Title: Travel to Vietnam from France 2026: Flights, Visa-Free Entry & Three Ready-Made Itineraries
Description: How to travel to Vietnam from France — direct flights from Paris, the 45-day visa exemption, jet lag, the best time for French school holidays, and three tested 7, 10 and 15-day itineraries.
Travel to Vietnam from France · Paris to Hanoi direct flight · Vietnam visa French citizens · Vietnam itinerary 7 10 15 days · French travellers Vietnam guide · voyage Vietnam depuis la France
Planning Guide
France → Vietnam
Travel to Vietnam
from France
A direct flight from Paris, no visa to apply for on a short stay, and a country where French colonial history shows up in the architecture, the coffee, and the bread. This guide covers how to get there, what the entry rules are, when to go, and three tested itineraries for one, one-and-a-half, or two weeks.
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~11h20
Paris → Hanoi, direct
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45 days
Visa-free for French citizens
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+5 / +6 hrs
Time difference
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7 · 10 · 15
Day itineraries below
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⚠️ Note: Flight schedules and entry rules change. The details below were checked in October 2026. Always confirm current requirements on the official Vietnam immigration portal and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice before you book.
The short version
Everything French Travellers Ask First, in One Table
| Question |
Answer |
| Is there a direct flight? |
Yes. Paris to Hanoi takes about 11h20 and Paris to Ho Chi Minh City about 12h20, on Vietnam Airlines and Air France. |
| Do I need a visa? |
Not for stays up to 45 days. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay. |
| How many days do I need? |
7 days covers the north well, 10 days gives a first look at north, centre, and south, and 15 days adds Sapa, Hue, Da Lat, and Nha Trang without rushing. |
| Best time to go? |
It depends on the region. See the French school holiday table below to match your dates. |
| Does French help? |
A little, with some older Vietnamese. English is the practical common language, and Azotar's tours are guided in English and Vietnamese. |
Getting there
Flights from France to Vietnam
Paris is one of the best-connected European cities for Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines and Air France both fly non-stop from Paris Charles de Gaulle, and the journey takes roughly 11 to 12.5 hours depending on where you land. If you live outside Paris, you will usually connect in Paris or in a larger European or Middle Eastern hub.
| Route |
Approx. time |
Notes |
| Paris (CDG) → Hanoi (HAN) |
~11h20 direct |
The natural gateway for itineraries that start in the north: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Sapa. |
| Paris (CDG) → Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) |
~12h20 direct |
Ideal as your flight home when a trip runs north to south. |
| Other French cities |
Typically 14–22 hrs with a connection |
Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse and others usually connect via Paris or a hub such as Istanbul or Doha. Allow a comfortable layover rather than the tightest connection. |
Book the open-jaw ticket
If your route runs north to south, fly into Hanoi and home from Ho Chi Minh City. It saves a full day of backtracking and usually costs little more than a standard return. Two of the itineraries below (10 and 15 days) are built exactly this way. Fares vary widely by season and booking date, so compare several dates.
Entry requirements
Visa for French Citizens: Good News
Citizens of France are currently exempt from a Vietnam visa for stays of up to 45 days from the date of entry, under a Vietnamese government resolution in force from 15 March 2025 to 14 March 2028 and open to extension. For a typical holiday of one to two weeks, that means no application, no fee, and no paperwork to arrange in advance.
| Situation |
What to do |
| Stay of 45 days or less |
Travel with a valid French passport. No visa needed. Keep your return or onward ticket details handy in case immigration asks. |
| Passport validity |
At least six months of validity beyond your stay. A national identity card is not enough; you need a passport. |
| Staying longer than 45 days |
Apply for an e-visa on the official Vietnam immigration portal before travelling. E-visas are valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. |
| Leaving and re-entering |
If you plan a side trip (for example Cambodia or Laos) and then return to Vietnam, check the current re-entry conditions for visa-exempt visitors first. A multiple-entry e-visa is often the safer choice. |
Do not pay for a visa you do not need
Many third-party websites sell Vietnam visas to travellers who are in fact exempt. For a short stay as a French citizen, you do not need to buy anything. If you do need an e-visa, apply only through the official government portal. Our full Vietnam visa guide walks through the process.
