians need a Vietnam e-visa, applied for online before travel.
Where can I find halal food in Vietnam?
In Hanoi, around the Hanoi Grand Mosque on Hang Luoc in the Old Quarter; in Ho Chi Minh City, around Dong Du Street in District 1.
Sources
Checked October 15, 2026. Rules, prices and opening hours change, so confirm before you travel.