Holidays in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): tours from Almaty from 752,000 ₸

A holiday in Ho Chi Minh City means almost year-round warmth, a short flight with one connection from Almaty, and a gentle time difference of just plus two hours. The best season for a trip is from December to April, when it is dry and hot. Rain falls from May to November, but usually these are short showers. You should allow from five to seven days for the trip.

How to prepare for a trip to Vietnam: visa, money and communications?

A trip to Ho Chi Minh City begins long before departure, and preparation takes more time than packing a suitcase itself. Below is what you should decide in advance so as not to spend the first days of the trip on everyday trifles.

Applying for a visa for citizens of Kazakhstan

For a trip to Vietnam, citizens of Kazakhstan need a visa, and it is better to apply for it before departure. Tours to Ho Chi Minh City usually imply that documents are prepared in advance, so check with the operator which steps it takes on itself. Practice shows: an e-visa is issued online and arrives by email, and a visa on arrival is also ordered in advance via the internet, receiving an approval letter. Without such a letter, boarding the flight is impossible. Check the current requirements and processing times on the website of the Vietnam Immigration Service (https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, checked 01.10.2026). The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry, and it needs free pages for the stamp. Keep copies of the document separately from the original. If you are travelling with children, a separate document is issued for each child. Start the procedure at least two to three weeks before departure so that there is a margin for correcting mistakes in the form.

Currency, ATMs and cashless payment

It is more convenient to bring money to Vietnam in US dollars in new banknotes without damage. It is worth exchanging them at banks or official exchange offices, and not with street money changers, where it is easy to get an unfavourable rate. The local currency is the dong, and amounts in it look impressive, so count carefully in the first days. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, restaurants and large shops, but at markets, in small cafes and taxis you need cash. ATMs are found often, however the commission depends both on the issuing bank and on the device itself, and the limit for a single withdrawal is restricted. Withdraw large amounts less often, but more per transaction. Keep part of the cash in the hotel safe, and do not carry everything with you. For communications upon arrival, buy a local SIM card with internet — at the airport or in the city, this is cheaper than roaming.

How to get there and where to stay?

The journey to the city takes almost a day, so the route and accommodation are thought through together. This determines how comfortable the first days of the holiday will be.

Flight from Almaty and the time difference

There are no direct flights from Almaty to Ho Chi Minh City, and the flight usually goes with one connection. Travel time including the layover is from ten hours, and if the layover is long, the journey will stretch to a day. The time difference between Kazakhstan and Vietnam is plus two hours to Almaty time, so acclimatisation is gentle. Departure is most often in the evening or at night, and at the arrival airport it is worth deciding in advance how to get to the hotel. Book a transfer through the hotel or use a taxi-hailing app — this is calmer than bargaining with a driver after a long flight. It is better not to plan the first day densely. Give yourself time for sleep, a shower and a short walk near the hotel.

Choosing a hotel and area of stay

The area of stay is chosen according to the purpose of the trip, and in Ho Chi Minh City the range is wide. The centre is convenient for sightseeing: the main streets, cafes and markets are nearby, but it is noisy and more expensive. Remote areas are cheaper and quieter, however the journey to the attractions takes time. Hotels range from simple guesthouses to five-star ones, and in high season it is worth booking in advance. It is convenient to compare options by the main parameters like this.

When choosing, look not only at the price, but also at the distance to the metro and stops. Read recent reviews: they are more honest than photographs. Check whether breakfast is included and whether there is a pool.

How to get around the city and beyond

Transport in Ho Chi Minh City is a separate part of the impressions, and it is worth getting used to. The flow is dense, but the city is logical if you understand a few rules.

Public transport and taxi-hailing apps

City transport means buses and the metro, and for short trips taxi-hailing apps are more convenient. Buses are cheap, but routes should be checked in advance, and at rush hour they get packed tightly. The metro is clean and predictable, however it does not cover the whole city. A taxi via an app saves you from haggling and shows the price before the trip. Renting a motorbike is popular, but requires an international driving licence and confident driving experience in dense traffic. If you have no experience, do not risk it: local traffic does not forgive mistakes. Before leaving the hotel, save the address in Vietnamese — drivers do not always read Latin script. Payment is most often in cash, but large services accept cards.

Day trips to the Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi tunnels

From Ho Chi Minh City it is convenient to take day trips, and two of them are the most in demand. The Mekong Delta means boats, canals, coconut plantations and tasting honey with fruit. The journey takes a couple of hours one way, the excursion lasts a full day and includes lunch. The Cu Chi tunnels are a different format: underground passages, narrow crawl spaces and a story about military history. Both trips are tiring in the heat, so take water and a head covering. Book the excursion through the hotel or a trusted operator, and not from the first person you meet on the street. Check whether the transfer and lunch are included in the price. Return is usually towards evening, so plan dinner already in the city.

What a tourist should keep in mind on a trip

Small everyday details decide whether a pleasant impression of the holiday remains. A few habits will help avoid unnecessary expenses and feeling unwell.

Medical insurance and safety

Medical insurance is not mandatory for entry, but it is worth arranging: local medicine for foreigners is paid. A policy with coverage for hospitalization and emergency evacuation will cost less than one visit to a doctor. Keep the policy number and the assistance phone number in your phone and on paper. The city is safe, but keep your bag in front, especially in crowds and at markets. Do not take out your phone at the edge of the roadway. Spread documents and cash across different places. Do not leave things unattended on the beach or in cafes. If you feel unwell, do not self-medicate — go to a clinic for foreigners.

Local cuisine, water and tips

Vietnamese cuisine is a strong argument in favor of the trip, but it is worth taking care of your stomach. You cannot drink tap water, only bottled, and the same rule applies to ice in questionable places. Street food is safe where there is high foot traffic and it is cooked in front of you. Try pho, banh mi and fresh rolls in crowded establishments. Tips are not mandatory, but are welcomed in restaurants and hotels — usually five to ten percent of the bill. Choose comfortable shoes: you will have to walk a lot. Clothing — light, made of natural fabrics, plus a head covering and sunscreen. In the rainy season, downpours are short but intense, so a compact umbrella or raincoat will come in handy.

What are the booking conditions and what is included in the price

Money and obligations should be fixed before payment, and not discussed on the spot. Below is what you need to clarify with the operator in advance.

Deposit amount and cancellation rules

Clarify at what point the booking is considered confirmed and what happens if the dates change. Ask how the money is refunded and within what period. Ask them to send the terms in writing, not as a retelling by phone. Keep the correspondence and payment documents until the end of the trip. If you are traveling in high season, book earlier: the choice of hotels shrinks quickly.

Included services and possible additional payments on site

Usually the clarifications concern transfer, excursions, meals and fees. Ask in advance whether day trips to the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta are included. Clarify whether entrance tickets and lunches are paid separately. Check whether transfer from the airport and back is included. This way you will understand the real budget of the vacation, and not just the price of the package.

Briefly

• Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam welcomes guests all year round, but the dry season from December to April is more comfortable.
• The flight from Almaty is with one connection, the time difference is plus two hours.
• Bring currency in dollars, withdraw dong from ATMs and exchange at banks.
• Choose the area of stay based on the purpose of the trip, book the hotel in advance.
• Drink bottled water, eat in crowded places and leave tips at your discretion.