Choose your trip
Three Azotar Itineraries, Matched to Your Time
These are three of Azotar's own tours, designed for first-time visitors. All include private airport transfers, hotels with breakfast, the listed meals and entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide, and all can be customised around your dates, hotels, and interests. Compare them first, then read the detail.
| Tour |
Route |
Fly in / out |
Domestic flights |
| 7 days |
Hanoi · Ninh Binh · Sapa · Ha Long Bay |
Hanoi / Hanoi |
None |
| 10 days |
Hanoi · Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay · Da Nang · Hoi An · Ho Chi Minh City · Mekong Delta |
Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City |
2, quoted separately |
| 15 days |
Hanoi · Ha Long Bay · Sapa · Hue · Phong Nha · Da Nang · Hoi An · Da Lat · Nha Trang |
Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City |
3, airfare not included |
Itinerary A · 7 days
Northern Vietnam Highlights
The best fit for a short first trip, and the simplest to book: you land in Hanoi and fly home from Hanoi, so a Paris–Hanoi direct return is all you need. It combines Hanoi, Ninh Binh's countryside, Sapa's mountains, and an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay.
| Day |
What you do |
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Hanoi. Airport pickup, hotel in the Old Quarter, free and easy. |
| Day 2 |
Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu, Vietnam's 10th-century capital; a Trang An or Tam Coc boat ride; cycling through a village; the Mua Cave viewpoint (about 500 steps). Back to Hanoi, then the overnight sleeper bus or train to Sapa. |
| Day 3 |
Sapa. Cat Cat Village, Sapa's stone church, and the town market. |
| Day 4 |
Fansipan. Cable car to the "Roof of Indochina", then the transfer back to Hanoi (arrival around 20:00). |
| Days 5–6 |
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise. Kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, Titop Island, a spring-roll class, sunrise Tai Chi, and Sung Sot Cave. Back in Hanoi mid-afternoon on day 6. |
| Day 7 |
Departure. Private transfer to Noi Bai Airport. |
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Included
Private airport pickup and drop-off in Hanoi, 4 hotel nights with breakfast, 1 cruise cabin night, 1 night on the sleeper bus or train, listed meals, transport, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide.
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Worth knowing
Flights, drinks, tips, a single room, and the Fansipan cable car ticket are paid separately. It is a full pace with a night on a sleeper; past guests describe it as beautiful but intensive. Plans can shift in bad weather.
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View the 7-day tour →
Itinerary B · 10 days
Vietnam from North to South
The classic first look at the whole country, and a natural open-jaw trip: fly into Hanoi, fly home from Ho Chi Minh City, with a direct Paris flight at each end. It is also the itinerary that includes the most French colonial heritage.
| Day |
What you do |
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Hanoi. Airport pickup, free and easy. |
| Day 2 |
Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu, a Trang An or Tam Coc boat ride, village cycling, and Mua Cave. Back to Hanoi that evening. |
| Days 3–4 |
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise with kayaking, Titop Island, and Sung Sot Cave. On day 4 you return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang in the evening. |
| Day 5 |
Da Nang and Hoi An. A beach morning, the Marble Mountains, then Hoi An's Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses, and the lantern-lit night market. |
| Day 6 |
Ba Na Hills. The cable car, the Le Jardin gardens and old French villa remains, and the Golden Bridge. |
| Days 7–8 |
Ho Chi Minh City. Fly from Da Nang and rest on day 7. Day 8: the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Reunification Palace, and the French colonial landmarks of Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office. |
| Day 9 |
Mekong Delta. A riverboat from My Tho, Thoi Son Island, tropical fruit tasting, an "elephant ear" fish lunch, and cycling through Tan Thach village. |
| Day 10 |
Departure. A free morning for shopping and coffee, then a private transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport. |
|
Included
Private airport transfers in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, 8 hotel nights with breakfast, 1 cruise night, listed meals, transport, entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, and bottled water.
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Worth knowing
International flights and the two domestic flights are not in the tour price (domestic flights are quoted separately, and Azotar can arrange them). Visa arrangement is also excluded, which French citizens rarely need for this length of stay.
|
View the 10-day tour →
Itinerary C · 15 days
Northern & Central Vietnam
The most complete first trip: mountains, caves, imperial Hue, Hoi An, a French-era hill station in Da Lat, and a beach finish in Nha Trang. It runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, so it pairs with direct Paris flights at both ends.
