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How to Book a Spring Trip to Vietnam

How to · Travel

How to Book a Spring Trip to Vietnam

Eat your way through Hanoi and explore history in Hue without paying for it all upfront.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $2,800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $186.67/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $2,800 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Spring is the sweet spot for Vietnam. You get dry, warm days perfect for walking through ancient cities like Hue and grabbing plastic stools for bowls of pho in Hanoi before the heavy monsoon rains start. A solid two-week run of history and street food usually runs about $2800.

We can break that cost down into smaller chunks instead of watching a massive lump sum leave your checking account. By using the Discover it® Cash Back card, we can spread the trip's cost over more than a year without paying extra for the privilege.

The catch here is the deadline. A 0% interest rate is not free money; it is a temporary pause. If you still have a balance on your Discover card after those 15 months, the regular interest rate kicks in on whatever is left, which will quickly make your trip much more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Lock in your spring flights

    Aim for March or April to beat the rainy season. Start tracking flights early and book when you see a price drop, as plane tickets will be your biggest upfront expense.

  2. 02

    Spread out the payments

    If you put the $2800 trip on the Discover it® Cash Back, you get 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This means you can pay $186.67 per month to clear the balance before any interest kicks in.

  3. 03

    Map out your stops

    Divide your time between Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Boutique hotels and homestays are cheap in Vietnam, so you can get high-end comfort for very little cash.

  4. 04

    Budget cash for street food

    Most of the best food in Vietnam is sold on the sidewalk by vendors who only take cash. Keep some local currency on hand for daily market runs and street stalls where cards are not accepted.

  5. 05

    Prep your documents

    Check your passport expiration date and secure your tourist visa online ahead of time. Pack light, breathable layers to stay comfortable as the spring weather warms up.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Do I need cash in Vietnam?

Yes, you absolutely need cash. While hotels and nicer restaurants accept credit cards, local street food stalls and markets only take Vietnamese Dong.

When is the rainy season in Vietnam?

The rainy season generally runs from May to November. Traveling in March or April lets you catch dry weather across most of the country.

What is 0% intro APR?

It is an introductory period where the bank does not charge you interest on your purchases. For this card, that period lasts for 15 months before the standard rate begins.

Is Vietnam expensive to visit?

Once you pay for the flight, daily life in Vietnam is very cheap. You can easily eat incredible meals and stay in great places for less than fifty dollars a day.