The bustling country of Vietnam in Asia invites you with open arms to try its delicious cuisines and get lost in the culture and breathtaking landscapes. When looking for things to do in Vietnam, it’s easy to get lost in Vietnam’s vibrant cityscape and natural beauty and move planning to the backseat. The below Vietnam travel tips will help you have a good holiday.
Here is a list of necessary Vietnam Travel Tips 2024 to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime, whether you’re an experienced traveller or first-timer!
Escape the Downpours: Go for a dry season visit
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Before you hop on a cheap flight to Vietnam from India, you must pack an umbrella, especially if you’re visiting between May and November, as occasional typhoons hit Central Vietnam. The country also welcomes heavy downpours in the southwest region from May to September and in the northeast from October to April.
It is best to enjoy the rains in India and then plan a visit to Vietnam in the dry months of the spring and summer season, usually between November and April! Every part of Vietnam has different climatic conditions throughout the year, so consider planning your visit as per the parts you want to explore. One of the best Vietnam travel tips for packing is to carry lightweight clothing, rainy boots, and a few warm pieces to ensure your suitcase always adapts to the weather.
Domestic Flight or Train? A Guide to Getting Around
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On a time crunch? The best Vietnam travel tips to explore would be to book affordable connecting flights, especially from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, as the 30-minute train journey can break your back. However, trains are best, providing the most breathtaking views and are perfect for extroverts who love interacting with the locals. Vietnam also has sleeper buses, offering a hotel experience on wheels!
Transport Vietnam travel tips to explore the city? One of the best Vietnam travel tips is to book a motorbike, which is perfect for exploring the urban city and hidden rural spots, costing a minimum of VND 100,000 (₹333.62) in Hanoi. Rent a car to explore Vietnam if you’re travelling with your family. Those on a budget trip will prefer the buses, as you won’t have to spend more than VND (₹166.81) 50,000 a day!
Currency Exchange in Vietnam
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Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries to explore for Indians, as one rupee costs Vietnamese Dong 340 in Vietnam. It’s best to exchange your currency online in advance to grab the best exchange rates. You can also exchange currency at the front desk of the best hotels in Hanoi and find ATMs in different parts of Vietnam that accept international debit and credit cards. Look online for the current exchange fee to avoid getting scammed, especially if you exchange your money at smaller government-authorised stalls.
The country has two notes made of two materials: polymer notes, from 500,000 to 10,000 VND, and paper notes, from 5,000 to 200 VND. Much more than finding currency exchange spots in Vietnam, locals struggle with identifying the denominations on each note, as the VND 20,000, 100,000, and 500,000 are all in shades of greens and blues. There are no quick Vietnam travel tips to help you with this, so we recommend pausing a moment to observe the notes before you hand them over carefully to avoid getting scammed.
Also read: Forex Card, Cash or Credit/Debit Card for your International Trip?
A Packing Guide: How to Stay Under the Baggage Weight Limit
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A Vietnam travel guide without packing details is like a Banh mi with no fillings, missing all the essentials! Carry-on and check-in bags are allowed, as per Vietnamese travel requirements. The carry-on bags have a weight limit of 12 kg on Vietnamese flights and 70 kg on international. The check-in luggage has a weight limit of around 30 to 40 kg and a size limit of 158 cm, depending on the airline.
If you’re visiting Vietnam for the first time, here’s a list of a few items to leave back home:
- Alcoholic drinks: Having more than 70% alcohol content.
- Flammable Items: Gasoline, matches, lighter fluid, paint thinners, etc.
- Liquids: A total of over 1 litre. Each 100 ml of product must be sealed in containers and placed in a transparent bag.
- Maps mentioning the South China Sea: Only maps referring to the sea besides Vietnam as the Eastern Sea are allowed.
- Pornographic content: No explicit content is allowed in the county, so if you have an unlabelled CD, it will be investigated before you board.
- Lithium batteries and power banks: Only allowed in carriage bag.
- Weapons and sharp objects: No knives or weapons. Only allowed in checked-in baggage with a permit.
Additionally, you cannot carry odorous food items, cigarettes, human ashes, over 2.5 kg of dry ice, and suitcases with non-removable batteries are not allowed on the flight.
For more baggage tips read: Prohibited Items on Flight
Avoid Drinking Tap Water & Having Meals in Shady Restaurants
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Similar to the tap water in India, it is best to avoid drinking tap water in Vietnam, as it is not processed for drinking like in other Western countries. It could cause many diseases if your immune system is not strong enough. The water could have chemicals and rust from old taps mixed in that could cut your trip short.
When trying food in Vietnam, remember that it’s at your own risk, as the Ministry of Health does not issue Food Safety Certificates to anyone. One of the best Vietnam travel tips when buying food is to observe the surroundings and cleanliness of any eatery to visit. Consider getting a vaccine before your Vietnam trip, as dengue fevers run rampant here during the rainy season.
Learn a few Local Words to Connect with the Culture.
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How do you feel when someone speaks to you in your native language? Happy, and you look forward to more interaction. So, if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam for the first time, the best way to connect with the locals is to learn their language! You need not be proficient; a few words are enough to bring a smile to their faces and help you navigate the city better on a Vietnam tour package.
