You will need a Vietnam visa or approval letter for a visa on arrival to enter the country. For more information and to apply for a visa online, you can visit the Government of Vietnam's online information portal. You can also contact the Embassy of Vietnam based incountry. You may be able to apply for a visa exemption certificate if you have a Vietnamese parent or partner.

Three main international airports serve Vietnam: Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport. If you’re planning to see a bit of everything, the easiest would be to arrive in the south and depart in the north (or vice versa).

Located 45km from the city centre, Hanoi Airport is the largest in Vietnam. Also known as Noi Bai, it has two terminals: an older one for domestic travel and an international terminal completed in 2014. Public taxis, minibuses, buses, and car rental services can be found at the arrivals area.
Grab is a popular ride share service, similar to Uber, where you book a ride using their app.

Vietnam's currency is called the dong or VND. Although it is subdivided into 200, 500 dong, these units are no longer used due to their small value. Since 2014, retailers have generally not accepted coins, so make sure you have banknotes on hand.
In general, cash is king in Vietnam, so make sure you carry enough cash with you, especially if you’re visiting markets or low-key eateries. Most hotels, tour operators, and fancier restaurants do, however, accept debit or credit cards, but remember service fees may apply,
If you run out of cash, you won’t have too much trouble finding an ATM. But not all banks accept foreign cards, so it’s best to try one of the bigger branches like HSBC and Citi Bank that accepts Visa or Mastercard. Get them from ATMs or at major banks. Credit card payments may be limited to big hotels and restaurants in Hanoi.

First things first – travel insurance is a must when visiting any country, let alone Vietnam. For this reason, it’s arguably the most crucial travel tip for Vietnam not to overlook. Although Vietnam is a relatively safe country to visit, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

Whether you’re planning a 5-day Vietnam itinerary or staying a bit longer, getting a local SIM card or pocket wifi is highly encouraged (especially if you are a first-time visitor to Vietnam). 
Even though most hotels and posher eateries are likely to have free (and super fast) wifi, having access to all your favorite travel apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, and Grab Taxi 24/7 can help avoid unnecessary stress. 
Getting a SIM card at the Noi Bai Airport is very easy. All three major telecom companies have stores at the arrival area in terminal 2, the international terminal that most tourists land in
Our local guide may provide you with a pre-purchased activated SIM card and a registered 4G Internet plan.

Vietnamese food is known for its fresh ingredients, varied textures, colourful presentation, and well-rounded flavours. Be sure to try the Hanoi specialities like banh cuon (rice-flour rolls stuffed with minced mushroom and pork) and cha ca (turmeric fish with dill). When eating from street food vendors, make sure their work area is clean. A lot of diners can be a good indication as to the quality of the food.

Hanoi mostly runs on 220V of electricity, which is lower than Australia's 240V. Most hotels will have sockets for two-pin or three-pin plugs with flat prongs.. To be on the safe side, get a universal adapter that can accommodate these differences.

Locals in the more touristy parts of Vietnam speak some English, especially those with a high school or college education. The elderly might know some French as well. However, it could be helpful if you learn some basic Vietnamese phrases such as xin chao (hello) and xin cam on (thank you).
Hello – Xin chào
Goodbye – Tạm biệt
Thank you – Cám ơn
Sorry – Xin Lỗi
Please – Làm ơn
Yes – Vâng
No – Không
How much is it? – Cái này giá bao nhiêu?
Please help me – Làm ơn giúp tôi
Where is the bathroom? – Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?

Giving a small gratuity will be appreciated by the people who have served you. Tour guides, hotel housekeepers, massage therapists, and restaurant wait staff earn low wages. So if they provide you with excellent service, give them a small reward.