Hey Annie. I believe proof of onward travel is not a requirement for the visas (it’s only asked sometimes when using a visa exemption). Their visas have recently been made much simpler… I recommend applying for the new 90-day e-visa if you can. I have more info here 🙂

Loved your article it has been really helpful 🙂 Just a question – do I need proof that I will be leaving Vietnam upon entering (i.e. a return ticket)? Do you have any specific tips about visas etc.?

Thanks in advance!!

Hey Sarah, glad this has been useful! Typically Ha Long Bay doesn’t involve real hiking, just maybe a 30-minute walk or so to a viewpoint for example, which if your dad truly doesn’t want to do he could skip by staying on the boat. The hikes in Sapa tend to be proper treks, at least moderate difficulty, so perhaps instead you could consider a homestay experience where you stay with a local family (lots of options for this in Sapa). Fansipan mountain also comes to mind, which has a cable car to the top.

I’ve explored Ha Giang by myself on a motorbike, which was one of my favorite travel experiences. There are so-called ‘easy rider’ tours where you’re on the back of a motorbike, if your folks are up for such an adventure! There are also tours by minibus. I haven’t done those but I think a lot of the experience may be lost there, as you just drive around and stop at a few viewpoints, without the full immersion you get from stopping in villages and having the wind in your face. But… I haven’t done it that way 🙂

Hey Matt! It’s just a matter of preference. I’ve done things north to south twice now as I like starting in the mountains and ending in a warmer climate with more beaches. But either way works. I like Hanoi as a first introduction to Vietnam… it’s chaotic but it’s more traditional and has more heritage buildings than HCMC. Though if you do HCMC and Hanoi back to back, you may be desperate for some fresh air and crave a lack of motorbikes… I’d maybe bookend your trip with the two cities 🙂