| Days |
What you do |
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Hanoi. Airport pickup and a welcome dinner. |
| Days 2–3 |
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise (kayaking, Titop Island, Sung Sot Cave), then Hanoi's Old Quarter and the overnight sleeper train to Sapa. |
| Days 4–6 |
Sapa. Cat Cat Village, the Lao Chai–Ta Van rice terraces (or Silver Waterfall and O Quy Ho Pass), and Fansipan by cable car. Then back to Hanoi and an evening flight to Da Nang. |
| Days 7–9 |
Hue and Phong Nha. The Imperial Citadel, a Perfume River evening with royal music and a floating lantern, Phong Nha Cave or Paradise Cave, Tu Duc Tomb, and the incense and conical-hat craft village. |
| Days 10–11 |
Da Nang and Hoi An. Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, the Marble Mountains, the Bay Mau coconut forest, and Hoi An Ancient Town. |
| Days 12–13 |
Da Lat. Fly from Da Nang to the highlands: the Hydrangea Garden and Linh Phuoc Pagoda, then a farm and flower-garden stop before travelling on to Nha Trang. |
| Days 14–15 |
Nha Trang. A speedboat cruise around Nha Trang Bay, then Long Son Pagoda and the Ponagar Cham Towers before a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where the tour ends. |
|
Included
12 hotel nights (3 to 4 stars), 1 night on a Ha Long Bay cruise, 1 night on the sleeper train, listed meals, entrance fees, the Ba Na Hills and Fansipan cable car tickets, bottled water, and an English or Vietnamese-speaking guide.
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Worth knowing
Airfare is not included (three domestic flights, which Azotar can arrange on request). It runs with a maximum of about 16 guests, and a private version can be requested. A few extras, such as the Perfume River royal music show, are paid on the spot.
|
View the 15-day tour →
When to go
Which Itinerary Fits Your French School Holidays
Vietnam has three climate zones that do not move in step, so the right tour depends on your dates. Here is how the main French holiday windows line up with each itinerary.
| French holiday |
What to expect and which tour |
Toussaint
late Oct – early Nov |
The north is at its best: cool, dry, clear. The 7-day tour fits perfectly. Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) is in its rainy season and Hoi An can flood, so for the 10 and 15-day tours ask us about adjusting the central section. |
Noël / Nouvel An
late Dec – early Jan |
Peak season. Cool and clear in the north, dry in the south, central Vietnam still clearing. All three tours work, but book cruises and hotels 2–3 months ahead. |
Vacances d'hiver
Feb – early Mar |
Very good across the country; the centre is drying out. Tết (Lunar New Year) falls in late January or February depending on the year and brings shop closures and packed domestic transport, so check the dates before booking. |
Pâques / printemps
April |
Warm and mostly dry in the centre and south, comfortable in the north. The 10 and 15-day tours shine. Note that 30 April and 1 May are Vietnamese public holidays with heavy domestic beach travel. |
Grandes vacances
July – August |
The hardest window for the north (rain, humidity, typhoon risk), while the central coast, Da Lat, and Nha Trang are at their best. The 7-day northern tour is not ideal; the 15-day tour has the strongest central and coastal section, but ask us how to adapt the northern days. |
Arrival
Jet Lag and Your First Days
Vietnam is on UTC+7 all year and does not change its clocks, so it is 6 hours ahead of France in winter and 5 hours ahead in summer. Flying east is the harder direction for jet lag, so the way you plan the first 48 hours matters more than you might expect.
How to land softly
| 🌙 Sleep on local time the night you arrive, even if it feels early. |
| 🛬 Have a driver waiting. All three tours include a private airport pickup, which removes the most common arrival scam: the taxi you did not ask for. |
| 🛌 Keep day 1 empty. In the 7 and 10-day tours day 1 is "free and easy", and in the 15-day tour it is just a welcome dinner, so nothing is lost if you are exhausted. |
| 🌿 Start in the countryside. Day 2 in the 7 and 10-day tours is Ninh Binh, a calm landscape of rice paddies and boat rides that is far easier on a jet-lagged body than Hanoi's traffic. |
A shared history
The French Thread Through These Itineraries
France ruled Vietnam as part of French Indochina from the 19th century until 1954, and that period left a deep and complicated mark. French travellers often notice familiar details: tree-lined boulevards, shuttered villas, baguettes, and coffee on every corner. A guide who can explain both the architecture and the history, including the difficult parts, adds real depth. Along these tours you will meet it in several places.
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⛪
Ho Chi Minh City (10-day tour)
Notre-Dame Cathedral (built 1863–1880) and the Old Central Post Office stand side by side in District 1, close to the Reunification Palace.
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🌲
Da Lat (15-day tour)
A highland hill station created for French administrators, with pine forests, cool air, and colonial villas, the most "French" atmosphere in the country.
