Dana Filek-Gibson - Moon Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

a water puppet performance.

The best months for exploring Ho Chi Minh City and its surroundings are between November and March, which also matches the regions high season. These months fall after rainy season has come to a close but before the sweltering heat takes over. From there, the build-up to rainy season begins, bringing high temperatures and humidity before the downpours start in mid- to late May. Things get especially busy over Christmas before sliding into Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) the following month. While this is a holiday of fascinating local traditions, it makes for a poor time to visit, as the entire country shuts down for weeks before and after, particularly in Saigon, where everyone heads to the countryside to visit their relatives. Those businesses that remain open often double or triple their prices, and transportation is unreliable. While fewer foreigners travel during the summer, July and August see droves of domestic holidaymakers.

Visitors are required to secure a tourist visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. This can be arranged through any Vietnamese embassy or consulate up to six months before your trip. In 2016, the Vietnamese government debuted a one-year, multiple-entry tourist visa for US passport holders. The visa costs USD$135-220 and allows American citizens to stay in the country for a period of up to three months at a time.

Additionally, US citizens can apply for one- and three-month visas with both single- and multiple-entry options. Depending upon both the nature of the visa and where you apply for itwhether through your local embassy or consulate, or via an online servicethe short-term visas cost USD$75-180, while the yearlong visa will set you back as much as USD$220.

Travelers entering Vietnam over land must visit an embassy or consulate to prepare their visa ahead of time. Air travelers have the additional option to apply for pre-approval, a significantly more cost-effective route, though this is only available to those arriving at one of Vietnams three major airports: Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City; Noi Bai in Hanoi; or Danang International Airport. Although pre-approval is not encouraged by the Vietnamese government, it is a legitimate option, provided you arrange your documents through a reliable company. International air travelers must have a passport with at least six months validity at time of travel.

While there are no required vaccinations for Vietnam, the Centers for Disease Control recommend that travelers vaccinate against Hepatitis A and typhoid prior to visiting in order to prevent food-borne illness. Additional preventative measures, such as the rabies vaccine, are suggested for cyclists and those who may come into contact with animals. Vaccinations against Hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis are also recommended for some travelers, depending upon your destination.

Though malaria does exist in Vietnam, its prevalence is low, with only rare incidences in the Mekong Delta. Most travelers opt to use insect repellent and cover up at dawn and dusk.

Travelers to Saigon arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and set off from there. Public transportation is easily accessible, from planes and trains to buses and boats. For shorter journeys, hitting the road is the cheapest option; for long-distance or over-water trips, youre better off in the air.