Instead of getting into the gender and age-related complexities of greeting in Vietnam, one of the best Vietnam travel tips is to greet with “ban oi,” pronounced as bang oi, meaning “hey friend.” Some other polite words you must learn are:
- Hello: Cin xiao (Zin chow) for an older woman, it would be Chao Chi, translating to Hello Madam.
- Thank you: Cam on (Gam un)
- Excuse me: Xin loi (Sin loy), as a way of apologizing for bumping into someone or asking to get past. Em oi is the excuse me to get attention.
- Yes: Da
- No: Khong
- Goodbye: Tam biet
- Delicious: ngon
- Help: Giup toi
One of the best translation travel tips to Vietnam is to use Google Voice and translate conversations aloud. However, nothing can beat the personal connection of speaking directly to locals in their language.
Always Keep an Eye Out for Scammers & Pick-pockets
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If it’s your first time in Vietnam, you must always be on guard, as tourist Vietnam scams are famous. Avoid taking gifts from any vendor, as they will ask you to pay a much higher price once you agree. Ensure that whatever you purchase has a price tag on it. Never board a taxi that you didn’t specifically book from the Grab app, even if a Grab taxi driver is beckoning you to hop in and ensure that there is a meter.
Ensure you secure all your valuable items in cross-body bags where you can see them at all times. Most thieves are on motorbikes and will snatch the item and drive away quickly. If your items are stolen, immediately file a complaint at the local police station.
Do: Get Permission Before You Snap a Shot
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No snaps before permission should be your main photography rule in Vietnam. Locals might feel uncomfortable and agitated if you take candid shots when they’re unprepared. The only hawkers allowing you to photograph them without permission are the fruit and coconut vendors with dangling baskets, who will then charge you a bomb for the same.
Do: Eat like a Local. Yes, with Chopsticks!
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It’s alright if you don’t know how to eat with chopsticks, but if you do try to use them, avoid placing them in certain ways, as they signify bad omens in Vietnam.
- Placing chopsticks upright in a rice bowl: Represents the incense sticks used on graves.
- Uneven length of chopsticks: Represents begging.
Meals in Vietnam are usually eaten in spreads, so one of the main things to avoid in Vietnam is not trying the side dishes and sauces put out on the table.
Don’t: Follow Touts Blindly
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Touts are middlemen who direct your access to certain restaurants, shops, and hotels and extract an additional commission price in return. Book cheap hotels in Hanoi instead to ensure you stay under budget while getting the best!
Don’t: Buy Antique Souvenirs
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It is illegal to take ancient Vietnamese souvenirs outside the country. Avoid souvenirs made from teeth, bones, feathers, and horns taken from wild animals, as you could get into trouble.
Don’t: Hug!
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Hugging and patting one’s back is a warm greeting, though not in Vietnam. As public displays of affection are avoided, a handshake or nod is one of the best Vietnam travel tips to greet people.
Vietnam will truly become one of your frequent travel destinations once you master these tips to experience the country like a local! Apply for your 30 days Vietnam visa online now to go on a trip before 2024 ends during the best visiting months. Don’t forget to tell us more about your Vietnam travel tips and experiences when you get back in the comments!
FAQs: Vietnam Travel Tips
Do and don’ts in Vietnam?
You should always ask for permission before snapping photographs in public and avoid falling for scams by clicking the vendors with dangling baskets. Place your chopsticks wisely and try all condiments and side dishes on the table. Don’t display affection in public. Avoid antique souvenirs and following touts blindly.
What to prepare for a Vietnam trip?
Pack clothes for all weather conditions and take all necessary vaccinations to avoid falling sick in Vietnam. Book your visa a month before your trip.
How do I prepare my stomach for Vietnam?
It is recommended to start taking probiotics a week before visiting to keep your stomach healthy. However, this might not be enough if you drink tap water and eat food from dingy stalls in Vietnam.
Where to go in Vietnam for first timers?
Begin your Vietnam visit with the capital, Hanoi, and move on to other spots, like Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, Halong Bay, and the Chi Chi Tunnels.
What to skip in Vietnam?
Tourists exploring Vietnam during the peak season should avoid the popular locations, including Sapa and Halong Bay. Avoid Phu Quoc Island, full of tourist traps.
Which part of Vietnam is most beautiful?
Sapa is known as the most beautiful spot in Vietnam for its gushing whitewater rivers, breathtaking valleys, and green mountain ranges.
Which is better, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi?
Both cities offer a unique experience. Those looking to explore traditional Vietnam should go to Hanoi. Visitors who prefer the modern and bustling streets should visit Ho Chi Minh City.
How is nightlife in Vietnam?
Vietnam has a bustling and vibrant lifestyle, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, after the biggest in Bangkok. You can explore bars, speakeasies, clubs, beaches, and rooftop drinking places.
How many days are enough for Vietnam?
You should schedule a one-week visit to get the most out of your tour package. Tourists can easily explore the most popular locations in around 20 days.
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