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🏔️
Sapa and Ba Na Hills
Sapa began as a French hill resort, and the 7-day tour passes the waterfall where the French built a small hydroelectric station. At Ba Na Hills you will find the Le Jardin gardens and the remains of old French villas.
|
🥖
Hanoi, on day 1 or day 11
Every itinerary starts in Hanoi. Ask us to add a walk through the French Quarter, with the Opera House and St Joseph's Cathedral, to your free first evening or last day.
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Before you fly
Practical Checklist for French Travellers
| Topic |
What to know |
| Health & vaccines |
No vaccination is compulsory for entry from France. Speak to your doctor or an international vaccination centre 4–6 weeks before departure for advice suited to your itinerary and health history. |
| Travel insurance |
Essential. Your Carte Vitale and European health card do not apply in Vietnam. Some premium bank cards include travel cover; read the exclusions, especially for trekking, motorbikes, and medical repatriation. |
| Register your trip |
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers a free registration service, Fil d'Ariane, and publishes travel advice. France has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City. |
| Money |
The currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but you need cash for markets, street food, and tips. Check your bank's foreign-withdrawal fees and tell it you are travelling. |
| Phone & internet |
EU roaming does not apply. Buy a local SIM or an eSIM; it is cheap and far better value than roaming. Download offline maps for mountain areas such as Sapa. |
| Plugs & power |
Vietnam uses 220V, like France. Sockets vary, so a universal adapter is a sensible, cheap precaution, especially for earthed French plugs. |
| Language |
French is spoken by some older Vietnamese and in a few heritage businesses, but English is far more widely used in tourism. Azotar's tours are guided in English and Vietnamese. "Xin chào" (hello) and "cảm ơn" (thank you) are always warmly received. |
Booking basics
What to Know Before You Book
A few points that come up in nearly every enquiry. Terms can change, so always check the individual tour page for the current conditions.
| Deposit |
A 30% deposit secures the booking, with the balance due before departure. |
| Flexibility |
Tell Azotar your arrival and departure flights and the team adjusts the pickup. Extra nights before or after the tour, extra destinations, and hotel or cruise upgrades can all be added. |
| Children |
Child rates apply when sharing a room with two adults. On the 7-day tour, infants (0–2) are free, ages 3–8 pay 85% of the adult rate, and ages 9 and over pay the adult rate. |
| Solo travellers |
Prices are per adult based on twin or double sharing, so a single room carries a supplement. |
| Flights |
International flights are never included. Domestic flights on the 10 and 15-day tours are also separate, but Azotar can arrange them as part of your trip. |
Why the format matters on a long-haul trip
Private Transfers and a Flexible Plan Remove the Friction
After 11 or 12 hours in the air, you want the first days to be smooth: a driver at arrivals, a hotel ready, a day with nothing scheduled, and someone who can adjust the plan if jet lag hits. That is what a well-built private-transfer itinerary delivers, and it frees you to enjoy places like Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Da Lat with a guide who knows the stories rather than juggling logistics.
It also covers the details that trip up independent first-timers: timing, transfers, cruise and train bookings, and choosing the right regions for your travel dates.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do French citizens need a visa for Vietnam?
Not for stays of up to 45 days. French citizens are currently exempt under a Vietnamese government resolution running from March 2025 to March 2028. For longer stays you need an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days. Always confirm the current rules on the official portal before you travel.
How long is the flight from France to Vietnam?
A direct flight from Paris takes about 11 hours 20 minutes to Hanoi and about 12 hours 20 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City. From other French cities, expect roughly 14 to 22 hours with a connection.
Which itinerary is best for a first trip from France?
It depends on your time. With about a week, the 7-day northern tour is the simplest. With ten days, the north-to-south tour gives the widest first look. With two weeks or more, the 15-day tour adds Sapa, Hue, Da Lat, and Nha Trang without rushing. Check the holiday table above, because the northern tour is strongest in autumn and winter and the central and coastal sections are strongest in spring and summer.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese or English?
English is the practical common language in tourism. A little French can help with some older Vietnamese and in a few heritage venues, but it is not something to rely on. With a guide, language is rarely an obstacle.
Can I change the itinerary or add extra nights?
Yes. All three itineraries can be customised around your dates, hotel preferences, and interests, and extra nights before or after the tour can be added. Tell Azotar your flight times and the team adjusts the pickups.
Ready to Plan Your Trip from France?
Tell Azotar your dates, your flights, and what you want from the trip, and the team will match the right itinerary and adjust it around you, from the airport pickup to the last evening.
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